Under fire for comments about "bitter" working class voters clinging to guns and religion, Sen. Barack Obama admitted this morning that his statements came out the wrong way.
"I didn't say it as well as I should have because the truth is these are traditions that are passed on from generation to generation those are important," he said to a crowd at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. "That's what sustains us."
Obama sought to head off a political flap that has been fodder for both of his opponents looking to gain an edge with a crucial voting bloc of working-class voters.
In his initial comments, made Sunday to a group of fundraisers in San Francisco, Obama cast religion, guns, and anti-immigrant sentiments, as expressions of frustrations for workers who have seen lucrative factory jobs shipped overseas.
He addressed the statements this morning -- for the third time -- after both Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. John McCain criticized him for being condescending.
Last night, he released a statement about the comments, and in a rousing speech said his opponents were out of touch with average workers.
Both Clinton and McCain also launched new attacks on Obama over the comments, with Clinton telling voters in Indianapolis, “Now, like some of you may have been, I was taken aback by the demeaning remarks Senator Obama made about people in small town America. Senator Obama's remarks are elitist and they are out of touch."
McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said: “Barack Obama’s elitism allows him to believe that the American traditions that have contributed to the identity and greatness of this country are actually just frustrations and bitterness. . . .Barack Obama’s dismissal of those values is revealing.”
Obama's explanations of the comments come as primary races in Pennsylvania and Indiana are tightening.
Over the last weeks, Obama has closed Clinton's double-digit edge in Pennsylvania, and is down by as few as 3 points in some polls. He was bolstered by endorsements by junior Sen. Bob Casey, a pro-life Democrat. Clinton has the support of Governor Ed Rendell.
Successfully courting working class voters, so-called Reagan Democrats, is critical to success in the general election. Both candidates have been in Indiana over the last days, where polls show Clinton up by single digits. She blasted Obama for looking down on voters and in Indianapolis, announced a five-part plan to invest in defense manufacturing jobs, with Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh at her side.
Nia-Malika Henderson in Muncie, Ind.
Comments (47)
Voters Beware.......When you bolster your job growth with Defense Spending you end up with the short end of the stick years down the road....RE: Grumman on LI. Now an intelligent Candidate would push for investments in Green Power for a locality to bolster Job Growth.
Then again perhaps these polititians feel that we shall be in a state of WAR for a long time to come. Increase the Paranoia Hillary...SOS you are.... We need to invest in green power to get us off the crude oil habit.
"Successfully courting working class voters, so-called Reagan Democrats, is critical to success in the general election. Both candidates have been in Indiana over the last days, where polls show Clinton up by single digits. She blasted Obama for looking down on voters and in Indianapolis, announced a five-part plan to invest in defense manufacturing jobs, with Indiana Sen. Evan Byah at her side."
Whats to be sorry for! Everything he said was the thruth. If you are not bitter about the the job losses and the overall state of the nation. Then you are are republican warmonger or you wont going to vote for him anyway.
Craig: Amen! Clinton and her supporters will regret making an issue of this; it will backfire on them. People ARE fed up and bitter. He speaks the truth.
Its amazing, that Both John McCain and Hilary Clinton who are worth over a 100 million, are calling Obama an elite. The both of them are pathetic. We all know the both of them had an affair
What the hell is there to be sorry about? Only Hillary can spin that around into something negative. He is right about what he said. People are pissed off and when people get pissed off they do cling to things that have been around for a long time and think they can count on. They withdraw into the familiar and shut everything out. Obama's comments are correct and very insightful.
It's ironic that Hillary Clinton whose husband Bill just last year pocketed 800,000 dollars from the Columbian government as payoff for supporting NAFTA which has resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of American jobs, should be criticizing Obama for telling the truth about our economic situation. The other day, she broke out laughing when a CNN reporter asked her whether the money her husband dropped in their joint bank account represented a conflict of interest, since she's now saying she's against the trade deal. The same can be said about the Clintons’ granting of MFN (most favored nation) trading status to China. Let's also not forget that is was Bill Clinton who decided to de-link progress in the area of human rights in relation to China. He did so while his wife sat on the board of Wal-Mart, the one company that has benefited the most from trade imbalance with China.
