Defending Democrats

By Libby

I spent a couple of hours reading news this morning and then spent the rest of the day avoiding politics because this Obama story is burning up Memeorandum and probably will for the foreseeable future. It's all too depressing to watch Blogtopia drive this phony narrative. I don't understand how a bunch of privileged, mostly white Republican elitists, accusing Obama of being out of touch with the common man is newsworthy.

I read his remarks in context. He's right. Bitter may have been an indelicate way of putting it, few people want to admit they are, but haven't we all remarked at one time or another about the incomprehensible tendency of working class, Bible thumping, gun slinging Americans to vote for Republicans, against their own interests, based on a wedge issues and fake narratives about elitist Democrats?

Which reminds me of being lectured a couple of weeks ago about how I'm supposed to be defending Hillary against media attacks and the right wing smear machine, not as a candidate, but as a Democrat. So I have to wonder why I'm seeing the candidate herself, her campaign surrogates and Clinton bloggers driving this narrative. Did Obama switch parties when I wasn't looking?

Comments

[Jay McDonough]

"Bitter" was a poor choice, "cling" was worse.

It was a gaffe, and coming at an unfortunate time. But it will be fascinating to see whether Obama can successfully shift the debate from elitism to legitimate working class concerns and frustrations.

We'll all be better off if he can.

[Libby]

I disagree on cling. People do cling to their faith and their gun ownership, and I think that rankles less, but for the love of God, such minute parsing of words is unbelievable. If only the present adminstration was held to such a high level of accountability, we wouldn't be in this mess now.

In any event, from what I've seen, Obama seems to be responding well. He seems to have a great ability to turnaround negative narratives and expand the dialogue in the process.

[Jay McDonough]

I know - it's ridiculous. But when I read he'd used "cling", I pretty much knew how it would be spun: Obama is stereotyping these good, decent Americans as simple, and relying on primitive, reactionary crutches to get by.

I used to worry more about Obama's ability to rebound from these kinds of gaffes, wondering whether this or that would be the death blow. But, like you say, he's responding well. He's a uniquely gifted man.

[Kyle E. Moore]

As Oliver Willis might say, "chill, he's got this."

There's a debate going on in one week's time. Hillary Clinton is going to pounce on him, she's going to do it in a way that's going to seem pretty ugly, and may illicit some mixed responses from the crowd.

Obama will rebut, and likely deliver an abbreviated version of his Muncie Indiana speech.

One thing people have to start realizing is that this guy knows how to defend himself.

Meanwhile, Monday morning, while everyone was wearing out their jaw muscles and fingers on this story, we'll just have to remind folks of the actually important stuff that they missed, as Cernig pointed out.

[Libby]

Jay I don't think he was stereotyping. That's just winger spin and it will die down if everybody stops focusing on it.

Kyle, I think you're right on Obama but I wouldn't count on the debate going forward. The local paper here is reporting Clinton refused to do it on the 19th and wants the 27th instead and Obama says that date doesn't work for him.

The local CWers are saying it's probably not going to happen.

[Jay McDonough]

Libby,

I don't think he was stereotyping either. But, like I said, McCain and (unfortunately) Clinton will try and push that narrative as long as they can.

I'm kinda looking forward to watching this go forward. I have a sense voters are alot more pissed and alot less tolerant of politicians who tell them they should be optimistic instead.

[Libby]

Personally, I hope it dies out sooner than later. Sure it's fun in terms of political junkie amusements but there's a lot more important stuff going on that is not getting enough attention. I hate when the discourse gets this stupid.

[Jay McDonough]

Fair point. But a real discussion about middle class issues (particularly in the upper Midwest) would be a discussion worth having. It's unlikely, however, a "real" discussion could occur.

It's only been 24 hours and they're already well into the name calling phase. So much for discourse.

[Kyle E. Moore]

Clinton's looking to postpone?

Are you serious?

[Libby]

Jay, our discourse is so depressing.

Kyle, according to the local rag, the 19th is not happening and they're saying it's unlikely the debate will even happen. I may have saved the link for a post I didn't get around to writing. I'll see if I can dig it up.

[Libby]

I found the link Kyle, but I think we're talking about different debates. They updated that story to note that there is one scheduled for Wed. in PA. The one in question was supposed to held here in Raleigh.

In those terms, Clinton refusing the 19th date here makes sense and really I don't see the point in having another debate here at all if the one on Wed is going forward.

[Kyle E. Moore]

Thanks Libby, you almost gave me a heart attack.

Seriously, I have a funny feeling that this debate is going to be an interesting one to watch.

[Libby]

Yeah Kyle. I think I may watch this one myself. The stakes are high and it could get very interesting.