Am I the only one who thinks Obama's remarks may help him???

[Infinite Hope]

The emphasis has been put not on 'clinging to guns, religion, etc.' but on people being "bitter" about the economy. The way the story has been run and the way Clinton has been responding to it could leave working class people saying "You're damn right I'm bitter" and becoming increasingly disconnected with Clinton who, simultaneous reports are discussing her (by virtue of marriage it's hers too) $800,000 check from entities supporting the Columbian free trade deal.

[Bonobo]

1. nope. nt

[nichomachus]

2. I'm bitter -- and I vote !

[DearAbby]

6. Amen!

[Nitrogenica]

3. I think it will help him. We have to discuss these issues, not run away from them.

He-said she-said they-said politics discourage an honest discussion of relevant issues.

Obama is not going to run away from these things, and that's different than Hillary or the entire Republican party.

[MindMatter]

49. Not only WILL it help him, it IS helping him

Although he is backing his way into it, it gets the most important issue right into the center of the debate. All he has to do is shift the discussion slightly from whether or not he is being elitist to a discussion of ARE PEOPLE ANGRY. And if he can do that,he has won millions of new supporters.

Let McCain and Clinton take the other side of THAT issue.

They are setting him up for the stretch drive in this nomination. You can bet that most of his advertising for the next month will center on this bitterness and how the two Republican candidates are peeing all over themselves insisting that nothing is wrong.

We are watching the Jujutsu master at work.

[Labors of Hercules]

52. The debate will be his opportunity to do this.

I can tell he is already getting set up for it! CAN'T WAIT!!!

[MindMatter]

59. Let's hope Clinton is stupid enough to keep talking about it

between now and the debate.

[BzaDem]

4. Nope, this entire board does. That's why Democrats keep losing elections.

Because the "netroots" can't see what's completely obvious to most others.

[ORDem]

35. I see. We should instead just pander to the lowest common denominator ala' the Goopers and

Hillary instead of having honest, open conversations. If that's what it takes to win elections then how will things be different?


:dem:

[TheDonkey]

5. just like "Wrightgate" I do not think Bittergate will be a long term problem. Obama is too smart

and this will blow over. I do think Hillary is going to hurt herself with going overboard in trying to spread the controversy. Superdelegates and democrats will not like it.

[nichomachus]

13. Bingo

The ones Hillary has to convince now are the supers -- not a handful of gun owners in Pennsylvania.

The supers aren't stupid. They know this is a manufactured issue. Hillary's problem is that she thinks everyone but her is stupid.

[DrZeeLit]

61. I agree. They (HRC & McSame) sooooo underestimate voters. Since Bush

voters have stopped to take a look at what's being handed to them.
Pile o'shit?
Or
Grains o'truth?

For example, the mid term elections. At least we tried. And I think a lot of Dems are bitter about the nonsense going on in Congress since then...Nancy Pelosi sitting on her thumbs with Harry Reid.

I live in a small state. The only reason we are not bitter, bitter, bitter (and by rights should be) is that we have GREAT representation in Congress -- rah Leahy, Sanders, and Welch.

Still, you can take a walk down Main Street in my town and count the number of empty stores and businesses that only last year or in 2006 were open. It's way into the double digits. This includes very old, traditional family businesses. The same holds true for driving around town in other areas. It isn't uncommon, but it does seem awful and too often to drive down a thoroughfare and say, "Wow, look, ABC is closed."

Vermont voters are traditionally progressive, and I suppose with Bush in office we would naturally feel bitter. But even diehard Republicans are really upset. I hear it all the time, everywhere I go. Even Governor Douglas, who is a Repub, has split with the White House on a lot of issues -- especially the environment.

Actually we have had to take solace in our hunting rifles, our wonderful stand on gay rights, and our communities in order to survive the Bush Years. (almost just kidding)

Meanwhile, the point is... I live in a rural state and I am a professor at a state college. A majority of the students I teach are the first in their families to EVER go to college. Vermonters are salt of the earth. Vermonters work hard and most have to work two jobs to make a living (as do I). We are bitter about the way the Constitution has been trashed, the agencies have been gutted, and the economy has gone to hell.