Again "I am moving, therefore, to de-link human rights from the annual extension of Most Favored Nation trading status for China." --President Bill Clinton, announcing MFN status for China, White House, 5-26-94.
http://www.apfn.org/THEWINDS/1997/05/favored_chi na.html
I can tell you from vast experience that people in PA are Bitter and that I would expect that others in this Country are too.
In my previous job I was one of two Officials in Aviation Funding in Pa and traveled to all 147, at that time, publicly operated Airports in PA. I held open to the Public meetings and what I heard was rarely about just Aviation. It was about Government - Local, State and Federal. The massive bitterness, shown and highly expressed, was overwhelming. Obama was clearly listening. The McCain/Clinton people first hit Obama and his supporters with the Hope and Just Words high minded complaint, and now they hit him with the Bitterness what Bitternes slap. What a joke. Have they ever really talked to the public. Just what do you think that's being expressed out there, that we want Bush/Clinton/Bush Clinton or McCain and more of the same with no progress on not just the local/home issues but nothing at all on Social Security/Medical Costs/Global Warming/& the Iraq War ?
People don't "cling" to their religion and guns because they are bitter. They are basic american values and rights. What a condescending out of touch idiot Obama is. He sings a fine toon much like the pied piper but only children and inept fools are following him.
Obama & Hillary Soprano are two different peas in the Democ"RAT"ic Party.
So it is time for real change, Join McCain and his McCainites.
Maybe Obama thinks his white grandma is bitter too.
Sorry... Obama is now an unelectable candidate in the General Election. I am a life long Democrat and IF Obama receives the nomination I will vote Republican for President for the first time in my life and I will vote Democrat on the down ticket to keep "checks and balances". He insulted me, my family, and the heart and soul of the Democratic Party.
Sorry... Obama is now an unelectable candidate in the General Election. I am a life long Democrat and IF Obama receives the nomination I will vote Republican for President for the first time in my life and I will vote Democrat on the down ticket to keep "checks and balances". He insulted me, my family, and the heart and soul of the Democratic Party.
Don't worry, he'll just write another speech and everyone will easily get over it. So gullible we all are.
well, i live in southern illinois, and there is no doubt that the bush-clinton-bush economic "legacy" is about as popular here as genital warts. the only issues any politicians have to campaign on around here are god, guns, and fearmonering. their church is just about the only thing that hasn't been outsourced to china and mexico. yet. i don't think voters are as offended by obama's pinning the tail on the donkey as pundits wish they were.
http://politiqs.tommyjonq.com
I am from the mid west, we are bitter! We are pissed off and tired of the promises to help out the middle class that only are important to the people in Washington when they need to get re-elected. I am bitter mad and ashamed of my country. I understand the comment Obama's pastor made, I am to the point of " not god bless but god damn America" I still see hope and I still am willing and able to fight for this overall momentum of change, but don't look me in the eye and tell me that the people in America are not bitter.
Barak's comment does show that he understands the plight of working class Pennsylvanians. Does "politically correct" rhetoric really matter that much in an election? Calling Barack "elitest" by Clinton and McCain is very rich coming from them. Hillary, top elitest in the country. Surely, the working class Pennsylvanians, who may be bitter, are not stupid enough to believe that Clinton cares for their plight. Certainly, she cares greatly for their vote.
I haven't lived in the US for many years, and have had the opportunity to see things from a different perspective. The Europeans find the American election process so incredibly entertaining. The undignified level to which some candidates stoop is almost better than a late night comedy show.
I have to say that Barack is the only candidate to proporte himself with dignity. Something has gone wrong with the election process for a primary contest to continue so long. If only registered Democrats were allowed to vote in the primaries, than this race would be over already. This would keep Republicans, such as Rush Limbaugh, from unfairly influencing the democratic primary by having Republicans vote for Hillary if they could stomach it. This is perverting the democratic process, it shouldn't be permitted.
Years ago, I remember discussing the upcoming power of Europe, i.e., EURO/ECU challenging the power of the dollar. Well it's happened, the EURO has surpassed the Dollar and is even gaining daily on the Pound. America, decide on your candidate and get to business. There are enough more serious crises, think of how many starving people could be fed with the money thrown away in this primary campaign.
I understand why Hillary and McCain are reacting in this way.
They know what a strong, true advisory they have in Obama.
I don't agree but forgive them and understand where they are coming from.
I think Obama's intentions in his statement were very clear.
Language can be tricky and always requires that we feel what people are intending to say first, and listen to their words second. To pick apart every word of a statement or sentence and throw it back in another's face along with name-calling is a childish and tiresome thing for our leadership to engage in and people are burnt out on it. The media feeds off this drama like a sad junkie and we respond to it in same because this behavior can resonate so very deeply with our own failings and pain. Time to grow. We need more depth in this country. We are suffocating from 'flatness', from this empty drama and bickering that avoids the depth we truly crave. We need to grow up and embrace humility, forgiveness and understanding, (religious qualities by the way, I prefer the term spiritual). Guns are a tradition yes, but a broken and divisive one at best. We need to stop defending ourselves so much, stop being so scared of each-other... because we are all on the same path, all of us inclined toward an intuitive awareness of unity.
Obama is right. He is in touch with the American people more so than one hundred year war McCain and Pinocchio Clinton. He says what needs to be said and get us to admit the big problems we have now and have had for years.
MEANWHILE - Hillary's husband took $800,000 dollars from Columbia to lobby FOR another NAFTA - same thing Mark Penn took over a million bucks for - and NO, he wasn't fired, just temporarily moved into the background . . .
AND NO ONE is paying the slightest attention to that . . .
AND, GUESS WHAT?
Wherever there are economic hard times, you'll find a lot of religion and guns. Sorry. Happens to be TRUE. Don't like it? Sorry. AND WHEREVER there is bigotry of ANY kind, there is bitterness.
Either way, though, the Clinton's slipped the noose again - after SHE LIED over fifteen times about HER OWN RECORD and Bill and Mark took millions of dollars to support more NAFTA . . .
AND the voters don't even notice.
Yep. I guess it's becoming apparent why college educated folk tend to vote for Obama.
What a totally refreshing idea. Sen. Obama telling the vast majority of Americans that he agrees with them. That he fully understands the frustrations, pain and many cases the agony that this nation's citizns are going through. That he understands that the vast majority of us are sitting out here wondering "What happened, what is happening and just what should we expect next?"
If nothing else at least Obama sounds like a leader. He apparently has the courage to stand up in front of the people of this nation and say "You are not going to like what I need to say but here goes..."
That's OK. We can take it. After all we have survived everything that the Bush's, Clinton's and McCain's have thrown at us for the last 20 years.
Wars, scandals, corruption, stolen elections, global corporate greed, one sided trade agreements, outsourcing, inflation, energy prices, natural disasters and Reality Television. Know what that tells me? That we the real government of this nation, it's people, are pretty darn resilient even when our elected officials sit in Washington and do absolutely nothing.
Guess my Mother was correct when she told me years ago, "Presidents come and go and the American people can outlast any of them."
P.S. Can't help but sit here and wonder if Bill will now run around advising that unlike Bosnia Hillary really was brave for going to Pennsylvania where the people really do have guns. (ROFLMAO)
Hillary wants to end the war.
Barack wants to have talks with Iran.
Take a good look people before you cast your vote:
http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1476789373&channel=1418562965
Your life and the life of everyone you know depends on the right choice.
John Mellencamp - Small Town
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eDkAG3R0h8
Supporting Barack Obama 08!
All the rats are coming out of their holes. The Clinton supporters who like her twist everything around. I think that Hillary has finally gotten her Republican Card. Maybe in November we can have 2 Republicans running. They are so close that I can't tell the difference. Usually before you pounce on somebody that hard, you ask them to explain their comment. NOOOOOOOO Hillary shot out like a bat out of hell. The phones at the Clinton Headquarters must be ringing non stop trying to convince the superdelegates to vote for her. What a sorry sight.......
If she can't recognize what's wrong with America, how does she hope to fix it ?
Between the Rev. Wright controversy and the typical white person comment, and the bitter middle class clinging to their faith and guns-- I humbly cannot perceive Obama as President of America. A President must uplift their country and the citizens-- and NOT tear them down. Obama has now lost any chance at getting my vote and it is evident today, that many folks are done with him. America is a great nation full of great people. People of faith who will overcome obstacles. We need a leader who will install faith in our lives, not mock us for exercising our rights.
The only people that know what the working class is all about, are the working class. All politicians, senators, governors, and congressmen have salaries that have them so far removed from the struggles of the working class person that they can't relate. Their bloated salaries, pensions and perks put them out of touch and into a different world. They are not concerned the least bit about healthcare, we provide them with that at no cost to them for the rest of their lives. They get their salaries for the rest of their lives after they retire. Not a percentage THE WHOLE SALARY. Nice pension no? They are not concerned about Social Security at all because it doesn't effect them at all. They laugh at what we will have to live on when we retire, if we can retire. Their special interest groups and large financial contributors make it impossible for them to remain uncorrupted. When a politician says, "I feel your pain", that is the biggest load of crap he/she can lay on you. It just isn't true.
HILLARY'S POOR JUDGMENT leaves AMERICANS FOOTING THE BILL
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THE WAR IN IRAQ IS HAVING SERIOUS NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON OUR ECONOMY and those who voted for the war (i.e. hillary) should be to blame, in part, for the state of the US economy.
Look how the WAR IN IRAQ is affecting the US economy...
$3,000,000,000… 3 billion dollars PER WEEK!
That is the amount America is paying for the Iraq War PER WEEK, money that should have been used here, at home.
Add to this:
Interest. We are financing the war with borrowed money (e.g. treasuries) that carries interest; so in actuality, the war is costing the United States MORE THAN 3 billion dollars PER WEEK.
Higher oil and energy prices. Instability in Iraq is adding roughly 30 dollars per barrel as a premium.
High utility bills. High oil prices mean high utility bills. Higher oil prices shifts demand to other sources of energy - gas, coal, etc. - and greater demand will raise the equilibrium price of all sources of energy -- Can you say high energy bills?
Higher oil prices (a raw material used in the production of many goods, fertilizers, gasoline, diesel, plastics, etc.) mean higher prices of goods and services -- Can you say INFLATION?
Higher oil prices mean a higher trade deficit because most of our oil comes from foreign sources. A higher trade deficit means more money is leaving the country than is coming into the country -- Can you say Goodbye to your hard-earned money!
Our dollar is weak and getting weaker. Since we have a trade deficit and is growing in large part to the rising cost of imported oil, the value of goods and services we import exceeds the value of goods we export. You know that foreign car you're thinking of buying or the computer you're using, or that trip abroad you've been thinking of taking....well, guess what? It is going to cost more, Ceteris Peribus, because the dollar is weak and getting weaker.
Lastly, how do you think the world views our country since the argument was made for war? The evidence was weak and circumstantial, yet we rushed into war with Iraq thanks to hillary’s authorization.
Hillary Voted FOR THE WAR
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I just want to say that I think that Obama was right on!! The only reason that Hillary is pouncing on this is that it overshadows the act that her chief campaign advisor is a lobbyist that supports the Columbia free trade agreement and has been a long time supporter to the Clintons, even though he was demoted, he is still with the campaign. I thinks that is hypocritical. She had to do something in order to fly under the radar. She hasn't really been asked about why he is still on her campaign, and what message does that send? I hate that she's been so negative towards Obama instead of letting America know where she stands on issues. I believe she will damage the Dem party so that we won't win in November.
Subject: LET ME SEE IF I HAVE THIS STRAIGHT:
HIS FATHER WAS A KENYAN, MOSLEM, BLACK- WE HAVE SEEN PICTURES OF HIS AFRICAN 'FAMILY'.
HIS MOTHER IS KANSAN, ATHIEST, and WHITE.
WHERE ARE THE PICTURES OF HIS KANSAN, WHITE MOTHER AND HIS WHITE GRANDPARENTS WHO RAISED HIM?
HIS FATHER DESERTED HIS MOTHER AND HIM WHEN HE WAS VERY YOUNG AND WENT BACK TO HIS FAMILY IN KENYA.
HIS MOTHER MARRIED AN INDONESIAN MOSLEM AND TOOK HIM TO JAKARTA WHERE HE WAS SCHOOLED IN A MOSLEM SCHOOL.
HIS MOTHER RETURNED TO HAWAII AND HE WAS RAISED BY HIS WHITE KANSAN GRANDPARENTS.
HE LATER WENT TO THE BEST HIGH DOLLAR SCHOOLS, HOW?
HE LIVES IN A $1.4 MILLION DOLLAR HOUSE THAT HE ACQUIRED THROUGH A DEAL WITH A WEALTHY FUND RAISER. HOW?
HE 'WORKED' AS A CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST IN CHICAGO- HAS NEVER HELD A PRODUCTIVE JOB. THE PRESIDENCY IS NOT A CIVIL RIGHTS POST NOR IS IT SUBJECT TO AFIRMATIVE ACTION SET ASIDES.
HE ENTERED POLITICS AT THE STATE LEVEL AND THEN THE NATIONAL LEVEL WHERE HE HAS MINIMAL EXPERIENCE.
HE IS PROUD OF HIS 'AFRICAN HERITAGE' BUT IT SEEMS THAT HIS ONLY AFRICAN CONNECTION WAS THAT HIS AFRICAN FATHER GOT A WHITE GIRL PREGNANT AND DESERTED HER. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT SPERM CARRIED A CULTURAL' GENE. WHERE IS THE PRIDE IN HIS WHITE CULTURE?
HE GOES TO A 'AFROCENTRIC' CHURCH THAT HATES WHITES, HATES JEWS, AND BLAMES AMERICA FOR ALL THE WORLDS PERCEIVED FAULTS AND THEN REPEATEDLY COVERS UP FOR THE PASTOR AND THE CHURCH.
HE CLAIMS THAT HE COULD NOT CONFRONT HIS PASTOR BUT HE WANTS US TO BELIEVE THAT HE CAN CONFRONT NORTH KOREA AND IRAN, RIGHT!!!
YEAH, I THINK I SEE HOW HE COULD BE A UNITER AND BRING US TOGETHER, I THINK THE HOPE IS THAT HE HOPES NO ONE WILL PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER. CAN YOU PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER?
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What is to be sorry for? He spit in the face of the voters he needs to be elected. Get real, between his Rev, wife, of his own words he has made it clear he looks down upon the non african working man. All politicians are elitist bastards, but the pros keep it to themselves. Dude is the same old and not ready for prime time. McCain will take MI, PA, and Ohio on these comments. Regardless of the accuracy of his comments they pose a serious challenge to his claim of electablity. If you want to argue that a not ready for prime time player will improve our dismal state of affairs fine. But mocking the social, religious, and recreational activities of the working hurts Obama's run. Period.
For the deadenders among us, he has conceded the mistake, and is counting on media spin to turn the tide. It might, but failure to acknowledge the gravity of this error is a sign of ignorance. The Senator knows he screwed up, odd that his supporters are unable to see the same.
Obama, you don't have to explain your statements.
Indeed, those people are bitter, naive, religious hypocrites who look to the Bush/McCain policies that have eroded this nation.
Ignore them, Obama. They've already lost their way. Real Americans got your back!
Hilary and McCain both want war with Iran, Hilary and McCain both voted forthe war in Iraq, Hilary and McCain both have over a 100 million dollars to entitle them as elite, Hilary and McCain have both made money from what they speak against. The Clintons made over 800,000 dollars from the Columbians and then publicly make false statements, while McCain made a killing by the Boeing contract that shipped jobs overseas. The only difference between them is, McCain voted with Dick Cheney against Martin Luther King Day and was in support of apartheid in South Africa while Hilary inferred Martin Luther King was just a figure head for the civil rights movement, because Lyndon Johnson did all the work.
these two people would destroy our country. One because she is greedy, power hungry and dangerous, and the other because he just is an old man without a clue on how to solve the country's delimma
Yes sir. The democ"RATS" are commenting up a storm. The battle of the comments. Who will WIN
Hillary Soprano or Obama stay tuned.
Obama loves Obama , his pastor Wright, money and power . He has no respect for the common people or our great values. OB is an true racist and elitest . His love of himseld and his african americans brothers and sisters are very apperaent . He does not care about others . He is no doubt laughing at the gulible folks that support him . Wake up folks . Never OB in 08 .Wise up . He does not have american interest at heart . Also he is FLIP FLOPPING > Never OB in 08 .
monyneem; please use your spellcheck, you're making me very bitter. Who's OB.
Obama is an idiot, who cares what he says.
Bitter, why would we be bitter?Just because most of our jobs have been outsourced to other countries( even the State department is outsourcing the manufacturing of our passports). Is that really a reason to be bitter.So what if Americans can't afford the high price of gas, food, health insurance, housing, or any other basic needs as long as our tax money goes to paying $150 million dollars PER HOUR to the war, instead of using that money to bail out social security, health care, or the creation of jobs. Why would anyone think that that would make blue collar america bitter? This talk of bitterness just doesn't make sence. Our goverment is trying really hard to fix our economey, isn't that why they just used our tax money is to bail out companies ON WALL STREET (Of course millions of people are losing their homes but who cares, not our problem.)Clinton and McCain say OB is an elitist, and their not?Give me a break, for their first time in years we have someone that is using a different tactic to run his campaign, instead of the usual slander crap, he's telling the truth ( and obviously form the reactions it hurts)People are bitter and if their not they should be.
Great Presidental candates.
One Races
One Socialist
One Tire Angry Old Man.
God Help this Country!!!!!
The war between Hillary Soprano and Obama is getting nastier. So if you are tired of name calling, misspeaking, BILLIONAIRES FOR BUSH.
Then join the John McCAINITES and change the world for the better.
Hillary Soprano and Obama are just two side of the same Democ"RAT"ic coin.
Obama is a liar and a flip-flopper like a windsock.
Obama is arrogant, and he never actually says sorry for insulting people, rather he just changes the subject and tries to pit us all against each other.
Obama's acts like he is the next messiah for America and the world, I cannot even imagine what type of hell he has in store for us if he becomes president.
Obama sides with extremists and plays the double-standard to the hilt.
Elect Obama and you will experience the apocalypse!
Wake up and smell the BS, Obama is brainwashing you!
The truth shines through, it always does... Just like Michelle, Obama has not felt proud of ALL America in his adult life.
