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Obama's Latest Blunders Prove He Is a Change We Can't Believe In
Barack Obama (D-Ill.) was supposed to be a new kind of politician, one that would transcend all of the divisions within this country and bring us together. He is remembered for his speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention that called for bipartisanship and bridging the supposed gap between “red states” and “blue states.” He often talks about the “audacity of hope,” and his message seems to resonate with many Americans, even those that disagree with him politically.
A few days ago, however, Obama abandoned this message in a private speech to donors made up of liberal urban elites in San Francisco. He said in reference to residents of small towns in the Midwest that have suffered job losses: “… they get bitter, 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.”
Obama shows condescension to millions of middle-class Americans, dismissing their values and opinions as the result of their being “bitter” and making them appear like stereotypical rednecks. His remarks border on intolerance, a label he actually tries to apply to the people in his speech. The hypocrisy here is a direct contradiction of the message he has been preaching throughout his campaign.
His contention that many people seek refuge in guns and religion because they are bitter about job losses does not hold up to scrutiny. Guns have been a part of the culture in places like rustbelt Pennsylvania for decades, even during its most prosperous times. Likewise, people have been going to church long before the factories started closing. Did it ever occur to Obama that people could be religious because they believe in God or accept a church’s teachings? Obama displays a remarkable inability to understand the values and way of life of a large portion of America.
Obama’s remark that some of these people have become anti-immigrant because of job losses is also baseless. If he is referring to the city of Hazleton, Pa., which placed strict restrictions on employers hiring illegal immigrants, then he misuses the term “anti-immigrant.” Are there Americans who can be labeled “anti-immigrant?” I am sure there are, but most Americans want to make sure the immigrants are here legally, and this does not mean that they are “anti-immigrant.” Obama is trying to characterize support for tough law enforcement as nativism.
One of the most ironic portions of the speech is Obama’s attempt to criticize “anti-trade” sentiment. The race between him and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) has essentially been a NAFTA bash-fest to appeal directly to this anti-trade sentiment. Forget the fact that NAFTA has significantly boosted Mexico’s economy and offered American consumers cheaper products, Obama is trying to have both sides of the issue here. He criticizes free trade on the campaign trail, but he praises it in private when the audience is a bunch of rich donors.
I think it is time that someone said the emperor has no clothes. Obama makes sweeping speeches about hope and change. His supporters faint in his presence and narcissistically declare, “We are the change we seek.” There is a Messiah complex about this guy. I have yet to see a compelling reason why Obama is special. He is a left-wing Ivy Leaguer with four years of experience in the Senate who happens to be a remarkably gifted orator. He makes an effort to appear bipartisan, when in fact he has voted the party line 97 percent of the time in the Senate, and National Journal ranked him the country’s most liberal senator. If you’re a liberal Democrat, then I am sure he is perfect for you, but please stop trying to convince us that he is a moderate.
The truth is that I found Obama appealing for a while, but some of the things that have come out over the past few months have been really troubling. Michelle Obama said that her husband’s success made her really proud of America for the first time. Obama has attended a church for 20 years led by Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who after 9/11 blamed the United States for the attack and preached that African-Americans should say “God damn America” instead of “God bless America.” Anyone who goes to a church like that for 20 years and then brings the reverend on the campaign trail exhibits disturbingly questionable judgment.
The recent comments solidified my belief that while Obama has a great message, there is really nothing substantive about it. If Obama wants to be a new kind of politician, he cannot say one thing on the campaign trail and contradict this in front of a different audience. If he wants his message of tolerance to resonate, he should be more tolerant himself of the different lifestyles across this country. If he wants to be a uniter, he cannot use such divisive rhetoric. He is trying to backtrack about what he has said, but I think I am ready to finally hear some straight talk.
Stephen Kenny is a senior in the College. He can be reached at kenny@thehoya.com. AGAINST THE WIND appears every other Tuesday.
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Obama is being manhandled by the press. They need something new to talk about every couple of days. This is just what came along and they have blown it way out of proportion. He was not denigrating small town America he was saying that we are disillusioned and desperate for a real government that works for everyday Americans.
After 7 years of being duped and dragged through the mud by G. W. our economy is in the worst shape since the depression, we are hatted abroad and our family members serving in the military are facing extreme danger in Iraq. Of course I feel a little bitter and disillusioned about what government can and will do to make things better.
Come on guys, forget the kitchen sink, Clinton is throwing the toilet now!
If by straight talk, you mean McCain, you will be sorely disappointed when you delve into what he's really all about.
Great column. Describes the condescending, elitist as he really is and nothing can change that. Unfortunately, his supporters don't care if he calls them trash to their face. They're so enamored of him that they turn a blind eye.
Well said.
You touched on everything that I have been saying all along, including calling Obama a gifted orator. Proving you are willing to be fair in your critique.
All I need to do now to prove my point, is to copy and paste your letter. THANKS.
JUST WATCH THIS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a88wMP
Hey! Get a life, why don't ya!
of course you have every right to express your opinion, but I'd suggest you give a little further thought to your nonsensical remarks regarding Obama...get over it!
Obama is a devout Christian, last time I checked. Moreso than Hillary or McCain. What he's saying is that people use religion, guns, bigotry, to direct their anger they feel in general to the world. He's not saying that is the only reason, just a reason. And frankly, once again, he is right. I am an American and I am pissed off at my government. I am mad as Hell about the state of the world. Aren't you?
One note; Jeremiah Wright did not say America was responsible for 9-11, he said we brought it on ourselves with our foreign policy. He is not alone in thinking this. A true PATRIOT owns up to their mistakes so that they can make corrections make it better. If we never do wrong then we never learn never grow. We stagnate. We collapse.
You have hair triggers on. You're looking for a reason not to believe that somebody actually wants to bring change. I assure you, Obama is not acting. He wants to open a dialoug with the rest of the planet. He wants Americans to have a chance to get Health Care. He wants out of a war we should not have gone into in the first place.
And he's going to be the next president. Count on it.
Boy, Steven, you get rattled pretty easily.
Not to worry. In 1991, in the midst of another economic recession, a Democratic nominee had this to say about the Republican Party's wedge strategy.
"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."
That candidate - Bill Clinton.
Do ya think, Steven, that Obama might have been referrring to the same thing?
I'm glad to see someone's paying attention. All this Obama hype is just that. If this guy continues to make the kind of blunders he did in PA, what's next? As it's been said, if it isn't written for him, this guy just proves he has no judgment of any kind.
BOSNIA
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS"
- Chelsey CLINTON, CLINTON's BIBLE.
COLUMBIA
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS"
- Chelsey CLINTON, CLINTON's BIBLE.
IRAQ VOTE
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS"
- Chelsey CLINTON, CLINTON's BIBLE.
MONICA
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS"
- Chelsey CLINTON, CLINTON's BIBLE.
NAFTA
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS"
- Chelsey CLINTON, CLINTON's BIBLE.
HEALTHCARE (ASK IN 2009)
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS"
- Chelsey CLINTON, CLINTON's BIBLE.
REST OF CURRENT PROMISES (ASK IN 2009)
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS"
- Chelsey CLINTON, CLINTON's BIBLE.
Not worthy of a comment.
Out of context BS is a good summary of your article.
Obama thinks people became BITTER with economy.
CLINTONS TRUST PEOPLE are FOOLS so they tell all LIES
(BOSNIA, NAFTA, COLUMBIA, MONICA, $100 Million from Lobbyists)
All BILL wants is another round of LESILATED "WHITE HOUSE PLEASURES".
Go VOTE GRANNY.!!!
Any one knows "MAD COW" Disease?
You are missing his point and cherry-picking a few words to prove yours. Hillary is losing and she is grasping at any straw she can find to try to steal the nomination. Gallup poll taken over the weekend still shows Obama ahead of McCain by 10 points on a national level. This 59-ish white middle class femals momma is for Obama!
