I am a 76 year old woman that has lived in penna all my life,I agree that we have some bitterness,he was right in seeing that in our people. we have lost all our good paying jobs & what has this Goverment done to help us. Senior citzens are worried about losing our homes to school taxes etc. Bush has earned almost a million this year & so what does he care about average people,keep telling the truth Obama

I disagree

The Republicans would hammer Hillary on Bosnia

then hammer Bill on Bosnia

This "bitter" comment is only weekend news

It won't last

Just as everyone thought Rev. Wright was the controversy to damage Obama

His poll numbers increased

Bayh comments confuse me... he backs a candiate that lies, husband and strategist are tied to columbia trade deal which could cost american jobs and has run a horrible campaign thats just for starters. The republican attack machine has so much on her its crazy and still gathering. He thinks the super delegates don't look at her judgement???? Obama has and will continue to secure the necessary Super Delegates to win the nomination and win in nov because it is about true leadership and change.

It's just not accurate to say that Hillabeans is any less likely to spur on the Republican attack machine than Senator Obama.

We just have to be ready for them, and Senator Obama has proven he is the most capable of meeting them head-on.

Obama 2008 -- Yes, WE CAN!!!

Deceptively blame Republicans in advance so as to cover their negative 'kitchen sink' politics of Dems self-destruction.
That is the way of the duplicitous Clintons.

With Democratic friends like these, Obama can handle IMAGINED Republican enemies. lol

The Clintons campaign is duplicitous and deceptive. They go negatively against a fellow Democrat with their childish, UNPRODUCTIVE and polarizing 'politics as usual', and they have the nerve to blame the Republicans in advance.

Americans are much wiser; that is why the Clintons are defeated; but they don't know it and don't want to know it; because it is too painful. lol

Vanessa – No offence, you are biased in favor of Obama. Currently Obama is tied with McCain. Obama used to lead him by double digit.

This democratic fight has lasted a bit longer than thought.

I used to think of a dream ticket with both Obama and Clinton, but now with so much fight between them this ticket would rather backfire.

I am concerned we will have to live with McCain for the next 4 years.

Good luck to the democrats.

I honestly don't get it. Lying about sniper fire is easier to defend? Taking 800,00 from Columbia for a trade deal that you oppose is easier to defend? I can go on and on...the Republicans are going to do what they do--Democrats just need to get a backbone and fight back. Obama is not perfect;they have less on him, but so far he has held his own very well.

I am a rich American who made my money myself. I did not inherit it from my father. What Obama said is the real truth! I am appalled that he has to recant the wording.

"You demand politicians to be honest and when they speak the truth you despise them"

Now a question!
Are you all blue collar workers in small towns in PA happy that you have lost your good paying jobs, houses, sons and daughters in Iraq? Are you not bitter?

Obama said small town folk embrace guns, religion, and antipathy towards others out of their bitterness. That is what he said. So you agree with that? LOL

So, small town folk go to church and hunt because they are bitter. Not because they love god or like to hunt. They also take their "bitterness" out on immigrants, who they dont like either, because they are so busy hating and going to church and hunting to express their hate. Is that it? LOL

Obama is totally unelectable. His lead will evaporate as more and more people get to know about him. A man who have only been in the senate for 3 years can't run a country effectively. This will be the biggest joke ever in history if Obama is elected. I can foresee that people will regret that they have voted for him.

There is SOOOOOOO much ammunition that the Republicans have for Hillary.

Evan Bayh should think TWICE on what he said that Hillary isn't as vulnerable.

The reality is that she REALLY is.

The Republicans have been preparing for over a year in case Hillary gets the nomination. The Republicans have just been preparing for a few months for Obama.

Hillary, be careful for what you wish for.

Bayh, speaking after Sen. Hillary Clinton’s town hall meeting in Indianapolis today, said he didn't agree with Clinton’s assertion that Obama’s comments were elitist, but said that doesn't mean the remarks won't hurt Obama.

I DONT BELIEVE THE HURT THING WILL LAST TO LONG . PEOPLE ARE BITTER WHEN THE SMALL COMMUNITIES DRY UP AND THE POLITICIANS PROMISES DRY UP TO.

