MISHAWAKA, Indiana (CNN) - Dave ‘Mudcat’ Saunders, the Virginia-based Democratic strategist credited with helping big-name politicians appeal to rural voters, said Saturday Barack Obama has “got a bunch of explaining to do” over his claims that economically-frustrated Americans “cling to guns or religion” when they get “bitter.”
“I’m a southern boy myself,” Saunders told CNN by phone. “I don’t have a gun because I’m bitter, it’s because I’ve always had one. I don’t pray to God because I’m bitter. I pray to God because it makes my life better.”
Saunders was an adviser to former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, and he wrote on The Huffington Post in January that Edwards was the only Democrat with the potential to defeat McCain in a general election match-up.
The consultant is also credited with helping former Virginia governor Mark Warner win election in 2001 by moving socially-conservative voters into the Democratic fold. Warner sponsored a vehicle in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series during that campaign, a move attributed to Saunders.
Obama’s advisers, including the state’s current Gov. Tim Kaine, see Virginia as a state Obama can win this fall. Although Obama won the state’s primary on Feb. 12 overwhelmingly, he lost the 9th congressional district in rural southwestern Virginia to Hillary Clinton.
Saunders said “rural America will be crucial in this election.”
“The one thing that I preached during this whole deal is we can’t be stereotyping anybody,” he said. “Well, Barack Obama just stereotyped my people out in rural America.”
“Here’s a guy who says he shouldn’t be stereotyped, but yet he stereotyped us.”
– CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby
From CNN Politics
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much to do about nothing.
I didn't think it was possible to spin desperation, but there it is.
Who wants to vote for Obama after hearing all of these things the past month?
For all of us who didn't go to Harvard, antipathy means dislike, disgust, aversion. Sort of like what Obama seems to be feeling towards those small town folks of Pennyslvania. The problem with Obama – he can't identify. We are finally about to get rid of Mr. Silver Spooned Bush – we don't need another pompous priss
He didn't stereotype anyone. He relayed what people had told him. Get over it!
This is the best response I've seen yet to Obama's latest salvo of stupidity and invective. We've got to keep this guy out of the White House!
Give me a break! This such a non-story!
You know cnn, I think you found all those foriegn students who came to the u.s and then vanished, They are bloggers!
at least we are finding out more how obama thinks and feels.
obama asked voters took his words as his credentials.. well.. we just saw and heard it.. he looked down on blue colors workers and smear their spirit with hobbies in a sarcastic way.. seemed he forgot where he come from... voters should rejected his remarks and his ticket and send him back to where he came from.. no doubt that hillary will be the best candidate to unite americans.
This is not what Obama said.
He said, since people think that voting on the economy is a waste, since nothing gets done, they vote on issues like gun control.
He also said people are bitter, no jobs, no pension, no healthcare and your house being repoed. Gee what's to be bitter about.
BTW, Obama is pro guns in rural America. He thinks Americans living in rural areas need guns to keep themselves safe.
Stop putting words into Obama's mouth. By saying that people turn to guns, or faith when they're bitter does not negate the other reasons that people use guns or embrace faith. This whole story is a hoax. And it's about time that someone who understands the english language puts a stop to it.
Obama '08
Ohhhhh please!!!! Hillary and McCain have one common enemy right now and that's Obama! Obama is the real deal and everyone knows it! They both see he's the clear shot winner and they will prance on any opportunity to try and bring the man down – even by trying to twist, distort or magnify something he mentioned. Honestly, i can understand McCain pulling something like this – he's on the other side! BUT for the life of me, why is Hillary trying to destroy her very own party?! She will stop at nothing to win even if it means dragging down her own party along with her. She manipulative, selfish and patronising and this is the very reason i will not vote for her. She needs to work on her character, she is not painting a picture of someone who I can trust ? she is painting the picture of desperation!
Well, Sen. Clinton has reached the point similar to where she was in OH – she had a huge lead in polls leading up the election, Sen. Obama closed the gap, and then Sen. Clinton spent the finals weeks (days) leading into the primary "slinging mud."
