Obama tries to change the subject: I’m “out of touch?” Update: McCain campaign says No Sale
posted at 9:37 pm on April 11, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Hey, Barry? The objection here isn’t that you’re “out of touch” (as Trent Lott is), it’s that you’re a condescending, crypto-Marxist, elitist liberal poseur. And your what’s-the-matter-with-Kansas apologia tonight in Indiana doesn’t do a blessed thing to change that impression.
Update (Ed): John McCain’s campaign has decided to keep the heat on Barack Obama for his remarks. After Obama tried to weasel his way out of his April 6th remarks by focusing only on the “bitter” portion of the quote, Team McCain reminded people immediately that bitterness was the least of Obama’s accusations (emphasis mine):
“Instead of apologizing to small town Americans for dismissing their values, Barack Obama arrogantly tried to spin his way out of his outrageous San Francisco remarks. Only an elitist who attributes religious faith and gun ownership to bitterness would think that tax cuts for the rich include families who make $75,000 per year. Only an elitist would say that people vote their values only out of frustration. Barack Obama thinks he knows your hopes and fears better than you do. You can’t be more out of touch than that.” –Tucker Bounds, Spokesman John McCain 2008
They missed the xenophobia and bigotry that Obama accused small-town voters of having, but give the McCain folks some credit. They’re staying on this by the minute.
Update: Candor from Marc Ambinder: “We’re dealing tonight with a classic Kinseyian ‘gaffe,’ where a candidate says what he means and then is forced to account for it.” Plus:
The elite media and most Democrats will say… “yeah.. .So? Obama is simply describing world as we know it.”
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Heh, looks like they got more white people.
VolMagic on April 11, 2008 at 9:42 PM
THAT WAS FAST.
AND SLICK.
reliapundit on April 11, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Major speech on how we need to have a “conversation on being in touch” is forthcoming.
jgapinoy on April 11, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Wow, I never realized how oppressed, bitter, and angry I am as a Pennsylvanian.
ggoofer on April 11, 2008 at 9:43 PM
he changed cling to religion into refuge in religion as opposed to faith in dc.
he and axelrod are so clever.
reliapundit on April 11, 2008 at 9:44 PM
What a bunch of head nodding tools.
slednfool on April 11, 2008 at 9:45 PM
There is nothing better than a fired up AP on a Friday night!
Weight of Glory on April 11, 2008 at 9:46 PM
What a pig this dude is turning out to be, he doesn’t discard his filth, he rolls around in it and tries to convince everyone that it’s sweet.
Verbal Abuse on April 11, 2008 at 9:46 PM
A wee bit defensive there barack ?
BTW this is a good thing hes not spewing “Hope and Change” but his leftist idealism. That will sink him.
William Amos on April 11, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Clever people don’t get into the positions Obama’s gotten himself into.
***
His supporters are just eating it all up at YouTube. Their level of obliviousness is awe-inspiring.
amerpundit on April 11, 2008 at 9:46 PM
“Crypto-Marxist” … I like that. But the phrase is still somewhat cryptic, he’s a commie, OK? And so is Hillary, but no doubt, Obama does a better job of disguising his Marxism.
Maxx on April 11, 2008 at 9:47 PM
But wait, AP, isn’t he an “extremely shrewd politician”?
Typhoon on April 11, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Yeah, looks like too many. We want diversity in our behind the shoulder crowd shots, don’t we? “More black people! More brown people! More purple people eaters!”
malan89 on April 11, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Anyone got video of even one of this guy’s hoops games?
Great flopper I’ll bet.
Stephen M on April 11, 2008 at 9:48 PM
I find it funny when the room full of bobbleheads appluad at inapropriate times. “People are bitter!” (applause). What?
VolMagic on April 11, 2008 at 9:48 PM
The problem is AP is that Team McCain and Team Clinton didn’t frame it right so Barry will get away with it. If you speak in bumper sticker rhetoric then Barry will get away with anything.
ninjapirate on April 11, 2008 at 9:49 PM
When I see a room full of average angry xenophobic, religious white people applauding to this charlatan’s lies, I can only say:
Abandon All Hope.
Kini on April 11, 2008 at 9:50 PM
I went from grudgingly respecting the man as a politician, to legitimately disliking him. Congrats BO.
