Obama Press Conference: On Bowling, Jello Molds And Threadbare Suits

Elitist? Not so, says Barack Obama, who laughs off the idea that he is the wine-and-cheese candidate by mocking the media coverage of himself relative to his campaign opponents. Apparently, the Illinois senator wears his suits to the threads, gets haircuts because his mother-in-law says so, and grew up on Jello molds as a child.

Oh, and he's a little steamed about the media's dishonesty about his bowling score:

Comments

[Pammy1151]

If you read these posts as much as I do everyday something will jump out at you about these women that still support Hillary. First, there are very uninformed as you are well able to tell by their posts. I am very good at reading people as it is what I do and I hear the anger in their words just like I hear the anger in Hillary's. It is sad that so many women will simply vote for her because she is a women. I have several friends that are exactly like that. They haven't bothered to check her out. As soon as she announced they decided on her and have never wavered an inch.

[DeanLowe]

If Obama doesn't like distractions from the issues then why the hell did he go BOWLING??

How does bowling help with gas prices or mortgage rates??

[evekendall]

But you don't object when Clinton or McCain participate in similar events to get to know the voters?

[BethinIllinois]

JI read earlier today that his people refuse to say the brand of suits -- and that they're probably NOT from JC Penny's. That was pretty funny.

[realpolitic]

Obama said he has four pair of shoes. Now the press will breathlessly report he really has four pair and a pair of gym shoes which make five. They will label Obama a liar, hypocrite, and elitist. Obama is learning to have fun with the press and not to take their silly questions too seriously, while still eloquently speaking to people's aspirations..

[whatchamean]

I like what Jon Stewarts said, to paraphrase. What's wrong with elite, elite mean superior. I don't know about you but I want my president to be embarassingly superior to me. Obama is fantastic and the more I get to know about him, the better I like him.

[Dunnage]

Well, did he bowl a 37 or not? If he did, and I don't care if he was blindfolded, he is not qualified for President.

[ruleoflaw66]

Qualified--hmmmm?

Like in held office enough years? Like Nixon? Or Bush? Or even Carter (well intentioned but ineffectual) or (Bill) Clinton (truth averse, ethics challenged, Republican economic agenda--repeal of Glass-Steagall, welfare overhaul that starved ghetto infants, originator of the rendition idea)?

You mean qualifications like that? Because if you are shilling for Hillary, then her 7 years in the Senate pales by comparison to the years of political experience any of those others have had. And other than Bill getting lucky with the tech economy, none of those guys will be considered among the greats in retrospect. So if experience is the qualifier, I think I'd prefer someone who has actually lived and worked among the people, is not afraid to speak His mind, and who has experienced life in a way that HIllary never has, or will.

[realpolitic]

I would not mind a president who bowls a 37 who is versed on foreign policy and can grasp many different issues at once, unlike the current potted plant in the White House.

[drzoon]

i can't bowl worth crap. but when i was in the service i was part of a team that did high risk search and rescue. you saying you wouldn't want me to show up and drag your bowling butt out of trouble?

[Calinative]

He only bowled 7 frames. So, no he did not bowl a 37. Incomplete is the only way to score it.

[evekendall]

Are you nuts?

[nclayla]

Thanks, HuffPo, for giving us his entire answer - and not just a snippet.

He answered from the heart with a touch of humor - anyone listening with an open mind can see he is far, far from being an elitist!

[atienne]

This is the problem with the MSM. I would challenge any of those who feel they don't know him or think he's an elitist to go and see him for yourself. Most of the rallies are free and open to the public. If you really want to know and get his feel...just go!

Seeing him Pittsburgh was one of the greatest things I've done outside of my family and career. Why? Because I could personally bear witness to one of the great human beings of our time! Not just a great man, not a great Black man, not a great Bi-racial man, but great human being! PERIOD!

I saw that this man had inspired that group of about 10,000 people to come together, put their differences aside and treat each other with respect. People talked about how he had inspired them to do 'better', take an interest for the first time in their government and what they can do to help their country.

Now, if only the MSM would start reporting on THAT!

[punditpolice]

Couldn't agree more! And we need to remind the MSM that when people show their support via monetary contributions or by volunteering, they are much more invested.

[evekendall]

Send money. THAT will tell the MSM who they need to pay attention to!

[Saitia]

Atienne,
I blog at a place called Urantian Sojourn.com. I like what you have to say and the way you say it. I'd like to use your words at the Sojourn under this video, and would also like to include some comments from another of your posts that I've edited to work with the other copy. By way of credit I'd like to put your bio info under it. I hope you'll take a look, and if you have any comments I hope you'll leave them.

