Obama backs down a bit over comments

Posted: Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:19 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan
MUNCIE, IN -- After a defiant defense of his comments yesterday that Americans in small rural towns in Pennsylvania feel bitter, Obama today toned down the rhetoric and appeared more contrite in talking about his controversial comments from last weekend.

Re-addressing the issue, which he labeled “a political flare-up” Obama told the crowd that he said something “that everybody knows is true.”

“So I said, 'Well, you know when you’re bitter, you turn to what you count on,” Obama continued. “Some people, they vote on guns or they take comfort from their fate and their family and their community, and they get mad about illegal immigrants who are coming over to this country. Or they get frustrated about how things have changed. That’s a natural response.”

But this time he added: “Now I didn’t say it as well as I should have. Now these traditions are passed on from generation to generation, those are what sustains us. But what is absolutely true is that people don’t feel like they are being listened to. And so they pray and they count on each other and they count on their families, you know this in your own lives.”

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Comments

Obama got caught again. Time for him to change the subject. He better do something quick beause his sky is falling.

Henny Penny (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:26 PM)

I for one AM bitter! This government has failed the American people! Hillary Clinton is the one who is 'out of touch' if she really thinks that everyday people aren't bitter, frustrated, angry etc. Give me a break, can we please talk about the things that matter, the economy, Iraq, Iran (Hillary voted for the Iran resolution), CAFTA, NAFTA?!?

Bitter in WI (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:29 PM)

Why are they saying that to be bitter is an insult? When citizens are continually having their lifestyle chipped away at because of political conditions, it is understandable that many would become bitter. Those who say this is an insult seem to say that there is no excuse for the people to feel this way.

Barbara, Texas (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:31 PM)

It's pretty evident what kind of person Obama is. Hateful pastor, wife who hates America, he lectures us on what Typical White People feel and think, and now, according to Obama, the people of Pennsylvania are nothing but a bunch of gun-toting religious nuts. And Obama tries to pass himself off as a man of the people? The man is a fraud.

Mary Ellen Thomas, Toledo, Ohio (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:32 PM)

of course Hillary and McCain will push back on this and try to attack it. Obama's shinning a light on the past (of which they both are apart of), in-that the Clinton and Bush days have come and gone and both promised to regenerate these dying communities...and both have failed to deliver. 1 is Hillary's husband...and the other is McCain's lock-n-step-issues presidential mentor...

When the lights are turned on...all the roaches scatter...Time for Obama to bust out the pestiside. Time for a new generation to take over Washington. This one has run it's course.

sean, atl (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:33 PM)

Uh-huh. Oh yeah for sure. That'll work great - with the Obamabots who love to tag sites like this one with relentlessly self-certain, frequently vile insults directed at everyone who doesn't already agree with them.

CK MacLeod, Upland, CA (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:33 PM)

As usual he stutters and stammers and thinks after he speaks.. Sounds more like bush every day, a real fake of a man. He is an ineffective politician with no political capital to spend in Washington DC. He has been buying himself IOU'S to big Biz every day!

HP Boston (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:34 PM)

I understand completely with what Obama is saying. It doesn't surprise me that Clinton and McCain don't get it. Congress hasn't gotten it for longer than I can remember. That accounts for their 18% approval rating. Who wouldn't be bitter when they lose their jobs, their health care, their houses, their pensions-
all through no fault of their own. And, the government is completely unresponsive to them. The comments about guns and religion and illegal immigrants was inartful. But what Obama is saying is that when you don't feel that your vote counts when it comes to economic issues and constitutional issues than you vote social issues. You cling to your religion. We all do that. We're all a lot more religious when things are not going well than we are when everything is good. I've been working on that for years. I'm not into guns but when you feel that you're not in control of so many things; I can see where having a gun makes you feel in control of, at least, your family's safety and you feel like, if I can hunt, I can feed my family. The people who are hurting in this economy, I think, will understand what Barack said because they're living it.

Sue, Bloomington, IN (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:34 PM)

Obama is DEFENDING his remarks?!? In addition to being a elitist, the man also appears to be an idiot. He just doesn't get it!

Mike Richmond (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:36 PM)

A long time ago, in a speech that followed his first victory in the Iowa caucus (certainly no hotbed of liberal elitism), Barack Obama made a dangerous campaign promise.

