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« Obama Reacts to 'Bitter' Controversy | Main | GOP Congressman Apologizes for Calling Obama 'Boy' »
Bill Clinton Keeps 'Bitter' Alive
April 14, 2008 4:21 PM
ABC News' Sarah Amos Reports: Former president Bill Clinton's campaign rally this morning at the junior high gym in Corydon, Indiana was a wealth of Hillary Clinton surrogates, among them many who had their own thoughts about Sen. Barack Obama's recent comments about small town voters.
The former president was introduced by Indiana's Former First Lady Judy O'Bannon, who spoke of rural pride and reminded the small town crowd it was not a sentiment shared by the all the presidential candidates.
"All over Indiana there are people in communities like ours, and we aren't just blind fools who live here because we don't know where the road is that goes out, are we?" Some candidates would imply that, wouldn't they? Read the newspapers and see what some candidates say about places like the hometown where you belong," said O'Bannon, after talking about how her husband Governor Frank O'Bannon was a Corydon local.
Citing concern over the economy, health care, and Iraq, O'Bannon passionately continued, "We're worried about that. And that is why we know that you just don't do the things that the other candidate implied - sit around and quake and cling. You get up and you do something about it."
President Clinton, Hillary's number one surrogate, then used O'Bannon's remarks as a springboard to share his own experiences of reactions to Obama's comments at a recent San Francisco fundraiser where he said small town voters were "bitter" and "cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."
Over seven stops in North Carolina, Clinton said "Everywhere I go there are all these people with signs, saying I'm not bitter - I'm not bitter."
Clinton said during a stop in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania "this fellow said to me... "President Clinton, we are not bitter, we just want to turn the country around." Clinton said another supporter in North Carolina said "I hunt 'cause I like to and I go church 'cause I need to. And if I were a millionaire, I would still hunt and go to church.' He said what we need is to get this country together, get it on the road and go forward. So that is what this election is about. And we all gotta go forward together. We all have to go forward together."
The strong sentiments were appreciated by the crowd, but were not entirely accurate. During Clinton's seven stops in North Carolina on Saturday there were no "I'm not bitter" signs. There was a small assortment of people at his later events wearing stickers with the slogan, but many of those sporting the stickers weren't even sure what they meant. Clinton also was a bit confused about his encounter in Pennsylvania. The conversation actually took place at an earlier event in Bloomsburg, PA - or so Clinton told the crowd in Bloomsburg.
Despite the evolving anecdotes, the fact that the Clinton campaign needs this story to stay alive in Indiana and other rural states was crystal clear.
And just in case the reporters in the room weren't totally sure what the message of the day was, the Clinton campaign's Indiana co-chair, Joe Hogsett was ushered out to the press riser to talk with reporters before the rally began.
The former Indiana State Secretary told reporters "apparently Senator Obama believes that those of us in Indiana only practice our faith because we are mad at the government, or that we seek refuge in recreational activities because we are frustrated by our economic plight. Nothing could be further from the truth. As I said earlier, we pray because we love God. We hunt and fish because that is what we have been taught to do. Those are values that are time honored here in Indiana and values that apparently Senator Obama doesn't understand"
Hogsett also made it clear that he did not believe Senator Clinton has attacked Obama over these remarks. "Oh, it is not our attack, it is Senator Obama who attacked Senator Clinton this morning saying that she would say anything to get elected, even carrying news crews around behind her to take a shot and drink a beer, trying to suggest that she shares Hoosier values. When it is in fact Senator Obama himself who suggested in California last week that he is out of touch with Hoosier values," said Hogsett.
April 14, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary | Permalink | User Comments (137)
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Bill Clinton the congenital liar. This guy is just like an STD. Please just go away. We don't want our dicks leaking like busted pipes.
Posted by: Kevin | Apr 14, 2008 4:27:08 PM
I hope Obama didnt say anything about beer-drinking and hoops shooting when he paraded around Western PA bowling and drinking Yuengling. Come on now.
Posted by: tony | Apr 14, 2008 4:27:24 PM
I think the media, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and pundits have completely lost their marbles.
Posted by: tomdavie | Apr 14, 2008 4:29:11 PM
Of course he keeps it alive. This is what they do. Hillary has a blunder and the press jumps all over her and where in the hell is Obama? He is no where to be found. Now, when the shoe is on the other foot, she jumps all over it and so does her disgraced husband, supporters and everyone else.
He NEVER says anything - about anything - that involves her!! He better go back and dig up all the dirt and bad press she has had from the past 3 weeks and bathe her in it.
I am sick and tired of camp Hillary slamming him on every single thing. While he sits back and lets her skate by. The Bosnia, he didn't say anything. Bill's lie and interpretation of Bosnia he didn't say anything. The Mark Penn stuff he didn't say anything, etc. etc. etc.
He let someone who made over 100 million dollars in less than 7 years call him an elite member of society!.... He better wake up from whatever he thinks he is doing and go after that b//// once and for all.
Enough with the nice crap. If she can pounce on him, he should pounce on them. If she can twist his words, he better can in the game twist some of hers. He better be leading the charge to dig up some of Bill's comments and some of Hillary's as well.
Wake up Obama, these people are ghetto politicans, you better get dirty with them or get off the stage! People are sick of this nice guy crap. The Clinton's are flawed and disgusting people, why can't you focus on that?!
Posted by: E.L. | Apr 14, 2008 4:31:57 PM
Kevin - rush to CVS before it closes and renew the lithium prescription.
Posted by: tony | Apr 14, 2008 4:32:31 PM
If his claim to fame is his inspiring, sparkling rhetoric, he needs to be called to task when he puts his size 12 in his mouth. Yes, his opponents are having a hay-day with this but what if he puts his insensitive foot in his mouth on the world stage. He needs to go away and ferment for another decade.
Posted by: Jill Elliott | Apr 14, 2008 4:35:59 PM
Oh EL - lol. Obama does not have to scrutinize Clinton because the media are doing the work for him. Please, the man is apparently above any type of analysis. So much so - that his worshippers become enraged over a little heat. What: did you really expect he would cause the nation to fall down and honor and obey him, as his campaign suggested? This is what happens when college students control your message. "I, the Lord Obama, shall rid the USA of 'politics as usual' and usher in an Obama Generation of hope and change and civility. I will smite divisiveness in the world and cause a new era of cooperation. I the Lord Obama will reach across party lines and cause the Republicans who hate the Democrats to lay down their hatred and follow me." LOL - sorry, he cannot even unite his own party, how can he unite the nation.
QUESTION FOR OBAMADROIDS: His campaign has said it will be "above" politics as usual and that he will unite Republicans and Democrats. Then why is he describing McCain as Bush III and distorting his message on Iraq? Why is he going around doing the "Annie Oakley" instead of trying to really figure out why ALL poor voters, except for African Americans, have given him the cold shoulder. Could it be that poor folks have pick candidates whom they believe will deliver something concrete - unlike college students and wealthy white people who want soaring oratory and impossible, vague promises?
Posted by: tony | Apr 14, 2008 4:38:49 PM
Go Bill. Go!
Posted by: Aston | Apr 14, 2008 4:39:32 PM
If they (camp Clinton and McCain) want to keep this in the press, fine. He should use this to choke the life out of both of them. Both of them are MILLIONAIRES. He should focus on their money to explain some of their policy positions. If he were to do that, McCain would tank and Hillary wouldn't be to far behind.
There are tons of comments out there that have been said. Many of those comments by the Clinton's. The Obama camp would be damn stupid if they are not digging that stuff up right now to dump in her lap on national tv come Wednesday. I'm starting to have reservations about Obama. He isn't a fighter at all.
Hillary might fight dirty and she might do something as disgraceful and idiotic as go after another Democrat for her own gain but at least she is a fighter. She is a classless person and will never get my support but at least she attacks holes where she sees them EL, Obama doesn't do anything.
Posted by: Hannah | Apr 14, 2008 4:41:37 PM
And the press gives Clinton a free pass to pound Obama for saying that some people are bitter when Clinton said that "economically insecure white people are scared to death".
Posted by: UCLAdy04 | Apr 14, 2008 4:41:51 PM
"Wake up Obama, these people are ghetto politicans, you better get dirty with them or get off the stage! People are sick of this nice guy crap. The Clinton's are flawed and disgusting people, why can't you focus on that?!"
Perhaps because he has marketed himself as the Dali Bama. It would be weird seeing the Prince of Peace digging up dirt on people....LOl. Now politics as usual seems appropriate....why? Hint: because that's the name of the game. OOOPs, am I cynical? Maybe bitter is a better word. Yes, I'm bitter. But because I am well educated in live in a Northeastern "blue" community, I do not have a gun and only go to church for weddings and funerals.
Posted by: tony | Apr 14, 2008 4:42:37 PM
Don't ever kid yourself. Mr. O's goal in life is to overcome his affirmative action education and join the group. Problem is, if he is this uppity now, can you imagine the arrogance if he has money and is president. The world leaders will chew him up and spit him out. He is such a child, such a babe in the woods.
Posted by: Mary Miles | Apr 14, 2008 4:44:44 PM
I'm tired of Washington telling me they fight for small towns. Every election, it's the same thing.
Washington politicians would sell their soul to get elected.
Bill Clinton has sold America.
He's taken money from China, Dubai, Colombia, Canada, and probably several more countries.
Posted by: Dan | Apr 14, 2008 4:44:48 PM
there are bitter people out there. Ones that have lost jobs overseas and homes to foreclosure, they have to chose between going to doctor and paying the rent. Their kids joined up so they could go to college but have seen their tours of duty extended and stop-lossed.Asumming they are still alive or uninjured.
Religions and radical groups routinely seek out the bitter and disenfranchised. So it is irrestponsible to say that there are no bitter Americans. It is irresponsible to say that these people seek out answers and support from any quarter and that there are those they would prey on them. Again, the Clintons attack because a truth has been told.
Posted by: Louis | Apr 14, 2008 4:46:41 PM
Tony,
He has been above it, I am like the Clinton's myself. If I were the Clinton's I would have wipped the floor with the Obama. Needless to say, Obama should polish the floor with Hillary. Even her supporters must know he hasn't gone after her in the manner she has after him? If you people can't admit that, you are stupid as people claim.