Has Sen. Clinton and her pundits become so desperate that they cling to such words as "reject," "denounce," and "bitter?" Is this really all she has left to say? I guess my point is that I would respect her candidacy a lot more if she were saying things such as "here is why I am the better candidate;" "here is what I plan to do about the economy crisis;" "here is why my idea is better than my opponent's." Instead, here is what we are hearing: "listen, look, look, did you hear Sen. Obama say renounce;" "listen, did you hear Sen. Obama say the word 'bitter'." Simply put, her campaign has grown predictable and tiresome.
Peter:
It seems to me that Obama's recent comment about rural pennsylvanians has taking too much twists aand turns. Give it a break and concentrate on real issues of the country. This is not the time for such silly arguments in my opinion.
OBAMA 2008...!!!
In case no one has noticed! obama never apologizes, that would be beneath his arrogant values, since apparently he thinks we are just mean,lazy and stupid,, I;m really sick of this guy, I hope he has to step down!
Can we get back to the issues, please? This nonsense is getting very very frustrating and annoying. Hillary has "misspoke" a few times herself, so in the silly words of Bill "let's all just chill"
Obama '08
It's all a bunch a do about nothing as far as I'm concerned. My Lord, is this the best they can do? They lay in wait like a lion ready to prounce on their prey at every insignificant opportunity. It's getting pretty comical really.
Barack Obama is not the only one running in this presidential race that has spoke about people becoming bitter. Around the time the Lewinsky scandal was going on, Hillary made a speech at Goucher College in Baltimore Maryland in which part of her speech contained these words "We have a choice how to react. We can be pulled down by these disappointments, or we can be made BITTER and angry. But then, we are losers." You think Obama stereotyped us. I think Hillary called us losers. I suggest you read Clinton, Living History,pp442-43.
Everyone is just spinning this issue and taking everything that Barack said out of context. People did not listen to the whole speech, they just jump on a few words without getting the full understanding of what is said.
Barack does not need to apologize for anything. Hillary Clinton and John McCain need to get a life.
cnn, I am very disappointed because, you never post my comment, Hillary is a liar and she will do every thing she can to destroy obama character she needs to worry about her own lies she tells everyday her and her husband just flat out liars. I don't think they know the difference between telling the truth or lying ,Obama told the truth and no one can handle the truth is the America or what
p.s. to much drama.
Vote for Obama if you want to hear the truth.
Vote for Clinton if you want to hear lies and hypocrisy.
Some people just prefer to be deceived...strange, isn't it?
Good Lord, is this blown out of proportion, and I agree with Obama. The way things are in this country many people are bitter including me. OBAMA 08'
Real question is why didn't Obama tell Pennsylvania votes what he thought of them when he was holding townhall meetings in Pennsylvania? Hmmmm.
These politicians have tremendous head sizes which is incredible. They include Karl Rove, Mitt Romney, Indiana Bayh and Hillary Clinton.
They must direct descendants of the neanderthal race.
Obama has nothing to explain – having lived in upstate New York for over 30 years before moving to California, I felt bitter that upstate New York never recovered over the past 25 years. The fact that Clinton does not recognize this only demonstrates how elitist and out of touch she is with her constituents.
America is starting do become dehypnitized ........... just in time!
There is an old Simon and Garfield song called The Boxer – when I see how people are reacting to what Obama said I thought of that song. Great song by the way. One of the lines says – a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.
Obama '08
Very well said. I hunt because I like to, not because of bitterness. My faith does not come from anger. Don't try to throw Clinton under the bus. She did not make the comments.
Since when do Democrats rally behind McCain criticisms.... Strength in numbers, remember? ...unless, that is, you have a win at all costs mentality.
Barack is arrogant, he already thinks he's the President and he's not.
Re: Comments about bitter citizens.
