by Christi Parsons
Sen. Bob Casey thinks Pennsylvania voters will judge Barack Obama by the things he's said and done in the past, and not by his recent statements to San Francisco Democrats about the hearts and minds of small-town Americans.
"I know Barack Obama and I know Pennsylvania, and I’ve been blessed with the votes of people all across our state, including a lot of smaller communities in Pennsylvania," Casey tells CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "And I don't think they're going to judge him by one statement. I think they're going to judge him by his record, by his commitment to change. But, also, I think they're going to judge him by the person they met along the campaign trail."
That person, says Casey, has shaken hands and spent a lot of time in places like Altoona and Johnstown, hard-hit by economic setbacks.
"They know his values, they know his heart," said Casey, an Obama supporter, "and I think he's going to do just fine."
But in another key state with an upcoming primary, Sen. Evan Bayh, a Hillary Clinton backer, tells CNN he's worried about what Republicans would do with the Obama remarks in the general election campaign.
"Wolf, I like Barack Obama," the Indiana senator told Blitzer. "I think he's a good person."
But "look at what the Republicans did here in the last 48 hours," Bayh said, referring to the response to Obama's comments. "They're calling on everyone who's received contributions from Sen. Obama's political committee to give the money back. They're calling upon people to disavow his remarks all across red-state America."
Superdelegates have to ask themselves who can best go up against John McCain in the fall, said Bayh, an answer he thinks is more obvious now than it was 48 hours ago.
He didn't mention that Clinton supporters have actively fanned the San Francisco story, though it has. Bayh was focused on the GOP.
"I'm afraid that this gives the Republicans a stick to beat us with," he said.
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Comments
I sure hate to say this about Senator Bayh, because I was a great admirer of his father, Senator Birch Bayh, but the present Senator Bayh is very opportunistic. For him to tear down a fellow Democrat, as other Democrats are doing, is inexcusable, even reprehensible. It may prove to be fatal for Democratic success in the fall!!
It is the Republicans who should be our targets for criticism, not fellow Democrats!! Wake up, my fellow Democrats, America can not afford another Republican misadministration!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | April 13, 2008 3:26 PM
MY FELLOW BITTER, STUPID, WORKING CLASS PEOPLE.
YOU MIGHT BE AN IDIOT, TOO :-(
If you think like Barack Obama, that WORKING CLASS PEOPLE are just a bunch of BITTER!, STUPID, PEASANTS, Cash COWS!, and CANNON FODDER. :-(
You Might Be An Idiot, Too!
If you think Barack Obama with little or no experience would be better than Hillary Clinton with 35 years experience.
You Might Be An Idiot, Too!
If you think that Obama with no experience can fix an economy on the verge of collapse better than Hillary Clinton. Whose husband (Bill Clinton) led the greatest economic expansion, and prosperity in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot, Too!
If you think that Obama with no experience fighting for universal health care can get it for you better than Hillary Clinton. Who anticipated this current health care crisis back in 1993, and fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds to get universal health care for all the American people.
You Might Be An Idiot, Too!
If you think that Obama with no experience can manage, and get us out of two wars better than Hillary Clinton. Whose husband (Bill Clinton) went to war only when he was convinced that he absolutely had to. Then completed the mission in record time against a nuclear power. AND DID NOT LOSE THE LIFE OF A SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER. NOT ONE!
You Might Be An Idiot, Too!
If you think that Obama with no experience saving the environment is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose husband (Bill Clinton) left office with the greatest amount of environmental cleanup, and protections in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot, Too!
If you think that Obama with little or no education experience is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose husband (Bill Clinton) made higher education affordable for every American. And created higher job demand and starting salary’s than they had ever been before or since.
You Might Be An Idiot, Too!
If you think that Obama with no experience will be better than Hillary Clinton who spent 8 years at the right hand of President Bill Clinton. Who is already on record as one of the greatest Presidents in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot, Too!
If you think that you can change the way Washington works with pretty speeches from Obama, rather than with the experience, and political expertise of two master politicians ON YOUR SIDE like Hillary and Bill Clinton..
You Might Be An Idiot, Too!
If you think all those Republicans voting for Obama in the Democratic primaries, and caucuses are doing so because they think he is a stronger Democratic candidate than Hillary Clinton. :-)
Best regards
jacksmith...
p.s.
If you don't know that the huge amounts of money funding the Obama campaign to try and defeat Hillary Clinton is coming in from the insurance, and medical industry, that has been ripping you off, and killing you and your children. And denying you, and your loved ones the life saving medical care you needed. All just so they can make more huge immoral profits for them-selves off of your suffering...
You Might Be An Idiot, Too!
You see, back in 1993 Hillary Clinton had the audacity, and nerve to try and get quality, affordable universal health care for everyone to prevent the suffering and needless deaths of hundreds of thousands of you each year. :-)
Approx. 100,000 of you die each year from medical accidents from a rush to profit by the insurance, and medical industry. Another 120,000 of you die each year from treatable illness that people in other developed countries don’t die from. And I could go on, and on...
