Obama Strategist: Don't Worry, Dems Usually Lose White Working Class

During an interview with NPR, Obama's top strategist David Axelrod played down his candidate's loss in Pennsylvania.

"The white working class has gone to the Republican nominee for many elections, going back even to the Clinton years," Axelrod said. "This is not new that Democratic candidates don't rely solely on those votes."

He also said winning Pennsylvania was "an almost impossible task" and "a home game" for Clinton. "It hasn't changed the fundamentals of the race."

During a CNN Radio interview, however, Obama himself acknowledged that his campaign needed to work harder to win that demographic:

Obama argued that his campaign had laid the groundwork for the fall in a large swing state that the eventual Democratic nominee will need to win.

"Overall we feel good about the work that we did," he said on CNN Radio.

Obama conceded, however, that he still must do a better job reaching out and attracting blue collar, older voters. He said that Clinton's argument that she has more experience "might have more traction" with those voters.

Comments

[Undercard]

Congrats to HIllary supporters, enjoy your victory. Now answer this question: do you believe that she will beat McCain with these same redneck voters in the fall? Just wondering. Personally, I don't think so because when they have a choice between Republican and Republican lite, they almost always choose the real thing. And HRC has run the most Repub lite campaign I have ever seen, complete with beer drankin', race baitin', and Iran-nuke war threatnin'. But it doesn't beat out a good ole boy POW, sorry folks.

[Fighter4USA]

* Ofcourse she will, Do you think Obama has a better chance?:
Much has been already discussed about Barack Obama’s disturbing associations with
a domestic terrorist (Ayers), to a prominent Palestinian advocate of suicide bombings
(Khalidi), a corrupt Iraqi billionaire (Auchi), a sleazy personal fundraiser and
mafioso (Rezko), and to his own genocidal maniac of a cousin from Kenya (Odinga),
for whom Obama led a “positive” campaign effort to achieve his “election” a few
years back. As many of us know, Obama’s camp has recently taken a defensive stance
and have dedicated countless hours to spread the word around the internet that these
issues are “irrelevant” to a Presidential campaign and that bringing them up are
thus a full exemplification of “dirty politics”.

[08timefortruth]

The polls say Clinton can win against McCain by 0.2%, Obama can beat him by 1.1 %...
Also say Obama whoops her a** in the dem nomination race by 9.7% (that's more then she beat him by in PA so according to Clinton supporters he'll blow her away)

You realize don't you that I only answer your post so you will continue to show your ignorance and because it is so much fun to one-up you? Thanks for the entertainment.

[Undercard]

1) Odinga is not Obama's cousin, he said that months ago. They are not related.
2) Both Dem candidates have numerous flaws, many of them quite serious. I doubt Obama can beat McCain. But the question I asked was, can Hillary?
3) I think either way, we are probably looking at a loss to McCain. If you had bothered to read my post before you responded, you could have made some sense and answered my question!

[mikekev58]

Redneck voters??? You know what you're saying there, right? You know what redneck connotes, right? Or maybe it's "denotes".

Hillary had one beer. There was no race baiting by Hillary or her campaign, including Bill Clinton.

And just to put the nuke Iran thing in perspective, Barry has promised to act unilaterally if there is "actionable intelligence" regarding terrorists in Pakistan, giving the Pakistani government that brush off he so condescending gave on the day after the Philly debate. He's willing to violate the sovereignty of another nation which has not provoked the US. Who does that sound like?

I don't like it, but the question was about how the US would react to a nuclear attack by Iran on Israel. Sounds to me like Hillary is using the NATO deterrent, which kinda worked during the cold war, no?

[YeWeCanForFree]

I'm Axelrod fan. Lately he is saying few funny things. He is becoming more and more like Mark Penn.
It is possible this long campaign is getting to him but at this critical stage of the game, he should be extra careful. Media will chew him up really fast and soon he will be drinking scotch whiskey with Penn.

[Daisy1111]

I was thinking the same thing when hearing Axlerod's current interviews -- sounds like MArk Penn.

Odd

[JonStewart4President]

While historically accurate, it was a stupid statement of Axelrod to make.

No Democratic President has won the white male vote since LBJ. Not that there have been that many of them, but neither Carter, nor Clinton in either term, not even in his decisive '96 victory, managed to win a majority of them.

