'Bitter' Fight

Senator Barack Obama's remarks in San Francisco that blue-collar workers were "bitter" and "cling to guns and religion" has erupted into a quite-fitting bitter fight between him and Senator Hillary Clinton that some are saying could cost the Democrats the election in November.

Ironically, Senator Clinton has said that Senator Obama's remarks could cost the Democratic Party the election, suggesting that his comments were "elitist" and "out of touch" and could alienate voters in states such as Pennsylvania, which holds its primary April 22.

I know some people have been offended by Obama's comments and I respect their opinions. However, I do not have a problem with what he said. In fact, I would agree with everything he said. There are numerous one-issue voters who vote on issues such as gun rights, abortion, gay marriage, et cetera. One may argue that some people buy guns because it is their tradition; or that people pray to a Higher Being because it strengthens their spirit. Look at what the man said. He said people vote on issues such as guns and religion.

On campaign stops, Senator Obama has told supporters that he tells people what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear. Obama's statement about the anger of blue-collar workers was a perfect example of that. Furthermore, Hillary Clinton's assertion that Obama is "out of touch" is contradictory. The Clintons have made over $100 million since leaving the White House. For a good portion of her life, Senator Clinton hasn't lived in the real world, she's lived in a bubble. To be called on elitist by a multi-millionaire doesn't resonate with me very much.

Obama, on the other hand, is in touch. His father left him when he was two, his mother died at a very early age due to cancer, and his maternal grandparents had to take an active role in raising him. Barack Obama was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

When Hillary Clinton was talking about learning how to shoot a gun at an early age, then one day shooting a duck, I thought "What the heck is she thinking about?" Senator Clinton's support for gun control has been well-documented. In 1992, she supported a federal ban on semi-automatic weapons. In fact, she has been given an "F" from the National Rifle Association on her stance on gun rights. She knows better than that.

Will this hurt him in Pennsylvania, a state in which there were talks of an Obama upset? Of course. I'm a realist when it comes to that. However, the reason why it will hurt him in Pennsylvania is not because of what he said, it is the spin on the political machine. Within reason, I can't see much of a window for Sen. Clinton to win her the nomination. Therefore, she has to paint Obama as the unelectable, out of touch elitist to grab votes.

The Senators will meet for a debate in Pennsylvania this Wednesday on ABC. The "bitter" comments will certainly be prime focus on the debate, and may play a key role in who undecided voters will vote for come April 22. Stay tuned.