Your sentiments are my own; Barack Obama may become the greatest president we've ever had, and God knows the hole idiot-boy and the chickenhawks have dug for us is not a job for a lying obliterator of enemy nations, or a doddering old fool who won't even commit to helping the very men and women who survive the war to come home and face a recession— that he would only exacerbate by making tax cuts for the wealthy, permanent. Why would any sentient being support him? Because of ignorance like this: “I think [Obama] just wants to be president because he’s black.” — Time Hetrick, McKeesport, PA.

We can only hope there's still enough of an educated electorate left to ensure his election.

[kevingiampa]

To those who don't agree with me about Barack Obama, I ask, what the f*ck do have to lose? I have yet to hear, and I've been listening, a vision for the future from the other remaining candidates that is anything other than the same politics but with a promise to be more efficient. We might as well just hire a logistics expert.

Sometimes things really do change. They do. If you really want change, then you have to vote for it, already. No blinders on, it will be tough, it will take hard work, but things can change. Barack Obama is the best candidate out there to bring not just a change to which political party is in power, but build on the ideas of our past to bring about real change and a better future.

[kevingiampa]

Let's imagine a person who is genuine but imperfect, that is, human, a person who actually wants to lift the level of political discourse, who cares about other people, who wants to help change the country and the world and make it a better place. Imagine if this person ran for public office, imagine if he ran for the Presidency of the United States. What would his campaign look like, sound like? How would his political opponents attempt to define him? What would the press and mass media ask of him? How would such a candidate maneuver in the present political environment? How could he be successful in winning the election, and doing his part in helping to change the world?

This is what I, and, I think, millions of other people see in Barack Obama. This is his story. He is imperfect. No one, in particular, Barack Obama, has suggested otherwise. He makes mistakes. He says in appearance after appearance, campaign speech after speech that he will even make mistakes as President. I don't think he's elitist. I hear from him things that I think and have heard myself say. And I do trust that he, like me, and like millions of other people, really wants to change the way our Federal Government officials do business because he knows that it can be better. Our government can serve him and every American better.

[kevingiampa]

To those who don't agree with me about Barack Obama, I ask, what the f*ck do have to lose? I have yet to hear, and I've been listening, a vision for the future from the other remaining candidates that is anything other than the same politics but with a promise to be more efficient. We might as well just hire a logistics expert.

Sometimes things really do change. They do. If you really want change, then you have to vote for it, already. No blinders on, it will be tough, it will take hard work, but things can change. Barack Obama is the best candidate out there to bring not just a change to which political party is in power, but build on the ideas of our past to bring about real change and a better future.

[Pammy1151]

I just watched the late edition of Meet the Press. I must say that Adrea Mitchell finally came right out and said what so many people think and say on the blogs but MSM doesn't want to say right out. She said that she was sure that racism played a major role in the elections in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, there is no way to poll people on their racism because they will say things like well he isn't a christian or he doesn't like the flag or won't pt his hand over his heart. Excuses for their actual racism!!! So sad but so true.

[Gmoney1]

Andrea Mitchell and wife of Allen Greenspan are Hillary's buddies - Hillary said a few weeks ago that she wanted Greenspan to head up some committee of hers when she becomes president - however, Andrew said, in her numerous pro-Hillary remarks, on the Tim Russett show that the people in Pa. felt that Obama was "arrogant" - well here again, white talking heads describing Obama as an uppidy black man as Hillary made sure she pushed - that also reminded me of the old movie, Call Me Mr. Tibbs - with Sidney Poiter - Why don't the talking heads talk about how back when Bush stole the election, the majority of the red states and small town people were voting based on gun, religion, flag burning, gay marriage and pro-life issues rather than issues involving their economic future -

[patmancando]

I don't know about Andrea. but Allen Greenspan is a Gopher supporting Mc Cain.
Come to think of it, I have listened to Andrea who is covering the Hillary campaign, and she doesn't seem to favor Hillary, in fact, I often think she is biased against her.

[RoseFromPhila]

Oh please maybe he did eat pot roast and jello mold as a child blah, blah, blah....... jump to the future now ....... he has turned into an elitist he snubs working class people and is why they will not give him their vote..... he is afraid to debate Hillary, he speaks from a telepromter at events and is loss for words when he is on his own...... Obama is a fraud!!!

OBAMA'S MASK IS SLOWLY SLIPPING OFF

GO HILLARY!!!!!

