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 The Bitter BattlePosted on Apr 14, 2008By E.J. Dionne WASHINGTON—The Democratic presidential candidates are doing a splendid job of helping John McCain get to the White House. Barack Obama violated two elementary rules of political campaigning. A candidate should never play the role of a political scientist or sociologist analyzing a key electoral swing group from afar, and should never dissect the motivations of less privileged people when talking to a group of privileged people. If Obama’s comments about working-class voters had come from the mouth of anyone except a candidate, they might have seemed mildly controversial but broadly true. The statement is being shorthanded in the press with the single word “Bittergate.” But what did he actually say? “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,” Obama said at a San Francisco fundraiser on April 6. “And they fell through the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are going to regenerate and they have not.” There followed the explosive paragraph: “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.” Advertisement This is an old chestnut of political analysis. It can be traced back to “The Real Majority,” a 1970 book by Richard Scammon and Ben Wattenberg—neither of them card-carrying liberals. They argued that when working-class voters cast ballots on the basis of economics, they backed Democrats; when they voted on “the social issue,” meaning crime, race and values, they tilted Republican. Scammon and Wattenberg’s analysis was aimed at helping Democrats, but Richard Nixon rode it to victory in 1972. Republicans have been following this script ever since. But then there are those two Obama words that shook the campaign: “cling” and “bitter.” Really dumb word choice. The second paragraph, far less empathetic than the first, makes Obama sound like the author of an undergraduate paper, not a candidate for president. Consider that if you say, “Marry me, and if you don’t, it will be a sign of your bitterness and insecurity,” you are likely to get a negative answer. Far better to say: “Marry me, because I love you more than anyone else in the world.” At one level, who can blame Hillary Clinton for going after Obama’s mistake? Her campaign looked set to collapse, if not in Pennsylvania then shortly thereafter. Of course she capitalized on his error by accusing him of being elitist. But something doesn’t parse when a Wellesley and Yale Law School graduate whose family made $109 million since 2001 relentlessly assails a former community organizer for elitism. (McCain enthusiastically dittoed the charge Monday.) It’s also disappointing that Clinton, whose husband bravely battled the National Rifle Association over a ban on assault weapons, now presents herself as a Second Amendment hero. And not contenting herself with bashing Obama, she denigrated the last two Democratic presidential nominees, John Kerry and Al Gore, at Sunday night’s CNN forum on faith. Oh, yes, they were “very good men and men of faith.” But conferring her blessing upon the crude stereotypes peddled relentlessly by Republican consultants, she then asserted that “large segments of the electorate concluded that they did not really understand or relate to or, frankly, respect their ways of life.” That “frankly” is the most appalling word in the whole sentence. And never mind that Al Gore ran 360,000 votes ahead of Senate candidate Clinton when both were on New York’s ballot in the 2000 election. It has been sickening over the years to watch Republicans, who always rally to the aid of the country’s wealthiest citizens, successfully cast themselves as pork-rind-eating, NASCAR-watching, gun-toting populists. To have the current White House occupant (Yale, Harvard Business School, son of a president) run as a good old boy should have been the final straw. But here are the two remaining Democratic candidates, Obama by speaking carelessly and Clinton by piling on shamelessly, doing all they can to make it easy for Republicans to pretend one more time that they are the salt of the earth. Elsewhere: . CommentsAre you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig. Add Your Comment
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By Conservative Yankee, April 17, 2008 at 9:35 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Of course it is jake with me if the Democrats feel that they neeed to run on a “we’re better” platform, but to get the vote of anyone with a half a brain, a party must also outline the differences.
Personally, I can do without the governmental “hand-outs” the D party proffers as “help” for the working classes. The Dems with the help of GWB)attempted to jam the “comprehensive immigration reform” down our throats. The Dems signed NAFTA. The Dems voted for the Patriot Act, the War, and this stupid additional time work Visa bill.
I say fuck the Democratic party. If they can’t do better than the two clowns who remain on the ballot, they deserve to lose.
Report thisBy cyrena, April 17, 2008 at 1:56 am #
And GrammaConcept is right…you ARE brilliant. Would you consider a run for President?
Oh never mind…we’ll just appoint you. (I mean, if you’re willing).
I got the idea from doctor knowit all, when he said he was considering a run for Congress. So, I figure..the hell with all of this campaign and whatever, whatever. We can just have a brief conference, find out who’s willing to do the work, and set up our own government.
I think that might be called a Coup. So what. It was HAVE to work out better than the last two…
Report thisBy Nino, April 16, 2008 at 9:07 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
well lets see man,,last tine around we had two skull and bonesman from Yale run fur dur prez spot…what are the odds of that happening..now we have the wife of one of the worst immoral presidents of all time run on a ticket of more of the same..another bragging about how he will bring change but never quite having the vocabulary to give the meaning..less government,more personal responsibility and with Gods help a better world..noooo just more of the same and if you disagree with this anti-semite..you are called childish names..then on the other side of the aisle we have a character who has never been anything but GI.government issue…always on the payroll..never in the private sector.and waves that flag while other kids go off to yet another no win war..madness…no wonder most americans are stoned,or have ulcers or just walk around with their heads down…this silly campaigning is getting boring and pathetic as grown ups all of a sudden cant speak correctly..and a traitor to all vets looks almost intelligent..not to me but ..well…
Report thisBy Conservative Yankee, April 16, 2008 at 7:09 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
I’d like to believe Token would upset the applecart.
