Raising money off 'bitter'

Posted: Monday, April 14, 2008 1:38 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Bethany Thomas and Domenico Montanaro
McCain's campaign is making an appeal to supporters, trying to raise money now off the "bitter" flap.

Here are some excerpts:
These words are revealing on a number of levels, and expose the out-of-touch beliefs to which John McCain offers stark contrast.

And: These hard working men and women aren't "bitter". They love their country, their faith, their family and their traditions. They are the heart and soul of this country, the foundation of our strength and the primary authors of its essential goodness - Barack Obama should get to know them.

If Barack Obama is the Democrat nominee in the general election, the American people will have a clear choice between two different visions - Senator Obama's liberal, elitist philosophy and John McCain's faith in the small town values that continue to make America great.

And in a P.S.: We cannot allow this elitist philosophy to make its way into the White House. Please contribute today.

Here's the full e-mail:

A Bitter America?

Dear Friends,

We've all said things that we've regretted. Sometimes they result from a mere slip of the tongue and sometimes they reveal deeply held beliefs that you'd rather not communicate to the world.

A few days ago, at a San Francisco fundraiser, Barack Obama described Americans who live in small towns or other areas that have experienced a loss of jobs as "bitter" people, adding that it didn't surprise him that 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."

These words are revealing on a number of levels, and expose the out-of-touch beliefs to which John McCain offers stark contrast. Today, John McCain offered a different account of small town America:

"During the Great Depression, with many millions of Americans out of work and the country suffering the worst economic crisis in our history, there rose from small towns, rural communities, inner cities, a generation of Americans who fought to save the world from despotism and mass murder, and came home to build the wealthiest, strongest and most generous nation on earth.

"They suffered the worst during the Depression, but it did not shake their faith in, and fidelity to, America. They did not turn to their religious faith and cultural traditions out of resentment and a feeling of powerlessness to affect the course of government or pursue prosperity. On the contrary, their faith had given generations of their families' purpose and meaning, as it does today."

These hard working men and women aren't "bitter". They love their country, their faith, their family and their traditions. They are the heart and soul of this country, the foundation of our strength and the primary authors of its essential goodness - Barack Obama should get to know them.

We are up against a large fundraising hurdle if Barack Obama is the nominee and we need your help now. Even before the general election begins, the differences are clear, we must do everything we can to make sure these beliefs don't make it into the White House.

I hope you will make a contribution today.

Sincerely,
Rick Davis
Campaign Manager

P.S. -- Barack Obama's belief that small town Americans are "bitter" exemplifies the differences in this election. We cannot allow this elitist philosophy to make its way into the White House. Please contribute today.

*** UPDATE *** The Obama campaign has their own fundraising e-mail:

You've probably heard about the latest dust-up in the Democratic race.

A few days ago, Barack spoke about the frustrations that working people in this country are feeling and said what we all know is true: that many people are bitter and angry because they believe their government isn't listening to them.

You and I both know that the hope of changing that reality is what drives the unprecedented support for this campaign from ordinary people in every part of the country.

But our opponents have been spinning the media and peddling fake outrage around the clock. John McCain's campaign, which will continue the George Bush economic policies that have devastated the middle class, called Barack out of touch and elitist. And Hillary Clinton, who is the candidate who said lobbyists represent real people, didn't just echo the Republican candidate's talking points: she actually used the very same words to pile on with more attacks.

These comments show just how out of touch Senator McCain and Senator Clinton are with the reality of what's happening in this election.

We've built the broadest campaign of ordinary people in the history of presidential politics -- and more people across this country have voted for Barack Obama than either one of them.

And we've done it the right way: our campaign is funded by everyday people giving $5 or more. That's distinctly different from Senator McCain and Senator Clinton, who both rely on money from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs.

There's nothing elitist about a movement of more than a million people standing up for a different kind of politics.

If you're fed up with these kinds of tired attacks, you can do something about it right now. We're setting a goal of 1.5 million people giving to this campaign by May 6th.

Right now, one of those million people who have already given to our campaign is waiting to match your first donation. No matter what amount you choose to give, our system will match you with a supporter who has promised to match someone's first donation today.

