A Bitter Pill To Swallow

Barack Obama's poor choice of words at a San Francisco fundraiser has sparked the hopes of the Clinton campaign and piqued the interest of pundit and voter alike. Describing small town frustrations with a lackluster economy as bitterness, Barack Obama also suggested that gun culture and anti-immigrant sentiment are an outgrowth of those feelings.

Hillary Clinton was quick to jump on Obama's words, calling the remarks elitist and condescending, and arguing that small town voters in Pennsylvania were optimistic, not bitter. John McCain also saw an opening, suggesting that Barack Obama was clearly out of touch. Despite the story breaking on a Friday evening, opinion makers in the blogosphere, on cable news, and on the Sunday shows had reactions ranging from dismissive to outrage, with some suggesting that the comments might be Obama's very own "Macaca" moment.

Much of this talk seems quite overblown. It is, first of all, not elitist for a candidate for president to talk about the frustrations and anger that small town Americans have increasingly felt over the past eight years. It is, of course, not elitist for candidates to talk about jobs and trade in Ohio and Pennsylvania, but talk about ethanol and tax breaks while in Iowa and New Hampshire. Presidential campaigns are almost entirely about presidential candidates talking to -- and about -- the vastly different populations and cultures that make up this country.

More importantly, voters in small towns all across the Midwest have watched their jobs shipped overseas and their health care premiums skyrocket, all because of poorly crafted trade agreements and a government unwilling to confront the health care crisis. Those who still have jobs are finding their wages driven down and their mortgage rates skyrocketing, all because of a government that refused to regulate predatory lenders. Small town Americans have been beaten down by this economy and this administration. They deserve to be angry and cynical, frustrated and embittered.

Nevertheless, Obama's choice of words was poor, as has been acknowledged by the Senator himself. To this point, however, Obama appears ready to weather the storm for a number of reasons, not the least of which includes the continued ineptitude of the Clinton campaign. Already, Hillary Clinton has gone too far with her criticism of Obama, and is beginning to frame the issue in a way she might actually lose. By suggesting that Obama is out-of-touch at the same time that she insists that people are optimistic, not bitter, she is putting herself at great risk. After all, countless Pennsylvanians are in fact quite embittered at being abandoned by their government and will likely be unreceptive to the notion that they don't deserve to be. Hillary might be in touch with some, but it seems likely that Obama is in touch with far more.

It is also wise to avoid being too ironic when attacking an opponent. Throughout the weekend, Hillary has taken to talking about guns and drinking the occasional shot of whiskey, making sure to reminisce about learning to shoot and her fondness of hunting. Could there be anything more incredulous and condescending?

What is also particularly disturbing about Hillary's line of attack is the extent to which it seems to help no one other than John McCain. The Clinton campaign has all but admitted that the race, at this point, depends on convincing superdelegates that Hillary is more electable. But making Obama less electable will not make Hillary more. For superdelegates to overturn the pledged delegate count, Hillary will need more than just a preponderance of the evidence; she'll need to prove her superior electability beyond all reasonable doubt.

It also would seem that, for a number of reasons, the "bitter" controversy will do little to help John McCain. The Republican machine has already geared up to run a campaign that suggests that Obama is another Northeast educated elitist who can't connect with voters. To that end, Obama hasn't provided them with any new ideas. There is also no video of the comments and the only audio is too poor of quality to be used in an ad. Like Hillary, McCain may also find himself in a disadvantageous position when debating about which candidate is more in touch with the voters. Let us not forget that it is John McCain who shares a different view than the majority of Americans on nearly every issue. It is John McCain who seems to have only a passing understanding of the economic crisis and its impact on working class Americans.

The next few news cycles will be dominated by Obama's remarks which, by any measure, is a loss for the campaign. But timing continues to be uncannily fortunate for Obama. When seated next to each other at Wednesday's debate, Obama and Clinton will surely have to confront the issue. It will be understandably difficult for Clinton to call Obama a condescending elitist while face to face, and will also provide Obama with a chance to attack Clinton from a defensive position, a skill at which he has proven masterfully adept. His campaign will likely use the debate as an opportunity to shut down this narrative, at least for now.

Ultimately, we all have reasons to be embittered, having seen our government hijacked by those who seem entirely divorced from our aspirations. Small towns are occupied by some of those who deserve to be most frustrated of all. Barack Obama recognizes that our bitterness is not cured by ignoring it or dismissing it. It is cured by talking about it -- and working to replace it with hope.

Comments

[brizzle]

Obama is making a statement about the consequences of fear for citizens of a declining superpower. If you have studied any history, you know that the citizenry of the Roman Empire became embittered, fearful of outsiders, and began clinging to Christianity (and other cult religions of the time) when the empire began to fall apart in the 3rd-4th centuries AD. Obama is not slamming people for their religious beliefs, he is saying that when things go bad, people turn inward to protectionism. When things go bad, people get worried and scared...fearful for their children, for their futures, and bitter towards the leaders who created this mess. They find solace in religion, safety in their firearms, and resentment when confronted with outside competition.

For those of you with no grasp of English, "bitter" can take a few definitions, one of which is "expressive of severe pain, grief or regret". Does this vibe with Obama's words? Are Pennsylvanians in pain? Well, those without jobs are feeling economic pains...and possibly, stress and frustration pains. Are these people in grief? If you believe they are grieving about lost jobs, this fits. Are Pennsylvanians filled with regret? I bet they regret NAFTA...

These are conclusions about causal relationships. They show me (a capable thinker) that Obama is also capable of making rational, logical conclusions and, further, that he understands what he sees.

Personally, I am bitter that the Clintons have dragged our politics into the deepest, darkest recesses of crap.

[realistxxx]

You're damn right I'm bitter.

I'm not a middle class rural American. I'm a very well to do, Ivy-league educated urbanite, but I am bitter, frustrated and increasingly hopeless!

As the problems in this country and the world continue to get worse and more complex my fellow countrymen, our "leaders" and the press insist on simpler and simpler answers.

The more we dumb-down our political discourse the worse our problems get.

I have a growing contempt for many Americans, our leaders and the 4th estate.

If you're not bitter, you're not paying attention.

Obama is the only candidate in my lifetime (I'm 42) that speaks to the American people like we are intelligent adults.

If the pandering, cynical politcal machines of Clinton and McCain tear him down (and they are working in tandem) we will all have alot more bitterness ahead.

[vsign]

This reminds me of a situation I had -

About two months ago before my state voted, a long ago friend evangelized to me about Obama. When I responded with my passion for Hillary as the best President at this time in history - he responded by saying -

Are you bitter and frustrated?

Ha*.........That's when I knew this was a religious movement and anyone not voting for Obama would be blamed as morally deficient. It is an attitude that is acceptable in those religious people in ties who knock on the door with their bibles. It is not acceptable in an election. It wasn't acceptable in 2000 and 2004 when the religious right took over the Republican Party and it isn't acceptable when the religious left is taking over the Democratic Party in 2008.

These are Obama's words - bitter and frustrated! Remember them.

When anyone uses them on you - run away! Or shut the door! Or say - I already have my own church!

[Solange]

I'm from Wilkes-Barre, PA and I was at the Obama town meeting--and we loved him. He is empathetic to the struggles of small town Americans--and it is because of that empathy that he made the remarks in SF. He was explaining that not all Pennsylvanians are the same and how the economic struggles of Pennsylvanians in small towns where jobs have vanished have affected them. No one has heard his complete remarks in San Francisco and I seriously question Mayhill Fowler's motives. I find it hard to believe that she is an Obama supporter. Rather than hearing Obama's remarks in context, we have had our buttons pushed--as usual--by Hillary and a media that feeds on controversy. Hillary is desperate--she refuses to face that she has consistently high negatives, that she is behind in pledge delegates, in the popular vote, in states won and in fundraising and in spite of her name recognition and all the advantages she had entering into these contests, half the Democratic voters have rejected her while the Republicans are eager to face her in the fall. The Republicans are waiting with their dossier on her, beginning with the law suit against the Clintons in Los Angeles County Court and the goods on the contributors to Bill's Foundation. The 110 million dollar Clintons are the elitists.

[Valkyrie]

The best way to return the favor to Ms. Fowler and Mr. Rosen is to simply not read their columns anymore. It's not like Fowler was ever a real journalist anyway.

It's like when the Today Show announced Kathy Lee as one of their new "anchors." Hahaha. If there was any doubt that the Today Show was no longer a "news" show, that should've been it. I'm not hitting against Kathy Lee. I'm just saying that she's not a news anchor. But then neither are the rest of the crew on that show any longer.

It would be interesting if people came together to simply not read Ms. Fowler and Mr. Rosen's tripe or to not comment. Maybe then they'd get the picture.

[coollbreezz]

I wish I could be an average blue-collar joe like Bill and Hillary and make $109 million over 7 yrs..Did the Clintons do away with the safety net for the poor call welfare? But I'm an Elitist..from a small town West Virginia. I'M poor, fearful, bitter looking for hope and change. YES I'm bitter or as Howard Beale said in the movie Network "I don't have to tell you things are bad. Everybody knows things are bad. It's a depression. Everybody's out of work or scared of losing their job. The dollar buys a nickel's work, banks are going bust, shopkeepers keep a gun under the counter. We know things are bad - worse than bad. They're crazy. It's like everything everywhere is going crazy. I want you to get mad! I'm mad as hell and i'm not going to take it anymore" 'I'M MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!' I want you to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell - 'I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Things have got to change. But first, you've gotta get mad!... You've got to say, 'I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Those are my sentiment exactly..I'm Bitter, Angry, Frustrated and mad as Hell.. Obama is Kind when he refer to us as only bitter..Obama is Right.. ..I'm Bitter

[JFB]

The real question for you is once Obama is the nominee will you support him? Will your Clintonian ideology eclipse the need to work for positive change in our country.

[vsign]

The question is whether Obama and his supporters will submit to a VP position?

It would be a great opportunity for him and you.

[MrKnuckles]

Great... Let's let a sociopathic neo-gun nut and converted boilermaker drinker prescribe "blind optimism" as the perfect band-aid for all those disenfranchised and financially struggling Americans. Yeah, let's get Hillary to plaster faux-optimism over the gaping economic wounds of those thousands of jolly, happy souls who are out of work, losing their homes and unable to meet their family's medical needs. Oh, and while we're at it, let's Senator Oakley pose as their "bestest buddy" while she's scamming their emotions in her mad quest for a few extra votes.

[Jamchinadian]

Not just "bestest buddy" ... don't f orget "baddest buddy" who will "fight" for you. ROFL!

[schatsie]

Hillary has a midwestern view which is hardworking and optimistic (as opposed to Bush who is entitled and takes so frigging much vacation.)

I have to agree with Hillary and Bill about the GREEN jobs, that Germany has more than we do right now with about 1/4 of our population... I just wish that our FREE MARKET was doing anyting about this (but then you have to remember that the Glory Days from 1945 to 1980 were based on the government funding provided in WW2 to our companies here. The FREE MARKET lets China send in poisoned toys and cat food and God Knows what is in our vitamins and how many pharmacueticals are coming from China, But God forbid we import from Canada...How fake is that????

[Valkyrie]

I don't know that Hillary has a midwestern view of anything. I'm originally from the Midwest and see nothing hardworking or optimistic about her campaign.

Now I'm from Georgia, however, and I can definitely see a real southernification in her strategy.

[ImBitterInPA]

I am sick of being talked down to, pandered to, lied to. I am sick of media spin and distortion. I am sick of people who fall for this stuff every single time. I am sick of people voting against their own interests because they back candidates who push the same old buttons.

I am hoping that this backfires on Clinton, McCain and most importantly on the media.

I'm tired of waiting for the other shoe to drop. That shoe for me is when my once middle class job (now lower middle class) is finally moved to India.

[jwsub28]

Thank you ImBitterInPA. I couldn't have said it better. I am BITTER also in TEXAS. I hope it backfires on McCain and Clinton. I am BITTER about her taking a BITTER remark and spinning it to her liking.

I am BITTER because I have to pay 3.60 plus for gas for my car , I am BITTER because our jobs are going overseas because of the Clinton's NAFTA. I am BITTER because my kids will not have jobs when they get out of college, if I can afford to send them to begin with.

I am BITTER with Clinton period. I hope this blows up in her face. Then she will really need that shot of Crown Royal. She is a JOKE!!

[Freemind42]

obviously Clinton is doing fine if she's drinking Crown Royal and not Yukon Jack or Wild Turkey.

[Jeradlangley]

A - Freaking -MEN

[BeReasonable1]

"Obama has always worked to help the American people and is willing to fight against the establishment for the sake of this great nation."

I respect your right to support the candidate of your choice, but let's not go over-the-top
here. Obama's experience amounts to little more then being a social activist in Chicago.
Not hardly the credentials needed to be the leader of the free world. I know many at the Huffington Post will disagree, but Clinton is the best bet in this race. One last thing, His remarks
amounted to marginalizing the average American, about 90% of the population. Making them appear desperate and without the ability to bring things into perspective. I don't know about you, but I would prefer if Obama did not try to pretend he feels my pain. Please folks, none of them are in touch with you. They went to the best colleges, live in
incredible homes, and have dinner with America’s most elite. The best we can hope for are trade deals and banking regulations that do not destroy us. Otherwise Obama will think we will be forced to turn to guns, or seek religion, or perhaps become racist. Please people rethink Obama.

[Fabienne]

11 years as an elected official is not "experience"?

[northeast73]

"ELECTED OFFICIAL"???? So who cares if its seantor, or dog catcher?

[geese1920]

Uhh, that's reasonable? Or is your screen name supposed to be ironic? Just wondering.

[AuntSally]

"Clinton is the best bet in this race..."

OK, I'll take that bet! A c-note, shall we say? I'll give you two-to-one.

[SonofLiberty1]

Bereasonable1,

Even as there are elected officials I'm fond of, I think you hit the mark.

I always (even though I have a B.A. in Poli-Sci and have been a delegate and worked on many campaigns) have to ask "What have you done for me lately"?

Why not spend some time this year doing something in Congress?

Why not, for all time, TELL HEALTH INSURERS WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO WITH THEMSELVES as the NY TImes today: Co-Payments going way up for drugs that cost a lot to the tune of 25-33% of the cost:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/14/us/14drug.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

That means if you have MS or cancer etc. Your bills are about to sky rocket!

[jafromaz]

Dear Senator Obama,

I am sorry for writing you about how “BITTER” I was. After working at United Airlines for over 20 years, my pension has been ripped to shreds. I explained to you about the failed ESOP, the billion dollar class action law suit, and how “BITTER” I was to receive a check for $18.53.

I wrote about both my parents having cancer and how “BITTER” we were about Medicare and the doughnut hole in the senior prescription drug plan.

I mentioned that I’ve probably co-signed for too many of my daughter’s student loans but I believed it was for a good cause. I am “BITTER” and scared of loosing my home.

When your campaign offered voters an opportunity to have dinner with you in exchange for telling their story, I sent my letter. Perhaps it was too “BITTER”, because I was not selected.

P.S. to Hillary – Please stop saying people aren’t bitter – because some of us are. It doesn’t mean we don’t have HOPE that things will get better. With Barack Obama as our next President, I am sure they will.

[IRIE]

I can understand why Clinton supporters are upset by Obama's statements because they are so used to being LIED by the Clinton's, Intelletual Honesty is a hard pill to swallow.

[GoGreen]

Obama's comments may have been poorly stated and politically unwise but I don't find anything offensive about them. To suggest that people get frustrated with their ineffective government to the point that they essentially fall back on single issue voting isn't offensive. What's offensive is that an ineffective government doesn't give them any reason to believe voting their own economic interest, for example, will ultimately result in some tangible benefit. That is offensive. Well, that and taking people's statements out of context and distorting them for political gain.

[Aleka]

Thanks for "getting it"

No, its not offensive to suggest that they vote on the social issues like guns or religion in elections.

But the problem seems to be that no one in the media realizes that that is what he said. Clinton and her pu**y-whipped pundits have distorted that to exclude the reference to voting habits. Taken out of context, they make it seems as though he said they were bitter and turned TO guns and religion instead of bitter and voting ABOUT guns and religion.

I don't know of the media just didnt listen to the whole thing or what - but the distortion is what is doing the damage, and many people, even here, don't even realize what he actually did say.

I feel so sorry for this guy - he tries to explain things in more than one sentence, and the media feels it is entriely appropriate to cherry pick sentences out of context and blow them out of proportion.

[outnow]

The more the American lower and middle classes are screwed by the policies of the right wingers, the more bitter they become and the more reactionary they become. This effect, called false class consciousness has been studied world-wide. The people in America consistently vote to the right of their real class status. This is the Guns, Gays and God strategy. The more Obama talks about this political reality, the more the press must go after him. If you remove the false Guns, Gay and God divisions which are inherently racist, then Americans in the middle and lower classes would want a single-payor, not for profit health care system. They would want a good educational system and they would not want free trade..

Obama is absolutely correct, as was Rev. Wright. I hear Hillary's talk about her faith. I could stand her hypocrisy. She is anti-working class but the mean 'ole White women and the stupid red necks will fall for it. Typical American false consciousness. Only Kucinich or possibly Edwards would have helped the working class people. Obama mus come across as middle-of-the-road. Hillary is Republican-lite so it is a win-win for the right wing already. Americans need to understand economic and political science, not slogans and false concepts of religion or jingoistic patriotism.

[Aaror]

When Obama said there were some in PA who were bitter and focusing on guns and religion, he wasn't referring to working class Americans, he was referring to the Clintons (joke).

[northeast73]

OBAMA-LOYALITS are the ones who have become DESPARATE, as evidenced by this.

You will defend him not matter what it seems.

His comments were RUDE and not meant to be positive.....he was not saying its OK for people to "cling to guns and religion", he was insulting them'

And all of it was just his POOR EXCUSE for why, inspite of outspending her by millions, he cant win with certain voters.

He blamed THE VOTERS, not himself.

[AnninCA]

I agree. It's hilarious. He essentially says that when people are economically upset they become racist, fearful, cling to their guns and religion.....and, oh, by the way, become anti-immig­rant......

and this is the truth? LOL*

Bitter is better?

His condescension literally dripped from his mouth. And his arrogance now in trying to turn it into a plus? It's a big ole' *uck *ou.

Wright is right. Your choice of worship, however, is the result of losing your job. *haha

[NorVaGal]

No, Ann. YOU essentially said those things. In most of your posts, those are YOUR talking points, not Obama's. You should reread your own very revealing posts. They are perfect examples of dripping condescension. You use every post to put down Rev. Wright and bring racism into the conversation. Your message (and code words) comes through loud and clear. BITTER is the perfect word to label YOUR rants.

[vsign]

AnninCA

I really like your clarity. Thanks for posting.

[Aleka]

/eyeroll.

Don't you ever get tired of peddling distortions?

You know that is not what he said. That is what CLINTON says he said. There IS a difference.

[Argoth]

And yet you are the one that is posting a rant with no evidence or though out points to back you up. Who is desperate?

[outnow]

The entire Southern strategy of Richard Nixon was based on exactly what Obama was pointing out, i.e., that American become more reactionary when they lose their jobs. They blame blacks and other minorities, including women. Guns are a symbol of impotence, not strength. Religion has always kept the masses under control and poor.

