Pushing Clinton: CNN's Push Poll on Obama's Remarks

There they go again.

They being mainstream media. Remember them? They're the ones who bought and then brought to you the lies that led us to war in Iraq. The ones who laughed along with Rumsfeld. The ones who followed the lead of Karl Rove in telling you that Howard Dean was screaming like a lunatic when, in fact, he was yelling enthusiastically over a loud crowd. The ones who swift boated John Kerry as surely as the Republicans who lied about the Senator's service.

Yesterday, after Sen. Obama's painfully truthful remarks about how politicians try to lead Americans to vote on the basis of fear and bigotry, and how people are sick and tired and yes "bitter" about how they've been treated, the Lou Dobbs Show on CNN ran this push poll:

"Do you believe that Senator Barack Obama's comments reveal his elitist attitude toward every hardworking American?"

It says "his elitist," not "an elitist" attitude as though his statements were proof of something that already existed, but was, perhaps doubtful. Viewers, why don't you validate that for us here in Atlanta!

In other words, Senator Obama, how long HAS it been since you've beaten your wife.

At 11:20 p.m. PDT on Friday night it stood 50-50, based on 18,453 votes. Under that total, CNN states, "This is not a scientific poll." Correct. It is a push poll.

The rest of CNN went hysterical, with lots of white faces calling Obama's remarks a "turning point." Sen. Clinton tore into the remarks ravenously, as though they were insults to working class voters. She was shameless when in fact it is the actions of "her administration" who allowed jobs to leave America and put us in the toilet in which we now find ourselves.

Her surrogates droned on about how the Republicans will jump on these remarks, something they beat the Republicans to, and were harder on Obama about.

Later on Obama was as eloquent as ever, calmly illuminating, even more sharply, what he had said before. That eloquence is elsewhere on this site but it bears repeating:

When I go around and I talk to people there is frustration and there is anger and there is bitterness. And what's worse is when people are expressing their anger then politicians try to say what are you angry about? This just happened - I want to make a point here today.

I was in San Francisco talking to a group at a fundraiser and somebody asked how're you going to get votes in Pennsylvania? What's going on there? We hear that's its hard for some working class people to get behind you're campaign. I said, "Well look, they're frustrated and for good reason. Because for the last 25 years they've seen jobs shipped overseas. They've seen their economies collapse. They have lost their jobs. They have lost their pensions. They have lost their healthcare.

And for 25, 30 years Democrats and Republicans have come before them and said we're going to make your community better. We're going to make it right and nothing ever happens. And of course they're bitter. Of course they're frustrated. You would be too. In fact many of you are. Because the same thing has happened here in Indiana. The same thing happened across the border in Decatur. The same thing has happened all across the country. Nobody is looking out for you. Nobody is thinking about you. And so people end up- they don't vote on economic issues because they don't expect anybody's going to help them. So people end up, you know, voting on issues like guns, and are they going to have the right to bear arms. They vote on issues like gay marriage. And they take refuge in their faith and their community and their families and things they can count on. But they don't believe they can count on Washington. So I made this statement-- so, here's what rich. Senator Clinton says 'No, I don't think that people are bitter in Pennsylvania. You know, I think Barack's being condescending.' John McCain says, 'Oh, how could he say that? How could he say people are bitter? You know, he's obviously out of touch with people.'

Out of touch? Out of touch? I mean, John McCain--it took him three tries to finally figure out that the home foreclosure crisis was a problem and to come up with a plan for it, and he's saying I'm out of touch? Senator Clinton voted for a credit card-sponsored bankruptcy bill that made it harder for people to get out of debt after taking money from the financial services companies, and she says I'm out of touch? No, I'm in touch. I know exactly what's going on. I know what's going on in Pennsylvania. I know what's going on in Indiana. I know what's going on in Illinois. People are fed-up.

They're angry and they're frustrated and they're bitter. And they want to see a change in Washington and that's why I'm running for President of the United States of America.

The misguided mainstream media may be right about one thing, this may be a turning point, the point at which Americans begin to listen to a politician who tells the truth and refuses to pander, to stoop as low as Senator Clinton and the rest of the Republicans.

That would be Barack Obama.

Here's video of his reply:

Comments

[TheRealMacDaddy]

It would be so nice if all of the talking heads (with the exception of Mr. Jack Cafferty, the only person who has any integrity left) at CNN would see past the nose they have shoved up Hillary Clinton's ass!

[MrKnuckles]

Public statements from any "news business" about being fair and unbiased, or silly references to blathering cohorts as the best news team on television, should always engender the same reaction: "Uh-oh, blatant lying bastard alert!"
And, you can always count upon white plastic toothed puff-jobs like Lou Dobbs smelling up any debate or issue as a matter of course. Hell, Old Lou wouldn't recognize Honesty even if it politely introduced itself, and then stamped on his loafer clad instep with hobnailed work boots.