To say that a person who has a history like Barack Obama is "elitist" is just plain ludicrous.
AMEN!
QUESTION:Since when did Hilary "Chameleon" Clinton become a beer drinking,liquor slugging,ball bowling member of the blue collar middle class?
ANSWER:Since Obama made a poor choice of words, and she realized the Sun is going down on her campaign.
The Clintons will morph to whatever they think will get their family another eight years in the White House. Move aside Mrs. Clinton, your reign of inevitability has passed. Thanks for the years of service but we are moving on!
your comment sounds like something that would come out of the mouth of effete intellectual college student whose life experience consists of listening to his parents whine about taxes.
Stephen - It's too bad that you had to miss a meeting of the Young Republicans so you could write this article. There is so much crap in it that I won't even bother to respond to all of them, but one thing I will --
In the 20 years Wright was pastor of the church he gave CONSERVATIVELY over 1000 sermons. How many of these have you seen? I'll bet the same 90 second sound bites from one or two. Therefore, how can you know that Obama listed to 20 years of this type of rhetoric? You can't. And, during the now-infamous G** d*** America, Obama wasn't even there -- he was campaigning.
I think you need to do a lot more fact checking before you write this drivil that is right out of the Clinton handbook.
Latest Nationwide Gallop Poll:
Obama 52% Clinton 49% (Biggest percentage ever for Obama)
Super Delegate Count since Super Tuesday:
Obama 70 Clinton 10
Recent Obama Quote "Small Town Bitter" Web Poll:
70% Agreed 28% Disagreed or Unsure
Stephen, a lot of Voters disagree with you, probably because you are "against the wind".
The answer my friend is "Blowing in the Wind".
Stop the Drama Vote Obama, Change we can Believe in. Obama 08
Obama will be the democratic nominee and the writer of this article will visit Wallmart at some point within the next 2 years.
FACT
Obama 08!!!
In my opinion, the media has blown this thing waaay out of proportion. At this point, a Hillary victory is nigh-impossible, and they're trying to grab and anything and everything they can to salvage a quickly sinking campaign. Obama's remarks were blown up, just like Hillary's insignificant victories in Ohio and Texas. You know why? It's because the media likes a good fight, and even when there isn't one there, they can feed of an illusion of a close race. Let's face it: right now, I say Hell freezes over before Hillary wins the nomination.
That was 40% for Clinton not 49%, see Steve everyone makes mistakes.
Change we can Believe in. Obama 08.
Straight Talk? You want straight Talk from who? Clinton who swore she was under sniper attack while her and Chelsea walked a Welcome Line or McCain who wants to stay in Iraq for 100 years and has said that his Vice President should be ready to lead in case of his health. Let us please keep in mind they are all politicians. We are still dealing with the devil it just which devil we want. I want someone who isn't going to die in office and someone who knows when they are being shot at or not. Obama is still the best choice. Hands Down.
I enjoy how Obama supporters demand only positive news coverage, any comment or critisism is a affront to his supporters and Obama. Obama is constantly splitting hairs and offering insults and ctitisisms of anyone who doesn't see America the way he does, but to do the same to him is 'racist'. The word racist gets tossed around alot by the people involved in or covering this campaign, but the only person I hear talking about race being an issue is Obama. There is more than race and generic 'change' at stake in this election. I find it humorous how he has trouble dealing with these attacks on the words he said (I come from Pennsylvania, the people here were bitter a long time before Obama was at his mother's teat) about how people of Pennsylvania cling to religion (first amendment) and guns (second amendment). Selective constuctionalism is unacceptable. The man hasn't even begun to face the repubican hate machine that will pick apart every word he has ever said and will make him look like an unpatriotic monster. I see it already in his own party and he is playing the ever popular democrat card of "let me explain my words better" of "allow me to clarify". John Kerry tried it, Al Gore tried it, and they lost. Pennsylvania is a swing state, Obama is not real popular here. He is not popular in any of the swing states he needs to win to get elected. When the hate machine gets turned on I do not wish what he is going to face on my worst enemy.
