A difference in class

[sniffa]

There was an interesting exchange between Barack Obama and a young supporter at an event in Iowa yesterday. From Jonathan Stein’s transcript:

Young girl: “I just want to say that every time I see a commercial of Mitt Romney on TV I want to throw up.”

Barack Obama: “Haha. Okay. I feel you. What’s your question?”

Young girl: “I just want to say to anyone who is considering voting for Mitt Romney–”

Barack Obama: “Well, hold on, sweetie. I know you have an opinion on Mitt, but I want to use this forum for questions, not to dog Mitt Romney. Though he sometimes uses his town halls to dog me! So why don’t you ask a question.”

Young girl: “Uh, I guess I want to know your thoughts on Mitt Romney.”

Now, Obama tried to turn this into a light moment, and answered by commenting on Romney’s impressive hair. But Oliver Willis raised a really good point: “Compare this with John McCain’s chuckle at his supporter calling Sen. Clinton a ‘bitch.’”

Quite right. A month ago, McCain hosted a campaign event in South Carolina, in which one charming elderly voter stood up to ask, “How do we beat the bitch?” McCain, assuming the voter was referring to Hillary Clinton, responded, “That’s an excellent question.” It’s the polar opposite of how Obama handled a similar situation.

There just seems to be a difference in how the candidates deal with supporters attacking rival candidates. Obama heard a supporter attacking Romney, and he put a stop to it. John Edwards heard a supporter attacking Obama on racial grounds, and he refused to engage.

On the other side, McCain heard a supporter attacking Clinton, and he thought it was “excellent.” Mike Huckabee heard a supporter say she’s planning to support him because God won’t hear the prayers of a Mormon, and Huckabee responded, “I’m glad you’ve made your choice for me. I don’t care why. I’m just glad you did.”

It is me or is there just a basic difference of class between the Democratic candidates and the Republicans?

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/13967.html

[babylonsister]

1. I'm so tired of our current classless resident-I know all the Dems

have class, but it's nice to see in writing.

[sniffa]

2. indeed

i love the contrast there. i was going to snip up the piece, but it needed to be whole to really see it.

:hi:

[Catherine Vincent]

3. "Well, hold on, sweetie."

Sigh! :P

[AlCzervik]

4. i agree, there is a huge difference, look at the 2004 rnc convention.

[sniffa]

10. that was sickening

:puke:

i think back on the DNC convention fondly (the admins along with some of their S.O.s and youngred were there, and the first time i've met any of them. also the first time i met quite a few DUers) as i watched the convention on several TVs at Cleary's. i also loved the whole atmosphere of my hometown - there were so many delegates from all over the country and i enjoyed meeting several of them. i even enjoyed just riding a train with them even if we didn't meet/speak; most were wearing their badges.

i loved all the speeches, and i thought it was so wonderful, and in a cheesy way, uplifting. i also thought there was no way Kerry would lose.

then i watched the RNC convention and puked in my sleeve several times over 4 days. :puke:

as you know from our long acquaintance, i still stand by my statement (that was also a long time sigline): those who continue to support this administration, are malevolent fucks and should be treated as such.

[AlCzervik]

12. yup, Pat Peale, imo she represents all republicans.

[terisan]

5. Sweetie!!!!!!!!! He doesn't say Miss or Ms to young women?

Is "sweetie" no longer considered condescending?

[monmouth]

6. I believe she was a child, sounds okay to me....

[babylonsister]

7. Me, too. nt

[sniffa]

8. without investigating it any further than the transcript there

she sounded maybe 12?

[babylonsister]

9. Writing 'young girl' vs. teenager or teen gives me the impression

she was 12 or younger. Whatever he said, I'm sure it was PC. This is about class, after all!

[K Gardner]

11. K&R