Spirit of 1776 on April 11, 2008 at 9:51 PM
They probably sought out that Marine before the rally and begged him to go home and dig out that old USMC shirt, or guess what? We’ve got an extra right here!
THE CHOSEN ONE on April 11, 2008 at 9:53 PM
O can’t understand why people don’t look to Washington to fix their economic problems. You mean the outfit that is $9.4 trillion in debt already?
pedestrian on April 11, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Chris Matthews must be getting some more thrills up his leg.
jencab on April 11, 2008 at 9:56 PM
Billionaire row, where he said the elitist things about the little guys, those who vote on “guns, gays and faith”.
Notice in the video, how he said “Talking to a group of fundraisers” - yeah, buster, billionaire fundraisers - why not tell the audience that? It was on your mind, because of the way you hesitated to say where you were…
When I love something a lot, I love to reread it, to see it againg, and to remind others.
Did you notice the luke warm clapping when he talked about him being “out of touch”? And his bitterness that this red part of America doesn’t vote on the economy, but on “guns, gays, and faith”, “idiots that they are” he wants to grumble.
“Nobody’s looking out for you” - you’re damn right - we’re supposed to look out for ourselves, you idiot. You are not our daddy.
On the “jobs overseas, jobs lost, pensions….25 years…”, isn’t he still for NAFTA, as he told the Canadians? Isn’t he for illegal immigration? Isn’t he in the pocket of the big wigs? Who does he think takes care of those San Francisco billionaires’ gardens, mega-mansions, clothe, kitchens, buildings, etc? Who? Who? Who? American legal workers?
The Dean-like shout at the end is great for later on. It can be put back-to-back for good advertising.
What two insults, to say what he did, and now to attempt to change the subject as lamely as this. Elitists through and through.
America, open your eyes, your ears, and your brains carefully.
Entelechy on April 11, 2008 at 9:56 PM
THE CHOSEN ONE on April 11, 2008 at 9:53 PM
More likely just put the shirt on a random dude. For the meta-theme.
Spirit of 1776 on April 11, 2008 at 9:56 PM
It’ll all stick now because it confirms what people already suspect or believe.
TheBigOldDog on April 11, 2008 at 9:57 PM
GOOD LOOK AT TRANSPARENCY!
Entelechy on April 11, 2008 at 9:58 PM
The 07 democratic primary just keeps getting better and better. This is far more laughable than clinton, gore or kerry!
I wonder if THIS will be enough to catch the attention of the average working american citizen? I hope so.
allrsn on April 11, 2008 at 9:59 PM
You see the idiots who are cheering in the background and in front of him?
These are your “smart” voters who don’t read blogs, who don’t see reality, who don’t see an empty-suit, who are delusional and love looks and speeches.
These are the voters who are going to put Hussein Ossama in the White House.
I guess that’s what it takes to be president of the United States these days:
Being a young Black elevated by Affirmative Action.
Indy Conservative on April 11, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Amen!
TheBigOldDog on April 11, 2008 at 10:01 PM
I do believe in Divine Intervention:
-He’s the only one to support the surge. It works
-Guiliani falls falls flat on a poor strategy.
-The conservative vote is split by Huck, Fred, and Mitt.
-New Hampshire is loaded with registered Independants.
-South Carolina and Florida have heavy military populations.
-Super Teusday had states loaded with moderate tendencies.
-Super Teusday was mostly winner take all.
-Mitt Rominee can’t buy guts and character.
-Hillary wasn’t inevitable.
-Obama had a racist past.
-Neither Dem can break away from each other.
If one would have suggested The Maverick could win twelve months ago, even THE CHOSEN ONE would have laughed. It’s almost like something else or someone else is pulling him through the bs towards the White House.
THE CHOSEN ONE on April 11, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Indy Conservative, the American voter isn’t the most sophisticated tool in the shed, but I never underestimate him/her either. In the end they vote by instinct. I think they are getting this one right. One can see through him with ease.
Unfortunately we don’t have an illustrious one on our side either, but there still is no comparison.
Entelechy on April 11, 2008 at 10:04 PM
John Mellencamp - Small Town
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eDkAG3R0h8
Chakra Hammer on April 11, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Obama is looking out for us? Yeah, sure!
