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

[gjklbc]

Other than unproven allegations of corruption with Rezco, Obama has had no skeletons to ruin his run. Hillary, on the other hand, has a long record of questionable dealings. Don't think for a minute that all of the Clinton's scandals will not be front and center in the general. And will haunt her during her entire presidency, should she wrestle this nomination and go on to victory ine fall.
Do we really want to re-live all the divisive politics of the 90's? Let's give the chance of something new a try.
I have little doubt that an Obama administration will be full of highly educated people who will work tirelessly to renew the government of the United States.
It's time to throw out the old rules that divide government, for freshness and a new direction.
Pennsylvania needs to hear this call and do the right thing to achieve the possibility.

[ann1]

They backed him because they're BITTER!!!!! By the end of this process, we'll all be,,,,

[simplecitizen]

Maybe in spite of all the many endorsements Obama still will not win Pa. I would be very surprised if HRC won by any significant margin. And just maybe Obama will fool all the pundits and win because people will finally see the Clintons for what they are; totally self absorbed and caring only about themselves and not the voice of the people. I know Bill would like a third term but it's not going to happen. Won't it be wonderful when we wont have the Clintons to kick around anymore, We need new, bright, fresh ideas and thinking and an end to politics as usual.. Where are the patriots who put country above self. ?

[radiclib]

.
.
Of course. Obama is a much better candidate and would make a better president.
But don't you wish he'd get a little bit meaner and say what needs to be said about the Clintons and the right-wing smear machine?

What worries me is that Michelle Obama will be the one to blow her top first and it won't be pretty. She's seething underneath that increasingly brittle smile. When she speaks a piece of her mind, the fallout will be major and it might not be all good for her husband.
.
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[MissT]

i agree with you, especially about Michelle. At the same time, I realize that he really cannot be seen as having won by slapping Hillary around, even though she deserves it. If he does, he'll never be able to appease her disappointed white women supporters who rightfully yearn for a woman president. I personally think we could do much better than HRC, but she's all they have right now.

Besides, if Obama can win without getting in the gutter with her and the right-wing smear machine, then he can rightfully claim that this is the beginning of a new day in our political discourse. That accomplishment alone will mean that the American public has signaled that we are in a new day. But actually, the success of his candidacy so far speaks to what the nation aches to become.

[lindaqqq]

I dont think Obama would be as far as he is today if he used the same old same old.
I agree, I'd like nothing better than seeing Hillary get the Harding Treatment she deserves.

I dont think I could show as much restraint if it were my husband being swift boated.

[maggieb]

No big deal, I live in the Philly area and these papers are not as influential as you might think.

[britethere]

....except of course if "Herself" received the endoresment.
The sour one and her supporters are so very full of........sour grapes

[nancytheragingliberal]

Well, the majority of newspaper in PA endorse Obama and it would be pleasant, if the fine people of PA put this monster to bed, once and for all. If Obama wins in PA, then maybe, just maybe Hill will go away. Dems needs a candidate now, not in August, 2008. Seeing Hill's history, however, I doubt she will leave, unless she is carried, screaming and scratching by he Dem party. This has gone on way too long and ol' John is the beneficiary.

[OverIt]

Awesome post! I'm hoping for an upset on Tuesday.

[Gibbons]

Going hunting? That must have been the times when the steel industry was being outsourced so you turned to the gun. Your man said I didn't. I grew up hunting during the great depression I did it for fun and we ate the results only now do I realize this poor redneck was bitter.

[Americanium]

Oh grow up !!

[scaramouche23]

Please grow up. You know he phrased it wrong and you know exactly what he meant. This is exactly what he's saying about people being bent out of shape for no reason and who will blindly vote against their own selves.

[tcagle]

When I see how Hillary is conducting herself lately, I see wall-eyed desperation. It reminds me of an evicted homeowner who decides, if she can't have the house, then nobody can. I think that she felt entitled, that she had bought and paid for this thing, and she'll be damned if anyone else is moving in.

[RNdaSilva]

Hillary's a masochist...she's enjoying the prolongation of her agony.

It is over...the pleasing plump lady is getting impatient. She's been exercising her vocal chords far too long.