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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: 6014
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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#10. To: Cynicom (#8)

I was raised by a black woman. Was a pallbearer at her funeral a couple of years ago. She was 93. I loved that woman as much as I do my own mother.

I went to school with blacks, played football and other sports with them, etc.

East Texas is heavily "white trash" also, as you would put it. There are sorry white people and good black people as well as the reverse of that.

This small town is somewhat similar to what Obama was describing, but not entirely. I think where he got it wrong was saying that a fascination with guns and religion comes from economic distress. No, it predated it. It's in people's blood in the Bible/Ammo Belt.

“I would give no thought of what the world might say of me, if I could only transmit to posterity the reputation of an honest man.” - Sam Houston

Sam Houston  posted on  2008-04-11   20:23:43 ET  Reply   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.

'Individuals should not take responsibility for their own defense. That’s what the police are for. ... If I oppose individuals defending themselves, I have to support police defending them. I have to support a police state.”' Alan Dershowitz

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


#12. To: robin (#11)

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."

robin...

You see nothing in this to get upset about???

Even Clinton and McKooK took umbrage and I can tell you this, I take personal offense to anyone suggesting I "cling" to religion.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-04-11   20:38:46 ET  Reply   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   Trace   Private Reply  


#14. To: Jethro Tull (#13)

It's a slap to the gun culture,

Its slap to all of us and I hope the local rags carry it in banners tomorrow as even dead head local democrats will curse Obama.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-04-11   20:40:46 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#15. To: Cynicom (#12)

I suppose it would depend upon the way it was said. But the entire context is one of sympathy.

What if he had said they cling to their families and churches?

'Individuals should not take responsibility for their own defense. That’s what the police are for. ... If I oppose individuals defending themselves, I have to support police defending them. I have to support a police state.”' Alan Dershowitz

robin  posted on  2008-04-11   20:41:58 ET  Reply   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.

'Individuals should not take responsibility for their own defense. That’s what the police are for. ... If I oppose individuals defending themselves, I have to support police defending them. I have to support a police state.”' Alan Dershowitz

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


#17. To: Cynicom (#14)

Its slap to all of us and I hope the local rags carry it in banners tomorrow as even dead head local democrats will curse Obama.

Cyni,

Olbermann MSNBC opened his show w/the statement in complete context and he knows it's damaging.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-04-11   20:45:32 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#18. To: robin (#15)

sympathy.

sympathy.?????

Perhaps I need new glasses or a better translation.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-04-11   20:46:15 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#19. To: Jethro Tull (#17) (Edited)

When Hillary Clinton decides it is racial arrogance, you better believe she knows from her own experience. I hope they beat Obama over the head with it.

The local rags will certainly be all over it tomorrow.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-04-11   20:48:40 ET  Reply   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   Trace   Private Reply  


#21. To: Cynicom (#18)

Or maybe a beer? ;P

'Individuals should not take responsibility for their own defense. That’s what the police are for. ... If I oppose individuals defending themselves, I have to support police defending them. I have to support a police state.”' Alan Dershowitz

robin  posted on  2008-04-11   20:53:08 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#22. To: Sam Houston (#10)

I live in the ammo belt. Sounds catchy.

The U.S. Constitution is no impediment to our form of government.--PJ O'Rourke

DeaconBenjamin  posted on  2008-04-11   20:53:23 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#23. To: Cynicom (#19)

I hope they beat Obama over the head with it.

It has already begun and it isn't limited to Hillary. McKooK has chimed in too.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-04-11   20:53:26 ET  Reply   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.

'Individuals should not take responsibility for their own defense. That’s what the police are for. ... If I oppose individuals defending themselves, I have to support police defending them. I have to support a police state.”' Alan Dershowitz

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


#25. To: Sam Houston (#10)

I think where he got it wrong was saying that a fascination with guns and religion comes from economic distress. No, it predated it. It's in people's blood in the Bible/Ammo Belt.

That is very true. Maybe he meant they are leaning back on what is familiar and secure.

'Individuals should not take responsibility for their own defense. That’s what the police are for. ... If I oppose individuals defending themselves, I have to support police defending them. I have to support a police state.”' Alan Dershowitz

robin  posted on  2008-04-11   20:56:39 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#26. To: robin, Jethro tull (#24)

If you are offended, then I suppose it was insensitive

I can assure you that thousands of Pa neanderthals will be POed tomorrow morning.

