Obama stumbles with slur of small-towners
16 comments April 11th, 2008
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Barack Obama finds himself caught in a political firestorm over REPORTS today that he disparaged small-town folks in a private speech earlier this week to a wealthy audience in California.
Obama, in an effort to explain political cynicism among Americans, said economic frustrations in small towns prompts some people to “cling” to guns and religion and to espouse anti-immigrant sentiments.
There’s more on the controversy HERE and HERE.
POSTSCRIPT: If I were Obama in this situation, I would immediately take to the airwaves to apologize for the ill-chosen remarks and to reaffirm my commitment to economic justice.
The ideal setting would be before a small-town audience.
If Obama tries to duck this controversy in the hope that it will go away on its own, or if he’s defensive about it, he’s going to suffer a significant political setback.
Time is of the essence (to coin a term). He should make a bold statement tomorrow.
UPDATE: Obama responded tonight, but not apologetically:
