I Was Born In A Small Town

Jiminy, Obama unleashes his inner Michelle:

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.

They will make a lovely First Couple.

A BIT MORE THAN A SOUPCON:  The eerily prescient Bill Kristol, last Monday:

And an experienced Democratic operative e-mailed: “Finally, I think [McCain’s] going to win. Obama isn’t growing in stature. Once I thought he could be Jimmy Carter, but now he reminds me more of Michael Dukakis with the flag lapel thing and defending Wright. Plus he doesn’t have a clue how to talk to the middle class. He’s in the Stevenson reform mold out of Illinois, with a dash of Harvard disease thrown in.”  

In a close race, that “dash of Harvard disease” could be the difference.

Uhh, "dash" of Harvard disease?  Obama just emptied the dump truck.

PILING ON:

HALP US BROK O'BOMBA-- WE R STUCK HEAR N ALTOONA.

TRYING TO HELP:  Where are those laminated cards Mickey suggested during the Wright debacle?

"All of the statements that have been the subject of controversy are ones that I vehemently condemn."

Maybe Barack can just pretend he didn't hear his controversial comments.  Wait, I was kidding...

WORK THAT SHOVEL:  Barack keeps digging in this video from Hot Air.   Slightly scary but mostly funny bit - his big applause line, twice, is (roughly) "People are bitter, and they ought to be."  Yeah, let's hear it for bitter!  Sounds like a winning platform - Mourning in America.  That'll nail down the Nutroots, as if they weren't already nailed down... now if only the rest of the country could get on board the Bitterness Express.

IT'S ABOUT JUDGMENT:  Barack routinely lauds his good judgment in wanting to stay out of Iraq.  Now let's see if he stays out of Pennsylvania.

DROLLERYS:  Glenn's got 'em.

HELPFUL, BUT NOT:  Marc Ambinder psychoanalyzes Obama and tells us what he really meant.  Well, fine, but no matter how well-intentioned and sincere Obama may have been, when a big government Harvard lib explains to working class people that they are bitter because government has failed them and consequently they have taken refuge in guns, religion, and racism, it sounds condescending.  Mainly because it is.

ANOTHER EGGHEAD HEARD FROM:  Mickey Kaus:

I used to think working class voters had conservative values because they were bitter about their economic circumstances--welfare and immigrants were "scapegoats," part of the false consciousness that would disappear when everyone was guaranteed a good job at good wages. Then I left college. ...

P.S.: Because Obama's comments are clearly a Category II Kinsley Gaffe--in which the candidate accidentally says what he really thinks--it will be hard for Obama to explain away. [He could say he was tired and it was late at night?--ed But he was similarly condescending in his big, heartfelt, well-prepared "race speech." Better to embrace them. Let's have a national dialogue about egghead condescension!]

We have a choice in this country.  We can tackle egghead condescension only as spectacle - as we do with Paul Krugman's columns - or in the wake of tragedy, as we did in the aftermath of the Kerry campaign - or as fodder for the nightly news.

We can do that.

But if we do, I can tell you that in the next election, we'll be talking about some other distraction. And then another one. And then another one. And nothing will change.

ON THE GROUND IN PA:  The man in the street (that would be a mud-splattered, litter strewn working class street) reacts to Obama's insight:

"By cracky, it's like the man sees into my soul! 

"Thirty years ago, I had a good job in the mill in Pittsburgh. I was bringing in a good income, going to jazz clubs, discussing Proust over white wine and brie, with my gay friends of all colors. I was all for free trade, so that we could sell the steel overseas, and I never bothered to go to church, let alone actually believe in God.

"But then, the plant closed down, and I couldn't get another job. I went on unemployment, and found odd jobs here and there, but they barely paid the rent in the loft, and the payment on the Bimmer. I couldn't afford the wine and brie any more, and had to shift over to beer and brats.

"Of course, as a result, I started hanging out with the wrong crowd--the beer drinkers.

The downward spiral continues...

DEAD MAN RUNNING:  John of Powerline thinks this ends Obama's Presidential chances, as does the Captain, who also opines that it will not resurrect Hillary.  My view?  This ices the Wright cake - I don't think Hillary can stop him, but Obama is not electable. 

