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.

Comments

[mslindab]

I learned about arugula about 20 years ago from an old Italian gentleman who grew it in his vegetable garden as did generations before him. It doesn't have to be an elitist thing. So many of these 'accusations' are so shallow. The one that is troubling to me, though, is the Billy Ayers 'issue' because it so smacks of McCarthyism. It is possibly the worst tactic that Hillary has used so far. I can only hope it is her last.

[Gibbons]

Did that old gentleman shop at whole foods?

[hank48188]

The point of the arugula comment is that Obama is so out of touch he asked a farmer in Iowa if he grew it. iowa grows corn and they raise pigs, they don't grow produce for Whole Foods. The reason Obama is so out of touch with americans is he never lived here as a child, that's why he couldn't bowl. He moved to Chicago to learn about black folks and being black in america. It seems his mother wasn't too fond of America and Obama seems to seek out folks to hang with that dislike America as well. His wife, Rev Wright and the WEATHERMEN TERRORISTS, not to mention Tony Rezko, who is on trial for Federal political corruption right now in Chicago.

[IndependentPAVoter]

He didnt ask if they grew it he complained about the price first of all. Your accusations are lacking he is no less American than Mccain who wasnt even born on American soil (Normally wouldnt take such a cheapshot but if Barrack living over sees for a few years as a child counts against him than McCain being born in Panama Damn Sure Counts Too!!!).

People should really understand the difference between Hating ones Country and hating ones Government. THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE. The government makes major decision that conflict the desires of the American people constantly and if anyone questions them or insults them for it they are unpatriotic and UnAmerican I dont know what America you people live in I wish i was there though.

[joeyp404]

Hey wait a second! Barry has Midwestern values! Haven't you been listening to him? Why are you so sceptical?

[pacats]

"his mother wasn't too fond of America"

Have we reducted ourselves to making offensive statements about his mother? Americans are struggling to pay their bills, feed their family and afford gas prices.

"Obama seems to seek out folks to hang with that dislike America as well. His wife, Rev.Wright, and the Weathermen Terrorists, not to mention Tony Rezko".

1). Michelle is smart, empowered ,and a role model . We are accustomed to having the wives of republican politicians remain in the background to their husbands as if it were 1950. The people calling Mrs. Obama un-america are the republican pundits hoping people will believe that type of propaganda.
2). Rev. Wright- most people searched out full sermons. They were not willing to discredit someone based on soundbites. What they found was the opposite of what was presented to them. After having the same old tricks played on you by Washington for 20 years, you start to see through them.
3). Weathermen Terrorist- 40 years ago in America, horrible acts were committed. Toda Ayers is considered mainstreamed. Having our politicians send our jobs overseas is very un-american, not to mention resulting in the financial hardships Americans are now experiencing .
4) Tony Rezko- Obama is not mentioned in that case.

Obama was raised by his mother and his grandparents. It is appropriate to learn about other cultures.

Too many people are struggling financially in America, are you not one of them?

[whistleofworth]

I'm from Iowa ...and I have tried to grow alot of things ; ) ...anything but CORN!

[puritanslive]

O'bama ain't responsible for the people he associate with............But bush is.....and Mccain is......and all Republicans are responsible for who they are endorsed by and who they are associated with......But not O'bama...............

[scaramouche23]

Are you serious? McCain can do no wrong. He's never criticized. Hillary throws so many smoke screens at Obama that the press turns away when they catch something on her. Bush & Company have destroyed America. Burned it down in the eyes of Europe, Middle East and god knows where else. None of Barack's acquaintances have done the damage that Bush has. None. Ayers is not even a close insider. Who has been scrutinized as much as Barack. Give it a rest.

[MPeter]

Brilliant piece. Even the paper from Scranton does not trust Hillary! May be there a paper in Lake Winola where she used to go hunting that will endorse her....

[joeyp404]

Oh, no. Not baby 'bama. He was a child when they did bad things. He wasn't there when they said bad nasty things. Go baby 'bama!

[puritanslive]

If my team had only won twice in 40 years.......i would think ...They clearly can't play...................And that's the case with the democrats..........