[jsinclair]

And wasn't it interesting how no one at CNN questioned Mayhill Fowler's credentials or her reasons for misrepresenting herself at an Obama supporter gathering? Their pro-Hillary (McCain?) bias is so glaringly obvious. CNN's become unwatchable--in addition to a completely untrustworthy source of news.

"......the point at which Americans begin to listen to a politician who tells the truth and refuses to pander, to stoop as low as Senator Clinton and the rest of the Republicans.

That would be Barack Obama."

Exactly. Thank you (and HuffPo for actually having the Obama video up.)

[moda31]

cnn has been putting out a lot of ridiculous push polls this campaign season. it's amazing what passes for a reputable news organization these days.

[mredder4]

What Obama said is not the truth and everyone knows it but won't accept it. Being frustrated does not make you bitter. Having faith does not mean that you use it as a crutch to make it through your day, especially not if it is your faith and beliefs that help you be a warm and caring person all day, like most people of faith try to be. And hunters with tradition certainly aren't out there doing that because they have nothing else to do. Hunting is a part of human and American culture.

Poor choice of words? Spontaneously speaking, Barack Obama spoke his heart. His aloof, holier-than-thou heart. Anyone who wasn't beer-bonging his Kool-Aid would see that this is why the Democratic race is still split. Because there are Democrats (loyal, smart, thinking individuals despite whatever the Obama supporters think or say to disparage our decision to support Clinton) who look at Obama and see just what he has demonstrated with this incident. That he doesn't have eloquence beyond what the media has bestowed on him with their worshipful articles.

Stop feeling so betrayed by the media, Obama supporters. You've benefited from countless anti-Clinton pieces paired next to pro-Obama love stories for so long that you've come to believe that that is how the media is supposed to work. This is more and more what a general election will look like against the GOP, unless you'd forgotten.

[LBKN]

I don't know which portion of fantasy land you reside in... but denial is not a source of truth.

Example: - there are somewhere between 600,000 to 1 million dead in Iraq... as a consequence of the particular emotion which you have denied... AKA, "bitterness".

Refusing to use a particular term to describe the rising of white-hot emotion doesn't make it one thing or another. I could say we killed the citizenry in Iraq over 'affability'... but it doesn't make it so.

Refusing the term 'bitter' doesn't alter the end consequence... the consequence of whatever you want to name it.

[uffa]

Senator Obama took it that the voters he was talking about have the brains to understand what he meant and that he was being sympathetic. Senator Clinton took it that these same voters are stupid enouh to believe the spin she put on Senator Obama's remarks. I guess I can see from your post who you think grtabbed the right end of the stick.

[mredder4]

"Senator Obama took it that the voters he was talking about have the brains to understand what he meant"

No he didn't. You can't even attempt to say that. If that were the case, he would have said that to Pennsylvanians openly, not behind closed doors in California. He's the one spinning his words, because they offended people, so now he's backpedaling in an attempt not to lose support, and that's what all politicians do. If people weren't looking at him as a messiah figure, they'd see that. He's an elected official, which means that he says and does what it takes to get elected. Only in this case, he said something wrong. He won't admit it, and neither will his supporters, but that's still the case.

I'm a Hillary Clinton supporter and proud of it. I look at Barack Obama objectively, not obsessively or idealistically. And I would have gladly supported him if he had waited until he was truly ready to run, which is not now. If that upsets some Democrats for some reason, then maybe the media is right and this nomination battle is damaging the party. But I wouldn't stop it for any reason just yet, because whatever anyone may think, the nominee has not been decided yet.

[Syco]

Uh yes it does. It sure doesn't make you happy

[Mattjoe]

CNN routinely extracts/ redeploys message

Witnessing both the media (CNN) and the political collective surgically extricate Obama's less than profound retelling of the most simplistic themes known to society - he met some people that were bitter, in the broader context of dissatisfaction and disillusionment with government, details of which are taxes, cost of living, free trade, job loss etc! and the depths it can take a person to in life. Newsworthy?

This is what Clinton (and FOX, CNN etc.) landed on when they were playing pin the tail on the easily contorted sound bite? The spin redirecting and reissuing the message, it"s meaning and the expected response (they intend to achieve). The only offensive, condescending aspect of this entire sequence is the notion that Hillary (and the FOX"s and CNN"s of their ilk) adopted the stance that Pennsylvania voters are required to be offended because they have been spoken down to.

Wait a second, Hillary said "offended" " hey Barrack! Can Hillary produce more offended people than you can "bitter" ones? The defense rests.

