Mike Huckabee doesn't think Barack Obama was talking about Sarah Palin, and John McCain has used the same term in talking about a Hillary Clinton proposal. Still, Republicans are doing what they can to fan the flames:

State Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff: "Regardless of Senator Obama's intentions, his comments were sloppy, inappropriate and indicative of someone running scared. His campaign has been unable to combat the excitement and enthusiasm generated by Governor Palin's nomination, and his only response thus far has been personal attacks. This seems to be a pattern with Senator Obama. He has trouble admitting when he has made a mistake; he did it with the surge in Iraq as well. I would ask that Senator Obama apologize and move on. This campaign should be about ideas and America's future, not personal attacks."

Orange County Commissioner Mildred Fernandez: "This latest remark follows a string of snide, demeaning comments from the Obama campaign. This line of attack is disgraceful and should be offensive to every American woman, regardless of her political views. Governor Palin deserves the same respect that any man in this race would be given, and she is certainly owed an apology by Senator Obama."

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