I really don't think the strategy of engaging in a full-throated defense, John Kerry-style ("I will not let the right-wing focus on a botched joke distract us from the real issues...") is really the right call here.  I guess we'll see.

At least they know an important story when they see one.

If SNL is new this week, perhaps they will have a sketch about the elitists Obama's contempt and completely stupid comment that people who lost their jobs 25 years ago are frustrated because everyone promises them an improved life which has not come.

Somehow that just seems too much to take.

"In fact, he was saying that rural Pennsylvanians are not racist! "

This is just what small town disadvantaged America is looking for....a Harvard educated latte sipping elite to explain their psyche.

I'm sure they'll be lining up to vote for him.

Add ten points to Hillary in PA, KY, W VA, and Ind.

"I'm in touch. I know exactly what's going on in Pennsylvania. I know what's going on in Indiana. I know what's going on in Illinois. People are fed up; they're angry and they're frustrated and they're bitter and they want to see a change in Washington and that's why I'm running for President of the United States of America."

or he could change the name of his tour to:

"You go into some of 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. And they fell through the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration--"

They did?

This sounds a bit like a backhanded swipe at the Clinton administration-- chronicalling the staggering job loss we all remember during those (ick!) disastrous 90's... This strikes me as yet more historical revisionism. Sorry - but I need to put on my Clark's Army Boots and fight back! :)

I'm reminded of that Chris Rock routine; "Everything's Clinton's fault. Clinton did it!"

The Bureau of Labor statistics doesn't seem to agree with Obama on this one. They say that the Clinton years in Pennsylvania were actually very GOOD for jobs! (Caveat: They might be part of the shadowy Clinton Machine...);P

=========

Unemployment rate in Pennsylvania when Clinton took office was high-- hovering at just under 8% (7.6- 7.8%)

During his two-term administration, unemployment rate was cut in half.(Ending right at around 4%) In a steady decline year over year, unemployment went from around half a million unemployed in 1992 to just over 200,000 when Clinton left office. So over a quarter of million Pennsylvanians went OFF unemployment during that time.

But guess what happened next?

After Bush was sworn in, the unemployment in PA took an immediate upturn.

And because we're talking about industrial towns here... this is the graph detailing manufacturing jobs in Pennsylvania from 1992 right up until 2008.

See that precipitous drop right at... oh look-- at 2000! And then it keeps going down, down, down, all the way to ... 2008. There's your job loss.

I think Mr. Axelrod should advise Senator Obama that "Clinton did it" is a poor mythology to use when talking economic matters.

And 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.

What do all of the things that Obama says people "cling" to have in common?

They are, obviously, by Obama, being held in a very real disdain. He is, without question, being disparaging of each item in that list. Each of those things are things people "cling to" because, in their bitterness, they are turning to something negative.

And what heads that list? Guns and religion.

Basically, the man has gone out of his way to besmirch two things that tens of millions of voters hold very dear.

The message seems to be a backhanded compliment: You're good people. Yes, you possess all sorts of negative traits--xenophobia, racial bias, fundamentalism, gun ownership--but don't worry, it's not your fault! It was bred into you, or it's because you're anxious about jobs.

Richard Wolffe trotted out. RW: Plenty to attack Obama about.  Misspoke... cultural issues, guns and religion.  If the debate is about eliticism, Obama has grounds to attack as the other candidates are wealthier than him. (ok)

KO: Clinton after hm with guns blazing... careful tread?  RW: Back to kitchen sink, of course you pounce.  Obama can say this is how I am coming to terms with voters. (???) Useful diversion from Boznia issue.

KO:  GOP has called for denouncing Obama's remarks.  Decent people, gun rights, constitution, faith....

Good Lord.  I believe that Olbermann feels the same way about Rednecks.

the rest of the show on Clinton's Gaffe.

CNN, Roland Martin: Press fails to report "full" contest... Obama telling the "truth" but just like McCain said on MI the jobs not coming back.. pessimistic approach doesn't work. Clinton promised NY voters 20,000 jobs.. "they are bitter" cause there was loss of jobs..

It is too bad there is no video, but perhaps a simulation by an actor will show why this remark makes Hillary and McCain the only real candidates.

My prediction is that if the Media does its job and we see Specials on Obama's contempt for normal people, his elitist background, in twenty years people will be asking, "Where were you when you first heard Obama, if you remember him at all, just crucify the hard-working people of Pennsylvania in a fit of elitist rage."

It is okay to say what you said.

I know only one.

Obama.

TalkLeft  will limit commenters to four comments a day if, in its sole discretion, the commenter is a "chatterer," loosely defined as one who  both  holds opposing views from those expressed by TalkLeft and:

Posts numerous times a day with the intent of dominating, re-directing or hijacking the thread; or

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I'm not so sure either succeeds. Some here say they feel he succeeded, but I don't see it.

"...People are fed up; they're angry and they're frustrated and they're bitter and they want to see a change in Washington and that's why I'm running for President of the United States of America."

Here he says what people in all economic and geographic areas are feeling--but his remarks were about rural and small town PA. A diversion.

This statement: And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

proves this:  Dear rich donor people, it isn't Middle America's fault that they are racist, prejudicial, gun-toting bible thumping rednecks...but I, Barack Obama, will led them out of their pit by ...."  He doesn't explain the end game...I assume he is going to bring jobs to the areas of the country that have lost jobs by....well I don't know how he'll do that anymore than he does...But the point is that if the good people of America just gives him a chance he will rid the country of poverty which, in turn, will give the poor unedumacated rednecks the prosperity to not be prejudiced, to let loose their guns, to not lean on the church for validation or solace.

Oops there's that word again, bitter. . . perhaps eating all that arugula has made Obama a bit bitter.