You can see for yourself exactly what kind of movement this is. When you make your donation, you'll see the name and town of the person just like you who matched your gift. You'll also see a note from them with their story and why they gave, if they chose to write one.

You'll double the impact of your donation if you make a matching gift right now. Will you help fight back now?

Barack Obama's own life and story are reflected in the character of this grassroots campaign. He was raised by a single mother with help from his grandparents. He has a family he loves, not long ago finished paying off his student loans, and he's doing what he can to help change this country.

That's what he's done for his entire career. After graduating, he became a community organizer, working with people in Chicago who -- like many people across the country right now -- felt left behind by their leaders.

When you make a matching donation, you'll be paired with someone with that same sense that it's time for a government that is responsible to the people for a change.

Someone is waiting to hear your story, and to share theirs with you. If you can support the campaign at this crucial moment, you'll be able to share your story about why you're committed to this campaign.

And because this is a matching donation, your gift of $25 will be doubled by another supporter. You'll have twice the impact and help reach our unprecedented 1.5 million-person goal. Make a matching donation now and be a part of history:

The attacks from the Clinton campaign -- on Barack Obama himself, and on supporters like you -- can be expected to increase as her chances of winning dwindle further.

A few weeks ago, one of her top aides tried to diminish our success by referring to the places we've won as "boutique" states and to our supporters as the "latte-sipping crowd."

That means 30 states and territories -- twice as many as Senator Clinton has won -- qualify as "boutique." And the nearly 15 million people who have voted for us (again, more than Senator Clinton) must drink a lot of latte.

It's clear that Senator Clinton will continue to say or do anything as her campaign gets more and more negative.

But 1.5 million donors will be an astonishing and undeniable signal that it isn't the elites fueling this movement -- it's the American people.

That starts with you.

Thank you,
David

David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Stick a fork in him...Obama is done! He's toast! He's totally unelectable. Hope the SDs wake up to this and support Hillary.

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:45 PM)

The elitist in this country sent our sons and daughters to Iraq. Not THEIR sons and daughters, mind you. Hillary supported the Iraq War - why isn’t Chelsea serving?

The elitist in this country are to blame for the Iraq mess.

Don’t mix things up here, Hillary and McCain. Barack Obama isn’t an elitist - he’s just smarter and more honest than you are.

And most thoughtful people in this country know it.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:45 PM)

Pathetic, McWar and Billary will say and do anything to get paid.....How is this news? This is the same old Washington politcs......

James Tn (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:47 PM)

Obama and his wife REALLY feel this way. Finally the big fraud and his wife are seen for who they REALLY are. McCain is an elitist too, but he doesn't pretend he isn't. Big difference. Hillary should get the nomination.

j fl (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:48 PM)

Obitter been raising money off bitter people for a year now. There are sure a lot of dregs of society types out there with money in their pocket (but now transferred to Obitters pocket).

Bitter Taste for Dems in General (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:49 PM)

And this from a man who lived though it! HA HA HA

Anne/ Boardman, OHIO (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:50 PM)

Maybe John McCain can have this turned in to a commercial, maybe have his $100 million trophy wife narrate it. That would be perfect. Maybe he can include pictures of his corvette he had when he was young. He could have it set at his multimillion dollar vacation home in Sedona, AZ. He could have some of his blue collar hard working neighbors on too... oh wait. Nevermind, scratch that idea...

BL, Cincinnati OH (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:51 PM)

So one minute they're saying that Obama has been "ghettoized" and is too black because of Reverend Wright and the next minute Obama is an "elitist". They are throwing everything up against the wall that they can think of in hopes that something will stick. And interesting to see how the Republicans are piling on too because they are so eager to run against Hillary.

Lilly, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:52 PM)

Guess who flip flopped on torture ?
He's leading the McCain Antiques Roadshow...

"I am pro-life and an advocate for the rights of man everywhere in the world,"

But not for the rights of women ....

'...McCain More Conservative Than His Image

WASHINGTON — The independent label sticks to John McCain because he antagonizes fellow Republicans and likes to work with Democrats.

But a different label applies to his actual record: conservative.

The likely Republican presidential nominee is much more conservative than voters appear to realize. McCain leans to the right on issue after issue, not just on the Iraq war but also on abortion, gay rights, gun control and other issues that matter to his party's social conservatives.

