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Clinton Says Obama is “Out of Touch” with Middle Class Americans, Calls Comments “Elitist”
cbsnews.com ^ | 04/12/08 | Fernando Suarez

Posted on 04/12/2008 8:16:08 AM PDT by TornadoAlley3

INDIANAPOLIS -- Hillary Clinton slammed Barack Obama for comments he made at fundraiser last Sunday where he said middle class Americans are “bitter” about the state of the economy. “I was taken aback by the demeaning remarks Senator Obama made about people in small town America,” Clinton said. “Senator Obama’s remarks are elitist and out of touch. They are not reflective of the values and beliefs of Americans, certainly not the Americans I know, not the Americans I grew up with, not the Americans I grew up with in Arkansas or the Americans I represent in New York.”

Referring to residents of small towns in Pennsylvania, Obama told a small group of fundraisers in San Francisco earlier this week that “it's not surprising 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."

The setting for Clinton’s response seemed perfect. She spoke at a plant that helps build transmission parts for military vehicles, a primarily working class crowd. Clinton found an opening in Obama’s comments to paint him as an elitist liberal who is out of touch with middle class American values, thereby hoping to position herself as the candidate who will help middle class Americans.

“I am the granddaughter of a factory worker,” Clinton said. “My grandfather went to work at the age of 11, before there were child labor laws, and worked in the lace mills in Scranton, Pennsylvania.”

She added, “I grew up in the Midwest, born in Chicago, raised outside of that great city, and I was raised with Midwestern values and an unshakable faith in America and its promise.”

Clinton took the stage to John Cougar Mellencamp’s “Small Town,” a song that was used primarily by former presidential candidate John Edwards. Edwards prided himself in being the candidate for working class Americans, often reminding the crowds that he was the son of a mill worker. With Edwards now out of the race, Clinton is hoping to take the reigns. “When my dad grew up, it was a working class family in Scranton,” Clinton told the audience. “I grew up in a churchgoing family, a family that believed in living out and expressing our faith.”


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; clinton; elitists; in2008; middleclass; nobama; obama; rural; smalltown
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To: Old Retired Army Guy
I was wondering when Obama was going to put his foot in his mouth. He finally did it.

Finally? His entire "I've got an excuse" speech was one giant foot feast, and then he follows up with "typical white person" for dessert. Now he's just snacking.

41 posted on 04/12/2008 9:30:42 AM PDT by HerrBlucher (So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains and we never even know we have the key)
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To: Enterprise

You are right that the anti-trade remarks are part of the Liberation theology. As to what religion Nobama clings to the answer is none. Liberation theology is not really a religion, it is a praxis (as the Marxists like to explain), a method of using people’s faith to unite them, to motivate and organize them to rebel against the white capitalist oppressors, who are the cause of all social injustice.

The Marxists apparently divide people into three categories, the religious poor, the secularists, who are the capitalists who believe in freedom of religion, and the Marxists who believe in freedom from religion. That’s Obama and Wright. But, they have found a way to use religion as an organizing tool.


42 posted on 04/12/2008 9:31:07 AM PDT by Eva (CHANGE - the new euphemism for Marxist revolution)
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To: gesully
To parse this, all he is saying is that residents of small towns in Pennsylvania are a bunch of NRA card carrying gun nut born agains who hate niggers and foreigners.

Shame on you for using the G-word.

/sarc

43 posted on 04/12/2008 9:32:33 AM PDT by Disambiguator
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To: RichBruer

True - it’s a lot like gazing at that next package under the tree, knowing there will be a gift inside - and those 2 clowns just keep giving and giving.

Together they are writing McCain’s political ads - and probably some of his speeches -


44 posted on 04/12/2008 9:35:27 AM PDT by SusaninOhio
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To: TornadoAlley3

Clinton Pot meet Obahma Kettle


45 posted on 04/12/2008 9:36:28 AM PDT by MNJohnnie (http://www.iraqvetsforcongress.com ---- Get involved, make a difference.)
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To: SusaninOhio

I’m impressed with the way McCain is running his campaign. Such a stark contrast from the others. He looks very presidential, head and shoulders above them both. I pray it continues.


