“No, I’m in touch. I know exactly what’s going on."

[babylonsister]

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/13/8253/


snip//

Barack Obama is right. I’ve seen it in person. The people in rural America are bitter and frustrated, and after years of being played by politicians, they fall victim to the charlatans who tell them it’s all because of “the Blacks,” or the immigrants, or who tell them that their guns are in danger. Or they turn to religions that preach division or apocalypse-a concept that offers the chance of a final, delicious revenge against the rich and the powerful oppressors on Wall Street and in Washington.

snip//

“No, I’m in touch. I know exactly what’s going on. I know what’s going on in Pennsylvania, I know what’s going on in Indiana. I know what’s going on in Illinois. (Standing ovation) People are fed up! They’re angry, and they’re frustrated and they’re bitter and they want to see a change in Washington, and that’s why I’m running for president of the United States of America!”
Now who knows whether this is all talk too. Maybe Obama is just one more political charlatan.

What is clear though is that this was a speech that we have not heard from a Democratic politician for decades, and it sure sounded good to hear it.

If Obama sticks to this rhetorical approach in the coming weeks, he will nail this nomination in spite of a concerted attack on him by the corporate media and by the combined forces of the Clintons and McCain.

And if he does win the nomination, and resists the siren calls of the Democratic Party leadership to “move to the middle,” and instead hones this populist message, he will go on to win the presidency.

That’s when the real challenge will come, for an aroused citizenry, in those rural communities and in the larger cities across that nation, to make a President Obama and a Democratic Congress deliver on these words.

For now, they’re pretty powerful words, and just hearing them coming from a Democratic Party frontrunner is an exciting change.

[leftofcool]

1. Aha! I see. Bitter is the new HOPE

[babylonsister]

3. What are you talking about? nt

[gateley]

4. It's the first step in healing...

It gives us impetus to move from helplessness to action.

“I have not lost faith in God. I have moments of anger and protest.
Sometimes I've been closer to him for that reason.”
--Elie Wiesel

[leftofcool]

5. I see

So Obama's campaign has really been about bitterness all along because you can only get to hope via bitterness. Okay

[gateley]

7. You're being obtuse and you know it. But carry on.

[Hissyspit]

10. If you are bitter, you need to have hope.

It is not dichotomous. It is perfectly logical. Try again.

[Liberal Gramma]

11. No, we've been bitter for 7 years, and now we see a light at the end of the tunnel

Obama's holding the lantern. Hillary's trying to blow the flame out.

[tavalon]

13. To ignore what is right in front of us is the new stupid, actually.

[tavalon]

14. You aren't bitter?

Then you haven't been paying attention.

[Harry Monroe]

15. I'm bitter, pissed, enraged, mad as hell

...and I'm not going to take it anymore!!! I'm voting Obama!!

[gateley]

2. I hope he realizes how many people

DO appreciate him for speaking the truth.

And...

"What is clear though is that this was a speech that we have not heard from a Democratic politician for decades, and it sure sounded good to hear it."

Couldn't agree more! He's got our backs!

[babylonsister]

8. Yes, I honestly think he does, which is why I like him so much! nt

[Mags]

6. I think I get it too, bitterness is the new hope and unity call.

Yes we can , you old bitter redneck gun totting ,praying, small town hillbilly.

[leaningprog]

9. What if it were reversed

Many of our Democratic women are hopeful about Hillary Clinton being
their candidate and it strikes me as she is almost carrying the
bundle for all of their own bumps into glass ceilings and
misogynist men and arbitrary limits to their efforts. This
is normal identification with your candidate and is a good
thing.

But what if she did something off the cuff to a group of people
who didn't understand you, and she said that women are discouraged
and bitter, that they have been passes over for no good reason,
that they have been promised the moon for their votes and instead
have been kicked to the curb for the first lucrative deal or
political expediency. She would be correct based on my experience
with the women I live with and know closely enough to be in on
their feelings and stands on these sorts of issues. She would be
telling the God's honest truth. But it would be unfair to say
that this is the one defining and limiting aspect of these women,
but I bet they would love the fact that she is aware and honest
and has enough guts to say it out loud to any and all audiences.

When you attack honesty it takes you away from putting your own
honesty out there, and this is one of the missing ingredients
we are lonesome for our party and country.

[brindis_desala]

12. This is the saddest aspect of Hillary's campaign in my estimation

She had an awesome opportunity to be the change the average jane and joe were hoping for. But instead of surrounding herself with those who care about the oppressed and undervalued, and championed women's issues- she sought the support of the warmongers and reactionaries, the very people who spent the eight years of her husband's presidency, slandering her and vilifying his few noble efforts.

[Ellen Forradalom]

16. We've heard talk like that from another Democratic politician

John Edwards anyone?

Boy do I miss him.