Here's what former steelworkers in N. Wva, Ohio, and E. Pa. are reading on a local news website:

[Leftist Agitator]

http://www.wtov9.com/news/15878267/detail.html

Clinton Remarks Meet With Disapproval

Groans, Nos Follow Clinton Remarks In Pittsburgh




Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton Monday criticized Barack Obama’s remarks about small-town America but not everyone in the audience approved.

Clinton spoke at a manufacturing conference in Pittsburgh, where Obama had spoken about an hour earlier.

But when she referred to being “disappointed” by Obama’s comments where he referred to the working class as "bitter" at a fundraiser two weeks ago, there were murmurs in the crowd and someone yelled “no” at Clinton at least twice.

"I understand my opponent came this morning and he spent a lot of his time attacking me, “ Clinton said, which was met with murmurs and groans from the crowd for about four seconds.

“Well, you know, I know that many of you, like me were disappointed by recent remarks that he made,” she continued, met with more groans and at least one “no” from the crowd.

“I think it's important that, you know, we give people the chance to really compare and contrast us. You know, I am well aware that at a fundraiser in San Francisco, he said some things that many people in Pennsylvania and beyond Pennsylvania have found offensive,” she said, which was met with a few more "Nos."

“He was explaining to a small group of his donors what people who live in small towns right here in Pennsylvania are like and why some of you aren't voting for him. But instead of looking at himself, he blamed them. He said that they cling to religion and guns and dislike people who are different from them. Well, I don't believe that. I believe that people don't cling to religion -- they value their faith. You don't cling to guns, you enjoy hunting or collecting or sport shooting. I don't think he really gets it that people are looking for a president who stands up for you and not looks down on you," Clinton said.

Obama later accused Clinton of pandering to the working class.

Clinton was later asked about President Clinton’s spearheading of NAFTA in the early 1990s.

“As smart as my husband is, he does make mistakes,” she said.





THIS is how the so-called Bittergate is playing out in the steel country from which I originally hail. THIS is how her target PA demographic is going to react to her dog & pony show. THESE are the people that she absolutely cannot afford to aggrieve, and yet she persists in pissing them off righteously.

Hey Hillary? Those "blue-collar folks" cared a lot fucking more about their goddamned jobs than they ever did, do, or will about gays, guns or God. Those who care more about wedge issues are the same jackasses who always vote Republican no matter what. You just alienated your putative base today.

They are bitter. And now that bitterness is aimed squarely at YOU.

ON EDIT: Both former, and current steelworkers. Though there are still a few thousand in the Upper Ohio Valley, over 15,000 steelworking jobs have been lost over the last four decades. No comparable employment ever replaced them.

See these posts for more info:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5497064&mesg_id=5497406

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5497064&mesg_id=5497821

[goldcanyonaz]

1. Oh NOES!!11!!

[anonymous171]

2. She comes all the way from NYC to say how much she loves guns, beer, and religion.

Totally not pandering.

[amandabeech]

3. Or maybe that she's just fine with people who do.

That's the message she should be getting out.

[Leftist Agitator]

5. Shoulda...

But didna'.

Stick a fork in 'er. She done.

I can't wait to see how her shenanigans play out in WV. I can tell you from experience, there are a lot of, ahem, bitter former coal miners in WV who won't take kindly to a multi-multi-millionaire telling them that she feels their pain.

[amandabeech]

7. If she has any sense, there is still time.

I'm not thrilled with either of these candidates, and I'd like to see one of them show a little sense. I don't care which one.

I'm from a small town in Michigan. I'm sure most people see these two for what they are. I just hope that enough will see something better than McCain, who I think will do a lot better than the puke who ran against Granholm.

[Leftist Agitator]

8. I was for Kucinich all the way.

But I knew that that was a pipe dream.

I even liked what Mike Gravel had to say, but his campaign was DOA as well.

So, I've had to settle for Obama. He's a bit too centrist for my tastes, but he's a hell of a politician, a great Dem, and seemingly an all around nice guy.

Very sexy too.

:blush:

I think that what I like most about Obama is his honesty. He seems like he genuinely gives a shit about what happens to those tired, huddled masses who constitute the vast majority of us who aren't rich, influential, or famous.

Maybe it's all an act, as his numerous detractors claim, but I don't think so. I think he's the real deal.

And hey, even if he doesn't live up to my lofty expectations, he certainly couldn't be any wosre than the bumbling fuck-up with which we have had to put up with for the past seven plus years.

[amandabeech]

11. I'm still an Edwards person.

I liked his populist economic record, because I'm not rich or famous either.

However, I've never "gotten it" with Obama, which is the minority position around here. I'm just not at all sure who he is, but maybe I've become cynical, and yes "bitter", about the ability of any politician to really do anything but tinker around the edges of our dysfunctional government.

I do credit Obama with his efforts on the reform of campaign finance. I don't see real change until NO private money is involved in political campaigns, but that would take a Constitutional amendment. I'm not holding my breath.

You're right, both Clinton and Obama would be much, much better than the bozo who has been running things for the last 7 years. It will take at least 16 years in my estimation to really clean everything up behind that moron.

[Leftist Agitator]

6. See, where she's from is really immaterial...

But she really should know better than to pretend that she knows the first thing about gun ownership, from a personal perspective.

Though I can't criticize her putative endorsement of beer. I love my fellow female beer drinkers. We're too far and far between for my tastes. Though living where I live, I forget that sometimes.

:)

[TexasObserver]

4. Hillary drew boos and groans. She didn't see that coming.

But when she keeps her head where she so often does, hard to see anything coming.

[Leftist Agitator]

9. "Hillary drew boos and groans."

She's lucky that's all she drew.

When I was a little girl, I saw guys bring old sparkplugs and chunks of scrap metal to throw at Three Rivers.

And no, I'm not kidding, Groundskeeper Willie's joke from the Simpsons aside.

[Yael]

10. Good post and welcome to DU!

K&R

:hi:

[lastliberalintexas]

12. One of these days the media will turn on Obama

I hope Obama's supporters are prepared for that eventuality, but I don't see any evidence of it on DU. The media is only your friend until he is the nominee, then he takes Clinton's place and McCain gets non-stop glowing coverage. So will Obama supporters turn on the same right wing asshole reporters who are now being quoted time and again here?

God I'm getting old. I can't believe I've lived to see the day when the corporate media would be propped up by a Dem candidate's supporters.