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McCain: Obama Guns, Religion Remark 'Elitist'

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April 14, 2008 12:15 PM

ABC News' Bret Hovell Reports: Senator John McCain responded Monday to comments made by rival Sen. Barack Obama in which Obama seemed to imply that it is out of economic uncertainty that many rural voters “cling to guns or religion.”

McCain, speaking at the annual meeting of the Associated Press in Washington, DC, described a group of people who fought in World War II, and whose economic output created “the wealthiest, strongest and most generous nation on earth.”

McCain said that fighting through challenges such as the Great Depression did not shake Americans’ confidence.

“Nor did they turn to their religious faith and cultural traditions out of resentment and a feeling of powerlessness to affect the course of government or pursue prosperity,” McCain said in prepared remarks before taking questions.

“Their faith had given generations of their families purpose and meaning, as it does today. Their appreciation of traditions like hunting was based in nothing other than their contribution to the enjoyment of their lives.”

Later, while being questioned by two AP reporters, McCain was asked if he thought that Obama, D-Il, was elitist.

Watch the VIDEO HERE.

“I think those comments are elitist.” McCain said. "I can only look at his remarks and say that those are certainly not the vision I have of America and its strength and greatness."

April 14, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (90)

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He is the Black Savior, He wants to set the slaves free and give them the promised land. Didn't you hear him ask In Greenville "Help me build a kingdom on earth"

Why do you think he plays the race thing, Why do you think he called you all racist.

Less than 5% of the country the white population have and racial recourse. 95% believe that civil rights was won and everyone one is equal and have been living that way for 20 years.

The Blacks have more racism problems and beliefs, They were taught it, preached and instilled in them.
They actually believe, Their lives are the way they are because of Slavery, That the government and the whites did this to them. Absurd and Stupid, But the black leaders have pounded it into their minds, hearts and souls. With repetition and preaching. same way obama got so many to think he was gods gift to America.

Go read all those Speeches he made, Read the ones in Selma, In Greenville, in all the churches obama visited. Then stop and think.

Then go read up on how Hitler won over so many people.
Obama has done it the same way.

His campaign has set you up, the Economy up and this country for the biggest disaster In history.

So do not buy into the hype and crap he says. Don't give up on your country or you will lose it. Do not give up on your fellow Americans.

Time for The Real Americans to Stand up and Say Hell No.

Obama thinks your bitter, frustrated sniveling fools.

Posted by: Sharon | Apr 14, 2008 1:14:47 PM

Sally, try not to distort the numbers. The Clintons joint income over the past 8 years was 100+ million. That does not mean they have that much - it was reported that way s bias against them instead of reporting their annual income. In fact, if you look deeper, most of that was earned by Bill Clinton not Hillary Clinton. Senator Clinton donated $10M to charities (foundation dispersed and direct) which is the same amount she made on her books. McCain is also not the source of his marital income... his wife is the one "worth" 100+ million. Senator Clinton (on her own) has had some successful investments as has Obama... she makes more than him because she is older and has had more time to make money. This is a non-issue hyped up by the Obama camp and the MSM... all three candidates make about the same money in the top 2% of earners. Two of them have wealthy spouses pushing their marital income into the top 1%. Obama's wife makes more than he does on salary now that he secured a $1M earmark for her employer (she went from 121K to 316K after that was secured). You might want to look at real truths instead of hyped manipulation of numbers by the Obama camp and the MSM.

Posted by: mixed-american | Apr 14, 2008 1:20:35 PM

"McCain said that fighting through challenges such as the Great Depression did not shake Americans’ confidence."

Really.

From the "Straight Talk Express" Jan/08:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22487036/
"I think we all know that the American people have lost their trust and confidence in their government of the United States. Our failures at Katrina, the war in Iraq, corruption and spending in Washington. We know that." John McCain

Posted by: Cwatson | Apr 14, 2008 1:24:34 PM


WHY DOESN’T THE BIASED MEDIA REPORT WHERE OBAMA MADE HIS “BITTER” REMARKS! IT WAS IN THE HOME OF A PAKISTANI NATIVE-MUSLIM MILLIONAIRE! WATCH OUT WHAT WILL GO ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IF OBAMA IS ELECTED PRESIDENT.

San Francisco is an American city where all illegal immigrants are welcomed and protected. The wealthy, elite hire them and make sure they get free medical care, free food, free education, etc. They work (don’t pay taxes) and send their money to their homeland. Obama supports this! He is an arrogant snob.

His comments in San Fran about “bitter” rural Americans living in small towns remind me of Kerry’s famous comment: “if you don’t get an education you could end up in Iraq.” It’s like Obama's “typical white grandmother comment”. Remember how he compared his “white grandmother” to “Jeremiah Wright”, so he didn’t have to apologize for Wright’s radical "God Damn America" remarks in a church of God?

Hillary shows strength and a knowledge to fight for ALL Americans.

NO OBAMA --- HILLARY 2008!

Posted by: 1ProudAmerican | Apr 14, 2008 1:25:53 PM

I find it ironic that the two richest senators in Washington and the two who have been in Washington the longest are calling Obama out of touch. Politicians have taken advantage of people, because when they make false promises and don't solve real problems they know people latch onto things that make them feel good like God and guns. So we've had elections revolving around these divisive social issues instead of issues that will affect their economic interests. Obama speaks the truth, yet Americans don't want to hear it, I guess.

Posted by: BRIANR | Apr 14, 2008 1:30:54 PM

Hi mixed-american: here is the latest poll from a respectable source, Gallup:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/106504/Gallup-Daily-Obama-Numbers-Holding-Strong.aspx

Posted by: Susan | Apr 14, 2008 1:31:48 PM

For those of you posting here about Obama's "bitter" remarks, I suggest you visit the CNN Web site to see how workers in Penn are reacting to Hilary. They are reporting that people "jeered" her during a speech earlier.

Posted by: Susan | Apr 14, 2008 1:33:13 PM

mixed-american: if you haven't figured it out by now, voters aren't scared anymore...they are bitter, but not scared. So, your comment about the host of the San Francisco fundraising event will only attract those who were never going to vote for Obama in the first place. My point is that your posts are not convincing anybody about anything.

Posted by: Susan | Apr 14, 2008 1:35:55 PM

Thats right, the right to freedom of religion and the right to bear arms are allowed to us, and thats exactly what Obama was getting at. When people cant be well recieved by those who represent them, and what they wish for is ignored, they become BITTER that they cant be heard and get what they wish for, so they CLING to these basic rights and beliefs because its ALL they have. It wasnt a condescending statement unless your one of his opposition. Peace and OBAMA 08!

Posted by: JJ | Apr 14, 2008 2:14:16 PM

Do we really need a President, indeed a Senator or any other elected official, who seems to be on such friendly terms with terrorists and their sympathizers?

Posted by: thom | Apr 14, 2008 2:15:20 PM

Obama has to get rid of all the guns, and freedoms he can so that his muslim terrorist friends can have a chance of taking us over with his help if he gets elected.

Posted by: bill alton | Apr 14, 2008 2:21:23 PM

Susan, Thank God for you and your logical and refreshingly intuitive outlook. You seem like a very bright and well adjusted human being. Thanks so much for being so honest and representing the side of reason with dignity in this mudpit of obscenity that is this election. Lets make a Change! OBAMA 08!

Posted by: Mitch | Apr 14, 2008 2:25:48 PM

fred - haha - i like that - you're right. well said.

Posted by: christy | Apr 14, 2008 2:27:25 PM

To Susan:
You should realize that Democrats in PA will vote for a dead rat if it has a "D" after it's name. They vote D, because Daddy and Grandaddy and Great Grandaddy voted Democrat.

Here in Oklahoma, anyone who came out against God and guns would be run out of town on a piece of drill pipe, regardless of party affiliation.

Posted by: Paul | Apr 14, 2008 2:29:23 PM

Get a clue people. I don't meet the demograhic of the people he is talking about. But I think we all share some of the fustrations. I am Bitter, I am bitter about the War in Iraq while the culprits of 9-11 run free in Afghanistan/Paskistan. I am bitter about the price of Gaspoline that has gone up over $2.00 per gallon in the past 7 years. I am bitter about my friends homes being foreclosed. I am bitter about the cost of HealthCare. What Obama was taking about was that many of those people- americans have watched how their government has not delivered. And has only delivered for the Corporations, via secret meetings and Corp welfare - and screwed the little man. Wake up everyone, did you know that Iraq has a budget Surplus due to oil revenues, they only spend a samll percentage on themselves. The US spends millions daily on Iraqi Infustructure and we are paying close to $4.00 per gallon???? What's really important here??? Think about that the next time your at the gas pump. Yes I am Bitter.

Posted by: KJ | Apr 14, 2008 2:36:12 PM

surely there is no reason to be bitter in this day and age in the US. it isn't like you could have lost your job to a company overseas, lost your house because you suddly found you could not refinance it like the realtor said you would be able to, can't afford to see the doctor because your insurance company won't approve your care, see yoru kids worse off that you are because their school has been dumbed down to the point of ridiculousness in order for everyone to pass a test that they get no funding for.

Religions and radical groups do their best recruiting in times like these. It does not mean that all who practice a religion or own a gun do so out of bitterness. There are many who find themselves disenfrancised and seeking answers, and there are plenty of organizations promising those answers in exchange for adherence to thier philosophy.

Posted by: Louis | Apr 14, 2008 2:38:03 PM

The whole gang in Washington is elitists!
If our country was truly run as a democracy there would be a National delegate election - all on the same day - to select the delegates to go to each convention. No Elitist Super Delegates, No back room vote trading, no Texas two step where you can vote at a polling place and then vote again at a caucus that same evening for different person. One person, one vote for a group of local delegates to represent you at the convention and those delegates then would be required to vote for the candidate they represented in the first vote at the convention. One person, One vote what a silly concept...

Posted by: notsoandso | Apr 14, 2008 2:39:43 PM

One heckler versus a 20 point drop in the polls in one week for Obama in Penn.

All that shows is Clinton is winning this and Obama supporters are rude.

Posted by: s.b. | Apr 14, 2008 2:40:06 PM

I'm just a bitter, frustrated, gun toting, religious fanatic, small town, racial stereotyping typical white guy who is frightened---by Obama.

Posted by: chuck | Apr 14, 2008 2:41:12 PM

well said Louis....

Posted by: KJ | Apr 14, 2008 2:41:29 PM

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