"I don't intend to be a President who tells you what you want to hear...but rather, a President who tells you what you need to hear in order to try and move this country forward. I'm going to try and tell you the truth."

If being brave enough to NOT lie to you isn't good enough for you...then you do have alternatives.

Multimillionaire Hillary Clinton has openly lied her way through this entire primary campaign. And Multimillionaire John McCain cannot seem to decided if what he believes in this year, or last year is true (since he's completely flip-flopped on issues that could hurt him in the election)

There IS bitterness in America--because too many of us ARE being left out and have to cling to things WE can believe in and count on...My religion, my gun...they are not going anywhere. Unlike my job, my house, my son's fair shake at getting an education that won't indebt him for 20 years.

The candidate brave enough to face hard truths is the candidate I want leading our nation.

Danny E. Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:37 PM)

Looks like the infamous Kerry 2004 moments of Swiftboating resurfacing.

Obama should not win the Democratic nomination if he does not realize that blue collar works and the HEARTLAND pick presidents, not elitists like himself.

Chuck Todd or Olberman, do you have any suggestions for your buddy to get out of this mess he stirred right before PA primary on April 22nd?

Objective Analysis (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:39 PM)

So Obama didn't say 'what he should have'. There are no do overs in politics Obama. You said what you said. Why don't you man up and admit to it rather then lie to us and try to change the subject?

Alex Ross, NY (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:40 PM)

I would not call his statement "backing down" I think that he felt the need to clarify it because HRC made such an issue of it. But it is true. I live in Michigan and the Manufacturing Industry is devistated here as it is in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Absolutely, people are bitter and it seems that Senator Clinton is bitter too. I understand that her staff pushed this story to the media.

The truth is that the GOP's 527 has already prepared a strategy for her promise of 200,000 jobs in New York when they actually lost 30,000. Truth is that she has not been woman or leader enought to disclose that there is a hearing on April 25th to set a trial date for the Fraud Case she and her husband have regarding fundraisng in 2000 for her senate campaign and the pres library. She is managing the finances of her campaign horribly and they both continue to misspeak. The appeal was granted based upon a new videotaped evidence (ie ABC Bosnia Tapes) that contridicts her previous testimony. This needs to be reported, if not by the media, by citizens going into the streets of every primary state left. Voters have a right to know.

Kathy in Michigan (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:40 PM)

GO HILLARY !!
Obama is ARROGANT!
He cannot seem to answer a direct question without a prepared speech nicely delivered on the teleprompter.IF anyone dares to ask him a question - they are considered racist. He is not the "uniter" he says - his whole campaign is staged to look perfect - (more white people here) all for Show!
Maybe now Obama should step aside - "for the good of the party"

Molly (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:41 PM)

The fact of the matter is Obama is too intelligent for many people. These are some of the same people who want to be told that all is FINE, when they have lost jobs and have nothing much apart from their faith and guns to fall back on. People like to be told they are great when in reality, everyone is ordinary like each one of us.

Who knows Obama may end up losing, but Hillary Clinton and McCain both appeal to the lowest and the baset of human emotions. They are the ~REAL~ snake oil sales men, who want to convey to their dutiful flock that all is hunky and dory in the world unlike what Obama says. So voters go to sleep Mamma and Pappa will take care and dont listen to nasty things that Obama says.

JSmith, Houston, TX (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:41 PM)

As someone who grew up in rural Pennsylvania, Towanda to be exact, I invite Senator Obama to spend a little time with the folks in that region. They're folks who use guns and worship not because times are financially tough or because our borders are porous. They hunt and go to church because for many it's a long standing way of life. Fresh venison in winter and Sunday reflection in varied houses of worship are considered a bedrock of values that keep folks living in rural areas.

Some people are bitter and some people probably do vote on social issues because of it. But they are not all to be lumped into one rural mass of social conservatism, either. Come spend some time in rural Pennsylvania, Senator. You don't need to bowl or milk a cow or take up a sportsman's rifle. . .just sit back and get to know us all a little better. You're welcome anytime.

Shirlene Gordon y Baldonado, Albuquerque, NM by way of rural PA (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:42 PM)

MY, my the Obamabots are going to have overtime pay to blog this to tatters.
Good luck and may the SPIN be with you!
Remember you are paid by the WORD! WORDS MATTER!