WisCon on April 11, 2008 at 10:04 PM
I see white people.
lorien1973 on April 11, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Terre Haute, Indiana - former home of Buffy, Jody & Sissy Davis from “Family Affair”, college home of Larry Legend, and current home of apparently dozens and dozens of mindless kool-aid drinkers. As a Hoosier, I thought the saddest thing I’d have seen this year was the Colts choking in the playoffs. I was wrong.
heddly_lamar on April 11, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Good lord,angry and bitterness,maybe I’m blind and
don’t get it,Maybe Obamas right and its borderless!
Maybe us Canadians are bitter and angry too,we just know
it,is there no limit to what Obama can’t see!
I,I never knew!hahahhaha!
canopfor on April 11, 2008 at 10:06 PM
You are frustrated.
/mindtrick
loganthompson on April 11, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Yes Obama, you are out of touch, naive, prone to err and mildly retarded.
Chakra Hammer on April 11, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Chakra, you lose your argument with stupid comments like the “retarded” part.
Entelechy on April 11, 2008 at 10:09 PM
ROOKIE!!
Theworldisnotenough on April 11, 2008 at 10:09 PM
I said “mildly” >:}
Chakra Hammer on April 11, 2008 at 10:10 PM
The democrat party is a bunch of true-life stereotypes glued together by their hatred of America.
SouthernGent on April 11, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Chakra, that makes you mildly less stupid.
Entelechy on April 11, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Chakra, meant to write “your comment” less stupid, not you in toto, necessarily. Argue on facts.
Entelechy on April 11, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Well, the guy can’t be very bright with all the errors, and surrounding his family and children with people like Rev. Wright.
Chakra Hammer on April 11, 2008 at 10:15 PM
They didn’t miss it; they deliberately ignored it. McCain has his own history of calling those of us who oppose illegal immigration racists and xenophobes. McCain’s people (correctly) didn’t want to give Obama the opportunity to remind people of that.
AZCoyote on April 11, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Sure, the elite will say this. But if Kirsten Powers got it, so will Democrat Joe/Marry, and the rest.
Entelechy on April 11, 2008 at 10:16 PM
He is so screwed here in PA, and I’m guessing this attitude isn’t gonna win him any votes in Ohio either, and Democrats usually need both to win in the presidential race. I don’t care how slick Obama is, he isn’t gonna worm his way out of this one here.
doubleplusundead on April 11, 2008 at 10:16 PM
lack of judgment is a huge character flaw, could be seen as a sign of mild retardation.. No?
Chakra Hammer on April 11, 2008 at 10:17 PM
People like the word “change.”
Who didn’t use that word in stomp speeches since the very first presidential election in American History?
Words blind people. And people don’t see what’s behind words.
Now we got a war in Iraq that lasted for a long time, an economy that is not doing well, frustration with high gas and groceries prices.
People will not stop and think about who’s more prepared, experienced and capable to lead the nation.
The average stupid voter who makes the majority of the voters will go for the “change” because of all the reasons listed above.
Add to that, the fact that many White people want to send a message that they are not racist and that a Black deserves a chance.
It’s Affirmative Action plus frustration with Republicans.
Indy Conservative on April 11, 2008 at 10:18 PM
In a few days, we’ll have people agreeing that they are frustrated, bitter, clinging to their guns and bibles for comfort and that they hate immigrants and trade. We’ll be inundated with the bitterness. Just give it time.
lorien1973 on April 11, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Change a few words…
…and it sounds like Barry’s church.
29Victor on April 11, 2008 at 10:19 PM
I was in San Francisco ah, ah, talking to a group at a fund raiser…
Rich white people?
Obama Visits Billionaires Row
freedomplow on April 11, 2008 at 10:20 PM
So there you have it. All these people want is for him to make them feel excited. See how easy that was? It didn’t really matter what he said. It’s almost creepy to me.
surrounded on April 11, 2008 at 10:21 PM
And there the latest Obama gaffe ends.
terryannonline on April 11, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Entelechy on April 11, 2008 at 9:56 PM
E: You see it and understand OhBummer, and I see/understand him, too.
Indy Conservative on April 11, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Sadly, IC has typical OhBummer voters nailed. They are mindless, uninformed sheep looking for a shepherd who is clean and articulate and able to lull them with what they want to hear.
onlineanalyst on April 11, 2008 at 10:22 PM
So what was Barry doing trying to raise funds from a bunch of S.F. millionaires anyway? Hasn’t he told us that his campaign funds are all small donations coming from a wide cross-section of average Americans — and that’s why he doesn’t have a moral obligation to keep his promise to use public funding? That’s true, right? I mean Barry wouldn’t lie to us gun-toting, religion-clinging, racist, xenophobic rubes, now would he?
AZCoyote on April 11, 2008 at 10:23 PM
God that was horrible. Shut up with the elitist talk and buy a thesaurus. Team Obama knows that the only thing which will stick in people’s minds is the charge of “elitism” and that is all he will address.
Hey Team McCain, just present the evidence and force the voters to make the final inference and judgment.
ninjapirate on April 11, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Billionaires.
lorien1973 on April 11, 2008 at 10:27 PM
What a transparent lightweight! Only his race and exotic name is keeping him alive politically for President.
Hilts on April 11, 2008 at 10:30 PM
You’re right. That should have been a “b.”
I’m so glad Barry’s not out pandering to rich special interests to finance his campaign.
AZCoyote on April 11, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Obama the sellout, trashing middle America and typical white people.
Chakra Hammer on April 11, 2008 at 10:33 PM
I was thinking he got more blacks. I actually counted 4 this time.
Connie on April 11, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Anybody know who was on the guest list?
john1schn on April 11, 2008 at 10:34 PM
“Take refuge in faith???”
What?
And he completely brushes off the “xenophobic clinging to guns hating outsiders” part.
He comes of pretty damn angry here.
eski502 on April 11, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Obama the Uniter?
BWWAHAHAAH!
I have never seen a more divisive person run for President, other than maybe David Duke.. Sheesh…
Chakra Hammer on April 11, 2008 at 10:36 PM
These people in the frame have no idea what he’s talking about, or trying to weasel out of, but they hear the words “you you you” and start applauding.
Pathetic, both from BO’s part, and from the audience’s.
“People are angry, frustrated and bitter“.
Sounds like Obama’s projecting his own feelings onto America.
How inspiring.
profitsbeard on April 11, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Next he’ll be saying something crazy like, “We’re going to make the bigots shut up!” at a La Raza convention.
Spirit of 1776 on April 11, 2008 at 10:37 PM
I agree, I bet most of the crowd had no idea what was said in SF.
Chakra Hammer on April 11, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Yup ! ! AP can and does come up with accurate and
colorful assessments. Friday nite at the H.T. Ahhhh ! !
Better than anything on the tube.
Texyank on April 11, 2008 at 10:40 PM
This should make the “Juan McCain” thing a moot point.
At least McCain doesn’t hate gun owners, and think weird stuffs about religious people.
Chakra Hammer on April 11, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Boy they really cleaned out the blacks from this audience. I’ve seen Lawrence Welk shows with more color.
Chuck Schick on April 11, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Spirit of 1776 on April 11, 2008 at 10:37 PM
HAHA. Seriously, I don’t know which campaign is more insulting to conservatives.
VolMagic on April 11, 2008 at 10:45 PM
And he is serious about jihad. And he’s pro-life. He has pros. And cons.
Juan McCain thing? You’ve not heard that from me (or McVain, or any other such variant).
Spirit of 1776 on April 11, 2008 at 10:45 PM
So true! I’d laugh if it weren’t so pathetic.
Spirit of 1776 on April 11, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Team McCain must read that Marc Ambinder piece. If they allow Team Obama to get away with the “Thomas Frank” broader debate pivot then they should just give up and let someone else try to run for president. They can’t speak in hyper, tabloidy, “I’m Outraged!” talk though. It has to be cool, heartfelt, engaging, and authentic.
http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/04/obamas_gaffe_some_perspective.php
ninjapirate on April 11, 2008 at 10:49 PM
What a pig this dude is turning out to be, he doesn’t discard his filth, he rolls around in it and tries to convince everyone that it’s sweet.
Verbal Abuse on April 11, 2008 at 9:46 PM
=====================================
The above comment deserved an encore!!!
georgealbert on April 11, 2008 at 10:49 PM
One thing I haven’t seen anyone point out yet: His use of the word “cling,” alongside his association of guns, religion, anti-immigrant attitudes, etc., strongly implies a desire to take those things away. It’s not just that to Obama and his San Fran billionaires that we’re yokels and rubes: We’re infants - waiting for daddy Barry and mommy Michelle to pry our filthy rattles from our tight little hands.