In a discussion today with my neighbors this topic came up. the word elitist came up and out of the 5 of us. think that if you make $100,000.00 a year your are elite.
so John, Hillary you are also calling yourselves that name also to the working poor.
I would like to know what dollar value others believ that you makes you elite?

Go away,she has a STRONG record right but it isn't for the good.Obama said the truth that the other two don't give a damn about/He cares and maybe the words wern't just right for some snobs but we the little people understood very nicely TYVM....

I fix shoes for a living, and I think Obama should not be attacked for what he said, he should be elected. He shows that he understands why working people are ###### off, and why guns and religion are important issues to a lot of working people.

First he defended himself, now he regrets what he said.
Obama`s supporters, please follow your master, regret that.

Honest
Working class get it . Its the weathy who do not.

The Clintons took $50 million in "speaking fee" bribes and they want to call Obama out of touch?

Michelle Obama took 50K a year from a company named treehouse, huge supplier to walmart. Clintons had nothing until after they left the white house.

Obama and Michelle already rich off of corporations and trade. Rich AND bitter!

People who make under 25,000.00 get exactly what he is saying.We work hard .
We do the Jobs other will not..got to admit thou i wish i did not. I would love to have a so called cushy job pushing a pencil around instead of swinging a broom and mop but its a living not great but it pays the bills.

Those who would wrongly label Obama as 'elitist' are too bedazzled by his acute intellect, his Harvard eduction, and University professor status to notice that Obama is as down to earth as they come.

Intelligent young people DO NOT flock to 'elitists' in droves. They FLOCK TO TRUE LEADERS, like President Obama.

And those who would wrongly suggest that Obama is 'out of touch' are feigning ignorance of Obama's years of service as a Community Organizer, Civil Rights lawyer and State senator to working American families who lost their jobs due to plant closing in Illinois.

When asked why Republicans wouldn’t do the same to Clinton because of her Bosnia story and others, Bayh responded that because she has a stronger record than Obama, she is less vulnerable.

they just don't have Bosnia , They have her selling jobs to tata, Bills lobbying $800,000.00

Mark Penn
They have NAFTA there was no vocal opposition during Clinton's years at the House
They Have their years at the house and how much money their presidency cost Americans
Walmart Union Busting
They probably have more dirt that they have not released yet
They most important Have Her and Bill pumping him up, they will just repeat what they said

This is so much BS. Anti-Immigration was spread to help explain why people lost there jobs. When bad trade deals take away American jobs, Politicians like Hillary have to deflect the blame to outside groups but If you lost your only source of income or insurance you blame the person who took the job away from you. The politician and the immigrant. You become cynical of what the government will do and you retreat to other values and propagate anti-immigration, and anti-trade notion because your angry and bitter. What Obama was saying was true of the social situation and to take away the complexity of the situation shows how out of touch $109 million Hillary is.

What happen to this outrage when it was proven Hillary lied about supporting NAFTA, or Bosnia, or Ireland, or when Penn went to Columbia of all places. All these things are a lot worse then anything Obama's done.

Obama will not be elected in November! The democrats have lost the presidency for not going into Osama’s history. The media gave Obama a clear ride for almost a year. If the media would have done honest reporting, Obama would not be where he’s at today. I would never vote for a person that supports a person that’s anti-American. Rev. Wright advocates hatred in his church and Obama takes his children to this church to hear this. He’s teaching his children to hate America. The people will not forget the un-American statements by both Obama’s pastor and his wife. At a fundraiser in San Francisco with his BILLIONIAR friends he spoke about the misfortunate Americans. He is now showing his loathing for white AMERICA. Republican will not let you forget in their campaign for the presidency what Rev. Wright said. What he said about the people in PA.I don’t think the media will be able to safe him (Obama) this time, no matter how hard they try. I’m against anything that’s anti-American.

Hey Al

Hillary worked on the Board for Walmart has a Corporate Lawyer. And lied in South Carolina when she said she work for women's rights when fact she did nothing but keep quiet while Walmart pushed out Unions.

This is the real reason so many Unions jump off the Hillary bandwagon.