They really don't care to win.....They just want to look good........loosing. John keery with Millions of dollars......Al gore.......if you made a list of Democratic Presidential wannna bees.......the list would stretch a mile.......

The deck is already stacked aginst a Democrat. They can't win the south or the Central plain States. I could make a list of 20 states the republicans .......no matter who they are will win.........

Whoever the democrats pick will start off behind in electoral College Votes.........................................


O'bama has not been competitive in the Big Democratic States......In the polls...mccain is pretty close......and the race has not started.................

All you need do is poll....................Ohio................If o'bama can't beat mccain there........He's toast

[1st2vote]

Now it's clear who got us in the mess we're in

[booksnmore4you]

The problem is that few people take time to read but rely on 30 second snippets from the media to make decisions about how to vote for president. Go figure.

[RNdaSilva]

So very true.

Though this thought might be somewhat undemocratic maybe Americans should be required to pass the citizenship test mandated for immigrants and/or pass a simple IQ test before being allowed to vote.

But, this is America. Even the ignorant and those lacking in fundamental reading skills are allowed to vote.

It has been proven that a large base of Hillary’s demographics is the uneducated. C’mon people, educate thyself. You just mind find it very refreshing.

Learning is the fountain of youth…give it a try.

Considering Hillary’s low marks in re honesty, truthfulness and integrity…is that the kind of role model you want for your daughters? Degradation of morality.

Obama in 2008.

[puritanslive]

I have come to the conclusion that the cemocratics don't want to win an election. They care more about how they look........it's all about appearances......not substance. The Clintons are the only one's that have won...........Since jimmy carter's one term......Yet , they reject them in a race where the Republicans have the deck stacked........The republicans start out far ahead of the democrats in states................The democrats have to win the big states....John kerry thought he could win.....without the South..........................He couldn't........neither could Al Gore...............We have had Nixon, Ford, reagen, Bush 1, now Bush 2.............Democrats have had Carter one term......Clinton 2 term........That all in a span of 40 years...



If a football team only won once or twice in the last 40 years.............Obviously, they don't know how to play football. The democrats don't know how to win the Presidency

O'bama is a big looser.......in November.........and if these liberal left wing democrats would admit it........They would put and end to this stupidity with O'bama

[scaramouche23]

The only way to beat a majority is for the fair minded majority and the other fair minded minorities to put aside their superficial differences and unite. Imagine this, it's been displayed in movies and you can't tell me it's not correct. A hostile starship lands to destroy the world, are you going to tell me that we (Americans) won't unite to combat it. Well, the republican party has held America hostage for all of these years and the only way, the only way we can beat them is to unite. If we cannot do this for the betterment of OUR country, then we might as well throw in the towel. End of story. Barack has to combat Hillary, Bill, Chelsea (all with magnificent name recognition) and the Clinton machine, John McCain (and the Bush machine), the media (with Fox news on a 24 hour I hate Obama discourse) and the rest of them taking pot shots at him continually, and Hillary she's a fighter. Give me a break.

[hank48188]

The DEM activists are a group of America haters and they tend to pick losers, that is why they all hate the Clintons, Bill was THE ONLY SUCCESSFUL Democratic President in the last 40 years. Now they want to pick Jimmy Carter Lite, what a pity.

[1st2vote]

Now it's clear who got us in the mess we're in!

[1st2vote]

Now it's clear who got us in the mess we're in

[stlswest]

Hillary's trumpeting of Scranton, Little Rock, and New York City, as her "hometowns" is no surprise. She says and does whatever it takes to get votes, including claiming to be from three places.

[scaramouche23]

So far, I think I've counted 5 hometowns for Hillary. I remember laughing about it one night.

[scaramouche23]

One of my responding posts is being delayed. I really didn't say anything that wasn't true. It's been said before, over and over again. Yet, with the volumes posted it was. Go figure.

[BlackmaninAmerica]

The last election cycle was not as exciting. Kerry didn't do a lot to appeal to young voters and African Americans. That is a generalization, but it's factual. Most of his surrogates did the work, so many of his core voters did not get to know him, which is why it made swiftboating easier. True, people were ready for something other than Bush, but Kerry did not have the appeal and candor that Obama does and the knowledge that Clinton has on certain issues. This election is definitely different on two key issues: we have a war going on that had created a long term debt that will take years to get back in order and we are in a recession, that could potentially turn into a depression if we are not careful. Back in 04, the war had just begun, pretty much and the economy wasn't nearly as bad as it is now.

