Obama's bitter taste of own words

Are there still some neandrathals out there that believe in religion? Really? I think Obama hit it on the head with as much polital correctness as one could use. People use "God" when they want to; when they are sad or when they are happy, and more often than not, the former. This is not "secret", and for people to beat up on Obama over this item is an exercise in futility, as Hillary has already lost the race anyways.

Rejecting racism as an explanation, Obama answered a question at a private fund raiser by saying that Pennsylvania voters were bitter about their economic situations. For that he got slammed as an "elitist" by the usual suspects: Hillary Clinton, McCain and the Republican Party. It is known as Distraction Politics.

About two weeks ago Karl Rove gave an interview in which he established what was going to be the Republican playbook against Obama. Cast him as an "elitist" "out of touch" with ordinary folks (Harvard grad you know, arrogant. I said then Oh so that's how "they" are going to start spinning anything that Obama says. It is a classic Swift Boat technique. Take a strength and turn into a liability. Rove should know. He is a master at the technique. After all he is the one who sold the American electorate on the idea that the son of a multi millionaire, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but a failure at virtually everything he had ever done, was just an average Joe. And if Bush II was not too bright, heck, most of the electorate felt they weren't all that bright either and deserved to be "represented" by someone who turns out to be ... you fill in any words you want.

So after the Master Rove laid out the strategy, Clinton and McCain embraced it. Hillary's was the first sniper fire. Then McCain joined in the fire, followed by the local Republican parties. "He's an elitist," they clamored. "He's out of touch." "He should apologize for speaking the truth to the American public." "How dare he call anyone bitter." After all Americans are all smiling in the rusting heartland.

Do they really think we are all morons? I guess they must since they certainly talk to us as if we were. And I guess a lot of the time it has worked. It is also known as distraction politics... Distract people by giving them a target to be angry about. Rev them up to be angry at someone else so they can't get together to work on possible solutions. That way they won't realize that Hillary Clinton, the former Goldwater Girl, whose accent now changes as frequently as her hairdo used to when she was the President's wife, is now multi-millionaire. $107 in 7 years is a nice return for selling access to a future president by a former president. That way the electorate won't stop to consider that McCain is also a multi millionaire by virtue of his second wife, having abandoned the first after she was injured in a car accident. They might not realize that he was against any mortgage melt down fix, because most of the folks caught in it were the "undeserving poor." So let's see if distraction politics works yet again or maybe this time too many chickens have come home to roost for everyone to be taken in yet again.

Please people let me explain to you why you are the way your are. I can explain why your a racist, or god fearing or love people killing guns or hate illegals. It is the economy stupid! Now don't question me just sit down and listen to my wise words because I get it just ask my pal Rev. Wright.

Well, I guess Sen. Obama can wave good-bye to the Bubba vote!!

I have often said that if I had known in 1968 what I know now, I would have sat down and cried.

Bitter? You bet I am!

We *ARE* bitter!!!

Who the F@@k said we are happy? The fed is giving irresponsible, IDIOTIC bankers our hard earned tax dollars. Congress is giving irresponsible, IDIOTIC bankers/home builders our hard earned tax dollars. These successive bailouts are driving the dollar down and "inflating" the middle into poverty.

What kind of monumental imbecile could possibly thing Americans are happy with this corporate welfare.

GET THIS STRAIT, SOME OF US ARE READY TO RIOT OVER THESE ABSOLUTE SOCIAL INJUSTICES. DO NOT EXPECT US TO ACCEPT THESE CRIMINAL BAILOUTS QUITELY.

Another shot to the foot but he's still limping along.

It's just words, per Clinton. I cannot understand why Clinton got worked up. Of course, Obama respect small town folks as much as Clinton does, or possibly more. Without them he cannot win. Now dont' make a fuss over it. It's just words

Same old thing comes out of his mouth no matter how he juggles the wording. "BITTER" is not how people prefer to be described..Quit now Obama before you insert foot in mouth again........HRC will win...

All the rats are coming out of their holes. The Clinton supporters who like her twist everything around. I think that Hillary has finally gotten her Republican Card. Maybe in November we can have 2 Republicans running. They are so close that I can't tell the difference. Usually before you pounce on somebody that hard, you ask them to explain their comment. NOOOOOOOO Hillary shot out like a bat out of hell. The phones at the Clinton Headquarters must be ringing non stop trying to convince the superdelegates to vote for her. What a sorry sight.......
If she can't recognize what's wrong with America, how does she hope to fix it ?

Between the Rev. Wright controversy and the typical white person comment, and the Bitter middle class clinging to faith and guns-- I humbly cannot perceive Obama as President. A President must uplift their country and the citizens and NOT tear them down. Obama has now lost any chance at getting my vote and it is evident today, that many folks are done with him. A leader must be positive. This is America and we are a strong proud nation who will overcome our obstacles.

Please. I can see wanting to make something out of nothing to have something to write about, but this is so over-the-top.

Clinton is desperate. McCain is no better. Obama is the real deal. People are bitter. I'm glad someone is finally saying the truth instead of relying on focus-group approved sound bites.

Go Obama! There are millions of us with you.

Obama – Black is Wright

Obama attracts thugs and bullies to his campaign and personal life and is able to do so with impunity.
If Obama where Caucasian, he would have been bulldozed by the media long ago.

Look at Obama’s affiliations:

- Senator Meeks who openly hates whites and gays and is listed prominently on Obama’s campaign website as a major Obama supporter and backer and is one of Obama;s super-delegate. Mr. Meeks has been integral in helping Mr. Obama succeed in politics.

- Mr. Ayers of the Weather Underground, a group that killed police and tried to bomb the US Capitol, served with Obama on the board of the leftist foundation called the Woods Fund.

- Robert Malley a close senior adviser to Obama who advocates negotiations with Hamas and providing international assistance to the terrorist group.

- Larry Sinclair alleges in 1999 Senator Obama’s arranged to meet him in a limousine, sold Senator Obama cocaine and then gave Senator Obama oral sex. Larry then claims that he and Obama went to a hotel and preformed oral sex again. Mr. Sinclair is testifying in court under oath that these allegations are true.

- Mr. Auchi is an Iraqi billionaire and major financial sponsor and closely connected to Obama’s rise to power.
While working with Saddam Hussein, Auchi made his fortune through the selling of arms in Iraq and the funneling off of money from the Oil for Food program.

- Mr. Rezko an Iraqi citizen and Obama’s and Auchi’s long time friend and a major mob figure. Rezko is NOT known for his civic sense of duty and does not do favors without asking something in return. Coincidently in the Chicago Times today it was reported that Rezko was negotiating to purchase rehab buildings in Obama’s district.

- Mr. Wright a racist who hates America and whites with Hitleresque triads. Mr. Wright has been Mr. Obama’s spiritual mentor for over 20 years. Before the media exposed Mr. Wright, Mr. Wright was on Obama’s campaign staff as Obama's chief religious advisor. Mr. Wright and Mr. Meeks are ideologically closer to Karl Marx and Black Nationalism, than to Christianity.

- Rashid Khalidi a fundraiser for Obama and is one of Obama’s close friends. Khalidi Khalidi claim Israel as a "catastrophe", and supports Palestinian terrorist groups.

- Mr. McPeaks is Obama’s military adviser and national campaign co-chairman who publicly states that American Jews are the "problem." and “Christian Zionists were driving America's policy in Iraq to benefit Israel.”

- Michelle Obama trumpets Obama as “the second coming of the messiah,” and also states that she “has never been proud to be an AMERICAN in her adult life".

The list goes on…

How can Obama’s bad judgment to choose to affiliate with criminals and fanatics be justified?

Had Hillary Clinton had any of the above ghosts in her closet, she would have been thrown out of the election long ago.

Hey everybody - am I missing something here?

Are we so in love with the color black that we forget to see the man?

The pied piper just dropped his flute.

obama lost any consideration from me a long time ago, so anything eles he does is of minor concern to me.

ANYONE WHO THINKS THEIR SINGLE EGO is greater that MILLIONS of people in two states does not deserve to be considered as President.

he cried foul about Florida and Michigan and when they offered an opportunity for a reVote, Clinton said O.k., and obama said NO.

he lost my respect right then and there. he whined that he was being treated unfairly and when given the opportutnity to wright the wrong(?) he said no, and kept on whining.

that was a clear indication of who the man is. Nothing else really matter.

As I have stated before I consider hussian Obama to be just another white boy with a plan; to get elected, and hopefully America will wake up to the fact that he has deceiced them and is one of the all time anti white and racist men of our time.
Endorsements from the likes of kennedy only strenghtens my beleifs that the guy is not presidential material nor leadership material.

Obama may have meant something else when he made his bitter statement but if he wants to be our president words and how you say them is very important we certainly do not need another president like Bush who has made lots of countries change their mind as how the view America they have lost admiration of America over some of the he not only did but poor choices of his word Yes we need a change and Obama has again proved he is not the one.

What Obama said is right. He said what he did in a spirit of compassion. He shouldn't be attacked, he should be elected.

the working poor are bitter, he was right. Clinton and Bush pandered to the 'hot button' issues that the working poor identify with, illegal immigration, gun rights, religion. Maybe Obama is just too honest to be POTUS, or maybe he is just naive in his belief that he can speak to the American People as adults.

You're kidding!!!

Tom Vilsack said rural voters are "frustrated"!!!

What a condescending, arrogant jerk!!!!

Oh, wait. I forgot. We're talking about Barack Obama. Vilsack is cool, because he said "frustrated". Obama said "bitter," and that's completely different.

Couldn't we talk about torture or something? I'm already bored with this.

This is so much BS. Anti-Immigration was spread to help explain why people lost there jobs. When bad trade deals take away American jobs, Politicians like Hillary have to deflect the blame to outside groups but If you lost your only source of income or insurance you blame the person who took the job away from you. The politician and the immigrant. You become cynical of what the government will do and you retreat to other values and propagate anti-immigration, and anti-trade notion because your angry and bitter. What Obama was saying was true of the social situation and to take away the complexity of the situation shows how out of touch $109 million Hillary is.

What happen to this outrage when it was proven Hillary lied about supporting NAFTA, or Bosnia, or Ireland, or when Penn went to Columbia of all places. All these things are a lot worse then anything Obama's done.

Add it to the growing list of reasons Saint Obama the Con Man will never be president of this great nation - ever.

The man is spilling over with arrogance.

Wow, the Hillbots have become rather desperate, haven't they?
Fellow Obama supporters, you have your work cut out for you between now and a week from next Tuesday.
Don't be shy about flooding Pennsylvania newspaper blogs and remind everyone:
1) Bill Clinton pushed through NAFTA and Hillary supported it.
2) Hillary's top campaign advisors were caught secretly negotiating a free trade agreement with Columbia, even as she was publicly lying and saying she was against it.
3) Bill Clinton amassed a fortune of over 100 million dollars on the elite global "lecture" circuit, presumably in exchange for future political favors.
3) Hillary Clinton's fired campaign manager Mark Penn's firm has worked for both Blackwater and John McCain.
4) Hillary Clinton's parents were Republicans, and she herself was a Goldwater Republican until she felt change blowing in the wind.
5) Hillary Clinton voted in favor of the credit card sponsored bankruptcy bill, which makes it harder for folks to get out of bankruptcy.
6) Hillary Clinton voted against the cluster bomb ban, knowing fully that cluster bombs are designed for as much collateral damage as possible.
7) Hillary Clinton voted in favor of getting Bush the unfettered ability to launch an illegal war of aggression in Iraq.
8) Hillary Clinton voted in favor of Kyl-Lieberman, which was passed in order to pave the way for yet another illegal war of aggression, showing she learned absolutely nothing since 2002, or simply does not care.
9) Hillary Clinton has not stood up to the neocon agenda in any meaningful way over the course of the last 8 years, when America needed her most.
10) Hillary Clinton has indicated she believes John McCain is a better candidate for president than Barack Obama.
In summary:
The Clintons aren't only ELITISTS, they AREN'T EVEN DEMOCRATS.

The Pennsylvania politicians will rally around this. The response was worse than the original comment.

Barack should be an expert on bitterness; his wife is chock full of it.

Tony Rezko and the The Chicago-style politics of "Where's my cut"...
Plus his Spiritual Mentor Jeremiah Wright and the Theology of Hate...
Plus Condescension, or "People are just too unsophisticated if they don't vote for me"...
Plus Ralph Nader...
Obama defeated in November

if hillary is too dense to comprehend the fact that EVERYTHING obama was refering to is the REASON Democrats failed to get Gore or Kerry into the whitehouse then the democrats are doomed. Everyone knows obama was telling it like it is and only idiots questions his motives. WAKE UP AMERICA

There are many people in small communities who do not go to church on Sundays, and many people who do not believe in hunting but that does not make the people who do, bitter. We all have to live with tolerance of our neighbors and get along with each other in small communities, thats the American way.