I’d like to believe “They couldn’t control him.
I’d like to believe This was a different Candidacy.
But I can’t… that vision of Robert Kennedy keeps getting in the way.
Report thisBy joey, April 16, 2008 at 1:56 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
This topic goes right to Karl’s view of the country.
Report thisHow does the right wing of the republican party get people that should be democrats
to vote republican. Why do the people in Kansas vote against their economic interest.
This is the magic that has been successful for the last 10 years.
If you make less than 100k per year you should be a democrat period. You are in a
very strong 85percentile group that should be in control of the country year after year
Instead wizards like Rove and others are able to get the 15 percentile voted into office
You make red herrings or hot topic issues more important than economic issues
You gather at the table the NATIONAL RIFLE , THE RIGHT TO LIFE, THE ANTIGAY JERRY FAREWELL RELIGIOUS and magic you have a majority.
By Pacrat, April 16, 2008 at 11:55 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Without a job? Living in poverty? No one cares a damn for you or your condition? You would be nuts if you weren’t bitter!
Turn to religion? Of course, because you were brought up to take consolation there - poor people do that (rich people pretend to).
Turn to guns? No, Pennsylvania has always been a hunter and hunting state? The hunters are not the ones in Philly killing people!
Grow up so-call journalist? Pretend that wou know something about America.
Obamma does@
Report thisBy GrammaConcept, April 16, 2008 at 10:16 am #
Brilliant! Bravo!
Report thisBy Leefeller, April 16, 2008 at 8:21 am #
Truth, the real blunt truth should never be known by the populist, for they will suddenly realize they are in the bitter cold.
Report thisBy Nino, April 16, 2008 at 4:57 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
It was Karl Marx,who had a great and brave dad (a rabbi)who mistakenly sent his son to college where he promptly joined the commie movement..and later wrote that ‘religion is the opiate of the people’ which of course meant that since Christianity teaches that this earth is just a halfway house,dont spend your extra money on useless gadgets but give to the poor..this the wealthy ruling class hates and fears…so what a silly campaign we are witnessing..both demos talk like morons on purpose while the ‘hero’ looks almost dignified..he is by far ,as are most repubs..just the same as the demos.but McCain waves the flag and trust me..look for even more childish comments from this lawyer and harvard grad..what a Hobsons choice…was at a party sunday and the host warned all to not give the toys to little kids without a warning that they are from china thus poison.you gotta luv McCain for that…
Report thisBy Outraged, April 16, 2008 at 2:04 am #
Sorry GrammaConcept, but I couldn’t help myself. When you said, “Wacky wordplay” it sent my mind reeling. Then of course E.J. dubbed this article “Bitter Battle”. And between the two….well, “the rest is history”......
Report thisBy Outraged, April 16, 2008 at 1:16 am #
Betty Botter(Dems) bought some butter, but she said “this butter’s bitter(Average Joe/Jane)!
But a bit of better butter(Obama)will but make my butter better”
So she bought some better butter, better than the bitter butter, and it made her butter better so ‘twas better Betty Botter bought a bit of better butter!
Report thisBy Trey, April 15, 2008 at 11:14 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Some of us are proud of our bitterness!
Bitter Americans
Report thishttp://www.bitteramericans.com
By GrammaConcept, April 15, 2008 at 5:37 pm #
gives new “meaning"to ‘politically correct’....
Report thisBy GrammaConcept, April 15, 2008 at 5:32 pm #
Gentlemen: Please..
You are currently here not bringing out the best in one another…
Clinging to bitterness and subsequently, to cynicism followed by clanging despair are, sadly, but understandably, stages along the bumpy pathways of understanding.
Report thisHowever, I know, because I have heard far better from both of you, that you are both more mature than these posts would suggest….I remain faithful to my experience of your higher selves…I sweetly urge you both to do the same….and soon….Why, after all, emulate that which you both clearly find abhorrent?
Interventionally yours,
GrammaConcept
By cyrena, April 15, 2008 at 2:18 pm #
Joe, you hit it on the bright red bullseye here..
“..The reality is they are scared Obama is going to get elected and they are not sure they can control him. They are going to do everything they can to make sure that doesnt happen…”
There it is. Obama can and most likely WILL, upset the very long established status quo/political DYNASTY that has been in existence for over 4 decades.
On this though…I’m not sure..
“...Americans will not get fed up until they are starving, and destitute. That is still a way off in the future…”
Truth be told/recognized/acknowleged…
We are already THERE. The problem is that we are so spread out, and our media has thoroughly deteriorated, that many of us remain totally unaware of just how bad things are, in so many places..
