CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
April 12, 2008 – 6:15 p.m.
GOP Turns Up Heat on Democrats Over Obama “Bitter” Remark
By Jonathan Allen, CQ Staff
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama ’s remarks about “bitter” small-town Pennsylvanians could make it more difficult for vulnerable House Democrats, many of whom remain uncommitted as superdelegates to the Democratic convention, to back Obama’s campaign.
A good portion of House members who have not declared their support are moderates and conservatives who represent swing districts dominated by small towns.
Republicans, in particular, sought to use the remarks to put two politically-vulnerable Democratic House members on the hot seat.
The targets of the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee were a pair of freshman Pennsylvania Democrats - Jason Altmire , who represents small towns outside Pittsburgh in the state’s 4th district, and Christopher Carney , whose 10th district covers the sparsely populated expanses of northeastern Pennsylvania.
Altmire and Carney, who are also superdelegates, have not publicly backed Obama or New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in their fight for the Democratic presidential nomination in advance of the April 22 primary. CQ Politics rates both of their districts as “leans Democratic” and as races to watch in the upcoming elections.
“It’s time for Congressman Chris Carney to step up and denounce Barack Obama ’s condescending attitude about families who live in small towns and who hold a viewpoint other than Obama’s,” NRCC Spokesman Ken Spain said in a Saturday statement that echoed one aimed at Altmire a day earlier.
The Republican line of attack did not end there. By the middle of the afternoon, releases had been put out targeting lawmakers whose states have already voted but who have not committed in the presidential race.
“Senator Obama already had a problem connecting with rural and small town voters and now we know why. Democrats should be prepared to take a position in this presidential contest or prepare to have their hand forced,” Spain told CQ Politics on Saturday afternoon. “Voters in Pennsylvania and in states like Indiana and North Carolina deserve to know if their Democrat representative is willing to tolerate these kind of insults to their constituents’ culture and religion.”
In addition to Altmire and Carney, first-term lawmakers like Heath Shuler in North Carolina’s 11th district and Indiana congressmen Joe Donnelly (representing the 2d district), Brad Ellsworth (representing the 8th district) and Baron P. Hill (representing the 9th district), both of have not officially taken sides as superdelegates to the Democratic convention in August. North Carolina and Indiana have their own presidential primaries May 6.
Obama had said at a private fundraiser in San Francisco last Sunday that it is unsurprising that the reaction to job losses and broken political promises among many Pennsylvanians is that 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.” The comments were made public in the Huffington Post yesterday.
The remarks sparked a furious rhetorical firefight between the Democratic candidates and their campaigns.
They also gave Republicans - and the Clinton camp - an opening to paint Obama as an elitist who is out of touch with Americans who fall in the middle and lower ranges of the economic spectrum.
Clinton, who has been slipping in most Pennsylvania polls, took issue with Obama’s characterization of people who “cling” to guns and to religion.
GOP Turns Up Heat on Democrats Over Obama “Bitter” Remark
“The people of faith I know don’t ‘cling to’ religion because they’re bitter. People embrace faith not because they are materially poor, but because they are spiritually rich,” Clinton said.
She also blasted Obama for “looking down” on other Americans, a charge that drew a rapid response from Obama’s camp.
“We won’t be lectured on being out of touch by Senator Clinton, who believes lobbyists represent real people and is awash in their money and who can’t tell a straight story about her lengthy record of supporting trade deals like NAFTA and China that have devastated communities in Pennsylvania and Indiana,” Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan said in a statement issued Saturday.
Campaigning in Indiana Saturday, Obama said conceded that he didn’t express himself “as well as I should have,” but he also defended the point he was trying to make.
“Lately there has been a little typical sort of political flare up because I said something that everybody knows is true which is that there are a whole bunch of folks in small towns in Pennsylvania, in towns right here in Indiana, in my hometown in Illinois who are bitter. They are angry,” Obama said in Muncie, Ind., Saturday.
“They feel like they have been left behind,” he continued. “They feel like nobody is paying attention to what they’re going through. So I said well you know when you’re bitter you turn to what you can count on. So people they vote about guns, or they take comfort from their faith and their family and their community.”
“(Obama) was saying what many people believe but few are comfortable saying,” said a Democratic strategist who is not affiliated with either campaign. ”Maybe he could have said it a bit differently, but all spin aside it hard to disagree with what he was trying to say. The Clinton campaign is ginning this up in order to play to the concerns of superdelegates. If Obama continues to have the lead in votes, I refuse to believe that any superdelegate would be dumb enough to fall for this ploy.”
The fireworks over the “bitter” remark come just weeks after Obama refused to “disown” his controversial preacher, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, for comments that were taken by some as derogatory toward whites and the United States.
As far as the potential fallout from the national campaign when it comes to congressional races, North Carolina’s Shuler is getting political pressure from the left as well as the right these days.
Earlier this week, a group called America’s Voice, blasted Shuler for pushing an immigration enforcement bill. The press release was distributed by a public relations firm owned by two high-ranking Obama campaign aides, Steve Hildebrand and Paul Tewes, that does work for America’s Voice.
Though the men still own the firm, they are not currently involved in its day-to-day operations, according to Hildebrand and Managing Director Cara Morris Stern.
“Paul Tewes and I both took a complete leave of absence from our firm 14 months ago to devote all of our time to Barack’s campaign,” Hildebrand said.
“They are still owners of the firm but do not participate in any client business,” Morris Stern said.
GOP Turns Up Heat on Democrats Over Obama “Bitter” Remark
“The press release was sent on behalf of America’s Voice, an issue campaign dedicated to changing the debate on immigration reform and challenged recent events surrounding Congressman Schuler’s immigration bill known as the SAVE Act.”
Comments
The truth has become a dirty word, never thought I would see the day. My vote is for Senator Obama. Just call me bitter, angry and frustrated in Houston, Texas.
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 ?
His comments were correct. People are bitter. To try to say they aren't is foolish. His comments are in tune with his campaign in which he is saying there is something NEW that needs to be done. I know Hillary thinks she has a story, but she does't.
I am pretty bitter, most politicians are corrupt to the core and should be thrown in prison for the atrocities against the people they represent. Obama is the only candidate I trust to be president; the other two are corrupt to the core. McCain and Clinton should be run out of this country for selling us all out. Be a part of the calvary that saves America. Vote Obama.
I grew up on a farm in a small town of Illinois and I understand everything that he said. He speaks the truth. God Bless, Obama!
Amen to that. It's funny how when we finally have a candidate who is honest, everybody wants him to lie.
Let's keep it simple. 1. In the following sentence, replace Obama's name with Clinton of McCain. 2. Replace the "Small-town" with "Black," or "Jewish," or "Female." According to [Obama, (1)] [Small-town (2)] Americans 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." So, in Obama's beliefs, an entire group of people are bitter, and this bitterness among the group automatically leads each of them, to Guns, Religion, Hatred, Fear. Their emotion combined with their lack of critical thinking skills dictates they adhere to these opiates of the masses. Now we can understand those who cling to their religion, and hand in hand, their bigotry, and hand in hand, their guns. I get it now. Thank you, Mr. Obama, for the enlightenment.
Rather than trying to explain his extremely offensive comments, Obama should apologize to the people of rural Pennsylvania, and rural America, for accusing them of "clinging to guns or religion" because they are "bitter." Many of us want change, but I doubt any of us wants a disdainful president. Obama is unelectable. Either the superdelegates support Hillary as the Party's nominee or else... come November, it would be McCain '08.
I've been noticing that comments sections on the web have been majority pro-Obama. As far as the horse-race goes, and with Obama's effective pushback, the story at the end of the week will be that Clinton and the Republicans have over-played their hand.
Jonathan: you're excited hypothesis that Obama's remark, "could make it more difficult for vulnerable House Democrats... to back Obama's campaign." comes off as biased wishful thinking. Voters don't give a hoot about this inside baseball hyperventilating; they're more anxious about their economic futures and the country's direction than any point I can remember in my 45-year life. Folks are fed-up with the political status-quo and want change. They aren't suckers for this kind of media misdirection.anymore --they remember what it got them the last two presidential elections... What's likely to hurt candidates of either party in competitive races is their answer to voters fuming when gas passes the $4.00 per gallon mark.
Caroline Kennedy campaigns for Obama She said she was moved to endorse the Illinois senator earlier this year - in a New York Times piece that compared Obama to her father - because of "that quality that Barack Obama has to be inspiring to a new generation, because this really is a crucial time in our history." http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080412__Camelot__comes_to_Mount_Airy.html
People miss the real point which is that Obama scoffs at the American people's real concerns over trade, Illegal immigration and while he failed to mention it the fact that their earnings are stagnant over almost the last 25 years while costs keep going up..as for guns and religion.. "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition...!"
Cling to their guns? Anti Trade? Obama loving media is conveniently ignoring some of the things he said. First of all the media is trying to make his gun comment into having something to do with "HUNTING?" That is total BS. He was clearly saying that people are "BITTER" and they take their guns and commit crimes such as MURDER and ROBBERY. He is demeaning all these people by saying that since they are "BITTER" they have become a bunch of CRIMINALS! Hunting? Give me a break. Second he was saying that all these "BITTER" people are anti-TRADE because they are "BITTER." What is he implying here? He is IMPLYING that these trade deals such as NAFTA are GOOD and that the only reason people are against it is because they are "BITTER." Again contradictory statements. Go in front of blue collar PA folks and say he is against trade deals. Then go in front of MULTI-MILLIONAIRES and BILLIONAIRES and say he is for it. All this was said behind closed doors at an OIL BILLIONAIRES MANSION to other very rich people. From what the media is reporting Obama does not allow the media in these fundraisers with rich people. What plausible reason does he have for that? Unless of course he does not want what he is saying to come out! An Obama supporting Huffington Post reporter who was at the event wrote about it because she was shocked. My question now is WHAT OTHER GARBAGE HAS HE BEEN SAYING BEHIND CLOSE DOORS IN ALL THE FUNDRAISERS HE HAS HAD WITH THE SUPER RICH (WHERE THE MEDIA IS ALWAYS BANNED BY OBAMA)?
This is just typical liberals looking down on Middle America cause we actually believe in God and attend mass and shop at Walmart of all places. Oh my! We actually go hunting like our ancestors did from time to time and we actually flag the American flag instead of burning it. Oh my!
"perkin April 12, 2008 8:22 PM I've been noticing that comments sections on the web have been majority pro-Obama." ......which says that a few Obama supporters are good 'cut and paste' artists.
"GOP Turns Up Heat on Democrats Over Obama "Bitter" Remark " GOP needs a reality check. people are bitter over much more than Obama said they were. Now middle class workers and a few that count themselves above the middle class, are having such problems with morgages and paying bills and providing a decent home and up bringing for their children, you betcha they are bitter. And they are the ones the GOP needs toi win the election, and they are belittling their angue by putting Obama down for saying they are bitter! If this is the kind of stuff they are going to use against Obama or even Clinton they have lost the race before it even begun. It also doesn't help them to say something tat wasn't said by taking words out of context. We read and we can see for our selves how out of context what theya re saying is. They better find something better than this to turn people away from Obama, and the same goes for Clinton.
This small-town Pennsylvanian will be voting for Clinton. This reaffirms my vote and makes me dislike Obama 10x more than I already had.
One guy says he notices that most of the replies are from Obama fans. Yes. Most people in the united states do not BLOGG on the internet . 20 year olds do. All the rest of the Obama replies are about 'being bitter' and IGNORE the fact Obama has comprimised his ability to win the general election because he then stereotyped how small town people DEAL with this supposed bitterness. Like they are ALL bitter, and ALL run for guns and religion. Its a pathetic, campaign ending comment. Only far left idiots who BELIEVE small town people are all red neck crackers have no problem with what Obama said.
Both Hillary and Obama have exaggerated or told little lies along the way....I seen plenty from both. Recently it was Bosnia for Hillary, and Obama was caught with the story the his parents fell in love during the marches of Selma. He was born a few years before. So maybe they stretched the truth....big deal. It's the larger issues that matter more to me. Hillary seems to have a better command of the facts, more complete plans, and she is smarter,tougher and sturdier than Obama. Hillary is a human dynamo, anyone that spends time around her will say that. Obama seems like a lumbering "motivational speecher" compared to her. But it was Jeremiah Wright, and Bill Ayers (the pentagon bomber) that sank Obama for me. I don't know why anyone that wanted a serious career in politics would befriend an admitted terrorist, or why Obama supporters don't think it's important. Not important? Bill Ayers bombed the Pentagon, and Obama has asked for his support. Sorry, but that is too far for me to go. The comments about rural people, guns and bible, just showed me how bad Obama's judgement REALLY is. His associations with angry reactionary people, his careless words and his lack of common sense proves he is not the best candidate for President.
This is not journalism! All you have done is editorialize and sensationalize based on a lazy analytical perspective of the issue. You refused to contextualize the 'controversy' as a response to a question on how the senator intends to persuade rural voters in Pennsylvania to come his way. More to the point, and indeed shameful, you scant over what was said before and after the mentioning of 'gun' and 'religion'. And, in particular, you made no reference to similar and more contextual comments, on the same issue, by Senator Obama on Charlie Rose in 2004. Go see and listen to the video. How can an individual from modest means, raised by a single mother, worked with poor people and those who lost there jobs in the south side of Chicago, took college loans to attend College; attended Community College, does not own a Ranch or a mansion worth millions, lived in Indonesia be elitist? As you continue to editorialize and repeat the 'controversy' ad nauseam, instead of doing serious reporting because it is easier, let me remind you of the words of both Senator Obama and Joe Klein: .."in the next election we'll be talking about some other distraction ... And nothing will change ... Or, at this moment in this election, we can come together and say, 'Not this time.'" "And that is the existential challenge of 2008: whether we will have a big election or a small one. Will we have a serious conversation about the enormous problems confronting the country-the wars, the economic crisis, the looming environmental cataclysm-or will we allow the same-old carnival of swift boats and sound bites? The answer depends on the candidates, of course, and on the media-where cynicism too often passes for insight. But most of all, it depends on you."
As the owner of farm property in White County IN, but a bicoastal resident of Cambridge MA and Berkeley CA since 1958, I am aware that my neighbors' ways of living have suffered ups and downs, and that most of their children and grand-children have left their way of life. I am confident a majority of them will vote Democratic from top to bottom of the ballot in November. I deplore the Clinton campaign's efforts to mischaracterize Senator Obama's well-informed candor about the frustrations of rural Americans as condescension. I believe a majority of my neighbors will see through this attempted manipulation in the May 6 Indiana Democratic Party Presidential Primary and boost Obama over Clinton. Why? Because they have long experience knowing what to do with manure.
Obama's fast talk may impress impressionable youth who have had no experience with glib politcos before but his recnet remarks show him for the snobbish crowd sucker he is.
Senator Barack is right. A lot of people in America is hungry. There children are going without food, clothing and the basic nesessities of life. Senator Clinton can afford to buy all the beer and alcohol she wants. A lot of American cannot afford to buy milk, eggs and bread. What is Senator Clinton laughing and rejoicing about? The hungry people in Philadelphia Pennsylvania are not laughing. Senator Cilinton was not going to spend any money in Pennsylvania until Senator Barack did his 6 day bus tour. God Bless Senator Barack for caring about people. Jo
I can understand what Obama meant when he called Pennsylvanians bitter. In fact, I agree with him on that. I'd be bitter too if I lost my healthcare, jobs, resoarces, ect. But he took it too far when he started to accuse Pennsylvanians of clinging to guns and religion. That was just rude. Clinton for '08.
We can't afford a PIT BULL in the White House.
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