Any man that would make such a statement has no qualifications for the office of president, none. He suffers from elitism hoof and mouth disease.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-04-11   20:56:51 ET  Reply   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   Trace   Private Reply  


#28. To: Cynicom (#18)

Perhaps I need new glasses or a better translation.

Nope, it's pure communism in action. Using peoples hard times against them again -- making an assertion that guns and religion are false posessions of security. The right leader will help relieve you to cast away such antiquated thinking and fetishes. We will give you a new religion and security state.

Peppa  posted on  2008-04-11   21:02:48 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#29. To: Peppa (#28)

We will give you a new religion and security state.

That is the exact message that his NWO masters have programmed him to utter.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-04-11   21:04:56 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#30. To: Cynicom (#29)

That is the exact message that his NWO masters have programmed him to utter.

Agreed.

Peppa  posted on  2008-04-11   21:09:03 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#31. To: christine (#0)

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.

Bye bye, Obama.

You just became a small footnote in history.

honway  posted on  2008-04-11   21:42:10 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#32. To: honway (#31)

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. Bye bye, Obama.

Man, I think (hope) you're right. Dude can't help but step on his own, true colors.

Barry Obama -- In your heart, you know he's wrong.

Old Fud  posted on  2008-04-11   22:55:42 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#33. To: Peppa, cynicom (#30)

This is a dangerous man.

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

"There is no 'legitimate' Corporation by virtue of it's very legal definition and purpose."
-- IndieTx

"Corporation: An entity created for the legal protection of its human parasites, whose sole purpose is profit and self-perpetuation." © IndieTx

IndieTX  posted on  2008-04-11   23:05:08 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#34. To: Cynicom (#4)

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.

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.

I swear you must live near me.. ;-)

Refinersfire  posted on  2008-04-11   23:23:29 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#35. To: robin (#16)

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.

While there are a cpl small towns here, that "may" fit his statement, the other 99% of Pa does not fit it.. Yes, we have Guns, Yes, we go to Church and Yes, we have lost Jobs, but we Don't Give Up and we sure don't Give In..

Refinersfire  posted on  2008-04-11   23:26:29 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#36. To: Cynicom (#8)

They did have enough smarts to get out of Philly and its crime.

Their kids or grandkids will make it feel just like home.

...Both methods yielded similar results, which support the previous findings; that is, of all modern human samples, sub-Saharan Africans again exhibit the closest phenetic similarity to various African Plio-Pleistocene hominins...
Ancient teeth and modern human origins: An expanded comparison of African Plio-Pleistocene and recent world dental samples, Journal of Human Evolution Volume 45, Issue 2, August 2003, Pages 113-144

Tauzero  posted on  2008-04-12   3:05:14 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#37. To: Refinersfire (#34)

For years we had a large sign along the main road that leads to civilization that read, "FLATLANDERS GO HOME".

That was for uppity whites from the big "cities". We is all "cuzins" here.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-04-12   3:52:55 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#38. To: Tauzero (#36)

I wont be here to see it.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-04-12   3:58:08 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#39. To: Refinersfire, robin, christine, Jethro Tullthis from the Washington times (#35) (Edited)

Cynicom  posted on  2008-04-12   7:13:07 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#40. To: Refinersfire, robin, christine, Jethro Tull (#35)

This from the Washington Times..

"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," he said.

"Robert A. Gleason Jr., chairman of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania called the remarks "incredibly insulting" and predicted that many in his state, where Mr. Obama has trailed Mrs. Clinton in surveys and polls poorly against Mr. McCain, would agree.

"In light of this most recent statement, I believe Americans are going to have even more questions about his values. Not only do these comments reveal a condescending elitism, Obama illustrates to us just how out of touch he is with middle-class America." Mr. Gleason said."

Cynicom  posted on  2008-04-12   7:14:11 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#41. To: Cynicom (#40)

I'm not surprised that Barry slipped on a banana peel, after all haven't we spent the better part of last month documentation his various left-wing political positions? Even his admirers can't rationally argue that he isn't a gun grabber. What blows me away is that despite what we've uncovered, he is still their guy. Geraldine Ferraro is right; if he were white, he'd never be where he is today.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-04-12   8:25:21 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#42. To: Jethro Tull (#41)

What blows me away is that despite what we've uncovered, he is still their guy.

