Obama comments 'offensive and disgraceful'

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama’s comments that “you can put lipstick on a pig” were “offensive and disgraceful”, his rival John McCain’s campaign said today.

Mr Obama’s reference to an earlier joke by Mr McCain’s running mate Sarah Palin came as he intensified his criticism of the Republican ticket, challenged the notion they offered change and said a McCain presidency would be like four more years of President George Bush.