Obama on Small-Town Pennsylvania...

[Brittain33]

I'm not surprised of the forum's opinion on his remarks concerning guns, religion and anti-immigrant ideas, but I would have thought differently on anti-trade ideas.  Or maybe there are more free-traders here than I thought.

What about people's responses about this statement indicate their own views about trade?

[Brittain33]

Although the statement was made in context to small-town PA, there's a direct line between "when they getting bitter" ---> "they cling to anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain frustrations" in his comments.

Ok. I presumed the discussion was only about its impact on the campaign and wouldn't have thought to condemn or support Obama--but since I'm from the same milieu that isn't personally threatened by trade, maybe that's why I lack the impulse to condemn him or feel surprised that he said it.

[Brittain33]

Even for someone who is anti-trade, I think that's fairly undeniable.

The problem is that it makes them sound as if they're behaving irrationally or emotionally, and the Democratic platform appears to be that opposition to trade is the rational point of view.

[Brittain33]

Seeing that most of the complaints are coming from Republicans I'm not so worried.

[Brittain33]

I think its funny both Clinton and McCain are calling Obama the elitist when both candidates probably have more money and more wealth than Obama could ever imagine having. What a load

Elitism isn't just based on wealth.

True, it's also based on your parents' privilege and the educational opportunities that go along with it.

[Brittain33]

Obama went to Columbia and Harvard.  Good argument.  Using your guidelines, McCain is easily the least elitist of the bunch.

Interesting. How did Obama's parents get him into Columbia and Harvard, again?

(reread my "guidelines" if you're confused why I'm asking that.)

[Brittain33]

Oh no! Obama made a comment that was poorly worded and might sound insensitive about parts of Pennsylvania that weren't going to vote for him anyway! Clearly his campaign is over!

It's funny, while clearly this quote has been widely reported and is offensive to some people, there should be a lifetime ban on claims this irrevocably damages Obama from anyone who declared him "toast" when the Rev. Wright tapes went public.