A Personal Perspective on the Obama Comments

Time for one of those rare out-of-character moments. For a variety of reasons, I normally stay as far away from these mundane political slapfights as possible. However, this particular mess, and the discussion around (not about) it hit close to home, so I hope you'll indulge me while I present what I think is a bit of a unique perspective.

Simply put, I was, once upon a time, one of those people Obama was referring to. I grew up a small town Pennsylvanian. No, I'm not talking about a town with a 4 or 5 figure population. I'm talking about a "town" where you had to travel 15-20 miles to reach the nearest town with a 4 digit population. I grew up in a hunting and farming culture, owned guns, and went to church on Sundays. I didn't know a single person who was "rich." Wealth, where I was, was having a good piece of land, a roof over your head, and good friends and family.

I didn't want that to be my life. I wanted more. I worked my ass off, went into debt well above my ears, and made something of a "success" of myself. I use that term reluctantly, because I firmly believe that if I had chosen to stay where I was, I could have also made a success of myself, just in a different, less traditional way.

Anyway, long story short, I moved from the rural, small town Pennsylvania life, and, with a few stops along the way, ended up in D.C. Without going into too much detail, suffice it to say that I, unlike most people involved in discussions regarding this matter, know Barack Obama personally. Through various bits of fortune, misfortune, and random circumstances, I'm now in a position to roam the so-called centers of power. Thus, I have a good deal of personal experience with the thoughts an opinions of the so-called elite to compare and contrast with my insights into small town life.

No, I'm not going to go into details about what Obama, or any other candidate, politician, etc. is "like," nor will I attempt to guess what's in anyone's heart or mind. I will, however, offer my personal take on this.

Put simply, prior to this remark, it is likely (though by no means certain) that my November ballot would have been cast for Obama. My reasons for this are my own an I don't intend to expound upon them. Now, there is no chance in hell that I will vote for the man. He has personally offended me, and a way of life that's very dear to my heart.

I don't care about the "bitter" comment that most are focusing on. Yes, small town people in general harbor some bitterness. That bitterness, however, tends to be focused more on the elitist attitude held regarding them by those who consider themselves more enlightened or successful. Even today, for all of my "success," I'm often complimented for overcoming my background. I overcame nothing. In fact, I believe that in many ways, I had the headstart and the advantages.

The use of the word "cling" annoys me. It implies some degree of irrational or baseless attachment. I can forgive that though. It can be written off as a slip of the tongue. No big deal.

The "antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment" comments, however, are over the line. This portion of the quote evinces a conscious or unconscious stereotyping and disdain for people that Mr. Obama does not know and does not care to understand. Simply put it demonstrates a reckless and elitist attitude that pisses me off.

Are there small towners who don't like immigrants or harbor racist feeling? Sure. Is it a general sentiment? No. Its a stereotype, an a generally baseless one at that. Sure, illegal immigration is a hot topic in these regions. Why? Because the people in these areas are, in general, sick of hearing that there are jobs Americans won't do when they would gladly do them. Would these people run a legal, hardworking immigrant out of town? No. They'd welcome him or her with open arms and usually help set up the house. I know because I've seen this happen. Would an illegal immigrant get the sam treatment? No, but they also would have nothing to fear in terms of personal safety.

I can say, from personal experience, that the people Mr. Obama is referring to here are without a doubt the hardest working, kindest, and most sincere people I have ever met. The prejudice demonstrated by Mr. Obama, as well as those trying to justify these comments with no personal experience regarding the subjects thereof, is no different that someone labeling all blacks as gun-toting thugs because they saw a few gangbangers in South Central LA a few years ago. Its small-minded and wrong, and for someone who wants to lead this country, its a dealbreaker for me.

And yes, I can say with certainty that Mr. Obama does have a stereotype driven negative view of the people he was referring to. He's much more comfortable associating with higher-income urban professionals. He's uncomfortable with blue-collar individuals who do not share similar goals and dreams to his. There's nothing wrong with that. There is something wrong, however, with furthering stereotypes or basing policies thereon.

Just my two cents. Take it for what you will.

It's like Bobcat Goldwaith coherently talking while he's drunk as a skunk.

Well said, Batboy.

You know, when you aren't doing the whole Bob Dole-esque routine, you can really put together a good post. You should do it more often.

Oh, and... .

Hmm.

I'm still waiting for baba to break out of character one day and deliver a similarly eloquent post.

However, sadly, I don't think he is acting.

See, I was starting to lean towards maybe voting for Obama in November (assuming he gets the nomination) because he seemed to both represent the best chance of something different in Washington and because having him as President would piss off a great many people, therefore further shaking up the Established Order.

But now he's revealed himself to be just another liberal elitist idiot.

I have no-one to vote for this year.

Is Badnarik running again?

Excellent post.

However, if true, does it bother anyone else that a guy that has access to Barak Obama and the 'corridors of power' also spends his time pretending to be a freak lab experiment running from the government conspiracy?