Well, listening to six months of lefties defending Barry and patiently explaining that rural whites really are bigoted gun nuts and religious fanatics should be amusing.  Too soon to credit Karl Rove?
 

MORE:  Some excerpts from the New Yorker profile of Michelle Obama:

Obama begins with a broad assessment of life in America in 2008, and life is not good: we’re a divided country, we’re a country that is “just downright mean,” we are “guided by fear,” we’re a nation of cynics, sloths, and complacents. “We have become a nation of struggling folks who are barely making it every day,” she said, as heads bobbed in the pews. “Folks are just jammed up, and it’s gotten worse over my lifetime. And, doggone it, I’m young. Forty-four!”

From these bleak generalities, Obama moves into specific complaints. Used to be, she will say, that you could count on a decent education in the neighborhood. But now there are all these charter schools and magnet schools that you have to “finagle” to get into. (Obama herself attended a magnet school, but never mind.) Health care is out of reach (“Let me tell you, don’t get sick in America”), pensions are disappearing, college is too expensive, and even if you can figure out a way to go to college you won’t be able to recoup the cost of the degree in many of the professions for which you needed it in the first place. “You’re looking at a young couple that’s just a few years out of debt,” Obama said. “See, because, we went to those good schools, and we didn’t have trust funds. I’m still waiting for Barack’s trust fund. Especially after I heard that Dick Cheney was s’posed to be a relative or something. Give us something here!”

Dick Cheney's dad worked for the USDA; Cheney himself flunked out of Yale before getting a degree at the University of Wyoming.

Comments

[Tina]

So, in Obama's world, we small towners are nothing but bigots...tracks nicely to his "typical white person" comment. And to think, these comments were delivered out in San Fran in front of a group of late-sippin limosine liberals. Barak shows his true color.

CNN had a whole hour on this tonight and pretty much everybody (except some character named Roland something) pretty much agreed he just sank his bid for the presidency.

[Paul Zrimsek]

Why can't these yahoos just disown their religion? I bet their bitterness makes them cling to their grandmothers too.

[Thomas Collins]

B_O's patronizing elitist attitude is not surprising. But how could he possibly be so tone deaf to how his statement will come across? I guess he checked one too many case cites while he was on the Harvard Law Review, and his judgment became addled.

[GMax]

Its like Wright only times 10. That what some pundit on CNN said a few moments ago. The Democrats were harsher than the Republican ( it was Ed Rollins of Perot and Huckabee fame ). But both Democrats said he stepped in it.

How many times can you act like a bull in the China shop, before they pull out the sign that says, You broke it you bought it?

But Pa goes north of 10+ for Hill now.

Pass the popcorn, this is going all the way to Denver. Tear gas mask anyone?

[GMax]

He was in Marin County. Some reporter had this on tape since Sunday or Monday, and agonized on whether to report it or not. Seriously. Both about Marin County and the reporter. Is it acceptable to stereotype both Marin Co and reporters given Mr. Hoped for Changed can stereotype average Americans?

It would be a funnier stereotype for sure.

[Barney Frank]

Obama must have spent most of his youth with self inflicted 'kick me' signs on his back.

[GMax]

Tina

Wasn't it Ed Rollins?

The dufus was Perot campaign manager and recently for Huckabee as well.

[Thomas Collins]

Of course, the only sensible thing for B_O to do is to apologize. My bet is that he makes it worse by getting defensive and trying to justify it.

[Paul Zrimsek]

HALP US BROK O'BOMBA-- WE R STUCK HEAR N ALTOONA.

[GMax]

The Obama response, you wont believe it but here it is:

"Senator Obama has said many times in this campaign that Americans are understandably upset with their leaders in Washington for saying anything to win elections while failing to stand up to the special interests and fight for an economic agenda that will bring jobs and opportunity back to struggling communities. And if John McCain wants a debate about who's out of touch with the American people, we can start by talking about the tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans that he once said offended his conscience but now wants to make permanent,”

Can you say typical liberal, never says sorry? I knew you could.

[DebinNC]

Obama Camp Defends Fundraiser Remarks — But Just The Uncontroversial Ones

[SteveMG]

This is a man who's matured politically entirely in a liberal/left environment where statements like this (is this guy an economic determinist or what?) are made with no repercussions.

Diversity, they call it. Black and white and yellow and red people, gay and straight, Jew and Christian and Muslim. All saying the same thing with the same political worldview.

That's the world of the Obamas.

So, he and his wife get out in the real world and find things are bit more diverse than they realize.

[ben]

If you are rabidly anti-American and extremely left wing like Obama is you can't go a year without showing your true colors. Despite all the scripted bring us together, supra-racial, above partisanship rhetoric, Obama cannot help but show flashes of this true being. You have to give him credit, actually, he is undertaking a difficult task, trying to hoodwink enough people to vote for him based on who he is not, and if you look at the polls he has been remarkably successful...so far.

[GMax]

Hoodwink, bamboozled ...

[willem]

Now don't pick on Obama. That was his white blood talking.. which is why he sounded so bigoted and effete. You crackers just ain't used to being talked to that way. When Obama takes over, he'll teach you how you need to look at things. And then we'll have Change.

[DebinNC]

There are quite a few "cling to their religion" folks out there.

[Jay McDonough]

from swimming freestyle:

"Barack Obama is a remarkably eloquent man and turning into a remarkably capable politician. But if the Senator believes it's smart to insult voters from a state critical to your success, he's hit one of the worst false notes yet in his campaign.

Yeah, I know what his campaign said, and that may have been what he meant. But a sophisticated candidate doesn't refer to voters in language that can be construed as derogatory or insulting. Obama asserted Pennsylvania voters are bitter and so simple and lacking in maturity and intelligence that they address their frustration by clinging to primitive and reactionary crutches rather than addressing their problems in constructive ways.

It's divisive. And not the way to attract the voters you need most."

http://swimmingfreestyle.typepad.com

[willem]

Bamboozled indeed...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuB_W8o_UsU

[PeterUK]

"When Obama takes over, he'll teach you how you need to look at things. And then we'll have Change."

He's only going to be president dear boy,not Mao or Stalin.

[Laka]

Stargate is on:

An alien got shot and his symbiote was dying so they saved him. They do that to survive, but I don't believe Marvel Comics. I think they do that to assume the target and take over. Like lucifer assumed that guy in that movie. There is a better theory were the symbiote stares through the eyes of the person they are going to assume from hell and then assumes them before getting their own human body later. The smartest way to do that would be a fetus because it's a new life and easily assumed and a longer life, but there isn't much to see.

I guess someone wanted a vote today, but they already have that Hitler charisma thing, so why would the sell off what they assumed?

Like that guy said, it's tinfoil hats.

[centralcal]

I think Barry and Michelle, with their higher incomes, would be better served to go into therapy and try to resolve all their issues, rather than seek political office.

[DebinNC]

This certainly vindicates Hillary's decision to hang around until PA, IN, WV, and KY, full of gun-owning, church going folks, get to vote. And I bet their MI brethren now in limbo will be affected by BO's PA remarks.

Ironically, in trying to explain to the rich CA libs why he hasn't done better among white, working class voters, he may have destroyed any inroads he's spent millions in ads + bowling to gain.

[Ralph L]

agonized on whether to report it or not
So it comes out late Friday afternoon. I question the timing.

[pagar]

Didn't some leftist American politician say if I've lost CNN I've lost America?

"CNN had a whole hour on this tonight and pretty much everybody (except some character named Roland something) pretty much agreed he just sank his bid for the presidency."

Or was I having a dream?

[centralcal]

LOL, pagar!

[Jane]

So I wonder how Hillary wrestles it away. Do the superdelegates go easily? What about the blacks. Is it a bloodbath or a smooth transistion?

[GMax]

Well I went to another site I frequent. Some fairly sensible lefties there so I ask them, what do you think? It was all denial. I point out Kirsten Powers, she is a big Hill supporter. I point out Juan Williams, he is a big Hill supporter. Never seem to dawn on them that they can not win the general without all of those Hill supporters plus a bunch of Indys. I did not ask about what Repubs were saying, I knew what the response would be.

This guy is touting his judgement? I do give him credit for having audacity. I would not go much further in credit however.

[Danube of Thought]

His bid for the presidency was as dead as Julius Caesar the day the first Wright video hit the tube. But it's fun to watch the process continue.

And I guess Deb is onto something--especially if Hill really has the "bombshell" she's gonna drop after next week's debate.

Hey John--may I be the first to call you "Mr. President?"

[Rick Ballard]

Geez, lighten up. He was right in the middle of a prog plantation, chatting up his folks. Look at this paraphrase:

"TWP won't vote for a whiny comsymp latte lapper."

I'd say he nailed it - they won't.

He was just dancin' with them what brought him.

[Dr. Weevil]

Michelle Obama thinks you need to "finagle" to get into a charter or magnet school? Maybe in Chicago, but here in North Carolina I teach at a magnet school in the morning and a charter school in the afternoon: both use lotteries to decide who gets in. At least one of them has separate lotteries for racial minorities to make sure they aren't underrepresented.

[centralcal]

Where is ...

HI and Run
Threadherder
Other Jeff
VIMH?

Barry O is no longer TOAST!

He is well on his way to becoming croutons!

[Sara]

HALP US BROK O'BOMBA-- WE R STUCK HEAR N ALTOONA.

You owe me a keyboard. LOL.

[Donna V.]

What is interesting was the inclusion of "free trade" among the things hated by those bitter Bubbas in the sticks. Looks like a wink, wink, nudge, nudge to his rich donors, a sign that whatever Obama has to say to the rubes, he's not going to ditch NAFTA.

[willem]

"He's only going to be president dear boy,not Mao or Stalin."

Heh. Peter. If only I was certain Obama was that self limiting...

[ben]

Ace at Ace of Spades has done a good job paraphrasing Obama's comments"

"Obama To Rural Pennsylvanians: Vote For Me, You Corncob-Smokin', Banjo-Strokin' Chicken-Chokin' Cousin-Pokin' Inbred Hillbilly Racist Morons"

[SteveMG]

Americans as victims. Stupid, illogical ones, too.

Not sure that'll fit on a bumper sticker.

"Mourning in America"

Okay, that'll work. It's all your Senator.

[Donna V.]

I wouldn't get too cocky yet about the election. It's early yet, and a lot of Soros money is going to be spent smearing McCain.

Jeez, look at what complete and total clowns Kerry and Theresa were (I remember their visit to Wendy's and Theresa's discovery of chili quite fondly) and yet the jackass still managed to get almost half the country to vote for him.

[GnuCarSmell]

Those bitter Pennsylvanians are just typical white people.

[Ranger]

You know, in the tradition of good deconstructionism, lets look at this statement:

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'm going to go out of order here:

they cling to guns

I seem to recall some foundational document of American goverment declaring that "the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." I guess Obama has a differnet view. Imagine people wanting to the privlidge to defend themselves rather than relying on the state to do it. Don't they realize that only the eilte are entitled to armed prtection. Everone else should just rely on calling 911 like good little plebes.

or religion

Such fools. Don't they understand that German philosophy proved the falicy of belief in "God." Marx explained the material dialectic basis of history. That anyone would dispute that is just ignorance.

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

Such a typical white person reaction to "the other." They just need to learn to stop othering and accept they are an exploitive minority in a world of color.

or anti-trade sentiment

Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. You enlitened and weathy West Coasters know I was only trashing trade to get Midwestern votes. Trade is good for those who appriciate its multi-cultural deconsruction of the white power structure.

And it's not surprising then they get bitter

Because they are an exploitive rasicst minority who's power is being challenged, of course they are going to be bitter about being forced to give up their positions of wealth and privlidge, even if they don't think they have wealth and privlidge.

[ben]

Appalled Moderate where art thou? I thought you would be here front and center, explaining that Obama does not really hate people that believe in God and own guns.

(let's see: people who believe in God, people that own guns, and people that believe in God AND have guns, probably covers 90% of Americans. But heck Obama should have the remaining 10% cornered)

[DebinNC]

Was Obama's use of "cling" to their guns and religion telling? Is he saying racism, gun owning, and religion go hand in hand?

[Thomas Collins]

B_O's spokesperson's response was even worse than I thought it was going to be. If B_O's team thinks attacking McCain on taxes is the way to handle this, they clearly listen to too much NPR and not enough regular talk radio.

[Sara]

Well Kerry might have insulted an entire class of people, the Veterans, but they live all over the country. I can't remember when a candidate so blatantly insulted the entire population of a key state. And speaking of Teresa, I can't imagine the Pennsylvania founded and located Heinz Company being too thrilled with these types of remarks seeing as how their products are produced from those rural rubes' farm labors.

[Tom Maguire]

And I guess Deb is onto something--especially if Hill really has the "bombshell" she's gonna drop after next week's debate.

Hmm, mightn't this be the bombshell? Perhaps the reporter tipped the Hillary people by asking for their reaction, or perhaps some other source from the event ratted Barry out.

Heaven help Barack if Hillary can top this.

[SteveMG]

Was Obama's use of "cling" to their guns and religion telling?

Interesting use of words.

Cling?

As in a baby bottle or mother? A safe, soothing device.

Americans as irrational victims (children?) of economic forces beyond their control. A very collectivist view of the world.

Bob Shrum gives it three stars, I'm sure.

[GnuCarSmell]

Newsflash for the Audacious Hopeful One:

That stuff you just stepped in is NOT Shinola®.

[clarice]

Let them --BO and MO---talk as much as they want. Do not muzzle them. I want to hear their every word. Really I do.

[Range]

Was Obama's use of "cling" to their guns and religion telling? Is he saying racism, gun owning, and religion go hand in hand?

Posted by: DebinNC | April 11, 2008 at 10:00 PM

Actually, I think it was a backhanded slap at the "from my cold, dead hands" phrase... particuarly timely (and insulting) given the death of Charlston Heston.

[Rick Ballard]

Clarice,

Not yet - can't you hear the squeal of the rusty hinges as the coffin lid slowly rises and a claw like hand creeps over the edge...

[Porchlight]

Was Obama's use of "cling" to their guns and religion telling? Is he saying racism, gun owning, and religion go hand in hand?

I think he means "cling" in the manner of "religion is the opiate of the masses" - these are peasants oppressed by the capitalist economy who have nothing to hold onto but their retrograde superstitions, their fear of the Other, and their primitive weaponry. Pretty much sounds like everything I was taught in college.

[John Austin TX Personal trainers]

I just heard Karl Rove say that with these small town comments BHO just lost any chance he had of winning in PA. As one who grew up in small town PA, I think this will not sit well with those "typical small town folks". It comes off condescending and elitist. I wonder what he says privately.

[clarice]

What a condescending pair of clueless putzes the Obamas are..
Rick, You've got a point there. *creak,cackle, snort*

[ben]

I wonder how His Anointed Self feels about apple pie, hot dogs, baseball and Nascar. Lots of ignorant rednecks "clinging" to those too.

[Donna V.]

Believe me, Sara, I'm hoping all of you are right. I remember the Carter years too well - we don't need to elect America's second anti-American president.

I hate to be a wet blanket, but I just have an innate fear of getting overconfident this early on in the election. (My M.O. has always been, prepare for the worst - if the worst happens, you'll be prepared, and everything turns out OK, you'll be twice as happy.)

Still, Obama is showing encouraging signs of chronic foot-in-mouth disease and I'm sure we'll have many more priceless lines to cherish by the time November rolls around. Let's hope a few of them come in the first debate.

[Ralph L]

I'm not brave enough to listen to the whole speech, so why is he talking about rural/small town America to rich San Fransicans? Was he trying to elicit their sympathy or their contempt?

[Lily]

Hey, now I'm not just a "typicaly white person", I'm a "typical white-trash" person"

Great.

[DebinNC]

Here's the inarticulate, halting way Obama began his remarks in SF (re the transcript at HuffPo). It's obvious he knows there's concern about his inability to attract the white, working class vote.

"So, it depends on where you are, but I think it's fair to say that the places where we are going to have to do the most work are the places where people feel most cynical about government. The people are mis-appre..I think they're misunderstanding why the demographics in our,in this contest have broken out as they are. Because everybody just ascribes it to 'white working-class don't wanna work--don't wanna vote for the black guy. That's...there were intimations of that in an article in the Sunday New York Times today - kind of implies that it's sort of a race thing."

Here's the NYT article he refers to: "Change Makes a Call on Levittown" If Obama loses the nomination or later the election, white racism will be blamed. It must be that white America is unwilling to elect a black man, because the truth that Americans are turned off by this particular, radical, under-qualified black man in untenable.

[Danube of Thought]

How did his remarks become public? I guess my understanding right now--a very shaky one--is that a guy from Marin County (you talk about your daffy Left hotbed) had them on tape, and released the tape after appropriate agonizing. To whom? Why? Anybody know?

[MarkJ]

"Actually, I think it was a backhanded slap at the "from my cold, dead hands" phrase... particuarly timely (and insulting) given the death of Charlston Heston."

Actually, it's CHARLTON Heston, but I get your drift. Truth be told, I think Obama was channeling a Chuck Heston line from one of his most famous films:

VOTE OBAMA...THEN GET YOUR STINKING PAWS OFF ME, YOU DAMN, DIRTY APES!

[L]

priceless lines to cherish

Hillary is changing that five year crack law, not that it has to do with federal budgets.

[Rick Ballard]

It was Ed Rendell who warned that the TWP were not going for the cheap Chicago huckster - and he's going to work very hard with Nutter in Philly and Ravenstahl in Pittsburgh to do the same thing that Rangel did in Harlem - suppress the black vote and cut BHO down to giant shrimp size.

It's really important that this be laid properly at the Clinton's feet, otherwise, over the course of the next five months, the meme will become the evil white Republicans somehow drove the black hope out of the race.

I've said from Day 1 that BHO would be much easier to beat than RW and I haven't changed my mind a bit. When she comes out of her coffin, she'll figure out a way to blame the Reps and the MSM will slobber all over themselves helping.

[Donna V.]

You know what the Obama campaign needs to do now? Stick him in a tank or a pickup truck or have him out there trotting around with woods with a Winchester come fall hunting season.

Please, please, please. It is so great when Democratic presidental candidates are shown doin' "just plain folks" stuff. The picture of Dukakis in a tank still makes me laugh every time I see it.

I'd love to see Obama and Michelle at a NASCAR race.

[DebinNC]

DOT, see this: I think Mayhill Fowler was at the SF talk, got the audio, and produced the transcript.

[vnjagvet]

Another born and raised small town Pennsylvanian says that BHO has a tin ear for the European ethnic mostly Catholic (but a significant number of Euro-Protestant-- ever hear of the Pennsylvania Dutch, BHO?) communities that make up at least 75% of the Keystone State.

I'm with John. This hifalutin' bs will not sell well to the families that send their massive sons to play at linebacker U for JOEPA. Note the last names of so many of them end with a vowel, or have many unpronounceable consonants that run together.

[ben]

"we don't need to elect America's second anti-American president."

I think Carter's presidency was a disaster and Carter was (and is) an incompetent fool. But when it comes to anti-Americanism I don't think he could hold a candle to Obama. Carter probably believes in World Government and he certainly believes in rigged elections, but I don't think he has as much hate and contempt for Middle America as Obama does.

[centralcal]

Very good question, DOT. I don't think just "anybody" got into the billionaires club to hear his talk.

Maybe, there was a Hillary plant there . . . or, Operation Chaos? heh!

[Ranger]

Actually, it's CHARLTON Heston, but I get your drift. Truth be told, I think Obama was channeling a Chuck Heston line from one of his most famous films:

VOTE OBAMA...THEN GET YOUR STINKING PAWS OFF ME, YOU DAMN, DIRTY APES!

Posted by: MarkJ | April 11, 2008 at 10:31 PM

Hey, what's a little bad spelling between friends...

I think you are correct though about his outlook.

[Ralph L]

CNN must suspect McCain will pick Romney--they're doing a show now on polygamous Mormons.