Hillary will let the republican party do her dirty work for her.
with the republicans going after other Senators And representatives..Super delegates pushing them to either stand up for Obama or criticize him going for Hillary or that's what she hopes for.

michelle and obama already have their fingers in the pie, while the clintons didn't have a dime until after they left the white house. but you go ahead and keep drinking that kool aid. obama is not electable. whoever urged him to run NOW was nuts to do so.

obama is no longer the savior: he is just another politician and actually he is bumbling more than most. he is mired in race and class issues now that can will be used against him, and only a fool would have gotten into this position. Not CIC material.

800,00.00 reasons why she could change her mind
31,000.00 reasons she sold out to Tata consultancy bring jobs to NY
831,000.00 reasons she will notget my vote

DavidM and roger, Hillary is unelectable and with her 109 million does not care about poor people like you and me. She has never seen a bitter personne in America, never, she has never seen an unhappy American, eveything is good and fine, that is why more than 70% of the Americans say that the country is going in the wrong direction. Hill the Bosnian General has only happy people in her meetings, people who have not lost jobs or health care, etc. People do not be distracted, let us open our eyes the mischaracterization of Obama's words is a serious distraction. Leaders have to feel the pain of people and that is what Obama was expressing. God bless America and God bless Obama.OBAMA08.

Freedom of Speech

The only Anti-American comments are of those supporters who bash the opposing candidate for having an God Honest Opinion of the Rust Belt Blue Collar Workers. - By the way it's called the Rust Belt because the factories are closed and not coming back. I be bitter if that where my only income came from. The lack on empathy of Hillary supporters is staggering.

I have some advice, no issue simple in terms of black and white. When approaching a issue assume complexity.

And another thing I would like all Hillary supporters to explain to me why Hillary lied about supporting NAFTA. Hillary said, "I was always against Nafta." But White House documents say she actively lobbied for it. I guest she a woman with actions. Hmm I see a pattern of actions leading to job loses, and war all over record. She gives the wrong answers to all her tough choices.

Lobbyist do not care who they hurt. As long as they get what they Lobby for.columbia trade deal .who will this effect Unions , American workers

To BKMC,

So you want a leader who has less money you think because of that, he can feel your pain. Sorry to tell you, Obama owns millons as well and lives in a house worth more than a million.

New Yorker:
Your assertion that people who believe Obama is elitist are "bedazzled" by his credentials is comical. I am equally credentialed as Obama (we have just about the same academic background). I am a University Professor -- not a lecturer, and many others consider me intelligent (although I am too modest to state that affirmatively). Yet, I see the elitism in his comments, and I am not wowed by his credentials at all.

Intelligent young people are a mixed bag just like everyone else. They can (and have) flocked to elitists and to people who are not true leaders (whatever that means). There is nothing remarkable and compelling about the candidates that young people support. If anything, older voters know more about leadership and potential for change, since they have more experience on these matters.

I would not say that Obama is "out of touch" for making these comments. I would argue, however, that he was impolitic and elitist. The white liberal crowd in the San Francisco audience supports a lot of policies that might harm persons of color and the poor (like gentrification and land use -- which has made San Francisco completely unaffordable to most persons of color, the poor, and to most families with children). Are San Francisco whites bitter? Or do they embrace policies based on principle? This is the fundamental problem in his statement. He seemingly removes the potential for principled political commitment from the table when talking about poor whites. He would NEVER do that when talking about wealthy whites and their political views. And if Clinton had said something similar about a demographic beyond her reach, Obama’s supporters would be drumming for her execution. Imagine someone asking Clinton, for example, why she is doing poorly among black voters, and she said: “Well, things are bad for blacks economically, and they are bitter and left out. As a result they are very religious, oppose immigration, do not support abortion rights, are anti-trade, and I guess are not that comfortable with me because I do not look like them.” No one would call for calm and context.

Finally, I find it disturbing that his response followed a question concerning his inability to attract working-class voters. What does he do? Accuse them of being unprincipled and angry -- a result of Bush and Clinton. His refusal to look inward is galling and wreaks of narcissism. But that seems to be a common theme in his campaign - at least among his surrogates. The have argued, for example, that if he loses the election, we should blame Clinton. If Obama loses to the Republicans, at their lowest point in modern history, following one of the worst Republican presidents in history, immediately after or during a recession, and during a very unpopular war, then Obama can blame himself alone, not Clinton. Similarly, he should blame himself for his inability to connect with poor voters. Outside of African Americans, he does miserably among the poor. The media and many of his online fans have attributed this to racism. He blames Bush and Clinton. None of these answers is helpful.

