Obama Slams Critics on Middle-Class Comments

Sorry, my other OP DUPed

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/11/obama-slams-critics-on-middle-class-comments/


Senator Barack Obama forcefully criticized his rivals here Friday evening for suggesting he was out-of-touch with the American middle-class, after Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and John McCain accused Mr. Obama of belittling voters by calling them “bitter.”

A fresh controversy over electability emerged from comments Mr. Obama had made at a private fundraiser in California on Sunday. Mr. Obama outlined challenges facing his presidential candidacy in the upcoming primaries of Pennsylvania and Indiana, particularly winning over white working-class voters who have fallen through the cracks of the last two presidential administrations.

“So 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,” Mr. Obama said, according to a transcript that appeared Friday on the Hufington Post Web site.

The remarks touched off a torrent of criticism from Mrs. Clinton, Mr. McCain and a string of Republican activists and party officials, all of whom accused Mr. Obama of elitism and belittling the working class. At a rally here Friday evening, Mr. Obama drawing a standing ovation in a crowded gymnasium as he rebutted those charges and painted both of his rivals as entrenched Washington insiders.

“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,” Mr. Obama said, his voice rising. “People are fed up, they’re angry, they’re frustrated, they’re bitter and they want to see a change in Washington. That’s why I’m running for president of the United States of America.”

With 10 contests remaining in the Democratic presidential primary, Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton are engaged in a vigorous dispute over which candidate could be the party’s strongest nominee against Mr. McCain. The back-and-forth on Friday – with all three candidates involved – underscored the curious dynamic at this late stage in the nominating fight.

In Pennsylvania on Friday afternoon, Mrs. Clinton was first to seize upon the comment Mr. Obama made at the California fundraiser. Both Democrats are embroiled in a vigorous battle for the Pennsylvania primary on April 22.

“It’s being reported that my opponent said that the people of Pennsylvania who faced hard times are bitter. Well, that’s not my experience,” Mrs. Clinton told an audience at Drexel University. “Pennsylvanians don’t need a president who looks down on them, they need a president who stands up for them, who fights for them, who works hard for your futures, your jobs, your families.”

After making her remarks before a crowd of voters, aides to Mrs. Clinton issued several statements criticizing Mr. Obama, including ones that contained criticism from Republicans. Soon, the McCain campaign also weighed in with criticism of Mr. Obama’s remarks from the California fundraiser.

“It shows an elitism and condescension towards hardworking Americans that is nothing short of breathtaking,” said Steve Schmidt, a senior adviser to Mr. McCain. “It is hard to imagine someone running for president who is more out of touch with average Americans.”

While the Obama campaign initially dismissed the criticism in a short written statement from its Chicago headquarters, his advisers quickly concluded that Mr. Obama’s remarks from the California fundraiser could be a political liability as he seeks to win over working-class voters. He responded with unusual force at a town meeting at a high school in Terre Haute, seeking to explain his statement that voters are bitter.

“Here’s what’s rich. Senator Clinton said, ‘Well I don’t think people are bitter in Pennsylvania. I think Barack is being condescending,” Mr. Obama said. “John McCain said, ‘How could he say that? How could he say that people are bitter? He obviously is out of touch with people.’ Out of touch? Out of touch? John McCain – it took him three times to finally figure out that the home foreclosure was a problem and to come up with a plan for it and he’s saying I’m out of touch?”

The audience, comprised largely of Democratic voters, rose to its feet and applauded as Mr. Obama delivered his defense. Late Friday evening, the Indiana Republican Party accused Mr. Obama of belittling “Midwestern values,” and called upon Democrats to denounce the remark. The Pennsylvania Republican party issued a similar call.

Walking home from work today, on a new route (I was going to a different train station because I had an errand to run) I spotted a Hillary sign affixed to someone's fence..... I was so outraged by it, I hurled my book bag at it. It's still there, but badly bruised and tattered now.

:woohoo:

Save your scorn for The McCanaanites, but act within the bounds of the law.

What else was I supposed to do with my book bag? :cry:

Gobama!

As I was pinned down by sniper fire while trying to assault that sign. x(

Obama's ground game, dedicated supporters and well spent advertising dollars will.

Not saying the signs aren't important and part of that, though.

Don't give up.

Oh, isn't it against the law to steal those signs?

A well placed video camera that views replacement signs could be very embarassing.

Always the opportunist. She "interprets" Obama's comments when she knows damn well that her interpretation is not at all what he was talking about.

<<In Pennsylvania on Friday afternoon, Mrs. Clinton was first to seize upon the comment Mr. Obama made at the California fundraiser.>>

Sorry Hillary. You are doijng the work of the GOP. Obama can successfully argue against the GOP and their stupid talking points. Unlike you, he won't poison the well and take you task for your specious attacks.

buildings all over the place, once in awhile you get the *04 bumber sticker tattered and worn, was out today and only saw 2 yellow Wal-Mart ribbons and 1 car with old glory hanging limp and worn. The only Mcnumbnuts sign is the 2 on the property of the golf course on O'Brain road. Thats been up since Mcnumbnuts won the gop nod.

It's kind of expected that a politician would "slam" those who criticize his/her outrageous comments.

don't vascillate and apologize. Stand by your convictions. So often we have seen democrats be bullied and kowtowed by republicans into apologizing over media-manufactured foolishness. NOt you. That's what makes me proud to vote for BARACK OBAMA, THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

To long have we had democrats who bow down to republican spin and crap.

NOT THIS TIME!!!

The republicans must be crapping their pants at the thought of facing Obama in the GE!

It is hard to imagine someone running a campaign who is so out of touch with the needs of hardworking Americans who are struggling to make ends meet.

Bitter at record oil company profits? Who isn't?

Bitter at the 30 year rise of the incomes of the top 1%? Of course!

COmpletely and utterly dismayed and pissed off by the politics of he-said she-said they-said discussions that have nothing to do with the big picture? Hell yes!

The Republican party, FOX news, the army of cable news pundits, the Bush administration, and right wing hate radio have belittled most average working Americans for the past 17 years, every day, day after day, year after year.

We are smarter than that, and deserve better, righties.

This time is definately going to be different, because I'm going to work as hard as I can every day to defeat the right-wing douchebags.

Does he understand them also? Do you?