Bitter - 2: marked by intensity or severity: a: accompanied by severe pain or suffering b: being relentlessly determined : vehement c: exhibiting intense animosity d (1): harshly reproachful (2): marked by cynicism and rancor e: intensely unpleasant especially in coldness or rawness

There are many people in small communities who do not go to church on Sundays, and many people who do not believe in hunting but that does not make the people who do, bitter. We all have to live with tolerance of our neighbors and get along with each other in small communities, thats the American way.

There are many people in small communities who do not go to church on Sundays, and many people who do not believe in hunting but that does not make the people who do, bitter. We all have to live with tolerance of our neighbors and get along with each other in small communities, thats the American way.

The Clintons are trying desperately to deflect attention away from the fact that Hillary has been exposed as a serial liar, a corporate puppet, and a manipulative opportunist.
And she's no feminist, I'm sorry. All those years enabling and covering for her philandering hillbilly husband, even as she knew the woman coming forward were telling the truth, and then staying with Bill just to ride his coattails into the oval office...
That's setting the feminist movement back by about 150 years, in my opinion.

Sometimes, you can't say things that are obvious, like whether the emperor has the clothes on his body.

What is outrageous here, in my opinion, is that so many Clinton surrogates jumped out to blast at the other candidate of their own party, just to knock down the hopeful one that could resuscitate the Democratic Party.

The selfish people would ultimately see their own favored one doomed in a general election.

Just feel strange that they could not tell people nationwide had a disgust at Clinton. The repeating polls about favorable vs unfavorable already shows Clinton can't win in any case.

It's hard to believe that people would be so gulible to allow this distortion of facts to influence their decision in selecting a presidential candidate. If one simply read Sen. Obama's comments it should be intuitively obvious that he in no way intended to make a demeaning comment about people living in small town America.

I find it reprehensible that the MSM takes little responsibility for printing the facts and supplants meaninful dialogue with snipits merely focused on sensationalism.

And so it continues.
HRC's offer to take Obama in as a veep and rescue his political career is looking like a wiser move by the minute.
Spending some time as political wallpaper could do a lot of good.
When will the Chicago media drop the other shoe to this story---that a lot of rural places are increasingly populated with 'bitter' African Americans who had to flee the american city as theme park for the wealthy phenomenon--particularly outside of
Rezkoland (Chicago)?

Obama touches on subjects that a lot of society considers taboo. Then we have the habit of shooting the messenger. When Obama says "let's talk about race", talking heads tell us "yes, but not YOUR way..." Obama talks about the frustration in the inner city communities and we tell him his beliefs are insulting. Then he talks about rural America and we tell him his beliefs are insulting. It's about time someone (Obama) begins talking about topics considered taboo and open a discussion on why some are insulted. We say we want honesty in our politicians, then we beat on the ones that do.

Often the media is more interested in that the average person. Both liberals and conservatives are tiring of the media frenzy over each sentence in the campaign.

I like what Tennesse Guerilla women had to say about all this the best.

http://guerillawomentn.blogspot.com
/2008/04/obamas-bitter-analysis-all-
bigots-are.html

Join the HRC camp now Barry. Come to mama baby.

This issue and others like it (Hillary's memory of sniper fire, McCain's 100 year war, etc) are about as important as Neil Patrick Harris's clarifications of his comments regarding Britney Spears's appearance on How I Met Your Mother.

Instead of everyone trying to be Ed Rollins or Michael Deaver or James Carville or Mark Penn or David Axelrod or one of these other cynics and charlatans, let's focus on what each of these people are voting for and what their positions are.
All of this word play is just garbage the media needs to fill time a column inches.

All this is just swell.
Meanwhile, we lost 19 soldiers in Iraq this week.
Question:
Why is Romania called Rome-ania?
Anybody?
Buehler?
Buehler?
Okay. Another question.
What happens to all those soldiers in Iraq if China decides to stop our credit?
How we gonna get them home?

I disagree with the backlash coming from Obama's comments. He's not trying to suggest that, as mayor Lucas said, people are turning to guns and God because of economic woes. Obama is arguing that, in terms of political action and platforms from politicians, economic policy has been a fruitless pursuit. Since politicians in the past have been inept in changing economic conditions, guns and God are alternative platforms where movement has been and will continue to be possible. Obama is right.

Are these folks REALLY so uninformed, ignorant or stupid to assume people aren't AWARE that what Obama said was simply a statement of fact?

He must have hit one helluva nerve with these money-grubbing warmongers to have warranted them getting so fired up about the simple use of a word that accurately reflects exactly what people feel (real people who don't have multi-million dollar bankrolls).

The fact that those who are attacking him the most fervently are either unaware of the nature of what people of the middle class have to endure under the policies these hacks espouse simply verifies Obama's statements.

Maybe when these fools decide to speak the truth will the mindless, illiterate and hateful trolls who follow them understand just how distasteful and offensive they are in the face of their own empty criticisms and worthy of complete ridicule they themselves are behaving by backing the idiocy of the right wing and corporate lackeys like McCain and Clinton.

There are only 2 kinds of republicans, rich ones and suckers.

Think of all the Clinton issues that have come up between the debates in Ohio and Texas in early March and now....

1 - NAFTA (I'm against it even though in the 90s and as late as 2002 I was for it)
2 - Colombia/Mark Penn
3 - Bosnia
4 - Tax returns
5 - and now this....

The Clintons think this "elitist" thing is going to work. Some people are upset about it now, but give it time...elitist...yeah, right...calling someone an elitist when they have like eight homes like McCain does....calling someone an elitist when they made $109 million over the last seven years like the Clinton's have.....yeah, right......

Hillary is triangulating Union Dems against Cubicle Dems-- that's how Bill Clinton got NAFTA passed. No, the irony is that she and Bill are pretending to be on the opposite side (pro labor) this time.

Sadly, no one seems to remember how the Clinton threw labor and the working-class under the bus to get NAFTA through. They poured gas on the charges of "corrupt labor bosses" and hinted to the cubicle Dems that it was okay to nuke those has-been, ignorant lunchbox types since (according to them) the New Economy was going to make them irrelevant anyway.

disappointing political hackery from vilsack.

"'bitter?' that's condescending. they're frustrated.'"

i suppose vilsack figured out that the obama administration's secy of agriculture will be someone who can deliver more votes in the general election.

"400,000 million"? I seriously doubt that.

Obamas remarks have a connection with his sentiment about America in general.Rev Wright is Obamas compass.This guy is way out of touch.
Thank you from bitter small town America.The Elitist has shone his head again.

Sen. Obama's remarks in a closed door session before major donors are just one more reflection of his poor judgment, character,
and credibility.

His remarks show a fundamental lack of understanding of this country, its ideals & values.

Had the media & the DNC investigated or vetted Sen. Obama and his fringe, non-mainstream ideas and values, he might never have reached the point of being the nominee.

Is the DNC going to investigate him ever?

Where is the scrutiny and explanation for Hillary's misspeak and misrepresentation on issues like sniper fire in Bosnia and free trade agreements. Even John Edwards apologized for his Iraq vote. Hillary clearly feels she is entitled to be president. Who is the elitist?

What does Obama plan to do with these bitter, religious, gun-touting, small town people - move them into the big cities, set them up in public housing, give them foodstamps and have them live off the government? Meanwhile their children can drop out of school and start killing each other for sport. That's working well, just ask Mayor Dailey.

OBAMA YOU AND YOUR ARROGANCE LOST MY VOTE ...

Let's keep it simple.

1. In the following sentence, replace Obama's name with Clinton of McCain.

2. Replace the "Small-town" with "Black," or "Jewish," or "Female."

According to [Obama, (1)] [Small-town (2)] 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."

So, in Obama's beliefs, an entire group of people are bitter, and this bitterness among the group automatically leads each of them, to Guns, Religion, Hatred, Fear. Their emotion combined with their lack of critical thinking skills dictates they adhere to these opiates of the masses. Now we can understand those who cling to their religion, and hand in hand, their bigotry, and hand in hand, their guns.

I get it now. Thank you, Mr. Obama, for the enlightenment.

I grew up in an industrial town and worked during two summers on an assembly line at a truck and tractor factory. Thos plants are gone. The jobs are gone. Obama spoke the truth. With "political-friends" like the people quoted in this article it's no wonder so many jobs were lost in Pennsylvania. Bitterness was an unavoidable consequence. Obama should be thanked for speaking candidly

All the rats are coming out of their holes. The Clinton supporters who like her twist everything around. I think that Hillary has finally gotten her Republican Card. Maybe in November we can have 2 Republicans running. They are so close that I can't tell the difference. Usually before you pounce on somebody that hard, you ask them to explain their comment. NOOOOOOOO Hillary shot out like a bat out of hell. The phones at the Clinton Headquarters must be ringing non stop trying to convince the superdelegates to vote for her. What a sorry sight.......
If she can't recognize what's wrong with America, how does she hope to fix it ?

this is all a load of crap.

Obama spoke the truth and his supporters there with him loved him for it. he electued their problems spot on.

Dear Mark,

You made an error in your article.

"Obama had said he understands why some working-class voters become frustrated and vote on single issues."

The above is incorrect. He was asked why he has a hard time getting votes from average working Americans. Please listen to the audio tape at Huffington Post.

All this is thought provoking, but Mr. Obama probably more or less,used the wrong choice of words.

I lived for many years in Baltimore County, Howard County i,e Pikesville, Ellicott city in MD. I went to the Univ of Baltimore and had several friends who came from State College or Pittsburgh. I've visited REading, Lancaster, Philly, Strasburgh, Poconos and other areas of PA and what Sen. Obama said so offended me and many of my friends.

It's not just the 'bitter' comments that Sen. Obama said but the connection he made to small town voters in PA and IN who only go to church and 'cling' to their guns because they are bitter AND that is why they are not accepting of people who are not like them aka Sen. Obama, anti immigration and anti-trade.

He is basically saying that small town folks are bigoted and not open minded and THAT is what is most offensive. I wish that the media would focus on that aspect.

Now, I'm just a disenfranchised voter in FL whose vote won't count because Sen. Obama and Howard Dean and Donna Brazile have blocked all measures for a revote and to have the votes counted as is before June 3.

Just swallow this bitter pill, don't come looking for our vote on Nov3.

".... they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

It's not the word "bitter" that's making trouble for Obama, it's the words that come afterwards.

It seems to me that, as usual, Obama's words reflect truths that are more correctly applied to himself than others. Usually, people project onto other people that they don't understand that which are their own problems. I hear Obama dividing the world into "they" (the word he used) and the rest of "us", coming from the candidate who says he doesn't want to be stereotyped himself.

I hear Obama saying rural voters cling to their religion out of bitterness, but it seems to me that it is Obama's church and its teaching that meets that description more than the PA voters.

His tendency to divide the world into those who are educated and enlightened and the close-minded who don't support him, is very self-serving.

Seeing as how Obama was answering why he wasn't leading in PA, his using this explanation to claim that PA voters have antipathy to people like him, seems to me to be using stereotyping to accuse PA voters of being racist out of bitterness.

Amazing how everyone who is offending is already backing CLinton. Everybody I have spoken with, or articles I have read give Obama's words a totally different meaning. I think it is simply a case where you take advantage of someone who spoke casually and trusting to a group of people about something and there is an opportunity to cram it down their throat and make them look mean spirited. Let's see by the time the vote gets out who really feels offending by those statements. Certainly I don't and I'm a middle class struggling, bitter, politically unempowered American.

Amazing how everyone who is offending is already backing CLinton. Everybody I have spoken with, or articles I have read give Obama's words a totally different meaning. I think it is simply a case where you take advantage of someone who spoke casually and trusting to a group of people about something and there is an opportunity to cram it down their throat and make them look mean spirited. Let's see by the time the vote gets out who really feels offending by those statements. Certainly I don't and I'm a middle class struggling, bitter, politically unempowered American.

I think there was nothing but truth in what Mr. Obama mentioned. In trivializing the complex issue of economy and how it affects the mindset of people I think Clinton and her supporters are showing a lack of an ability to understand the issues at hand.

As a small town resident for 40 years, I find Mr.Obama's posture an affront. Aside from the evident snobbery it reflects, the conduct evidences a lack of the level of good judgment I seek in a US President

I think that Mr. Obama was right. Im a 42 year old white male and I live in an industrial town and I see jobs going away every day. I am bitter, I am angry...but I dont think Obama or any of the candidates will do anything about it. But at least he knows what upsets me

These are just scripted remarks by the mayors. They don't really mean it. Obama has spoken, the people are bitter and no amount complaining by the racist gun nuts is going to change that. Obama knows what it's like to be poor and white in rural America. He speaks for all Americans as the great Uniter.