I've heard people say they will not vote for the lesser "evil". Well I will, even though Diebold exists; I must try to minimize the damage.

John McCain is so undeniably worse than Barack Obama, there is no contest. Europe is "socialist" or "liberal", yet they are not on the brink of destruction, yet. But we are. We can survive a liberal presidency, but we will not survive another NeoCon administration.

'Individuals should not take responsibility for their own defense. That’s what the police are for. ... If I oppose individuals defending themselves, I have to support police defending them. I have to support a police state.”' Alan Dershowitz

robin  posted on  2008-04-12   8:59:11 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#43. To: a vast rightwing conspirator (#3)

This is the furore du jour on Lou Dobbs' show and, I suspect on other shows.

My view: he proves, again, that he is a thinking man, capable of facing reality.

Exactly.

Anyone who takes the time to watch the speech can see that Obama was empathizing with the people he has observed.

But the large knee-jerk proportion of the populace led by an MSM that loves to throw what they perceive as red meat to the yahoos .... and, of course, the phony, hypocritical, demagogic establishment opponents of the new guy jump in with relish.

Success is relative. It is what we can make of the mess we have made of things. T. S. Eliot

iconoclast  posted on  2008-04-12   9:05:59 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#44. To: robin (#42)

We can survive a liberal presidency, but we will not survive another NeoCon administration.

I submit that GWB is both a liberal and a neocon, proving that neos and libs aren't mutual exclusive. Barry's multiple positions indicate he's more of the same, with an even more left leaning domestic agenda than the current occupant.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-04-12   9:10:38 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#45. To: robin, Cynicom (#5)

I think Philly has had Blacks for many years.

O course, as well as western PA.

Our local university has been recruiting superb athletes out of that area for many years.

Cyni lives in his own little world.

Success is relative. It is what we can make of the mess we have made of things. T. S. Eliot

iconoclast  posted on  2008-04-12   9:11:46 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#46. To: Sam Houston (#10)

I went to school with blacks, played football and other sports with them, etc.

Same here Sam.

I have a dear friend whom I met in a golf league and who later became my partner in that league.

He was to become the attorney I leaned on later to support my precious youngest daughter in court after she became crack addicted.

I am convinced that many here have an acquaintance with blacks formed only via the eleven o'clock news.

Success is relative. It is what we can make of the mess we have made of things. T. S. Eliot

iconoclast  posted on  2008-04-12   9:21:29 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#47. To: Jethro Tull, robin (#41)

I have to wonder which half of Obama is it that supporters are so in love with.

For some reason I suspect it is the black half.

In reality it appears to be the white half that is speaking. Blacks that I know love their guns and go to church, and like Obummer, live in white neighborhoods.

So we have a far leftwing gun grabber that parades his ties to a church that thinks that is all a bad idea.

"Appears that Obama white is conning the white guilters".

Cynicom  posted on  2008-04-12   9:22:54 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#48. To: Cynicom (#12)

I take personal offense to anyone suggesting I "cling" to religion.

Calm down Cyni, I doubt if anyone here leaped to that conclusion. ;-)

Success is relative. It is what we can make of the mess we have made of things. T. S. Eliot

iconoclast  posted on  2008-04-12   9:25:21 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#49. To: Cynicom (#26)

He suffers from elitism hoof and mouth disease.

Yep, the neighborhood activist suffers from elitism, but you side with the Wellesley girl, and the "dump you're crippled wife and marry into money", Annapolis son of Admirals as being jus' folks.

How on earth did a plutocrat get himself exiled to hillbilly heaven?

Success is relative. It is what we can make of the mess we have made of things. T. S. Eliot

iconoclast  posted on  2008-04-12   9:36:17 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#50. To: iconoclast (#46)

I am convinced that many here have an acquaintance with blacks formed only via the eleven o'clock news.

What an amazing ignorant statement. I grew up in Brooklyn and spent nearly 15 years in the NYPD so I have friend and foes who are black. It's the sheltered closet liberals who fawn over the Big O simply b/c he's black.

The man is a gun grabbing leftist, with close ties to other leftists. Your cheer leading for him is borderline cultist.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-04-12   9:37:25 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  



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