The Young Turks

IMO, it's too late in the primary for this gaffe to effect the utlimate outcome of the race against Hillary, although I think it may prolong it.

But, where these remarks are going to come back to really bite BO will be in the General, when the GOP spin machine cranks up a sh** storm and you will hear it thousands and thousands of times, with Rev. Wright's sermon playing back up drums.  This is BO's "Dukakis in the tank picture," Kerry's "I voted for it the first time...." moment. This gaffe may be even worse, because it plays right into every GOP hacks stereotype of the elitest leeeberal academic class who are portrayed as contemptuos of middle class american values. This plays right into the GOP's "Reagan Democrat" strategy.

Now you may say, and I would agree with you, that that is not the real Barack, that that is not what he is all about, that he comes from a dissadvantiged background, he is a self-made man, that he worked with the poor etc. But after hearing BO's remark, that is only a truth that can be arrived at with a fair amount of explaination and willingness too think about it on a voters part.  They are not famous for that. Barack cannot go on explaining himself on this remark indefinately. That will look weak. He will have to draw the line soon.

The damage is done.  Rove has his sound bite and he will pound it again and again for months. BO's remark, compared to Kerry's, is longer and more detailed, and can piss off a number of groups. It appeared to be the result of some forethought. Rove will take this image of a disconnected, haughty, contemptuous, out of touch academic and spin a web of half truths around it to make it the "conventional wisdom" you will hear the talking meat on CNN regurgitate again & again.

This is really bad news for progressives everywhere. 

R.S., you mentioned Hillary supporters suggesting it was Obama supporters doing the boos and jeers.

Has anyone bothered to ask WHY there would be that many Obama supporters at a Hillary rally? Utter nonsense. Those were HER supporters bringing the ruler down on her knuckles, no one else's.

Winsor's comments may be well intended but they, too, are utter nonsense. To paraphrase Twain, "The rumors of this candidacy's demise have been wildly exaggerated." It will take more than a candidate uttering the TRUTH to bring down a campaign.

Bitter, angry, disillusioned, disenfranchised - these are all VALID terms for the way people are feeling. Why should ANY of these terms come under fire?

The road to the White House is paved, not covered with egg shells. There is no need to tread softly or quietly. I urge Obama to get even MORE fiery in his rhetoric. It's the only way for him to show how devastating this administration has been to America and why a Republican or a Republican-lite candidate is no person to be behind the desk in the Oval Office next February.