Obama Out of Touch With Pennsylvania? Every Major Paper There Backs Him
While Beltway pundits and others in the national press have alleged that Barack Obama is clearly and obviously out of touch with most not-so-bitter Pennsylvanians, leading newspapers in the state, who ought to know better, seem to disagree.
In recent days Obama has picked up the endorsements of every major paper in the state and many smaller ones.
Papers endorsing Obama include: The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Daily News, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Allentown Morning Call, The Patriot News of Harrisburg, the Scranton Times-Tribune and Bucks County Courier.
Hillary Clinton's endorsements have been far fewer, such as the Daily Pennsylvanian -- the University of Pennsylvania paper, which drew a lot of coverage yesterday. The daily in Wilkes-Barre said it is not endorsing at all.
My mom was born and raised in Lock Haven, Pa., and I spent a lot of time growing up in that central part of the state -- even going hunting with the relatives when I was about ten. So I have followed the race there closely.
Imagine Clinton's chagrin when her "hometown" Scranton paper wrote: "In a nomination campaign that has defied convention, Mr. Obama has energized an entire generation of voters that, for the most part, otherwise had checked out of political participation. That, at least, portends a new approach to governance that can help to dissipate the political miasma that has engulfed Washington at least since the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton."
The Philadelphia Daily News -- the so-called "peoples' paper" -- had this to say:
"Should Democrats choose someone who will employ hard-won -- even bitter - experiences gained in a past Democratic administration, or reach beyond political truisms toward a new (and untried) model of governing? "Neither choice is obvious. Perhaps that's why the race has gone on for so long.
"But the long slog through 44 primaries and caucuses has confirmed for us that Sen. Barack Obama's vision of change -- and the way he plans to pursue it -- is what we need right now. Badly."
**
Greg Mitchell's new book is So Wrong for So: How the Press, the Pundits -- and the President -- Failed on Iraq. It features a preface by Bruce Springsteen and has been hailed by Bill Moyers, Glenn Greenwald, Arianna Huffington and many others.
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
White Catholic priest defends Rev. Jeremiah Wright against FoxNews smears
http://you
http://you
the guy also a fan of leader of the the nation of islam.
What do you say to the pastor of Hillary's church in DC, Dean Snyder?
He also has strong words of PRAISE for Reverend Wright.
(After eight years of Bush some people won't even remember what the First Amendment means....)
I guess some people think you're supposed to agree with everything your pastor (or candidate) says, on every issue, holy or mundane. Well, fortunately, many people in the U.S. still know how to think for themselves and expect others to do the same.
I'm sure there are many elected officials in PA who are backing Obama,
but they can't come forward and voice their support
lest they suffer the wrath of Gov Rendell
Do you have any evidence to support that?
I have a novel idea.
Maybe Senator Clinton and the media could refrain from speaking for "working class voters" next time, and just report the statement and let real, live voters decide if they are OUTRAGED by it.
Talk about patronizing.
The biggest joke of this whole ridiculous "issue" are the people pushing the OUTRAGE: DC pundits, David Brooks and Senator Clinton.
None of whom have been anywhere near a small town in 30 years.
Hey, manufactured outrage is one of the last industries left in America.
Didn't people get the memo? "Manufactured political distractions" are officially "On Notice".
(per last Thursday's "The Colbert Report". Great bit)
Barack Obama is RIGHT. He speaketh the truth. Yes he could have phrased it differently which would make it less subjected to incorrect interpretation but its the TRUTH. This is a man who when he was going to run for Senator drove around Chicago and LISTEN to people. This is a man who has spent his life organizing people empowering them to FIGHT for themselves. This is a man who spent his life fighting for said people when they couldnt Fight for themselves as a Civil Rights attorney. And I'm suppose to beleive that Hilary and John McCain know these people. Just because people vote for you as a base does NOT mean you know them. They interviewd someone in small town PA who said he is voting for McCain but that Obama was CORRECT. Well duh thats what Obama was saying they vote against their economic interest. They do the same thing in Ohio thats why Bush won them. Obama has the advantage of being so comfortable walking so many different worlds and being comfortable in all maybe this will be the year when the ELITIST actually connnect with the Blue Collar worker. Heck if we are lucky we may bet the best of both worlds an intellectual president who CONNECTS with All people.
