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

[FogBelter]

Mr D'Antoni, it's quite obvious that the Board of Directors of Time Warner isn't smitten with the idea of an Obama Presidency.

[SCG]

That's it in a nutshell.

[busybeez]

And let's not blame the MSM completely, it was The Huffinton Post that broke this hack job story on Obama. Thanks HP for keeping the focus on the important stuff...like the war and our young Americans in Iraq who want to come home! I'm sure Bush/Cheney/McCain/Rove thank you too.

[SickOfTheCrap]

The first news stories I saw breaking it on HuffPost were more or less to the tune of "Obama stated the facts, how ready is America to hear them?" - not CNN-style "Just how much does Barack Obama hate America?"

[chery]

Huffingtonpost gives us the option of actually listening to the entire speech Obama gave in CA, to decide for ourselves! And having read the article itself, it's hardly that scathing. I'd say it's a tad amaturish for my tastes, but it wasn't a hatchet job. As with any candidate, if you want only supportive stories then please, go to the candidates web site! I go to BarackObama.com all the time!

I'm not surprised that this broke on Lou Dobbs last night. He notoriously hates Obama! But then looks who listens to Dobbs regularly! Those are the very folks who see themself in the mirror of Obama's words and attack furiously! It's kind of pavlovian, in a way. As for CNN as a whole, the're in the GOP pocket! Have been for a long time! If there's any connection to Hillary it's through Alan Dershowitz! I wouldn't worry too much about their impact. In a few days this little barn burner will be over and we'll be hearing about the gaffe coming from another candidates mouth! Too many weeks between primaries this time around to fill all the political shows we're being flooded with!

[oscarp]

I thought that Huffington Post was pro-Obama....so God forbid if they say anything that people don't like about him.

[busybeez]

Thank you for your astute comments. The media talks about Kerry getting swiftboated as if they had nothing to do with it. The blood of the Iraq war is on corporate media's hands as well as the politicians. One reason that Viet Nam ended was because the media was showing the carnage every night on the news. The Iraq war is barely even mentioned on the televised news, much less shown in detail. I'm sick of the media acting like they are not just as guilty as the politicians for the damage that has been done in America during the last 20 years. I turned off my television two weeks ago because I got sick of the news pushing this election for their own ratings and profit. Here's a news flash for the media: We are at war and the Republicans are preparing to go to war with Iran! As responsible journalists, that should be what you are focusing on, not your ratings and profits. Americans need to stop tuning in for the irresponsible manipulation the media is pulling on us.

[MissT]

busybeez: You are exactly right. I can bearly watch CNN anymore, especial Wolfe Blitzer, since they so willingly helped GWB send us to Iraq. And now they have cmpletely lost their balls, not adequatly reporting on the real caarnage of the war. Now they're trying to determine who will be the winner of this election. They are perplexed that Obama evne has a prayer after what they did with the Rev. Wright story.

[Daly]

"They are perplexed that Obama evne has a prayer after what they did with the Rev. Wright story" More to the point they are preplexed because the tried and true old school spin and lies did not work.
aside from local news; I stick to NPR for my news; not the most current; but generally more objective but one is required to invest some brainpower because they are go provide intellegent thoughts. MSM is all about racing for ratings.

[allison]

When this story gets so much attention and no seems to be responding to the spy satellite set to begin spying on the United States which is a terrifying scenario, something is very wrong with the priorities of the media as well as viewers/readers. It's the top story on hp but everyone is on this story. Get back to paying attention to what Bushco is doing to destroy democracy!!

[Daly]

You are spot on! I am amazed that after listening to general P our leaders can happily go along with the no exit strategy and it seemed like a novel idea to have Iraq pay their own bills. Meanwhile Iran is welcomed at Iraqi statehouse with open arms, red carpet and kisses.
Yes! We are pissed and I for one will vote for the candidate that can at least see the obvious.

[hrayovac]

This is the insanity phase which kicks in about the time a key decision is made...Penn state primary in this case. The god of chaos, distortion, and outright falsehood will rule as far as television is concerned. It was settled after Iowa with the Dean scream. Now CNN has again shown its colors..It's "defeat Obama at any cost" time. The giveaway is in which reporter gets the assignment, Crowley for the "loser" Malveaux this time as a wedge to keep Obama from winning. The John McCNN network.

[minnehot]

Ain't it ironic? HuffPost puts the final nail into the Obama bandwagon coffin!

Wright, Rezko, Farrakan, No Condition Negotiations with Iran, driver's licenses for illegals - wow and it isn't even May yet!

When will the Democrats wake up and accept that running a Rookie for President was a bad idea?

The Super's just might save us. I hope there is time.

[thebirdstheword]

Keep living in your fantasy world, Mr. Penn.

[agnostic1]

shirley, you geste!
The idea of your queen being the nominee would be enough for me to seek sanctuary. Canada, Australia, Europe, anyplace but here. She is not only inept, she is willful, obtuse, loves retribution, demands total obedience, hates bad news, shoots bad news messengers, lies, cheats, dissembles, and my fave,

with every attack she begins against Barack, she and her campaign were doing it, when in reality he was not. Can we say NAFTA? Can we - oh, never mind. the primary defining facet of Hillary and her HIllaryans is their allergic reaction to fact. In that respect she and they are no different than Bush clones.

[Daly]

vote against you own interest and see your standard of living fall even more; or are you super rich.
When a team is losing then put in the rookie, especially when the rookie has demonstrated far better skills.
While the team has respect for the glory days, they do not put in the guy that has already taken way to many hits.
Not that happens in games... we are talking real world and in the case the Super that have functioning brains will save you because they will the rookie that has managed to change the game.
Remember when, Tiger, Jordan, Farve hit the scene? as rookies they change the game; Rookies Lincoln, Kennedy totally changed the game.
Embrace the fear!; it is time to change the game.
American lives and livelihoods demand it. OR you can start learning Chinese because they own us.

[oscarp]

up to now, it looked as if CNN, MSN, MSNBC and who knows how many stations were against Hillary, but how can they hide Obama's mistakes anymore? they are too obvious, and I guess the truth always emerges. It is about time we remove the dark glasses and see him as he is, with his positives and negatives, and notice that I said positives too, so I am not saying bad things about him, I simply do not idolize Obama

[changeishere08]

What Obama said was the truth. I am so sick of the irresponsible MSM parsing soundbites, then devoting hour long shows in dissecting them. Haven't they learned yet? This type of journalism is the laziest, most absurd piece of biasness I've ever witnessed in my adult life. I miss the days of true journalists with integrity to getting at the WHOLE TRUTH. GOODBYE FOREVER CNN. Just like FOX, you are removed from my channel list.

It's clear to me that CNN is in the tank for the Clintons and McCain. THeir bias for Clintons and McCain continue to show and in spite of the more worthy news such as Columbia-gate that has legs, the CNN has turned into FOX lite. i will either stick with PBS and NPR.

WHy is it that they didn't have polls about the Clintons and their Columbia-gate ties? No mention. When Hillary lies, she's "mispoken" and the CNN clowns leave her alone. IT"S GARBAGE! I miss the days of real news and not this hack/media lynch job under the guise of "hard hitting exposes. Pres Clinton lies and is impeached, Sen. Clinton lies and it's misstatements, Pres. Bush lies to us in this heartbreaking war, Sen. McCain doesn't give a damm about real people and the economy, but when SEn. Obama tells the truth about Americans, HE'S TARRED AND FEATHERED?

Makes me sick!!

[Dave01]

You know, I really do miss the good ole days when a journalist would actually do some sort of investigation......take this story for example.....instead of just listening to bits and pieces of what he said and repeating it on the 24 hour loop (like they did with the Rev.) they use to actually investigate the issue.....if they were confused or believed that they may be taking something out of context they would ask the person directly and ask for clarification, but not anymore, they simple repeat what they want to sensationalize something that really is a non-issue.

Today's media is made up of nothing but glorified paparazzi and tabloid journalists and they seem to be on EVERY major "news" network.

[naijaman]

More fake outrage from Americans who do not like to hear the truth.
Well, as a resident of small-town Pennsylvania, let me tell you: People ARE bitter and furstrated, and no, we do NOT vote on economic issues anymore because for years we've heard the same BS about how the economy here will be fixed. Even as we debate this topic, the plant that manufactures the York Peppermint patty is closing here in PA and moving to China, and the Hershey Chocolate factory in Hershey, PA is teetering on the brink of closing forever.
So while you folks keep yapping about crap you don't know about, residents in PA like me agree with Obama's sentiments.