Nah, I guess everyone needs an outlet.

Obama was telling the truth. The hysterical reaction underlines the need for presidential candidates to stick rigidly to the script of feel-good platitudes and non-policy.

Senator Obama stands revealed as the snobbish, out of touch, typical politician that he's been "running against". For a while, especially after his race speach, I held out the belief that he was different, someone that I disagreed with, but someone I could at least respect. No more.

Interesting take from the section of the population that is actually a part of the insult than from some pundit's take on things in Cali or the like. I've known some damn good people who are from there in my time. His comments were callous and telling, and the only reason that I am grateful he made them is it shows where he's really at with the blue collar workers and the public at large.
I await his comments like fly overs and hillbillys.

Good to see you again btw. You're missed so don't be a stranger.

Where's your take then? Frankly so far this takes top seat in idiotic in this thread.

Obviously batboy is too bitter and not sophisticated enough to understand what Obama really meant.

Has anyone else noticed how Barry's tone is beginning to become closer in tone to that of his wife Michelle?

Not this time. He really crossed the line and showed himself to be an elitist.

Gary Younge wrote an excellent article in The Guardian about how the white working class is being virtually ignored in this election, it's well worth a read.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/apr/14/uselections2008.barackobama

I was born and raised in a small town.

Obama can go screw himself.

I have no doubt that he's an elitist, but what line did he cross other than criticising something that people don't like to see criticised? Excessive worship of both Jesus and guns are serious social problems.

Well it should be expected. Look at his childhood and educational background. The man is not the same type of black man that his buddy Jeremiah Wright rants about from his pulpit. Both Barry and Michelle have lead a rather charmed life.

I think that as people get to see more of Obama's true colors, he will continue to see his support erode at the state level which is where a Presidential election counts. It is not a national election Obama will be campaigning for.

He didn't cross any lines so much as he showed his true colors (as K1A puts it). Now he's dealing with the consequences of coming clean with his attitudes.

better that Batboy has access than Reverend Wright.

Social problems? Or are they actually freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution? Crazy Irish. If we wanted a king, we wouldn't have kicked out the Euro-trash in the first place.

Rampant promiscuity and alcohol abuse might be freedoms too, but that doesn't stop them being social problems. I'm not advocating banning either guns or religion.

You know Linda is an aithist, right (Pardon the spelling)? That, and she's well on the more liberal end of the board.

I'm aware of that, and we agree more often than we disagree - just not on this.

What exactly are you advocating than?

In this case, merely that Obama has spoken the truth and should not be harrangued for it. (There are plenty of other things for which he should be.)

Obama has spoken no truth, merely repeated unwarranted stereotypes.
Of course, henryhill, being a fool, would see it as truth.

If you don't understand how someone could be so insulted and offended by Obama's comments that they'd consider him an elitist snob, you probably are an elitist snob, too.

Liberal, Christian, Obama supporter here. As it has been previously stated, you should be your real self more often, batboy. Your post has given me that much more to think about.

While I didn't come from a very small town, my parents and my grandparents did. My grandfather came from a town so tiny it literally had a single four way stoplight in the center of town. After that, you were leaving in every direction. He was a good man. Sure, he had his guns, and he had God, but he didn't hesitate for one second to take the shirt off his back if you needed it. He believed in this country, he believed that every person had good in them, and it is my personal belief that being the man I am, I am half a man when compared to him. His personality, his morals, his ethics, he was a good, honest man, and I could only hope to be the same as he.

My grandmother was a stubborn woman, born dirt poor. She fought tooth and nail to survive, had 17 children, and together, her and my grandfather raised them all, lost 3 in the process due to illness and bad luck in life. But kept right on going. They never gave up, and my grandmother was the bond that held them all together. My mother and her sisters and brothers never went without food, clothing or lunch money for school. Times were always tough, but they always pulled through.

My mother and father have been repeatedly kicked in the face by life. They've been down, but not out, and they've never given up. God knows I got the same perseverance and dogged determinism from them, and God willing, my grandparents. Four people who have never given up, even in the face of overwhelming odds and sure defeat. People whom I admire with all of my heart.

When I read Obama's comments, I thought immediately of my parents and my grandparents. And I thought what a slap in the face that was to them. To my grandparent's memories, and to my parent's good honor. Sure, none of them were perfect, but they tried, dammit. They have gave their best, and I didn't appreciate all of their efforts so casually pressed aside.

I don't like drama, and normally such things flicker past without really registering, but this caught my attention. This dug into a sacred place in my heart and it got me angry. Now I'm having to reconsider, and I have to say that is really frustrating. It seems that I find someone whom I believe can make a positive difference, and they go overboard, they show themselves as they really are, and it's not whom I hoped it would be.

Is there anyone left in our political arena who actually gives a damn anymore?

J.

His truth. For his world.

No. We have politicians. We need statesmen.

It has given me pause.


J.