New poll shows Barack Obama tanking in Pennsylvania

The first fresh poll results from Pennsylvania are in since Barack Obama's "bitter" comments about people in small towns exploded as a news story, and the findings could hardly be worse for the Democratic presidential contender.

Intriguingly, the man in charge of the survey said interviews with voters indicate Obama's tumble in the state has more to do with what the candidate himself has said were ill-chosen words than anything else.

The new poll by American Research Group -- conducted Friday, Saturday and Sunday -- gave Clinton 57% and Obama 37% (based on interviews with 600 Democrats, the survey has an error margin of plus-or-minus 4 percentage points). The 20-point margin is all the more dramatic because, just the week before, an ARG poll found the pair in a flat-out tie in Pennsylvania, each with 45%.

The previous findings had put the race closer than any others. And perhaps the new one exaggerates the bounce Clinton has gotten from the storm over Obama's remarks at a San Francisco fund-raiser. Other pollsters are in the field in Pennsylvania, and we eagerly await their results (an L.A. Times/Bloomberg poll of Democrats in the Keystone State -- as well as in North Carolina and Indiana -- will be ready mid-week).

Regardless, the New Hamphire-based ARG poll, may have identified a tactical worry for the Obama camp above and beyond the current controversy. Dick Bennett, head of the poll, told us today that even before the furor erupted, it appeared many Pennsylvania Democrats began to turn against Obama because they are simply sick and tired of seeing and hearing his ads.

Much as campaign consultants would be loath to agree, Bennett opined that a candidate "can spend too much money" on an ad campaign, and the saturation of Obama spots ...

in Pennsylvania appear to be a classic example of "overkill" that ultimately does harm.

Bennett also reported that some of the Pennsylvanians who his company contacted went on to complain about the substance of the ubiquitous Obama ads. They are "about him, not voters or what their concerns are," Bennett said. And Obama's comment on attitudes in small towns served to reinforce that feeling.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Michael Sigman]

If Obama's comments were so disastrous, and if voters are turning against him, how come national his lead has increased to ten points in the Gallup tracking poll conducted over the weekend.

[Susan]

We the voters recognize what the mass media is trying to do to Obama. You're all in bed with the old guard. The people in Penn are coming out of the woodwork to defend his remarks today. Our voices will not be drowned out anymore!

[Roadkill Refugee]

Michael beat me to it. Both the Rasmussen and Gallup daily tracking polls show Obama having the widest margin over Hillary he's had since before the story broke last Friday. Hillary has been slipping. That's consistent with the booing and groans she got in Pittsburgh today when she started her tired attack lines on Obama. Real folks aren't feeling this story. The ARG poll was an outlier when it said Obama and Hillary were tied -- everyone recognized that -- and it's an outlier now to say he dropped 20 points.

[dunnage]

National polls mean little as the Dems will win California and New York regardless. It's Michigan, Ohio, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania that count for Dems. to win the election.

[Sean]

We in PA will not be fooled - not by the media, and certainly not by the likes of McCain and Clinton who represent the worst in American politics.
Obama 08!

[Leroy]

Obama has a good lead in delegates. He can take loosing Pennsylvania by a huge margin. However, I think that if he is the nominee he has terribly injured his chances in the general electiion.

[Obama All The Way!]

Yeah, so I'll check back on next Tuesday after Senator Obama wins Pennsylvania, and we'll see all the pundits backtracking and explaining . . . I LOVE that part!

Obama '08

[Kim Louth]

THE LA TIMES IS SO PRO-CLINTON YOU MUST TAKE EVERYTHING THEY REPORT WITH A HUGE GRAIN OF SALT.

I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS POLL RESULT.

[pat]

It's unbelievable that people in Pennsylvia care more about a statement that Obama made than the fact that Hillary and Bill Clinton have added $800,000.00 thousand more dollars to their $109,000.000.00 million joint account. He made this money by brokering a deal for the Columbian Government to close a trade deal with the United States. What other underhanded deals against the people of this country will he broker while he and his wife are in the White House. Do the people of Pennsylvania think that she is really sincere in her position on NAFTA. GOOD LUCK FOLKS. YOU WILL DEFINITELY NEED YOU R FAITH AND ENJOY HUNTING WITH YOUR GUNS.

[Wayne]

Mr. Don Frederick, genius, ask anybody who took stat 101 would tell you the what "outlier" stands for. Polls need to have "trend" to be anything.

His national poll is holding up. Hillary today was "jarred" at a speech with the "bitter" comment.

So, sit tight, and watch how close it'll be next week.

[Jim]

I look forward to the day the old person vote dies off, because they are easily manipulated by mass media.

[T ross]

Obama as "Elitist"? lol.

The Clinton's ring of cronies resembles that of Bush's.

[Ronnie Stonestreet]

Obama will beat the bullet dodging Clinton everyday of the week, why does the press jump on a silly quote

Ronnie Stonestreet
Raleigh NC

[joan]

Obama would make a wonderful president. He's a good man, a leader and his presence in the White House would benefit not only the U.S. but the entire world. If we don't get that, than yeah, we deserve the government we elect. Obama is not an elitist; his father left him when he was 2 yrs old, he was raised by a single mother and sent off to live with grandparents. He just finished paying off his school loans. The Clintons raked in 110 million (at least) in the last few years. People, think!!

[Scott]

I just love to observe how wishy-washy, petty and hypocritical people are, it leaves me with such a feeling of confidence going into the upcoming Presidential election.

[Ronnie Stonestreet]

Obama will beat the lying Clinton family all day long. She should of got out by now but her quest for power will not let her.

[jim]

The more the public gets to know this guy, the more the voters will pick someone else. His latest comments just show his continued distain for the voters. Much like his lack of concern for the rights of the common man in Florida and Michigan.

[Doug]

No ones cares about him calling people "bitter." The elitist part of the comment was his description of people "clinging" to religion and guns.

[Lisa]

There is actually a poll at Kareem's blog:
www.latimes.com/kareem

[yourkillingmelarry]

Rasmussen and Gallup are holding. Clinton just got boo'd in PA trying to inject "bitter". It is becoming quite clear she over played her hand here. Barack literally made her the butt of the joke with Annie Oakley. I'm getting a feeling that this elite "bitter" thing did not stick.

[kanobi11]

Interesting and amazed... Your polls came as a shock to me though, 'cos when Bill Clinton made the same comments in 1991, his comments were then not considered as bitter -

"The reason (George H. W. Bush's tactic) works so well now is that you have all these economically insecure white people who are scared to death," Clinton was quoted saying by the Los Angeles Times in September 1991."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/13/bill-clinton-flashback-al_n_96433.html

Furthermore, Thomas Frank, the author who redefined the perception of the red state/blue state divide in America, says he doesn't find Sen. Barack Obama's comments on the bitterness of small-town Midwesterners all that alarming.