Hillary
does not understand the working poor.
we are tired andbitter. we have watched you sell out or jobs withevery trade deal you approve of. I understand at this time you want to pause on signing any. But instead of pausing how about stopping? You say you want to make it fair for Americans .Is that not what you have done in the past look to make it fair for Americans?
well so far Americans do not believe they are fair when companies close the doors. and go were labor is cheeper.

This is were you fail.

Obama is a huckster who is not electable. Keep dissing the Clintons if that makes you feel better, but you are only continuing in a losing proposition. Sorry that you backed the wrong person.

Rather than trying to explain his extremely offensive comments, Obama should apologize to the people of Pennsylvania for accusing these voters of "clinging to guns or religion" because they are "bitter."

Many of us want change, but I doubt any of us wants a disdainful president.

Obama is unelectable. In November it will be either Hillary ’08 or McCain ’08.

Clinton has a stronger record than Al Gore had?

Where does this guy get this stuff?

I would rather back a winner than a sore loser who will take her party down a path that the Republicans can use to smear.
Obama 08

How many years Obama graduated from college, how many years he has owned six figure money, why can`t he pay his debt from college, tax deduction???

When I read some of these comments, I laugh. Boy are you being led to the slaughter house by a silver tongued orator...like sheep following the pied piper....If you don't think that he knew exactly what he was saying and the audience that he was saying it to, I've got a bridge to sell ya. Ask yourself why no press was allowed to this rally? hmmm...wonder why. think goodness for the writer for the Huffington Post. Or we folks would never have known what this guy was saying...And Hillary might have misspoke about her Bosnia trip but at least she was there and from the films supplied, looked like the soldiers enjoyed her being there. Where was Barack???? Going to church listening to Rev. Wright? hmmmm

lauren -- obama said he is not in favor of protectionism. he has never said he would have voted against nafta as a senator, and he says if elected president, he would not seek to have it repealed. so, how exactly does he differ from clinton in the issue of nafta?

Obama, brought down to earth. It's about time. Drip, drip, drip from now on, will be one thing after another.

Al

I've notice your statements are not supported by facts. When forming an opinion don't let facts get in the way of supporting Hillary. Truth be told she nearly cant win because all Obama needs is to win Indiana and North Carolina and 33% of the superdelegates to clinch the nomination.

I will say this to your credit, the media needs to stop putting Americans against each other. Catholic vs Protestants, Blacks vs Latino vs Whites, Educated vs Lesser Educated.

It makes me feel sad that such an innocuous statement is being used to take precedence over all the other factors and statements not only from Obama but Clinton and McCain. I think it’s significant that Obama has really shown a lot of courage and class during this campaign. I agree totally with what he said and felt his remarks described me even though I am not in rural, blue-collar America, am not particularly religious and don‘t own a gun. I’m from Maryland but do feel bitter about the turn our country has taken

McCain and Clinton must be totally bereft of ideas to pounce on and twist this issue the way they have; do they have original ideas of their own, do they acknowledge the public dissatisfaction with the current climate in this country and the dire situation we all are in? Have we now reached the point where we get upset when or become offended when someone else tells us we should. If we citizens allow ourselves to be sidetracked based on something like this then we deserve Bush/McCain/Clinton.

Obama’s the only one breaking new ground and making statement other politicians are afraid to, everyone makes mistakes from time to time but is this really a big deal? I don’t think so.

O my god a Bad words, "people are BITTER"-
Shame on Obama for telling the truth.
She is trying soo hard to find something to make obama look bad, It really make her look like she is sick in the head. The multi-millionairest has no Idea what the people below that make $50 thousand really think and feel!!! This is sooo stupid!! God please help her!! Republicans are also bitter --- 'Bitter Feud Among Republicans!!!

CINDY
do you mean Lied? Lied like Bill did?
the word is called LIED!!
SHE DOES VERY WELL NOT ONCE, NOT TWICE . THEN BILLY COMES OUT AND REPEATS IT.

