Punished for the Truth

Here are the controversial comments Barack Obama uttered in San Francisco. "You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them...And they fell through the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not. And it's not surprising then 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."

Inartful. That is the only fair criticism of this analysis. Let's ask the voters in Pennsylvania these questions. If the 'distracting' issues of guns, gay marriage and abortion were all resolved to their liking, would their economic lives change? How about immigration? If all illegal aliens were to disappear, would those rust belt jobs return? For so many years, such issues have been used to corral blue collar workers into a party and political philosophy that serves the elites in this country. When someone speaks the truth and acknowledges that this sector of our society has been royally deceived, that issues they rally around have little to do with their ultimate welfare, it is time to banish such a person from the campaign trail.

Heaven forbid we should suggest that bitterness might exist in this country of such optimism or that this emotion might be an appropriate and effective reaction to current circumstances. Hillary Clinton countered with this statement. "Well, that is not my experience," she said. "As I travel around Pennsylvania I meet people who are resilient, optimistic, positive...If we start acting like Americans," she said, "and role up our sleeves, we can make sure that America's best years are ahead of us." McCain's spokesman chimed in. "It shows an elitism and condescension towards hardworking Americans that is nothing short of breathtaking...It is hard to imagine someone running for president who is more out of touch with average Americans."

Are you kidding me? Pulling the curtain back on a very effective political trick, the old bait and switch, is far from elitist. Americans are working harder than ever. Two job families are the norm. Yet the poor and middle class are falling further behind. What is breathtakingly condescending is watching two candidates stroke this group with platitudes about their being tough and resilient. What exactly has that gotten them? Nada. The real stereotype Clinton and McCain are playing on is that blue collar workers are easily manipulated and will 'stay down' if you just tell them they are hardworking, patriotic, value-driven Americans.

It is time for these people to get mad. Illusion may make us feel better, but it simply serves to keep us tilting at the wrong windmills. It is time to embrace the truth and turn that anger, yes bitterness, on those who created such conditions. The alternative is to pat ourselves on the back for our optimism and 'can-do' attitudes while politicians in Washington laugh at such naivite and continue on their destructive course.

Comments

[louisev]

"What is breathtakingly condescending is watching two candidates stroke this group with platitudes about their being tough and resilient.­"

And what is more condescending is to treat these voters as if they don't know they are being taken advantage of and that they somehow 'don't know' their true circumstances and they will simply vote for whoever tells them whatever they want to hear. I think the Bush Years have taught a lot of voters that they have to listen for the ring of truth in what politicians tell them - and it IS a question of character. Hillary can change her accent and talk about playing pinochle but that will not make her one of them - she is still the hardboiled pol that is out there saying and doing whatever it takes to get a few more votes - and it isn't fooling anywhere near as many people as it used to.

[Rose52]

I hope you're right and Pennsylvanians see the truth.
Obama 08

[whitepeacock]

Oh, right on, Catherine! Thanks for telling the truth.

[DietrichMoody]

I disagree, I don't think he's being punished. And I disagree with your wording as "inarfful.­" I think whether intentional or not, this was politically smart move, on Obama's behalf because 1) it forces his opponents to come out and explain why it is, people feel this Country is going in the wrong direction 2) and why are there a lot of people out their frustrated/bitter and angry you? are they telling them they are not and it's all in their mind and lastly, 3) what is the solution to this frustration - "rolling up one's sleeves?" and Clinton said. That's equal to "let them eat cake." Not to forget, that this comes on the heels over her releasing her acknowledge or receiving $100 million dollar in income. This is a great issue for Obama and the public to discuss, and he cannot be punished with this. And there is something that he said that actually refutes, the context of just labeling what he said as "he called people bitter." He stated "Many of you are bitter, and have good reason to be." Having good reason, is saying its ok. So how is someone being punished or can for saying its ok to be frustrated, "I get it." The only one's being punished, will be Clinton and McCain.

[hubris2]

If you're one who allowed the "typical white grandmother" comment to mute out a 45-minute speech on social unity, I suppose you'd see his profile of the embittered working class as nothing short of demeaning. How dare this slick talking, Harvard-educated millionaire speak for me? How could he possibly know my struggle, my bitterness?

Truth be told, if you know the Obama story, you know he was raised in struggle, economically and domestically. As such, he knows from personal experience that when times get tough, comfort is often found in projecting frustrations on others. Targeting supposed rival cultural groups across the lower classes has gone on since the beginning of time: thus, when poll numbers show that guns, God, and immigration are top issues among those struggling in these smaller communities, its easy for a man whose taken his fair share of collegiate sociology courses to recognize the divisive pattern.

Barack's seeming elitist attitude in the latest "gaffe" is the result of intuitive, extemporaneous speaking. Sourcing personal experience, college study, and campaign demographics, he let slip the truth that every candidate knows. In his earnest mission to bridge social divisions, he was merely attempting to empathize with those voters who differ with him on more conservative concerns--a genuine sign that he has the makings of one passionately seeking common ground. I would rather have a president capable of obtaining the latter than one strangled by the politically correct strings of speech writers.