And we are smart enough to know that the rest of the small towns and the small states in the US are smart enough to know what Obama was saying. And we are smart enough to know that HRC is riding the horse backwards, dragging a leafy branch, trying to cover her tracks.
And we are smart enough to know that we don't want the Clinton Drama Machine.

We are smart enough to know that two multi millionaires who have been sucking at the public tit for their entire lives are the elite and out of touch.

And we are smart enough to know when a NON ISSUE has been thrust upon us by a 24/7 television media that does nothing but turn gossip into news.

Enough of this b.s. already.

[Alter Ego]

63. Wrightgate and Rezko didn't sink him--and this won't either.

And if McGramps wants to open this can of worms in the GE then I WELCOME it.

[guyanakoolaid]

7. I do. People respond surpirisingly well to plain truth,

especially when they see it attacked in front of their faces by warmongering free-trade-loving millionaires

[nichomachus]

15. They may not like what they hear -- but

they appreciate being treated as adults.

[BzaDem]

21. Another DUer assuming everyone else agrees with Obama's statements.

In your fantasy land, people who feel strongly about the second amendment and who are very religious hear Obama's words. And then they think, "Well, I thought I felt strongly about the right to bear arms because I felt it was a constitutional right. And I thought I am religious because I believe. But Obama made me realize that guns and religion are just irrational insecurities. I'm glad to be treated like an adult."

That kind of thinking is a giant ocean of delusion.

[nichomachus]

25. Now, if only he had said what you read into his statement

[BzaDem]

28. He said people "cling to guns and religion" because they are bitter about their economic situation.

"And it's not surprising then they get bitter, 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."

That's what he said. I'm sorry if you didn't read it. You can have a very loose interpretation of the word "cling", but that doesn't mean everyone else is going to subscribe to your interpretation.

[Liberal Gramma]

34. You sound pretty bitter yourself.

[Voice for Peace]

47. You're dreaming, though. Obama has already strongly begun putting it back into context,

and I'm sure the debate will be an even better opportunity for him to do so. If you analyze your perspective, you'll see you're not thinking clearly on this. Obama supports the 2nd amendment and has a deep respect for people, regardless of their faith.. and people can feel it.

[kmsarvis]

48. So where does he say that EVERYBODY who is religious is so because they are bitter?

That is what you are implying he said.

[Paulie]

8. It's not going to hurt

though seeing Camp Hillary desperately trying to drive a piton into the Obama mountain before it becomes a landslide is, IMHO, pathetic.

[tokenlib]

9. If he can seize on the discontent, and acknowledge the bitterness....

..that truly exists--yes! The way he did it Friday night--should be part of his stump speech!

[2rth2pwr]

10. No, the majority of his supporters on DU are also under the same delusion.

[BzaDem]

17. Exactly.

[phrigndumass]

11. It's a potential clobber issue for Obama to use against Clinton in the debate

Yes, I agree.

:thumbsup:

eta: If this weren't brought to light, the question might not have even been considered for the upcoming debate. It's definitely a question on the list now.

[Hieronymus]

12. Obama just got another endorsement in PA. Just heard it on CNN.

[undeterred]

14. The people who don't like him say it will hurt him

because thats what they always say. It means nothing. PA will be in his pocket soon.

[PM7nj]

16. It will if he comes out swinging

and uses it to his advantage. I really hope he does.

[tokenlib]

19. He did Friday night and the crowd responded...n/t

[PM7nj]

27. I know, the media has been ignoring that though...

and it drives me crazy. The MSM is doing everything they can to drag out this primary. I can't even turn the news on without feeling sick.

[tokenlib]

31. That is why Barack needs to put some of that in his stump speech...

..and drive it home!!

[bluestateguy]

18. Perhaps

There was a post on Daily Kos today about how this "issue" is being almost totally ignored in the Pennsylvanai newspapers.

Ironically, it seems to be the DC/NYC media that seems to be obsessing over it.