Also, I find it laughable that $109 million-dollar Hillary is calling Obama an "elitist". Thankfully people here in PA know better than that.

[WAstateliberal]

Well said naijaman. I was intrigued watching the Wolf Blitzer smack down yesterday from Toobin, et. al. because one of them mentioned that his perceived elitism comes from his status as a Harvard grad (which is why Clinton's 109 million treasure chest and McCain's sugar momma are not at issue). Why is it, then, that nobody mentions that Hill went to Yale and Bill was a Rhodes scholar? And when did higher education become something to be ashamed of? This is the real wedge issue: college educated vs. non-college educated. The repugs have spent 8 years suggesting that education is bad and a recipe for losing touch with America. Meanwhile, students in China and India are studying intently because they smell the blood in the water.

And as for the CNN bias, remember how much they made of John Kerry being married to a wealthy woman, but say nothing about John McCain being married to a wealthy woman (for whom he abandoned his first wife like the real man he is)? CNN smells the recipe for success: If you can't beat Fox, become them. This speaks volumes about the folks watching cable news.

[armyvet]

I live in Texas and I'm bitter!! yes, bitter about the lies told by HRC and GWB to get my son and his friend killed in Iraq. Bitter about $4 a gallon gasoline, bitter about tax breaks for the rich, bitter about the legal system, bitter about NAFTA and CAFTA, bitter about inadequate health care. Yes, I bitter and I agree 100% with the statement made by Obama. Be truthful, who in America is not bitter!!

[oscarp]

Hey, I am not bitter!!!! simply worried to see where this might lead us. Sorry!!

[nanoscare]

A bunch of TV millionaires telling us how 'bitter' and 'cling' are words not to be used when discussing political problems and then attacked by two super-rich politicos, Clinton and McCain, for not understanding the concerns of the public. Seems like TV millionaires and the McClintons have lots in common.

[JJK]

Mr. D'antoni is right, the wording of the CNN "poll" could bias the response. Objective folks should disregard the findings.

The underlying issue will, however, not go away. By choosing the words he does, Senator Obama manages, more often that we democrats should be comfortable with, to re-enforce the negatives with which his opposition will saddle him in the General. To date, the Senator has run a brilliant campaign and probably deserves the party's nomination on that basis alone. However, he's going to have to take his game up a couple of notches for the summer and fall.

Both he and Senator Clinton bring serious flaws to the table. Senator Clinton's negatives and her polarizing impact on many voters are well known. The conflicts that her husband's business dealings can bring to the table are very worrisome at best. For now at least, the democratic primary voters seem to have decided that these real or perceived flaws are greater than her opponent's. Senator Obama is still a work-in-progress in terms of the image many voters have of him--especially moderate republican and the majority of independents who have not voted in democratic primaries. The more "misstatements" or remarks prone to malign interpretations that he and his wife make, the easier it will be for those who oppose him to determine that image.

[sweetnonnie]

I couldn't agree more -- I think this issue and, particularly, Obama's response, could very well be a turning point in this campaign, especially in the rust belt. If he manages to continue channeling the anger and outrage of people, he will leave Hillary behind. How can she talk about this being a "change" election without understanding the emotions that are behind people wanting/needing change. Most people vote with their hearts, not with an analysis of the "issues". He GETS IT. He has said all along that people need a president will tell them what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. It almost seems like Hillary is trying to adopt Obama's posture of "hope" without first acknowledging why people need hope. Weak tea response to a strong cup of coffee.

[RButler]

Do you mean after 7 years of the Bush disaster, Obama saying the word 'change' is what they 'need' to hear? Wow. He is amazing.
It's a good thing his supporters on this site are ready to tell us what the 'Great Orator' means when he says something. One would think he would be able to say what he means, himself, wouldn't one? His supporters are able to translate his true meanings from his statements while also being able to label the remarks by Hillary's supporters as 'racist': horrible words such as 'lucky' and 'fairy tales'.