HP Boston (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:42 PM)

Oh please! I can't believe the Clinton camp and the news media are making such a mountain out of this. I know many people who are indeed bitter about the direction our government has been traveling over the past 16 years. I agree that Obama could have phrased it better, but what he said was essentially true. Where is the scandal in that? How does that make him an elitist?

Linda, Allen, TX (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:43 PM)

Spin it as hard as you can Obama, it won't change the fact that your condescending attitude was very apparent in your San Francisco remarks. Small towners now know how you explain our "ignorance" to the sophisticates.

heartlander (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:43 PM)

CLEARIFY sounds more like it....
Obama has to do this for people that have no clue what he sees as real issues....
Watch the mimicing and spin of Billary if points are scored on this one...
Fear plays in HUGE role in Billary's campaign..
Barracks got the guts to take on difficult issues...
Billary only has time to make boners...

BJ, CA (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:43 PM)

This story is a non-issue the man is absolutely right, these politicans if they take their heads out of thier a... they will see the truth, the media needs to stop spinning this .....maybe as Jack Nicholas said some people can't handle the truth.

Ainsley, Bronx, NY (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:44 PM)

It is expected that H.R. Clinton would gladly take this comment out of context for her own 'Washington' political gain.

It is, however, unfortunate that J. McCain would join forces with the Clinton campaign to use the same line of rhetoric against B.H. Obama. Especially given how he felt about the 100-year war context and comments. It smacks of insincerity.

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:45 PM)

Obama is not backing down. He is being concilliatory.

One of Obama's key appeals as a candidate is that he can be concilliatory without "backing down"; WAY to miss the point on this one, Aswini, I usually like your coverage. Obama consistently maintains this amicable tone throughout everything he does, and it has brought him incredibly far because that's what the American people want now; they don't want the same old Bush equation of "peace making" = "weakness" forever, and yet you've implied the same principle with your analysis. One of the simplest tricks any smart negotiator knows is that you gladly concede a small point of no value if it pleases the ego of the other party and moves things forward; it is not backing down, but a tactic in moving ahead.

Shadow, Hamden, CT (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:46 PM)

People Obama said nothing wrong, he only spoke the truth about people bitterness:
1.)peoples jobs are being sent over seas (true)
2.)80,000 jobs lost in March (true)
3.)Same politics in Washington (true)
4.)Politicians Lying to Americans(true)
5.)Housing crisis in americans (true)

People are bitter and Im one of them. My house is in forecloser right now as Im typing and the mortgage company will not let me negotiate with them to bring the house out of foreclosure. There sitting on this and doing nothing about it. I have the means to bring the loan back current but they wont let me. So hell yes I,m bitter has hell.... Obama is right and he feels my pain and reprsents my view to the fullest. I pray he is our next president its our only chance for changing Old style Washington politics in america. I donate money to obama every paycheck I get to help him achieve this goal.

James Tn (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:46 PM)

Why I am bitter:
1)I am bitter because of the state of our economy
2)I am bitter because our jobs are being shipped overseas
3)I am bitter because we are fighting a war we shouldn't have waged.
4)I am bitter because we are spending $10b every month in iraq, money that we need seriously here.
5)I am bitter that Iraq has about $50b of its money lodged in foreign account, while we are using tax payer's money to rebuild the country.
6)I am bitter that we are losing the effort to catch osama bin laden.
7)I am bitter that our great country has lost its respect in the international forum.
8)I am bitter that our dollars has become a laughing stock of the world. That right here in the states, some businesses no longer accept the dollar as a legal tender.
9)I am bitter because hardworking folks are being laid off their jobs and have lost all their savings.
10)I am bitter that honest and hard working folks are facing foreclosures.
11)I am bitter because the solution to the foreclosure problem from our law makers is to reward the mortgage banks and people who created the problem in the first place, while providing nothing for the people at the risk of losing their homes.
12)I am bitter because we keep borrowing from china and other countries, thereby leaving debts upon debts for the future generation.
13)I am bitter because there are so many other reasons why I should be bitter and our government is doing nothing to fix it.
14)Finaly, I am bitter because the only person amongst our presidential candidates who recognizes that I'm bitter and that I have a genuine reason to be, is being crucified for saying the truth.

dew5050 (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:49 PM)

I understood what he meant when he said it at the fundraiser. I am an American who feels the same way. We can not count on our Government any more, yet we feel a need for an outlet to vent our fustrations.
I believe Clinton jumped on this with out checking the facts. We can not relie on the short blips we hear on the news. Clinton should not do it either.
Owl

Owl, Grangeville, Idaho. (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:50 PM)

"We can't handle the truth!"