As far as race, are you one of those race idiots? What does race have to do with this? I was under the impresssion, what you people are looking for - insurance, jobs, whatever didn't have a color? The ignorace of some voters proves the elite may have been right when the limited ruling and authority to those of a certain class............
Greg
Posted by: Greg | Apr 14, 2008 4:46:54 PM
Oh Hannah - stop acting like you were born yesterday. Kerry said that Dean was unfit for the presidency. Ted Kennedy was so angry with Carter that he pushed for a convention fight and then refused to shake hands with him after he received the nomination. Gary Hart was a very competitive individual who raced to the convention - despite trailing in delegates - and said that Mondale and Carter were totally inept and that Reagan is delighted by the prospect of Mondale winning. All of these MEN are proud Obama supporters. They criticized other Democrats. Reality check: that's what people do when they seek the nomination. Obama has called Clinton "more of the same," said that she "lacks judgment," argued that the Republicans have a "dumptruck of dirt" on her, and said that she has a problem with the truth. I guess this is not an attack because it comes from the mouth of the Lord Obama. Do you guys see your own hypocrisy? It's absolutely stunning to me that Obama supporters pretend that he has been a choir boy in the election, when he has been just a strategic and conniving as any other politician out there. Wake up and let go of the kool-aid.
Posted by: tony | Apr 14, 2008 4:48:09 PM
Mary
you just proved his point you ignorant c//t.
Posted by: ChelseabillhillaryClinton | Apr 14, 2008 4:49:59 PM
"I'm tired of Washington telling me they fight for small towns. Every election, it's the same thing.
Washington politicians would sell their soul to get elected.
Bill Clinton has sold America.
He's taken money from China, Dubai, Colombia, Canada, and probably several more countries."
LOL - Obama has taken money from oil execs and Wall Street has given both Democratic candidates far more money than McCain. Democrats are so gullible. Really got to leave this pathetic excuse of a political party.
Posted by: tony | Apr 14, 2008 4:50:46 PM
"So it is irrestponsible to say that there are no bitter Americans."
You want to know what else is irresponsible: Not responding to the entire quote! It's not that Obama said that people are bitter that is the problem. It's him linking that to religion, gun control, opposition to same-sex marriage and trade which is the problem.
Query for Obamites: Obama said that he is opposed to same-sex marriage, that he is religious, and he blasted Clinton for supporting Nafta (althoug he has not said he would not have voted for it). Is he bitter too? Or is he just saying these things to get elected?
Posted by: tony | Apr 14, 2008 4:53:45 PM
MONICA LEWINSKI
Posted by: robby10001 | Apr 14, 2008 4:54:22 PM
Greg:
Obama has "gone after" Clinton through his surrogates primarily. Also, most of the liberal webpages on line have been highly vitriolic in their coverage of Clinton (Huffinton, Daily Kos, and Politico). Obama even sends them his campaign statements sometimes so that they can receive rapid circulation. Also, the mainstream media have been solidly behind him. Accordingly, he can refrain from doing any type of attacking. He has a lot of free and very public help on this issue.
Second, why on earth would you call me a "race idiot"? Please indicate why you feel that way.
Posted by: tony | Apr 14, 2008 4:56:59 PM
Greg:
Obama has "gone after" Clinton through his surrogates primarily. Also, most of the liberal webpages on line have been highly vitriolic in their coverage of Clinton (Huffinton, Daily Kos, and Politico). Obama even sends them his campaign statements sometimes so that they can receive rapid circulation. Also, the mainstream media have been solidly behind him. Accordingly, he can refrain from doing any type of attacking. He has a lot of free and very public help on this issue.
Second, why on earth would you call me a "race idiot"? Please indicate why you feel that way.
Posted by: tony | Apr 14, 2008 4:57:04 PM
Those comments are NOT the same as him going after her. If you don't know the difference, shut your mouth. I'm trying to give your ignorant, classless....etc, candidate a pat on the back for standing in the race and doing something to overcome the mountain she has to climb. However, don't lecture me on what was said to whom and who is this or that.....or anything else. I know the difference of what is political and politics...what is disallowed and what is allowed....I know a good candidate and a mdeicore one...and facts are Hillary is a medicore one. Period.
She has run the worst campaign to date. Now she wants to run the country and idiot supporters want to let her. Now you tell the rest of us who is drinking the kool-aid. I'm beginning to think her supporters are the same people that were taken out of the David Koresh compound. What a bunch of wack jobs.........total brainless idiots.
Posted by: Hannah | Apr 14, 2008 4:58:05 PM
Lauren
I just read where Hillary was sharp and Obama was in one of his stuttering modes.
Posted by: S | Apr 14, 2008 5:01:20 PM
Sadly Tony if Obama stays above these politics he will lose. I agree the dems are looking pretty sad. I just don't agree with the modern day republicans. Remeber Abe Lincoln he was a republican pretty "libral" thinker too. I just don't see how republicans can look to the future when they continualy base themselves in sever right wing thinking. But democrats can be way to libral for me some times so I think the conservatives do some good there keeping them in check. I think Obama is a good man for the job and it will be refreshing to see a new face in the white house. But I agree with E.L. he needs to put her out of her missery and focus on the repubs.
Posted by: Joe | Apr 14, 2008 5:01:34 PM
As A Canadian, I am astounded Americans put up w/ outright LIES from this couple AND YET STILL consider them potential LEADERS? THAT is unbelievable to me! Wow...
Posted by: cheryl | Apr 14, 2008 5:06:25 PM
StanCH AKA DCVoter
Posted by: S | Apr 14, 2008 5:07:04 PM
Hey Lauren pandering is the name of the game. You don't really believe Hillary wanted to be in the position at this time do you? My gawd being forced to drink like that and appear as if she is on of "them" hell she deserves to be POTUS! People like you just don't understand, it is hard being rich and living amongst the common folk.
She might be richer than they are but she needs them. She has to tell them what they want to hear. She has to behave as if they do. When you become waelthy perhaps then you will understand, until that time please get back to walmart and leave Saks and Rolex's to folks like Hillary, McCain, Romney's and other millionaires
Posted by: Angela | Apr 14, 2008 5:07:12 PM
Obama is not god, I am! Everyone makes mistakes. Unless your Hill Dog never lies just misspeaks you know no big deal, doesn't apologizes so why should he? Oh wait! he did! Besides I'm a small town guy I support Obama the only thing it makes me want to see is Obamas gun control policy.
Posted by: Joe | Apr 14, 2008 5:08:54 PM
Sorry Hannah - you are blinded by the Obama Light. You said it was "disgraceful and idiotic" to "attack another Democrat." By saying this, you show that you are either so in the tank with Obama that you have abandoned any ability to engage in objective discourse OR you know absolutely nothing about politics. I listed the ways in which prior candidates have done even tougher attacks than Clinton - even taking the fight all the way to the convention. Only when Clinton attacks O-Lamby is it a "disgraceful" and "classless." Sorry - packaging these comments in a paragraph which says "at least she is a fighter" does not make them less troubling (or less inaccurate).
Gary Hart, who criticized Clinton for going after Obama, said Mondale was completely inept and was a part of a failed administration of Carter/Mondale and that Ronald Reagan could not wait to run against him, instead of Hart. I guess that was ok. Ted Kennedy was so nasty to Carter, that he refused to pull out despite him trailing Carter in the delegate total -- much greater difference than in this race -- and he refused to shake hands with Carter at the convention. With respect to his opposition to the Iraq War, Kerry said that Howard Dean lacked credibility and fitness to even run for the presidency - not to mention occupy the White House.
Would you describe these MEN as "disgraceful" and "ignorant"? Just yelling and saying you know the difference does not make your arguments persuasive. What is the difference between their rheotoric and Clinton's?
Posted by: tony | Apr 14, 2008 5:09:47 PM
S,
That's not DCVoter's style, he has much more class than that. I'm not talking Obama class, because we know that Obama is way above us, he's got down home class.
Best part of the above story: I hunt because I like to and I go to church because I need to. That brings tears to my eyes, I used to love hunting back in the day.
========================================
Obama, trying to make hunters ashamed of themselves.
Obama must have a better religion than us!
========================================
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 14, 2008 5:11:54 PM
Lauren,
You are still running in way overtime trying to divert attention off of BITTERGATE. Is it working? I don't think so.
========================================
Obama, bitter, bitter, bitter, bitter, bitter, bitter, bitter, bitter, Obama
========================================
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 14, 2008 5:14:18 PM
If Barack loses he can always make money selling ice cream, call it Baracky Road, and it'll have a slight bitter taste to it.
========================================
Barack Obama, it doesn't get any bitter than this guy.
========================================
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Apr 14, 2008 5:16:40 PM
Joe - I do not agree that anyone needs to be "put out of her misery." If anything, the Democratic Party needs to be put out of its misery. The Democrats have only had one two-term president since Harry Truman in 1952. Wow. What a bunch of losers. The only other one was Bill Clinton. Yes - the one that Democrats, including Obama, have dismissed. Well, Bill was the last Democrat to appoint multiple justices to the Supreme Court. He balanced the budget, oversaw a surplus, appointed liberals to the federal courts, veoted conservative legislation, and we had economic prosperity. You guys are revising history in your descriptions of Clinton. The Republicans launched NUMEROUS investigations into the Clintons and only proved one thing: he had oral sex with Monica but denied it. Big Deal! Yet - Bush has led thousands of soldiers to their death, given us the second Bush recession, and is completely incapable of doing anything. Yet, you guys portray the Clintons as monsters? You Democrats deserve every loss you get. And trust me, you will lose with Obama. It is too late for Clinton to win this time. I definitely admit that. But I am actually excited. As a Democrat who is frustrated by the awful decisions this party makes, I cannot wait to see McCain defeat us. Unfortunately, I am sure Obama will just blame Clinton and Bush for his loss. They seem to be responsible for everything else that goes wrong in his life. I'm sure they wrote Wright's sermons!
Posted by: tony | Apr 14, 2008 5:17:45 PM
WestCoastMessanger, the Lincoln bedroom is for sleep overs and Bill the Hotel manager would like to make money out off the White House again. Hill the Bosnian General has not finished swalling more alcohol and get drunk, and Bill has not finished making money out of middle class Americans. Colombia' 800 000 is not enough. At all, no class, the Clintons have no class. If Hill wins the nomination this way, then my vote is discarded, maybe I have to go to vote for Berlusconi in Italy. God bless America and God bless Obama.