I find it hard to believe that national and state politicans do NOT understand the voters. Obama is CORRECT. Most people are sick and no longer have faith in Congress and the Presidency (their government). Who is really out of touch? McCain and Clinton who think things are ok? Politicans who refuse to HEAR the disappointment of the voters?
Does Obama have a lot of explaining to do or is this whole thing just the latest concoction of negativity from the Clinton campaign? I'd argue for latter. The latest campaign "controversy" appears to be nothing more than a well-orchestrated smear attempt designed to give the press something to talk about on an otherwise boring Spring weekend.
What explaining? its exactly true.............are we that pathetic?
Way to go Hillary take the focus off of yourselfand put it on someone else. Like it or not Obama was telling the truth,but you wouldnt know about being bitter since you made 109 million. Americans cannot handle the truth. I dont think all this hype is about what he said, I think its about who said it, because if Hillary or McCain had said it it would have been alright.
This is the most weak so called "controversy" that the pundits have exploited yet.
I dont think people are bitter... people are down right pissed off.
Obama recognized their anger, "elitists" do not recognize peoples anger, leaders do that.
well-said...
I guess elitist Senator Obama has to adjust his speech a little better according to his audience. The speech took place in a private gathering in San Franciso. It was not meant for a blue collar state like PA or Indiana.
Hillary 08
However it is said, Hillary will lose this normination and then you democrates will have to find a way to beat the republicans.
Why are the responses not being posted CNN?
CNN should do a poll on how many of the Barack supporters voted for Bush. It clear that they have a lapse in judgment when voting for a leader.
Thanks for exposing Obama for the hypocrite that he is.
#1 Edwards
#2 Clinton
Obama never
Obama's comments were actually very true and sincere. He was empathizing with the voters in rural America. Why am I not surprised that a prominent Hillary supporter would try to make this an issue?
Here we go again with another "CONSULTANT"!! I have to wonder how many SKELETONS ARE IN HIS CLOSET??
What a lot about nothing!!! Talk about creating news. I'm listenning to all this about Obama's statement on "Bitterness" and cannot believe this is news.
I'm bitter and I'm glade someone of power finally acknowledges that.
But from Clinton and McCain, you'd think he said "god bless terrorism."
Really, what desparation.
Really? No one bitter out there about being left in the dust of political opportunism? Suddenly, one word is going to force people to consider whether or not Obama will make a good president? The politicians are still playing people for fools.
Saunders speak for yourself, and now that you have had your 15 minutes, do us a favor and disappear.
It seems to me that Barack Obama is the only one of the candidates who tells the American people the truth. We are frustrated and yes, bitter with the government because nothing is getting done in the Administration or the Congress to change anything. I hope the media doesn't make this into a big "thing" as both McCain and Clinton seem to be doing.
Come on Dave..grow up..you of all people should know better! If you dont it only reflects on how low life you are. Dave dont get dramatic over this story cause someday it can come back to haunt you.
While I find an appology desirable upon any indication that someone seems hurt even when what is said appears true, I still believe the Macain and Clinton's camps don't speak for the people of Penn. Penns are and people of other states in jobless situations are bitter, and should be bitter. I
Obama's true sentiments continue to be revealed. Arrogant, elitist, and out of touch by choice. That's my opinion.
Keep talking, Senator Obama.
Mike Huckabee was the only one that I felt understood the average American. Which happens to be most Americans.
Yes, Barack is now acting very Clinton-like and getting in his own way. Maybe there should be a moratorium on speeches for the next week! Wouldn't that be nice?
Lets ot forget, Obama, also, talked about immigrants.
At what point can we throw Obama under the bus? What does he have to do before the media says that he has reached the point of NO Return?
hee, hee tisk tisk. This is getting good. Not a lot of forgiveness on this end. If any of the southern rural folks were teetering on the Wright thing, they aren't any more. He has lost the "typical", rural, god fearing, gun-owning vote.
i'm small town and rural i;m very bitter about the polices i see in washington. why, can;t he tell the truth about how some voter are feeling and see our country,the commet make him real
Here comes the stuff that hits the fan!