[Sloane7]

At least Obama loyalists know how to spell.

[Jimbo62]

I hope Obama's people are reading this because I know how to shut this down. Don't try to explain the comments anymore, it's boring and too intellectual for most. Go after the "Elitest" tag and simply mention McCains 8 homes that he owns or the 120 Million that Bill and Hill have made in recent years. Or maybe you simply mention that Hillary was First Lady for 8 years........that is about as elite as you can get in America, isn't it. Picking out the new China for the White House, spending huge amounts of money decorating the White House for Christmas, or the servants that Hill and Bill have. In contrast, up until recently, Barack was running his girls to soccer practice or dance lessons, that's pretty elitest, right. The community organizer stuff is OK, but I would point out the differences in standard of living between Barack and Hillary. The other thing to emphasize their elite status is maybe the friends than have.....Barbara Streisand, Ted Danson, Steven Speilberg etc. That's not elite, right?

[MPeter]

Hillary is desperate. She is an opportunistic liar with $100m plus now claiming to be middle America. She has nothing to offer, not even a coherent message except her sense of entitlement. She and her husband have told enough lies to build a LIE-BRARY.

[jwsub28]

Jimbo62 that is so accurate and right on the point. She is desperate and it is so unbecoming. She puts herself out as this average person in America. She feels our PAIN! Look at what she is about : 109 MILLION DOLLARS, the Bosnia lies, the NAFTA lies. She has had a pretty good life. A very nice life compared to Obama or most American's.

Obama had a humble background, single mother that had to use Food stamps at one point. She wants to paint him as privalaged and elitist. She is really barking up the wrong tree with this one.

Then she also attacks Gore and Kerry, basically calling them elitist also. That is why they didn't win the elections she said because people could not relate to them.

You know what I am : BITTER HILLARY, bitter for you dragging us in the mud. McCain is another story and she could be concentrating on him but she needs to try and fit Obama into this divisive elitisit person and that is not a good fit HILLARY.

McCain , Bush, Clinton's are the ones that belong in that catagory. Go have a shot of whiskey while you ponder that thought!

[SonofLiberty1]

Hillary never dragged you and I through the mud.

Idiot republicans did.

Get it straight will you?

Oh, don't forget Corporations...many of them, not all, are the devil incarnate.

[vippy]

and according to some source she still owes the American Taxpayer about $ 50,000 what she
had taken from the White House. Imagine, in her shoes, making all the money in the world
and having to resort to stealing the stuff. Those who find the words of Obama offensive,
may lose their job due to outsourcing come November and then maybe they wake up.

[2bhumble]

Let's clarify a couple of things, Sen. McCain and Sen. Clinton are politicians. By definition means a person experienced in the art or science of government; esp one actively conducting the business of the government; a person engaged in party politics as a profession; a person primarily interested in political offices from selfish or other narrow usu.short- run interests. Whereas, Sen. Obama is a statesman. By definition is on versed in the principles or art of a government; esp: one actively engaged in conducting the business of the government or in shaping its policies; one who exercise political leadership wisely and without partisanship.

Now America which would you prefer one who seeks self interest or narrow short -run intersts, which serves the purpose of candidate (gun-control, pro-life/p­ro-choice, anti-immigration, etc.); or would you prefer one who exercise political leadership wisely and without partisanship ( not afraid to tell the truth and pander to a select feww, but sees beyond divisive issues and deals with issues facing us all). A politician will say what they think people want to hear, whereas, a statesmen will the truth. It is time for American politics to grow-up and face the real plight of the majority of Americans.

I may be mistaken, but time and time again the media paints said people in same light, but no one complains and it's not an issue, why is it one now?

[siciliabel]

This has to be the most intelligent and articulate description of the difference between these three candidates that I have seen anywhere. I hope we ARE intelligent enough to see the difference and elect a statesman for the first time in a very long time.

[FlowerGirl]

Some of us are quite bitter about the way our government has let us down. Anyone who doubts that is sadly out of touch.