Look at the patterns, Obama is out to get you America
I live in Pennsylvania and I must say that I am bitter knowing that I have friends and family loosing jobs due to an unstable economy that is being ran by millionaires who say we have know reason to be bitter! I am so sick and tired of seeing Barrack Obama having to expalin himself and say sorry for everything when he is out right telling the truth. I am a republican and proud of it but I will be voting for Obama because McCain is not a conservative and Billary Clinton is an out right liar, deciever, and evil being who cares nothing about the american people but only hungers for power. Obama, you owe know one an explanation on your statements because they were right on. I guess that some people forget why this election is so important for so many people because we are fed up, tired, and bitter with how are government officials have performed thus far. Although I may see some things differently than you, you are in fact a great start when it comes to cleaning up washington and ridding the American people of dirty politics. "Obama 08"
Yes, we can't. Yes, we can't.Yes, we can't. Yes, we can't.Yes, we can't. Yes, we can't.Yes, we can't. Yes, we can't.
Sure we can.
Yes, they are still at it.
Do you really want Hillary Soprano or Obama to be elected president.
I say Elect JOHN McCAIN AND HELP CHANGE THE WORLD FOR THE "BETTER" NOT "BITTER"
This is a political race. Things will get nasty. People will throw mud. Voter's will defend their candidate and attack those who are gaining momentum. It has been this way since forever. I don't nitpick at every word each candidate offers, nor am I swayed by speeches. However I can respect the ideal that in order to gain my confidence and my vote - each candidate must speak to me. This is typically done with WORDS people. And sometimes words offend and sometimes they heal. Senator Obama has managed to remain above the fray, he is the stick in the cog of political policy. He is making all candidates scramble to catch up with such a simple philosophy...being "real", speaking "clearly and concisely" and addressing issues as they come along. This is by far the most watchable election. I watch the Clintons bash Senator Obama then copy his campaign, I watch mis-information spread in the news and on the web, I watch lazy people who already have a mindset NOT to vote for Senator Obama willingly believe in every horrible rumor they "heard about"- without researching the source. Is it so terrible to have the Senator as President? Will it be the end of the world to have an articulate, thinking, creative man in the White House? Many of you don't seem to have an issue with currently having a "not so bright" man in the White House - an inarticulate, renegade who hasn't helped improve the nation, moreover, has damaged the reputation and split the country close to civil war proportions. When I cast my vote it will be for Senator Barack Obama and I will do so knowing that radio personalities have a job to do and that misery loves company so "riling" and "rallying" the people up is part of that job, I will do so knowing that political "mudslinging" is part of the equation like the bullying on the playground, I will do so knowing that television news has merged with the entertainment industry and I have to study what I see because "news source" is a catchphrase and "reports" are unreliable, I will do so understanding "all that glitters ain't gold." When I cast my vote for Senator Obama it is NOT because of his "sound bites" it IS with the knowledge that there are STILL members of Congress and Senate who filibustered the Civil Rights Act, members who were against women voting, and receiving equal pay. There are people in the White House, Senate and Congress who will protect their interest and money is always interesting to them. I don't want Bill Clinton or his wife representing my interests - they are to deeply ensconced in traditional ways of operating - I do not want John McCain representing my interests - he is "set in his ways" and his ways are tandem with what is wrong in Washington. I will vote for Senator Barack Obama because he represents a fresh approach to stale thinking, actions and policies. For those of you taken aback by MY apparent "foreign" name - know that I am an Army Brat, an American citizen, and a woman born on a military base to a drill sergeant in Frankfurt Kentucky. These are my feelings and unfortunately until Bill Gates patents the prototype for Microsoft Mind Read, the only way to relay them to you is with my WORDS.
We are a country of "FOREIGN" names. Mine is no more "FOREIGN" then yours.
Maybe if you lived in country other then United States your name would be "FOREIGN" so I find it odd that you would thing people would be "TAKEN BACK" by your name.
Just a few 'WORDS" to think about as you write.
There is pretty much only one way you can take his remarks. I just dont understand how a man that is supposedly that intelegent would thik it a good idea to live the stereotype for even one min while the tape was rolling. Look he is a politician just lik ethe rest of them. He lies and he has hate and contempt in his heart just like anyone else. Not unlike may here in this forum.