Or maybe we can appreciate a politician who doesn't talk down to us. Here's a guy trying a new kind of politics - rejecting pandering and payoffs - and he gets criticized as an elitist by silver-spoon millionaires, who think you can never get beat by underestimating the populace.

40 Years in the DemNPL (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:50 PM)

He Has said the Truth and that's the only thing that the Clinto Mac cain's dont like. what we need is to change USA for a change in atittude. I support u 24hr 7 Days

Frankoo

Frankoo (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:51 PM)

You know, I am not ashamed or insulted that someone has finally agreed to admit that the American people have been shafted by the past administrations.
I really feel that the Clinton campaign would like to make this fact be untrue and somehow use it against Obama, but it doesn't fly with me.
I AM BITTER, ANGRY, and can't wait for a change.

Mary (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:52 PM)

I am very proud of Senator Obama for clarifying his remarks without playing the same political game his opponent does. Anytime HRC has to defend one of her MANY, MANY misstatements, misquotes or outright lies, she does so by turning the situation around to somehow blame Obama or someone else. She never takes responsibility herself. It is ALWAYS someone else's fault. At least Senator Obama takes responsibility, admits he could have stated things differently and goes forward. He is THE better example I want represented to my children and grandchildren.

THANK YOU SENATOR OBAMA FOR BEING A STANDUP AMERICAN!!

Hillary could learn a few things.............

Women for Obama (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:52 PM)

Senator Obama confronts controversy. He does not run from it.

Of course those left behind are bitter. They damn well should be. Jobs moved overseas, children fighting overseas, huge deficits, and on and on.

Obama alone seems to know this.

Bill Johnson, Anaconda, Montana (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:52 PM)

Are the people on CNN the Situation Room the only ones who go it right ?

The guess that Alex of MSNBC chooses to have
Do you think average American believe that this group represents them:
Jon Decker of Reuter
ED O’Keefe of Washington Post
Emily Heil of Roll Call
CNN Lou Dobb (Not saying much)
Fake Noise (The title says it all)

The list will add on as we find out that more and more of these so called pundits are out of touch with what’s going on with regular Americans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G8dRMofHNs

Bitter at the Dumbness of Americans (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:52 PM)

Obam is not a forgetful , Old aged person that can forget the red phone when it rings 3am

uc (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:52 PM)

You simply get what you deserve when everything Senator Obama said was truth.

And the fact you rather live in poverty is absolutely astonishing. But why am I not surprised many of you intellectually lazy people voted for Bush. Thinking because he was rich he would make you rich also….And are you better now than you were back then. Probably not.

PBrown (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:53 PM)

dew5050 (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:53 PM)

Obama said these words, admittedly in poor judgment, at a CLOSED DOOR meeting. No reporters were supposed to be present. These was a meeting of high-level contributors to Obama.

It's sad that Hillary needed to plant her people here to bring Obama down.

It's sad that she is grabbing the opportunity to side with McCain in attacking him continually over this.

Obama needs to ratchet up his rhetoric about Hillary's top two campaign officials -- husband Bill and chief strategist Penn -- working for trade deals that she claims to oppose.

He needs to push back against Hillary's ugly tactics forcefully. He should not sit back and take this nonsense.

Neil, Marlboro, MA (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:54 PM)

Barack Obama does not talk down to people and doesn't feel he is better than others. I can't imagine a liar like Hillary Clinton would get a vote for president of our country. He really wants to make change in our political arena and I hope he is given the chance. She is not an "average citizen" with her millions of dollars and arrogant demeanor.

LaDonna Wilson,2612 Kanawha Ave.SE,Charleston,WV 25304 (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:54 PM)

I don't see why this is a firestorm except that Clinton's whining again and the press is listening. What Obama said is duh to those of us who grew up in low middle class conditions.

But then you guys are all for this battle continuing anyway. That's why you never talk about Whitewater or any of the other Clinton scandals.

