Obama does damage control

 

Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign veered into damage control mode today following the reporting of the candidate's comments at a San Francisco fundraiser.

 

Trying to explain rural white culture to the California billionaires, the Democratic candidate said, "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... 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."

 

Although Obama merely stated the obvious truth, many voters in Pennsylvania were apparently angered by the characterization. To stem the backlash before the state's primary, the candidate hastily arranged a meeting with typical white people in rural Pennsylvania.

 

:laugh: That's the funniest thing I have heard/seen in weeks! An instant classic, Aces! :thumb:

He's not racist, he's blind. If he believes that even a significant fraction of the people who aren't voting for him aren't voting for him because he's black, then he's going to lose his lead and the race because he's blind. Your own boy Keith Olbermann even said that on Tuesday.

From the exit polls:

 

 

Twenty percent of voters say race was important in their vote. Fifty-nine percent of them voted for Clinton. There was an even, 50-50 split among those who said race was not important.

Sounds like a significant fraction to me.

Polls this time of year are fun to watch but are meaningless. There's a long way to November and I'm sure we're going to see some real roller coaster results along the way.

 

I don't often agree with you, but you are right on here. The winds of change in politics can turn very quickly. While I wouldn't say the polls at this time are totally meaningless(they can help candidates guage certain voter proclivities along the way), it is a long roller coaster ride.

In 1992 Bill Clinton didn't get the nomination until June with 48 states reporting. At that time he was trailing Bush and Perot for third in the polls. Polls are fickle, just ask this guy.

In 1992 Bill Clinton didn't get the nomination until June with 48 states reporting. At that time he was trailing Bush and Perot for third in the polls. Polls are fickle, just ask this guy.

 

Agreed:thumb: