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In City of Brotherly Love, McCain Recalls Obama "Bitter" Comments

June 11, 2008 8:20 PM

At a town hall meeting in Philadelphia today, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., recalled the remarks Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, made in April about suffering small town Pennsylvanians turning "bitter" and clinging to guns, religion, and bigotry.

(Remember that?)

The topic came up when McCain predicted to the supportive crowd that he can win Pennsylvania this November by traveling to small towns throughout the state.

"I’m going to tell them I don't agree with Senator Obama that they cling to their religion and the Constitution because they’re bitter," McCain said, per ABC News' Bret Hovell. " I'm going to tell them they have faith and they have trust and support the Constitution of the United States because they have optimism and hope and are the strength of America."

Obama apologized for his comments, saying he spoke clumsily, but both McCain and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, pounced upon them as evidence of Obama's elitism.

"That's what America is all about," McCain continued, "the people who love our country, who cherish their religion and support the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America. And that’s the message and that’s another reason why we’re going to win the state of Pennsylvania, next November the 4th."

Heralding his ability to work in a bipartisan fashion in Congress, McCain joked about reaching out to Senator Hillary Clinton’s myriad supporters in the state now that she has dropped out of the race.

"I know how to sit down and reach across the aisle," he said. "I will attract independents, Democrats - by the way, those supporters of Senator Clinton, I welcome you here today."

The crowd laughed appreciatively.

- jpt

June 11, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (90)

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you simply cant just blame ONE party for our financial mess. i remind you, the dems have had control of congress for over two years again. when did things really start to get bad??? what was the price of gas two years ago? when did the mortgage crisis come to light? why is the dollar ACTUALLY losing value? listen, dont take me for a die hard republican, because im not. but if they get their backbone back, and stand up for what they believe, the country will be better off. we have to get back to common sense ideas in this country. that means SMALLER government. we can sit and play the partisan game all day, but we need people with common sense to fix these problems. and seeing how the government is ALWAYS the ones who makes things worse, i for one say lets make that smaller. not give them MORE power. now thats common sense.

Posted by: tim | Jun 11, 2008 11:36:18 PM

Quote from Obama's speech--
My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it."
Hope--people will believe him
Change--from a democratic nation to a racist/socialist nation.
Do you want that, voters?

Posted by: Mary | Jun 11, 2008 11:34:24 PM

To Hillary supporters who might be here,

If Hillary ever wants to become president either in 2012 or 2016, at least this time obama has to be elected.
just think .... how could Maccain come back to GOP nominee after 8 years? Because he put his whole energy to help Bush elected in 2000... otherwise, he would have gone long ago...
if obama loses this time, everybody knows this is due to hillary supporters who vote for maccain, and you never dare to imagine she can ever become a DNC nominee ... and i know her, her whole life has been with DNC.... she will never come out as independent.
Calm down little bit and take a long shot. Your emotion won't help her at all.
Just Learn to be smart from your Lady in panty suit !

Posted by: cloud123 | Jun 11, 2008 11:07:22 PM

sally..

smaller government versus huge government. what world would you rather live in? im sure you ha ve a reeeaaal interesting answer for that one...

Posted by: tim | Jun 11, 2008 11:06:37 PM

To Hillary supporters who might be here,

If Hillary ever wants to become president either in 2012 or 2016, at least this time obama has to be elected.
just think .... how could Maccain come back to GOP nominee after 8 years? Because he put his whole energy to help Bush elected in 2000... otherwise, he would have gone long ago...
if obama loses this time, everybody knows this is due to hillary supporters who vote for maccain, and you never dare to imagine she can ever become a DNC nominee ... and i know her, her whole life has been with DNC.... she will never come out as independent.
Calm down little bit and take a long shot. Your emotion won't help her at all.
Just Learn to be smart from your Lady in panty suit !

Posted by: cloud123 | Jun 11, 2008 11:06:12 PM

just cant understand the love affair dems have with the clintons. so bizarre.

Posted by: tim | Jun 11, 2008 11:04:57 PM

KB:

Hillary doesn't want to be BO's VP. Why would she want to help him win? He NEEDS HER to win. He needs her 18 MILLION voters to win.

She's too good for him. He would just drag her down when he goes down, so she's just going to stand back and let him fall. When he does, she will be there to pick up the pieces, clean up the mess the DNC has made and take the nomination and WIN.

Hillary wants nothing to do with that loser. She knows about all the dirt on him that's out here. He's radioactive.

This has NOTHING to do with Bill and his Library.

Posted by: Vickie | Jun 11, 2008 11:02:13 PM

Chuck Hagel and Ron Paul are honorable Republicans who do not agree with George Bush, and I would not throw them in with the Bush administration. I have many republican friends, as well as family. I do not hate republicans. McCain was wonderful win 2000, he has switched on many of the key issues, and has dissappointed me.
I know many people who go to church for the social network, and usually keep the praying to themselves. Your head would spin if you knew what was said in these Southern White Christian Churches . Not everyone who attends them agree with the pastor, but they have built a life around the CHURCH not the pastors beliefs. Those with independent minds do not believe what they hear, they believe their logical reasoning. Those who are strong are not swayed by sitting in the pews.

