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Title: Obama on small-town PA: Clinging to religion, guns, xenophobia
Source: [None]
URL Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mayhi ... -surprise-that-ha_b_96188.html
Published: Apr 11, 2008
Author: Ben Smith
Post Date: 2008-04-11 19:39:50 by christine
Keywords: None
Views: 6048
Comments: 263

Obama on small-town PA: Clinging to religion, guns, xenophobia

Huffpo's Mayhill Fowler has more from Obama's remarks at a San Francisco fundraiser Sunday, and they include an attempt to explain the resentment in small-town Pennsylvania that won't be appreciated by some of the people whose votes Obama's seeking:

You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them. And they fell through the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not.

And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations. That's a pretty broad list of things to explain with job loss.

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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 247.

#2. To: christine, *Obama 2008* (#0)

They complain (particularly about their governor and Clinton surrogate Ed Rendell, who doesn't seem as popular as the media make him out to be), but they endure.

robin  posted on  2008-04-11   19:48:03 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#4. To: robin, christine, Jethro tull (#2)

And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.

I see Clinton and McKooK have picked up on this.

We hill billy white trash of small town Pa. do own guns, always have, do go to Church always have, and we do dislike slicks from Chicago or any other large city that pass by with their arrogant mouth.

"antipathy toward people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment"

You bet, we now have blacks, all from the eastern cities, and every one of them are on welfare, living in taxpayer subsidized housing, not a one of them work.

Tell you what slick, up front, hundreds of us changed registration just to vote against you on April 22.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-04-11   19:56:29 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#6. To: Cynicom (#4)

"You go into some of these small towns in Pennsylvania, and like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them," Obama said. "And they fell through the Clinton Administration, and the Bush Administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not. And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they 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."

Up yours Barry Hussain.....sell that crap to the California freaks. I'll be here with my guns.

I just came back from a Ron Paul rally at PSU. I was pleasantly surprised at the number of kids (1500, give or take in the rain) and their desire for freedom from central government.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-04-11   20:01:27 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#9. To: Jethro Tull, robin, christine (#6)

This from McKooK...

"McCain adviser Steve Schmidt called Obama’s statement “remarkable” and “extremely revealing.”

It shows an elitism and condescension towards hardworking Americans that is nothing short of breathtaking,” Schmidt said. “It is hard to imagine someone running for president of the United States who is more out of touch with average Americans.”

Schmidt also said it shows Obama views the people he’s trying to relate to with “contempt.”

Cynicom  posted on  2008-04-11   20:18:23 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#11. To: Cynicom (#9)

"You go into some of these small towns in Pennsylvania, and like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them," Obama said. "And they fell through the Clinton Administration, and the Bush Administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not. And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they 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."

Is he talking about this statement? I see nothing in this to get upset about.

robin  posted on  2008-04-11   20:33:26 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#13. To: robin (#11)

Is he talking about this statement? I see nothing in this to get upset about.

It's a slap to the gun culture, and given his previous statements on the 2nd, will hurt him. It's already leading the cable news shows.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-04-11   20:39:03 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#16. To: Jethro Tull (#13)

He's saying that it is not surprising that there is a lot of distrust in a small community that has been through job losses, IMO.

robin  posted on  2008-04-11   20:43:46 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#20. To: robin (#16)

they cling to guns or religion

I take it as a typical liberal condescending comment, especially given his gun- grabbing proclivities. This will hurt him in PA which is a huge gun state.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-04-11   20:51:06 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#24. To: Jethro Tull (#20)

If you are offended, then I suppose it was insensitive. But I honestly don't think he meant it that way.

robin  posted on  2008-04-11   20:54:02 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#27. To: robin (#24)

I'm actually not offended. Nothing a politician says can offend and/or shock me any longer. I've written them out of my life. Believe it or not I'm being objective here and IMO his comment is a mega mistake. His 2nd amendment positions will now be the focus of both Hillary and McCain and when it's examined closely, it's a deal buster for middle America.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-04-11   21:01:45 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#55. To: Jethro Tull (#27)

I'm actually not offended

I'm not offended either. Every word of what Obama said was true.

Arete  posted on  2008-04-12   9:53:41 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#63. To: Arete (#55)

I'm not offended either. Every word of what Obama said was true.

Politicians who use Deliverance-like stereotypes to paint white voters with a broad brush will always fail .

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-04-12   10:28:01 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#64. To: All (#63)

http://www.alphecca.com/mt_alphecca_archives/002989.html

More on Obama's Anti-2A Stance I know that I covered it a month ago but regarding his voting as a state senator, yesterday the AP had more:

Obama regularly supported gun-control measures, including a ban on semiautomatic "assault weapons" and a limit on handgun purchases to one a month.

He also opposed letting people use a self-defense argument if charged with violating local handgun bans by using weapons in their homes. The bill was a reaction to a Chicago-area man who, after shooting an intruder, was charged with a handgun violation.

Supporters framed the issue as a fundamental question of whether homeowners have the right to protect themselves.

Obama joined several Chicago Democrats who argued the measure could open loopholes letting gun owners use their weapons on the street. They said local governments should have the final say, but the self-defense exception passed 41- 16 and ultimately became state law.

And remember that he is on record as stating that he would like a ban on all sales and transfers of ANY semi-automatic weapon. Barack Obama is for total gun control. He's not getting my vote.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-04-12   10:31:59 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#105. To: Jethro Tull (#64)

He's not getting my vote.

Did you or did you not just yesterday comment that you hope he wins?

angle  posted on  2008-04-12   12:42:48 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#115. To: angle (#105)

Did you or did you not just yesterday comment that you hope he wins?

