Refusing to Apologize
By Michael Medved

"Republicans accused Barack Obama of calling Sarah Palin a pig when he attacked GOP promises of reform with the old phrase: "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it?s still a pig." The audience whooped and hollered, delighted by apparent reference to Palin's quip at the Republican convention citing "lipstick" as the difference between pit bulls and hockey moms.

Obama's visible hesitation suggests he knew he might get into trouble for the line. Moreover, his refusal to apologize, and insistence on attacking Republicans for objecting to his words, keeps the issue alive. When John Kerry joked about those with poor educations "getting stuck in Iraq," he angrily denounced his critics, rather than apologizing--giving the issue added resonance and ruining his presidential prospects. Similarly, Obama's determination to fight over this issue is the self-destructive mistake of an increasingly insecure candidate."