Despite the fact that none of this surprises me, political spin what it is, reaching Olympic proportions, scale and precision through this race. It"s simply difficult to imagine that if FOX is outright unwatchable compared to CNN " how low could the journalistically bar possibly be?

Headline " Obama claims the "sky is blue" Clinton on the attack!

[anywho]

If the "propaganda media machine" succeeds in bringing OBAMA down I for one will join my black brothers and sisters and riot in the streets.
Enough is enough. I swear, if the "people" of this country get sidelined again in favor of the corporate whores there will be blood. There will be civil unrest if we cannot win via the ballot box.

[marysandra]

anywho, can an older, white lady join you guys? Civil unrest in my little retirement community would at least create some excitement, and I suspect more than a few neighbors would join me..Believe me there are plenty of us "people" here who have had it up to our eyeballs, pensions gone, social security precarious, etc..
As to the "bitter" voters in small town PA., they are going to vote for McCain anyway, even if he does send more of their disadvantaged kids to Iraq. They can't seem to make the leap to see that they often vote against themselves, not just in Pa. but in a lot of small towns everywhere. I commend Obama for try to reach out, but I think it's like trying to teach pigs to fly..He'll just get frustrated and the pigs will get mad.

[LBKN]

lolol... old soldiers are the 'best' soldiers.

when Geronimo grabbed a small band of Apaches from the reservation and headed back to the mountains... renegades... the Army was hot on their heels...

Two elder Apache ( an old man and an old woman) volunteered to buy some time for the band to get away...
They were traveling through a canyon that was necessary for the Army to traverse in pursuit... so at the entrance to the canyon... each elder got a rife and traveled down the rim... on opposite sides to the end of said canyon. When the Army in the floor of the canyon reached the near end... one elder started shooting... and pinned them down. The Army had to send a soldier clear back to the entrance and along the rim to dispatch the first elder. Then... the Army believed it was in the clear... came out only to be pinned down by the second shooter on the second rim. By the time a second soldier went all the way back and traversed the second rim to dispatch the second elder... the band had gotten away.

This is a complicated example of admirable sacrifice and tactics. The wisdom that comes with age can be indispensible.

[uffa]

right on, marysandra.

[anywho]

I am a 57 year old married with children white woman!

[Syco]

And you are going to scare the white folks to death.

[DavidJames]

Wow,

Obama's telling like it is.

Thanks for the link to the video.

[MACinCHI]

Lou Dobbs criticizing Obama for being an elitist? When was the last time that fat cat had to struggle for anything? His show has become so irrelevant any more since it seems that the only topic that he can address is illegal immigration. The man is obsessed with this topic. If he wouldn't have to lower himself to the level of the common worker, he'd be out there building the border fence himself.

People who live in glass mansions shouldn't be throwin stones.

[THEhillbilly]

Gee, it sure is lucky that this Obama thrall noticed that. Everyone who heard about the silly poll noticed it. So, 18,453 people decided to respond anyway, and one couldn't find something better to do than write a snivelfest about it..

[Thorwald]

Great blog. Have we all not noticed that the mainstream media stopped giving the news and started predicting it? They spend 75% of each segment on how the public will react to something and the other 25% on ridiculous polls that are inaccurate. The media can and will most likely choose our next president.

[2bhumble]

Strange to say that when Sen. Obama shows confidence he's labeled as arrogant, when he speaks the truth he's an elitist. That's too funny, especially coming from two people who have always had. Now I know why my friends watch foreign news to get a true insight into American politics.

I refuse to make an excuse for what Sen. Obama said because he spoke the truth. As an election officer I can tell you politicians overtly or subliminally prey on voters fears, weaknesses and beliefs as talking points, through various forms of media. Local ,state and national politicians use gay rights, abortion, illegal immigrants, gun right, no taxes,etc. as a means to garner support and distract voters. Also, I am very proud to be a person who cling to my faith, religion, for it has given me hope when I know that I will not get it anywhere else. In my opinion if anyone see clinging to their religion as condesending then they miss the opportunity to witness to their faith.

Everyone is trying to make a mountain out of a molehill, but I'm glad that a candidate is telling it like it is. Don't hate the message just because you dislike the messenger.

[uffa]

You forgot and when he's gentlemanly and decent he's called naive and inexperienced.

[Syco]

The White WOMAN is holding him down

[armadillious2002]

No more CNN for me - the way they've tried to trump up this Obama thing - with little success I might add - is disgusting. I think everyone here should just basically turn off CNN. Then they'll get the message.

