Previewing tonight's debate plus Michelle Obama on Colbert
Tonight's big Philly showdown is sure to be interesting. It's almost a lock that Obama's comments on small town America will surface, and how both Obama and Clinton tackle the topic will be important. Obama has defended his remarks, while apologizing for 'mangling' the way they came out, so he will probably repeat this sentiment. Clinton, on the other hand, has focused less on the idea that small towners may be bitter, but looked more at the construction of the comments, pointing to the idea that they 'cling to guns, religion, anti-immigration and antipathy toward people who don't look like they do.'
Even so, a continuous obstacle for Clinton is not appearing too negative. There is some evidence that Clinton may have been more damaged by Obama's misstep than he was! Still, some polls show that Clinton has profited from the 'bitter' flap. (See Rasmussen and SurveyUSA polls).
Regardless, for most politicians, Obama's clumsy comments would have been political gold. Part of the problem is that people don't like when Clinton goes negative because it reinforces ugly stereotypes. I can't imagine a male candidate having this problem. No one is talking about how bad John McCain did in criticizing Obama on this. Regardless, Clinton has to deal with the cards she's been dealt. Those who find her that off-putting would probably never have voted for her in the first place, but maybe there's more to this.
Is it that Obama is made of teflon? After Michelle Obama appeared on Colbert last night, it seemed like this whole controversy was shifting. (Watch the video below). Michelle Obama spoke about her and her husband's humble beginnings in order to show the country that they aren't elitists. For example, when asked about her upbringing, Michelle Obama said: “We had four spoons. And then my father got a raise at the plant, and we had five spoons.” But neither Clinton, nor McCain ever called the Obamas elitists--just Barack's remarks. In any case, it will be very interesting to see where this controversy goes, how it is spun, and how it affects Pennsylvania's voting results.
Obama, Clinton, McCain, debate, pennsylvania, polls, bitter