[scaramouche23]

You know, you really hit the nail. I voted for John Kerry and liked him an awful lot, BUT, I didn't make phone calls, lick envelopes, didn't go to his headquarters or even wear his button. I do that for Obama. It's got to be that he is more charismatic than Kerry.

[S1m0n]

It's also that more change is needed more urgently. The ship of state is four years closer to the rocks.

[pakean3]

This excitement reminds me of the last election.. I remember how excited we all were. We all thought there was no chance of Bush winning a second term.. Even the polls showed us that Bush was not staying in the White House.. We were all so inspired to get him out of the White House..

[happytrails]

True. But we did not have a good candidate........

[lboucher]

The apostle of hope seemed flummoxed by the audacity of the question. At the April 16 Philadelphia debate, George Stephanopoulos, longtime aide to Democratic politicians, was asking about his longtime association with Weather Underground bomber William Ayers.

The Weather Underground attacked the Pentagon, the Capitol and other public buildings; Ayers was quoted in The New York Times on Sept. 11, 2001, as saying, "I don't regret setting bombs; I feel we didn't do enough."

It was at Ayers' house that Obama's state Senate candidacy was launched in 1995; Obama continued to serve on a nonprofit board with Ayers after the Times article appeared.

[scaramouche23]

Ayers is responsible for Ayers did. Not Barack Obama. Simple as that. Remember Barack was an 8 year old living in Indonesia or Hawaii at the time. Give him a break. How small minded can people be. It is incredible.

[BlackmaninAmerica]

Scaramouche23, those who weren't going to vote for Obama anyway are going to continue to badmouth him and talk about his associations and his supporters. They are 'preaching to the choir'. I have faith that Obama will win. People would rather harp on Ayers than see what the candidates can or will do about healthcare and the economy. Our economy is tanking and we are in a recession and all some seem to care about is lapel jewelry and whether or not Reverend Wright is patriotic or not. If we get 4 more years of Bush with McSame, we deserve it because we have the opportunity to make sure that does not happen by electing a Democrat come November.

[zona9]

He sure as hell wasn't an 8 year old when he attended that fundraiser or when, after Ayers remarks about and on 9/11, he continued to sit on that board with him. Oh, ps, Greg Mitchel, this post reminds me of the writer who infamously wrote she couldn't understand how Reagan had won. After all, 'nobody she knew had voted for him'. So Obama got a bunch of friggin' newspaper endorsements. So effing what? Oh, by the way, have you checked out the Gallup tracking poll? Hillary's up over Obama or tied.

[LeftLeanWing]

so what

[BlackmaninAmerica]

It appears lboucher that you were looking for an excuse not to vote for Obama and that's cool. But this guilt by association card has been played and played. It gets tiresome. It's been fact checked that Obama and Ayers aren't good friends. The outgoing Senator in Chicago had Ayers host an event for Obama in 1995. Get your facts straight. I have friends who are ex-cons. I guess if I ran for President I'd have to pay for their crimes. Many in this country are hypocritical. Having to pay for every association or person you have talked to over the years is ridiculous and whimsical.

[scaramouche23]

I love you BlackmaninAmerica. Eloquently stated.

[Softnsweet]

Well spoken BlackmaninAmerica!!!

[jade7243]

LBoucher...
you were a resident of the USA at the time of the 2001 statement (a review of Ayers' book on his days as a Weatherman), WERE YOU NOT????

You were in the US of A in 1995 when Ayers hosted Obama at his home for a funraiser, WERE YOU NOT???

And your parents were in the states in the 1960s and 70s when all of this "hippie" stuff was going around, WERE YOU NOT????

And ALL OF YOU DID NOTHING TO STOP IT!!! YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE! You, sir or madam, are GUILTY of UN_AMERICAN ACTIVITIES by allowing Mr. Ayers to associate with a presidential candidate even before he had announced his candidacy. YOU KNEW this might happen and still you did NOTHING!!!!