[2351]

Are we so sensitive as people that we would take anything a person says out of context to make it more than it is? If I were PA voters, I would be offended by the insincere people trying to make me believe that the statements by Obama were a put down for them, when it was actually a statement showing how much he understood what they feel.

[timothe]

When O'Reilly used the word "Lynching", this entire site attempted to make more of it than what it was.

[LeeScho]

Timothe writes:
"When O'Reilly used the word "Lynching", this entire site attempted to make more of it than what it was"

I didn't. So your credibilityy on that point is shot to hell. But, then, credibilityy is not a concern of O'Reilly and his supporters, so why should I be surprised by its absence?

The word 'lynching" has a long, dark and bitter history with African-Americans, and although O'Reilly knows little, he knows that, and he probably used the word deliberately to draw attention to his failing show. What dark history with the word "bitter" do rural Americans have? Bitter cold? Bitter night? Bitter milk? No, Obama is right. Bitter is what many poor and middle-class Americans might or should feel about politicians who have sold them out to corporate interests and personal greed - and about right-wing talk show hosts who profit at their expense.

[johnqeniac]

sorry, o'reilly is a fucking jack ass who shouted down as 'traitors' those who questioned the lies used to justify this fucking invasion and occupation of iraq, and who is a clear cut fascist who calls everyone else nazis. if he's your hero, you're meant to be at redstate.com. run along now fool.

[nomobull]

not even close

[Davwbaird]

I am real mad and real bitter and especially with Clinton and McCain pandering to the worthless diversions of our society and our times. Ask Mccain if he is for equality for all Americans and whether or not he is tired of folks without insurance perishing before their time. The MSM media of course will not focus on anything that really concerns us and now this. Obama nailed the issues that are out there and we need to be aware of. I wonder if not dealing with issues produce incidents like Virginia Tech and other insanity? Bet it does. After all when individuals feel they have nothing Left to lose, they act that way as well. Oh, well. I am still convinced that the powers that be want us to wallow in our misery while they get rich and laugh at us.

[deweshk]

Sad, people of little minds .... they like to be deceived, manipulated, ...... For some of them, economic problems will kill them by the time another 4yrs comes along for voting. The truth hurts .... so bad they prefer to be lied to.

[briwref]

It is amazing how the acolytes kissing the feet of Obama are willing to twist everything that happens - even an idiotic remark uttered by the savior Obama himself - as somehow the fault of Senator Clinton. You folks need to cut down on the espresso. You act like Republicans, snarky and rude; Coltergeist turned blue.

As a life long resident of small town Pennsylvania, I resent Senator Obama's insulting remarks. Does Obama really think that small town America is inhabited by ignorant rubes? Does Obama really think that the people of Pennsylvania don't have the sense to leave a post-industrial wastleland? What bigoted rubbish.

His efforts at ingratiating himself with the natives were laughable. he boweled a 37 because he was busy holding his nose..all those smelly, non-latte drinking, working class red-necks - you know, the ones making $50,000 or less - must have been trying for him. Quick, fetch the senator some mineral water!

It has been said that "Obama's wording was not ideal, but then he's only human." Yes he is human, and in a very human fashion he revealed his ignorance. He disclosed what he truly thinks of the people of my state. I suppose he'll make another well-received speech, a heart-felt paean to "typical white people." Senator Clinton will win the April 22nd primary because the bitter people of Pennsylvania will not vote for an empty suit with a God complex. Like many Pennsylvanians, I will never vote for Obama.

[homesteader]

I recently read a piece on Joe Bageant's site in which he talks about "rage fatigue" that we--all of us, even those from Pennsylvania countryside, are worn out, depressed. It makes a kind of nice bookend to Crier's piece.

http://www.joebageant.com/joe/2008/04/the-audacity-of.html

[darker]

who cares about wussy-wuss "rage fatigue" when we're being FINANCIALLY RAPED by
Bush-Cheney & Profiteers. Put THAT in your pipe and GET MAD QUICK!

[UrbanRevolution]

“I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetuall­y.” – James Baldwin

This is true patriotism. The crap that spews out of the mouths of life long politicians is just that. We have bought a lie and will continue to pay for that lie if we insist on traveling down the same old road. We bought the patriot act and all I've seen them do with it is harass my neighbor about what books their buying and persecute Democratic governorS for paying for sex. We care more about Obama's ineloquent words of choice when speaking the TRUTH then we do about our government outing CIA operatives and LYING about why we're going to war. We've spent more time discussing whether or not we should boycott the Olympics and have ignored the mistreatment of protesters in our so-called free country. We walk around like lemmings buying the BS and meanwhile the land of the free and the home of the brave is slowly becoming a military state where we are anything but free and the fear I see oozing from power structure about the potential of an Obama presidency is anything but brave.

[mimsnpips]

Senator Obama is correct. Nobody in the msm has even brought up the possibility. They are afraid of the Clinton machine coming down on them. And the msm has a new story to beat to death. NBC nightly news seriously announced "Chris Matthews will have much more on this story", ..with his political team. (Barf barf.) The media cannot be that stupid to believe there is not bitterness across this country. They've just chosen not to report on it.