Posted by: BKMC | Apr 14, 2008 5:23:17 PM
Cheryl, spare us the Canadian elitism. I respect Canada a great deal, but you really should take care of the North of the border issues. Stephen Harper? LOL.
Posted by: tony | Apr 14, 2008 5:25:32 PM
Bill's great!!! He should say that Senator Obama talked about Senator Clinton going "up a blind" with a "six shooter" to shoot ducks!!! She is Annie Oakley!!! We love her!!!!
Posted by: kt | Apr 14, 2008 5:26:10 PM
Joe,
Right on point! So many people have been saying this for a long time, he needs to fight hard and dirty. Simply stated, it is time for him to get down on her level. He doesn't want to do that but if he doesn't then he needs to get out of the race. He promised a different type or campaign but he can't deliver that when dealing with a Clinton. The public will understand because the simple fact is, the Clinton's do bring out the worst in people. Only diehards love them to death, reasonable people understand everything and everyone has a shelf life!....Anyway, I agree with many of you, he needs to go after her foul ups hard and heavy from this point on. I mean he needs to go after her in the same manner she is going after him. No more playing nice with her, no more holding her hand, no more nice-nice and kiss-kiss stuff. She is not doing him any favors and he had better stop doing them for her.
Posted by: London | Apr 14, 2008 5:31:15 PM
Posted by: A | Apr 14, 2008 5:36:52 PM
Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton is a Liability to the Democratic Party. Dems will cut their losses and unite behind Obama and unify the party around Obama.
If anyone is Elitist (109,000,000.00) it’s the Clintons.
Obama all the way!
Posted by: Lookup | Apr 14, 2008 5:49:17 PM
Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton is a Liability to the Democratic Party. Dems will cut their losses and unite behind Obama and unify the party around Obama.
If anyone is Elitist ($109,000,000.00) it’s the Clintons.
Obama all the way!
Posted by: Lookup | Apr 14, 2008 6:00:43 PM
We, the Blue collars of PENN Totally and unequivocally agree with Senator Obama. Yes, We are bitter and angry that our jobs has been gone and none of these administration have helped us.
Bill Clinton Championed NAFTA. Hillary Clinton supported her Husband on that.
Mccain and George Bush only made it worse by tapping into unnecessary war and channelled much needed money into it.
Yes, we are bitter and angry and when no hope is forthcoming, WE start to PRAY AND START STEERING our energy and pass times into Games like Hunting. We hate hearing that illegal immigrants are getting our jobs.
Many of us turn to these not because we know of their existence for the first time but because we want GOD TO DELIVER US OUT FROM THESE HARDSHIPS.
Do HILLARY CLINTON AND JOHN MCCAIN KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO NOT BE ABLE TO FEED ONES FAMILY?
How many times have I cried because I wonder how I can raise up my children? They made millions and John MCCain cannot even help Mortgage Forclosure VICTIMS With government Money, not his own money? Pls GIVE ME A BREAK.!
DO WE NEED A PRESIDENT THAT drinks BEER AND THEN WHISKEY at the same time? What message are we sending to our young children?
I don't mean to demean her, but look at her face when not in make-up. Is it not all these drinkings that cause those?
I BET OUR BELOVED WOMEN BLOGGERS WILL AGREE WITH ME.
AMERICA WAKE UP! WE ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR OBAMA.
Yes those who are not going to vote for him won't vote for him not because of HIS CANDID REMARK.
Posted by: Bob from Pensylvannia | Apr 14, 2008 6:08:24 PM
BJ Clinton at it again. LOL.
Posted by: Doug | Apr 14, 2008 6:09:18 PM
John Baer: Decades of working-class neglect - now that's insulting
By John Baer
Philadelphia Daily News
Daily News Political Columnist
SOME THOUGHTS on the latest diversion of Campaign '08, a campaign apparently hell-bent on keeping the nation mired in its own stupidity.
As a native-born, small-town Pennsylvanian, a son of native-born, small-town Pennsylvania parents - one from the coal region, one from Lancaster County - let me assure you that the so-called offensive, condescending things Barack Obama said about the people I come from are basically right on target.
"Bitter" perhaps best describes my late mother, an angry Irish Catholic who absolutely clung to her religion.
Dad, also a journalist, wasn't really bitter as far as I know, but he sure liked to hunt.
So, despite carping from Hillary Clinton and annoying yapping from her surrogates (really, it's like turning on the lights at night in a puppy farm), I take no offense.
What's offensive to me is suggesting that small-town, working-class, gun-toting and/or religious Pennsylvanians are somehow injured by a politician's words.
Are you kidding me?
They're injured all right, but the injury is long-term and from lots more than "just words."
They've been injured from decades of neglect by political cultures in Washington and Harrisburg driven by special interests.
They're injured by a system of isolated, insulated political leadership that protects itself and the status quo above all else.
They've been harmed by a lack of political guts to fix a health-care system that works against the poor and forces middle-class families to pay more for less, while at the same time giving politicians the best coverage taxpayer money can buy.
They've been taken for granted by political parties and candidates who stay in power by - and this was the apparent gist of Obama's remarks - forcing attention and debate on issues tied to guns, religion and race (precisely because such issues resonate) rather than real problems such as health care and the economy.
