Clinton keeps spotlight on Obama
Posted: Monday, April 14, 2008 12:04 PM by Domenico Montanaro
From NBC/NJ’s Athena Jones
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Hillary Clinton spent a fourth day hitting Obama for comments about small town America that she characterized as elitist, out of touch and problematic for the Democratic Party, but this time some in the crowd could be heard taking issue with what she was saying.
The New York senator brought up the issue near the top of a speech sponsored by the Alliance for American Manufacturing, to quite a few murmurs in the crowd.
VIDEO: Sen. Hillary Clinton responds to Obama's attack earlier in the morning.
"I understand my opponent came this morning and he spent a lot of his time attacking me," she said, before being interrupted with several seconds of murmurs and groans from the crowd. "Well, you know, I know that many of you, like me were disappointed by recent remarks that he made.”
More groans and at least one “No" from the crowd.
“And I think it's important that, you know, we give people the chance to really compare and contrast us,” Clinton continued. “You know, I am well aware that at a fundraiser in San Francisco, he said some things that many people in Pennsylvania and beyond Pennsylvania have found offensive.”
A few more “No”s.
“He was explaining to a small group of his donors what people who live in small towns right here in Pennsylvania are like and why some of you aren't voting for him,” she said. “But instead of looking at himself, he blamed them. He said that they cling to religion and guns and dislike people who are different from them. Well, I don't believe that. I believe that people don't cling to religion; they value their faith. You don't cling to guns, you enjoy hunting or collecting or sport shooting. I don't think he really gets it that people are looking for a president who stands up for you and not looks down on you."
The Clinton campaign said it plans to keep "drawing contrasts" with Obama on this issue through the candidate's own remarks and statements by surrogates. But could today's response, from a large crowd here in Western Pennsylvania indicate the argument of Obama as elitist may work well with her supporters, but not with the broader public? Or is it, as NBC’s Andrea Mitchell reports, per the Clinton campaign, an organized effort in the crowd by Obama's union (SEIU) supporters.
Clinton also spoke about the need for improved enforcement of trade laws and the need to get tough on China for its trade practices, currency manipulation and other issues -- a common theme these days. Clinton has spent a lot of time in recent weeks focusing on economic and kitchen-table issues like trade and manufacturing jobs, matters at the top of the minds of many voters.
During the Q & A after her speech, Clinton was asked about NAFTA, with the questioner citing Bill Clinton's support for the deal.
"As smart as my husband is, he does make mistakes," she said to applause, before going on to repeat her commitment to renegotiating the deal.