"People are bitter in small towns," Frank told the Huffington Post. "People are bitter everywhere. I don't know if you have seen the stock market -- people are bitter about their situation. It doesn't strike me as a very controversial statement."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/14/thomas-frank-on-obama-not_n_96528.html

Even fox news went to small towns in PA and interviewed some people, who said on camara that they are bitter and that Obama is right (I just can't find the link anymore). So it amazes me that people are now saying they disagree w/ Obama, simply because he told the truth. I find this hard to believe, very hard to believe. But then, you as a publication house have the power to shape peoples opinion and views, so this might as well be a strategy to encourage people to disagree w/ Obama. I am very disappointed...

[Cheryl Carroll]

If Clinton is the nominee I'm voting for her, If Barack is nominated I'm voting for McCain.

[Bill]

Obama's comments will be forgotten in a few more days. Things that are as minor as this are a quick burn unless the media really want to try to keep it alive, which seems unlikely. Why aren't they calling Hillary a gun nut after her comments?

[GHarri]

Not "bitter," not Rev. Wright, not anything can change the fact that Obama has already earned the nomination. She can bring him down here and there, but she can't catch up. Meanwhile, McCain is rummaging through resumes to find his strongest possible running mate. Obama will have no time to prepare for November, let alone create the strongest possible ticket, as long as she stays in. Here's how the VP process should be working:
http://digits.hrblock.com/ssDigits/digits.php?rType=1&sPath=1140&sNode=1140&uId=198

[pierce]

I imagine the questioning went something to the effect of "Now that you know that Obama thinks you are bitter, would you rather vote for him or Clinton?"

There is no way that the same poll could accurately record peoples reaction to the "bitter" comment, AND determine who people are voting for. Without the list of poll questions, and possible responses, this whole article is just some reporter hyping a story for ad revenue.

[Mark]

Did a Racist and Anti-American like Obama and his wife really have a chance anyway? Maybe know the Media will learn their lesson not to protect someone until they really know them. I guess Obama got his wish...Voters are going to CHANGE and not vote for him.

[Bush]

I am beginning to suspect that theyr'e trying to damage Obama's campaign as well. We all know where Hillary stands on trade and other major issues. Her husband wrote NAFT into law after George Bush Senior negotiated it during his term to represent the money interests. Whether it be the Bush dynasty or the Clinton dynasty. We will be screwed. At least with Obama there's somewhat of a question mark. It's a long shot but he may just turn the global money interests on their ear! Somehow I doubt that as well though.

[Tony O'Shea]

The people will speak on April 22nd. We will vote overwhelmingly for Barack Obama mark my words. The "bitter" have spoken. We will not be silenced.

[Rick Ferri]

My, my. How the tables have turned. Now the media is out to get Democrats? HARDLY! Try being a Republican for a change and really experience how the media operates to support your Democrat candidates!

[Bret]

Operation chaos continues!

[Clintonians are evil]

Well, that is really good, because Babama I-Am-Sorry and the Sycho HATE Lady Billary Escobar, will keep fighting each other down to the dirty end. And the rejection and the hate against the Dems is increasing among the independents and the liberal Republicans, so Dems will lose not only the presidential election but all the proportional elections as well, as America is hating and rejecting this traitors bunch now.
So, now Big Mac just need to get Condie on the boat, and his 18 wheeler will destroy whatever outlasts the Dems mud fight. Big Mac - Rice 2008!!! RICE 2012!!! RICE 2016!!!

[Edna]

While, in fairness to Obama, I do think the criticism of this particular comment of his is overblown, I think it gets to a truth about him: he can be incredibly condescending and dismissive at times. Just ask us Florida Democrats, we've been on the receiving end of that "Obama phenomenon" for months now (since approximately January 29th, to be exact), yet the media has not noticed or cared. Hopefully, the dust-up over this "bitter" thing will get people noticing this condescending aspect of Obama, and remove the media-bestowed aura of perfection that surrounds him.

[Shelley in Portland OR]

For those commenting that Barack doesn't get fair media need to take a long hot shower. Give me a break - Hillary has been lambasted the entire time. She is the best candidate and is the one we need in office. Stop blaming the media for Barack's arrogant views!

[Laura MacMahon - Philadelphia PA]

This is UTTER RUBBISH!! Don Frederick, sir, you are SO out of touch with what WE Pennsylvanians feel I can only say: "How dare you? Walk a mile in our shoes and see if you don't feel BITTERNESS over the heinousness of this current, corrupt, and idiotic Administration." Obama will take PA and you'll cringe at your ill-informed opinion. Three words on polls: DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN ...

[Shelley in Portland OR]

For those commenting that Barack doesn't get fair media need to take a long hot shower. Give me a break - Hillary has been lambasted the entire time. She is the best candidate and is the one we need in office. Stop blaming the media for Barack's arrogant views!

[Miguel]

Michael Sigman, the difference in the polls can be explained by the fact Obama has been attracting the college-educated "elite" while Clinton has had stronger appeal among blue-collar voters.

While Obama supporters think those blue-collar voters are intellectually inferior, the truth is they're not stupid enough to vote for a man who looks down upon them.

So while he enjoys a bounce in the national polls for "telling it like it is" (in the eyes of the liberal elite), he's being hurt in PA among the voters he is so clumsily courting.

[Nik]

The media / Clinton Spin Machine / McCain are completely blowing this thing out of proportion.

I am not even a small-town person-- have lived in big cities like Houston, TX, New Orleans, and Austin, TX my entire life--- and I am BITTER AS HELL with the current government.

I don't turn to religion and guns-- but rather seek comfort in a bottle of Jack Daniels--- either way, Obama's message was that this country is FU*KED up right now, and people realize it and want change.

Hillary's campaign is constantly negative in their attacks of Obama, but cannot take criticism themselves. The Clintons have been proven to be LIARS, FRAUDS, and PANDERERS.

IF YOU AREN'T BITTER-- YOU HAVEN'T BEEN PAYING ATTENTION!

[James Pearse]

Just keep in mind that this is one poll of many which have been and will be conducted.

My suggestion: read up on aggregate polls. For example, http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/pennsylvania.html should soon post aggregate polling of Pennsylvania. This will be a much more accurate measure of how much Clinton is leading Obama.

Try not to only rely of Los Angeles Times or American Research Group. Do your research.

[kris]

i think this goes to show that unlike popular opinion among b.o. supporters, he is not invincible. he can make mistakes, and he did, and now he's getting angry at HILLARY for attacking him. just the kind of politics he said he wouldn't engage in! if you can't take the heat, get out of the primary!

[Andy]

What a bunch of BITTER freaks these pollsters (and those answering the polls) are! Obama should and will be president. Hilarious and McNasty are old-school, old-thought win-at-all-costs destroy the rest of the US politicians. Obama just tells it like it is. When will the rest of this country get their heads out of their butts and realize the sh*t-hole that we're in now with what's happened the last 16 years?? Get a f'in clue!!

[anthony]

Hillary said something similar last year.