They've been consistently made fools of by their own elected representatives who, year after year, pull fat salaries ($169,000 for every member of Congress; $150,000 in salary, perks and benefits for every state lawmaker) with automatic raises no matter how little gets done.
A new Associated Press poll shows Congress' approval rating at 23 percent. And don't even get me started on the Pennsylvania Legislature.
Insulting?
What's insulting are the sizes of salaries and perks of politicians in a state where the median household income is $43,714.
What's insulting is the ongoing failure of elected "leaders" to deal with long-term, working-class worries while insuring their own futures with hefty, over-rich pensions.
And, look, what Obama said, given a charged atmosphere close to a critical primary, was ill-advised - not because he's wrong, but because it changes the discussion.
The 24-hour broadcast-news cycle will jabber on this for days - the irony being that Obama's "words," which had positioned him so well, now threaten to trip him up.
Another irony is that the candidate running to effect change where change is needed, and to offer hope to those without it, is suddenly tagged as somehow diminishing those he seeks to serve.
So the question is whether Obama effectively defuses this, as he did the controversy surrounding his former minister. And that remains to be seen.
Just don't tell me that he insulted a state or, given his background, that he's an out-of-touch elitist.
And I especially don't want to hear such arguments from a candidate who spent decades in the bubble of a governor's mansion, the White House and the U.S. Senate, and under the blanket of $109 million income during the last eight years.
Pennsylvanians might cling to religion and guns. I hope they don't cling to stupidity.
Send e-mail to baerj@phillynews.com.
For recent columns, go to
http://go.philly.com/baer.
Posted by: nick | Apr 14, 2008 6:11:20 PM
Every time Clinton does something nasty to Obama and he strikes back, she accuses him of being "on the attack." Hillary, we are onto your little game. It's so obvious, it's painful to watch. You are the Democratic version of a suicide bomber.
Posted by: Megan | Apr 14, 2008 6:14:30 PM
OMG! What Fun!!! Which Clintonista an Repugnant Racist Statement should I pick out (from the MANY) on this board???
Mary Miles said:
"Don't ever kid yourself. Mr. O's goal in life is to overcome his affirmative action education and join the group. Problem is, if he is this uppity now, can you imagine the arrogance if he has money and is president."
Yes, can't have those "uppity negroes" getting over on us whiteys!
And West Coast Mess -- whine, whine whine!!!
Obama 2008 -- Yes, WE CAN!!!
Posted by: Jackt51 -- Vietnam Vet and Proud Liberal | Apr 14, 2008 6:15:42 PM
I think NAFTA is a reason not to vote for the clintons!
800,000 is a reason not to vote for the clintons!
The women who are invisible to hillary is a reason not to vote for the clintons.
I list lots of reasons at my blog but there are too many people who don't care what the clintons do. The media does an Obama witch-hunt and stays on it until the votes are counted and then prepares for the next round. Ms. Fowler should keep her dang mouth shut because what happened was an innocent statement made into a big thing. With donations like hers who needs enemies?
Why aren't the jumping on hillary's relationship with Huma?
Posted by: Mem | Apr 14, 2008 6:19:13 PM
This was what clinton had to say during his campaign.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/13/bill-clinton-flashback-al_n_96433.html
Posted by: Michael | Apr 14, 2008 6:21:05 PM
"Don't ever kid yourself. Mr. O's goal in life is to overcome his affirmative action education and join the group. Problem is, if he is this uppity now, can you imagine the arrogance if he has money and is president. The world leaders will chew him up and spit him out. He is such a child, such a babe in the woods."
God Bless America? USA showing it's true colours for all to see. Pure unabashed racism in the 21st century.
USA! USA! USA!
If anywhere has the moral center and stability to spread truth and democracy across the world it's America. It's almost like a human and civil rights exchange program. As the GOP strips it's citizens of rights and freedoms guaranteed under the constitution it delivers rights and freedoms, by force, to other countries.
USA! USA! USA!
Posted by: Mike | Apr 14, 2008 6:24:25 PM
The sad thing about the link, which I am glad that you posted Michael, not as many people have read that compared to ms. fowlers messages. Goes back to the media and the witch-hunt for Obama. They keep this thing alive through showing hillary saying something about it every 5 min. CNN and MSMBC are getting as bad a fox with this crap.
http://ak-elections2008.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Mem | Apr 14, 2008 6:27:40 PM
AP - In a major campaign blunder, Senator Barack Obama stated today that the sky is blue.
"This proves his elitist insensitivity," reported correspondent Karl Rove "There were clouds over many parts of America today, including states the Democrats need to win in November. He completely ignored millions of Americans."
From The Spoof
Posted by: Trillium | Apr 14, 2008 6:30:49 PM
Bill Clinton Sunday times 1991:
You know, he [Bush] wants to divide us over race. I'm from the South. I understand this. This quota deal they're gonna pull in the next election is the same old scam they've been pulling on us for decade after decade after decade. When their economic policies fail, when the country's coming apart rather than coming together, what do they do? They find the most economically insecure white men and scare the living daylights out of them. They know if they can keep us looking at each other across a racial divide, if I can look at Bobby Rush and think, Bobby wants my job, my promotion, then neither of us can look at George Bush and say, 'What happened to everybody's job? What happened to everybody's income? What ... have ... you ... done ... to ... our ... country?'"
