Just wondering if anyone else had heard/read this and what you thought of it...

Mayhill Fowler: Obama: No Surprise That Hard-Pressed Pennsylvanians Turn Bitter - Off The Bus on The Huffington Post

I hope I linked correctly...

Melissa

How could anyone miss it. It is all they(the media) talked about most of the day. What do I think about it. I think he will get a pass as usual. If Hillary had said it she would, as usual, be crucified. Don't get me wrong, I do like Obama, but am somewhat tired of the male (and some female) talking heads beating up on her while giving Obama a pass on most everything. And it does remind me of Bush telling his wealthy supporters at fund raiser in 2004 that they were his base.

I do like his comeback to McCain. McCain said Obama is out of touch with everyday people. Obama basically said McCain is the one who wants to keep the tax cuts for the wealthy. And that it took McCain 3 tries to decide the homeowners need to be helped (only after an outcry) with he mortgage crisis.

“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

What a fancy way of stereotyping people.

He might as well have come right out and said that they are gun slinging, racial churchgoers, afraid of people not like them such as black, gays, white, Mexicans,etc.

He was right that people are bitter..but wrong to add the other comment.
Obama is still standing by his comments. He has no idea that some find this offensive.

I agree with what he said.

"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," Obama said. "And they fell through the Clinton Administration, and the Bush Administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not. 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."

I don't live in Pennsylvania but in the bigger context about being lied to by successive administrations, he's right. Unfortunately for Senator Clinton her husband's administration is one of those who did not live up to the promises made to communities like those in parts of Pennsylvania.

As an example of such lies (or business as usual), just in the last few weeks while Senator Clinton has been talking about major changes in trade policy we found out one of her campaign staffers has been doing work on a trade agreement with the Columbian government she specifically said she was against. Additionally we found out President Clinton had accepted close to a million dollars for "championing" that trade agreement. Lies or just business as usual for too many politicians?

If some Pennsylvanians are offended by Senator Obama's remarks they should be downright p'd about being manipulated by Senators Clinton and McCain.

You agree with his stereotyping people?
Or do you just agree with his idea about people being bitter without the reference to guns, religion?
There is a difference.

This is the soundbite we are hearing "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."

IMO, its not fair to say he's "stereotyping" people. There are groups of people who say they can't get a job because of immigrant workers. There are racists and homophobes and they come in all colors, not just white. There are people who fear the government wants to take their guns. The commonality in many cases is their mistrust of and frustration with the government. Is he stereotyping or explaining a mindset?

In the larger context I think he's also saying that mistrust of and bitterness toward the government have dragged groups of people down. That not all problems can be blamed on the government -- that it's up to individuals to help themselves. That campaign promises made in the past are not to be relied on.

Would people consider the line in question out of line....if someone else spoke of it in the content of black people?
That blacks are bitter because they have slip through the cracks in the government. "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."

I do not have a problem with him saying people are bitter at the government, but to draw the conclusion
that the bitterness is why people cling to guns and religion is way off. The way he says it makes it sound like all us "country" people who like our guns, our religion, etc is because we are bitter.

I think its silly to think he meant all people who live in the country and who favor guns or are religious are bitter and cling to guns and religion because of their bitterness. If people want to hear it that way they will though.

As for your example using black people as opposed to country people. Again IMO, it's too broad a brush; black or white, country or city. It might fit some but not all.

I'm betting Senator Obama wishes he had said "And it's not surprising then some get bitter ..."

Only copied parts of the article..the link takes you to the entire article.

Obama on Guns and Religion: ‘I Didn’t Say It as Well as I Should Have’ - America’s Election HQ

Barack Obama admitted Saturday that he chose his words poorly when he told a group of California donors that small-town Americans “cling” to guns and religion and xenophobia out of bitterness over lost jobs, but for the second day in a row stood by the comments and weathered pointed criticism from Hillary Clinton.

“I didn’t say it as well as I should have, because the truth is these traditions that are passed on from generation to generation, those are important,” Obama said in Muncie, Ind., minutes before Clinton jumped in and called his remarks “elitist.”

“But what is absolutely true is that people want to feel like they’re being listened to. And so they pray, and they count on each other and they count on their families,” Obama continued.

Clinton, speaking in Indianapolis Saturday morning, amplified her attack, saying Obama has no right to challenge gun owners or those who believe strongly in God.
“Americans who believe in the Second Amendment believe it’s a constitutional right. Americans who believe in God believe it’s a matter of personal faith. Americans who believe in protecting good American jobs believe it’s a matter of the American dream,” she said. “People embrace faith not because they are materially poor but because they are spiritually rich.”

What a twit.

[quote=forrestlayne;2981005]“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

What a fancy way of stereotyping people.

He might as well have come right out and said that they are gun slinging, racial churchgoers, afraid of people not like them such as black, gays, white, Mexicans,etc.

He was right that people are bitter..but wrong to add the other comment.
Obama is still standing by his comments. He has no idea that some find this offensive.[/QUOE]



After listening to someone like Wright for 20 years, he probably doesnt think what he said was offensive, he is used to hearing such garbage and what is it they say...>Garbage in...Garbage out He's just been holding back for a while...the more he talks...the more he shows his true self....Sherri

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I thought he was getting a pass to some extent yesterday. I only get CNN and they only covered it briefly from what I saw. Not all afternoon that I remember. Anyway...