[gateley]

20. Nope --

If I hadn't already been a supporter and I heard that -- I know I would have been impressed (and relieved) that one of the candidates had the guts to tell it like it is.

The other day Biden made a statement about politicizing the SFRC hearings -- he said "The American people are sick and tired of it." Everyone was going "right on, Biden! Tell it like it is!".

Acknowledging how the American people feel goes a long way with me. I want someone who understands, not someone who makes me feel like a loser because I experience honest, human emotions.

[BenDavid]

22. obama will spin and spin again till he thinks he has it just right so

he can fool again all the sheeple.uh huh Today, Obama is trying to put a spin(again) on his own recent words and make it look like he is a victim. He is trying to get the media to report that he only said the people in PA are bitter and they have a right to be. Sorry Obama, it is not going to work.

You(obama) said:

“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.”

These are YOUR words, not guilt by association like Rezko, Ayers, Wright and the others, this is YOUR view, words out of YOUR mouth. Obama, did you say you were sorry? Nope, you tried to act like it is Hillary’s fault then tried to blame it on McCain. You stood by what you said and acted arrogantly about it. There is NO SPIN on this, Obama, you said it, you meant it and you should apologize for it, not try and blame other people for it. This one is on YOU Obama! Stop trying to spin it like you actually care for the people, like you are a victim as these words say something totally different. These are NOT “just words.’

I ask, shouldn’t Obama have spoken out at Trinity to instruct those younger people so that they don’t adopt the bitterness of Rev. Wright? Isn’t that the responsibility of the next generation, to end that kind of rhetoric? How responsible or courageous is it to remain silent in that community while the rhetoric that Obama finds so objectionable gets delivered to the next two generations — including his own children? I guess not because if obama believed any of what he is saying then why did HE ever allow the racial divisiness HIS CAMPAIGN launched against Hillary and Bill Clinton? Why didn't HE fire Jesse Jackson Jr. when he used the racial card against Hillary? The fact is that Obama can give a good speech, but that is all he has done. He doesn't live up to his words. They are empty bullshit.

[nichomachus]

44. Still don't see anything wrong with his words

He could have worded it more "politically correct," but the Hillary followers would still have found something to kvetch about and twist.

I've lived in small towns. What he said was true. The people who live there know it's true. They are not as stupid as Hillary condescendingly thinks they are.

[whistle]

23. We know people are bitter about the economy, what specifically

...does Barack Obama propose to solve the economic problem for 85% of U.S. workers?

[Infinite Hope]

30. If you haven't heard him address that in the last 1.5 years, you haven't been paying attention.

Visit his website and do a little research.

[nichomachus]

45. Idiotic question

Thanks to the GOP and the cooperation of DLC dems, we are in an economic meltdown. Asking for specific plans to "solve" the problem betrays a wretched ignorance of the situation.

[whistle]

58. In science when something is melting which you don't want to melt

....you lower the heat or remove the heat source. Is that what Obama is saying, or is that what you hear him saying?

It is time to hear specific solutions, not code words, catch phrases and rock throwing.

[Lucky 13]

24. Bitter middle class voter. RIGHT HERE.

Hell fucking yes I'm bitter. College graduate, 10 years in the work force building a career and I am making $15,000 less a year than last year. And that's after I FINALLY FOUND a job... doesn't even account for the months I was out of work. My student loans are past due, I'm too poor to buy a home or even take a vacation... but too "rich" for welfare, food stamps or other government assistance.

Barack Obama just paid off his student loans within the last few years. Hillary is worth $109 MIL. Obama came from VERY humble beginnings. Hillary has spent the last 35 years of her life in POLITICS, years as Arkansas first lady, 8 years as the U.S. First Lady, the years since in the SENATE.

And WHO is the elitist?

She doesn't know a FUCKING THING about the lower-middle class. According to her we're happy as pigs in shit to be poor.

Someone end her fucking non-sense please!

[butterfly77]

53. I couldn't have said it better...

these are my sentiments almost exactly...

[Flabbergasted]

26. It will follow the same route as Wrightgate, It will hurt him with

the people who won't vote for him anyway. Once it passes it will make him appear even more invincible and his polling will rise to previous highs or higher.