Of course Hillary jumped all over it, saying she has found the exact opposite. What if Obama said all he sees is optimism as she said. Surely Hillary would say the opposite then as well. I live in a rural section of PA, being an ex NY'er it is easy to observe that the bitterness Obama spoke of is deeply entrenched in the rolling hills of this beautiful commonwealth.

I'm glad he didn't take it back.

[bobbym]

Thank You!

Too bad the source of the furor was sensationalizing right here.

[PNolan]

It may be the truth and it was certainly inartful. But you can not fault Senator Obama's opponents for capitalizing on what was definitely a political blunder.

[SoulSistah]

A true political blunder is the continuance of this Sillariness and McCoo-Coo-ness.

[Barbyrah]

No, not if you're still committed to doing "politics as usual." And your post assumes...­that of course, if there's any way possible to try and get the upper hand, even if it means pandering to those you seek votes from, and attacking others with no other goal in mind except grinding them to a pulp, then all's fair in love and war. Yep, definitely "The Old Way."
But that's why someone like me - a well-educated, middle-aged female from the Midwest - opted out of the political process decades ago. Because for me, it's not about trying to win at all costs. Instead, it's about seeing the best, offering the best, creating the best. And moving public discourse to a higher level.
Interestingly, Hillary had an opportunity to do just that via adding insightful, positive comments related to Barack's speech on race relations. Instead, she chose to hit him with it. And with this latest situation, she had yet another opportunity to "rise above the fray" by joining him in acknowledging the whole "wedge issue/hot button issue" strategy used so effectively by the Repubs, and joining him in honest dialogue about it. Yet again, rather than offering a meaningful discussion­...smack. Bop. Pow. More hits.
FYI: "The New Way" is about elevating the dialogue, PNolan. It's not about trying to drive a stake through a colleague's heart.

[richardsgirl]

I agree. I understand that Clinton and McCain are doing this for a political advantage; but I also recognize that what they're doing is wrong. My fear is that the American people have been so conditioned to "politics as usual," that they will once again be blinded by the political platitudes that have been so masterfully crafted by both Clinton and McCain, and the utter lack of intellectual honesty in the media. In their eyes, they see this as no more than a game, of who's ahead and who's behind, and so many of the American people are too entrenched in the game themselves, to recognize how misguided and misleading Obama's opponents and the MSM are in their shallow and politically-driven response to his comments. But I am also willing to hold onto the faith in the American people that Senator Obama has, and the goodness within us that will challenge us to responsibly grapple with these truths and reclaim the democracy of "one nation undivided" that our forefathers and foremothers envisioned.

[SifSkade]

Definitely true. I fault them for trying to whitewash what he said. "Oh, no no no no no no no no no no! These people aren't bitter!" I fear that if Clinton and McCain are unwilling to acknowledge the anger and bitterness, to the point that they're jumping on Obama for using the word, they'll be less likely to address the issues underlying the anger and bitterness. It's time to stop pretending that all's well here in Bushland, and using euphemisms to describe the national situation and attitude is part of that game. Giving the problem its honest name won't solve it by any means, but it's a step in the right direction.

[silverstate]

Sorry Catherine I think you and every single talking head is missing the crucial point in this.

BITTER is not what is pissing people off with his comments. At least not me. Its the fact he categorized hard working people in the midwest stating they cling to "their guns religion and ANTIPATHY to people who are NOT like them."

That is bothersome to me especially because the underlying message to moderates who go to church; who hunt; are not racist people. I cannot speak for the people who agree with Obama, but i can speak for myself. I'm supposed to learn and take Rev Wright's comments as a pathway to unite this country but its okay for a candidate for President to see how I view things as a problem with America?

No. He could have stopped with americans being Bitter I agree with that because its not just in rural areas its across the divide. But to stereotype Americans as the way he sees it, is offensive to me and I am tired of the media trying to push down McCain and Clinton over their opinion. I agree with it. What he said was wrong and to state their comments to be "typical?"

tells me that my opinion is no good because I am just a typical white person in America who doesn't get it. THAT is going to get him in trouble in the general election. JMHO

[AnninCA]

Inartful? I think it's quite a bit more than just inartful.

Frankly, I find it amazing that someone who defends his faith so vigorously turns around and says that people in small towns "cling" to their faith out of bitter desperation. Yikes! I found it even more amazing that he threw guns into the soup. YIKES!

So Pennsyvania is filled with angry armed racists who go to church?

What a fiasco.

I understand he was trying to play the big-shot and offer some intellectual explanation for the inexplicable attitudes of blue collar workers to the elite of Napa Valley....­....but good grief. A simple answer, "No, I'm not being rejected because of my race," would have worked dandy, don't you think?

He gave an elitist viewpoint. He has been thumped soundly for his elitism, as he should have been. And we'll see if he can recover.

But it was a lot more than "inartful.­"