On your average american comment:

I would not be so presumptious to claim I held the values of the average american. I do not believe there is a well defined average american. He does share the values of the plurarity of Americans or he would not be leading in the polls.

I want to watch Jon Stewart. Over and Out.

Posted by: Marizza | Jun 11, 2008 11:00:54 PM

ahhhh, the last time i checked, JOINING THE MILITARY IS VOLUNTARY.

Posted by: tim | Jun 11, 2008 10:58:25 PM

We know they don't have the equi[ment they need. I have friends who have gone to Iraq. Many of them don't want the war to continue. We cannot afford it, and our boys are in trouble. Every year I see some wonderful students who I've watched grow enter the military because they think it's the only way to get out of this small town. I hate seeing them go. They don't have to die so young. If you saw so many poor boys joining to serve in a war they will probably die in after you've taken care of them for four years you would be against the war too.

Posted by: Marizza | Jun 11, 2008 10:54:49 PM

marizza...

cmon now. first off, dont try to throw mccain in with all those guys from the bush administartion just because he is a republican. do your research before saying stupid things. and, do you actually think ANYONE who attendes a church like he did for 20 years isnt influenced, or shares the beliefs, of that church?! are you seriously going to make that statement? im not saying obama is a flat out racist, but he DEFINATELY does not share the same views as the average american on the issue. and that can only lead to problems and conflicts of interest as the president.

Posted by: tim | Jun 11, 2008 10:54:05 PM

ok sally, here it goes: the only reason obama voted for the veterens bill that you are talking about is because he dosnt really have a clue, or any experience, in budgets. look at his spending proposals. he LOVES TO PROMISE ALOT FOR ALL WALKS OF LIFE.its all about votes. whose the smart one now?!

Posted by: tim | Jun 11, 2008 10:48:14 PM

Uh!
An McCain surrounds himself with villains that actually talk to him like
Bush, Cheney, Rove, Wolfowitz, Rumsfield, Libby, Gonzales, etc.,etc.,etc.

I have read Obama's books, and saw the opposite of racism. His mother is white. He loved her and his grandparents as they were the ones who raised him. He is not racist against white people because he is half white!!!! C'mon. If you "read" his book, and thought he was racist, I must question your literacy skills

Posted by: Marizza | Jun 11, 2008 10:47:38 PM

sorry us marine, i dont agree with you on that one . i dont need a president who served in the military. i mean, its not a bad thing, but not necessary. you just have to have common sense and realize staying on top of the world, militarily, is as important as ever. then again, our politicians are screwing america up in every other aspect, so why not dwindle away the strongest military in the history of the world. its the next logical step in destroying ourselves from within.

Posted by: tim | Jun 11, 2008 10:44:20 PM

I'm with you Sally

Posted by: Marizza | Jun 11, 2008 10:43:17 PM

In response to most of the arguments against Obama:

If one is worried about "Tax and Spend" democrats, why would one complain about Obama's desire to cut spending on new weapons. Don't we already have enought weapons to destroy the world a few times over?

On insulting small town Americans:
I am one, and he was responding to a question about those few small town Americans who vote republican against their economic interests. He said those people are bitter (by the neglect from politicians), cling to their gun (rights),and religion ( religious issues).

I am not insulted because I don't put gun rights and religious issues over economic issues and the welfare of the country.

As for McCain's war hero status:
We are all very impressed he survived the POW camp and gave them hell. How does that prove he is ready to be Commander in Chief? Did you think Kerry was better than Bush? I bet you did not vote for Kerry. So being a Vietnam vet is only a test for commander in chief if you are a republican.

As to McCains morals:
His wife waited for him for 5 years while he was held prisoner.
He came back to find her altered from a car accident and had affairs with trophy women in front of her face until he found the richest woman that would have him and dumped her. Ugh!

Posted by: Marizza | Jun 11, 2008 10:40:42 PM

usmarine...

i agree with you totally. i guess it just depends on whose definition of "wasteful" he is using. if anyone actually looks at his budget proposals and thinks he is going to SAVE ANYTHING, they just shouldnt be able to vote. he is going to take away money from preograms that are actually important to the american people, and put it in entitlement programs to "really" help america out. he's a typical democrat, only worse.

Posted by: tim | Jun 11, 2008 10:39:34 PM

I'm out of here.

Duty calls!

Semper Fi!!!

Posted by: USmarine0331 | Jun 11, 2008 10:39:22 PM

Sally, if you support U.S. servicemen, don't vote for a commander-in-chief, who has never served in any branch of the U.S. Military.

War is not academic.

It's gory, scary, confusing, and evolving.

Maintaining Superior firepower is the key to victory.

Anything that reduces our military superiority puts U.S. Military troops at risk.

No commander-in-chief should sacrifice the safety of his troops to cut costs.

Posted by: USmarine0331 | Jun 11, 2008 10:37:35 PM

I hope War Hero and U.S. Veteran John McCain puts Civilian Obama on the skyline for his remarks in that Y outube video.

Obama needs to explain in the upcoming debates why he wants U.S. serviceman to make do with less, just because he thinks it is a good idea to stop the development of superior firepower combat weapons systems to save money that he wants to spend on big government entitlement programs.

Posted by: USmarine0331 | Jun 11, 2008 10:32:15 PM

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