The four-term Arizona senator, a longtime member of the Armed Services Committee, criticized the earlier handling of the war but has been a crucial ally in President Bush's effort to increase and maintain U.S. forces in Iraq.

Besides the war, McCain agrees broadly with Bush and other conservatives on:

_Abortion. McCain promises to appoint judges who, in the mold of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, are likely to limit the reach of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. McCain's record is not spotless on abortion: He said once, in 1999, that Roe v. Wade should not be overturned. But that amounted to a blip in an otherwise unbroken record of opposing abortion rights for women.

"I am pro-life and an advocate for the rights of man everywhere in the world," McCain told the Conservative Political Action Conference in February. "Because to be denied liberty is an offense to nature and nature's Creator."

_Gay rights. McCain opposes gay marriage. True, he does not support a federal ban on gay marriage on grounds the issue traditionally has been decided by states. But McCain worked to ban gay marriage in Arizona. He also supports the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, and he opposed legislation to protect gay people from job discrimination or hate crimes.

"I'm proud to have led an effort in my home state to change our state constitution and to protect the sanctity of marriage as between a man and woman," he told CNN in March. "I will continue to advocate for those fundamental principals of our party and our faith."

_Gun control. McCain voted against a ban on assault-style weapons and for shielding gun-makers and dealers from civil suits. He did vote in favor of requiring background checks at gun shows, but in general he sides with the National Rifle Association in favor of gun rights.

When the Supreme Court held arguments last month on Washington, D.C.'s handgun ban, McCain said it was "a landmark case for all Americans who believe, as I do, that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms."

His conservatism could be a problem for McCain _ particularly if this November's contest is as close as recent presidential elections, which were decided by independent-minded voters in the center of the political spectrum.

But he might avoid this problem to the extent people know him as an independent-minded politician. And many do view him that way.

"People see him as a centrist. They don't see him as a conservative," said Andrew Kohut, president of the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.

"In fact, they put him pretty close to themselves, in terms of ideology, and put President Bush way to the right of themselves," Kohut said.

In a national Pew survey earlier this year, voters placed McCain in the middle, where they placed themselves, when asked to judge the ideology of Bush and the presidential candidates. They placed Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama far to the left.

And voters who back Clinton and Obama are open to McCain.

Nearly a third of Clinton supporters said they would back McCain if Obama becomes the Democratic nominee, and more than a quarter of Obama supporters said they would back McCain over Clinton, according to Associated Press-Ipsos polling released Thursday.

Democrats are trying to change the perception of McCain. The Democratic National Committee insists that McCain's election would amount to a third term for Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

"All he offers is four more years of the failed Bush economy, an endless war in Iraq and shameless hypocrisy on ethics reform," DNC Chairman Howard Dean said last month.

Whatever the general image of McCain, the Christian right is deeply suspicious of him despite his many conservative positions. McCain has clashed with its leaders. He called televangelists Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell "agents of intolerance" and has often worked against them.

He pushed to limit the influence of money in politics through campaign finance reforms that, critics say, stomp on the constitutional right to free speech.

He backs a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, which many of his party's most conservative members oppose.

And he splits from the right over research which extracts stem cells from human embryos in an effort to develop treatments for Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and a range of other diseases. Conservatives object because human embryos are destroyed; McCain supports the research.

Polls indicate McCain has the same level of GOP support as Bush had at this point in 2000. But some insist he still isn't reaching out to rank-and-file conservatives who are needed to lick envelopes, make phone calls and knock on doors in states where the election is likely to be close.

On the right and across the political spectrum, McCain's image, rather than his positions on issues, seems to form people's opinion of him. Indeed, in choosing presidents, voters often look past issues to character and personality, and most individual issues are unlikely to mean much.

But one broader issue could figure prominently in November _ the tumbling economy and consequent job losses, home foreclosures and soaring energy prices.

Those could prove troublesome for McCain, and not only because he acknowledges he's no economic expert.

"We are surely in a time of deep economic insecurity for a majority of the American people," said Curtis Gans, director of American University's Center for the Study of the American Electorate. "That has always led to two things: somewhat higher turnout, and votes against the party in power."

"We are also in a deeply unpopular war," Gans said. "Where there are these differences, and strong differences, they could be in the Democrats' direction."

Msierra, SF (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:53 PM)

Thank you Rick,

Voting for Hillary was never a consideration. If she "had" won the nomination I would have undoubtedly voted for McCain. My dilemna was between McCain and Obama ..... which way to go? Your ridiculous e-mail on the "elitist" has made my decision .... Obama in 08. You can take some reconciliation in the fact that should Obama not become the nominee for some unforeseen reason that Annie Oakley will not get my vote but neither will McCain. With all these "guns" around you want to be careful not to shoot yorself in the foot .... just bacause someone might have inadvertently put his foot in his mouth.

garyd, amherst, nh (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:54 PM)

Let's wait to count the nickles dropped into McCain's tin cup. Clink, that's one......

donna, pgh., pa. (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:54 PM)

shouldn't he be in the Geriatric Ward at the local hospital by now!

Anne/ Boardman, OHIO (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:55 PM)

McCain is an old fraud. He's got no interest whatsoever in work class people, besides how much cannon fodder their sons and daughters can provide for the wars he wants to start.

People ARE bitter about what's going on. Why don't you "journalists" and the talking heads in the media ever discuss whether Obama's assessment was correct? It was correct, which is probably why you won't discuss it. You won't get invited to McCain's next barbecue if you get him spitting mad.

Houston (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:55 PM)

McCAIN WATCH OUT FOR THAT BANANA PEEL!

GEORGE GENEVA IL (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:55 PM)

"We cannot allow this elitist philosophy to make its way into the White House."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You couldn't get the "elitist philosophy" out of the WH with bleach and lighter fluid! You pathetic fools - the repukes stand on the neck of the middle class, and you tools are afraid "elitism" will invade the WH! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (Too bad there's no such thing as "journalism" anymore, or BS like that would get the stick in the eye it deserves.)

ppffffft! (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:57 PM)

McSame can't raise money from his own so-called platform and blueprint for America, so he has to rely on a misinterpretation of speech given by Sen. Obama to bring in funds??? What a leech! I'm donating to Sen. Obama right now!

OBAMA, 2008!

K "Bitter"J, Dallas, TX (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:57 PM)

'...Jason Linkins
The Huffington Post

Noteworthy Political Scientist Says Clinton Was For Characterization Of Working-Class Voters Before She Was Against It

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....'

Tell us about how you created the SChip program Hillary ....
... and about those sniper at Tuzla ...
Did you REALLY open the Macedonian border for refugees, Hillary ??

Your the TOPS, Hill a real 'working class hero'

Who's that woman with Bill ?

Msierra, SF (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:59 PM)

Fundraising? What about the public financing he's agreed to? Is he really going to except donations from hard working Americans when he doesn't need it. His primary battle is over and if he is taking public financing (he's been hammering Obama on this for a time), why would he need anymore money?

Hussein (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:59 PM)

And from Barack Obama -- comes this one.

Carol --

You've probably heard about the latest dust-up in the Democratic race.

A few days ago, Barack spoke about the frustrations that working people in this country are feeling and said what we all know is true: that many people are bitter and angry because they believe their government isn't listening to them.

You and I both know that the hope of changing that reality is what drives the unprecedented support for this campaign from ordinary people in every part of the country.

But our opponents have been spinning the media and peddling fake outrage around the clock. John McCain's campaign, which will continue the George Bush economic policies that have devastated the middle class, called Barack out of touch and elitist. And Hillary Clinton, who is the candidate who said lobbyists represent real people, didn't just echo the Republican candidate's talking points: she actually used the very same words to pile on with more attacks.

These comments show just how out of touch Senator McCain and Senator Clinton are with the reality of what's happening in this election.

We've built the broadest campaign of ordinary people in the history of presidential politics -- and more people across this country have voted for Barack Obama than either one of them.

And we've done it the right way: our campaign is funded by everyday people giving $5 or more. That's distinctly different from Senator McCain and Senator Clinton, who both rely on money from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs.

There's nothing elitist about a movement of more than a million people standing up for a different kind of politics.