Carol
Lest we forget....
the choice we need to make
http://www
http://www
Awesome December7, I added it to my favorites.
Thanks 12/7 -- they're great!
Thank you for the enlightenment. Awesome
We want elite sports teams to represent our country, but when it comes to a president we want them to be like us. I have a lot of friends and family that I like being around, but not one of them would I want to see leading the country.
There is nothing wrong with an intellectual president we had a DUMB one lest we forget and now in return we got a Fascist country. But personally I think Obama represents the chance to have both an intellectual president who identifies with us.
Carol
If you think about it, the opportunity to have an intellectual in the White House in this day and age is more to be marveled at than having an African-American there.
I agree that Obama has energized a whole generation of youth. I also know he has won the vote of this baby boomer and my thirty-something daughter. For the first time in my life, I see real opportunity to change America.
Isnt it a beautiful sight???
Amen. The first true voice to offer something other than tired and bitter partisan Washington politics. Clinton, a brilliant policy wonk and consumate politician, struggled in an election about change, to find credibility as a legitimate change agent. When the Obama wave began to leave the establishment in its wake, the Clinton campaign had to turn negative and bitter in order to drag him down to the only playing field in which she could compete. The Republicans will seek to do the same, but with a united progressive voice I believe the progressives can win back the national dialogue. We have to in order to sustain this long overdue drive for change.
change is not a light switch ---- you'll be looking for it the rest of your life !
Papers should not endorse anyone, it is basically a conflict on interest on their job . . . that is if they claim to be a real source of news.
BTW, how many votes do you think Obama will get because some newspaper said I like this guy? If it is more than1, we should change our system for electing a president.
A newspaper endorsement is a substantial part of our election process. The problem is people should listen to whom papers endorse for that very reason they have absolutely nothing to gain in an endorsement unlike other pols etc... Its not a conflict of interest as long as the papers dont censor their writers in any way it doesnt matter and since I have never heard of that happening im ok with it. We should change our system unbiased endorsements should matter alot more!!!
I usually don't by into this who idea, but, I really think UnbiasView is just hatin'.
Because one important part of newspapers, the reason why people read the papers the do, is the op-eds. It's the op-eds that endorse the candidates, not the actual political reporters.
Where was this gem of an observation when Hillary was getting Newspaper endorsements? It goes against your gal and suddenly they are irrelevent? After how many decades and presidential elections? Newspaper editors should have no voice in politics?
It is a part of our system. Get over it and take a look at what the future can bring with Obama.
I can guarentee you that I would never vote for Hillary so saying she is my gal is a joke. I'm just pointing out that these endorsements mean nothing and if you do vote because a newspaper endorsed someone, your voting rights should be stripped.
People are smart enough to make up their own minds, papers don't need to be slanting their coverage one way or another.
On the other hand, do you remember the big fuss Clinton made of the Des Moines Register endorsing her before the Iowa caucus?
No I don't because there have been so many Clinton complaints that they all kind of just blend together.
UnbiasView
How many votes do you think Hillary will get because some newspaper said they liked the woman?
Hopefully 0.
The way of PA can't be the way of the nation...
I hope not. This region hasn't yet recovered from our steel jobs being outsourced in the mid-80's. What does that say for the current outsourcing?
Funny but we ridicule the guy who came up in politics working with people in the same situation.
