Bill refers to 'bitter' remark

Posted: Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:08 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, Clinton

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
BLOOMSBURG, Pa. -- After tiptoeing around the matter in North Carolina yesterday, Bill Clinton weighed in on Obama's "bitter" remark before a small-town audience in Central Pennsylvania today. Still, the former president raised the issue it in a way that seemed to want to avoid responsibility for doing so.

"Folks, I was shaking hands and taking a few pictures backstage. This fellow looked at me and he said, 'I just want you to know, the people you're about to see are not bitter. They're proud,'” he said, never identifying the messenger.

After a hearty round of applause, Clinton then inserted some of his standard stump while paraphrasing the phantom Pennsylvanian.

"They just want this country to go in a different direction,” he said. “They want to restore the middle class, reclaim the future for our kids, reform the government and take it away from the special interests, restore America's standing in the world, bring our troops home for Iraq, and take care of our veterans and our men and women in uniform. That's what Hillary offers.”

Clinton then indirectly defended one of the arguments Obama made in the now-infamous San Francisco speech, that neither the Clinton nor Bush administrations helped these small towns.

"One more time, the campaign opposite Hillary said, 'Well there really wasn't any difference in the Clinton years and the Bush years. Rural Pennsylvania really didn't do very well.' Do you agree with that?” he asked the crowd, which responded with jeers. Smiling broadly, Clinton continued: "I just thought I'd get a few witnesses here. You know I'm a Baptist. On Sunday, we look for witnesses."

Shortly after, Clinton invoked the speech given by Robert F. Kennedy 40 years ago after the assassination of Martin Luther King, seeming to use even that against Obama.

"[Kennedy] gave this great speech about how America can't give in to bitterness and division and violence, and two months and two days later he was dead," Clinton said. "And I say that to remind the young people in this audience that this country has been through a lot of tough times. Don't bet against us. The only time we flub is when we don't pull together and work on something positive and determine to make a better future. That's what Hillary's campaign is about, that's why you oughta be for her for president."

The setting in which Clinton chose to address Obama's comments was notable. With a population of just over 12,000, Bloomsberg could be one of those small towns Obama referred to. And it's one of many Clinton has spent time campaigning in for months, instead of bigger cities.

Clinton had avoided the subject at his first stop Sunday, at Bucknell University. But he did, for what may have been the first time, leave the stage after his remarks to the sound of John Mellencamp's "Small Town." A sign in the crowd also seemed to mock Obama's message of "Hope," with the message: "Hillary Offers Proven Experience."

To that effect, Clinton noted the support Hillary has among veterans and members of Congress like Kendrick Meek (D-FL), who introduced him.

"You know it would be easier for them to take a dive don't you -- go the other way," he said. "[But] they know she would be the best President."

*** UPDATE *** Bill warming up; at it again
JIM THORPE, PA -- Bill Clinton again referred to the "bitter" comments during his third and final stop in Pennsylvania today, saying without referring to Barack Obama by name that it was one of those moments in a campaign that "reveals what the choice is."

"Right before I came out at my last event, a man came up to me and he said, 'Mr. President I want you to know something about the working people of Pennsylvania. We're not bitter about anything. We're proud,'" he said. "But we do want a better deal for the people of our country and for our children, and that's what Hillary wants to give you."

In his opening remarks, Clinton noted the namesake of this small town of about 5,000 people, calling the former Olympian and football great "an unprecedented, amazing athlete." And he said it was Hillary's support in small towns like these that have kept her in the race, against the odds.

"I have seen a number of Clinton's Laws of Politics manifest in the last few days," he said. "When somebody tells you that somebody else oughta get out of the race, it's 'cause they're afraid they won't. When somebody tells you that somebody can't win, it's because they're afraid they will. … In the first few weeks of this campaign she was outspent five to one on television, but if you stick with her she'll win anyway, then she'll win in Indiana, and we'll roll through the rest of this primary, she'll be the nominee and the next president. It's up to you, you bring her home."

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Bill Clinton Flashback: "All These Economically Insecure White People...Are Scared To Death"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/13/bill-clinton-flashback-al_n_96433.html
"The reason (George H. W. Bush's tactic) works so well now is that you have all these economically insecure white people who are scared to death," Clinton was quoted saying by the Los Angeles Times in September 1991.

kravitz (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:22 PM)

For anyone wondering about a Hillary Clinton Presidency, you my interested in this insightful blog by Carl Bernstein.

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/12/carl-bernstein-what-a-hillary-clinton-presidency-look-like/

goodwin (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:24 PM)

Much has been said about the choice Hillary Clinton will make upon failing to receive the Democratic nomination for president. That is when we will see what she is really made of. Some say she will covertly support John McCain, and that is possible. Some say she will plot running for president in 2012, and that is possible.

But I also believe that she is capable, in spite of appearances, of comming to the realization that the Clinton era is over and she will never be president. Then again, most of us will never be president and we can live with it. Once she comes to that realization, I fully believe that, in spite of shortcommings, she is fully capable of performing a highly positive role on behalf of the Democratic Party, America and humanity.

May God grant us the best of all possibilities. Best wishes to Barack and Hillary and God bless America.

Gregory Peek, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:28 PM)

man (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:31 PM)

I agree with what Obama said. I am a bitter and angry American. What has government done for me in the past 8 years? Gas prices are higher, economy is horrible, and nothing has gone good If you are not bitter over the past eight years are you living in the same country as me. If you are not bitter what are you? I am bitter enough said.

Warren Jones Bloomsburg, PA (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:34 PM)

Clinton was lying. Know how you can tell? His lips were moving.

boski (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:36 PM)

Hillary Clinton's Real Feelings About Working Class Americans

Barack's point about small town America is right... that they are being devastated economically. It is the reason I no longer live in my hometown of Constantine, Michigan. There just are not enough high paying jobs, especially after the GM plants in Constantine and Three Rivers closed their doors.

I encourage everyone to take a drive through the country and stop in each downtown and count how many vacant store fronts there are. If you were not aware, you may be surprised. I have done this in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Kansas and the result is the same and sad. Small town America is struggling and in many cases the once idelic small town scene (what most Americans see in their heads) has been replaced by boarded up store front windows, roads and sidewalks in disrepair and often a more sinister drug problem. The population sign at the town entrance is often a mis-statement as young people can not find work.

Hillary has been warned that her so called outrage about Obama's statements would come back to bite her and here it is:

From the Huffington Post:

Oh, noes! Would it crush anyone's beautiful velveteen pony to learn that Hillary Clinton hasn't always been a duck-hunting, beer-drankin', Senator-Saint who walked among the commoners and lived as they do? It's true, it's true, and apparently, there are witnesses!

Harvard University political scientist Theda Skocpol - also an elite, I guess! - provided Talking Points Memo with a following statement, which, in part, reads:

I have been in meetings with the Clintons and their advisors where very clinical things were said in a very-detached tone about unwillingness of working class voters to trust government -- and Bill Clinton -- and about their unfortunate (from a Clinton perspective) proclivity to vote on life-style rather than economic issues. To see Hillary going absolutely over the top to smash Obama for making clearly more humanly sympathetic observations in this vein, is just amazing. Even more so to see her pretending to be a gun-toting non-elite. Give us a break!...

This has to be one of the few times in U.S. political history when a multi-millionaire has accused a much less wealthy fellow public servant, a person of the same party and views who made much less lucrative career choices, of "elitism"! (I won't say the only time, because U.S. political history is full of absurdities of this sort.) In a way, it is funny -- and it may not be long before the jokes start.

Perhaps, however, it can be said that Pennsylvanians are not "bitter," at least, relative to their candidates.
______________

I am not sure that a women who has lived in a bubble most of her adult life and has made $109,000,000 in the past 7 years should be throwing stones. She is not "blue collar" by any stretch of the imagination!

http://laststopmidwest.blogspot.com

James, Wichita, KS (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:36 PM)

>> They just want this country to go in a different direction,” he said. “They want to restore the middle class, reclaim the future for our kids, reform the government and take it away from the special interests, restore America's standing in the world, bring our troops home for Iraq, and take care of our veterans and our men and women in uniform. That's what Hillary offers.”<< spoken by Bill Clinton.

And I say, thanks Bill. That's a clear articulation of why I'm supporting Barack Obama for President. He is the change candidate. Your wife is not.

Obama 08

Lisa, New Britain, CT...in the heart of a working class town (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:36 PM)

Can anyone really challenge the fact that people wherever they live are angry and bitter over losing jobs, paying higher taxes and losing their houses are kidding themselves. Why can't we get pass twisting the words of candidates and judge them on what they can do for this country when they are elected.

Anyone who thinks this prolonged battle is helping the democratic party is also fooling themselves. I wish the super delegates would grow a spine and support either Hillary or Obama so we can get on with fighting the republicans and not each other.

