Of course it was a stroke of genius. Of evil genius that puts winning an election above the welfare of the US citizens, the nation's survival, and even the interests of the world at large.

But this ruse only works to the extent that the corporate infotainment "news" media let them get by with it.

Regardless of underlying motive, what Barack Obama actually said was in no way a reference to anyone as a "pig." It was a reference to McCain's -- or the McCain/Palin ticket's -- charade of standing for "reforming" Washington as "putting lipstick on a pig." The actual speech is out there for people to read or watch. Instead, too many in on TV and radio persist in twisting and distorting it and making an unwarranted BFD (big f*cking distraction).