Thursday, April 17, 2008

People Not as Offended About "Biiter" Remarks

Along with many others who have read and watched Barack Obama's remarks on Pennsylvania voters being "bitter," I'm confused about the criticism. Not only was the video posted by an unethical source (completely different topic all together) but I don't even see what he said as being elitist. People have responding with similar comments--even those people that Obama was speaking about.

It was refreshing to see in an article on Salon.com, that reporters were asking residents of rural Pennsylvania how they felt about the comments, instead of focusing on what others thought. Their response? Basically, 'he's right.' These people aren't necessarily even supporters of Obama, some are supporters of Clinton. Either way, they regret their decision to vote for Bush, and do not plan on voting for another Republican.

I see this remark as going in favor of Obama for a couple of reasons. First of all, those voters that are mentioned in the article, are vowing to not vote for another Republican. One of Obama's biggest appeals is to on-the-fence voters. The fact that he's speaking to these people at all, and even better the fact that he recognizes their struggles and their frustration, makes him the stronger of the two Democratic candidates. The people saying these comments were elitist, are in fact for the most part, upper class people in society themselves.

In his speech Obama said that he was not the one out of touch. Clinton tried to say he didn't understand the people, he was condescending, and that the blue collared workers were optimistic. Apparently she hasn't talked to these people. I say, way to go Obama.

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