The New York Sun reports that as Clinton attacked Obama, "reports surfaced of similar comments made by both Clintons to explain voter concerns about issues like religion, guns, and immigration. In an article on Time.com in November, for example, Mrs. Clinton was quoted as saying: 'During the 1990s, I cannot remember being asked about immigration. Why? Because the economy was working. And average Americans didn't have to go around looking for others to blame.'"

[Steve]

If Pennsylvanians are really that stupid that they would move away from Obama based on the misdirection of the Clintons, than they deserve what they get.
What did Obama say that was wrong? 'People are bitter because of their economic circumstances. Therefore, they cling or hold onto what sustains them.' That doesn't put down their faith or their traditions. They are strengthened by them.
Don't cling to sound bites. Listen with your brain!

[jodi]

The surprise is that it took soooo long for voters to see through the Obama's. PA voters have seen the light and Obama will hopefully go down here. You can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time but given enough time most people will see the fool....Obama. Vote Hillary Clinton or we will have McCain.

[Durant Imboden]

We'll see. The debate on Wednesday should have some impact on voters, and Hillary's attack on Obama ant the steelworkers' event on Sunday didn't exactly stir the crowd.

[kcdpas]

To judge a person is to see who he associated himself with and what he says and what he does. Voter are smart enough to make their judgement. That is the reason for Obama's down fall in Pen State poll.

[Lee]

Between this and his racist preacher I've learned all I need to about Obama. He comes off as a snob and possible racist. I'm so sick and tired of voting for who will do less damage to the country instead of being able to vote for someone who I actually believe will improve things for tax paying Americans.

Lee

[Guy Thompto]

...cause... Barack Obama has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A.

So much fun with the circus in town -- Barack on the high-wire and Hilary on the trapeze. Who will fall first?

[John Tapey]

Obama's comments were both accurate and enlightening. If Pennsylvania voters believe that Hillary Clinton, with a cumulative net worth of $250 million dollars, has any real connection with the working class, $26,500 dollar a year mill worker, then they deserve what they get. Mrs. Clinton has more negative polling numbers nationally than John McCain and Obama combined. McCain is tainted with neo-conservative (read facist) ideas and Clinton is simply an untruthful person on multiple levels. Obama any day of the week or year.

[PROGRESS]

This is ridiculous! Yesterday Obama was only 4 points behind - a virtual tie when you account for the margin of error! And now the media (a bunch of paid actors) is saying he's lost tremendous ground because of remarks he made that most voters in Penn agree with! This is indeed sabotage by the media. You will see come April 22 that Obama will keep his lead of Clinton if not increase it. His message does ring true with voters. That poll is inaccurate and conducted by people who work for the other side. I love how the media says he was on a downswing because of over saturation of ads! GO OBAMA GO!

[egc52556]

The ARG polls always swing widely. One week ago, ARG had the race tied. Two weeks ago ARG said it was 12%. Now this. Also, ARG has been the outlier in previous states' polls.

Let's wait and see.

[Jeff]

ARG has been the most unreliable polling outfit this election season. They had Clinton +9 right before Iowa, with Obama behind Edwards. All the other polls consistently showed Hillary with leads in PA, so it's more likely their previous poll with both candidates tied at 45 was the outlier, not this one.

[11thCavVet]

Looks like the good people of Pennsylvania have grabbed their guns, their bibles, tuned into Lou Dobbs, and placed their heads firmly in the sand. Far be it for them to actually take a few minutes to read what Obama really said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-coleman/i-was-there-what-obama-re_b_96553.html

[Ron]

The politicians who DON'T believe that the small town midwestern voters have become bitter with Washington have exposed themselves to be the ones who truly are "elitist and out of touch".

[coatesmoe]

Does the public want statements like "politics is a contact sport" or Clinton saying let them fight it out, Hillary lying about being shot at. The truth is that we can afford to build Iraq up and bring students into the USA at tax payers money. We can not afford to take care of our sick because of the mistakes of Bush Clinton. Do we want another 8 years of this until Chelsea comes or the Bush tribe gets back in power.

[Alex]

Senator Obama clarified his intent regarding what is now known as his "bitter" statement during last nights "Compassion Forum" televised on CNN. When will the media report on that ?

[Rye]

News flash, chuckleheads! What Obama said was absolutely TRUE, and there is NO NEED for him to apologize for the comments. This is just ugly, dirty spin by the Clinton camp.

[Daniel Blinkoff]

I'm sickened by the Clinton camp. I am bitter. Obama's comments are not elitist! It's elitist to wag your finger at the nation and say "I did not have sexual relations with that woman". It's elitist to say "I'm going to make the Bush tax cuts permanent" in a time of war. Obama was not denegrating religion. I have turned towards my religion more in these times of need because I have no faith in our government. Obama was addressing these very sensative times and the right wing media and Clinton are spinning this. God help us if we as a nation follow this foolery.

[J Pat]

is that the same gallup that said in June of 2004....."The poll finds Kerry leading Bush in the presidential contest by 49% to 44% among registered voters, and 50% to 44% among likely voters."

[salamander]

Michael,

I can believe it if it's not his words that aren't annoying them as much as his ubiquitous ads are.

Unless you're living in PA, you may not see just how much people are being bombarded by campaign ads. I'm a big Obama supporter (from IL), but reading how people are sick of seeing his ads reminds me of how sick I was of seeing all the candidates' (presidential and otherwise) ads in my area back in '04. There is such a thing as saturation, and I hope that Obama's campaign didn't overdo it.

[JE]

Yeahhh! Finally people are seeing the light about this guy!!! Shows Pensylvanians are smart people and are not deceived or taken in by OB.

[Charles]

It is a credit to the people of PA and their ability to see B.O. for what he really is: A one term Senator from Illinois that was elected only by exploiting racial and class differences in a predominately African American community. He is NOT the product of "the struggle", but rather has benefited since birth from the very best of what White America can offer including a Harvard scholarship. He claims to have eschewed law to serve the people, but since winning election in his district, has been able to place his highly compensated wife in the highest paying corporate positions. He is associated with bigots and slum lords, who exploit African Americans both economically and spiritually. It is time to start asking the hard questions, and expose this elitist presidential wannabe for what he is - words not deeds.

[Caitlin]

First, the mass media is doing nothing to Obama by merely reporting his remarks or the data collected by the most recent polls. As an Obama fan, you may not have noticed, that the media has done anything but crucify Senator Obama. So, please "forgive" the media for doing its honest duty of reporting his standings in the polls and recent comments in San Francisco.

Why are national polls not reflecting it yet? Give it time - the ones from PA just did! Pennsylvania has long been the barometer of nat'l politics - we aren't called the Keystone state for nothing! - and the blatant trashing of our general population is an embarassment. Indiana is already up in arms over his comments and other, less "small-town" states will catch on, too.

As a small-town Pennsylvania, I for one am not bitter, clinging to my guns or my religion or my "xenophobia". I do not merely vote out of frustrations, but after careful thought and consideration. As a college student, I want a better life for my generation and future family. Above all, as a proud Pennsylvanian, I want a president who will stand up for us, not look down on us.