Posted by: Thinking | Apr 14, 2008 6:33:26 PM
Bill Clinton"
The reason (George H. W. Bush's tactic) works so well now is that you have all these economically insecure white people who are scared to death," Clinton was quoted saying by the Los Angeles Times in September 1991
Posted by: Thinking | Apr 14, 2008 6:35:39 PM
Hillary speaks to us:
"I do remember shooting a duck once when I was first lady in Arkansas."
Annie Oakley for president.
She should have been shooting at Bill with a pellet gun, after one of his many episodes, at the Excelsior Hotel in Little Rock.
Posted by: Lone Ranger | Apr 14, 2008 6:40:35 PM
The accusations about a lack of patriotism of Obama were bogus -- made up. He used a phrase of someone else without giving credit -- who hasn't done that?
The bitter comment, though, is more serious. It suggests that he doesn't trust most Americans to react in the right way to the trade war, and furthermore it suggests that his own religion is a put-on. He seems to view people of faith in negative terms, while also claiming to be one -- obviously that's hypocritical.
The most serious issue with Obama is his lack of definition, and utter lack of accomplishments for someone in his position. There is no way that he should be where he is, and therefore Geraldine Ferraro is seeming more correct by the minute (like it or not). Would Oprah have backed him, if he were white? It seems like she was pretty keen on Hillary, before. So, yes, I think that Ferraro was correct in saying that Barack Obama wouldn't be where he is without being black. That's as racist as voting against him because of his color, or voting for McCain or Hillary due to color. (That's as sexist as a voting for or against a candidate due to sex.)
Ultimately, it comes down to what's best for this country, and likely it comes down to their positions on Iraq. Should our boys come home ASAP? If we do that, though, will it invite al Qaeda to take over Iraq and use it as a base to attack the world, including NYC, LA, Chicago, Houston, Boston, Atlanta, Miami, etc? Won't we just end up sending more troops back into Iraq a 3rd time -- the way we had to go back into Korea after leaving prematurely?
Posted by: S. Walker (independent) | Apr 14, 2008 6:46:03 PM
Stop it. Just Stop it. I am switching to republican if Obama the weardo is nominated. Obama is a disgrace to the USA.
Posted by: amanda bellman | Apr 14, 2008 6:54:44 PM
The biggest liar is OBAMA. Count them up. Rezko trial mentioned him and Michele at a known terrorists party, today. He said, he didn't know the guy.
NO OBAMA.
Posted by: mj | Apr 14, 2008 6:55:25 PM
Thinking,
You are exactly right, I read that quote of his as well.
Posted by: ric | Apr 14, 2008 6:58:02 PM
From CNN article 2004
In her suit, filed in 1994, Jones alleged that in May 1991, when Clinton was governor of Arkansas and she was a state employee, he groped her and exposed his genitals while they were alone in a Little Rock hotel room.
Clinton denied any wrongdoing.
When he was ordered by a federal judge to submit to a deposition from Jones' lawyers, he appealed all the way to the Supreme Court, which refused to delay the case in 1997.
It was during the Jones deposition that Clinton was asked under oath about former White House intern Monica Lewinsky. His denial of a sexual relationship with her triggered an investigation that led to his impeachment by the House on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.
Clinton eventually admitted to an "inappropriate" relationship with Lewinsky. He stayed in office after he was acquitted of the impeachment charges by the Senate.
Jones and Clinton settled their lawsuit in November 1998, when he agreed to pay her $850,000 but offered no apology or admission of guilt.
At the time, the suit had been dismissed by a federal judge, but Jones was challenging the dismissal on appeal.
In his new book, "My Life," Clinton again denies harassing Jones. Expressing confidence that he would have won the case, he said he decided to settle the suit to put the scandal behind him.
But Jones said if Clinton really believed he would have won in court, "Why didn't he take it all the way?" She said she believes she would have eventually won her suit.
"Nothing bothers this man," she said. "I don't understand it."
Other women in Clinton's life
Two other women who figured prominently in allegations swirling around Clinton's personal behavior, Lewinsky and Gennifer Flowers, have also disputed the former president's descriptions of their relationships in his book.
During the 1992 campaign, Flowers publicly disclosed that she had a 12-year affair with Clinton. He later admitted to an extramarital relationship with her but, in his book, insists "there was no 12-year affair."
That prompted Flowers to issue a statement through her lawyer saying she was "sickened by his continued disregard for the truth."
"Bill Clinton pretends to be contrite, but he continues to bear false witness against his neighbor. He is a national disgrace."
In an interview with the British newspaper The Daily Mail, Lewinsky also took issue with Clinton's characterizations of their relationship, including his statement that he had an affair with her because he could.
"He talked about it as though I had laid it all out there for the taking. I was the buffet, and he just couldn't resist the dessert. That's not how it was. This was a mutual relationship, mutual on all levels," she said. (Full story)
Posted by: Lone Ranger | Apr 14, 2008 6:58:16 PM
Hello. Can someone tell this man to shut up.
People are not bitter with 100 million as income. People are not bitter when you are collecting loby money from china and columbia. People are not bitter when the economy is going down and people are loosing jobs. Please let us hear word Bill
Posted by: mariakrow | Apr 14, 2008 6:58:44 PM
I am tired of this Obama guy. Nothing but a plain lying canidate. His comments, racist embracements, elitist remarks make me sick. He needs to leave the US if he don't like us.
Posted by: Alicia C | Apr 14, 2008 6:59:46 PM
I'm a 75 year old Democrat and have seen more of life than most. I may not be alive for another presidential election but If Hillary is the candidate in November, I will stay home! How long do you think it's going to take Bill to stray once he's in the White House again without power, needing something to boost his ego! I had enough of that last time and don't want him anywhere near the White House!
Posted by: mandy33 | Apr 14, 2008 7:00:02 PM
Who listens to Bill anymore? And.......once Barack really gets to Indiana, he will trump that Annie Oakley whiskey shooting fool.
Bill should concern himself more with his illegial foreign interests and that billion dollar donor list for his library.
Posted by: Sylvia | Apr 14, 2008 7:01:44 PM
I understand why somebody lies about having an affair, but what is the point about lying about people having a specific sign?
I just don't understand it.
Posted by: johnnydrama | Apr 14, 2008 7:09:39 PM
So Bill thinks voters aren't bitter. If they are n’t bitter, they should be, and they should be bitter at politicians like Clinton and Hillary. Politicians lie to them, use them and then forget them. Example: Bill Clinton came through Ohio , Michigan and Pennsylvania in 1992 and loudly proclaimed that he would never finalize the NAFTA treaty without renegotiating the treaty. Once in office, he almost immediately went back on his word, accepted the Bush1 treaty with no changes and pushed it through the Senate. And he never went back to those people he promised to fight for and told them why he abandoned his promise. Those voters should be bitter and they are delusional if they believe Hillary, or her husband, are one of them.
Posted by: Dennis | Apr 14, 2008 7:16:57 PM
I live in Central PA, and I am indeed bitter.
Bitter that I have to put up with this garbage from the Clinton campaign every day.
Come on PA!! Let's end this thing right here next week.
Obama '08
Posted by: Susan | Apr 14, 2008 7:24:07 PM
No, those voters are not bitter; they think the Clintons will give them some money to make life lots better. And those voters who think that, are more ignorant than others who are not only bitter, but angrier than hell at the government (Bushco and Clinton). Don't think for one minute those people aren't angry, unless Clinton was talking to only the elite since those are really the only types Clintons want anything to do with. They will do "anything" for a vote for HRC - they would even stoop so low as to shovel sh*t if it meant getting votes! But they would bitch about it the minute the voters backs were turned because they can't stand being around "blue collar workers" - they are afraid they may catch some disease from us! Foolish/ignorant voters who don't see through this garbage - shame on them!
Posted by: Disparaged | Apr 14, 2008 7:28:51 PM
The destructive policies of the Clintons and Bushes, are a bane to politics. Character assassination..... Ah forget it I am disgusted
Obmam08
Posted by: Thinking | Apr 14, 2008 7:40:29 PM
Thank you Cheryl from Canada. You are so right. I can't believe, as an American, that some ignorant people here don't seem to realize that LIARS would make horrible presidents because we the people wound never know if the truth was being told since those people would have NO character and this is the most important trait. But some people are deaf, dumb and blind (not in the legal sense of those descriptions)! They just REFUSE to see LIARS when they stand right in front of their face. Like you say though, I will NEVER vote for Hill (and you get him too) because she is a PROVEN LIAR!
Posted by: Disparaged | Apr 14, 2008 7:44:17 PM
Hey James, try just listening to what he says. I'm an independent, voted for Reagan, Bush, then Dem since then. Bill Clinton was a good president and a lousy man. Bush jr was predictably incompetent and divisive. Now Obama comes along and reminds us that Americans need to hang together, or as Franklin said, we will all hang separately. His legislative record appears as impressive as H Clinton's to me. Clinton has clearly tried to exaggerate her accomplishments, i.e. Bosnia & others. Obama has attempted to open dialogue, though on the other hand it's clear he's not as well versed as Clinton on policy. Both have attacked each other, though what I notice is that Clinton keeps trying to attack Obama for silly things, and she gets boo'd for it. Also Wright was over the top, but what did he really say? God Damn America for treating people like property? Especially people of color? & by extension for the damage done to the black family that still is so far from being overcome? The condemnation of Wright is overdone - as is the condemnation of Hillary and Barack. America is the greatest nation, but we have done many bad things also. Many people don't want to accept that though, and simply want to go on believing their most cherished beliefs, regardless of the reality in front of them. The problem is, nothing gets fixed that way. I see unreasoning hatred in many of the comments here, be they in support of Obama, Clinton, or McCain, particularly in the denigration of the opponent. I guess it's not good enough to support your favorite, the others all have to be the modern incarnation of Satan for many of the folks on this thread. I support Obama, not because he's a good orator, but because he starts from the right principles, as he makes clear in his speeches. His anti-lobbyist rhetoric carries weight with me, moreso than the other candidates. I don't think he's god, and I'm a lot older than 18 years old. I don't agree with all of his policies (I'm an Independent), but I do think he's the right man for right now. Only time will tell.