It is not terribly surprising that BARAK OBAMA's condescension comes out when referring to what he 'considers' the 'LOWER CLASSES'!!! After all OBAMA attended only the finest of elite-snotty schools including HARVARD LAW!!! Why shouldn't he denigrate those ignorant working + bowling stiffs??? He can bowl a 37 - WOW!!! See all BLACKS are not gifted athletes!!! Ha!!!

If those Hillary supporters think Obama saying that American's are agree and bitter also Hillary using that to get back to her derail campaign
Please tell me governors what have you done for your state to help the economy grow? What about those people who are losing their homes and their jobs are you telling me that they are not bitter and angry?. I think they are more angry and bitter to see themselves as homeless. All those people who say Obama is wrong, are they going to give people losing their homes job?. Of course not. It is better to ignore the fact. Fact is a better medication to swallow. All Hillary supporters and Hillary herself I mean Governors please with all the money you have at the bank use that as a charity for people losing their home and money and help them out. And John Mcain use your wife money and those people who have lost their jobs and houses. things are easier said with many excuses when it is true. and people use it to benefit their course.

Obviously, Senator Obama is the only candidate that is willing to state the truth and everybody that dislikes him can't handle the truth. They want to distort, misconstrue somebody's words. Senator Obama has nothing to apologize for, it is all of those, who distort his words, that should apologize. Win at all costs, is a very stupid strategy!!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.

Well, so what? This alleged gaffe won't hurt Obama. Nothing has yet. Big media is too enraptured to let this play out to his detriment. If the Wright flap didn't irreparably damage him, if the insinuations of crooked Rezco deals didn't slow his bandwagon, if his bogus padded resume had no negative impact, if the Sinclair allegations did not stop his Big Mo, the fact he "misspoke" (can we say that about The Obama?) will certainly not impair his candidacy. Let's be real here.

There isn't ANYTHING he can do or ANYTHING he might fail to do that will affect the opinions of his starstruck fanbase. He is inoculated. He is immune. He is impervious to slings and arrows (but never imperious). Just observe the defensive posts related to this matter by his aficionados throughout the net. A veritable lovefest of denial and self-righteous indignation, not to mention the usual specious counterattacks.

As we continue slouching towards Denver and an almost certain Democrat disaster, The Obama, clad in the shining armor bestowed upon him by his devout adherents, floats above the fray toward destiny, protected from attacks, allegations, and analysis. Semper Fi USA!!!

Barack Obama is the ONLY potential candidate for President who has the pulse of the majority of the people. What he has said about the attitudes and thoughts - bitterness over illegal aliens, etc. is real - and the posts on the Chicago Tribune can prove that. I'm sorry he had to "deplore" his long-time friend/minister for statements he made. We ALL have friends/family who do and say things we do not agree with and are not responsible for but we do not isolate ourselves from them. Each time Obama gets lambasted for something he says - and each time he does not back down for his statements I like him better. He sees things with different eyes than the old political hacks and has no need to apologize when he speaks his mind and the truth. He's a breath of fresh air. (I'm an old white lady who has a son who has played pick-up basketball with Obama long enough to know the real deal and admires him greatly). We should all be more like Obama.

Gutter politics. The Clintons are seizing upon an opportunity to pit "small town America" against "big city America". I find it hard to believe that there are people who honestly believe that what Senator Obama said was factually incorrect.

Many Americans are bitter. In 7 short years we have had stagnant income, significant increases in health care, gasoline, food, home heating, etc. We were lied into a war which is killing and maiming our children and bankrupting our country. When we travel overseas we need to tell people we are Canadians. We are spied on by the government which feels that torture is just fine. Habeuc corpus is a thing of the past. Laws passed by Congress are signed but ignored by signing statements. The list goes on. Mr Obama's simplistic reasons for bitterness are simplistic insulting and wrong. He seems like a kid trying to act cool in front of the rich people. If he's the nominee he'll never win, and shouldn't.

I knew the real Barack Hussein Obama would come out and loud and clear from his own lips.

He is change. Please.

I think Obama doesn't understand the way of life in small town PA. Instead of trying to understand them, he made a grossly remark that reflect the stereotype of a group of people.

His action is un-presidential. How can he be a president of all American if he doesn't respect and understand the need of all American?

Excellent article!!

I'm so glad Hillary spoke out and rejected Obama's remarks - because they hurt the Dem Party, reps and candidates.
And Democrats certainly don't want the world to think they agree with Obama's view of small town America.

Thank you Hillary!

Oh, and if reversed - Obama would have done the same.

No candid comment will go go unpunished. Truth is too dangerous. This is completely crazy. Of course there are bitter disenfranchised people who the dream has passed by. Speaking truth is the first step in moving in a new direction. But in the political climate of USA circa 2008, truth will not be abided.

Standing up for all of us! It's about time wiser words were spoken and here they are. Thank you for this post.

This is idiotic. It's fine for Clinton to campaign against a trade agreement her chief strategist and husband are taking hundred of thousands of dollars to promote, but Obama is criticized for stating the obvious? Of course people are bitter who have lost their livelihood and see little chance of it coming back. Clinton is taking advantage of this bitterness by campaigning against free trade when everyone around her is supporting it and her own record shows she has supported it.

Maybe there aren't many Bubbas driving around in pickup trucks with the classic bumper sticker "God, Guns and Guts Made America Free" where Obama's detractors live, but here in rural Pennsylvania that line may as well replace "e pluribus unum" as the motto on the national currency.

I live in western Pennsylvania, and I can tell you, people here are bitter and angry. Poverty is prevalent. People hunt squirrels and eat them, along with racoon stew. People also hunt deer here, not for sport, but so they can put meat in their freezer so they can feed their families. They cut wood in the forests and heat their homes with wood stoves because they can't afford to pay the gas bill. I know a guy who goes to old landfills to dig up old milk and beer bottles to sell on eBay. He uses the proceeds to buy clothes for his family at the Salvation Army (and to pay for his dial-up connection).

Racism and prejudice are ever-present here. A friend of mine is part-owner of bar in a small rural town south of where I live. I meet up with him there occasionally and watch as down-and-out people come in with their disability and welfare check money and drink it away. It's a pretty depressing place, but it does serve as the social center for a town that has seen its few industries shut down and the local people's jobs eliminated or shipped off elsewhere.

I hear the usual rants there, that it's all the fault of gays and minorities and immigrants (although those aren't the terms used, but rather the usual, virulent slurs). A black man walked in the last time I was there, and a guy near me at the bar muttered in a not-so-quiet way, "What's he think he's doing in here?" When I brought up the presidential race and Obama with another man at the bar, his response was, "there ain't no way America is ever going to vote for a black guy." Later on my bar-owner friend told me about his experience talking about Obama with another woman at the bar, and her angry response was that "it's because of half-breed n*****s like him that America is in such bad shape today."

Prejudice, racism and fear do run rampant in areas like this. People are poor. They are in bad health, overweight from a deep-fried diet, and toothless from the lack of dental care. They are unemployed. They are uneducated. They do cling to their hunting rifles and to their religious beliefs. For many, it is about all that they have. The towns around here are full of decaying, boarded up buildings. People live in rundown old trailers with abandoned cars in the front yard. I have seen people using an old car as a stable, with their goat tied to and living in it. I could drive you by a least three old houses that have Conderate flags in the windows.

So go ahead and discount Obama's talk of how bitter and angry that some of the people of rural Pennsylvania are. Call him elitist for taking the time to pass through areas such as this to listen to what the people have to say, and to then relate what he has heard to people in more prosperous parts of the country when he is asked about it. I have lived in San Francisco, and let me tell you, there is a marked difference between the general attitude there and the attitude here in the "rust belt". Go ahead and dismiss everything that Obama said as political posturing. Let Hillary and McCain "pick him apart" and parse his words. But please keep in mind that when Obama said:

"it's not surprising then that they 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."

That he is 100% accurate in his assessment.

I know, because I live here, my family and my friends' families have lived here for generations, and we see it every day, all around this region. There is a very fine line between poverty and prosperity here, where making above $20,000 a year puts you in the realm of the "haves", but also knowing that you're one contract termination away from joining the ranks of the "have-nots".

I come from a family of dairy farmers. I know what it's like to spend up to 12-16 hours a day sitting on a tractor for three dollars an hour, which I did through high school and every summer until I was fortunate enough to head off to college. Many of my friends were also fortunate and went to school, and then relocated to other parts of the country. Some of us were able to come back under better circumstances, but the large majority of people here are not as fortunate.

Thirty years worth of the right wing dismantling our public education system has taken its toll. Thirty years worth of mismanagement of the economy, of shutting down factories and shipping jobs out of the country, of subsidizing corporate farms and taxing family farms out of business, has taken its toll.

Yes, people are angry, and bitter, but Obama never said that they aren't resilient, opitmistic or hard-working. Those are Hillary and McCain's twisted words, and for them to stand up and suggest that rural Pennsylvanians aren't fed up with the way things are, only reveals how out of touch they really are with at least this part of the country.

Of course, all McCain has to do is suggest to poor rural folk that the party of gun-control, gay marriage, and NAFTA is going to take away what little they have left, and rural conservatives will vote for him, just as they did for Reagan, Bush I and Bush II. As for Hillary, the more she "takes apart" Obama's message, the more she does the GOP's work for free. If Hillary can't see that the people of rural Pennsylvania are bitter, and angry, and mad as hell about the way things are, then she needs to step down from that one hundred million dollar platform of hers and take a real look around.

In western Pennsylvania I hear two things: the "God, Guns and Guts" crowd see John McCain as the heir-apparent to the mantle of rural conservative values; and the people who hope for some kind of change see Barack Obama as the person who understands the situation that we are in, and maybe is the one who can lead us in a new direction. What I don't hear is anyone talking about whatever and whomever it is that Hillary claims to stand for.

In the end, I think this is all a "lost in translation" much ado about nothing episode.

Going back to Obama's statement, and keeping in mind that he was speaking to a specific group of supporters in San Francsico, and keeping in mind that he was discussing a variety of "talking points" in the previous paragraph, I think that it is the absence of the word "issue" in this particular portion of his response to one of the attendee's questions that is lost in translation from the actual event to the transcript spun in the media.

So let's break it down:

"'Well, what is this guy going to do for me? What's the concrete thing?' What they wanna hear is -- so, we'll give you talking points about what we're proposing -- close tax loopholes, roll back, you know, the tax cuts for the top 1 percent. Obama's gonna give tax breaks to middle-class folks and we're gonna provide health care for every American. So we'll go down a series of talking points.

Obama is offering: - closing tax loopholes - roll back taxes for the top 1 percent - tax breaks to the middle class - health care for every American

But:

"But the truth is, is that, our challenge is to get people persuaded that we can make progress when there's not evidence of that in their daily lives. You go into some of these small towns in Pennsylvania, and like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them."

"So it's not surprising then that they get bitter" and "As a way to explain their frustrations...they cling to" issues that focus on: - guns - religion - antipathy to people who aren't like them - anti-immigrant sentiment - anti-trade sentiment

It's the usual laundry list of GOP hot-button talking points.

What Obama was doing was contrasting his talking points, with the tradtional GOP talking points that he has to contend with if he is going to break through and reach these tradtional blue-collar voters.

I can't imagine that anyone who was in the room with Obama misunderstood this. It's only when the transcript is removed from the context in which the information was delivered that the MSM begins to spin it into something that it's not.

If Clinton can lie about being under sniper fire and McCain can't differentiate between Al Qaeda and Shiites then Obama can make a mistake regarding his chose of words. But he is correct Americans all across America are upset, angry and yes bitter at Washington. If that were not true than George Bush's approval rating would not be 27% and 82% of American would not think our country is on the wrong track. Now if that is not anger, frustration, bitterness than I don't know what is. Also it is a known fact that republicans use social issues to persuade voters to vote republican because they can't win on issues like: the economy, the war in Iraq, and their overall indifference to the American people. There is a negative connotation associate with the word "bitter" but the fact still remains Americans are not happy. If Obama wins or not I am proud that he was brave enough to speak hard truths to the American people. But the sad fact is Americans can't handle the truth that is why politicians’ lie to us. If Obama loses because he spoke the truth than we can aspect politicians to continue lying to us.

Heh,what do expect from someone who listens to that Wright preacher.
Obama is going to be called upon again and again to explain things like the award bestowed on Louis Farrakhan, "G*d d*mn America!", "the US of KKK-a," and blaming America for 9/11. t was not the first time Wright appeared to endorse Obama, who was baptized at Trinity United, has been an active member of the church for two decades and receives spiritual mentorship from Wright.
The title of Obama's second book, "The Audacity of Hope," was taken from a sermon by Wright.

