I am usually not one to pay much attention to the news media manufactured controversies over a remark made by a politician and exploited by opponents. But I feel compelled to comment on the latest episode because the issue at the center of the controversial remarks can be construed, in some ways, as the most important issue in the entire campaign (as unbelievable as that sounds.)
Last week when Barack Obama said that people who have come up against hard times in their communities "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." Hillary Clinton, still pursuing the Democratic nomination against Obama, pounced on this remark to claim that Obama is elitist, out-of-touch and unelectable in small town America. In response, Obama delivered a terrific rebuttal explaining what he meant. (Click here to read a concise summary of the entire affair.)
Elitist, condescending, out of touch - who cares? That's all the dumb rhetorical part of the controversy. Much more importantly, Obama is RIGHT. In 2004 many Americans voted to continue a senseless war in Iraq that is killing people for no reason and draining our country of resources. They voted for policies that have brought America to the brink of economic and fiscal crisis. They voted to allow unsafe mines to operate and lead-contaminated children's' toys to reach market. The voted to torture innocent people, to spy on Americans, and to ignore environmental destruction. Why did Americans vote for these policies? Three reasons: 1) because "the other guy was godless, 2) so that no Democrat would take away their guns, and 3) to insure that gay people could not get married.
We need to get people to direct their focus away from the wedge issues that do not affect our health, happiness and well-being and get the voters to consider the important, substantive issues of the day. And not just the voters of course, the major news outlets also need to emphasize important issues and get away from the red meat. Obama may have been a little off target by seeming to put the blame entirely on the people rather than on the politicians who exploit them (what I really mean is the Republican campaign apparatus), but on the core of the issue, he's right. And as important as the economy, Iraq, health care, education and the environment are, the US will not move forward in addressing these problems until more voters make their choices based on them instead of God, guns and gays.
Watch The Young Turks tackle the important issues here.
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Putting the Controversy Aside, Obama was Right
Posted Apr 13th 2008 10:37AM by David Koller
Filed under: Politics, Young Turks, Barack Obama, Controversy
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Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 6)
31. The truth generally hurts. Middle America is caught up in the battle of lies and more lies being told to them, year after year by scores of politicians wanting their votes. Obama is the first one to tell them the truth and it hurts their feelings. They've been lied to for so long by the Bushes and Clintons that they sometimes can't differentiate between right and wrong. Too bad they can't just take a step back and view the whole picture for what it is. They will see that they have been fed a line of nonsense for years and for the first time they are being told the truth.
Arjay Rabar at 10:11PM on Apr 13th 2008
32. Brandon - Being profane doesn't make you right. In spite of what you may believe, it hasn't been demonstrably proven that Al Gore really won the election. You guys can whine until the end of time, but Big Al lost Florida and he lost the election. All he had to do was win his home state and he couldn't even do that.
Dave at 10:29PM on Apr 13th 2008
33. Obama is one of those types that would sit on his front porch and watch someone being attacked and NEVER DO A THING..
A true leader would have stood up against his friend and said..Look -- I don't like what your saying about other races and events that dishonor my nation and the loyalty inwhich I have toward it... But Obama did nothing.. It let it have a free ride.. If any friend of mine disgraced my country i'd tell him or her how it is.. If you don't like America then get on the plane out of the country sucker..Even if he was a friend..
How can a man be able to protect America from all evils when he doesn't even have the balls to stand up for his own countries pride.. Obama is disloyal to our nation. Simple as that.. His speech of a decoy..
Obama is unfit to lead our great nation.. Unfit to even be a US Senator.. Unfit to stand in front of it's flag.. Unfit to serve even as a dog catcher..
arrogantobama at 10:32PM on Apr 13th 2008
34. Reading the long lists of Obama's susposed lies, I began to wonder, since I had little knowlege of his past, or his State record. But the author over-reached, and mentioned recent events (of which I am aware)and the falsehood of those accusations negated his / her creditability.
Robert e. Quillen at 10:37PM on Apr 13th 2008
35. Man that Obama guy has issues. Trying to get elected to Federal Public Office and even talking like a realist? That had to have the party squirming. I am a bitter redneck who just mailed another tithe to Uncle Sam, an investment in futility to be shared by the "In Crowd" pocketeers of the Governing elite. This story is a classic example of what is wrong with this country...Americans do not want a person of action in leadership positions, because the only action left at this juncture is that which no American can stomach - confront reality, sacrifice, and share the burden in the true effort to fix the problems we are facing. Obama, Clinton, McCain, etc... are not people of action or they would not be supported by their respective parties. Just have your little election, let me know who the new boss is and let me get on with my simple, sheeplike existence.