I do too. ;)

christine  posted on  2008-04-12   12:57:39 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#123. To: christine (#115)

I do too. ;)

Whatever...there's bigger disappointments than your complacency.

angle  posted on  2008-04-12   13:11:10 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#127. To: angle (#123) (Edited)

i think you missed my point. this is my reason.

"so that either the O'philes or the O'phobes get the Op to say "I told you so."

since we know, we're going to be given one of the 3 (assuming there's not a Ron Paul miracle), i want to see what Obama will do.

otherwise, it will always be 'what if' and the disagreement among us regarding him will never be resolved.

christine  posted on  2008-04-12   13:20:58 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#130. To: christine (#127) (Edited)

The thing is, no matter who wins, there will be plenty of opportunities for "I told you so". We'll never know how bad or good it would have been had the other candidate won, unless you believe it makes no difference whatsoever. I believe it makes some difference (but will it be enough difference?).

For example, would an Al Gore presidency have been different? Some say no. I cannot prove it would have been different, but I can point to the Clinton years as less damaging than the Bush years.

robin  posted on  2008-04-12   13:26:55 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#142. To: robin (#130)

I can point to the Clinton years as less damaging than the Bush years.

Are you outta yo damn mind? He laid the groundwork for the corporate takeover of America.

angle  posted on  2008-04-12   15:09:57 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#148. To: angle (#142)

He was in a series that allowed this, but the Clinton years were not half as bad as the Bush years.

robin  posted on  2008-04-12   16:01:25 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#162. To: robin (#148)

You refuse to see the reality.

angle  posted on  2008-04-12   17:33:31 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#165. To: angle (#162)

During the Clinton years, I screamed good and loud. I have no illusions, again, I am contrasting and comparing them with the last 7 years.

robin  posted on  2008-04-12   17:53:20 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#170. To: robin (#165)

I am contrasting and comparing them with the last 7 years.

I see no comparision. What do you say about Clinton and Bosnia, Bush and Iraq?

angle  posted on  2008-04-12   18:05:44 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#171. To: angle (#170)

Iraq is much worse.

robin  posted on  2008-04-12   18:06:37 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#173. To: robin (#171)

Nevermind. There's no rational discussion with cultists.

angle  posted on  2008-04-12   18:10:17 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#175. To: angle (#173)

Did Bosnia cost $3 trillion?

Did Bosnia cost us our liberties?

How many people died in Bosnia? How many troops?

Did our economy suffer because of Bosnia?

robin  posted on  2008-04-12   18:11:48 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#179. To: robin (#175)

How much did the Clinton years cost in terms of setting it up to have Bush get enough votes to steal the election in the first place? How much executive privilege, how many executive orders, how much governing with impunity, how much so that the Pentagon reported a missing $ 2.3 trillion 9 months after Clinton left office?

You think Obama is going to make everything better. By his comments he indicates that people who want their constitutional rights to have guns, worship freely and put America first in trade and immigration are bitter, threatened people. What then can he do for us who support upholding our constitution not becasue we're bitter and threatened, but because it is the law of our country and our right?

angle  posted on  2008-04-12   18:29:14 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#181. To: angle (#179)

What then can he do for us who support upholding our constitution not becasue we're bitter and threatened, but because it is the law of our country and our right?

The irony here is that the real bitter people in this saga are the Rev. Wright and his flock of perpetual victims.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-04-12   19:19:40 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#217. To: Jethro Tull (#181)

The irony here is that the real bitter people in this saga are the Rev. Wright and his flock of perpetual victims.

There are plenty of bitter people posting here who keep telling us that nothing can be expected from politics, that government can do nothing for them.

Just what Obama was talking about.

aristeides  posted on  2008-04-13   9:50:10 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#228. To: aristeides (#217)

There are plenty of bitter people posting here who keep telling us that nothing can be expected from politics, that government can do nothing for them.

Just what Obama was talking about.

Huh? Just about everyone I read expects to continue to be screwed by politics/government, save for the hopeful set who live in a delusionary state. Anyone who thinks one man can defund the MIC is about to experience big time bitter.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-04-13   10:07:05 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#241. To: Jethro Tull (#228)

Huh? Just about everyone I read expects to continue to be screwed by politics/government, save for the hopeful set who live in a delusionary state. Anyone who thinks one man can defund the MIC is about to experience big time bitter.

That attitude is just what Obama was talking about.

You're saying that attitude is right. But you're also, in effect, admitting that Obama was telling the truth.

So why are people getting so upset about what he said?

aristeides  posted on  2008-04-13   10:23:30 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#242. To: aristeides (#241)

So why are people getting so upset about what he said?

Gee, go ask the rest of political America. We aren't alone in detecting liberal condescension.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-04-13   10:25:55 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#244. To: Jethro Tull (#242)

Gee, go ask the rest of political America.

I just had Chris Matthews's show on on my TV. I had it playing in the background, and didn't listen to every word, so I may have missed something, but I didn't hear any discussion at all of Obama's remarks.

aristeides  posted on  2008-04-13   10:27:35 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#247. To: aristeides (#244)

I just had Chris Matthews's show on on my TV. I had it playing in the background, and didn't listen to every word, so I may have missed something, but I didn't hear any discussion at all of Obama's remarks.

Ah....so why did he trip over his feet to apologize.....twice?

Not that it will save him. The Swift Boating is about to begin and frankly it couldn't happen to a more deserving politician. He ain't my brother, he's just another faker.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-04-13   10:40:52 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


Replies to Comment # 247.

#249. To: Jethro Tull (#247)

Not that it will save him. The Swift Boating is about to begin and frankly it couldn't happen to a more deserving politician. He ain't my brother, he's just another faker.

I need to get to another rally so I can faint in his glory. .....kerplunk......

Peppa  posted on  2008-04-13 10:44:46 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


End Trace Mode for Comment # 247.

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