[gingerlb]

You are so right! I caught Kitty Pilgrim on the "rerun" of the Lou Dobbs Show and I couldn't believe my ears - I felt like I was watching Fox news - she took the lead in tearing down Obama - the words she chose deliberately, were delivered to sway her audience. She gave her "spin" and told viewers what Obama meant (as if she could read his mind) -- she should be fired. I was disgusted by the show and by Hilary Clinton and her surrogates' response. The desperation of Clinton is so apparent - and, if even one superdelegate is swayed by her remarks, it will show he/she shares the same shallow, self-serving characteristics as this phony, hypocrite who calls herself a democrat.

I continue to have faith in the American people that they see Clinton and her "bunch", including CNN, for what they are - and realize that the one true chance we have in this country to really change the disgusting politics that has engulfed us for so many years, is with Barak Obama - the next President of the United States.

[suzmad2]

This a wonderful post. Thank you! I so hope that you are right. I am so fed up with Lou Dobbs and the main stream media. It is no wonder they are losing money!

[vernonbc]

suzmad2, I agree with you completely. I have to mute Lou Dobbs even when he's just doing a promo for his upcoming show - I cannot even tolerate the sound of his voice. But the sad this is, they're not losing money. This primary has been a bonanza for them. The cable news shows have never had so many viewers. And you know what is saddest of all? Lou Dobbs is the highest rated show on CNN. Yes. The highest rated.

The irony is just rich. He's gotten his ratings by ranting about the forgotten middle class and how hard done by they are. And yet when Barack Obama expresses a similar sentiment, that middle class America has been left behind and they have good reason to be angry, Dobbs completely twists the message and distorts his words accuses Obama of being elistist. It is just too mind boggling for words.

[realrick]

Great post! And, as I've noted, the corporate media's role in simply acting as stenographers for Obama's critics, or, as you cited, pushing a negative viewpoint of Obama's statement is particularly maddening when you consider that they are undermining their OWN work, their OWN research.

It seems like every day we are being hit with stories in the press noting the following:

--Over 80% of the country thinks we're on the wrong track.

--Most people think we were deceived into the Iraq War by Bush and Cheney.

--Most people think their children will have a worse life than they had.

--Most people are up in arms over gas prices, the Bear Stearns bailout, the cost of the Iraq War (Hell, take your pick! The list is endless!)

Yet now, the media dopes undermine their OWN REPORTING by putting forth or repeating the argument that pointing out the feelings of the public, feelings depicted in their OWN research, is somehow an "elitist" act.

Which is exactly why I think there is a lot of outrage brewing over the media's coverage of Obama's remarks.

[willygoo46]

Speaking from his heart, Mr. Obama has utter contempt and disdaing for the white moddle class in this country. Afyter all he has been raised in priviledge and endured 20 years of hatefilled racially divisive rhetoric from Reverend Wright. He speaks no truth and is a charlatan.

[mrqcguy]

Please educate yourself before spouting off. Nothing you have said is even remotely true. Also if you are going to post, try using spell check.

[LarryKingBarelyAlive]

Obama was not a privilged kid. He worked hard for everything he has. Hillary Clinton was born into a wealthy upper middle class Republican household. Hillary Clinton is the pathological liar ( Bosnia, Nafta, Northern Ireland etc.) and has no honor or integrity left in her.

[simplify]

Hillary Clinton is a Republican

[Sue60]

What part of the comment reflects disdain for the white middle class?? He was not raised in priviledge - where have you been? Single white mother, raised by midwestern low income white grandparents, scholarship student??? It is Mrs. Clinton who was raised as a daughter of priviledge. And by selling the presidency, she and her hubby have cashed in quite nicely -- $109 million?!!! Her biggest problem however is that she can't tell her truths from her lies anymore. She is an opportunistic hack who will do anything to keep Obama from the presidency so that she can have a second chance at it in 4 years.

[suzmad2]

You need to educate yourself! His two opponents had silver spoons, Obama didn't. Go back to school and learn to spell!

[shep1900]

Senator Clinton had nothing resembling silver spoons growing up. Her father made _curtains_ for a living, by hand, and had one part-time employee as an assistant. Working class all the way.

[realrick]

Nice of you to parrot the corporate media spin about this rather than actually listening to what's being said, and done, by all parties.

Obama simply stated that there is a lot of bitterness, anger and frustration out there---a racially neutral statement. (There are, after all, African-Americans who live in PA. Shockingly enough, he talks to people of all races.) That statement has been borne out, both anecdotally in questions at town hall meetings or debates, such as the question from retired steelworker Steve Skavara in Chicago last summer, or statistically, such as the record-low approval numbers for Bush and Congress, the right track/wrong track polling.

So, what we have here is a leader in touch with what the people are thinking and feeling. Or do you prefer creeps like Dick Cheney being in charge who treat the feelings of the public with a contemptuous response of "So?" when they're pointed out to him. If you do, how do you look your kids in the face before entering a voting booth?