Report thisBy nucular, April 15, 2008 at 1:35 pm #
You can spot the Democrats 99 points in a 100 game and they’ll still find a way to lose. Due to ineptness or complicity the Dems seem perfectly willing to let the Repubs maintain power. After all they are part of the elite that are doing very well in Bush’s economy.
Report thisBy Ivan Hentschel, April 15, 2008 at 12:39 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Thanks. Short, sweet, points all taken. But you realize, don’t you, that you are asking all of us to wake up and smell the coffee….burning?
Report thisBy Expat, April 15, 2008 at 10:11 am #
^ it in the ass; which is often.
Report thisBy altara, April 15, 2008 at 10:10 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Obama is an “elitist”. So says the down-to-earth middle class lady, from the White House, Chappaqua, and Nantucket.
It is so disheartening to think that, with all the problems and opportunities in the U.S. and the world, this election could possibly be decided by an inept description of a cultural situation or perhaps one or two words, “bitter”, or “cling”.
homer http://www.altara.blogspot.com
Report thisBy Expat, April 15, 2008 at 10:08 am #
^ they love us before they fuck us and lubrication is optional.
Report thisBy Leefeller, April 15, 2008 at 9:34 am #
Yes, the long drawn out of it, “bitter” has a half life of a Twinkie.
We have a war to ignore, retail business are going tits up while Annie Hillary is downing shots with the bar boys. Food prices have shot up and gas and oil are topping many peoples budgets. Things are looking great in everytown USA.
Wave the Flag and watch Fox.
Report thisBy Leefeller, April 15, 2008 at 9:04 am #
Yep, a chicken in every pot and two cars in every garage, kiss. Truth is not what the Republicans or Hillary crowd want to hear. Give them the blunt truth, like Wright did and the simple folks will select the high colonic every-time.
Report thisBy Aegrus, April 15, 2008 at 8:45 am #
I’d like to see the word ‘gate’ removed as a suffix for every non-issue the talking heads decide to discuss on the campaign trail. If the MSM took things like CAFTA, the Iraq Occupation or the slumping economy as seriously as the word “bitter,” maybe we would be better as a country.
I will say, this is one of the few times Obama has stumbled on the stump. Furthermore, if you didn’t have idiots like Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh to exaggerate the words “bitter” and “cling,” no one would friggin’ care. Obama is still talking very genuinely about REALITY. Can we please get passed this supposedly flawed word choice. When the hell did everyone in America become a sixth-grade English teacher?
Report thisBy jackpine savage, April 15, 2008 at 8:15 am #
Sometimes i have to wonder if the Democratic Party is actually a small front company for the Republican Party. I don’t know if that’s better or worse than the circular firing squad brand.
It sure seems like everything the Dems do is almost designed to help the Republicans. And when the Dems have gotten power, they do the things that Republicans would do anyhow.
Let me change that a little. Both parties are small front companies for corporate America. They are the grand pageant that the wizened, wizard of Oz controls from behind his curtain. They are bread and circuses (mostly the latter) for the masses to be amused and distracted with…while the real power rapes and steals with impunity.
But fret not, things will get better when we’re being raped by a face that we like…maybe lubrication will even be involved.
Report thisBy cyrena, April 15, 2008 at 8:05 am #
Well Thomas, if George is the best of the lot, then I guess I finally WILL have to escape…if that’s even possible at this point.
Report thisBy Joe R., April 15, 2008 at 7:05 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
If the MSM really believes the working class people are not bitter about what the government is doing too sell them out, there more out of touch than ever. The reality is they are scared Obama is going to get elected and they are not sure they can control him. They are going to do everything they can to make sure that doesnt happen.
It will be interesting to see if the media hit job works. I think it might because the working class has been feed so much bullshit it is hard to know what side is up. But one thing history has shown is that in these cycles where the masses are made into slaves and they loose everything, sooner or later the rage builds up and revolution is the result.
Americans will not get fed up until they are starving, and destitute. That is still a way off in the future.
Report thisBy Thomas Billis, April 15, 2008 at 6:09 am #
EJ you have stated almost exactly why the Qmericn people voted twice to elect a moron.Anytime a candidate says anything mildly interesting or informative he or she is chastised.What Obama should do is promise in the rust belt that he will bring the jobs back and as soon as elected start to forget he or she said it.The problem is not what Obama said it is our inability to discuss substantive issues in an educated manner.Even in your condemnation of what he said you admit that there is some truth.So in essence it is the truth of his statements that will alienate voters.We claim we want honest politicians and then when there is a speck of honesty we view it is a mistake.Well people you cannot have it both ways.If George Bush is your ideal President then continue on rebeling everytime a potential President tries to have an honest discussion on a relevant topic and George Bush may be the best of the next lot of Presidents.
Report thisBy TDoff, April 15, 2008 at 4:24 am #
Seems like an Impossible Dream to incredulous republicans, but the Democratic campaign has created the potential for another republican administration to follow directly on the heels of the Bush fiasco.
Report thisOnly if the Democrats had campaigned a syphlitic, demented dwarf, with a PMS psychosis, using the Koran as a basis for speeches, could the republican prospects be brighter.