Posted by: jacksmith | April 13, 2008 3:54 PM
Casey's remarks matter here and have been awaited. Not sure what Sen. Bayh is doing in the story other than to provide balance.
Casey's said it. People know Obama's heart.
And we are getting to know what passes for heart in the Clinton campagin. Never mind Republicans who think heart is not a good profit margin.
Posted by: Gaias Child | April 13, 2008 4:01 PM
It does not take a genius to know why people are bitter!
1. Iraq War
2. Outsourcing jobs
3. Job losses
4. Oil prices
5. Health care
6. Inept President
7. Corrupt politicians
8. Minimum wage
9. G.I. Bill
10. Veteran services
11. Gay rights
12. poor world view towards the U.S.
14. Idiotic pundits
15. Education... No Child Left Behind
16. NAFTA
17. Housing crisis
18. Stagnation
19. Recession
20. Illegal immigration
For the love, can't blame people for being bitter. HRC and her camp along with McCain and his camp are way out of touch.
Posted by: catherine lao | April 13, 2008 4:04 PM
Hillary is a lying hypocritical opportunist. She will say and do anything for the presidency even tearing down the democratic party in the process. Hillary belongs in jail not on the campaign trail. And you would definitely be an idiot if you vote for Hillary. She is part of the elitist staus quo. She has $100 million dollars and says she is just like you middle class folks. Sheesh that lying hypocritical opportunistic POS. Hillary should be ashamed of herself.
Posted by: Larry Vandemeer | April 13, 2008 4:14 PM
OBAMA says "[SMALL-TOWN AMERICANS] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations,"
First substitute BUSH, MCCAIN or CLINTON for OBAMA.
Next substitute "BLACK AMERICANS," or "JEWISH AMERICANS" or "WOMEN" for "SMALL-TOWN AMERICANS."
Finally, defend it as non-prejudicial. -As not bourgeoisie condescension observing the opiates of the masses that are incapable of critical or independent thought. And please take note of the opiates he ascribes to them: Guns, Religion, Hate, Fear.
Posted by: yael | April 13, 2008 4:16 PM
Obama made a flub but the fact remains the great great majority of Americans just cannot stand Hillary Clinton.
Posted by: rich | April 13, 2008 4:17 PM
What war did Bill Clinton win?
He was an expert with the cigar and slo southern drawl.
I love how the Dems are beating themselves up.
Just where is all the money coming from to the Obama campaign? ( I guess Muslems)
Posted by: Ruppert Haddad | April 13, 2008 4:27 PM
@jacksmith: There's one thing absolutely certain here - you, sir, are a COMPLETE IDIOT.
GO'BAMA 08!
Posted by: firebrand | April 13, 2008 4:28 PM
I'm a 66 year old woman, and I'm angry and bitter over what has happened to our beloved country over the last 20 years. I have lived in a large, metropolitan area most of my life. These are not just rural, small town, feelings.
Posted by: Sharon Schlittenhard | April 13, 2008 4:32 PM
Jack Smith, you are an IDIOT if you want to vote for a candidate such as Hillary who embellishes stories to get elected. The Clintons will do anything to get back to the White House and Bill's favorite bathroom. Maybe he could take Monica's dress with him and hang it in the closet.
Posted by: Peter | April 13, 2008 4:34 PM
Obama is not perfect. He made a mistake which he already admitted. When will Hillary admitt to her mistake of voting for the war?
Posted by: Mike | April 13, 2008 4:34 PM
I am Bitter about Hillary making a big issue out of nothing-- and then Bayh trying to drag McCain into this dirty politics!
Not a surprise-- this is typical of Washington politicians like Hillary!
Posted by: Katie Harringer | April 13, 2008 4:35 PM
IIf America and I mean, our multi-ethnic, USA loving Americans, can't see a racist, elitist, snob, who has no connection with our historic Black-America. You will see his true lack of respect for those beneath him, once he moves into to the White House. All those poor, bitter, religious, gun owning, little people will never see the Lincoln bedroom, let alone a computer reply from him thanking them for putting him on the "throne". He spoke what was in his heart and all those who applaud his eloquent speaking are naive. if they can't see that he said what he believes. As for the upper rich who support him. He's fleecing you too. Obama's "religious" leader, "damns America", ... Beware, this man is not fit to be the leader of our great country.
God Bless and guide our voters.
Linda Neuman
Posted by: Linda Neuman | April 13, 2008 4:49 PM
Not bitter about not having health care, or having your job shipped overseas, or having your home foreclosed on?
Sounds to me the only folks who wouldn't be bitter would have to be elitists themselves.
Just for comparison:
John McCain: Net worth $44 million, owns 8 houses
Hillary and Bill: $109 million since 2000, Hillary's "blue collar" Scranton,PA roots actually a summer cottage.
Barack Obama: Best year $1.6 million in 2005, doesn't even make the list of 50 richest in Congress, graduated from Harvard Law and took a job organizing unemployed steel workers for about $8,000/yr.
So who exactly is the bigger "elitist"?