46 posted on 04/12/2008 9:41:00 AM PDT by RichBruer
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Hillary isn’t worth a crap as Senator but, she’s funny as heck! Too bad I don’t listen to a word she says or fabricates.


47 posted on 04/12/2008 9:45:53 AM PDT by CTSeditor
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To: Verginius Rufus
Obama’s mother was descended from Southern slaveholders.

That would mean Obama is descended from Southern slaveholders as well. Not that that is his fault, but would make in interesting to hear his views on "reparations."

48 posted on 04/12/2008 10:02:45 AM PDT by Republican Wildcat
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I am the granddaughter of a factory worker,” Clinton said. “My grandfather went to work at the age of 11, before there were child labor laws, and worked in the lace mills in Scranton, Pennsylvania.”

I didn't know Hilary had read Dickens.

49 posted on 04/12/2008 10:06:29 AM PDT by Jakarta ex-pat
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To: kromike

You’re right. Her new name should be “The
Laughing Hyena”. . .That cackle is obnoxious.


50 posted on 04/12/2008 10:18:09 AM PDT by beethoven
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To: Republican Wildcat
There are many people around who are descended from Southern slaveholders if you include anyone who has even one ancestor who ever owned one slave (not just the descendants of the people with large plantations). As far as I know, no one alive today chose to be descended from a slaveholder (although of course that doesn't erase their guilt if they are white).

I haven't heard Obama take a position on reparations. His wife and daughters would qualify for money. He himself wouldn't unless they play pretty fast and loose with the qualifying criteria.

51 posted on 04/12/2008 10:23:43 AM PDT by Verginius Rufus
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To: roses of sharon

You are right about that. I think our country is doomed unless we can get a handle on the MSM. They are bent on taking us down the moonbat path.


52 posted on 04/12/2008 10:33:31 AM PDT by WVNan
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To: TornadoAlley3; All

Obama defends comments about bitterness in small towns
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000404/posts


53 posted on 04/12/2008 10:47:59 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (McCain could never convince me to vote for him. Only Hillary or Obama can!)
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To: gesully

“To parse this, all he is saying is that residents of small towns in Pennsylvania are a bunch of NRA card carrying gun nut born agains who hate niggers and foreigners.”

On top of that - he was addressing San Franciscans during this little speech.
Afterall...San Francisco is such a fine example of the utopia that occurs when liberals are given free reign.


54 posted on 04/12/2008 11:40:37 AM PDT by Scotswife
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To: roses of sharon

“Simply stunning the way “reporters” are trying so desperately to spin for Hussein.”

I watched a little MSM this morning - one of those network morning news shows.

It was amazing.
They described Obama’s words as being addressed towards “small towns”.
They never mentioned Pennsylvania, and they quit quoting him before he got into the guns and religion part.


55 posted on 04/12/2008 11:43:09 AM PDT by Scotswife
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To: Verginius Rufus

“Obama’s mother was descended from Southern slaveholders.”

well...I’m descended from Irish immigrants who were fleeing starvation and never owned one slave.

That means Obama’s late mother should have contributed towards reparations - and my entire family is in the clear.


56 posted on 04/12/2008 11:45:16 AM PDT by Scotswife
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To: kromike

“STFU, Cackle.

You’re not any better.”

Actually, she is “better” in a way.

She can pull off hypocrisy without a glimmer of shame.

For example, when she appeared on Leno and made a joke about her lying about Tuzla.


57 posted on 04/12/2008 11:52:26 AM PDT by Shermy
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To: TornadoAlley3
Darth Hillary
58 posted on 04/12/2008 11:53:41 AM PDT by Snickering Hound
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To: Scotswife

“It was amazing.
They described Obama’s words as being addressed towards “small towns”.
They never mentioned Pennsylvania, and they quit quoting him before he got into the guns and religion part.”

Acknowledge, redefine, damage control.


59 posted on 04/12/2008 11:53:56 AM PDT by Shermy
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To: WVNan

You will get your wish,it looks like.
Obama implodes,Hillary wins over the superdelegates and rolls over the stumbling Mc Cain in November.


60 posted on 04/12/2008 11:55:53 AM PDT by Riverman94610
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