What on earth are we to make of this pig and lipstick comment? Was it a jibe at Palin or an innocent remark? It’s times like this when, to be honest, I actually wish the BBC could take sides. Unfortunately, impartial as ever, its original report – of, erm, Obama’s denial – is no help, only noting that “Republicans may well try to keep the controversy going, although one difficulty for them is that John McCain has himself used the offending phrase”. And, as one might expect, neither is Matt Frei. He can only tell us that Palin’s “campaign advisers and those blushing violets around the uber-sensitive John McCain are more offended than nuns in a nudist romp… And the Republicans are getting away with it.”
Oh well, perhaps Webb will be more help – he sometimes stretches the rules to help his readers out… “All of this hugely interesting for another area of scientific enquiry: the psychology of voting behaviour. Do facts matter?” No, no help there either. I’m confused as ever.