This is the sixth Swamp post today repeating this story and Obama's small town rant. Enough already. Not nearly the coverage Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran, Shia...Sunni....Shia, Bosnia sniper fire got. I think McCain publicly tearing into his wife and calling her the c word deserves more outrage than this. Bush must be so thrilled that Obama's taking all the heat.

But go ahead with your blind outrage, all small-minded, little people. Voice your indignation to the realms!

His remarks are not surprising and they were bound to slip out from his facade at some point. He wants us to believe that he is all for the people but if you really look at his record and the choices he has made in his own life, it is all about getting himself to the top and using the people any way he can. That's why, considering his inexperience, he chose to pursue being president instead of governor as he initially thought. He's a man on a mission and people should be asking what that mission really is.

It will be interesting to see how much Obama is truly hurt by this controversy and whilst I accept the observation that all the candidates have their personal flaws - has there ever been the 'perfect candidate'? At least in recent electoral history? Was George W. Bush perfect? Al Gore? John Kerry. They each had their flaws and some more than others.

The hard truth: Obama's comments were for once, poorly phrased. They might have tingled the nerves of a few Americans who are unwilling to contextualize his words. But I think vast majority of Americans, in Pennsylvania or otherwise, will come to realize that no matter how unpleasant these truths are - truths they still remain. When your job is shipped across to China and your house is being repossessed, how is it possible to 'not' be bitter? In this sense, there is nothing remarkable about Obama's comments; he's simply telling it as it is. Yet perhaps his comments are startling for the way in which they represent a politician being honest with the electorate and not playing Rove-esque politics with small-town America. The Clinton response was all too predictable. How much has America learnt after the Bush-Cheney episode? We're about to find out.

Personally I feel that people are making "mountains out of mole hills". I also believe that the Clinton campaign (and the McCain campaign) are grabbing anything and everything and blowing it all out of proportion to see how much they can slow Obama down. The force of their attack proves to me that they are running scared because of his popularity. I also believe that Hillary and maybe even McCain knows what Obama meant. In spite of all the upbeat remarks made by various mayors, etc., I'm sure that many of those people ARE bitter. Their jobs have gone away and no relief in sight. . . And, you may be sure, they are being told by those other two candidates that Obama is "elitist", insulting them! I doubt if they would even have noticed if those people weren't screaming loudly about it to beat the band. I believe that they would have heard the ring of truth in Obama,s statement and they would have felt that he really cares. . . Because he DOES!

Marianna Settles
Escondido, CA

C'mon everybody and especially Hillary say what you mean. Uppity Ni**er. Isn't that what they are really trying to say?

I think we're putting the dots together with El Obama...now his 20 years in a race-hating church and his wifes comments all make sense. It's no surprise that he talked that way in San Francisco--and he further insults most of the company by telling us everyone knows he's speaking the truth. The man is a socialist/communist who belittles people who believe in God or who think we have an immigration problem. No wonder he wants to dismantle all corporations (read: all business).

I do think he's done what McCain was seeking to do. I do believe this candidate of "hope" may have just galvanized the right wing.

This is quite simple.

Obama on Small-town Americans: "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."

Step 1: Substitute Clinton or McCain for "Obama" above.

Step 2: Substitute "Black," or "Jewish," or "Female" for "Small-town" Americans above.

Step 3: Then try to defend it as not prejudicial.

I grew up in a small town in Indiana, and I was shocked my Senator Obama's comments. I understand the first part of what he was trying to say - I think their is an anger here that perhaps was not present 8 years ago, though I would not categorize it as bitterness.

But the second part of his comments, where he links this "bitterness" to the reason that people are religious, have guns, and hate immigrants is just wrong and offensive. People in my community are not religious because they are bitter - they had faith long before they hit the hard times that Senator Obama speaks of. People in my community did not grab onto guns because they are bitter and want to protect themselves from the outside world - they had guns long before they hit hard times and they use them for recreation and hunting. And people are not anti-immigrant. After all, they embraced my immigrant family and I many, many years ago and continue to do so.

And it is not only in small towns that people are angry - people in cities are bitter too. Look no further than Senator Obama's own pastor of 20 years, Rev. Wright, he was very angry too. Now Senator Obama is basically saying that he can save us small town voters from our bitterness, but why should I believe him when he could not even save his own pastor of 20 years from bitterness?

I was an undecided IN voter who was leaning towards Obama, but now I am deeply conflicted. I do not want to write him off based on one comment, but I also feel like he simply does not understand me or my community...

The Dem I wanted to vote for dropped out after the useless Iowa primary (when the rural population gets to decide the candidates for the majority of the US, which is not.) So my comments aren't offered as a supporter of either Clinton or McCain.

I grew up in Western PA, an area that began to suffer job losses after WW II. Steel left, then industries that were related to it. Most kids I went to high school with left town after graduation, either for the Army or jobs in Texas oil country.

But those who stayed kept the place going. They may never be millionaires, but they make a life for their families. Sure, some of them worry about how they can ever afford to retire, or how to take care of their parents and kids at the same time - but I think that's the case in states that have stronger economies, too.

To lump them all together as 'bitter' makes as much sense as saying that all African Americans think alike, or that there is such a thing as a 'typical' white person.

Wasn't it Obama's promise to 'turn the page' or 'bring us together' or whatever? I guess he only means to bring people together if they already are committed to him.

If they are independent thinkers who aren't sure that anyone now running will be interested in their issues, then they must be either racist or - new one - 'bitter'. How is that any different from George W. Bush's rant that you are either with him or the terrorists?

It's way past time for a genuine third party to show up. We need someone who is interested in issues, not in profiling voters.

His comment is truthful. Hillary is just using the old playbook. Promise them anything! I was not in support of NAFTA! All the manufacturing jobs can come back!

I will be so glad when the superdelagates will have let all the people vote & can nominate Barack & get on with it.

Listening to you Liberals whine about this great country is just unbelievable. What do you people do with your life's? Do you realize you are only on this earth for a very short period of time? Relax....enjoy yourselves.... get a good job...invest your money wisely...buy a summer home somewhere....you might even try to take a kid fishing!! You Liberals seem to spend 80-90% of your time pissed off!!! Spend a little bit of your time focusing on the good things this country does!!! For Gods sakes....nobody likes to spend time with people who are constantly miserable!!!! The government is not the answer to happiness!!!! So get over it!!!!

I quit believing anything Clinton ever said a LONG time ago.

Clinton, NAFTA lies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFuA0z4kKD4

Clinton lies about NAFTA while her campaign manager, Mark Penn, is working on a trade deal with Colombia"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6ZbTM3QvV4

Clinton, campaign fundraising lies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPIt7Sv_blE

Clinton, healthcare lies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A33DEl3y5Tg

Clinton lies about her role in the Ireland peace talks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBCmKkLdCuA

...and of course, Clinton lies about dodging sniper fire in Bosnia:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It6JN7ALF7Y

Posted by: Nancy | April 12, 2008 11:22 PM

Posted by: Soon to be ex Dem | April 12, 2008 11:49 PM

HEY YOU TWO TROLLS, IF YOU'RE GOING TO TELL A FAKE PRO-CLINTON, PRO-MCCAIN SOB STORY AT LEAST TAKE THE TIME TO CHANGE YOUR FAKE STORY LINES A LITTLE BIT !!!

Obama opens mouth to switch feet.

For those of you who think that small town people aren't bitter about the lack of attention being paid to the dissolution of their communities, I have a couple of guys I'd like you to meet. Guys who used to make $16/hr. plus benefits at the mill a few blocks from my house and are now working at the local Wallyworld for half that and no benefits. The year after they closed the mill the CEO of the corporation received millions in compensation for doing such a crack up job.

Luckily both of these guys can see through the GOP diversions i.e. that the Democrats are going to take away their guns and that allowing gays to enter legally recognized unions is an attack on their religion. But unfortunately I'm sure that there are others who do fall for the "Its all the Liberals Fault" line. And Obama is right in saying it will be hard to reach those people.

It sort of looks like Obama does not like white people too much. If you are not Ted Kennedy or a Harvard professor he does not think too much of you as a white person. His pastor, the Reverend Wright is a firebrand. Obma is not like that. He views whites who do not support him with cool disdain. He thinks they are frustrated ignoramuses.

It's not Obama's chances that are going to suffer as a result of these comments. No, this is the last, dying gasp of the DLC machine that has infiltrated and infested the Democratic Party over the past 20 years. And, perhaps more importantly, it's the end of the relevance of sensationalized political coverage.

The Clinton campaign - for all of the claims of bias from Bill and Hillary - are exceptionally lucky that they have a subservient media that will effectively do anything that they are directed to do. When Hillary started to reference Saturday Night Live to claim that she received unfavorable press coverage, the media started being openly more harsh towards Obama. When she stoked the embers of the Wright controversy, the media was only too happy to soak up the story and keep it going - even though it has long been proven that a great deal of the 'controversial' comments...well, when put in context, they weren't that controversial. Lastly, they are exceptionally lucky that the press hasn't given her the Huckabee treatment. Given that she has as little chance of winning the nomination now as the erstwhile governor of Arkansas had after February 5th, the media has continued to cover Clinton as though she maintains a serious candidacy. She doesn't.

But more importantly, what the media - and the DLC types within the Clinton camp - are worried about is that politics will become a thinking person's arena once more. Obama's masterful speech on race was able to break through the fog of media coverage (at least temporarily) because it wasn't easy to compress into a soundbite. In the same way, when one takes Obama's comments on Pennsylvania in context - or even bothers to apply a modicum of rationality when interpreting them - it becomes clear that he's...right. But that's not what the media wants to write about. In a press that has become much more about 'entertainment' - and this horse race, even though one of the horses is effectively dead, the media needs to keep feeding this story. The Wright controversy didn't knock Obama off-stride; in fact, polling afterwards has found that he has widened his lead nationally over Clinton (and narrowed it in PA) since. It's particularly disingenuous of both Clinton and John McCain to attack Obama, given that both are obscenely wealthy, even when compared to the relatively well-off Senator from Illinois.

But every time the media has tried to take Obama down a notch, he comes back stronger every time. Why? Because he doesn't treat the American voter as idiots - something that the Clinton campaign does with pathological frequency. Nor does he simply feed the masses 30 seconds, bite after bite, like the media wants. In its current incarnation, the media depends on their viewers to have the cognitive powers of a crackhead who needs a fix just to function at all. But when Obama comes out and does this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc9PepjyDow

...it becomes abundantly clear that it's not going to work. The enormous applause at the end of the video isn't what the Clinton campaign or the media wants to hear. To them, it's a death knell to the political theater and the cheapening of discourse that has pervaded American politics.

Astral66--
Yes. You are right. His comments might be dead on.
But that's not the point, is it?
Offending people you need to win over is not good judgment.
Not a winning campaign strategy.
And Obama is incorrect when he states that people don't vote on the economy.
Bill Clinton's comment "It's the economy, stupid," gave him a good leg head and shoulder over W's daddy.
And it's not 'hating' Obama to say that, well, this is a really not-smart thing to say this late in the campaign.
It's not just a blunder.
It's very revealing of a bad attitude toward people you consider 'the other' -- and when people do this based on race, religion, age, gender, you name it, we call it OUT--and rightly so.
So why is class any different?
Garrison Keiller said it best not long ago--the charm is coming off Obama like the tread off a tire.
He needs to end this campaign before he ruins our chances to beat McCain in the Fall.
It is sad to watch him self-destruct, as I supported his campaign for Senate and President.
I hope he joins with Hilary--he should have joined with John Edwards but apparently his pride got in the way.
No matter. If he cooperates and keeps his ego in check, he'll be a great v.p. and the people you're discussing will be won over by his presence in the meantime.
Or their poor nutrition will put to rest the last of the 'three generations' of dixiecrats LBJ knew he'd lose when signed the civil rights act. (Yes. He did that. And Hilary wasn't racist when she recited that fact).
Yes, we can all get along.

Gee folks, I wonder why the MSM is pushing this so hard? And the little people are falling over each other taking the bait. Take a look at what sneaked out of the WH yesterday.

http://www.miamiherald.com/519/story/492943.html

Obama will lose PA--but not because of this. He was gonna lose the keystone state anyway.
And even if Hilary were to not denounce such heinous comments (and she should) they would harm him.
His campaign self-destructed when it teamed up with Bob Casey (who's going to lose his own primary re-election bid) and greased the palm's of Casey's Scranton print shop with 3 million bucks worth of bundled corporate election payola (Scranton is called Little Chicago for good reason)==Casey is not liked at all. Rendell got him to run against Rick Santorum==and all those nice middle-aged PA dem women voted for him despite his anti choice stuff.
Obama was silly to team up with him. Casey stood up a family waiting for him to deliver Iraq war medals for their fallen son (Casey's idea) by calling them the night before to say he was campaigning for Obama and could not come after all.
It's a judgment thing. He doesn't understand (yet). He should have teamed up as veep to Edwards. And Hilary might still help him salvage his political career.
I doubt he can get re-elected in Illinois.

