Belittling others without addressing their valid concerns is using Alinsky style tactics.
I believe this issue hurts Obama, especially now that it has been shown that for 16 years he (through his agent) tried to sell books by claiming to be born in Kenya. Regardless of his true origins it makes Obama look like a putz. There is no down side to Obama looking like a putz.
Mockery existed in the world long before Alinsky did.