[clarice]

Pls tell me we aren't getting marks deducted for typos and spelling errors. Pls!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GMax]

DoT

It was a gal not a guy and she is a HuffPo contributor. She was at the beg for money with the swells in Marin County. This happened Sunday or Monday. Thats a lot of agonizing. If John McCain told a wetback joke how long would the agonizing period be, what its already over?

[Sara]

The PA of my youth and now the PA of those in their 50s, 60s and older, the most likely to vote, were descendants of pretty much three groups. Welsh/English/Irish Quakers, fiercely independent Scots-Irish, and German Protestants with a smattering of French Huguenots thrown in for good measure. In all cases, these are people who left their countries for religious freedom and freedom from the control of the State. They were some of the first to step up to defy the British and to think that they have any pro-nanny state genes in them is foolish beyond belief. God, Country and a Good Education!

[Charlie (Colorado)]

He's only going to be president dear boy,not Mao or Stalin.

Golly, I sure hope you're right.

[SteveMG]

The press's coverage of this is really fascinating.

They haven't a clue.

None.

[DebinNC]

Speaking of Charlton Heston, supposedly ...
"During the Waco standoff in 1993, Heston was hired by the FBI to provide the voice of God when talking to David Koresh in an attempt to reason with him. The plan was never used." I wonder if Howard Dean could borrow the tape. Only a 3:00 call to Obama from God asking him to give up will prevent his nomination.

[Topsecretk9]

Has Dean's "God, gays and guns' been mentioned?

And OH GOLLY I hope the typo police don't cite me. I'll go broke.

[memomachine]

Hmmmmm.

"cling to their religion"???

Ummmm. Isn't he supposed to be the devout Christian now?

Doesn't this endless series of examples showing at Obama's public statements have absolutely nothing in common with his actual thinking instill some doubt on his claim of not being a muslim?

Do Christians describe other Christians in such a way? Cling to **their** religion?

Their??

[Topsecretk9]

The press's coverage of this is really fascinating.

They haven't a clue.

None.

Because they think the same as Obama and know covering it wold be bad for him?

[Topsecretk9]

--Do Christians describe other Christians in such a way? Cling to **their** religion?

Their??--

It's the democrats 2 Americas.

[memomachine]

Hmmmm.

Isn't the goal of a devout Christian to spread the Word and get people clinging to God?

[GnuCarSmell]

I still think Obama could recover from Bitterpennsylvaniangate. But he needs to do something really audacious and authentic. That's right, he must take Michelle and the girls to a Charlie Daniels concert.

[Rand Simberg]

I don't know what you people are talking about. Obama's a political genius. He's already getting rave reviews from the Keystone State.

[Elroy Jetson]

GnuCarSmell,
Yeah, and then after the concert, he should take the family hunting with Ted Nugent.

[Sara]

Powerline thinks this ends Obama's chance for the presidency, Ed Morrissey thinks it may have ended his chances for all time.

[GMax]

Well Mickey Kaus is one Democrat who is never afraid to call a spade a spade, no wait let me use a different phrase, oh heck just read his wit and enjoy:

I used to think working class voters had conservative values because they were bitter about their economic circumstances--welfare and immigrants were "scapegoats," part of the false consciousness that would disappear when everyone was guaranteed a good job at good wages. Then I left college. ...

[Porchlight]

The thing is, I bet you anything Obama actually thought he was being charitable with these remarks. Look at his audience. He was saying "hey guys, these people aren't really that bad, it's just that the economy is getting them down and they don't know any better." He was only trying to help explain "their" behavior to the elites who look down on them.

Thomas Frank's study in condescension, What's The Matter With Kansas?, is built from the same bricks, and is written for the same audience.

[Robbins Mitchell]

Obama:...the boy who put the 'ninny' back in 'pickaninny'

[Daddy]

Maybe Obama needs Dick Cheney's sunglasses with naked babes on the lenses. That'd bring him back in the good graces of all we redneck bubba's by cracky!

[Rick Ballard]

Porchlight,

Got it in one - he was among his kind. Rand did a nice job of describing them in his riff:

"Thirty years ago, I had a good job in the mill in Pittsburgh. I was bringing in a good income, going to jazz clubs, discussing Proust over white wine and brie, with my gay friends of all colors. I was all for free trade, so that we could sell the steel overseas, and I never bothered to go to church, let alone actually believe in God."