If that makes sense to you, we as a country are in a shitload of trouble because it is exactly this kind of McCarthy-esque bullshit that has been the under-current of this campaign. And that you, sir or madam, are foolish enough to have fallen for it shows us all the sorry state we live in.

Are you responsible for what the kid who sat two rows behind you in third grade eating boogers grew up to be? Apparently by your bone-headed, imbecilic reasoning you are.

[Softnsweet]

LBoucher...

How can you justify Obama associate with Ayers and that is all there was 40 years after the bombing but happy as heck with the Clintons who pardon 2 of the people that took lives? I still don't get it.

[SeriousBlack]

Yes and I knew someone in kindergarten who grew up to be a drug dealer and ended up in prison. I guess that means that I deserve to be in prison too.

Yuk yuk yuk.

[Idiocracy]

I know a guy from 5th grade.. Hes in prison for murder...

I guess i am also a murderer.. Lock us all up..

America only has one real choice for change

OBAMA 08

[kellysmalltowngirl]

Might I add, the working class of SW PA don't read newspapers. They are too busy working their three jobs.

[1st2vote]

I really hope Obama wins PA and whats left of the primaries, I'm so tired of hearing hes say that he can't beat Mccain,but what so funny is the fact that she can't seem to beat Obama!!!!!! Now what does t hat say about her elect-ability

[kellysmalltowngirl]

He won't win in SW PA. His observations about working class PA were spot on, but they are not sophsticated people and were highly insulted. And besides clinging to guns and religion, they also cling to racism.

I live here. See if I'm right.

[scaramouche23]

I'm afraid kellysmalltowngirl is spot on. Ed Rendell said it way before Barack stepped foot in Pennsylvania. There are some people who won't vote for Barack, eventhough they know he's right, because of his skin color. You know what...leet them put another Georgie Porgie in office. They'll what they get.

[zona9]

And, as evidenced by your post, they are also clinging to elitism and douchbaggery. With a vengence. Hey, have you checked out the Gallup's Daily? Be afraid. Be very afraid.

[1st2vote]

kellysmalltowngirl ,I listen to Obama comments over and over and it sounded like he really was defending small town folks.

[kellysmalltowngirl]

I had a long and eloquent post about living in Southwestern PA and experiencing firsthand the economic and social decline of my hometown, and my own family and friends. Sadly, a power surge wiped it out before I could finish and post it. I don't have the fortitude to dredge up all of the feelings it took to write it the first time. Suffice it to say, what has happened here is sad, and the recovery has been tiny and moves at the pace of a glacier. The big newspapers that endorse Obama and believe in his positive change are not in the Mon Valley. The people (blue-collar, working class) here are bitter and unsophisticated. They have survived here for the last 25 years by doing whatever they have to do, including lie, cheat, steal, sell drugs, swindle people and the like. They relate to Hillary's tactics and believe in them. And although Obama's observations about their voting habits were spot on, they were mightily insulted, beside which a large proportion of them say "I ain't voting for that *igger" in private conversations.

Obama can't win in the Mon Valley, I can't speak for the whole state. Watch next week, see if I'm right.

[zona9]

Well, of course they did. They're unsophisticated, after all. Only unsophisticated people lie, cheat, steal, sell drugs, swindle people and the like. Apparently being redundant is the securely in the hands of the sophisticated like you, however.

'beside which a large proportion of them say "I ain't voting for that *igger" in private conversations.
Obama can't win in the Mon Valley, I can't speak for the whole state. Watch next week, see if I'm right.'

Right, because if someone doesn't vote for Obama, they're racist. Of course. Oh and stop the dopey, 'I know I'm from there' nonsense. Although the user name was a nice touch. You haven't written a single original or even mildly enlightening thing about the people of Pennsylvania to suggest you really live there and nobody's buying it.

[kellysmalltowngirl]

Ask me a question that would prove, I live here. How about this, 724-437-2763 is the local time and temperature number sponsored by Centra Bank. Our county commisioners are Vince Vicities, on I believe his third term, Vince Zapatosky, first term, and Angie Zimmerlink, second term. John Murtha is my US congressman. I know all of those facts can be discovered on the internet .so, ask me something that can't be.