[TwoCentsWorth]

A great analysis RButler: I also was amazed at the telepathic communication that must be taking place between Obama and his supporters. Obama is an amazing orator, why can't he string words together into sentences when he speaks so his supporters don't have to interpret his meaning for the MSM and the pundits and the voters?

[jadez]

yes he is amazing.
you tell us what hillary means by saying she was under sniper fire in bosnia?

that alone would have forced Obama from the race,but to you her kool-aid-ers.it doesnt matter.

[NorVaGal]

Yes, RButler: We Obama supporters are intelligent enough to be able to understand what Obama means when he says 'change'. Too bad you aren't as bright.

[DemandTruth]

Okay, America, what's it gonna be? Are we gonna wake up here and take serious stock of the damage done to our lives and our economy and our country in the last two decades? Can we REALLY handle the truth? Or are we, once again, going to submit to the talking points, and swallow the pablum served up on a spun silver platter by the MSM as "news" while they emphatically tell each and every one of us exactly how WE feel about it?

I'm outraged! I know I'm outraged, because Lou Dobbs tells me I am outraged.

Are we still the land of the free and the home of the brave? Are we brave enough to confront these painful truths - which seemed as natural and obvious to me as my own breath when I heard Obama speak them? Or are we going to shrink from the light because we're afraid of being called "elitist" and other silly words by people whose job it is to poll and pidgeon hole us to death?

[StarkyLuv]

That Kitty Pilgrim on CNN actually called Obama's remarks an "attack on small town America".

It was the most obvious attempt to smear him by a news organization yet. Basically telling Americans, "don't think we're TELLING YOU to be outraged!"

Pathetic.

[dill]

This is why I no longer watch CNN. I have heard criticism of MSNBC but I find them less biased than CNN.

[TwoCentsWorth]

Why keep blaming the messenger?

[AswanHDam]

Obama may have faults, but he is the real deal. Hillary is a sick joke.
Bill Clinton was just another weak-ass southern governor. The only redeeming character he has was that, being a Democrat, the vile scum in the Repugnant Party tried to destroy him on general principles. Hillary was the hatchet behind Bill and together they made a nice moderate Republican couple, by New Deal Democratic standards. Bill's administration was Reagan Lite.
Someone explain Joe Lieberman on the 2000 ticket for me. It can't be done.
Now the whole Consumer Economy house of cards is going up the flume and to speak the truth is high treason. The MSM is desperate to squelch the truth. Whatever few crumbs of credibility Lou Dobbs had left are gone now, with that push poll, and good riddance to the jerk.
We still have to go to the polls to elect a 60-member Democratic Senate and a huge Democratic majority in the House. But I am still trying to figure out if Hillary is worth voting for. Maybe if McCain is elected he will screw up badly enought to destroy the Repugnant Party for a half-century. On the other hand, he may finish the country off entirely. Tough choice.

[grendl]

The only people who can judge the validity of Barack Obama's statements are not the media, or the pundits or the people with agendas in having their candidate win the White House.

No, the American people need to actually use their brains and assess his words in this case. Are we merely optimistic. When someone steals the money from our wallets, or farms our jobs overseas, or sends our sons and daughters to fight in a war with no real point, save for stemming the violence we caused in declaring war, and lining the pockets of the politicians who voted for it.

I think we're angry, and bitter. I think that's how Bastilles are stormed, and harbors made into giant teapots, and despots are overthrown. Not merely optimistic, but pissed off, and its nice to hear someone say it. Whats funny is those who deny it. Where have you been living the last eight years?

Hillary Clinton is full of it. She knows people are mad, but doesn't have the guts to say it for fear of her political life. She's either being disingenuous, or is plain ignorant to the plight of the people she says she wants to lead. And to her followers who suddenly think you've spotted a chink in Barack's armour, don't get too happy. Most of America is angry right now.

[TwoCentsWorth]

Obama made the statements that were dismissive of small-town folk. And how is that Senator Clinton's fault?

[Daly]

Did you decide that 10 second blast was good enough for you or did you actually take the time to read or listen to the ENTIRE clip?

[nancytheragingliberal]

The Media will say and do anything to ensure a Hillary nomination. Are you surprised?