Projo Politics Blog

By Edward Fitzpatrick
Journal staff writer

The presidential candidates are hogging the headlines and slinging mud over Barack Obama's use of the phrase "You can put lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig."

But here in Rhode Island, we've heard this barnyard banter before.

Obama's use of the phrase yesterday, which came in criticizing John McCain's policies as similar to those of President Bush, mirrors a General Assembly debate in 2004.

As that year's legislative session neared a hectic, heated conclusion, House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox, D-Providence, launched into a late-night speech about the annual budget vote.

"What the House leadership has tried to do tonight is to pass a budget that is responsible," Fox said during the debate on June 18, 2004. "But what has gone on tonight in this State House is absolutely, unequivocally despicable."

"The governor of the state of Rhode Island, who is chairman of the Republican Party, with other Democratic members in here -- and we'll leave them nameless, Representative Caprio -- calling Democratic members into his chambers and offering to get Republican opponents out of the race for a vote against this budget," Fox said, his voice rising.

Fox then called for a budget vote and said, "This is about: You put lipstick on the pig, Governor Carcieri, it's still a pig. This is the wrong way to pass a budget for the people of the state of Rhode Island."

Extra: Read the original Journal report of the debate, by Journal staff writer Edward Fitzpatrick.

Video: Watch the 15-minute exchange on the floor of the House that night. Fox's "lipstick" remarks are about 1:30 seconds into the video.

 Tags  General Assembly Gordon Fox lipstick on a pig

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