I noticed it too--he still stuck with the bitter part. So I went and did some backtracking, because I have heard him reference this framework from which he works off of before. The economy is the source of bitterness, and people, in this case blue collar workers, express this frustration out in how 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." Taken form the Texas debate...
-------------------
CUMMINGS: ....This is from Kim Millman (ph) from Burnsville, Minnesota. And she says, "there's been no acknowledgment by any of the presidential candidates of the negative economic impact of immigration on the African-American community. How do you propose to address the high unemployment rates and the declining wages in the African-American community that are related to the flood of immigrant labor?"
OBAMA: ...And, so, I think to suggest somehow that the problem that we're seeing in inner-city unemployment, for example, is attributable to immigrants, I think, is a case of scapegoating that I do not believe in, I do not subscribe to....
OBAMA:... But let's understand more broadly that the economic problems that African-Americans are experiencing, whites are experiences, blacks and Latinos are experiencing in this country are all rooted in the fact that we have had an economy out of balance....
And so, there are a whole host of reasons why we have not been generating the kinds of jobs that we are generating. We should not use immigration as a tactic to divide. Instead, we should pull the country together to get this economy back on track.
---------------------------
OBAMA: And it is important for us, I believe, to recognize that the problems that workers are experiencing generally are not primarily caused by immigration. http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/31/dem.debate.transcript/
----------------------------------
People are bitter about the economy but don't cling out of that bitterness to guns, religion, anti-trade, anti-immigration ect. People are bitter about all to some of the policies of the Bush Administration. That does not mean that everything can be explained by attributing it to that bitterness;as he clearly does from using it to explain why he's not resonating with blue collar workers (and their needs). It seems to Obama issues of guns religion anti-traded anti-immigration et all are the product of a bad economy that leads to bitterness. If you fix the economy you fix theses issues. And anyone who brings up these issues on any other terms but years of a bad economy is scapegoating dividing or , in the case of immigration, xenophobic. It seems that to Obama immigration is either addressed from an uber-liberal approach, as in elitist, immigration is just a means to be mean( as in xenophobia), or the next step to bash the Clinton/Bush economy. He's uber liberal, or a one note everything has no other reason to exist other than the economy--screw values, screw life styles, screw tradition, screw varying opinion on what others think works for the country.. To say that many years of undocumented workers compounding the population in the millions have not primarily caused problems that worker are experiencing is ludacris. To say the support for gun ownership religious issues anti immigration anti trade is primarily a symptom of economic times, with no other ground to stand on is ridiculous.

I agree with Astral66, Max and Marianna Settles above. Astral66 lays it out most completely.

Parsing unofficial remarks and then making a national issue out of them speaks poorly of those who try to take such advantage.

An opportunity now presents itself at a critical time to elect a charismatic leader who can make a difference. For the sake of your grandchildren, vote sensibly for Obama.

Isn't there some kind of constitutional requirement the President has to actually like America?

Cling to their guns? Anti Trade?

Obama loving media is conveniently ignoring some of the things he said.

First of all the media is trying to make his gun comment into having something to do with "HUNTING?" That is total BS. He was clearly saying that people are "BITTER" and they take their guns and commit crimes such as MURDER and ROBBERY. He is demeaning all these people by saying that since they are "BITTER" they have become a bunch of CRIMINALS! Hunting? Give me a break.

Second he was saying that all these "BITTER" people are anti-TRADE because they are "BITTER." What is he implying here? He is IMPLYING that these trade deals such as NAFTA are GOOD and that the only reason people are against it is because they are "BITTER." Again contradictory statements. Go in front of blue collar PA folks and say he is against trade deals. Then go in front of MULTI-MILLIONAIRES and BILLIONAIRES and say he is for it.

All this was said behind closed doors at an OIL BILLIONAIRES MANSION to other very rich people. From what the media is reporting Obama does not allow the media in these fundraisers with rich people. What plausible reason does he have for that? Unless of course he does not want what he is saying to come out! An Obama supporting Huffington Post reporter who was at the event wrote about it because she was shocked. My question now is WHAT OTHER GARBAGE HAS HE BEEN SAYING BEHIND CLOSE DOORS IN ALL THE FUNDRAISERS HE HAS HAD WITH THE SUPER RICH (WHERE THE MEDIA IS ALWAYS BANNED BY OBAMA)?

I challenge anyone, anyone, to point out one example of McCain or Hillary sticking up for ordinary folks. They both voted for the bankruptcy bill that made it nearly impossible for someone down on their luck, perhaps due to illness or injury, to start with a clean slate.

This is America. The DOLLLAR rules. Who has more dollars and who has less? The middle class is getting reamed by the rich. 1/6th of us our uninsured. We're behind Jordan in life expectancy. The world despises, yes despises, us. We're in debt the the Chinese. Even the Brits are leaving Iraq.

And this is what's in the news? GWB is trampling OUR Consititution. McCain flip flopped on taxes, torture, you name it. Hillary has active lobbyists running her campaign. Hillary and McCain are worth 100,000,000 plus -- are you?

Obama's point is quite simple and true. People don't believe that their interests are furthered by their votes anymore, so they vote on other issues.

I'm from a small town. I can tell you that the small town is suffering big time. Someone tell me just what McCain has done for Small Town USA?

"Soon to be an ex Dem": it's a shame you have to hide behind a phony handle! My guess is you never were a Democrat because you bring up all of the talking points, I think a Republican would bring up! If you don't think there are bitter Americans then, you must not be paying to much attention to the Incompetents we have in our White House! Ask the grieving 4000 Families that have had to bury their loved ones, giving the ultimate sacrifice to this great country of ours. Why? There were some NeoConservative, Republicans, that had been conspiring to get America into a Middle East war, for years. With Cheney in place as Vice-President, as the "much deferred, never served", dodger, he was the perfect front man for this ill-begotten, illegal, ill-planned, ill-equipped war. Now, after 3 to 4 TRILLION DOLLARS have been sunk into that black whole, formerly known as, Iraq, and many a corporates vault, can any one be surprised to hear the word "bitter" being employed !!!? If you are, than you are a supporter of this war disaster and voted for its authorization!! That means you are a Republican or an opportunistic politician, who will vote for anything to cover your bases. In either case, you have done America a great disservice, as well as Senator Obama and that is unfortunate for all of us, because we are trying to keep the likes of your types out our White House. Both of your camps are playing from the same playbook, the same playbook that the NeoCons formulated and Cheney followed to the letter!!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.

I challenge anyone, anyone, to point out one example of McCain or Hillary sticking up for ordinary folks. They both voted for the bankruptcy bill that made it nearly impossible for someone down on their luck, perhaps due to illness or injury, to start with a clean slate.

This is America. The DOLLLAR rules. Who has more dollars and who has less? The middle class is getting reamed by the rich. 1/6th of us our uninsured. We're behind Jordan in life expectancy. The world despises, yes despises, us. We're in debt the the Chinese. Even the Brits are leaving Iraq.

And this is what's in the news? GWB is trampling OUR Consititution. McCain flip flopped on taxes, torture, you name it. Hillary has active lobbyists running her campaign. Hillary and McCain are worth 100,000,000 plus -- are you?

Obama's point is quite simple and true. People don't believe that their interests are furthered by their votes anymore, so they vote on other issues.

I'm from a small town. I can tell you that the small town is suffering big time. Someone tell me just what McCain has done for Small Town USA?

People in Pennsylvania stick together when things get rough. They do not riot or blame the Government like the scum in New Orleans. Obama encouaged the rioting in New Orleans and this will back fire on him.

Obama is a typical black man. Lets not forget about what her wife said. Is America this blind to this scum Obama.

Diss the half of the Democratic party that prefers Clinton and then turn on small town America. It's really great, the way you're building consensus, Mr. Conciliator.

Well. The media (of the America's wealthy ruling elite) is in a feeding frenzy. And the McCains and Clintons (who are variously scared of a general election featuring Sen Obama) have seized on that interest and are milking it for all it is worth.

Sen McCains camp condemned Sen Obama's speech as elitist. Sen McCain did not even bother to clear his "natural born" status as stated in the constitution before he launched his presidential bid - even as he KNEW there were constitutional issues! Why did he think he can get away with it? Now that he thinks he has a chance to be elected, he appears to have quickly pulled the 'patriotism' card recently to stampede senators McCaskill , Clinton and Obama into supporting his clearance. Isn't that a feeling elitist entitlement - over and above our constitution?
[I suggest that he should sit this election 2008 out while the issues of his qualification are resolved in an orderly manner befitting the constitution of a great nation. Those who have know Sen McCain over the years have used the word 'punk' to describe him.]

Sen McCain stated in a speech during his recent tour that Americans owe him 'a pass' to the presidency because he is a retired Navy pilot.

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1727868,00.html

Is this view elitist? Are retired Navy pilots our elite that must occupy that coveted, one-of-a-kind presidential perch whenever they want to? Does he think that such 'a pass' is enshrined in our constitution?

mettle under sniper fire. Is that part of the values she talks about? I would say that such behavior is "condescending and disappointing" to Americans who find out that they have been fooled by it - and especially so to the surrogates who have to push the lie.

What are those faithless 3AM fear bombs of evil intent all about - Christian values? Were they supposed to be good to her neighbor, Sen Obama? Can a Christian of faith build credibility by (positively) talking about one's strengths other than (negatively) casting aspersions on others as a way to get ahead?

Sen Clinton has been stretching the truth, oiling a smear campaign, maligning the character of a good person and generally persistently doing a vicious hatchet job on Sen Obama. Christian values?

Are Hillary's values expressed in the case whereby, over an extended period of time, she puts her child in the unenviable public position whereby she has to listen to your lies, know that you are lying and never have to contradict them? is the child expected to internalize a lesson that fibbing is a Christian value to be actively or passively tolerated in pursuit of a goal?

Are the women of America, her core supporters, share her view of what faith and American values are with regard to child-rearing, living and being a role-model?

"Americans who believe in God believe it is a matter of personal faith. I grew up in a church-going family that believed in .. expressing our faith." says Hillary.

Curiously, she talks of "America" and her parents but she does not talk about herself nor make it clear that SHE is a person of faith - and what that faith and values are.
Presumably I share a faith in the same God as the lying Hillary? Inexcusable, she may say of anyone else. Should I leave my church and God for admitting those I and most Americans consider to be of questionable faith and values?

Going back to the old times that Christians were persecuted (and current times that some non-Christians are), human take refuge and comfort in their faith/beliefs and religions in times of great uncertainty, strife, grave danger to their survival and catastrophe. And in times they feel fearful, betrayed and bitter. That is true in all societies and religions, per Joseph Campbell.
What is wrong with Sen Obama re-stating this fact in these times of war and economic/survival uncertainties for most Americans (that do not include the multi-millionaire Clintons and the McCains)?

Is it demeaning for rural America, indeed for millions of the USA citizens to feel uncertain because of the current worsening economy, security conditions, strains of war, etc? Should they be concerned and bitter as their conditions worsen and jobs are shipped overseas by Clinton's NAFTA even as they spent their productive lives working hard for the future financial security of themselves and their kids? Shouldn't they feel betrayed and bitter when CEOs of failed companies get richer? Or oil magnates make more $billions while fuel costs of poor America rise astronomically? And the multi-millionaire McCains and Clintons get richer too? Why shouldn't poor America feel bitter? Shouldn't poor America vigorously - indeed desperately, seek or demand a CHANGE in the way things are done?

Does the prospect of a bitter working class raise in the Clintons and McCains the dreaded specter of a class -warfare? Indeed the idea of prospering millionaires telling poor Americans not to feel bitter about their worsening state (and by implication, be resigned to the status quo or even be happy) - is condescendingly self-serving and, to most of Americans who are struggling and scared of the future, patently evil.

So why do the Clintons and McCains push for "CHANGE" if Americans are, or should be resigned or content and happy - because of their faith and American values?

So the Clintons will tell us
"Our faith is the faith of our parents and our grandparents. It is a fundamental expression of who we are and what we believe."
[Note: At least one of the Clintons says so. And we don't know much yet about the faith and values of the McCains]
Still, since she is careful not to be overly explicit, we are left to assume that Hillary has a faith - or she does profess to one. And what is it? Considering what we know of the shenanigans of the Clintons, we are in the dark about her (not her parents' or grandparents') values and her 'personal faith' - and what part these play in her life. Maybe the eager media can enlighten us.