[thebrightlights]

It's interesting that this all comes up the week before the PA primary. I don't buy these polls one bit. This all just seems to be more vicious trickery from the Clinton campaign which week after week has been attacking Obama. This is yet another election that's turned into a complete joke... every four years I am reminded why this government is going downhill.

[TheNumantine]

Remember New Hampshire?

The press has got to break it's addiction to polls.

[Bud Ryerson]

When Sen. Obama said that some bitter, frustrated small town voters "cling to ... antipathy to people who aren't like them" that was just his fancy way of calling them racists. Nobody likes to be called a racist. Sen. Obama should apologize to them for that quickly.

[Sharon]

THis is so ridicules...what is wrong with the people are they afraid to say that they are upset, angry, or bitter...or is it they just plain do not like the word he used...but yet they will be the first ones to say they are upset the way things are....but yet they will follow someone who seems to have a hard time telling the whole truth...so the media shows...

[Honey Rogers]

If voters turn on Obama for that comment then they deserve Hillary Clinton. She won't be able to focus on our country because "Bill" will always be there supportive and destructive. Our country can not take another Clinton administration. Look how easily she lied about Bosnis. Her daughter was with her and there is absolutely no way she could have misspoken. Mothers don't forget those type of incidents when their daughter is involved. Why hasn't she got rid of Mr. Penn? Do you really think that $800,000.00 is just Bill's money. Wake up America and stop gtting hung up on nonsense. Worry about health care, education and bringing our troops home. No one will work with HIllary, she is loathed and you know it.

[Jim Farr]

This is a Hillary spin, masquerading as news. The suggestion that a campaign could turn on the use of a word like "bitter" is probably baloney, but frightening if true.

[IJ for Hillary]

It just shows that people around the Nation are readjusting with presidential candidates; and, obviously the Obama glare is dimming and Hillary is regaining her position. She was there and she is going to be there. Go Hillary, Go!

[Hobo Joe]

I am simply fed up with the Elitist Rhetoric spewing from Obama's mouth, and the Bitter Racial Diatribe of Michell Obama. Here is something she can be really proud of. She has the Right and Freedom to purchase one-way tickets (4) to any part of the world she may wish to go including Africa. Maybe she can find a lot more to be proud of in her homeland than she can in America.

[Clarke Hockwald]

Obama's polling results in Pennsylvania over the current furor have nothing to do with the latest National Polls. The poll done over the Friday, Saturday, Sunday does reflect a change in Pennsylvania voters views of Barack Obama, but none of the National Polls reflect what happened over the weekend. These words he spoke in San Francisco will have a real impact the general election, and will have an immediate impact on Independent voters in the upcoming Democratic primaries.

[Tim]

Great! Glad to see that Penn votes can see beyond Obama and his continual spin machine. Go Hillary!

[Bud Ryerson]

When Sen. Obama said that some bitter, frustrated small town voters "cling to ... antipathy to people who aren't like them" that was just his fancy way of calling them racists. Nobody likes to be called a racist. Sen. Obama should apologize to them for that quickly.

[Charles]

It is a credit to the people of PA and their ability to see B.O. for what he really is: A one term Senator from Illinois that was elected only by exploiting racial and class differences in a predominately African American community. He is NOT the product of "the struggle", but rather has benefited since birth from the very best of what White America can offer including a Harvard scholarship. He claims to have eschewed law to serve the people, but since winning election in his district, has been able to place his highly compensated wife in the highest paying corporate positions. He is associated with bigots and slum lords, who exploit African Americans both economically and spiritually. It is time to start asking the hard questions, and expose this elitist presidential wannabe for what he is - words not deeds.

[Steve]

Look at the ARG website. Their polls have not been very accurate in the states that have already voted.

[John from NC]

The phrase "based on interviews with 600 democrats" hints that the poll was conducted on the basis of an old list, most likely comprised of Clinton supporters. Sounds like another kitchen sink to me.

[Nigel Anderson]

This poll is so biased that it's not even funny. Dick Bennett, is the biggest Republican, and is doing his best to make sure Obama loses big in Pennsylvania. There are so many things in this country that are corrupt, and people like Dick are a major portion of that. This presidential primary is all about the battle of the media, who can fool people more. People know the truth though, and regardless of how much these people don't want Obama to come out ahead, we all know that he is our only hope for changing organizations and people like Dick. I wish the LA times would dig deeper on some of these issues and expose people who are trying to put a shield in front of people's eyes..

[Mary T]

It isn't so much what Obama said that has people angry...It's what Clinton and McCain and most of the media have SAID he said. Sadly enough, people without the intelligence to think and reason for themselves will believe the latter. For anyone to believe Obama would be stupid enough to deliberately make comments that would be offensive to the voters is stupidity in itself.

Ask some of my friends, relatives and neighbors if they're bitter and frustrated about losing jobs, or working for $6-$8 an hour.

Obama probably is better in touch with the realities of average Americans than multi-millionaires Clinton and McCain.

[P Craig Mitchell]

Obama learned bitterness is his chosen Chicago church under chosen Pastor Wright. Were he to visit a "small town" chuch he would learn love. Jesus wasn't bitter, only Peter, when he realized he had denied Him three times. Small town folks love God and recognize why guns are necessary (it was the small towns around Boston that answered Paul Revere's call and came armed to Boston's defense). Change your heart Barack, not your words. Maybe in a few years you will be up to being President. Not now.

[ncarrizo]

Hey, Obama fans, maybe it's time to heed that great sucking sound...and the whoosh that just accompanied it!

[Javalation]

Congratulations MSM. Your effort to stick us with another Republican war monger seems to be working. Just keep up the find anything to attack Obama, and let McCain slide on everything strategy and you will succeed in giging us again.

[ernesto juarez]

How come when anything negative comes out on Obama, immediatly we get a blog defending him vigoriously? How many people think it is because he has hired and paid bloggers to defend him the instant something derogatory comes out ? Or is it really just some supporter waiting for a bad story to come out so he/she can defend him? Is this really how they get the message accross? It is very sad that a 'uniter" has to do this to carry on. Quite pathetic!

[JOE BENTO]

This poll was probably conducted by Mark Penn. get real no one is believing this b.s. that the media is spouting at us constantly. The Barack Obma supporters already know that the nomination is in the bag and that he won TEXAS unlike what Hillary and John the status quo candidates want us to believe. Barack Gets it and we get that Hillary is a first class liar and wants the focus off of her lies and on to his honest is misspoken comments. He worked minimum wage jobs to get himself through college and excelled. She is dong the dirty work for McCain hoping to leap frog McCain come the next round since she knows this one is over for her.