Fortunately, given this trajectory, he'll be on the rise during the Pennsylvania election.

[nichomachus]

29. They will make him stronger

If he can stand up against Hillary, Bill, and Mark Penn, then Rove and McCain will be a piece of cake.

[Eurobabe]

32. Let her spin and dig her own political grave

Hopefully this will backfire and on 4/22 she'll be melting.

Isn't it about time for the Wizard of OZ?

[LTR]

33. It depends on how he handles it

If he's as effective as he has been with previous controversies, it will help him.

One of the things I've been most impressed with regarding Obama is that he has maintained his cool over the past few months, and has done a very good job in swatting away any budding scandals. That's the kind of guy I want as president.

[Infinite Hope]

36. Keep in mind this is a primary of registered Democrats...

...who are apt to be bitter about the direction the country is going. It's going to create a disconnect between Hillary and some undecided voters and Obama should be able to capitalize on this during the debate and sway those undecideds. If he can do this successfully, he could eek out a win in Pennsylvania and get this over with.

[flowomo]

37. the original statement won't help... but the follow-ups might...

he's already acknowledged he couldn't let the remarks made in SF stand as they were -- but the publicity will allow him to reshape the message to emphasize the effective parts and mitigate the backlash.

[TSGracchus]

38. Help

Obama's comments might help make him this year's George McGovern.

[AlinPA]

39. It will be the first debate question. He will be ready and loaded for bear.

[npincus]

40. I'm a Bitter Jew- GoBAMA!

[otohara]

41. Like Race - To Deny Anger & Bitterness Doesn't Exist

is just ridiculous, but Hillary supporters can pass out buttons and deny that the past 8 years have been some of the worst in recent memory and somehow they are all happy-campers. Talk about cultish behavior, Hillary says people aren't bitter, in spite of the horrible Bush years and they all agree!

[caledesi]

42. Uh no. NT

[Daphne08]

43. Nope. n/t

[PurityOfEssence]

46. No; there are so many oblivious, clueless zealots that you're in the vast majority

It's a sizeable disaster; it's not the end of the world, but it's a serious hit.

[Infinite Hope]

50. I'm sitting in rural Minnesota (and I mean CONSERVATIVE) and they're all nodding.

The Wright issue had me scared. This one doesn't. I see people quietly nodding to this one.

[rustydad]

51. The economy is in the tank....

..and a lot of Americans know it and feel it. Obama has raised the issue in a way that exposes the disconnect between the Clinton's and McCain's view and the average American. The middle class is deeply frustrated and with the collapse of the housing sector are rightly scared *hitless. Obama has a few angels on his shoulder or he is just one very smart politician. Then again his ability to frame the issue is a lot easier than any fix will be. In fact in light of the enormous external and internal debt in the US and in light of the Peak of oil production world wide there may be no fix possible. Maybe prayer? Bob

[Hippo_Tron]

54. Well, PA is a closed Democratic Primary...

And since Democrats voted overwhelmingly for Kerry in Pennsylvania last time, Obama's remarks don't really apply to them.

[Bake]

55. Just a bunch of typical, bitter white people.

Clinging to their guns and their religion. They're really going to love the scary, elitist black guy.

Obama's doing wonders for his appeal to those voters.

:sarcasm:

Bake

[Left coast liberal]

56. Spot on! Yet again Obama speaks the truth and Americans understand

[Joe Chi Minh]

57. Of course, it will. To think people, even the least worldly, wouldn't be angry and bitter after

these past 7-8 years, is to insult their intelligence beyond belief.

[Bensthename]

60. NOPE.. She is getting booed today when she brought up the "bitter" argument.

LMFAO.. You arent the only one. PA is agreeing with you.

[uponit7771]

62. Nope, either on purpose or not it looks "rope-a-dope"-ish to me, like he's baiting her to get into..

...fights like this so he can counter punch and get people to talk about true issues

[milkyway]

64. Clinton's locking up the happy vote, which is 14% of the voters. 81% are pissed.