Barack Obama states, “People don't vote on economic issues because they don't expect anybody is going to help them. You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years. ... And it's not surprising then they 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.”

Obama is out of touch, speaks from both sides of is mouth, and looks down on people that see things different than himself. This is how I got there.

First of all the people don’t vote on economic issues because Obama and the others in Washington don’t let the people vote. It will be decided for them by the elitists in Washington like Obama and big business. Obama will stand on the platform swearing to change these one sided Free trade agreements, then tell others (Canada) not to worry, its just the bitter little people complaining. That’s speaking from both sides of your mouth, back to the same old same old in Washington.

Second, the jobs are not just gone for “25 years now” they are leaving in droves since NAFTA and similar bills were passed. Two large factories in the past month have shut down in my small town of 10,000 in the past month alone. While hundreds of store fronts lie empty.

Third, we cling to our guns and religion because these rights are under constant attack from the politicians in Washington. As he speaks schools in this country ban prayer, the ten commandments, freedom of expression in artwork and freedom on speech regarding religion. But other schools freely preach Muslim, Buddhist, and Evolutionism. The other day a child was kicked out of his art class in school because a cross was in the painting. But a photo of piss in a glass is considered art in this country. As far as guns are concerned, banning guns would be like banning crack, once banned only the criminals will have them. A lot less homes are broken into and a lot less people are robed at knife and gun point because criminals don’t know whose packing. Its Obama’s constitutional right to have armed body guards, just as it’s my right to own a gun.

Fourth, Obama speaks of having a full dialog on the issues like illegal immigration. He says the small town people don’t really understand the issue. He states that we all need to get together and have this issue discussed. It looks to me that Obama thinks he already took care of this discussion for me and this country. No discussion required. This country already allows more legal immigrants in than most of the other countries in the world combined. The US is estimated to have 12-20 million illegal immigrants here in the country on top of the large legal number allowed. But big business and farmers say they don’t have enough. They need more cheap labor, more people to keep off the books, more people that don’t require insurance, and tax withholdings. Big business and farmers know that illegal immigrants don’t require medical insurance because politicians have mandated that American hospitals provide medical care to the illegals regardless if they can pay or not (give me some of that). While hospitals are going under, passing the costs to the taxpayer and the citizen in record numbers are going under trying to pay their hospital bills. I say the American working people can’t survive uncontrolled outsourcing and in sourcing. We can’t compete in country with uncontrolled flooding of cheap labor.

What do I know Obama? I’m “just a typical white person.” You can call me Bitter and Small town too.

Xcellentform says those who believe in God are "neanderthals."
Typical Loony Left wing malarky.

What is even more interesting about this piece, is Mark Silva's concerns about how this will affect the Media Creation That is Obama. Funny, when it's the other side who makes a verbal gaffe, Silva celebrates it!

Of course people aren't bitter...just read these uplifting posts.

Listen, all you Hate America Liberals.....of course Barack Hussein Obama is going to say that most people are bitter, because he is a Liberal and Liberals are not supposed to be happy, so he is just stating the obvious and what he feels.....You Libeals are ruining this country and the sooner you figure that out the better, everything that is good for the country you are against.....everything that is bad for the country you are for.....you Liberals support the main contributor in what is killing this country and that is Illegal Immigration....thanks for the help You Hate America Liberals.....

I really think until the American people can learn to live within their means and stop eatting out at every fast food place. I don't think it matters who wins this election as your house will remain the same Fat and in debt.

I am appalled at the number of pro HRC and McCain trolls who can be holier than thou about the semantics they are bandying about here yet, they project themselves as mindless to the simple facts.

There are a whole lot of people who are simply too stupid to even deserve a vote. It is the small minded simpletons of that ilk who are the bitter ones and it shows. They prove Obama's point with every small minded, big mouthed statement. They follow the empty talking points of the campaign they root for like a sports team and exceptionally few could be bothered to examine the facts beyond those talking points. It's disgusting to the point of comedy. It's not far removed from the people of history who became belligerent and hostile when the few who knew better spoke out against Bush and how he would destroy the nation (as he now has).

Anyone stupid enough to want to espouse the ideals of clinton or mccain deserve what they get.

Unfortunately, everyone would get the same horrid future these two hacks would drag the country into and would lead to irreparable harm. As it is the recovery of the country back to it's pre-bush times is going to take at least 2 decades and maybe more.

They are like children who have touched a hot stove, gotten burned but now believe it when these clowns try to say it won't burn a second time so try again.

Those of us who know better owe it to the country to help these "children" forward to understanding the truth by making sure these corporate whores never get into power again.

There are only 2 types of republican (or Hillary supporter) rich ones and suckers.

Do your homework people. Facts are facts and bullshit is what it is. HRC and Mccain fans need to learn how to tell the difference before they allow their ignorance to destroy the nation as they are well on their way to doing by continuing the idiocy of the current rethuglican junta that is occupying the white house now.

If Obama was white and treated the same way as the other candidates he would have been knocked out of the race a long time ago. To bad the media has been protecting him for so long.

who are the real elitists in this race? bush then clinton, clinton, bush, bush, in the last 5 elections. you can vote for another clinton or a mcbush or someone to get us out of this rut that has spawned war, terrorism, jobs going overseas, economic collapse. obama is the only choice to do something different. however, some alledgedly are greatly insulted if obama observes, then says, people in america are bitter about their personal situation. i think a president that understands and speaks to the personal situation of the middle class is exactly what we need at this point. the middle class has been completely gone from the consciousness of the government. especially the last 8 yrs.

Obama has simply exposed one of the greatest CON-ARTIST manipulations that has ever been perpetrated upon the citizens of the United States.

THE MYTH IS THAT THE MIDDLE CLASS DID BETTER UNDER BILL CLINTON THAN WITH OTHER 20TH CENTURY PRESIDENTS

THE TRUTH IS THE UPPER CLASS (SUCH AS THE ENRON AND WORLDCOM CROWD AND BIG PHARMA AND THE INSURANCE COMPANIES) DID EXTREMELY WELL UNDER CLINTON - WHO TURNED A BLIND EYE TO SECURITIES MANIPULATIONS AND ANTI-TRUST LAWS

THE CURRENT FORECLOSURE CRISIS IS A DIRECT RESULT OF RIPOFF MANEUVERS BY LARGE BANKING AND CREDIT CORPORATIONS WHICH EXPLODED DURING CLINTON'S TENURE AND MANY OF THE MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS THAT OVERWHELM OUR ECONOMY NOW HAD IT'S SEEDS PLANTED DURING THE CLINTON YEARS WITH THE OUTSOURCING OF JOBS THROUGH DEALS SUCH AS NAFTA

THE RICH DID VERY, VERY, WELL UNDER BILL CLINTON AND MUCH OF THE WORKING CLASS TOOK IT ON THE CHIN

NOW THAT IS ELITISM - ELITISM ALONG WITH THE CLINTON LIES TO FABRICATE THE MYTHOLOGY THAT OBAMA NOW EXPOSES

to cap it all off, clinton then pardoned hard core white collar millionaire criminals as he left office

if that is not ELITISM then there is no such thing

GO AWAY CLINTONS - YOUR LYING STYLES AS WELL AS YOUR LAVISH, HYPOCRITICAL LIFESTYLES HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY EXPOSED

H = HEALTH care promises everyone knows she cannot keep

I = idealogical division

L= Lies about Bosnia

L= Lies to take credit for work of others

A = Arrogance

R = RACE CARD player

Y = YES vote for the war

For the first time in my life I'm living in a small town in the Midwest (Illinois) and I've NEVER, EVER anywhere else encountered the anti-immigrant rage, blame it all on the illegals, the rich and anyone not like me bitterness I have encountered here. I'm in this town to facilitate services to immigrants and I find some people's outright hatred to be even scary. I understand that many are hurting economically and scared that their communities are transforming before their very eyes. I also understand political forces have been playing into these fears to push their agendas and candidacies. Sorry, but Obama hit on something real - as ugly as it may be - in his comments. I think he is not out of touch - just the opposite - he KNOWS what's going on and has the concern and guts to address it.

If Barack Obama wanted to talk about the bitterness in the people in Pennsylvania, don't you think he should have done it with them? Not behind their backs in a wealthy home halfway across the USA?

Today NPR did two pieces defending Obama's religion (without his having to be quoted or lift a finger or a telephone).
People don't like to see such bias against a competent woman like Hilary.
It will backfire in the end.
If Obama is on the top of the ticket in November, McCain will win.
I do hope he bows out soon, and isn't persuaded to stay in the race by the media clean up crews--they only want his easy money and the relatively easier reporting assignment an extended Democratic party slugfest brings.
So many other, important stories out there--the rape epidemic of American servicewomen in Iraq (contractors too) by U.S. soldiers and KBR contractors (working in collusion given the total control of war maching profitteers like GE (Hey! Don't they own MSNBC and Saturday Night Live?)
Question for the kiddies at college campuses--why won't Barack Hussein Obama take a drink with you? Why did the soft-handed one refuse that Jaeger Bomb? He of the Timberline boots? (Hope those weren't made in China and sold at Walmart!)

Wasn't it Obama who said "words matter"?

thanks for the help You Hate America Liberals.....

Posted by: Glenn | April 13, 2008 9:15 AM

Nice post. You truly are one uplifting creature. I wish I could sound as happy as you. Is that because you're a conservative? Please teach me how to be as inspiring as you. I can tell by your words you "love" America, just not Americans.

The vitriol shown in many of the above messages represents the frustrations of many of us who feel our government at all levels[are you reading this Illinois, New York et al]is letting us down. We are making a huge mistake by bailing out those who made loans they could not repay when the least problem arose that is Mortgage holders, mortgage buyers, bankers, and the homeowners who have gone in too deep. Why is it our problem to bail out those who are foolish? History records that when the government steps in the people end up losing. Personal responsibility should take place for all involved in losing their homes and they will learn from their mistakes. What does the government do well ? Nothing!
They have failed us in every area- taxes, schools, infrastructure,immigration,
intelligence, term limits, being able to leave your money for your family,denying our history,refusing to recognize the greatness of our country, the list of the failure of government is endless. The answer is cetainly not more government as Obama/Clinton demand the answer is less government and more freedom for the people. We must replace the current people in government with honest people who want to govern us not steal from us. Please do not allow government to control any more of our lives, less government!

Finally I have a reason to vote for Obama: People use religion as a crutch to escape from their problems.

This is so true, but so anti-American.

Sorry, Obama, you will not get elected in America.

Try China next.

check it out...seems there are some who very much agree with Sen. Obama's comments.
www.bittervoters.org

"Bitter Voters Home - Contact Us

You're Darn Right I'm Bitter
By Bitter Jonon April 13, 2008 11:21 AM

One of the most refreshing things about Barack Obama is his fearlessness when it comes to voicing a hard truth. It's an ice cold glass of unsweetened lemonade: hard to swallow, but unmistakably pure. The truth is, if you aren't bitter, you're probably voting for someone who is going to give us more of what we've been getting all along. And all Clinton and McCain seem to be saying is "Let them eat Lemons."

Both Clinton and McCain's response to Barack's comments about voters were incredibly elitist, which is funny since that seemed to be their charge. Hillary said we aren't bitter, we're resilient. In other words, we can take it, right? We can take our wages being frozen while the cost of living doubles. We can take lucrative jobs packing up and moving overseas. We can take the oil companies turning less than a 20% increase in operating expense into a 200% increase in profits. Hey, it's all part of being American. We take a beating and still wake up with a smile on our faces. Since Clinton is so sure the voters are just hunky dory with the way things are going, what would be her imperative to bring rapid and meaningful change? Clinton is completely out of touch. Hilldog, the thousands of people losing their homes right now aren't feeling very tough. They're feeling pretty bitter.

McCain's people had the nerve to call Obama's label of "bitter" condescending and elitist. From the camp of a politician whose first response to the housing crisis was to essentially allow fiscal Darwinism to run its course, this accusation is laughable. There is nothing condescending or elitist about Barack's assessment. In fact, it is just the opposite.

While Clinton and McCain live within the pomp and circumstances of their political propaganda, Obama is showing that he truly understands where voters are coming from. It is why he is winning. Obama's assessment that we are bitter comes directly from understanding that we are tired of the things that come from status quo politicians like Clinton and McCain that have driven the middle class to the edge of extinction. We should be proud to be bitter. It's not a bad thing to be, it just means you have been impacted, and it's not okay.

Of course, the real culprit here is the media. You would expect journalists to know a thing or two about the English language. The use of words like 'Typical' and 'Bitter' to skew a message, apply a racist tone, or deem verbage an insult, is a practice true writers should be abhorred to participate in, and journalists who play into these games should forfeit any claim to integrity. Isn't it more newsworthy that campaigns twist a word to political game, marginalizing our intelligence and language for petty trickery?