It's funny, the same people that say Rev. Wright gave 1000s of sermons and did a lot of good for the African American community are the same hypocrites that lashed out for Don Imus to be fired. Imus had 1000s of hours of air time, and has a ranch for sick kids, yet he was not excused. Total double standard. Or somehow Rev. Wright has been taken out of context. Hmm...tell me, what is the context for publishing in your church news letter that Italians have "garlic noses"?? It's racist and disgusting, and it shows incredibly poor judgement for Obama to raise his kids in a racist church like that yet alone appoint Wright to his spiritual advisory committee.
Of course Obama thumbs his aristocratic nose at middle America when giving a private speech to his rich friends in San Fransisco. Tell me Obama supporters, is there any behavior that you won't excuse?? Can he say anything and then just give a speech and it's okay?? That's frightening.
If McCain or Clinton had spent 20 years deeply involved with a racist/bigot their careers would be over, yet Obama can give a speech (damage control) and everything is okay. Sorry it's not, and when deciding the next president of the US we should stop applying double standards. Keep talking Michelle about America being downright mean, the campaign would complete muzzle you before November if they were smart. I can't wait for 527s in the general, get your popcorn ready
P.S. I'm just a "typical white person" living in the "US of KKK A"
obama would make a greater president than both hillbilly and mclame
Your article is everything I wanted to say about Obama.
Obama has really bad judgment.Good job!
She's definately scraping the bottom of the toilet on this one. "Elitist" is nothing more than code for "uppity n-gg-r".
Who are they kidding? The Clintons are trying to play the working-class white voters in PA like a bluegrass fiddle in a hillbilly hoedown.
way to touch on the GOP talking points...
nice to know that Georgetown supports the Clintons no matter what and does not teach critical thinking, wait, actually thats sad
this is nothing, the man "mispoke" (to the actual definition of the word, not like HRC) and did not articulate his point as well as he could have. it is known by both republicans and democrats that poeple vote against their economic interests and the future of there childeren over fear fueled cultural issues. Obama is not taking guns away from rural Pennsylvanians, and he is a devout Christian as well... i think you missed the point of what he said and are playing into the rhetoric of the over hyped media...
but you will prob get a job at a major newspaper with your degree... which is a terrible notion, however not as terrible as what you will most likely spend your whole life spewing for a paycheck and undeserved glory.
Obama in '08 wha wha!!!!!! (; he is a new type of politician, that is why you do not understand how to cover him ;)
Stinkfinger Willie,I agree, the Clintons are playing the people of Pennsylvania as hillbillies, to our faces. Obama went to one of the most liberal cities in the country and talked smack about our state(I once had the pleasure of visiting San Francisco and watching two San Franciscan park resident boot up in public with not even a look of surprise on the faces of those around, classic!) The words of Obama were elitist because he didn't have the 'jimmies' to say his words to our faces, just behind our backs. A little important info about the bitter people of Pennsylvania, our votes count, our belif in God counts, our belief in a constitution counts, We are americans too and come election day we will count more than many other states in our undemocratic electoral system.
Will Obama give Jesse Jackson, Al Shapton, Farrakhan, Charles Barron, and Jerimiah Wright access to the white house?? All his race-baiting bigot friends??...Oh wait I forgot he's married to one.
Sorry I'm just a typical white person from middle america who blindly clings to religion and guns because I don't have an Ivy league education or sip chardonnay and drive a Volvo and shop at Whole Foods...I guess I'm just racist and out-of-touch. "We are the change we have been waiting for"-how self-congratulatory and arrogant, pathetic...No thanks Obama
When is the media going to ask Obama why he is friends with a man that bombed the capitol and the Pentagon (Bill Ayers)??? So we are seriously on the way to electing a man to the Presidency who is friends with a terrorist against this country?? Is this a bad dream??