What has to be done is the papers should rightfully explain just how unfair the PA debate was-- remember? he was up so much till that debate--
If you're talking about the national polls, okay. But she's been leading in PA since polling in PA started.
newspapers are for people that read, you know....el
Hahahaha
It's different now. The "MSM" can't control the internet. What they won't do others will. Of course, they are subject to plagiarize the work done by others. Also the so called stellar elite journalists have to ferret what is real and what is not! They usually go for the fairytales and then an internet personality comes out with the truth. Looks as if MSM is becoming extinct and from the looks of cable TV since the last “debate” they only talk to and about themselves these days.
This is confusing. Why would the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette endorse Obama? They're retrograde right-wing neo-cons. Can they expect to get something from Obama for their endorsement? If Obama is as progressive as most Huffposters assume the Post-Gazette should be trying to destroy him. Someone please explain this to me.
Its called crossover or unification win something is good for your country its good for your country right-wing left-wing still the same bird.
Obama has changed the landscape of red vs blue. My neo-con Republican family (My wealthy doctor Brother-in-law has given more to Bush each year than I make!), has suddenly jumped on the Obama band wagon. I know a surprising number of neo-cons and repubs who would vote for Obama.
Believe me, I am shocked at these changes. So I'm no longer surprised to see that maybe a number of the "right-wing" editors of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette have maybe sipped a little of our Kool-Aid.
Once this ridiculas primary and the Clintons (who I once loved and adored) get out of the way, the destiny of our nation can finally be saved from years of the status quo corporate control.
I truly believe once the hard choice of Obama vs McCain comes to light and our attention shifts to it, that there will be an overwhelming response to change in our country.
Be patient. Let Hillary play her hand. She has no chance and I beleive she's jeopardizing not only her Senate seat, but the Clinton legacy as well. Once her handlers realize this and her nomination is lost, she and Bill will jump on the Obama express as well.
Dream on.
You are living in dreamland.
PhaseChange: You're thinking of the Pittsburgh News Tribune, Richard Scaife's right-wing rag. The Post Gazette is the principle newspaper of record for Pittsburgh. You, my friend, might consider a quote from the late, great Rosannna Rosannadanna: "Oops. Nevermind.
Phasechange It is easier for the republicans to trounce Obama than Clinton.
Just read the post from sylamore: HA how ironic, "tiredolies"
Since I voted by absentee ballott[sp] Allentown's MOURNING CULL's endorsment of BHO won't change my vote;. I voted for Obama Besides the MOURNING CULL could be like a broken clock & be right twice a day. Don't bet on that though the MOURNING CULL is still the MOURNING CULL.
l lynch
The Ayers issue is a non-issue. Obama was 8 years old when the Weather underground was an issue. Ayers and his wife who I believe teach in Chicago are to have given support to an Obama state campaign and they sat on the board of a charity locally. SOOOOOOOOO
Excuse me but McCain was named in the Keating 5 scandal with wrong-doing. McCain cheated on his first wife with his then girlfriend, Cindy McCain. McCain has lobbyists running his campaign even though he denies doing any special favors for lobbyists - letters may suggest otherwise as we have heard.
Hillary has several issues with fundraisers - especially the Chinese! Peter Paul lawsuit being looked at in May I believe - Hill and Bill and fundraising inproprieties?????
This is McCarthyism all over again. Smear and fear campaigning. There's a new feeling in this campaign and brought to all Americans by the Bush administration - we are sick and tired of this crap and we're not going to take it any longer. These kind of tactics will work in reverse this year. Those trying to smear with fear will in the end be labeled with a broad brush that knocks them out of the ballpark. WE SIMPLY WILL NOT TAKE THIS ANYMORE! No more Bush like administrations.
McCain also has serious PTSD issues that he has not dealt with and his statement of "I hate gooks" should anger the Asian population. He also has poor anger managment abilities and that alone disqualifies for President.
Yea ZinZen I think McCain is a ticking time Bomb,Bomb,Bomb,
,,Bomb, Bomb IRAN!!!!!!!!
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