So yes, this is an historically accurate statement to make, but I'm glad that the actual candidate here, Obama, is not giving up and rightly, trying to continue to reach out to those voters. Which he did improve his margins with in PA vs. OH. So that's good news for him. Who knows if he can expand that? But who knows if Hillary could beyond the Democratic numbers, which include many more Union people than exist than in the larger population of voters. Just like while women and African Americans make up a large percentage of the Democratic voters, they make up less of a percentage in the general elections.

[Sparklez]

I bet they'll downplay NC if he blows her out the water as a state he was destined to win but they will treat this here Penn like she hit the jackpot

[08timefortruth]

Exactly, just like saying she won by double digits when she won by a little more than 9%....No matter how good he does, how far ahead he is or how dirty she is the msm and her campaign want to keep the trash blowing.

[Daisy1111]

A little more than 9%? Where did you get that -- show me a link?

[coolrepublica]

A strategist really said that? Well I guess that's why there's haven't been that many democratic president. So they're willing to lose the white working class vote. Obama is going to be the next president right after I the martians land on earth.

[hubbstan]

coolrepublica - well according to hillary she told bill to screw those southern white working class because they didn't support bill for president. what else is new?

[Fighter4USA]

You are making things up against the Clintons, don't complain when her supporters post negative stuff against your candidate. Ok?

[victoriajubilee]

I believe about 70,000 voters or more , Republicans who changed registration to Democrat voted for Hillary yesterday at the behest of Rush Limbaugh . Yesterday I listened to Limbaugh on his show reminding them that they have until a certain date to switch back . My take is without the Limbaugh vote her margin would be around 6 %. . Also I am reminding Obama volunteers to go to North Carolina and Indiana this weekend and next to assist in get -out-the-votes effort.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

I was wondering about that too.

Per CNN's exit polls, only 4% of voters are self-described Republicans. Maybe some Rushies are fibbing. Hard to say.
But 14% say "independent." They split 54-46 for Obama.
Of the core 82% self-described Dems, the vote was 56-44 for Clinton.
Rush did not seem to have an impact. Not sure on what basis you would therfore cut Hillary's margin from 10% to 6%.
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/epolls/#PADEM

Not only do open primaries suck, fraudulently registering across the aisle in closed primaries should be illegal if it isn't already.

[DaCoach]

Limbaugh will never confuse facts with his messianic mission that promotes Rush Limbaugh. Obama got 58% of previously registered Republicans. They constituted only 5% of voter or about 130,000 voters. That means a total of 55,000 voted for Clinton. It would be impossible for 70,000 to all vote for her based upon his marching order. At best he might have cuckolded 5000-10,000 votes her way. Those are the facts.

[dadele]

What does white, working class mean exactly?

[Fighter4USA]

OBAMA: DIRTY POLITICIAN FROM THE START --
http://tinyurl.com/2zwwte
GOOD ARTICLE ON OBAMA"S LIES
http://tinyurl.com/34bcu3
OBAMA"S CHANGING STORIES AND LIES ABOUT NAFTA AND THE CANADIAN EMBASSY INCIDENT
http://tinyurl.com/396v3b
OBAMA"S ALLEGED OPPOSITION TO THE WAR
http://tinyurl.com/2fjf93
VIDEO OF OBAMA APPROVING RUMSFELD AND OTHER BUSH APPOINTEES
http://tinyurl.com/528yrl
OBAMA REQUESTS $1,000,000 EARMARK FOR HOSPITAL WHERE WIFE IS ADMINISTRATOR; MICHELE
OBAMA"S SALARY IS ALMOST TRIPLED THEREAFTER
http://tinyurl.com/38tz3q
OBAMA LIES IN DEBATES ON VIDEO ABOUT PHARMACEUTICAL REP IN CAMPAIGN
http://tinyurl.com/6kv232
OBAMA LIES IN DEBATES ON VIDEO ABOUT HIS PRIOR SUPPORT FOR A SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH PLAN
http://tinyurl.com/4plwpl
POLITICO BUSTS OBAMA IN MORE LIES
http://tinyurl.com/2f5tmm
OBAMA SAYS HE "GOOFED" ON CONTROVERSIAL VOTES IN STATE SENATE
http://tinyurl.com/2x6auf
OBAMA DISENFRANCHISED MICHIGAN VOTERS BY STANDING IN THE WAY OF A RE-VOTE
http://tinyurl.com/38elb6
OBAMA AND SURROGATES STAND IN THE WAY OF FLORIDA RE-VOTE
http://tinyurl.com/25atnq
OBAMA"S RADICAL RELIGION: BLACK LIBERATION THEOLOGY
http://tinyurl.com/yr38go
http://tinyurl.com/2tt8g3
OBAMA"S CHURCH IS PRO TERRORIST GROUP HAMAS
http://tinyurl.com/2rwc7f
OBAMA MISLEADS ABOUT REV. WRIGHT ON THE VIEW
http://tinyurl.com/2geasp
OBAMA"S CONNECTION TO WILLIAM AYERS, WEATHER UNDERGROUND TERRORIST
http://tinyurl.com/3toze8

[DummieBommieDave]

Does anybody have some links to some negative stories about Obama?

[meltingpot101]

Wow thats impressive, the passion that Obama has envoked in you is remarkable. Though I'm sure you could find a much more productive way to use that energy.

It doesn't matter how many links you post, it doesn't change the math.

You might need intervention .

[zendem1]

Running low on Lithium I take it

[Teri]

oh hillary, you really should be campaigning vs. blogging on huffingtonpost.com! we know how bitter you are that a BLACK man could even think of running for president when you think you are entitled to the crown, but really now. get a life, go and sleep with bill, so that he won't need anymore monicas or paulas and live with your $109M dollars. bye bye monster.

[iPolitics]

Fascist. Go volunteer for the war instead of supporting people who send other people's to die in Iraq

[Paul1970]

The Roseanne Barr vote.

[CaptainVideo]

People like my father who was a journeyman electrician. These are exactly the kinds of voters whose interests the Democrats should be representing. These people are getting shafted economically by the party of the rich.

If the Democratic party does not represent them, it is not worth keeping around.

[dadele]

Tradesmen vote republican because Democrats' positions on healthcare, workers rights, education, social security, and so forth, don't represent their interests? So the republican positions on the issues represent their interests? I am very confused.

[Skex]

The problem is they are the people who vote republican over god, guns and gays and continue to shoot themselves in the foot..

Also at least since Clinton the Democrats haven't been representing their interests either. These are the people against whom the bulk of the right wing propaganda has been aimed and unfortunately the only way the Democrats are going to get them back is to win the election then deliver the goods and prove to these people that left leaning politics really is for the working folks and we know it is there was a reason why FDR and the Democratic party dominated politics for 2 generations.

The only reason these same people aren't in even worse shape is because of the remnants of the New Deal and Great Society programs that they hate so much but they refuse to see that because they've been fed 40 years of right wing lies.

[AlwaysFairDem]

NO NO NO>>>This is a very misleading news title...YOU NEED TO CHANGE THE TITLE OF YOUR ARTICLE HUFF POST!!!

WHAT DAVID AXELROD SAID IS NOT -----> Don't Worry, Dems Usually Lose White Working Class

I don't know who the editor is for this article but you are very misleading....what Axelrod said is....

"The white working class has gone to the Republican nominee for many elections, going back even to the Clinton years," Axelrod said. "This is not new that Democratic candidates don't rely solely on those votes."

How did you come up with that twist from this?

Unbelievable! Everyone is trying to make news.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Well said.

Why is it that the Dems can't craft a message that can break the Rovian duplicity of tricking Amurkin working class to voting for wedge issues -- at the expense of their wallets?

Sheesh.

[Brutus1]

Axelrod is right in this respect, Obama won't get my white working class vote.

[Thereandback]

And Clinton won't get my white professional class vote.
Hey, what fun!
Recess taunts.
We're back to M.A.D. (mutually assured destruction).
Just where the schoolyard bully Clinton wanted us to be.
Hope she's happy now.

Now let's see how the superdels decide to play.

[lizr]

Yup, Divide adn Conquer. It worked for the Rove Repugs, so now Hillary is playing their game. Destructive bully tactics.

The country needs better than this. Hillary get out>

[AlwaysFairDem]

Because you are a racist or you are fond of Hillary because she is White?

[Daisy1111]

Are you saying anyone who doesn't vote for Obama is a racist?

[SMCX2]

Yes, please tell us. We want to know. Offer us some insight!

[FogBelter]

It's the White Working Class that keeps America running in place and not making any progress. I fully expect this group to support the Republican, which is odd, since it is the Republicans that get us into meaningless wars and the White Working Class that tend to supply most of the soldiers who are killed and maimed in them.

[AnnieinOR]

it's that attitude that makes you ripe for the strategists and pollsters - they know where to put you when they strategize because you are soooo predictable.

[robeson]

A majority of middle class whites voting Republican actually had it's genesis with Reagan as did the decline in their living standards. Darwin has described the process and it doesn't end with the Rapture.

[antaeus]

Darwin applied to human society? 1920s flashback?

[c1ee]

Yes, Darwin applies to all living organisms, human culture included.

[RedWilma]

The headline is rather misleading. It would be better to use Axelrod's words. It' s not like he's saying write off all White Working Class Men (which is probably how Hillary and McCain will spin it!)
He's just saying that they often vote for Republicans.

[chandler02]

I agree...this headline is SO biased and unrepresentative of what was actually said.

[KatieBeGood]

That's something I will never understand. They constantly vote against their own best self interest. They watch the Republicans send their jobs over seas and pass tax laws that benefit the rich and make them poor. But when it comes to voting, it 's gays, guns and religion. I am beginning to think that they deserve to be poor since that's what they vote for.

[lizr]

God guns and Gays, just like Obama was alluding to.. notice Hillary will talk to gay groups but she never mentions us..

not like Obama. The white racist vote don't like that much.

[Enzo]

You don't have a story here. Only a misleading title.

[majseventh]

If Obama and Axelrod are discounting the viability of the white working class voters than it is no wonder that he can't connect with him.
Obama needs to bow out and everyone needs to see him for what he is a Politician and not someone who cares about all of America.

[KatieBeGood]

They are not discounting white working class. They are only pointing out the truth. The white working class more often than not votes Republican even though it is not in their financial interest to do so. They consistently allow gays, guns and religion to dictate what party they vote for even though by doing so they are dooming themselves to a life of poverty and dooming their children to a similar life.

If you take the time to listen to Obama you will see that he truly is the candidate who will help the working class in America. He will end tax breaks to companies that send good jobs over seas. He will pump more money into our educational system so more people can pull themselves out of poverty. If you think Hillary will do any of these things, you really do need to get a clue.

[DocJerome]

How is he discounting the "white working class" vote, when he said the following and it is clearly in the article?

Obama conceded, however, that he still must do a better job reaching out and attracting blue collar, older voters. He said that Clinton's argument that she has more experience "might have more traction" with those voters.

You are actively engaged in spreading misinformation and/or attempting to fan the flames of racial animus and division. You have been exposed. Stop the BS.

[c1ee]

You don't care what he said, you are looking for any excuse to force your anti-Obama agenda. Crawl back into your hole.

[08timefortruth]

Why would the leader and solid frontrunner bow out of any race, why doesn't the loser, HC, bow out she's already lost.

[msuissanyc]

I am not sure the Obama campaign isn’t taking a shot at its own message of unity and post-partisanship. It greatly undermines the very idea of enlarging the democratic base. Not fighting for the support of white working class voters seems to be an abdication of the unifying concept that defines the Obama message.

It should be an imperative mission for a democratic candidate to win over voters that are suffering economically.

Voting history has nothing to do with it, if progressive liberal values are the foundation of our principles; we must not give up on any constituency, especially not one that consistently votes against their economic interests. It is our mandate to fight for the support of people whose future can be improved.

This argument is made for the sole purpose of explaining away the Pennsylvania loss and coming from the Senator’s campaign, that is utterly disappointing.

[KMKY]

All excellent points.

[nibblybits]

Of course he's fighting for their votes. Did you see him bowling? And on WWE? And eating cheesesteaks and waffles in diners all over PA? Obama deeply cares about the working class. He was a community activist for working class whites.

Nevertheless, PA showed that *some* won't vote for him. Many will. I think he will fight for all those votes, but Axelrod was making an observation.

Furthermore, I think it's a fallacy that Hillary will gain all those votes if she were the nominee. Partly because she's a woman facing off against a white war hero. I think that's a valid observation that Axelrod was making as well.

It's sad that the political conversation today has to be devoid of nuance. Because anything anyone says is manipulated into an all-or-nothing sweeping generalization that just whips people up instead of making them think. That's one of the reasons the NYT excoriated the Clinton campaign's tactics this morning.

[msuissanyc]

It is somewhat dismissive, once again, of working class white voting against their economic interests. The same argument that senator Clinton was making as First Lady with her remarks on Reagan democrats. It has to do with a cultural acceptance of the facts that this demographic appears to defy logic in their voting pattern. The longer we give up on rallying this constituency, the longer we'll struggle to win presidential elections.

A certain amount of pandering is an acceptable compromise if it give us a chance to bring socio-economic progress to this nation.

Such comments by David Axelrod are, in my opinion, entirely misguided even if ever so accurate. These are self inflicted errors in judgments that will continue to undermine the campaign.