Mr. Kenny, You weren't but a punk riding a bike down your neighborhood street if even born yet when McCain was one of the main characters in a minor blip in our economic ups and downs... But you may have heard of the Keating Five, he was a key player and tacked on thousands of dollars of debt to every man woman and child in this country with the S&L scandal that we paid to bail out. He voted for the war in Iraq which 70% of our country were/are against, and he and hillary have done nothing to advance this great country other than for there own personal gain. Read your history before you tout someones pro's ... And you can hypothesize all you want like a sports or news caster two weeks before the superbowl. Many of us were wrong to take the patriots but I look at Obama as one who is not so thoroughly entrenched that he would not consider the greater good. He has run a break through campaign and I expect he will run a break through presidency if not I will vote for someone else in four years, that is our right.
Bill Clinton went to Georgetown.
And for any small minded shortsighted politico's who are offended by JWright and Obamas cling comments, you deserved Bush when you voted for him and you will deserve round three with McCain or HillBill if they get elected. How could ANYONE want ANOTHER Clinton or THE new McCain. I knew McCain in 2000 and John, your not that McCain!!!
That this was published in a Jesuit institution's paper is yet another example of the sad state of Jesuit education. Ignatius must be rolling in his grave, especially since he set up his education institutions to educate underprivileged children and charged them nothing. The Jesuits have become little more than the educators of rich and socially ignorant children who use their privilege to bash the agendas of those who pose a challenge to their own exclusive privileges.
To twist Obama's poorly delivered comment is ridiculous. Clearly Obama, an affluent and devoutly religious man does not believe that religion or guns are for angry poor people. He was saying that angry people lead to increased gun violence, angry forms of religion, and nativism. And to hide behind the "law enforcement" argument is so weak. You should be reminded of MLK's admonition that everything the Nazis did was legal. In continuing to drag Rev. Wright through the mud you should also be reminded that the sermon that MLK was preparing when he was assassinated was titled: "Why America May Go To Hell."
The only reason that Obama's message seems to lack substance is because reporters like you would rather play "he said she said" and "misspeak gotcha" than actually do the hard work of reporting on substantive issues. Obama has more concrete policy speeches and a longer list of proposed bills over the past few years than either of his running mates.
St. Ignatius, pray for us...
Why bother writing an editorial piece that's completely void of any new ideas or original perspective? Stephen's time would be better spent in the school library reading one of the legitimate newspapers. Try Muareen Dowd of NY Times or Roger Simon of Politico. The arguments are trite and mechanical.
"the repubican hate machine" Don't you just love it. Elections that are all about hate. We spend so much time tearing the candidates who could possibly be happy with what we end up with.
Stephen,
As you mature, you will find that all politicians are a blend of their best and worst natures. They may aspire to live their message every day, but they like yourself are only human. Each of the candidates we have to choose from have their faults and have made mistakes (some are grave).
You seem very quick to throw out the message because the messenger can not live every word of it. That is a dangerous approach. In truth, it is the message and the actions that it can generate that are far more important than the candidates mistakes.
Or perhaps you are just blowing hot air and are being disingenuous.
Most posters do not seem to be college students.
Hopefully Hoyas have learned to think for themselves,
considering opposing viewpoints
instead of reflexively denigrating them.
Lame...Lame
It's over. Obama has destroyed the once great democratic party. He even makes Clinton look good, I didn't think that was possible. Obama has handed the presidency to the repulicans in a year when democrats should have won by a landslide.
The Obamabots never bothered to find out who he really was, they just projected their own desires onto him. Now when the real Obama finally shows himself they go into massive denial. Grow up folks, you don't elect someone to be president until they have been vetted.
Umm...you guys are attend a decent school...I would think you are required to take some kind of Logic/Reasoning classes... Would it make sense that Sen Obama's comment means beacuse they are bitter that some people cling to those things?
I do not think that just because one clings to religion, guns etc., that in any way means you're bitter.
I happen to think the Senator is quite right in some instances people who are bitter also cling to other things as well.