Lets not forget, Obama, also, talked about immigrants.
These comments are false and are not attributed to the Obama campaign.
I guess American people are always happy about everything. They are never "bitter" even when they loss thier job, home,etc... Hillary have some thing to clin to now.
I totally agree with Mr. Saunders. I live in a small town in Pennsylvaina and I too am insulted by Senator Obama's comments. Senator Obama cannot win in November. Senator Clinton understands small town folks. She lived in a small town growing up. Don't let Senator Obama fool you. He is an elitist. He attended fancy schools growing up. He has never experienced poverty. I am voting for Senator Clinton on April 22, 2008 because she can win in November. She can and will beat Senator McCain. YES SHE CAN!!!! Hillary '08
This is what Obama meant when he talked about "typical white people" – guns, religion, and bitterness.
Hillary should also explain. She is painting Americans as Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy. She is out of touch with reality. Look around Hillary.
Bayh thinks that Obama would be beaten by Republican's attack on his "bitter' remarks. What about the "file gate, travel gate, Bosnia fire gate" records of Clinton? What an idiot.
. . .Senator Obama explained it perfectly. Now its just up to voters with
an IQ greater that 10 to get it.
shut up! Obama is the best thing to happen to this country! Hillary needs to GET OUT!
Ah, grab your gun and go hunting. When you come back, read what he said. , hear what he said, call CNN and retract your statements. Stop listening to Clinton–the liar.
Obama just acted as a typical politican who does not understand rural America, those who own guns, or who are very religious. This is why he cannot be the Democratic nominee for President.
Oh, spare me, he's always had a lot of explaining to do since he entered the race. Lucky, he's good at explaining. It all starts with honesty, and empathy, judgment and character help a good deal as well.
Give us a break! In OBAMA we TRUST!
The thing that really gets me is it took Obama and his people 18 hours to get what was wrong after the story broke. This has damaged him in the primarys, but it has killed any chance he every had in the fall. Talk about for the good of the party, he need to stepdown now, wait 8 years and then try again. To much to soon and he has done it to himself.
. . .I can't believe that Hillary is standing in front of peoples faces, and
actually making them for get about Bosnia, NAFTA, and all her other
lies and 'misspeaks, by focusing on yet another lie. Are we actually
that stupid? She seems to think we are.
Come now let's not go to far, What Obama meant by this is that people are angry because they have lost there jobs and don't expect the government to do anything about that. So they don't vote their on economics actually voting against it by voting for the candidate that they think will not take away their right to bare arms, which no one will, or their faith. I live in rural America and see it all the time, that is why you see more Republicans in rural communities than Dem's.
obama will take this issue head on just like rev. wright....
and in the end, it will show that america, not just rural folk, are BITTER
The "guns and religion" remark was about how people vote and not about their personal beliefs. This was a political observation that the economy is less of a factor in elections because people aren't being listened to as much about that as they are the "hot button" topics.
Lets stop this nonsense...hillary has some explaining to do regarding Mark Penn, her husband and Colombia free trade deal and Bosnia...I don't see OBAMA beating a dead horse about those issues...shows what a man obama is. McCain and hillary should be ashamed of themeselves
McCain 08
He already explained and apologized. If that is not enough, may be he is not a politician as usual.
Get over it southerner. May be your ancestors were among those who resisted freedom of slaves!
Bitter is fine, but to stereotype a huge portion of the American population is so incredibly insulting it is shocking.
Mr. Obama needs to do bow out of the race. He has wounded the sould of America and has no place in the White House.
Please delete my previous comment.
Who is this guy that we even care what he thinks?
Time for less thin skin, parsing words, and discussion of the issues. Both Clinton people and McCain's are picking on every word said by Obama.
Another example of trying to look flashy on the outside, but feels different on the inside. Shows he thinks how the American people feel, but doesn't have a clue. He talks change, don't see it coming.
Get serious Saunders. Edwards???????? I like things about him but he's not electable.
Those are excellent observations of the situation that Obama is in.
This man received money to influence opinion from one of Obama's rivals.
Why should we be surprised when his opinion is consistent with what he's been paid to say?
It is obvious what Obama was saying about being bitter. I feel he was truly speaking from his heart and the bitter emphasis should be on the government.
Election won by politics of personal destruction is not good for the
country.
Not this time.
For losers every word counts and for winners only the people count. BO you are a winner.
Obama is just like the other politicians – he says what he thinks the people want to hear at the time and then back-tracks the minute he comes under fire. It is a further demonstration of his lack of experience.
Thank goodness, his true colors are becoming evident before it's too late! Obama as our president would be a worse mistake than the one we have in office now!
I hope Obamamaniacs start seeing the real obama.....
We Americans at rough times in our lives, do cling to God, and as the crime rates in our cities increase, we do cling to guns. this should not be up for debate, this is insanity to always try to debate what the eyes can plainly see.
Too late to try to explain his way out of this now.
He didn't stereo-type anyone! If people feel disenfranchised and that promises about economic development go unfulfilled, then they will give up voting based on economic promises, and focus instead on issues such as gun control and personal values. It's not that gun control issues and values are not important, rather that they don't believe anyone who says they are going to bring them jobs.
Obama always have alot of explaining to do for being truthful when McCain calls Americans cynical and Hillary just flat out lies to us and laughs about it.Wowwwwwwww!!!!!!
Wow did obama really say southerners cling to guns and religon?. Shame.
I agree, Sen. Obama does have a lot of explaining to do. It seems as his campaign moves forward he becomes more arrogant. He thinks he has the nomination wrapped up. Guess again!
The truth is the light and it must shine. He told the truth. You may not want to believe it but it is the truth. What he said may not apply to you but you are only one of many.
keep your nose out of pa. we are bitter no jobs to speak of unemployment is not down people just cannot sign up anymore and yes we do want to keep our guns why should the politians try to take them away
Obama's 'got a bunch of explaining to do' because I'm very small-minded and petty, and I think everyone else cares whether Obama orders OJ instead of coffee or has a low bowling score or uses the word 'bitter' even though ignorant Clintonistas like me don't even know what the word 'bitter' means.
Ed Rendell calls people in pa. racist and Hillary didn't say a word. Obama says they are bitter because of government policies and she is up in arms. This woman is crazy and everybody that backs her.
This is what America will get if senator obama is president of the united states!
No explanation neccessary, stop trying to spin things in Clinton's favor.
This is not even a story.
Obama clearly goes to a church that is full of bitterness and hate. Obviously he thinks that is what religion is for.
Time to face the music everybody... Obama WILL NOT WIN in November.
Obama = Dukasis = McGovern
This is so terrible. This country of hateful people don't deserve a leader of character. They should be so lucky to have a candidate that truly cares and will do what he says he'll do when he gets in the white house. I'm pretty sure Americans are not used to that, so we'll see what happens.
Thank you for saying exactly what the media won't.....that Barack is a fake and can't be trusted. He complains about people stereotyping him, yet he obviously feels quite comfortable stereotyping others. No double standard there.
Of course the media and his campaign and his crazy supporters will spin this one for him as well.
Barack and Michelle are the greatest hate/race purveyors of BITTERNESS that I've ever seen in America ... if this man doesn't resign from the Democratic primary election, he is going to set race relations back 50 years and could possible even be the catalyst for a race war!
Everyone makes minor mistakes. That doesn't mean it's the apocolipse.
Obama '08
wow he sounds bitter
I don't think Obama really understand the feeling of small town American. This was probably the first time that Obama went to Penn state, and took the bus tour into rural area. He doesn't connect with the people and he generalized them based on his limited understanding of their way of life.
Get over it. The fact is people are bitter. Bitter about the same old politics that are played. I'd rather take a chance with Obama that things can be different than to give in to the same old same old with Clinton or Mccain.
Please have a little patience with Barack. He's never met America before now. He's only read about us in anti-American books.
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