CK MacLeod on April 11, 2008 at 10:49 PM
barry has cleared up the misunderstanding. Most Americans are just too stupid to understand what he was saying.
peacenprosperity on April 11, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Obama should listen to Rush. Yeah, maybe the people he talks to exhibit anger and bitterness and frustration, but, as Rush says, that is because he is talking to Democrats
georgealbert on April 11, 2008 at 10:51 PM
That’s from someone introducing bubba tonite. Man, I’m really getting the feeling that if the clinton camp stays on this and the mccain campaign plays it right it may be the end of barry. He can go run for mayor of san fransicko.
peacenprosperity on April 11, 2008 at 10:54 PM
I think we need another quote of the day.
ninjapirate on April 11, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Just wanted to see it again.
INC on April 11, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Obitter.
profitsbeard on April 11, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Eeeeenteresting.
mikeyboss on April 11, 2008 at 11:38 PM
Obama quotes Ally MacGraw’s Jennifer Cavalerri:
LOVE MEANS NEVER HAVING TO SAY YOU’RE SORRY!
maverick muse on April 11, 2008 at 11:42 PM
Rush is right. This guy can’t seal the deal. Hillary may be toast in the Democrat primary - but Obama is a small soft bunny in the general election.
Watching him speak nowadays is like watching a guy who’s desperately trying to bust a nut and can’t.
thareb on April 12, 2008 at 12:01 AM
How will Bill and Hill celebrate this day?
Unthinkable thoughts! :)
AnthonyK on April 12, 2008 at 12:12 AM
I think we all think that the rest of the US thinks like us, maybe we dont have much, but we also dont want anything.
If we chose to work hard, we get rewarded for out effort.
We all know the Democrats pander to the less fortunate, I would venture to say that audience is less fortunate. They feel they are owed something. Obama is speaking directly to them, and that includes part of the Midwest. Look, Ohio, West Virgina, I am sure Pennsylvania, we have ad the headlines, highest Foodstamp recipients ever recorded. Lets be honest, if you are at an Obama rally, in the Midwest, you want handouts.
So, Obama did not hurt himself as much as everyone is saying, but I think he did hurt those that want to believe in him, forgive his gaffes, but now are seeing a pattern. He may of just lost that 5% he needed to win, that is how close this election is.
WoosterOh on April 12, 2008 at 12:23 AM
If someone is bitter, after living in the greatest country in the world, then they’re an idiot and they should vote for Obama. It will further prove their idiocy.
sheesh on April 12, 2008 at 12:31 AM
Sounds like a classic case of BDS to me. I think the professionals call it projection.
JimK on April 12, 2008 at 12:32 AM
Don’t you remember earlier in the campaign when he stopped during a speech to blow his nose and the crowd applauded? There would be lots of moist panties in the audience even if he gave a speech on the positive aspects of an avian influenza pandemic in humans. Watching this election cycle has been a real education in the pathologies of audience response to a charismatic speaker.
a capella on April 12, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Substitute “Americans being held hostage in Iran” for “War in Iraq that
lastedis lasting for a long” and it could just be like 1980 deja vu all over again.MB4 on April 12, 2008 at 12:54 AM
The beast with two backs! Naaah. Disgusting.
jaime on April 12, 2008 at 1:03 AM
I come from a small town on long Island. Circa 1954 thru the late 60’s.
I have left the small town and chased the small town all of my life.
I love small towns. I love the fact that in the small town WHICH I CHOOSE TO LIVE IN I have friends who shoot squirrels and actually eat them. We also grow grapes and make wine. We also shoot animals and we respect migrant workers and we understand the difference of someone talking DOWN to us and someone talking to us.
I can safely say that the UPPITY piece of trash from chicago will never get our vote.
winemkr on April 12, 2008 at 1:05 AM
It’s all over folks. Hit the music. again Mondale v Reagan part II.
THE CHOSEN ONE on April 12, 2008 at 1:12 AM
SECOND LOOK AT CHE GUEVARA KERFLUFFLE!
Obama is such a marxist, such an elite liberal, such a damned fool… man, this is funny.
Merovign on April 12, 2008 at 1:42 AM
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