Lauren - if Obama cannot beat McCain, it's his own fault - not Clinton's. The argument that Clinton is destroying him and the Democratic party is just paranoia and fear-mongering among his supporters. In the "real world," we know that the Democrats have only had one two-term president since Harry Truman!!!! And that president was Bill Clinton -- the person who Obama's college-age and white wealthy supporters despise, even though he stood up to the Republcans, balanced the budget, created a surplus, cut taxes, appointed liberals to the federal courts, and helped usher through important legislation (including the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Violence Against Women's Act).

This is the party of Carter, Mondale, Dukakis, Gore, and Kerry. A bunch of losers get nominated every four years; now that the party is nominating another likely loser, it is Clinton's fault. You guys are just enabling his narcissism. It's Bush's and Bill Clintons's fault why poor people do not vote for him. It's Hillary Clinton's fault why he might lose to McCain. I guess he is only responsible for his success. Talking about assuming the mantra of a victim.

clinch the nomination and lose in november. enjoy your prize. ask dukakis, mcgovern, mondale, gore, carter, and kerry.

tony, these obama supporters don't understand that obama would lose in november. those of us who are not obamanuts are going to cross over to mccain after this horrible treatment we have received. their prize will be an empty one. the dems do this almost every time.

First of all, I do not think that Sen. Obama said anything so "gross" that he needed to apologize for. However, if anyone said they were offended, Sen. Obama responded appropriately by offering his apology. This action can only show that he is a real man of integrity--not afraid to say "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings", or "I apologize for not making myself clear."

My concern here is that this is merely an ugly political gimmick to attempt to confuse some people, and divert Sen. Obama's attention from the real issue by wasting valuable time that he could otherwise spend on the upcoming primaries and issues that affect us most. To those persons who were offended, please accept a personal apology from me and let us focus on more critical issues.

The example that Sen. Obama shares should help us learn how to be more forgiving. There is not any perfect person on this earth. So, come on folks, let's grow up and embrace Sen. Obama for his concerns about the horrific condition we Americans face, and his bravery for stepping forward to rescue this perishing nation!

P.S. My heart goes out to Sen. Hillary for showing such desperation to attack Sen. Obama for his choice of words. All eyes are on the Clintons for all those blunders they have made recently. Shame on you, Sen. Clinton!

nICHOLAS
Say if your from a small state you do not count. ah shucks I thought this was America were everyone counts. Once Again Hillary supporters think only a few states count.

It's a good thing that Barack is running He thinks all states count.
Hillary talks about the Big states
Fla. and Mich. right.
Well does she tell you that her senior advisor help strip delegates? nah that would make those voters angry with her.

Al

Try to be the devil's advocate for Hillary once in a while. You'll probably realize the errors of your ways and join us. I welcome your opinion but I don't see the facts to back up your arguments.

Forgive me if I rely on facts, I'm an engineer, facts dictate my life.

Gina
Nicely said. Hillary's apology consisted of geez I'm human.

Hillary has lied about just nearly everything, shown herself to be a habitual liar, and strangely enough remains ''electable'' to so many people here, while Obama, is supposedly now ''unelectable'' for what are highly suspect deductions made from either a statement here or an association with some person there.

I see a lot of racism at play here.

lobbyist serve only those to whom they lobby for.
they do not care who they hurt and how they hurt them.
Mark Penn
Bill Clinton

$800,000.00 reason why hillary could change her mind.

While the discussion on this non issue continues,

Supporters of Obama have accepted the Colbert challenge and are only about 5 grand short of the 150 grand donation goal to Pennsylvania school. It seems Obama supporters care more about education then Hillary's. I would think supporters would donate more then 20 grand. I guess one voice can make a difference.

Bye the way, he can win is not a valid argument not to vote for someone. It's like voting for the British because the colonies can't be the most impressive military Europe has seen.

I hear a lot about Hillary having a stronger record. Can somebody explain what that record is and what makes it stronger?

Wake up Americans. It is not about money, who has it or not, but which candidate recognizes one essential truth and that is that the average, not wealthy, Americans like me who are indeed bitter that they are not being listened to and we are afraid, not of foreign enemies, we can handle them, we always have. But that we are afraid of not being able to live out our years in the hope that our children will do well and not have to greatly suffer the consequences of the past several years of inept "leaders" in the government, who are indeed the domestic enemies who endanger our future. The Clinton duo are certainly not offering us much hope with their inability to tell the truth! And the erratic and confused John McCain certainly is not the face of hope for us. Barack Obama stands out to the great numbers of working people, like myself, of America as a man of principle who will represent all of US and not the establishment of Washington D.C. I will continue to send him the few dollars I can spare each month to see him elected. Si se puede! Yes we can!