If you're fed up with these kinds of tired attacks, you can do something about it right now. We're setting a goal of 1.5 million people giving to this campaign by May 6th.

You can bring a new donor into this campaign by promising to match their donation. You choose the amount you're willing to match, and our system will pair you with a supporter who is giving for the first time.

When you do, you'll be able to see for yourself exactly what kind of people are joining this movement. When that supporter makes their donation, you'll receive a note with their name and town, and (if they choose to write one) a note about who they are and why they decided to give today.

Thank you for all that you've done so far -- you are the strength behind this movement. And right now, you can double the impact of your next donation if you make a matching gift. Will you help fight back now?

https://donate.barackobama.com/promise

Barack Obama's own life and story are reflected in the character of this grassroots campaign. He was raised by a single mother with help from his grandparents. He has a family he loves, not long ago finished paying off his student loans, and he's doing what he can to help change this country.

That's what he's done for his entire career. After graduating, he became a community organizer, working with people in Chicago who -- like many people across the country right now -- felt left behind by their leaders.

When you make a matching donation, you'll be paired with someone with that same sense that it's time for a government that is responsible to the people for a change.

Someone is waiting to hear your story, and to share theirs with you. If you can support the campaign at this crucial moment, you'll be able to share your story about why you're committed to this campaign.

And because this is a matching donation, your gift of $25 will be doubled by another supporter. You'll have twice the impact and help reach our unprecedented 1.5 million-person goal. Make a matching donation now and be a part of history:

https://donate.barackobama.com/promise

The attacks from the Clinton campaign -- on Barack Obama himself, and on supporters like you -- can be expected to increase as her chances of winning dwindle further.

A few weeks ago, one of her top aides tried to diminish our success by referring to the places we've won as "boutique" states and to our supporters as the "latte-sipping crowd."

That means 30 states and territories -- twice as many as Senator Clinton has won -- qualify as "boutique." And the nearly 15 million people who have voted for us (again, more than Senator Clinton) must drink a lot of latte.

It's clear that Senator Clinton will continue to say or do anything as her campaign gets more and more negative.

But 1.5 million donors will be an astonishing and undeniable signal that it isn't the elites fueling this movement -- it's the American people.

That starts with you.

Thank you,

David

David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:59 PM)

Good Luck. Americans already don't financially support this Political Hack.

T (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 1:59 PM)

Obama is basically accusing Pennsylvanians of being racists when he says "people cling religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them".

Typical white person, PA (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:00 PM)

Good as anything else he has tried to get people to give him money....nothing else seems to be working

toni (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:01 PM)

I am Bitter. Barack was correct.

Pic, South Carolina (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:01 PM)

Chip Diller '08!

"Remain calm! All is well!"

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:02 PM)

It's funny that John McCain should bring up the Depression, which was created under Republican Presidents with a pro business, anti people mentality and was solved by a Democratic President FDR, and the New Deal policies that put people to work.

Just saying that the Depression might not be the topic that you want to bring up during an election where the main issue is the economy.

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:03 PM)

Yeah, all Americans are bitter......and we're bitter because the Bush/McCain team has sent thousands of American troops to slaughter and has destroyed the economy as a result. We're bitter because the Bush/McCain team has given breaks to the elitist rich, while thumbing their noses at the rest of us. So if you want this American bitterness to continue, then by all means, send a contribution to the campaign of John McCain at the address listed above.

Ron Jeffers, Arizona Independent (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:03 PM)

This is a first: A black man in America who was raised by a single mother and had to take out loans to attend an ivy-league college is an elitist and out-of-touch with middle America. While a white woman and man who make millions of dollars every year are in-touch with middle america. No wonder Americans put George W. Bush in office for two terms - they will believe anything.

Unbelieveable, Middle America, CA (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:03 PM)

Too late they are already tehir. I believe his name is GWub and he said ( i will paraphrase here) I have my base here tonight the haves and the have mores! Why don't you get your friend Bush and his rich buddies to contribute. Oh that is right even they do not have faith in your candidacy!!!