Posted by: RJ | April 13, 2008 4:53 PM
Senator Casey is wrong. Barack Obama's "cling to their religion and guns" remark was HIGHLY offensive to patriotic people of great faith. This "faith" and yes, our Right to Bear arms- built this nation. One nation under God..."clinging" ?!?! Obama is not President material. People will remember these words FOREVER in political history.
Posted by: Steve | April 13, 2008 5:09 PM
Catherine Lao is dead wrong. The polls are wrong. Hilary will take PA. Why even bother intervieiwng Casey about anything related to PA Dems?
He's gone!
He was gone right after Rendell 'gave' him a free nomination so that they'd have a white guy with a pulse to get Rick Santorum out of the game.
Casey and his ingrate wife won'teven win their own primary! But, Obama gave Casey's sis a 3 MILLION DOLLAR CAMPAIGN PRINTING CONTRACT FOR HER SCRANTON COMPANY 'universal'
It's a scam! They call Scranton Little Chicago!
Casey stood up a military family to campaign with Obama instead of bringint the medals he's promised for a kid killed in Iraq.
He's a toad!
Hilary will also take Indiana and NC, I'll bet.
Obama's spoiler smell and bad attitude is sickening.
Posted by: realist | April 13, 2008 5:19 PM
If this all they got, then they have nothing on Obama. He will be a president who is accused of being an elitist by those who are and pretend they are not.
A shot and Beer fools only those who want to be fooled. The rest of us know that the clintons have promised much to the weakest and delivered the most for themselves. The presidency is not a right of passage for two families in america and the Clintons are learning this at our expense one delegate at a time. We can only hope that the superdelegates wake up and speak sooner rather then let us be dragged thru the Clinton "muck machine" thru the summer on to the convention.
Posted by: Darush Mabadi | April 13, 2008 5:20 PM
I am in total agreement with Karl, who says if the Republicans want sticks to beat the Dem. candidate, Hillary and Bill have an ample supply. Yes, Obama was unwise to use the words he did and I wish he'd never said them, but I believe his heart is in the right place and he wasn't telling bald-faced lies. I'm truly concerned about Bill's links to China and Colombia to name just two issues. If he is allowed back in the White House we all know he'll be front and center. When Hillary was going through her sniper hassle, I don't recall Obama attacking her the way she is now attacking him. Who is the better "man" in this instance?
Posted by: Carrie | April 13, 2008 5:51 PM
I think that people for Hilary and McCain find the remark offensive.
Posted by: Hugo Reyes | April 13, 2008 5:54 PM
Obama knows better than any of the other candidates what middle class Americans are going through. He was raised with the same strugles and difficulties. Therefore he knows what he is talking about. The tape did not catch him lying! There are not people in his campaign trying to pass a deal with the Colombia government! Obama is honest!look at his record!
Posted by: AC | April 13, 2008 5:54 PM
Obama's just telling it like it is. I live in a small town and read the newspaper's online forum every day. And all the people talk about is how much they distrust the government, how they only elect politicians who sign a "no new taxes" pledge, they want weekday religious education and prayer(Christian only, mind you)l, and how they want all the aliens shipped back or if it would be more convenient, just execute them all and think we're in Iraq to "kill the Muslims."
Sometimes it's just hard to look in the mirror and see your warts
Posted by: Marj Nye | April 13, 2008 5:58 PM
The spin factor at work. You can dissect those words and say he meant what he said he didn't mean, but Obama's statement that he could have said it better works for me. Show me an elitist who goes to work organizing unemployed steel workers just out of Harvard Law School and I'll show you an elitist who really does care. Enough to do something. By their fruits you will know them.
Posted by: WomanOver50 | April 13, 2008 6:01 PM
catherine lao - straight up!
don't forget:
21. wire tapping
22. stem cell research
23. political firing of U.S. attournies
and weaved throughout all of these are the LIES and DANMED LIES!
definitely bitter here!
Posted by: ostracizzle | April 13, 2008 6:18 PM
Oh ! He's afraid of what the Rebublicans are going to do with this information. Looks to me like Hillary took some time off dodging sniper fire long enough to mount the most bitter campaign I have seen in the last 30 years and it's against a Democrat. Her application to join the Republican party must have been approved. If she wins the nomination we will have 2 Republicans running for president.
Posted by: Ron | April 13, 2008 6:19 PM
I think Hillary and her supporters are playing with fire on this issue. Most fair-minded people know that Obama was pretty close to the mark in his assessment, so claiming that the remark might cost the Dems the fall election raises the obvious question, 'moreso than Clinton's Bosnia tall-tale?'. Or if Obama is an elitist, what does that make the far wealthier Clintons and McCains.
This may be Hillary's last hope for tripping up Obama, but from where I sit it looks petty and desperate.
Posted by: Michael | April 13, 2008 8:03 PM
Jacksmith, you are quite foolish because everything that you said was pointing to Hillary's husband's fine points and contribution as president and not her. She has done none of those things that Bill did and furthermore embellishes and lies far too much about things that she did have a small hand in. It makes no sense to vote for a candidate based upon who her husband is.
Posted by: Emily | April 13, 2008 10:56 PM