I want an Obama supporter to answer one thing...Is there any single thing Obama could say or do that is inexcuseable?? Is there any racist he could associate with that you would consider out-of-bounds or going too far?? Could he basically say "F-Ameria" behind closed doors and then give a speech about it and everything is okay?? Answer me honsestly, I want an example of one situation where you would no longer excuse Obama. I'm not trying to be flippant, someone give me a hypothetical example of Obama crossing the line beyond the point of return.
I guess NO EXPERIENCE can make Obama a great president, NO REAL CHANGE can make Obama a great change agent, VOTE for IRAQ can make Obama excellent anti war person.
This Clinton propaganda piece just prooves that you can spend a lot of money at Georgetown and learn nothing. Even Stevie Wonder can see this flap for what it is, a desperate politician who knows she cannot win fair, seeking to destroy the candidate who has beat her without lowering himself to "kitchen sink" strategies. If she wins, you deserve her and I hope you are prod of her, just like the educated fools who voted for W twice.
This Clinton propaganda piece just prooves that you can spend a lot of money at Georgetown and learn nothing. Even Stevie Wonder can see this flap for what it is, a desperate politician who knows she cannot win fair, seeking to destroy the candidate who has beat her without lowering himself to "kitchen sink" strategies. If she wins, you deserve her and I hope you are prod of her, just like the educated fools who voted for W twice.
Yes we Blue Collar Americans are Bitter !!!!!!!!!! with this kind of Leadership and Trade Agreements that favor Big Biz and the Enablers of Washington , as they get paid with Speaking Fees , like Bill Clinton getting 800,000 by Columbia for saying and enabling what they want , but to heck with the American Workers , and our ability to Compete as these guys can manipulate our Markets with their lower valued Currency , when are we all going to have the same priced Currency Values all over the world so we all then can just compete with our talents ??? Whats the point of a Good Education ,when we are faced with Currency manipulation that out competes our talents ???????, why wouldn't we be Bitter as heck ??? Clintons Trade agreements not setting bench marks for Currency Manipulators who enable Multi-National Corporate mporters to wipe out the Mom and Pops stores over the years , Republicans continue this unfair trade agreement , OBAMAS Right on the Message about being Bitter , Bitter as Heck !!!!
U.S. seeing worst food inflation in 17 years
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24127314/
Food vendors are forced to explain higher prices; poor squeezed
The press is not manhandling Obama; he enjoys free access to the press. And he NEEDS it to continue to try and counter all his increasing inconsistencies in style, remarks, honesty and abilities.
Obama pays a fortune for that access to the media. That is why he was back in SF hitting up donors for more money in his recent debauch.
Outspending Hilary 2 to 1 for a minor fraction of a tenuous edge of the vote. One that is in itself a fiction since Michigan and Florida are not being counted. So please don't anyone kid yourself about all that.
Why does it take so much money to convince people to vote for him (the same question his donors asked)? Well it may be the old school rule applies here; you can fool some of the people some of the time but you can't fool all the people all of the time.
The truth is electing obama is about obama not about our country... and that is why we will continue to see a breech in his hull. It won't hold water because it is not made of the materials it says it is. The label is disingenuous.
Thank you Kenny, for such an insightful well-written article you are the one who deserves applause and five gold stars, super kudos to you.
It's funny watching the moonbats in Obama's camp attack the moonbats in Clinton's camp and vice versa.
Romney and Mccain and the rest of the GOP are going to take Osama Obama apart piece by peice this fall and I am going to savor every second of it.
Obama Bin laden is not ready for primetime and won't get anywhere near the White House. I guess all of those college students who will be graduating in the next four years will have to do soemthing for themsleves instead of going from mommy and daddy's dime to the Obama gravy train of entitlements.
Obama is outspending Clinton 5 to 1 and can't close the gap, he can't finish the deal with whites. Won't work in November if he can't win Florida, Ohio, and Penn, which McCain leads by comfortable margins. Obama has won a bunch of states in this primary that he won't win in the fall or states that won't really matter...something for superdelegates to think about...
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