Oh my ... that's quite a clip.

I think you're right ... he was like a bear pretending to have stepped into a trap ... and when Senator & Senator McClinton came along taunting "gotcha gotcha gotcha" he ate their lunch.

Yep, that's right, Sean.

McCain's campaign is about continuing the Republican/Bush policies. It's as if his campaign hasn't noticed that after 7+ years of Bush (aided by 6 years of a Republican-controlled Congress) 81% of the country feels we're on the wrong track.

And Clinton's campaign, during a change election, has decided to run on experience, touting Hillary as the ultimate Washington insider and wonk? But somehow, she's also a working-class, blue collar heroine who promoted NAFTA??

You know, Sean, Obama may not use as much of the populist rhetoric as Hillary or John Edwards, but it seems like he is a real populist candidate. Because he understands how powerful a large coalition of "ordinary folks" can be, he has used his background as a grassroots organizer to build this campaign. He's not fabulously wealthy, doesn't have family connections or a privileged background, and his campaign is financed by over a million contributors, with an average donation of $96! This alone makes his a history-making campaign, no?

I think you're right.

I've thought so ever since the "race speech", as a matter of fact. I was stunned when Mike Huckabee defended both Obama and Wright, but I got to thinking afterward that it made sense for genuine Christians to be forgiving to an overexuberant minister in the way that the Fox bobbleheads would not be.

Huckabee got all those votes in the Bible Belt primaries for a reason, you know.

Another thing about Huck. He was the first person to bring up the sense of bitterness that Obama was talking about. It was months ago in the Republican debates and it was one of the reasons he started picking up momentum and ended up winning the Iowa caucuses. He was still winning some states with big margins when he had no money and no chance of winning the nomination.

How in God's name did the other two not see this?

McCain especially. Clinton is still guided by Mark Penn who I'm sure believes that bitter people don't matter, but this time McCain really showed the Republican base he's not one of them.

That's gonna cost him big time.

The truth is, this isn't the everyday bad economy that the non "incumbent" always brings up during the campaign.

This is a really bad one.

And now you have the 100 million dollar candidate, and the one who's wife is worth considerably more coming out and saying nobody's bitter. Everything's great. You need to work harder.

He can spin this very easily in his favor over the next week.

My fav was when both Hillary Clinton and John McWarmonger acted as if Obama is insane. You know, sort of like – “shhhhh! Don’t wake them and tell them they're bitter, fer gawds sake!”

I'm thinking that the meme on Monday w/Joe Scar etc and the Faux Noise crew will be that Obama is starting a class war.

Ok, I will say it.

Hillary is FUCKED!

Yes Obama is right, we are where we are, the people's struggles and the possible demise of America as we knew it, has happened under 8 years of Clinton and 12 years of Bushes!

Obama has guts (and balls) to stick with his guns while the entire status quo tries to mobilize and fabricate attacks against him.

He may end up being our best president yet.

Yes We Can!

Yeah, my wife pointed out the strangest part about this turnabout that Obama pulled off, perhaps in spite of himself: Hillary is going around sounding like she is Ms. Jolly Sunshine Happiness Hope, and he's going around sounding like Mr. I'm a Fighter and I'm Pissed Off. In other words, a total role reversal. And one that would seem to be favorable to Obama, because Hillary's angry rhetoric seemed to be working pretty well. Now the cherubic Obama is the guy who's mad as hell and going to stick up for the pissed-off people. I'd like to believe that he's so smart he really did draw them into this intentionally. In any case, he has shown the intelligence to parry an attack and turn it back on his opponents.

Yep my mum (in UK) linked me the comment from You tube and over my morning java I just smiled. Last night I misjudged and got "bitter" over a comment I frankly butchered. I am a bit abashed this morning to say the least. I should know better living among young military, and in a region of the country that has been raped constantly by the religion, race, abortion and gun issues for years. I abhor Lott and his ilk. They have ruined this area. Katrina's scars are evident to me daily. Meanwhile the very Politicians that run on wedge issues are busy filing their pockets, chasing hookers or trying to put innocent Governors in jail. I have to be cautious as a military officer in my political leanings, very cautious but when I get the chance I will with every scarp of eloquence I posess try to tell people Obama is for real.

There is something in Obama's style vaguely akin to watching judo or aikido. He has a knack for seeming to be on his heels, then putting his opponent on his back.
Funny, funny, funny. As I watch this, Hilldawg's on CNN and the anchors are saying she's 'dealing with the fallout from the "bitter" comment.'
How strange to see this less than a day after hearing what's-her-face on Lou Dobbs going on about 'Obama's attack on small-town America.'

Judo...CHOP!

Look, he didn't say it the way you are implying he did.
He said it in a way to belittle people who are out of work , Religious and like to hunt.
I'm not saying he is finished, but this will and should hurt him.

That video has been viewed over 100,000 times now. Per the NY Times, Hillary and Bill plan multiple appearances today plus a press conference with "small town mayors" == they will spend the day denouncing and rejecting, in high dudgeon and full cynical outrage mode. I hope (and expect) Obama will not let up. His response was magnificent.

Obama's response is pretty amazing. It's almost like he set this whole thing up, knowing Drudge/Clinton/McCain would bite.

He's got them all telling the populace they don't feel their pain.

Brilliant! Rock on, Obama!!!

Er, excuse me interrupting the "it's a winner" festival, but from the end of the A.P. article:

One of Clinton's staunchest supporters, Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., acknowledged there was some truth in Obama's remarks. But Republicans would use them against him anyway, Bayh said.

"We do have economic hard times, and that does lead to a frustration and some justifiable anger, it's true," Bayh told reporters after introducing Clinton in Indianapolis. "But I think you're on dangerous ground when you morph that into suggesting that people's cultural values whether it's religion or hunting and fishing or concern about trade are premised solely upon those kinds of anxieties and don't have a legitimate foundation independent of that."

How are Obama's comments condescending? OF course, that characterization is never explained...because they aren't.

Notice to DLC Dinos and NeoCons; take a look at real leadership and be very, very,afraid. Truth is Krytonite to all you holier-than thou,weak-kneed triangulatin MFers. B.O.'s finally had enough of this "play nice" shit and he's tossin so much truth it's just blowin your feeble little minds.It's you "out of touch,elitist,anti-american"dirtbags and your corporate media masters who think Real Americans don't want/can't handle being talked to as intelligent adults.Well your head-down lets not offend the Rethugs and their dlc cronies shit is all thru. Time for you to watch in dismay as Obama combines his teaching/community organizer skills to rally the masses of working poor that you've spent the last 25 yrs pissing all over. I admit that I had concerns about Barack's ability to fight the smear-n-fear tactics of McCain/Clinton08 but each time they attack he just gets better/faster/stronger! I never thought I'd say this but thanks, Hillary, for helping make Obama an even better candidate. Yes We F#ckin Can!!

Obama was right on the money with this response. Unfortunately, he watered it down a bit today. I was ready to watch him take Clinton and McCain apart, but he backed off. I just don't think it's his style to go that route. I'm sure he'll do fine, but I was kind of enjoying watching the "fired up" Obama givin' 'em hell.