Legal Commentary

Obama's Gaffe

By Big Tent Democrat

By Big Tent Democrat

Speaking for me only

Yes, Obama messed up (HuffPo provides audio)

You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them... And it's not surprising then 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.

Not good. But Obama is a Media Darling and Bill Clinton screwed up today so Obama will get away with it mostly unscathed. That's why he is the better choice for Dem nominee. More . . .

This presents us with a real test of my Obama Media Darling theory. McCain is pounding this:

Asked to respond, McCain adviser Steve Schmidt called it a "remarkable statement and extremely revealing."

"It shows an elitism and condescension towards hardworking Americans that is nothing short of breathtaking," Schmidt said. "It is hard to imagine someone running for president who is more out of touch with average Americans.

Hillary also jumps on it:

"I saw in the media it's being reported that my opponent said that the people of Pennsylvania who faced hard times are bitter. Well, that's not my experience. "As I travel around Pennsylvania, I meet people who are resilient, who are optimistic, who are positive, who are rolling up their sleeves. They are working hard everyday for a better future, for themselves and their children. "Pennsylvanians don't need a president who looks down on them, they need a president who stands up for them, who fights for them, who works hard for your futures, your jobs, your families."

I predict Obama gets away with it. ESPECIALLY now that Hillary is involved. Hillary Hate in the Media trumps McCain Love. See Wright, Jeremiah, so far.

Update (TL): New thread on this topic is here, this one's closing.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on April 11, 2008 (boomark / email).