BARACK AND ROLL in 2008

[N. Otter]

As a conservative small town Pennsylvania resident I will be sure to vote for Barack Obama on April 22 and in November after he wins the Democratic nomination. The main stream media will not stop Barack Obama by distorting and misinterpreting his words. Everyone knows he is the candidate of change but the old powers that be want stop him from being elected because they will lose power. We Pennsylvanians will not fall for the swiftboating of Barack Obama!!

[Pepe]

I guess they couldn't handle the truth. Obama was stupidly honest.

[Dark Heart]

I do think it's worth noting that for most of the cycle, ARG's sans OH, WI and TX, has done quite poorly in its polling.

[JohnCleever]

One poll out of many, so who is ARG, why the small sample size,? Did Hillary pay for this poll?

Shame on you, this is the second time I've read hit pieces on your "blog" which is, by the way, a worthless pile of trash.

[donjim]

Obama's comments are the truth that no one wants to admit, especially the far right. The non issues such as abortion and gun control are used by the far right as cover for a disasterous war and deplorable economic conditons. A book published a few years ago goes into a lenghty discussion of this issue,
" What's the Matter with Kansas." It is refreshing to hear somoeone ( Obama) not afraid to tell it like it is.

[Mr. Sandman]

This election cycle has truly showed me just how far off base you guys at the LA Times are. Every other poll says Obama is ahead of Clinton in polling and you guys just dismiss that data like it was yesterdays uh... news.

Reality check! Come back to Earth, plz.

[Danny]

Instead of blathering on about the "controversy" of Obama's remarks, why don't journalists get in their cars and drive out to the small towns to see if people really are bitter about their economic situation? If my experience is any guide, you'll find that a lot of them are, indeed, upset at how our government places the interests of transnational corporations above those of average working people. This whole episode is just another sorry example of how the media's "horse race" election coverage gives short shrift to issues that voters are really concerned about.

[John Smith]

I was going to post a comment about Obama, but then I clicked through the "Here are the full legal terms you agree to by using this comment form" link and saw this:

"User Content License. For all User Content you post, upload, or otherwise make available ("Provide") to latimes.com, you grant Tribune Interactive, Inc. ("TI"), its affiliates and related entities, including latimes.com and its affiliated newspapers, Web sites, and broadcast stations, a worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive right and fully sub-licensable license to use, copy, reproduce, distribute, publish, publicly perform, publicly display, modify, adapt, translate, archive, store, and create derivative works from such User Content, in any form, format, or medium, of any kind now known or later developed. Without limiting the generality of the previous sentence, you authorize TI to share the User Content across all Web sites, newspapers, and broadcast stations affiliated with Tribune Company, to include the User Content in a searchable format accessible by users of latimes.com and other TI Web sites, to place advertisements in close proximity to such User Content, and to use your name, likeness and any other information in connection with its use of the material you provide. You waive all moral rights with respect to any User Content you provide to latimes.com. You also grant TI the right to use any material, information, ideas, concepts, know-how or techniques contained in any communication you provide or otherwise submit to us for any purpose whatsoever, including but not limited to, commercial purposes, and developing, manufacturing and marketing commercial products using such information. All rights in this paragraph are granted without the need for additional compensation of any sort to you."

Would you also like my first born child, LA Times?

[Rock On]

As mentioned above, Gallup, who has a FAR better record with regard to polling accuracy, does not reflect anything like what ARG found. But you know, don't bother caveating this with a note about how pathetic and frequently wrong ARG's polling is, because that would distract from the narrative.

[Julia, Pasadena, CA]

Nice try. But we're not as stupid as you think.

[Mitch]

Obama's TV blitz in Pennsylvania is hurting Obama more than helping. Through those ads, voters are seeing more, and dreaming less. Obama, I believe, would make a good president, as would Clinton. We can thank GW Bush for one thing. . . now we all know that neither Gore nor Kerry would have placed our country in such poor condition. We can take comfort in the fact that no one else could be as bad a president as has been GW Bush. Unless, of course, you'd be willing to gamble on John McCain.

[RichieRich]

Today it's Obama. Tomorrow it'll be Hillary. They both stink,..equally.
McCain is no better.
We all will lose this November.

[BigT]

I think that you should consider the source. Anybody can call themselves a pollster and publish numbers without a sound methodology. The blogger below has investigated ARG and found that they do not have a solid track record or a reputable organization:

http://ajacksonian.blogspot.com/2007/12/problem-with-american-research-group.html

[volunteer]

To those who blame the media for Obama's problems think about what he has said and done.

He is being examined like any other candidate and the real Obama is just starting to show

[photty]

What a dilema....Mrs William C. back for a third term, another 100 yesrs in Iraq, or a yuppy colored guy with pretty verbage. What a mess.

[Steve]

It's interesting that this whole episode is characterized by the press with the tag "bitter comment" when really the problem part is his use of "clinging" to religion, guns, anti-immigration. anti trade etc to describe why a portion of voters don't agree with him on these issues.
He was explaining that voters who don't agree with him on these issues are motivated by bitterness implying an irrational emotional basis for views that he opposes. This kind of attitude on his part demonstrates an unwillingness to think through the issues involved if he is going to dismiss the concerns of a large part of the electorate out of hand.

As someone who finds religion, my second amendment rights, a sensible trade policy and a functioning immigration policy to be important I find his remarks as someone who is simply "clinging" to these beliefs out of 'bitterness'-- implying there is no rational argument behind my beliefs--to be condescending and insulting.

In fact I'm not bitter at all--I'm a cheerful guy--I just think he's wrong and his remarks are indicative of the kind of snobbery I've heard before from Ivy League types when it comes to working class Americans.

[Barry]

Mr. Obama needs to realize that words have meaning. We are seeing a tendency in the words of Mr. Obama and his close friends and associates that is frightening. What he said was what he truly believed. There is no doubt about that. It is disappointing that every time someone points out his character flaws or areas of concern (racist friends and ties with criminals), people blame the old guard, not Mr. Obama. How people view us comes from our words, our actions, our appearance, and the company we keep. The "Old Guard" has no control over these things, but Mr. Obama does. He chooses his words and he chooses his close friends and allies.

[Steve]

It's interesting that this whole episode is characterized by the press with the tag "bitter comment" when really the problem part is his use of "clinging" to religion, guns, anti-immigration. anti trade etc to describe why a portion of voters don't agree with him on these issues.
He was explaining that voters who don't agree with him on these issues are motivated by bitterness implying an irrational emotional basis for views that he opposes. This kind of attitude on his part demonstrates an unwillingness to think through the issues involved if he is going to dismiss the concerns of a large part of the electorate out of hand.

As someone who finds religion, my second amendment rights, a sensible trade policy and a functioning immigration policy to be important I find his remarks as someone who is simply "clinging" to these beliefs out of 'bitterness'-- implying there is no rational argument behind my beliefs--to be condescending and insulting.

In fact I'm not bitter at all--I'm a cheerful guy--I just think he's wrong and his remarks are indicative of the kind of snobbery I've heard before from Ivy League types when it comes to working class Americans.