Bdub, West Bloomfield MI (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:39 PM)

Funny how there is a video from a elderly who is being interviewed by fox news said Obama's comments are correct. By the way, he is not an Obama supporter.
Also, people can be proud and bitter about the loss of jobs due to President Clinton passing NAFTA and supporting CFTA. The two words are not mutually exclusive.

voter (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:40 PM)

GO HILLARY !!!!!

REV UNCLE WRIGHT
FL & MI VOTERS
SUPERDELEGATES
DNC
BITTER PA PEOPLE

CLINTON
OBAMA

SADDLE UP!!

Molly (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:41 PM)

BILL PLEASE, We are all bitter about 4,000 lives lost in Iraq, economy taking a dive, jobs lost and more. How can you and your wife be bitter if you made $109,000,000. Get real here. Is this a "fairy tail" or am I "Dreaming". The man just told the truth and we are taking him to the wood shed?

John, GA. (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:42 PM)

Can small town America expect Hillary to understand their needs?

Quotes from "Travelers for Hillary", a group of NY farmers who are witness to how she has worked for them as their Senator:

Scott Osborn, is a grape grower and owner of Fox Run Vineyards in Yates County, N.Y. He states, "She's come to Yates County every year to ask (the farmers) what problems there were and what we saw as a problem," Osborn said. "I think the country needs to return to its roots, and that's agriculture."

Adds Edward King of Kings Ransom Farm in Saratoga County, N.Y., whose family has been farming for more than 100 years: "It's for farmers to find out what kind of senator she's been and what she's been able to do for (New York)," said King. “My shtick is farming and agriculture. This woman has been there ever since day one. You can't ask for more than that."

If you want a President who shares your values, Hillary's mom and dad were middle-class. Her dad worked in a factory, her mom was a homemaker. They were Methodists.

When Hillary graduated college and told her dad she wanted to go on to law school, he said, "you'll have to pay for it, your mom and I got you through college and that's all we can do for you and your brother." And, she had to take out student loans.

She understands Americans because she was raised in America. She understands finding a way to make ends meet because she wasn't born rich-- she didn't go to elite prep schools.

Hillary will be the next American President and America will be strengthened by her loyalty and her devotion to American values and principles.

Rumi (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:42 PM)

How bitter are these remarks Bill Clinton since you said almost the exact same thing you first ran for President:
"The reason (George H. W. Bush's tactic) works so well now is that you have all these economically insecure white people who are scared to death," Clinton was quoted saying by the Los Angeles Times in September 1991.
A couple months later, Joe Klein, writing for the Sunday Times, reported that Clinton made the following remarks
As the rumination continues over Barack Obama's comments about economically-depressed small town voters, statements made by Bill Clinton on the same topic -- uttered while he was running for president in 1991 -- have now surfaced.
"The reason (George H. W. Bush's tactic) works so well now is that you have all these economically insecure white people who are scared to death," Clinton was quoted saying by the Los Angeles Times in September 1991.
A couple months later, Joe Klein, writing for the Sunday Times, reported that Clinton made the following remarks:
"You know, he [Bush] wants to divide us over race. I'm from the South. I understand this. This quota deal they're gonna pull in the next election is the same old scam they've been pulling on us for decade after decade after decade. When their economic policies fail, when the country's coming apart rather than coming together, what do they do? They find the most economically insecure white men and scare the living daylights out of them. They know if they can keep us looking at each other across a racial divide, if I can look at Bobby Rush and think, Bobby wants my job, my promotion, then neither of us can look at George Bush and say, 'What happened to everybody's job? What happened to everybody's income? What ... have ... you ... done ... to ... our ... country?'"

Will this get Reported by Anyone (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:44 PM)

from Myrna Melgar who was actually at the Obama Fundraiser:

As someone who was at that now famous fundraiser where Barack spoke about the bitterness folks in rural America feel, I have grown increasingly bewildered at the Clinton campaign's distortion of his words. The paragraph that has so spun out of control in the mainstream media was not a part of the speech itself, but rather a response to a question from someone in the audience (one of us!) who was planning on traveling to PA as a volunteer and was asking about what to expect. I listened to Barack's response and was stuck by his emotional intelligence, deep empathy and understanding of our fellow Americans. It was in no way condescending or demeaning. So that you don't think I am one of these so called elitist San Francisco rich who are out of touch with everyone else outside our bubble: I am a Latina, single mom, who immigrated to the Mission during the civil war in El Salvador. America has given me great opportunity, but I know struggle and discrimination. I have spent most of my career as a community and union organizer engaged in conflict with the "haves" and building leadership in poor communities of all colors to speak truth to power. Barack's message of hope and inclusion of us all speaks to me and mine: White, black, immigrant, Latino, Asian, male, female, gay, straight. Of course people are bitter and angry! One of the foundational principles of community organizing in America has been to tap into the discontent of people who are oppressed and turn it towards positive change, so that the emotinal energy that fuels the anger will instead be used to motivate people to action for positive progress and change. It is a radically different message that the Obama philosophy espouses: we can change the world ourselves - we need to work hard and turn our bitterness and anger towards the actual work of holding government accountable. It applies to poorpeople in rural appalachia as much as it applies to poor people in the inner city public housing projects in Chicago. I am writing to remind us to stay on message and stay focused. For the past four days, the media has been going nuts over that comment, including folks in the Democratic party who should know better but whose self interests is perhaps to protect the paradigm of division that has kept them at the top of the fragile balance between Republicans and centrist Democrats over the past 20 years. This moment in American history is about WE the people, and millions of us have elected Barack to speak for us now, because he speaks the truth. Enough is enough. Let's stay on message, and I have no doubt we're going to win this one. Here is an excellent piece by someone who lives in Western Pennsylvannia about this brouhaha: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/12/184747/973/89/485030 Peace to all.

alison (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:45 PM)

Folks, do not let the Clintons pull a fast one. Barack spoke from the heart about the realities of a forgotten group of people-forgotten by their government, democratic and republican. Here is what the Clintons really think... the truth they will never say... in public anyway

From Huffington Post
Harvard University political scientist Theda Skocpol -also an elite, I guess! - provided Talking Points Memo with a following statement, which, in part, reads:

I have been in meetings with the Clintons and their advisors where very clinical things were said in a very-detached tone about unwillingness of working class voters to trust government -- and Bill Clinton -- and about their unfortunate (from a Clinton perspective) proclivity to vote on life-style rather than economic issues. To see Hillary going absolutely over the top to smash Obama for making clearly more humanly sympathetic observations in this vein, is just amazing. Even more so to see her pretending to be a gun-toting non-elite. Give us a break!...
This has to be one of the few times in U.S. political history when a multi-millionaire has accused a much less wealthy fellow public servant, a person of the same party and views who made much less lucrative career choices, of "elitism"! (I won't say the only time, because U.S. political history is full of absurdities of this sort.) In a way, it is funny -- and it may not be long before the jokes start.

Jordan, Mill Creek, WA (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:48 PM)

Can we just have a vote? Please? This is getting really old . . . although I have to give it to Senator Clinton - nobody feigns outrage quite like she does -

"And the Emmy goes to . . ."

Can we please give the false outrage a rest - it's not Presidential in the least. If anyone should be outraged, it's the Democratic Party, which has to sit by quietly and pretend that all these antics by "the Clintons" isn't hurting the party . . . what a joke.

I say go ahead and make the delusional one and her husband the nominee . . . I'll just sit back and wait for the Congressional investigations of assorted scandals to begin . . . if somehow "they" are elected. If not, I guess I'll get ready to go fight in Iran for President McCain. What a choice.

Nashville_fan (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:53 PM)

Hey Chuck,

Here’s something new and ironic there is and article on Bill Clinton saying “All these INSECURE WHITE PEOPLE” scare easily. “On Huffington Post yesterday under the article titled - Bill Clinton’s Flashback “All these INSECURE WHITE MEN”

Bill Clinton was quoted saying by the Los Angeles Times "The reason (George H. W. Bush's tactic) works so well now is that you have all these “economically insecure white people” who are scared to death,"

And in another article in the Sunday Times by Joe Klein Bill was quoted saying:"You know, he [Bush] “wants to divide us over race”. (Sounds familiar NC) I'm from the South. I understand this. This quota deal they're gonna pull in the next election is the same old “scam” they've been pulling on us for decade after decade after decade. When their economic policies fail, when the country's coming apart rather than coming together, what do they do? They find the most “economically insecure white men” and scare the living daylights out of them. (Sounds like what Hillary is trying to pull off right now republican tactics).

Here is another interesting article written by Mike Krauss
“Obama the elitist””

http://mikekrauss.com/obama-the-elitist/#comment-197

I can't help but feel many pundits are "out of touch" with the times, these old tactics are not going to work the way they once did.

Look forward to seeing you on Countdown/Keith Oberman's show on April 22 and you know why!!!!

Mandi (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 7:02 PM)

Obama is right. We ARE bitter, and with good reason.

Molly Maguire, Chautauqua, NY (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 7:05 PM)

The "elitist" tag will stick to Obama. Superdelegates will desert him. Obama smartly realizes his political viability is at stake. He will become the kingmaker, just as the Henry Fonda character did in the early '60s movie "The Best Man": Like Fonda, Obama will throw his delegates to a third candidate, thus preventing a polarizing and conniving opponent from capturing the nomination of a divided and weakened party.

That third candidate, of course, is Al Gore, who immediately will indicate his choice as a presumptive vice presidential candidate -- Obama. The "G-O Team" will then embark on a 2-to-1 tour de force against McCain, thus giving the Dems a short against a GOP moderate who threatens to attract the support of Reagan Democrats.

And what of Hillary? Well, you reap what you sow. She will have her hands full just getting re-nominated in New York, where she's lost the black vote and much of the Obama-leaning youth vote.

scrivener (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 7:07 PM)

He walked off the stage to "Small Town" by John Mellencamp, who endorsed John Edwards. I wonder if they will get a call just like John McCain got.

Chad, Baltimore (former small town PA) (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 7:08 PM)

since when have bitter & proud become mutually exclusive???

Shel, SLC UT (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 7:09 PM)

Phantom Pennsylvanian..is that anything like the phantom sniper?

Isn't funny how the Clintons only mention their "strong religious faith" when it politically suits them?

Can you be a phantom Baptist? Can we get a witness..to Bill and Hillary's discussions on NAFTA?

David Kolva, MD Oswego/Syracuse, NY (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 7:09 PM)

I'll concede the pride that rural Penns have, like those in my home state that have experienced loss of job, raising of costs, and national uncertainty. But calling Obama 'elitist' is th height of hypocrisy. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a campaign that spent their donors' hard earned dollars at the Bellagio. This is a campaign that framed the bulk of her foreign policy experience on overseas events that were either exaggerated or completely fabricated. THis is a campaign that virtually ignored the honorable, hard working voters in small populace states while telling those in the biggies that they were all she needed. THis is a campaign that has sang the high praises of the Republican party's default candidate, while barely nodding a concesion of courtesy to the Democratic candidate who is beating her at this present time. Bill behind her, behind in bills, showing her behind. I'm not having it. Obama 08

Sherri, Charleston WV (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 7:11 PM)

this really make me sick. And I supported this guy when he was abusing interns at the White House.
I'd like to see the person who told Bill Clinton that no one is bitter, and to hijack John Mellencamp's great song for their own purposes is repulsive.
Okay, Clinton's keep it up. This is going to backfire on you bigtime.
The Clinton family has to be the most reprehensible family in American politics. I would never vote for a republican but I am willing to bet a lot of people in small town America are.
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/12/carl-bernstein-what-a-hillary-clinton-presidency-look-like/

Bhobo (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 7:17 PM)

More lies and distortion from the kings of half-truths.
Obama we got your back, keep telling the truth.

Quinn, Denton, TX (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 7:21 PM)

did the lying low life forget that he said this? Bill Clinton truly is a con artist.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/13/bill-clinton-flashback-al_n_96433.html

bhobo (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 7:21 PM)

So, when that someone was her telling SD's that Obama couldn't win... What was that?

Tommy, Detroit, Michigan (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 7:22 PM)

Both the Clinton's are adept at political spinning, blaming others, and downright dishonesty. Bill backing up Hillary is a given. He has no valid legacy (besides NAFTA and Monica-gate) and she has no relevant experience (besides White Water and Sniper-gate). So they are trying to pull the wool over people's eyes again with their attack machine, and avoiding talking about the issues. Obama and Hillary are so close to each other on the issues, she needs to resort to cheap political attacks on unsubstantial issues in hopes of getting the nomination. Bill should be on a muzzle and Hillary should be connected to a lie-detector whenever she speaks. We do not need another Clinton in the White House. They are only for themselves and not for a better America.

Boomer Jackson, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 7:24 PM)

it was not the word bitter---it was the cling to guns and religion---get real

Nobama (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 7:25 PM)

The most significant aspect of the 'bitter' comment is not that it says anything significant about Obama; rather, it is the fact that it deflects attention from the Bosnia 'sniper fire' issue. I believe it is fair to ask whether it is remotely plausible that someone could be under fire (with their child) and
'misremember' it? Mrs. Clinton's account can only be characterized as a LIE. It will be interesting to see if the flap over bitterness will be significant. If it is, it will be more than a little ironic that the $100 millionaires are so much more in touch with the common man.

Bill Gole, Lake Placid NY (Sent Sunday, April 13, 2008 7:48 PM)

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=885393