[MeByTheSea]

Those must be some good drugs you are taking. He's debated (if you can call what the clown moderators subjected us to debates) 21 times already. Where were you? This "debate" thing is just a Clinton ploy to keep him away from meeting people on the ground. I'm so glad he didn't allow her and the press to pressure him into it. He has never snubbed anyone. He is not a fraud, but you know that. That's why Obama scares you, you know he's for real and you know he's going to win. And when things DO get better, won't you look foolish? (Not that your false info doesn't already make you look foolish enough.)

[bentenrai]

Tell me how your candidate Hillary is any better. I think you're just in denial that Hillary is the one defrauding people by spitting out BS all over the place and acting like she won the superbowl although she's still way behind.

[nclayla]

Obama isn't wearing a mask - what you see is what you get. Apparently you are so used to Clinton 'misspeaks', spin, and truth stretching that you somehow believe everyone is equally devious.

You may want another debate and Hillary may want another debate, but most of America thinks the 21 we have already had are more than enough.

When your mask finally comes off, enabling you to see the truth, don't worry. Senator Obama's plans for America are inclusive and will welcome even the likes of you.

[patmancando]

The last debate had a bigger audience than any previous debate; so what does that tell you? Sen Obama doesn't do well in debates. He lost the last debate, not on the personal stuff, although his answers were pretty lame, but he lost it on the substantive questions. He delivers a good speech, which is written for him and memorized, but he really doesn't do well in the debates.......he hasn't won one. When he does well it is usually when he is asked the same question after Hillary has responded to it, and he can say, "well, I agree with much of what Hillary says", and he then adds a flourish of words which makes it look like he said something original. Some of the time what he adds sounds like he's rambling. I don't blame him for being afraid to debate her..........

[Krikkit]

People don't "turn into" what they are not. Obama is not and never has been an elitist, whatever that is.

I do, however, agree with your last blurt: "Go Hillary!!! Go away!!!"

[patmancando]

If you don't know what an elitist is, how do you know he isn't one. Michelle certainly is. She did a thesis on educated black people, from poorer backgrounds to determine what they do after they graduate from collage. Turns out that they go into white society to make money...just as she herself did.

[utd]

You mean working class white people like me? I had no problem voting for him. I had no problem campaigning for him. I would be honored to have him as my President. He really does have some great ideas, too bad you never gave them a chance.

Sounds to me like the white people in Pennsylvania who are openly admitting to not being willing to vote for a black man are the one's with the problem, not Obama. Is that how you want your state judged for all history? Are those the people who represent you? Because they are the one's who will be remembered.

I find it odd how the guy who started a career fighting for those same types of people who have lost industry and jobs in Penn gets the shaft from them, yet the woman who promoted the deal that led to the eventual loss of those jobs gets their vote. Amazing what a couple lies can do for you. I have always questioned the role of the electoral college until now.

[deb813]

Thanks HuPo for giving us this whole soundbite. I heard about the pot roast and the jello molds but not the rest of it. doesn't fit the narrative the Clinton campaign and the media are trying to put forward. So we don't hear it. It's ok for us to know that Hillary goes duck hunting on Lake winawhatever, it's ok for her to go drink shots and beer. But Obama tries to bowl and he's pandering. I watched that on the television everyone looked like they were having fun, not just watching Obama pander.

[laksa]

Let me make a small observation which I hope get mentioned. Those who are privilege are those who can talked about being poor more conveniently and more convincingly than the poor. Why, because for them it is play acting. Hillary is an actress not more. She has not once experience destitute in her 60 years. Not even one day. For her everything is a joke, an act. On the other hand, for Obama who has experienced that it was a painful experience. Not ever to be repeated even as a joke or play acting. You can feel it when you listen to him mentioned pot roast and potatoes or thread bare suits. He looked pensive and subdue. I am surprised that those blue collars cannot recognize that. Would they really want a president just as them? why are they voting for Hillary then? Because she must be doing something right to have that 100 million in the bank? No the blue collars do not want someone like them - poor. They want an elitist. Or better still an elitist who can convince them she is one of them?

[musselmanm]

Yes, I have been down to the bottom, fishing for trout for my son and I to eat every night. If you have ever been there, you know the experience of Senator Obama had growning up. Poverty is not something that one forgets after achieving a better life.

[presto]

Obama certainly did not grow up in poverty. He spent most of his youth in Hawaii at the best schools. His grandmother, who raised him, was vice president of a bank. His time in Indonesia was hardly a time of threadbare clothes and starvation. He has never claimed to have come out of poverty. Nothing wrong with pot roast and potatoes.

[kawika]

It is interesting to note the comments about "BAGGAGE" in this thread...For if baggage were the issue...We would need a Camel train From New York to Mongolia to carry all of the Clintons luggage.
And probably the same for McCain.

[AC500]

I agree. Obama looks like a choir boy in comparison.