[kellysmalltowngirl]

They are racist, not beacuse they won't vote for Obama, but because they won't vote for him because he is African-American. Surely you don't believe a non-racist would call him by the N word?

[erykah]

Then you all deserve what you get.

[IndependentPAVoter]

Well maybe since you know the truth you should try helping to enlighten people instead of letting them throw away our future because of their ignorance. I've been working my a%@ off here in Hamburg,PA breaking through these barriers that lay in the way. Instead of insulting them in these blogs why not help to educate them???

[kellysmalltowngirl]

How far have you gotten?

[kellysmalltowngirl]

They don't need to be educated. They know the right thing to do, they work hard and want the best for their children. By unsophisticated, I meant that they see things in black and white, not shades of gray. They are resourceful survivors and I respect them and love my flawed hometown. If I didn't I would have moved elsewhere after college like all of my high school friends who went to college. But I really resent the manipulation of their fears by politicians. My husband voted for Bush in 2000 because he was convinced that Al Gore was bent on taking his guns. And my husband is one of the many who were insulted by the Clinton version of Obama's remark. He's a good man and I love him. Not college-educated but full of integrity which is why I married him. Also, not a racist which would have been a deal breaker as racism makes me homicidal. But his emotions were effectively manipulated by the Clinton version and I'm not sure I'm going to be able to convince him Obama was not insulting but understanding.

[Softnsweet]

Well if Mon Valley is a small town, you cannot be talking about that many people. I have a friend that lives in Idaho and the small town she lives in is only 12000.00

[kellysmalltowngirl]

The Mon Valley is the valley of the Monongahela River which runs north from Morgantown, WV to downtown Pittsburgh where it joins with the Allegheny River to form the Ohio River. It is comprised of dozens and dozens of small towns filled with people whose families emigrated from Europe between 1880 and 1930 to work in the steel mills and coal mines. Its quite alot of people. On the other hand, I just checked the Uniontown Herald-Standard online poll and Obama is leading Clinton 60% to 40% with 412 votes. I could be wrong. I won't be sorry if I am.

[BlackmaninAmerica]

Yes, sometimes Michelle's comments are just too blunt for many. I think the campaign has talked to her though about saying stuff that could potentially be damaging. It is not what she has said that has offended people, it is her telling it like it is. The Republicans are worried because Obama has brought so many people into the Democratic party. He would do some things differently once there and they fear that. It is going to get worse before it gets better but I have hope Obama will be elected. The Clinton machine surely aren't helping him, but it brings to mind that whole argument about her being a neocon in democratic clothing. Her comments toward Moveon were damaging considering she will need their help if she is the nom. By Obama getting the endorsements of all of these papers, I think the bitter comments resonated more positively than Fixed News and many people who weren't going to vote for him anyway would like for us to believe. Those comments and Wright could have been potentially damaging to Obama, but they haven't. People have had the opportunity to switch to Clinton and they haven't. I agree with Pat Buchanan (which rarely happens) about his assessment of this. He basically said if this is all the Republicans have against Obama and it isn't hurting him, then they are in real trouble. Painting him as an arugula eating, ivy league radical isn't going to fly with many people this time.

[scaramouche23]

Okay, I admit. I've never tasted aruguala, but, who cares what he eats. You mean Pat, (who wrote that disgusting article ( I won't repeat the title)) Buchanan said something sort of positive about Obama. Nah.

[spyda]

I couldnt agree more that Barack is just what we need now in this country.Real change!!The party leaders need to understand that everyone does not agree with them when they say this is good for the party.No its not.I will agree that maybe this has been good for Barack to go through to show him what to expect from the Republicans since Hillary has been acting just like one.And while they are saying that Barack will get beat-up by the Republicans so will Hillary! And also while they say that I'm sure Barack will be able to handle them too!!!,so lets be real and I too hope Philadelphia will help stop this craziness so we can prepare for John McSame! Who in their right mind in todays world haven't been affected by what Bush has given us for 7yrs. and want to continue the same by electing John McCain!!WAKE-UP AMERICA! LETS HELP MAKE A CHANGE!!! Vote Obama on April 22 so we can get started on the right track!!!