Kris STL (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:03 PM)

Yes, John McCain, you will be up against a huge fundraising hurdle if Obama is the nominee. As his supporters, we are asking him opt out of public financing because WE want to support him all the way to the White House and I doubt seriously you'll have a base of supporters that are willing to do that for you. His supporters want to START the cycle of change right here and now with how the General election will be conducted.......Of the people, By the people, For the people! Go Obama '08!

Diane from Illinois (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:04 PM)

Dear John,

You wouldn't believe how bitter I am about the fact that you want to keep us in Iraq for 100 years and completely destroy our ecomony in the process.

Sincerely,

18 killed in Iraq this week

P.S. Your wife has more money than the Clinton's and the Obama's put together, so stop throwing stones! Release your taxes!!!!

Americans for a president that doesn't suck (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:05 PM)

What's so shocking about Obama calling democrats "bitter"? Of course they're bitter. They back a party that causes most of the problems in this country but because they've sold their self respect they can't do anything to solve the problems. I'd be bitter too. Mean while I'll cling to my guns and pray for good aim when The National Socialist Workers Party decides to Waco me.

Dave, Tn (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:05 PM)

MCCain,

You wife abusing, angry old man. You are hard-hearted toward veterans benefits, civil rights, and are a warmonger as well. I am a hard working patriot. You don't know me. I am 'frustrated', and 'bitter' over your 50 years of working against that which dearly concerns me. YOU DON'T SPEAK FOR ME!

McCain does'nt speak for me! (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:06 PM)

Right John..........

McCain owns 8 houses, is married to a beer heiress and has Senior moments every 2 days.
NICE john

And when does MSNBC report that McCain still has not signed on the GI bill???
Mr Military wont support the troops
Nice

Nj (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:09 PM)

Obama has money. He believes flooding the public with TV Ads will actually help them get over his Bitter language??? Obama - people have come to know who you really are behind closed doors…. Whatever you say in Public is just plain spin. and wow you are one of the best in the business. you should be a sales rep…. stop pulling wool over the public's eyes…. just keep on showing us who you really are… we are just getting to know you a little better. your tv ads just show that you can afford more than us small towners….. the money you spend to save your face can be used to buy food for a few towns full of 'bitter' people.
Good Bye Obama. your true feelings behind the closed doors of SF has set us FREE
————————————————————————————-
The repukes have the video BO!
We saw the Vedio BO!
We all heard the WORDS BO!
Words matter BO and you said them, Hillary is not the jerk here YOU ARE

OBAMA GIVE JOHN SOME MONEY DONATE ! (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:10 PM)

Come on, he's not an elitist. He's a bigot and an anti-american socialist clown that can give a pretty speach. But elitist? Nah.

RH Oregon (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:10 PM)

OK, on second thought, Obama was wrong. Working class people just LOVE losing there jobs and their homes while they have to pay more for gas and food at the same time. They're all having a grand old time. How could Obama be so "out of touch?" that he doesn't see that?

Houston (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:12 PM)

It might be interesting to find out more about Obama's 'goof'.

From the Huffington Post:

I Was There: What Obama Really Said About Pennsylvania

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-coleman/i-was-there-what-obama-re_b_96553.html

JP Homestead, FL (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:13 PM)

If some of the American people feel left behind and angry, and therefore "bitter", IT DOES NOT MEAN that they do not love their country, their faith, their family and their traditions.

It gets so disgusting to see opponents link words to feelings at their own whim, always to make the point that they are seeking, not always to make the truth more clear. This is the kind of politics that has begun to alienate so many of us. WE DON'T LIKE IT!

Speak to clarify the issues ... not muddy them. Acknowledge that all is not apple pie and blind patriotism. There are problems here ... let's address them and find answers. It won't be fixed by nitpicking sentences. You know very well what was meant ... unless you are encapsulated in a bubble of rose-colored hue.

disgusted with the obfuscating of real issues (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:17 PM)

This entire "Presidential" campaign is degenerating rapidly into the same old pandering and political point scoring . . . what a "maverick" that John McCain is . . . what a joke!

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:17 PM)

Disgusting, just disgusting. Is it my imaginiation, or is McCain trying to profit from people who are hurting? Now I am ecstatic that I left the Republican party years ago.

What is wrong with these people!?! Those of you bloggers who are really Republicans but claim to be supporting Hillary please explain your party. I would like to know how there is any taste whatsoever in what Senator McCain is circulating here.