[KWinn]

When I stated that the LA Times should just come out in their support for Billary I was told they support Obama.

Are you all sure that the LA Times supports Obama because all i've read are negative articles on Obama that favor Billary? How many people are in Pennsylvania; you sampled 600 and as a result you headline that he's tanking in Pennsylvania? Misleading and obviously trying to sway voters..should be ashamed of your constant poll baiting!!

[Theresa F.]

I am so sick of listening to Hillary Clinton. She has been such a negative person. She will say or do anything to get into the whithouse . The american people would make a mistake to vote her in.

[Mike]

Obama is a fraud, and anyone that can't see that this Junior Senator is not ready for the White House is crazy. He should stay in the Senate and actually accomplish something before making a run for the most powerful job in the world. The true Obama is shown in all of these signs: his comments, his actions, his pastor. If yo uwant to be naive and think that the pieces of the puzzle don't come together to show the big picture then go ahead and vote for him. If you are more level headed and intelligent enough to understand how he operates then don't vote for him.

[James McChesney Ranson]

I'm not sure how reliable this survey can be when in fact most/many of us are ticked-off about many aspects of government; we all may be just venting our own personal angst and frustrations. The great people of PA (I'm from the Keystone state) are showing how "bitter" they are by revolting because of the oversaturation of campaign ads. This has a lot to do with semantics and little else.

[Rajah Kahn]

If this is how Penn voters react to the obvious truth, then this is a SAD society, who lives in FANTASY and LIES. The NEWS media keep filtering the FILTH..for their own gains....Pennsylvania voters are really gullible to the old POLITICAL games, and can be easily fooled by fairy tales, When someone finally spek the truth he is destroyed. So Obama suffers for telling the TRUTH. Truth hurts and LIES and PHONY prevails,,,,,this is PATHETIC,,,

[Pennsylvania Voter]

Just a note from PA to say Obama's words ARE what everybody knows to be true. The truth isn't always what we want to hear, but I'm glad there's one candidate who's willing to say what we NEED to hear. Hillary's shameless pandering is far worse than any poorly worded truth. When Hillary "mis-speaks" it's preposterous baloney about gunfire that has been prepared ahead of time. Her latest nonsense that she's a pro-gun church goer is laughable and insulting. If she cared about the Democratic Party at all she'd step down.

[Ryan]

And where was this poll before? No one's referenced this poll throughout this entire campaign. #1, there's no previous mark to compare to. #2, almost every other poll around contradicts this finding.

Nice try, but your attempts to keep the establishment alive are futile. It's time to have our country run by those who were supposed to run it....the people.

[LA Times is Lame]

Powerfully lame. Please stop trying to 'John Kerry/Gary Hart' Obama with these silly attempts to snowball something small into something big. The media can be misleading at times, but I never thought you'd take part in that nonsense. I dont see you emphasizing Hilary's highly ignorant and repetative remarks.

[Larry]

Let's face it....first it was the pastor now these comments. Wake up people the man has an agenda HIS OWN! Lets not make the same mistake as we did with President Useless ( Bush). It's all coming out of the wash. I am sorry but the press only prints what is fact. And that is Mr. Obama is defeating himself. Go Hillary 2008!

[Barry]

Mr. Obama needs to realize that words have meaning. We are seeing a tendency in the words of Mr. Obama and his close friends and associates that is frightening. What he said was what he truly believed. There is no doubt about that. It is disappointing that every time someone points out his character flaws or areas of concern (racist friends and ties with criminals), people blame the old guard, not Mr. Obama. How people view us comes from our words, our actions, our appearance, and the company we keep. The "Old Guard" has no control over these things, but Mr. Obama does. He chooses his words and he chooses his close friends and allies.

[Sam]

Obama is an elitist. Not all religious people are "bitter" as Obama stated. Religion has been a very important factor in the lives of most Americans. It is simply ignorant and foolish to label religious people as poor or bitter. The same can be said of gun owners or other groups that Obama stereotyped. These comments show that Obama's views are similar to that of his wife's and the views of Rev. Wright.

[Joe Canadian]

If the American public fail to elect Obama because of his observations about the political climate of small town America, it will just go to prove that Americans are uneducated, uninformed and pick leaders based on shallow-reasoning. I live in Canada (but I'm a dual citizen), and if Americans fail to reverse the damaged caused by the past seven years of the Bush presidency, I'm afraid the damage will be irreversible and the American people will only have themselves to blame.

[OldSchool]

I find the furor over these comments ridiculous. The problem is that people do not want to really confront the issues today. We rather hide and play victim far too often. We willingly allow others to tell us how we should feel about something. Reading his speech in its entirety it is a pity that the one comment is what everyone is harping on.

I also find Clinton's pouncing of the issue distasteful but I've known for a while now that this is the way the Clintons operate.

[Roger]

Sorry people but Obama is wrong and I do not like all these talking heads and media hounds spinning Obama's words!as not being offensive but instead were right and true. I also am really tired of them telling me how I feel! who I am is one of the "THEY" Obama was sharing to is "WE" buddies about. What they all have wrong is that I am not bitter towards my country or my government for that matter or any other race of people or any other country or any other neighbors! Not city folk, not Hispanic folk, Not black folk! They are all welcome to my small town and my church where you will get and invite for dinner! We do have people in hard times and other who are not and we help each other through such times. We do want more jobs but not anymore or leas then any other part of this country. We count ourselves so very lucky to be able to live in a small town with a solid sense of community and core values of hard work, sharing, caring and God loving abound! Where we have the freedom to work and play. Where we can hunt and fish and live as we please. We are not bitter we are BLESSED!

[Linda]

Its about time - the mask is falling off his face. Now he will be seen for what he really is - a story teller, a snake charmer.

[CHANDRA]

This guy Obama seems to be the new Teflon man..he says outrageous things and yet he is able to talk it away the next day... eg: questionable real estate deals, association with radical people, speaking his real mind in closed company, etc. We should stop blaming the media and let the true personality come out. No one's voices are being drowned out, quite the contrary, his is being amplified. We have not seen the real Obama yet!

[Jared]

For the talking media heads to complain about Obama's elitism because of a poorly worded comment is patently ridiculous. Every Senator is an elite, else they would not be a Senator. The degree of elitism is often a function of the time spent in office, as well as interconnectedness to other elites (hence all Senators are elites). Therefor we should expect Obama's elitism to be much less prevalent than McCain's or Hillary's.

Everything that has happened in the campaigns so far reinforces this, except Obama's recent comments. However, his apology and clarification were sufficient explanation (no doubt the media will not think so, since the other campaigns won't) for his comments. It turns out he was making a true statement, just with poor wording.

With a 15 minutes attention span in the media, we will be on to some other scandal involving who knows who, so this is likely not to effect him much by the time people vote. Especially by November.

"Did you hear what Mccain said?

"Yes, did you hear what Hillary said?"

"Oh my gosh, how scandalous!"

[Linda T]

The rest of the story is: Obama said small town people jiust didn't get the message cause it was delivered by somebody not like them...........a 46 year old black man, and that when people tell him they are stressed by racial discord, he tells them to try slavery for awhile..........go read up on it. I guess he listened real well to Rev. Wright after all.

[Joe Canadian]

If the American public fail to elect Obama because of his observations about the political climate of small town America, it will just go to prove that Americans are uneducated, uninformed and pick leaders based on shallow-reasoning. I live in Canada (but I'm a dual citizen), and if Americans fail to reverse the damaged caused by the past seven years of the Bush presidency, I'm afraid the damage will be irreversible and the American people will only have themselves to blame.

[Roger]

Now are we to accept this version from Obama as to what he "really" was saying or should we wait for the 4th revision? What he said was what he thought and it wasn't any of this BS. He was talking in private with a group of elite supporters giving them a pat on the ole back. He was sharing insights with them trying to relate with a group of metropolitan rich somebodies. thus the "WE'LL" in the talk. The "They" was who he was talking about. The view he shared was how he saw it in his own words but it is a view held by this group as well. what he was telling them in straight talk is shorter and with less stammering involved. Why we have a hard time getting "THEY" on board with our movement is because Red Necks are lazy bitter people who are fanatical about there religion, gun and anti outsiders. They don't trust "WE" educated city folk or for that matter any outside person or country other then other red necks just like them. You know it is a race thing as to why they won't vote for me or accept our enlighten movement. NOW THAT IS WHAT HE SAID AND HOW HE FEELS AND ALL THE SPIN IN THE WORLD BY HIM OR THE BIAS MEDIA IS NOT GOING TO SUCKER THE AMERICAN RURAL PUBLIC!! SPEAKING AS A FORMER METRO "WE" WHO NOW HAS LIVED AMONG "THEY" FOR 20 YEARS HAVE TO SAY SORRY BARACK THAT IS NOT WHO "THEY" ARE!
THEY are hard working, God loving, kind, open hearted toward all others and who are love of life and country people!

[Stephen]

What obama said and what its being made out to be are two different things - if you read his entire quote its not hard to opine that what he meant was not diparaging and his clarification is consistent..

[peabody3000]

this is a non-issue, much like the "dean scream" which was but a slightly off-pitch moment amplified and repeated ad nauseum towards america's lowest intellectual ranks

the smarter america is, the less effective such dumb ruses will be

[Obama is over]

Obama is finished.

He was finished at the time of the Rev. Wright freakshow.

If he somehow weasels the Dem nomination, the Democrats can kiss the White House bye-bye. What a squandered golden opportunity to reclaim the White House that would be.

Hilarious - the comments about the media being against Obama. The ONLY reason Obama got this far is because the media was in love with him and gave him a free pass.

[AJ White]

It's a shame that several inappropriate sentences can send an election in an entirely different direction.

[mgrfin@yahoo.com]

I find this poll to be out of sorts. The latest Gallup Daily poll of 4/13 shows Obama 50% and Clinton 40%, and the Susquehanna Polling and Research Clinton 40% and Obama 37%.

I don't believe that his numbers could have fallen so significantly. No one considers that poll, so it is not even included in the averages.

[Ron Burkle]

The futures markets for predicting election have not budged on this tempest in a teapot!
Hillary needs to win by the amount predicted in this "new terrible poll" for Obama just to have any mathematical chance of staying alive in the delegate count.

[Michael]

This will be a good test for how much the electorate is paying attention to cable news where the story has been played up beyond reason, or the actual underlying facts of the story, which are a far more benign. Obama is right--the Clinton campaign and the media are playing politics with this is in the worst way. Makes you wonder if the MSM wants to do him in like they did Dean in 2004.

[toby]

I'm starting to think Obama's support is completely illusionary.

If you take out the Caucuses and minority driven primaries in solidly red States....

Hillary is beating him 2 to 1.

Heck if yo just take out the Caucuses, Hillary is beating him handily.

And I'm sorry but NOTHING is more undemocratic than Caucuses. If other countries held Caucuses, we would denounce them as Unfair and undemocratic.

To have people go to places like someone's house, publicly debating where strong arm tactics can be used, and then being force to vote publicly....

There's is NOTHING Democratic about that....and it doesn't gauge the electability of a candidate in any means, just their ability to get the toughest voters to show and force others to support them...at leat temporary.

Again, I'm starting to think Obama's support is completely illusionary.

[The Bag of Health and Politics]

Bogus poll. People could care less about bittergate. It is the creation of elite NYC and DC media who thinks they know what we think out here in real America. Having been in central PA, I think Obama will lose PA, but not by 20 points. I think the tied survey was BS and I think this survey was BS. My guess is about a 10 point win for Obama. Remember, Hillary started PA with a 23 point lead.Tanking would be down by 40!

[Jonathan]

I don't think his comments hurt him at all. I don't expect him to win PA, but that isn't all that important, he still has the momentum to win elsewhere. Even if people are weary about Obama, I think many still prefer him over Clinton around here.

But the sad thing is so many of these 'working class' Pennsylvanians (in my eyes) don't even know much about any candidate other than the snippets they see on the news which are primarily bad things.

Obama ftw.

[Craig]

The vetting out continues. GO HILLARY '08!

[George]

Whats the big deal? Obama is just regurgitating the communist doctrine he was taught and believes. Religion is the opiate of the masses. Of course the little Pennsylvania peasants want to "cling" to their opiate in tough financial times.

Barak Hussien will work tirelessly to have the peasants transfer that faith in GOD to faith in the government.

After all, as Barak has been taught in church for the last 20 years - if GOD isn't with the goals of the Black Liberation Theology ("Hate and Blame Whitey for all the worlds ills" - for those unfamiliar with the doctrine), then Barak's church should/will "murder him".

[billy r]

susan, what networks are you watching? I am an avid news viewer and must tell you that CNN and MSNBC should just declare they are in the tank for OBAMA and get it over with.

Last nights cnn forum on compassion was a love fest toward Obama. R u kidding me?

[Gary_Hurd]

Honestly, I have about decided that there is nothing that could make me vote for any Clinton, in any election, for any office.

It can be true that refusing to vote against the worst of two evils is to assure the election of the worst of two evils, but it still might be too hard to vote for Hilary Clinton.

[Latham Stack]

The American Research Group is notorious for inaccurate polling. I'm surprised the L.A. Times is giving these results any credibility.

[Don D'Anthony]

When he said they "turn to religion and guns out of bitterness" he actually revealed a deep contempt for the 2nd ammendment and America's Christian religous heritage-the mask was off. He's a pure elitist that thinks we serfs have no need (and/or lack the mental capacity) to bear arms in protection of our liberties, and that deep down religion is "just a crutch" for bitter simpleminded people.

Of course, neither of these things are true-"We the people" bearing arms is how American liberty was won in the first place, and in all areas of life people of Christian belief systems have outperformed the secular and "sexually liberated" co-citizens-stabile communities, intact families bearing well adjusted children who become good citizens-freedom from disease and drugs.