I don't think it was just what he said that was offensive, but to whom he said it. Like he was taking these wealthier, more rounded group of ppl into his confidence, that they would understand easier, and feel sorry for those poor souls in Pa. It was condescending. I bet those Californians were just feeling so glad that they didn't have to be bitter and turn to religion...LOL (large amounts of sarcasm in last comment!) It felt like he was trying to align himself to Ca. and distance himself from Pa. Kind of like the nerdy kid finally being accepted by the "in" group and turning on his friends. That is how it made me feel......ick.

And as far as Hil and McCain are concerned........I'm surprised they weren't drooling with excitement about how they would get to use Obama's unfortunate choice of words to further themselves............double ick

I can' t wait till this is all over....

From my perspective, God is in control. I vote and try to be educated about the issues....but I believe that ultimately God will seat the next President.......I can't wait to see what He does!!!!


Melissa

Honestly, how anyone can even pretend this is "stereotyping" anyone is beyond me. Who is he supposed to be stereotyping, anyway?

Meanwhile, Clinton's husband is bought and paid for by people pushing a deal she claims to oppose. How convenient, when the people you're supposedly opposing are feathering your own nest. Conflict, much, Sen. Clinton?

And now -- laughable! -- she's claiming to be a big fan of gun rights and to have been a duck hunter.

Hillary, if your lips are moving, you're lying.

That's why she has to continually attack Obama -- because he tells the truth. That's a notion beyond Clinton's ability to comprehend.

Political Punch

"While the description of small town Pennsylvanians as "bitter" is certainly impolitic, many political analysts say it's what follows that adjective that is potentially so alienating -- the notion that small town folks "get bitter" after which "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."

But Obama allies are trying to focus on the "bitter" part alone."

Actually, people do turn to religion moreso during tough times, and Pennsylvania has seen some tough times. His choice of words, however, were not good. As a Dem, he needs to choose every word carefully to avoid having them miscontrued, twisted or taken out context.

Me, I have more trouble listening to McCain mixing up the Shia and Sunni or flat out saying that he doesn't understand economics or saying that victory in Iraq is right around the corner. Then there's his foul language with fellow senators and the way he treats his wife.

I have also had trouble listening to gaffes like, "I know how hard it is to put food on your family." from the current occupant of the White House.

I don't have an opinion on what Obama said, but, did see this on the news last night. This is a company that has created over 1,000 jobs in the "rust belt" of Pennsylvania.


ABC News: Rust Belt Workers Are Going Green

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It looks like Hillary is not going to let this slide by so easy.
Here is her new TV ad.

YouTube - Hillary New "Small Town" TV Ad In Pennsylvania

Hillary is a bit desperate, but nothing she has done has hurt his numbers.

I didn't find what Obama said to be that terrible, but if you combine it with Michelle Obama and her comments to a group of women in Ohio about the strain of trying to pay $10,000 a year on piano and dance lessons, ( this was in, Muskingum County, where, according to the census, the median household income in 2004 was $37,192, below both the Ohio and national average), and you begin to get a picture of a couple of people that may be out of touch with the a good part of the electorate.

This is the link for the statistics in quotes. It also talks about what was said in the meeting, although I have seen this mentioned in other articles as well.
Byron York on Michelle Obama on National Review Online

If I read the link correctly it also included the cost of sport activities and summer camp. I agree that it is an outrageous amount of money but not out of line considering their current income. I know I sound like an Obama apologist but really I think if I were a member of the group she was talking to I would be astounded at the dollar amount but could relate because I'm likely spending a few hundred a year per child out of my income of $35,000. I expect those women she was talking to would have spent the same as Mrs. Obama if their incomes allowed it because they want the best for their children too.

It's not like Michelle Obama was born into the lifestyle she now enjoys. She and the Senator went through bad times growing up but through hard work and a good dose of "family values" hit the American jackpot so many of us aspire to. Here's a link to a really interesting article about her.

Profiles: The Other Obama: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker

As an aside can you imagine the fun Senators Clinton and McCain would have had if rather then having Mrs. Obama mention the $10,000 figure during such a meeting it had been "discovered" during a hunt for mud to sling.

Again, IMO these are silly points to argue but ...

I only brought it up because it "feels" like they are out of touch. And frankly, if I were one of those women, I think I would have been taken aback by such a lack of finesse on her part. That's sort of like going up to a blind person and trying to explain how you once had trouble with your eyesight for a few hours because of a sore on your eyelid, or going up to a very obese person, while you weigh in at 125 and saying something about you understand their pain because you once weighed 135 and had a terrible time taking the weight off. The problems are not the same.

I'm not saying that the Obama's shouldn't do what they can for their kids, but they shouldn't be rubbing it into the faces of those that can't. Even my darling husband, who can at times be very obtuse about slights, perceived and real, did a double take when I told him about the comments, and said he thought that was much worse than what Barack Obama said in his speech. Maybe there's hope for him yet..lol..

As for Clinton and McCain, I doubt they would have had anything to say about it. I'm sure their kids wanted for nothing when they were growing up regardless of the cost.

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