How big a deal is Obama's 'bitter' gaffe?
Since late Friday, Obama’s now infamous words about how small towners in Pennsylvania “cling” to guns and religion during tough economic times. Obama explained this perceived bitterness at a closed charity event in San Francisco, and regardless of how true or false the comments are, what’s offensive to many is the way in which these comments came to fruition.Obama has spent some time dissecting and describing the state of America, first in his race speech, and now in front of big city donors who just don’t seem to ‘get’ small town America. And so what was once a refreshing talk about resentment, race, and socio-economic politics, now appears more condescending than enlightening, more elitist than insightful. Obama’s message can be construed as patronizing, not because a 46-year-old black guy has delivered it, as he said in San Francisco, but because it is a message delivered by a political newcomer who has done more describing of our nation’s problems than actual fixing of them.
But even if experience isn’t the main issue, and even if what Obama said in California proves immaterial, what McCain and Clinton will continue to do is push the narrative that Obama is “out of touch.” The thought of a 72-year-old man calling anyone out of touch is laughable. Despite the fact that some are heralding this story as a proverbial life-preserver for Clinton, she may be in danger. Indeed, the more she pushes this “bitter story,” the more the notion of her divisiveness comes to light. Clinton is at her best when she talks policy, not when she jumps into the fray. Clinton should let this story play out now, and let Obama continue to ‘teach’ Americans about small town America. He’ll dig himself into a big enough hole. Either way, we’ll all get an earful at Wednesday’s debate from Obama, Clinton, McCain, bitter
Obama slipped and let his real feelings shine through what he thinks about working people to a bunch of elite Democrats. He thinks they are a bunch of gun toting jesus freaks. Obama really thinks like his preacher WRIGHT.
White people are bitter and frustrated. Better-qualified white students, employees, etc. face intense racial discrimination. Obama and his liberal comrades call it “Affirmative Action”.
Millions of white Americans see “people who aren’t like them” illegals and inner-city parasites sucking up on free benefits.
Millions of tax paying white Americans can no longer use the public school system because “people who aren’t like them” have made the schools awash with violence, drugs, and gangster rap.
I happen to agree with Obama's comments although "cling to" is probably not the best choice of words. Color me elitist.
Also "better qualified white students, employees, etc. face intense racial discrimination[?]" Really? Who says--or more importantly WHAT--makes them "better qualified" than anybody else? Perhaps you feel that the whiteness of "students, employees, etc." makes them better qualified. In which case, perhaps your own racial discrimination deserves some self-reflection.