It requires minimal intelligence to interpret that Obama meant we were Bitter in that we are fed up, turned off, and have had enough of politics as usual. Personally, I've voted in 5 presidential elections; when I look at what has become of this country during the course of those 20 years, I do feel intensely acrid on the inside. Over the last eight years in particular, when our leaders talk about how they are going to fix something I do respond with cynicism.

So yes I am bitter, and you should be too, and in November we should all vote bitterly against the status quo and for a leader that truly knows how to make Lemons into Lemonade."

I find it somewhat hypocritical that Barack would criticize rural America for having "antipathy to people who aren't like them" by using antipathy to describe people who aren't like him.

I find it somewhat hypocritical that Barack would criticize rural America for their anti-trade sentiment when he claims to be NAFTA's strongest opponent.

I find it somewhat hypocritical that Barack would criticize rural America for clinging to their religion during troubled times while he clings to his troubled pastor; "What I value most about Pastor Wright is not his day-to-day political advice," Obama said. "He's much more of a sounding board for me to make sure that I am speaking as truthfully about what I believe as possible and that I'm not losing myself in some of the hype and hoopla and stress that's involved in national politics."

I find it somewhat hypocritical that Barack would criticize rural America for clinging to their legal guns used on the farm or for hunting and family protection while ignoring illegal urban guns used to commit crimes.

I find it disgusting that Barack would claim that rural America is "anti-immigrant" when he knows full well that they're actually anti-Illegal immigrant and want secure borders just like Barack does.

" Glenn ", I will list only a few of the many, many contributions that liberals have fought to give us, the people, of America. Off the top of my head; five day work week, 8 hour work day, holy days off, honest day's pay, child labor laws, laws against slavery, laws against sexual discrimination, are but a very few of the Liberal contribution to this country's development! Oh, one more thing, it gave all you Liberal-haters something to do in your spare time. It is unfortunate, too, because I don't see you rejecting all of the good elements of the Liberal contributions. What you are really doing, when you bait the Liberal, is trying to distract other people from seeing what you, the conservatives, are really doing to our country. Stripping away our civil rights, in the name of phony national security, feathering the nest of your corporate sponsors and having our sons and daughters fight an illegal war, that you will not let your sons and daughters fight in, that is the agenda that you don't want Americans to notice!!! That is the Lie that you perpetrate and try to hide and that is the lie that has crippled America. I hope you are happy with your lies and hidden agendas. Now, the Liberals will take over and make America great again and we will do it in broad daylight and without any lies.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.

What gets me is this...

People who would choose between Clinton and Obama are having supposedly serious discussions about Obama's elitism.

But I ask you this:

What in hell isn't just as elitist about Hillary Clinton!?

Choose one elisit over another elitist and you end up with an elitist.

Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | April 13, 2008 10:11 AM

Bill r you are so kind, loving, "un-bitter," and inspirational when patronize the opinions of others...I can tell by your words you "love" America, just not SOME Americans.

Compare the Trib's excessive coverage all weekend of Obama's comment, versus their front-page blackout of McCain's inability to distinguish the players in Iraq or his amazing flip-flops on several issues, and you wind up with an inescapable truth...either you guys are incompetent hacks or partisan stooges. Note: when a man or woman who are each worth over 100 million dollars dare to call a guy "elitist", perhaps your reporting should include this absurdity versus your screaming, anti-Obama headlines.

Lt me say right off, I support Obama, but with each "misspeak" (thank for the term, Hillary), lose more and more enthusiasm.

I grew up in a small town, but now live in a big city. Both have bigots, narrow minds, wackos, and some scary people. One might be more "conservative" and one more "liberal", but come on, neither side really "gets" the other. Both have some really fine people too.

Barack needs to get out more. He won Iowa, which is made up of small towns for heaven sake. His statement is not all that accurate to all small towns, just as many on "the other side" call San Francisco "San Fransicko" and think every big city is a modern Sodom.

I guess what hurts most is the hope for the great uniter is now tarnished. He has joined Hillary and Bill in the mud, and this is very disappointing. Still, no one is better, and hopefully he has learned not to stereotype people. Barack Obama, of all people, should have learned this lesson!

i can't believe what he said is an issue. the whole remarks are actually saying working people in PA are getting screwed. 'idioocracy' here we come.

This was toe # 2.

# 1. was Jeremiah Wright and the Ayers,Dohrn,Rezko connection - he has eight more to shoot off. He'll do it with the help he is getting.

http://hickeysite.blogspot.com/2008/04/john-mccain-chicago-police-officers.html

What do people want? Someone who shows empathy with their plight or someone who couldn't care less about their many concerns? The Republicans have shown how much they care...they DON'T !!! Our "president" vetoes everything...even a bill that was proposed that would provide more fruits and vegetables to schoolchildren! McCain's cavalier attitude is really disgusting...just because he was a POW DOES NOT mean he's fit to be our president!!! Contrast that volatile temper of his with Senator Obama's even temperament and decide for yourself who is better qualified to deal with foreign leaders!!! And our current president has more or less thrown the Constitution OUT THE WINDOW !!! Obama taught and will UPHOLD the Constitution. Personally, I think Hillary has a lot of nerve even RUNNING after Bill's impeachment...do Americans REALLY want to see Bill in the White House again???

Bill r you are so kind, loving, "un-bitter," and inspirational when patronize the opinions of others...I can tell by your words you "love" America, just not SOME Americans.

Posted by: Swamp Thang | April 13, 2008 10:55 AM

You're absolutely right Swamp thing. It's the people who like to call liberals Un-American that make me bitter. I take it you agree with the "great" American Glenn. I may disagree with the right but I don't stoop low enough to call them America haters. Could you point out the "love" between these posters?

Obama shows again how he looks down on average Americans. This jerk is not presidential material. I'd like to recall him from his Senate seat; he's a do-nothing, arrogant big talker and that's it.

My experience has shown that what Mr. Obama said has some elements of truth.

My in-laws live in a small town in eastern IN. My father in law has no problem throwing the N word around, and made it abundantly clear he wouldn't vote for Obama even if he was the only candidate on the ballot! Yet, he's a "good Catholic" and he loves to hunt! But he's not bitter...

Don't get me wrong though, he's a nice enough guy, but he is the product of small town thinking.

Public Obama would have never slipped like that. Give him a speech and a platform and he is golden. But off stage, off camera, we get a sense of the real Obama.

By the way, it was an Obama supporter that released his statements. The supporter has originally not made them public because of the cost to the Obama campaign. But then the comments bothered her so much, she did release them.

Those of you who don't think this is newsworthy, change it up a little and make it Clinton commenting on inner cities in the same tone and manner. You same people would have crucified her.

As a person who is in their middle 60's, I find this whole deal about Obama's comments regarding small-town America being angry and bitter is ridiculous. Obama is aware of the issues facing many of us in small towns all across America. And, we are angry and bitter. Our country has gone downhill so fast it is like being on a ski-slope.

Further, how dare Clinton and McCain call him "elitist." They have been on the dole (taxpayer money) for so long, they have no idea how difficult it is to work full-time and barely get by just for necessities.

Now, if they would discuss these issues instead of calling names, perhaps we could get on the right track to improving the lives of all Americans--not just the elites.

Never danced to his flute. Never will. Why should I follow him, since Obama has never done anything to warrent me to dance his tune. He is a do nothing candidate. Why would I want to be like the rest of his sheep. Being lead blindly to the liberal life- forget it.

This was posted on another website and needs to be repeated. See if you are bitter!

Re: Is Obama being attacked for telling the truth?

The Truth Hurts, And Help Us Overcome
1) I am bitter because of the state of our economy
2) I am bitter because our jobs are being shipped overseas
3) I am bitter because we are fighting a war we shouldn't have waged.
4) I am bitter because we are spending $10b every month in Iraq, money that we need seriously here.
5) I am bitter that Iraq has about $50b of its money lodged in foreign account, while we are using tax payer's money to rebuild the country.
6) I am bitter that we are losing the effort to catch Osama Bin Laden.
7) I am bitter that our great country has lost its respect in the international forum.
8) I am bitter that our dollars has become a laughing stock of the world. That right here in the states, some businesses no longer accepts the dollar as a legal tender.
9) I am bitter because hardworking folks are being laid off their jobs and have lost all their savings.
10) I am bitter that honest and hard working folks are facing foreclosures.
11) I am bitter because the solution to the foreclosure problem from our law makers is to reward the mortgage banks and people who created the problem in the first place, while providing nothing for the people at the risk of losing their homes.
12) I am bitter because we keep borrowing from china and other countries, thereby leaving debts upon debts for the future generation.
13) I am bitter because there are so many other reasons why I should be bitter and our government is doing nothing to fix it.
14) Finally, I am bitter because the only person amongst our presidential candidates who recognizes that I'm bitter and that I have a genuine reason to be is being crucified for saying the truth.

I live in Philadelphia, where people have resorted to all these thing, gun and our crime rate shows this. religion, prayer for safty, voting against NAFTA, because of job lost, pointing finger at people who don't conform to the norm, voting for border control. WHY, BECAUSE THEY ARE BITTER!

PEOPLE YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS, FOR IT IN YOUR LIVING ROOMS, BUT AGAINST IT IN PUBLIC.

REMEMBER WHAT HE PROMISED YOU!
"I don't intend to be a President who tells you what you want to hear...but rather, a President who tells you what you need to hear in order to try and move this country forward.

The crystal clear image right now is that Obama cares more about black liberation theology than small town America.

sorry to all you Obamaniacs.

The truth is: what is Obama's iagenda for America ? What do you think Michele Obama wants on the agenda for America ???

Are we to have some reparations discussion??

Or are we going to talk about small town America and how to get our economy going again ????

Obama has presented us with two different stories : black anger and black liberation theology are both OK - understandable reactions to what has gone on over the years.

ON the other hand, small town America - they are "bitter" - they have taken the wrong response - they "cling" to religion and guns - as if for some reason they have not done enough to get themselves out of their plight.

The original rational for Obama's campaign that he is a unifier, transcending race has been trashed by Obama himself.

Any resonable person who thinks this through should wonder if Obama should even continue in the US Senate.

The crystal clear image right now is that Obama cares more about black liberation theology than small town America.

sorry to all you Obamaniacs.

The truth is: what is Obama's iagenda for America ? What do you think Michele Obama wants on the agenda for America ???

Are we to have some reparations discussion??

Or are we going to talk about small town America and how to get our economy going again ????

Obama has presented us with two different stories : black anger and black liberation theology are both OK - understandable reactions to what has gone on over the years.

ON the other hand, small town America - they are "bitter" - they have taken the wrong response - they "cling" to religion and guns - as if for some reason they have not done enough to get themselves out of their plight.

The original rational for Obama's campaign that he is a unifier, transcending race has been trashed by Obama himself.

Any resonable person who thinks this through should wonder if Obama should even continue in the US Senate.

While everyone is trying to spin these comments to suit their own personal agendas, they must have lost sight of the fact that what Mr. Obama said was absolutely true.

I realize that everyone is more concerned about who is offended by these words and reading the tea leaves to see how they will impact the elections. I guess we should shoot the messanger. How dare he speak the truth . . .

Why do any legitimate readers even bother to read these blogs? I feel defrauded when I am actually drawn to reading them, only to find that these blogs are populated by paid hacks who spin every angle as laid out in the talking points that they were given by their employers. Will this traffic stop after the elections are done?

I saw Hillary standing in a bar knocking down a boiler maker. Even nowadays, that is too much. She is not the kind of person I want to knocking down a few with.
All the fuss moves us away from Bill taking money to defend the Chinese aggression against Tibet.

This is ridiculous. The simple truth of the matter is that Obama made some ignorant statements about small-town America. They were not based on any relevant fact or any real knowledge that he has. Since he started his campaign, we have seen him trying to appeal to the blue-collar workers in states like Pennsylvania, Kansas, Colorado, Ohio, etc. It has been clear from the start how condescending he is. We all see the way he talks to voters, like they are stupid, like they do not know what is going on, like they are simply followers who will listen and go along with every word he says. Don't get me wrong, I was an early Obama supporter until I realized how stupid he thinks we all are. Not everyone uses God only when they are bitter. What Obama is suggesting is that the religion of people in small towns is fragile and weak. Being someone from a small town, I can guarantee you that my relgion is not weak, and neither is anyone else's that I know. I don't take out my anger on God or on guns or whatever else Obama was rambling off about. What he said was ignorant and without basis. Just because someone is from a small town and works a blue-collar job does not mean that they take out their frustrations by hunting or being angry with God. This is both stereotypical and ignorant.Mr. Obama should watch his mouth the next time he decides to speak. Each time he doesn't it only becomes clearer what his real motives and plans for this country are.