Democrat (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:18 PM)

How in the world can a Blac person ever become an elitits. If this was a White person Clinton or anyone else would of never touched it. Mrs Clinton has told one lie after another and that ok.....he tell the truth. yes no jobs will make you bitter an hungry. the clinton or very rich. i would perfer someone who will tell the truth. the media will not be honest you just dont want a person of color to become anything but what you think he should be......its funny pepople who think. and knows the truth. i am sorry this makes me sick. How unfair you just run off with the real truth. and allow other just lie to the public.

Summr (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:18 PM)

Obama's comments prove to me that small town America will not be written off. John McCain's fundraising efforts are cynical at best.

Ken, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:18 PM)

Someone needs to tell John McCain it takes more than "faith in small town values" to fix the economy and stop the Iraq War... John McCain's "do nothing" approach based on "faith" just doesn't work. It hasn't worked for people in small towns or large towns. It hasn't worked for young people or old people. It hasn't worked for people from Pennsylvania or people from North Carolina or people from Indiana.

What will work, is Obama's policy proposals to bring troops home safely, fixing the mortgage crisis, reworking the US economy, and fixing broken trade rules....

Ron, TX (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:19 PM)

P.S. This will be a great fund raising tool . . . for Senator Obama! I will make a donation to Senator Obama's campaign every time one of these so called "Presidential" candidates brings this up instead of their platform . . . or do they have one?

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:20 PM)

I grew up in a small town and can tell you that in no way did I find Senator Obama's statement offensive; it really did have the ring of truth, no matter what words were used. My dad and his neighbors were bitter ... you can say "frustrated" instead ... it all boils down to the same thing. They were getting further and further behind watching the people who had more get more and watching their dreams fade away.
Yes, a lot of them did blame the immigrants for "taking" their jobs ... a lot of them still do. They did not feel that the people up the line, the government, their legislators were going to be any kind of help, ever. And they took comfort in the things they had always known would be there for them, as we all do when being frustrated at every turn. They certainly knew that trying to change the politics of Washington, D.C. felt like an impossible task.

As to Senator Obama being an "elitist". This is a big joke! Senator Clinton has been rich all her life. Senator McCain is married to an heiress. Senator Obama was raised by a single mother and regular working class grandparents. Yes, he was fortunate to get an excellent education, but he returned to a poor area of a large city to give what help and support he could to people he felt weren't having their voices heard. I don't think you can say the same for Clinton or McCain.

Don't let the avaricious "pounce" on words distract you. We know the kind of person Senator Obama has proven to be ... and we won't be fooled by a temporary slip of the tongue ... or an opposition campaign that is waiting in the wings to find fault.

Inez, Seattle (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:20 PM)

There is no one on earth more elitiist than that group in the White House now. They manufactured thier on war and we the people paid the price ! ! !

My,Va (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:22 PM)

John:

You are crazy.

These people (unlike you) do not have $100 million; and they are suffering insurmountable hardships - losing their homes, losing or not having health insurance; drug costs so high, they just stay sick; lost jobs, lost hope.

What do you offer - more WAR; more bomb bomb bomb Iran; more too bad - go it alone.

You are despicable.

Bud in Texas (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:22 PM)

It took WWII to get us out of the Great Depression. Before that, people were bitter.

Besides, the government did not get us into the Great Depression: free, poorly regulated markets did. More involvement by the government and a very big war got us out, not the government policies that we have today.

McCain is not only out of step with Americans today, he is confused about history too. Now he wants to take money from those people who are suffering. Despicable.

Democrat (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:22 PM)

You Obama guys are going to have to burn a lot more incense, we are starting to see the puppet strings and you’re running out of Kool-Aid lol. This man is a fake and if the Democratic Party selects him in November 2008 they will be defeated…….again.

Logan, Hillary2008 USA (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:24 PM)

THE REAL STORY HERE IS THAT MCCAIN SEEMS TO DESPERATELY WANT TO RUN AGAINST CLINTON. HE IS PRAYING THAT OBAMA FALTERS.

Geoff in Brooklyn (Sent Monday, April 14, 2008 2:24 PM)

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