The latest row between the two campaigns has McCain’s camp accusing Obama of sexism. The dispute centers over Obama’s use of the colloquialism “lipstick on a pig” when talking about McCain’s vow to bring change to Washington, despite supporting President Bush’s key policies.

Barack Obama: “You can put lipstick on a pig. It’s still a pig.”

The McCain campaign says Obama was in fact referring to Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin. Obama has dismissed the allegation and says the McCain campaign is manufacturing a phony controversy over a common saying. McCain himself has used the term several times, including in 2002.