Remember, throughout human history the defining characteristic between a slave and a free man has been the free man's right to bear arms.

Moreover, throughout human history it has been the cosmopolitican and sophisticated that produced the collapses of their civilizations, not the provincial patriarchal, strict citizen soilders of the farms.

As it has always been, provincial family men bearing arms father a civilization, decadent despots seeking to enslave first and always seeks to take those arms away.

IMO he's beaten himself.

[bert]

at least they have seen the wolf in sheeps clothing before it is to late

[Hypnos]

Bottom line kiddies, (and I voted for this guy some time ago), if you want to be president or get elected to any office, don't say negative things about the voters. Any voters..... It was dumb. You're in Pennsylvania, you go bowling to impress the working guys.. You're in San Francisco, you open your big mouth in front of the wealthy intellectuals and vomit all over your campaign. He may be bright but this was just plain dumb, I don't care what anyone says. No spin will change this perhaps only time.

[Tony]

National polls mean absolutely nothing. Unless the polling is done from the states that will likely vote Democrat, then the poll cannot be taken seriously. There are several states won by Obama that will never, ever, vote Democrat in the general election.

Count the states that Clinton has won, along with their electoral votes. Then do the same for Obama. Then subtract out the states from Obama that will certainly vote Republican. Obama loses handily. This is the only poll that really matters.

There is no "mass media" conspiracy at work against Obama. The Obama "bitter" comments stem from his inability to get the votes outside of the major metro areas, where (and this is not racist unless you pretne it to be) the population is predominantly black.

[walden9]

Hahahaha, Obama is the most impertinent, arrogant, insolent, over-self-estimating, self-aggrandizing half term senator ever to run for president (well, he's actually the ONLY half-term junior senator ever to run for president, but this fact just proves the former).

[jeffmissouri]

The problem with your blog is the particular poll you are revering to is usually very completely wrong. That is way www.realclearpolitics.com does not include this polls results in their average totals.

[Dr. Dave]

Obama BUSTED!

After giving him the benefit of the doubt, most folks have finally come to realize the arrogance behind the Obama campaign. This has been more about molding and shaping a false political image in the age of the internet than anything else. Eventually the real man behind the mask had to emerge and in this case it's just another typical small minded, small time slick Chicago politician. I actually feel sorry fall all the Obamaheads who fell head over heels in love for this guy.

SeeYA!

[Poncie]

Hillary seems to be able to say and get away with any and everything and yet her remarks generate nothing but a couple of laughs; whereas Obama's remarks always seem to linger and linger for days and weeks - what's going on here.

By the way I am bitter: bitter about a government that seems to be more interested in furthering its own cause as opposed to its constitutents cause. Bitter about a war that we don't want, that's costing us trillions, bitter about bailing out wall street, and to damn with main street, bitter about our failing schools and kids being left behind.

And so in this bitterness - I do turn to my GOD and wonder what in the world is going on.

An elitist - when they, The Clintons, made over 1/10 of a billion dollars in 6 years, due to him representing the American people. Give me a break!

[Max Losk]

Go Hillary! Go girl!

[don]

To Susan: We meaning who, Obama's followers that refuse to see anything other than greatness from Obama. Obama has had a free ticket almost all the way up to this point. To make a point, a big deal was made about Hillary's story of her landing in Bosnia; which BTW I think was rediculous at best considering Rezko, Rev. Wright and now his contempt for small town America. I'm sure given his Rev views Obama feels only racists live where most people don't support his Anti-American stance. And talk about feeling entitled I believe he feels entitled to the Presidency given what has happened to Black persons in the past. After all he threw Grandma under the bus but not his precious Rev Wright who has done so many great things for........Black Americans.

[jeffmissouri]

The problem with your blog is the particular poll you are revering to is usually very completely wrong. That is way www.realclearpolitics.com does not include this polls results in their average totals.

[KansasGirl]

To Susan, you "voice" has been silenced! He is a "racist". I love this meltdown.

[Americao805]

Obama is one over-confident arrogant individual. He eventually gets away with this crap because so many naive desperate voters (obama supporters) want change but have a blurry vision of the obvious.

[RLF]

I guess the more people see and hear Obama the less they want him. Interesting turn around.

[chris c]

This is what happens when you're an elite snob who looks down on people. What a brilliant idea to make fun of rural Americans in front of an audience of wealthy San Franciscans.

He's not electable.

[Tucker]

Let us not forget how notoriously unreliable ARG has proven itself to be this election season.

[amy]

And what does hillary get for lying to her voters? She read those Bosnia remarks out from a speech, this is ridulously unfair? Whenever obama makes a small mistake the whole media is against him but what does clinton get and what is worse?

[Toni]

The voters of America must come to realize that Obama is not a "true" american. His comments are out of control. Does he fear that what goes around on emails in the us is against him and tells all his history?? Hilary is honest, trustworthy and faithful to her country. Just because she is a woman she SHOULD NOT BE DISMISSED. WAKE UP AMERICA....WE CAN'T TAKE ANOTHER 4 TO 8 YEARS OF REPLUBLICANS. IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE. A POSITIVE CHANGE. HILARY CAN DO THAT FOR US. WHERE ARE YOU AT 3AM IN THE MORNING.

[stexe]

Talk about spin! He's citing an obscure poll of a mere 600 people, while today's Gallup poll, a far more reliable resource, reflects Obama with a 10% lead. This is his widest margin yet. www.gallup.com has the stats, and you can also check today's huffingtonpost.com to see videos of Obama getting support and Clinton getting jeered from the people of Pennsylvania when each of them bring up the issue.

[dsclinton]

Good riddance, Obama! America can take your smooth talking BS for only so long. Now the true Obama is coming out adn the middle class America doesn't like what they see. Hillary, please bring back the peace and prosperity. Tired of $4.00 /gal gas.

[Steve Smith]

ARG is regarded as one of the worst pollsters out there, as any decent journalist should know. There's no way this media-driven "controversy" could create a twenty point swing in a week. Gallup still has him up 10 nationally. Get real.

[Jim Mackie]

Obama is right. All we have is guns, cheap beer and
religion. Only Obama can but an end to the war in Washington that has seen the Clinton and Bush
nuts fight it out for 25 years leaving all but the rich
behind. God help the world if Clinton or Mr. Bush
the 3rd gets the job.

Clinton is making the PA voters look like total dupes.

She is proving the old saying that you can fool some of the people ALL of the time.

Come on PA are you really this naive? A woman with $100MM in net-worth and the GOP guy who owns 8 homes says that Obama is an elitist? And this coming from the woman who repeatedly lies about everything from Bosnia to being related to Sir Edmund Hillary, to playing soccer as a girl to going to Africa with Wilson, to lying about being involved in the Irish peace process... the list just goes on and makes the PA voters look dumb.

WOW, what is the average IQ in PA?</