Skip the "good job in the mill" and that was BHO's audience. He's a cheap hack who changes color like a chameleon but the "inner BHO" just loves him those Marin County lefties - they're a lot more fun than the folks he falls asleep beside in church.

Nice job Rand.

[HoosierHoops]

I'm kindof bumming out now..
I realize I'm just a hillbilly from a small town in Indiana.
I think I need a old pickup truck with a gunrack and lot's of Bud.
Some day i hope to move to the city and get me one of those maids from Peru to keep the townhouse in order.
I yearn for more crime, Traffic and taxes.
Jordan update. This is his last weekend in Iraq!!!

[willem]

And I heard Thomas Frank's book was written with a grant or sorts from the AFL-CIO. How's that for irony?

They've woven a secular religion all their own; a cult of self-worship and sneer toward all they deem different. That's what's most telling about Obama and his ilk. It's not the distortion so much as the projection and duplicity.

[GnuCarSmell]

Funny. The guy who's always talking about The Future doesn't have one. At least not in national politics. Maybe in stand-up...I mean, he's got a good speaking voice:

"This clean articulate black guy goes into a San Francisco wine bar..."

[Sara]

A gay guy in the mills, I seriously doubt it. He wouldn't have lasted long 30 years ago. I grew up in a mill town, 6th largest steel producing plants in the world.

[Sara]

In small town PA, I might add.

[DebinNC]

Obama in IN: "[Pennsylvanians are] frustrated and for good reason, because for the last 25 years they’ve seen jobs shipped overseas, they’ve seen their economies collapse. They have lost their jobs, they’ve lost their pensions. They’ve lost their health care."... Obama then said that politicians from both sides of the aisle have promised answers but that "nothing ever happens."..."So…they don’t vote on economic because they don’t expect anybody’s going to help them," Obama said, adding that they end up voting on issues that include gun rights, gay marriage, and faith."

Team McCain's excellent responce:

"Instead of apologizing to small town Americans for dismissing their values, Barack Obama arrogantly tried to spin his way out of his outrageous San Francisco remarks. Only an elitist who attributes religious faith and gun ownership to bitterness would think that tax cuts for the rich include families who make $75,000 per year. Only an elitist would say that people vote their values only out of frustration. Barack Obama thinks he knows your hopes and fears better than you do. You can't be more out of touch than that."

[Topsecretk9]

--Jordan update. This is his last weekend in Iraq!!!--

That's great news Hoosier. God bless.

[Topsecretk9]

I was bringing in a good income, going to jazz clubs, discussing Proust over white wine and brie,

Rove called it. The chard swilling.Think if Hillary had run in her home state vs. going to New York? She'd be in a much better position now.

[Porchlight]

Nice job Rand.

Ditto Rand, that was splendid. Thanks Rick for the pointer upthread - I'm still catching up with all the comments this evening. And to think I was starting to get bored in a slow news week...

[Thomas Collins]

I guess Bill C. picked a good day to put his foot in his mouth about Bosnia after all.
B_O has retired the foot in mouth award for all time.

Although it is probably over for any hope for B_O and proud Michelle to make it to the White House, I still think an unconditional apology keeps some audacious hope alive. Then again, although the Obama campaign has been adept at campaign tactics (raising money, picking off delegates in caucuses), they may truly be clueless about the aspirations, dreams and values of most Americans.

[Ralph L]

Sara, NC west of Raleigh was settled by the same groups, who couldn't find (or afford) good land in Pennsylvania and came south.
If he'd stopped at "religion" and said "hunting" instead of "guns," it wouldn't have sounded so derogatory. City folk can't fathom that people would stay in the boonies out of choice.
Unfortunately, if you look at a voting map, Obama won't lose many votes in the general from this--they're not a Democratic constituency.

[Sara]

frustrated and for good reason, because for the last 25 years they’ve seen jobs shipped overseas

Well Mr. Barack NMN Obama, in my home town, when the mills closed, the employees got together and formed their own corporation and reopened their mill as an owner-operated operation. It is called resourcefulness and an independent never-say-die spirit.