Forget about the Republicans hammering him with the comment. Right now, it's Hillary Clinton hammering. She is desperate to make sure Obama's remark should sound condescending. Her usual manipulation, from someone who grew up with midwestern values, church going. One more reason for me not to vote for her.

I apologize Al I mistook what you said. You have such leaps in judgment and thinking I thought you were referring to me. But to enlighten you, Black people didn't start voting for Obama until Bill Clinton started bashing Obama. Remember the polls show a 50/50 split before South Carolina. Obama also won Iowa, No black candidate for president has won Iowa. Obama earned the black vote, and Hillary lost the black vote by doing nothing for us. List some reason why Hillary should have our support. By the way Obama has done alot for the Black community in Chicago has a state legislature.

GHM -- if being a Democrat means one cannot engage in dissent, then I guess I should switch parties.

I think the Super delegates of the democratic party are doing the party a great deal of harm. Only time will tell. This is not an ordinary election, this is an election in which the Democratic party has its best and may be the best chance it will ever have to win the General election. Super delegates do not have to wait for this thing to play itself out, if they do, it will be too late, the party will not heal and the democtratic party may not win in November. This is the time for them to show their mantle and the reason they are Super delegates and come out and support the leader in delegates otherwise they will go down to the drain with any one other than the one leading in the delegate count and who it appears will be leading after all the primaries.

gee tony, get the facts straight! Obama didn't 'go after poor whites'....and he didn't 'say those things in California because they resonated with the elitist crowd'
he said those things ANSWERING A QUESTION that was asked of him.

hillary has taught you all how to distort facts very well.

I have one problem with what Mr. Obama said: Cling to their religion

This man is NOT A CHRISTIAN - end of story. A true christian would never say, think, believe that they use their religion to deal with their bitterness.

Excuse me - what is wrong with people on this blog beating this to death. VERY CLEAR NOW WHO MR. OBAMA IS AND WHAT HE BELIEVES. I knew he would eventually give himself away. He just did it!!! Argue all you want about the word bitter/not the issue/ the issue is he is not a christian. I would never vote for this guy. Anyone who hangs on to the Obama cause is nuts.

HILLARY 08

I have one problem with what Mr. Obama said: Cling to their religion

This man is NOT A CHRISTIAN - end of story. A true christian would never say, think, believe that they use their religion to deal with their bitterness.

Excuse me - what is wrong with people on this blog beating this to death. VERY CLEAR NOW WHO MR. OBAMA IS AND WHAT HE BELIEVES. I knew he would eventually give himself away. He just did it!!! Argue all you want about the word bitter/not the issue/ the issue is he is not a christian. I would never vote for this guy. Anyone who hangs on to the Obama cause is nuts.

HILLARY 08

Obama hit it on the head. The economically depressed understood his words and he is right. One day there will be a economical incited revolution in this country it will cross racial and gender lines as the rich get richer and the poor poorer. I'am sorry if I sound bitter.

Obama hit it on the head. The economically depressed understood his words and he is right. One day there will be a economical incited revolution in this country it will cross racial and gender lines as the rich get richer and the poor poorer. I'am sorry if I sound bitter.

I grew up in a small town, and while I think Senator Obama was correct in saying that people are bitter (though angry would have been a better word), he was wrong to suggest that small town folks like myself "cling" to guns or religion because we are bitter...that is just wrong, and it pushes a negative stereotypes of middle America. We are religious because we believe and we like guns because we enjoy hunting...these two things were a part of our culture long before we fell upon hard times. And as far as him suggesting that we don't like immigrants, well, my small town welcomed my immigrant parents and I with open arms...

And why does Senator Obama think only people in small towns are bitter? People in cities are plenty bitter and they also carry guns. You need look no further than Senator Obama's own Rev. Wright to know that people are bitter in cities. If Senator Obama is making the argument that these people are bitter because they have been failed by Bush and Clinton what makes him think he can do any better? He has been a part of Rev. Wright's church and family, by his own description, for 20 years and Rev. Wright is still plenty bitter...

While I am willing to believe that Senator Obama may not have meant the words to come across as poorly as they did, I really do believe he owes small town folks like myself an apology. NOT because he said we were bitter, but because he suggested that in our bitterness we "cling" to foolish things like guns and religion (that was the implication), and we become xenophobic. His comments reinforce negative stereotypes about rural America that are not fair and if he wants to be President of all of America, not just urban America, he needs to show that he gets it, that he can relate to all of America.

another distraction...
another bitter distraction

tony

If I understand you correctly Obama is guilty of tailoring his speeches to the audience, I'll give you that one. But pandering is when you change positions for an audience, in this case doesn't apply. For example suddenly being pro-gun in Texas and anti-gun in Los Angeles. By your standards all writing, speeches are pandering. Your argument falls short because emphasizing position to certain crowds it not parenting but rather sound campaigning. Take the job searching example: If I were to apply for an overseas job, I would put a studied abroad or foreign Language skills in my resume. Pandering would be writing Spanish when it is a lie. Knowing how to speak to people with different backgrounds is an accepted plus for Obama.

Your other opinion is valid, but it leaves alot out. For instance Nafta is not a bad idea, in fact it's a good idea. But if you look at both sides of the border the reason it failed was because of unenforced Labor agreements. Remember Mexico had an uprising over Nafta.

The bitter comment is where the context leaves the discussion to interpretation. If I lost my Job, I would turn to religion for guidance. It's the empathy that negates the elitest critique. He tries to put himself in there shoes and see where there coming from. Yes they aren't immediately voting for him because he is different. This why he pointed out his name and age in the first place in the passage. Hillary is name brand Democrat and people will pick her as the safe choice. Also the fact that politicians do push anti-immigrant policies to explain away job losses. There was serious debate about this earlier in the race.

By the way I apologize if I misunderstood your original post, I welcome a good and intelligent argument. But be careful it is easy to selectively picking information that supports your original argument.

SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL TOWN GUN OWNING CHURCH GOING AMERICA

HILLARY '08

LA in Indiana -- most of the so-called "gaffes" in this campaign have come as a result of people asking questions. So this is beyond the point. He did attack them, and I stand by that.

Are we bitter? Damn straight. And if you think Hillary Clinton speaks for the small-town working people of this country, you're out of your mind. For one thing, anyone who has actually served in the military (Bill?) is furious at that poseur's lies about Bosnian snipers ... not to mention her lies about NAFTA and her vote to give Bush a blank check on Iraq without even bothering to read the intelligence report first. Are we bitter? You bet. Are we counting on the Clintons to stop counting their millions long enough to put themselves in our shoes? Not a chance. Enough with the spin. Obama got it right, and he's getting my vote.

tony, that is disingenuous.

He was asked why he thought they were not voting for him, why his numbers were not going up....and if you read his response ending with (and I paraphrase) we already don't trust our lousy gov't, and now here comes this black guy asking for our vote....

What he stated was not an attack, but fact. They are angry, they are frustrated, they don't know him and are trying to decide if they should believe what he says.
The government is not only NOT listening to them, this gov't we have is not listening to anyone that doesn't have money.

It is funny how saying you understand why people feel the way they do has now become an 'attack'.
I don't care how you spin it, that is just wrong.

Obama elist? Hardly.

The Clintons made $109 million, a good portion of it coming from lobbying activities that Bill Clinton did on behalf of the Colombian government to pass CAFTA, a free trade agreement that his wife claims to oppose.

John McCain once called the Bush tax cuts unconscionable, because they went to the wealthiest Americans. This is a moment when the country is in war and we are running budget deficits.

But now McCain wants to make these tax cuts permanent while he has nothing to offer to the middle class and so-called blue collar workers.

What does McCain have to say to foreclosure victims? Mr. Obama has concrete plans to provide relief.

Mr. Obama is a deeply religious father and husband, and he respects the Second Amendment and applicable Supreme Court decisions in that regard.

What will help all Americans is an end to war and economic stimulus at home.

bill and hillary have turned into nothing but background noise.

PA voters, we don't want more of the same. The clintons have adopted karl rove tactics, jumping on distraction after distraction. Please take this baby home.

O-ba-ma 08