http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mayhill-fowler/obama-no-surprise-that-ha_b_96188.html
Since another poster always seems to find ways to go after Hillary and McCain, I just wanted to make sure I filled the void for Obama.
I'm sure Hillary and John will have some fun with this. Additionally, Obama's response to the comments from Clinton and McCain was very poor. Rather than contend with his own remarks, he goes after McCain and the tax cuts.
I thought he was smarter than that.
Comments ... #
He's right, Obama, like it or not. Maybe you are one of the few who doesn't actually know poeple with this mind set. I deal with them in large numbers everyday in my business. A couple are my friends and a few are relatives. Obama described them perfectly. They are what they are.
Oh postie, I think I have an admirer.
The major knock on Obama is that his wife is a member of the CFR. They're a bunch of D-bags that thinks the US (which can't govern itself) should govern other countries.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_on_Foreign_Relations#Controversy
And he needs some serious bowling help:
Charlatan, I can't get anything by you. You clever dog! :)
Anyhow, Holland, with what part do you agree? Is it the "bitter" comments or the clinging to their guns, religion, or antipathy to people who aren't like them? Both?
I'm tired of the news channels talking about the "bitter" comment. That's no biggie to me. Hell, I'm bitter. I'm bitter about alot of crap. It was the "clinging" comments I don't like. The fact he said this to a group of donors in San Fran doesn't make this look any better for him.
Regardless, I just think it was a very stupid thing to say leading up to the voting in PA and IN.
I agree with his statement in entirety. I know, employe, recreate, and work with individuals who fit the decsription. For many of them, but not all, not being able to recognize themselves as such would be a hallmark of their mindset.
I would suggest widening your social circle, Holland!
Certainly all stereotypes are based in elements of truth -- otherwise, they wouldn't survive as stereotypes. Holland suggested that I don't know "people like this." Well, I know people who are deeply religious; I know people who are fierce defenders of the second Amendment; I know people who've had a hard time finding jobs; and I know people who are anti-immigration, though not many would be blatant about it to my face considering I married an immigrant. In some cases, though not many, these folks are indeed one in the same.
What alarms me about the comments is, first, that they were delivered in private to a group of north-of-the-Golden-Gate wealthy headlands donors in Marin County. These folks represent a very small demographic of California; they are the elitest of the elite, the smuggest of the smug, and probably the most disdainful, outside of Manhattan and Hollywood, toward "common" Americans, particularly blue-collar midwesterners. Obama appealed to their disdain in way that suggests paternalism and amusement towards we backwards redneck morons in the "flyover states." Did you hear the derisive laughter that welcomed his remarks? His comments encourage west-coast snobbery and disrespect for this country's heartland. And that's why he chose the words he did at the venue he did. Because he knew they'd be well-received. Because he knew he was speaking to people who, like him, cannot stand Joe-Six-Pack.
I don't expect a president to be able to relate to every single last American in the country, but I do expect that a president not disparage certain demographics in order to appeal to other demographics. I think Obama's comments are particularly ill-thought for a candidate who claims to want to unite all Americans. And they are also stupid considering there's a John Edwards endorsement -- you know, the Povery Candidate -- out there still to be awarded.
Second, this alarms me as a Democrat because these sorts of comments are becoming routine for Senator Obama and those close to him, and I am worried about the electability of our nominee when it comes to the General Election. Obama's campaign is spoon-feeding the GOP all sorts of propagandist ammunition for the fall.
Third, I am alarmed by the fact that Obama in addressing the economy of rural America, which is a very real and serious problem, chooses NOT to discuss how to revamp that economy but instead uses it as fodder for what almost seemed like a comedy routine. In this way, Obama's comments actually typify much of his campaign strategy, i.e. the What's Wrong With America tour. I mean, I'm tired of hearing about what's wrong with America. I KNOW what's wrong with America. I want to hear how the presidential candidates are going to FIX it!
And last (for now), I am somewhat offended -- though I am not particularly religious myself and haven't been to a church in quite some time -- on behalf of many religious people I know who deserve better than to be characterized as folks who "found God" out of bitterness and only because good jobs are harder and harder to come by in rural America. I think that is an unfair, gross, sweeping generalization.
Dangit, typo. Poverty Candidate. Poverty. With a t! Grrr.
No, what will hurt is when the disaffected working and middle classes deliver the White House to John McCain.
I don't the truth hurts, but I think ignorance and arrogance do.
I don't the truth hurts, but I think ignorance and arrogance do.
Could very well be what happens jmleong. History is full of examples where the voters have voted against their self interest.
I should proof-read my posts; should read "I don't think".
I'm middle class, and voting for McCain is against my self interest too, since he's just as damned socialist as the other two are.
posted by CharlieA-Z on Apr 14, 2008 at 09:02:45 am #
The suggestion jmleong made about my need to widen my social circle set me to thinking. Each of those individuals I spoke of, who in my opinion fell into the Obama descriptors, are good people. I'm honored to know most of them. With one exception of criminal behaviour which has nothing whatsoever to do with this discussion, they are mostly responsible and hard working. They aren't guilty of anything except some tortuous logic they use to justify some of the opinions they hold.
© 2003-2008 Toledo Talk
current date: 05-Dec-2008 6:33 A.M.
Ah, yes. The audacity of elitism.
Remind me. This is the "Words matter" guy, right?
Now excuse my dusty, mid-western, bitter, typical-white-person, jobless self while I go polish my guns and hate people who don't look like me before reading the Bible to soothe myself to sleep.
Thanks, Postal.
posted by jmleong on Apr 11, 2008 at 09:07:22 pm #