Jim B at 11:17PM on Apr 13th 2008
36. God help us if the president is not smarter, better educated than the rest of us. Does anyone really think that Bush would have ever been chosen to edit the Harvard Law review? If our leaders are not part of the intellectual elite of this country of ours, then who should lead us? Do you want nice but mediocre people with whom you would enjoy a beer to lead our country? Get a life. Do you think that the Chinese and others are selecting their lesser lights to compete with us? Think!
OSSY
ossy werner at 2:02AM on Apr 20th 2008
37. Wait a second. Obama made these statements about small town USA not only in front of elitist rich people in Pacific Heights...
But it was a fundraiser at a multi-millionaire's mansion with many millionaires present and the media was disallowed. So, he was speaking as though no one else would find out.
The mansion is owned by multi-millionaire "Pakistan native and ardently Muslim Sohaib Abbasi (CEO of Informatica)"....
Here. Look at all the pictures of the string of millionaire and billionaire fundraisers Obama went to in San Fran:
http://savagepolitics.com/
http://www.zombietime.com/obama_visits_billionaires_row/
durene at 2:52AM on Apr 14th 2008
38. Now Obama is directing ridicule at Hillary from the stump. He really does sound bitter. Maybe he should cling to the Koran and his crack-pipe.
Hako at 2:58AM on Apr 14th 2008
39. Obama reminds me of that old Andy Griffith movie where he plays the televangelist that puts on the public face, says the words evryone wants to hear, then has a completely different feeling for those people and a whole different belief structure underneath.
Finally, one of his insiders leaves the microphone on as the shows credits are running and people actually hear him telling his "real" inner circle how he feels about the stupid, lower class people that believe in him. Obama was talking about lower and middle class DEMOCRATS and referring to them as "THEY". "They" aren't like us, "They" cling to stupid things like religion and guns and blame games.
If YOU (They)can't see the truth underneath this wolf, then YOU deserve to get what YOU asked for once he is your nominee. McCain will eat Mr. Obama like cake in November.
OpenYourBlindEye08 at 4:22AM on Apr 14th 2008
40. @23: Right Dave, there is no such thing as classes or class struggle. Or, at least, the only place you'll hear anyone mention it is in the Wall Street Journal: http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009246
Joe Bob at 5:08AM on Apr 14th 2008
41. It's awesome, and quite enjoyable, to watch these 2 idiot Democrats self destructing right before our eyes with all of their lies and deceit finally coming to a head. Obama's true colors are now showing for everyone to see and of course we've all known Bill & Hill's true colors for years now. Why is it the propaganda pimps at NBC, CBS, CNN and others still withhold the facts and drag their feet in getting out the truth? I hope people will finally see them for what they are worth. Get the facts straight and tune into FOX News. Just disregard Alan Colmes, Geraldo Rivera. It's almost embarassing watching them trying to justify the daily shenanigans of their fellow Democrats!
SteveN at 5:23AM on Apr 14th 2008
42. Hooray for the to the point response from GUNLESS
you have pegged to a tee the situation here in AMERICA and have exposed the YOUNG JERKS for what they are. Thank you for your time and consideration and your expression of how you see things RIGHT ON!!!
one trying at 6:48AM on Apr 14th 2008
43. I guess the reason most political speeches all sound the same these days,is that almost no politician has any confidence in the American peoples ability to use the power of reason when discussing issues that may not be the most pleasant.
Obama often pushes these "hot buttons" in his belief that most Americans are savvy enough to understand his statements, IF taken in their full and proper context.
Unfortunately, this leaves the door wide open for his rivals to spin and manipulate his thoughts into something hardly recognizable from the original intent.
Hopefully people will see through the spin cycle of the political machine, and draw their own conclusions on the statements made by this years cavalcade of Presidential wannabees, and vote for whomever would represent their best interest, and not those of some campaign manager, consultant, or special interest group.
BILL G at 7:22AM on Apr 14th 2008
44. I'm pretty sure Hillary and McCain agree with Obama, but are using this as a weapon nonetheless. The words they are using to describe what he said are incorrect. Out-of-touch, elitist, no.
Obama was completely correct. Small town America IS bitter, and they DO cling to anything that they think will help them stay afloat. Just like ANYBODY WOULD. It's just that those of us in small towns are being hit the hardest, as we always are.
So I for one would like to thank Obama for being honest.
Strados at 7:42AM on Apr 14th 2008
45. OMG you mean Cenk, an out of touch elitist snob believes what Fauxbama, another out of touch elitist snob says?
Why does this Cenk person even bother any more?
The best TYT was yesterday when there was some kind of malfunction and just a picture of Cenk but no link to a blog to click on. I thought how perfect.
Davidg at 8:33AM on Apr 14th 2008