Dave in AL (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:55 PM)

Barack I heard you loud, and clear the first time. You were absolutely correct in what you said. It is called, 'we don't trust the lying government, and then, turning around to kick the dog'. We know you meant no offense. We know you spoke the truth. People who want to beat you over the head will do it no matter what you say, even when it is, "I love My Country".

The wise man when he walks by the ignorant says only, 'Peace'. We see the wisdom, and greatness in you. You are a once in a lifetime leader. We will be with you, support you, and love you. Thank you.

Obama '08 (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:55 PM)

Obama does not have to apologize for speaking the truth, mainstream working Americans are frustrated and bitter about stagnet wages, rising costs of living and housing, outsourcing of jobs and an economy that is impolding while the national debt and trade deficit sours out of sight.

E B. Kingman, Az. (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:55 PM)

Whether you agree or disagree with what Senator Obama said about Pennsylvanians...one thing is CLEAR...he is NOT about unity and definitely does not display good judgement!!

There is no way, with all his baggage(little experience, Rezco, Wright, bigotry, etc.) that he is electable!! It's that simple!!!!!!!

Carol, CA (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:56 PM)

Enough already! He spoke the truth. People are upset, bitter, frustrated, etc. If Hillary camp is focusing strictly on this issue, then does her camp really have any substance? Stick to the issued as Bill Clinton has said.

Sick & Tired, Harvey, IL (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:56 PM)

Obama has insulted the culture and values of many rural and working class Americans. He has unfairly characterized small town residents as hyper-religious, gun-toting, racist and ignorant.

But somehow Obama never admits when he is wrong. He seems to have only three tactics when responding to his own gaffes: to tell the public they are so stupid they misunderstood his remarks; to play the race card; or to employ the Bush arrogance defense ("Yeah, I said it. So what?"). Learning the humility to apologize and the wisdom to listen to those whom he has offended would go a long way toward humanizing him and making him a better candidate.

Carrie, Asheville, NC (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:58 PM)

OBAMA IS BEINGINING TO SHOW HIS TRUE COLOR, DOES HE THINCK AMERICAN ARE FOOLS TO ELECT SOMEONE THAT HIS OUT OF TOUCH WITH REAL POEPLE, ONLY DEMO ERRRRRRRRRRRRR

ameh , manchester (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:59 PM)

OH PLEASE if Hillary had said this you would be BASHING her. So why do Obama backers only see what they want to see.... You are not pro Obama just anti Clinton. That is such a stupid reason to vote for someone. I remember that the economy was good with a Clinton in the office now I think it will be even better. Hillary has great ideas, I listened to her on the Cramer show amongst other shows. You guys just see what the media wants you to see, snippits of ONLY bad controversial stuff. If you are on this website I assume you should be well informed... but then to assume is to.......

barb, Chicago,IL (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 2:00 PM)

The fact of the matter is Obama is too intelligent for many people. These are some of the same people who want to be told that all is FINE, when they have lost jobs and have nothing much apart from their faith and guns to fall back on. People like to be told they are great when in reality, everyone is ordinary like each one of us.
.
JSmith, Houston, TX (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 1:41 PM)
________________________

I totally agree with your assessment...Hillary Clinton should be quite embarrassed with the amount of ignorant people she has supporting her.

PBrown (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 2:00 PM)

Obama didn't need to re-address this issue. I do applaud him however for being humble. Imagine that, an honest man who admits that he could have expressed himself in a more eloquent way. I need to get some I voted for Obama t-shirts or some banners or bumper stickers...

Cross, Lauderhill,FL (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 2:00 PM)

So its TRUE. Clinton is a liar and tries to use this as a wedge. Just what Obama is saying..

She is so horrible.

Nj (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 2:00 PM)

It's not that Obama "backs down a bit." He's adding, and he's right on. Anyone familiar with how so many SMALL towns in Pennsylvania have deteriorated knows it's true: the economy, even the Clinton economy, didn't help much. Many of the towns which were thriving sixty years ago now have little to offer the next generation. To understand the disenchantment of the town's electorate is not to dis them.

Sally (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 2:00 PM)

Between the Rev. Wright controversy and the typical white person comment, and the bitter middle class-- I humbly cannot perceive Obama as President. A President must uplift their country and the citizens and NOT tear them down. Obama has now lost any chance at getting my vote.

Steve (Sent Saturday, April 12, 2008 2:00 PM)

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