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.
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For those of you with no grasp of English, "bitter" can take a few definition
These are conclusion
Personally
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 increasing
As the problems in this country and the world continue to get worse and more complex my fellow countrymen
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 intelligen
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.
About two months ago before my state voted, a long ago friend evangelize
Are you bitter and frustrated
Ha*.......
These are Obama's words - bitter and frustrated
When anyone uses them on you - run away! Or shut the door! Or say - I already have my own church!
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 interestin
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
Now I'm from Georgia, however, and I can definitely see a real southernif
I am hoping that this backfires on Clinton, McCain and most importantl
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.
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!!
I respect your right to support the candidate of your choice, but let's not go over-the-t
here. Obama's experience amounts to little more then being a social activist in Chicago.
Not hardly the credential
amounted to marginaliz
incredible homes, and have dinner with America’s most elite. The best we can hope for are trade deals and banking regulation
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 prescripti
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 opportunit
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.
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-whip
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 appropriat
Obama is absolutely correct, as was Rev. Wright. I hear Hillary's talk about her faith. I could stand her hypocrisy. She is anti-worki
You will defend him not matter what it seems.
His comments were RUDE and not meant to be positive..
And all of it was just his POOR EXCUSE for why, inspite of outspendin
He blamed THE VOTERS, not himself.
and this is the truth? LOL*
Bitter is better?
His condescens
Wright is right. Your choice of worship, however, is the result of losing your job. *haha
I really like your clarity. Thanks for posting.
Obama had a humble background
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 concentrat
McCain , Bush, Clinton's are the ones that belong in that catagory. Go have a shot of whiskey while you ponder that thought!
Idiot republican
Get it straight will you?
Oh, don't forget Corporatio
Now America which would you prefer one who seeks self interest or narrow short -run intersts, which serves the purpose of candidate (gun-contr
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?