Boy, you liberals are angry.You might even get your facts straight. Don up above cited all the great advancements that liberals made particularly civil rights. Johnson's civil rights legislation was passed by REPUBLICANS!!!!!!

Southern DEMOCRATS all filibustered. Antitrust legislation/FDA/and much more was all passed under Teddy Roosevelt a REPUBLICAN not Democratic liberals.

The party that has believed in America and its people...that has had hope for the future...that values family, God, the right to life, the free enterprise system and personal responsibility is the Republican not Democratic party.

The Democratic party stands for victim hood, nanny state and hopelessness. The belief that there is no hope.....that I have a bad deal because someone else cheated me. It is always someone else to blame. Not me. If I lose my house because I re-financed under a home equity loan so I could buy a new car and take vacations.....it isn't my fault...It is someone elses. GROW UP...SUCK IT IN. Believe in yourself....have a dream and work hard for it. Millions of people have and are doing it.

Those of you that believe this "bitterness" comment isn't going to hurt Obamma are whistling past the graveyard. The more people learn about his dealings with business scum in Chicago....his Reverend Wright apology vs trashing his own grandmother... his wife's "first time proud of America" and his elitism, the less likely he is to be anything more than the junior Senator from Illinois. Hillary is just good at pointing this out

Hopefully you will all savage each other enough for McCain to win in November and you can then scream for another 8 years about injustice while the rest of us happily see and realize that there is a God.....

Senator Obama spoke honestly and realistically, in my view, about how working-class Americans have been “shafted” by NAFTA and CAFTA at a private fundraiser and was castigated by the camps of Senators McCain and Clinton along with the RNC and mainstream media outlets. How dare this inexperienced and Columbia/Harvard educated elite person-of-color speak to and about issues that affect lower socioeconomic White Americans. Who does he think he is? After all, he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and not to a White teenaged and divorced mother who received food stamps to feed him. Forget about the fact that Senators McCain and Clinton dwarf him in terms of personal income and were born into families of means. Let’s then look at some of the facts about these candidates. Senator McCain not only voted against the Civil Rights Act, which affects all Americans, but also the MLK Holiday. In addition, he has skipped voting on senate bills at least 304 times. He has no clue about economic matters per him. He just developed “a plan” to address the housing crisis and appears to be quite insensitive to the feelings and needs of home owners who are about to lose their homes, but his spouse owns eight of them. McCain was not against the government bailing out him and his friends involved in the Keating Five Scandal, which cost taxpayers millions, if not billions, of dollars. Isn’t this hypocrisy? Also, he seems to be doing okay as his spouse is estimated to be worth well over $100 and has afforded him a lavish lifestyle. Who then is out of touch and insensitive to the needs of many American citizens and where are his tax returns? Who really is the elite? Also, Senator Clinton not only voted to authorize the Iraq War, she voted for the Kyl-Lieberman Act to authorize military action against Iran last summer. She also voted to authorize the use of cluster bombs, which can cause "collateral" damage. She voted to tighten restrictions upon filing for bankruptcy, which has affected many financially-strapped Americans. Also, where is the donor list for the Clinton Library and Clinton Foundation? What exactly did President Bill Clinton say or do to receive $15 million dollars from Ron Burkle? If speeches don't put food on the table or gas in the car tank as Hillary suggested, President Clinton should return the $51 million dollars he received from giving speeches or give this money to Americans who are losing their homes due to foreclosures. Again, who is out of touch with working class American citizens? Who is really the elite candidate here? McCain and Clinton must really believe that so-called “downscale” voters are stupid and clueless about the issues that affect them: jobs, healthcare, housing, energy, security, etc. They appear to want them to get excited over wedge issues (i.e., guns, abortion, immigration, & etc.) and not their economic issues. It is time for American citizens to get real about what is going on in their country and to reclaim it for themselves and their children. Obama is speaking to Americans like the smart and thinking persons we are, and he is also speaking truth to power. Therefore the powerful are afraid and are working overtime to portray him as a hater of American ideals and principals, which is exactly the opposite of who he appears to be. The Clintons appear to be working with McCain and the Republicans to destroy both Obama and the Democratic Party. Unbelievable! I have lost all respect for both of the Clintons. Yes, we can reclaim the American Dream through our voices and votes. President Bill Clinton previously said to vote for the one “who makes you hope and think.” To me, then, Barack Obama is the person for whom to vote. Keep hope alive.

For the people who say Obama was right then you hate yourself, your neighbor, your country!

Obama ONLY told us the happy version of what he said AFTER the Huffington Post received a call from the media requesting the audio on the comments. For which, they were COMPLETELY unaware!!!

The lady who posted what Obama said was an Obama sheep but got kicked in the head when she heard what Obama said - don't you friggin' get it!?!?!?

She held on to the tape for a week and said she was so disturbed by it that she felt compelled to put it out there. She said she didn't want to bring Obama down and she was concerned about what to do. So finally she decided just to say what he said....HIS WORDS - AND WORDS DO MATTER!!!!!!!!! HIS WORDS, PEOPLE!!!!!

The point is even bigger - the TONE of WHAT Obama said to his fat cat friends was what he REALLY FEELS about small town people (aka - code word for Whites, aka - also Wright's version of Whites).

The ONLY REASON Obama "shared" what happened was because he now knew it was going to be made public. Even the distress when he first started his little let-me-pull-the-wool-over-your-eyes-again version was obivious but he was clearly estatic when he realized he hit a home run with the first unsuspecting Hoosier audience.

I wonder if after they listened to the tape themselves if they felt totally duped. I would have if I had been used and lied to like that myself...now knowing that his new version was just to save himself.

If what he said to the Hoosier audience is what he said to his fat cat elitist friends then Hillary would be out now but that is NOT what he said to his fat cat friends because that is not how he truly felt!!!

I want to thank the fat cats because IF YOU LISTEN TO THE AUDIO YOURSELF then you will hear them laughing at "these lower class people" first THEN, because he felt soooooo comfortable with them THEN is when he went on with his little - I understand these White-lowly-redneck-hicks-let-me-prove-it-to-you-version!!!!

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO FOR YOURSELF OBAMA-SHEEP OTHERWISE YOU WILL BE LEADING OUR ENTIRE COUNTRY TO THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come on, " Big Bear", come out from behind the phony handle and own up to your words, as inaccurate as they are!!! I will just take two or three sentences to disprove your argument.
" The party that has believed in America and its people....that has hope for the future....that values family, God, the right to life, the free enterprise system, and personal responsibility is the Republican not Democratic party. "
Did it believe in America when the Iraqi war plans were already drawn up, when the present administration took office and they lied and misrepresented Intelligence reports, to fool the American people to go along with this misguided war?
Do those 4000 dead and 50000 maimed have any hope for the future, especially after this administration has attempted to downsize and privatize the Veteran's Administration?
Have you been down to New Orleans and ask those citizens if their future looks bright? These are families that have a right to life and they believe in
God, too.
Free enterprise, go tell that to Bears Strearns, or the Oil Companies that are getting all kinds of tax breaks. What Free Enterprise?
If the Republican party truly believed in personal responsibility, this administration would resign, immediately. Their ineptitude is truly unprecedented in our history.
I will not pile on. Your post was very inaccurate and I could go on to point out more inaccuracies, but that would be a waste of your time and mine. I know, none of this matters, just as long as you could try to smear Liberals, truth be damned!!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.

As a resident of a small Illinois town, I know that what Obama said about "being bitter" was the truth. When there is nothing, when the family grocery is gone, and the filling station closed, what else is there but church, guns and your neighbors — if you get along with them. But Obama committed truth and if you tell the truth these days you're instantly labeled an elitist. This merely tells us how dumbed down the country really is. It is sad indeed when the only way to run for public office is to lie, obfuscate, lie some more — be nothing more than a lying, two-faced hypocrite.

We're near the point where anyone willing to submit their person and their integrity to the presidential election process is not, for the sake of the country, a person who ever should be president.

annabella above suggested that Obama rejected racism in his response! In fact, that is exactly what he is saying:

Pennsylvanians, in hard times, are turning, clinging, to their religion, guns, anti-immigration sentiments and are RACISTS="antipathy to those not like them"..In other words, Sir Obama calls everyone not like Him redneck racist,religious fanatics!!

Now why one earth would anyone that he calls racist religious fanatics BEHIND THEIR BACKS at an alite fundraiser (when his true self slips out in true words for a Change!) vote for this CONTEMPTUOUS CONDESCENDING MORON?

annabella above suggested that Obama rejected racism in his response! In fact, that is exactly what he is saying:

Pennsylvanians, in hard times, are turning, clinging, to their religion, guns, anti-immigration sentiments and are RACISTS="antipathy to those not like them"..In other words, Sir Obama calls everyone not like Him redneck racist,religious fanatics!!

Now why one earth would anyone that he calls racist religious fanatics BEHIND THEIR BACKS at an alite fundraiser (when his true self slips out in true words for a Change!) vote for this CONTEMPTUOUS CONDESCENDING MORON?

Does anyone remember when Obama stated early on that he was going to be a uniter? It seems to me that each time he opens his mouth he ends up a divider. All one has to do is read posts on any number of blogs to see the deep feelings of division that his campaign has opened up. People are sadly mistaken if they think he would be good for this country!

Mr. Obama is a powerful speaker. His words. his posture, his speed and emphasis is among the best of the best. But that is it. He is a good speaker. His lack of experience starts showing is his speeches now. If he becomes the president, then we will start finding more of his shortcomings, even though he is a good speaker. the lights are on, but nobody's home. Please don't make an Imam out of Obama. When Bush was running, where were all of Obama's supporters to come out and vote. So, of course you are bitter. Now comes a bacl guy who speaks well and everyone is coming out of their holes to follow the good speaking messiah. Don't fall in the trap. Vote with your mind, not your heart. You are going to have to live with it for the next 4 years.

I'm voting for Obama. I don't hate white people (I am one) I don't hate Christians (I am one.) I don't hate Jews or Israel, or Muslims. What I hate are the lies that have been tearing this country apart for years now. I hate high gas prices, and even higher MILK prices. I am bitter about alot of things, including the inability of politicians to speak the simple truth. Until now.
Senator Obama, your honesty and courage in speaking the truth to a population that has lived on lies for far too long astound me. Thank you.

oooowheeee! talk about bitter. the poster are riled up. half think obama is the devil, the other half think he walks on water.
but what is most surprising is that few actually bother to think about what he said and what was meant.
of course, in our santizied disneyfied polite america, there are no gun-toting bible-thumpin xenophobes. there are just a bunch of angry african american white hating people who say mean things about those lovely small towns where everyone knows everyone else's name and everyone else's place.
it is just a shame when someone dares to disturb our perfect america.

oooowheeee! talk about bitter. the poster are riled up. half think obama is the devil, the other half think he walks on water.
but what is most surprising is that few actually bother to think about what he said and what was meant.
of course, in our santizied disneyfied polite america, there are no gun-toting bible-thumpin xenophobes. there are just a bunch of angry african american white hating people who say mean things about those lovely small towns where everyone knows everyone else's name and everyone else's place.
it is just a shame when someone dares to disturb our perfect america.

A happy mediium has to be reached here. On the one hand, if Boston's busing debacle back in the mid to late 1970's is any indication, the dangers of not addressing the issues that face the average American(s), be they in urban ethnic enclaves, farms, or in rural small towns are inherent; There was an issue of class there, which many progressives refused to address, instead only honing in on the race issue (which was necessary), but by not recognizing and addressing the issue(s) of class, they provided ample opportunity for more demogogic polliticians (such as LDH and others) to come in address these particular issues, and in a much gamier, nastier way, appealing to people's worst instincts.

Obama may not have chosen his words very wisely, but he should be given the chance to atone for that and address these issues in a way that won't alienate people that he needs, and that the Democratic Party needs, in order to win this November.

Ofcourse people turn to their faith when times are bad, and people worry about their safety, and their right to protect themselves when unemployment rises around them. The question is why are things so bad in parts of the greatest nation on earth? There is no good reason for things being bad right now in the USA. On top of that, Bush wants to build I-69 to ship the goods now made in Mexico straight through to Walmarts in Canada (without even stopping in the US). And Hillary pretends to support the 2nd Am to distract voters from her husband's role in NAFTA? Obama is the only one to admit (even if reluctantly) that the 2nd Am is an "individual right" (what the NRA is arguing before the Supreme Court right now). The Clinton gun ban expired, but the Bush ban remains in effect. I'm glad Obama speaks the truth, when no one else running for office has the guts to be honest!

Obama revealed his true feelings in that speech. He truly dislikes his own country. Only a masochist would support him for president.

It IS patriotic to stand for what's right.