Clinton Comments on Rival's Bitter Words

"That sentence will lose him the election. He just announced to rural America: 'I don't like you.' Now you can vote against that guy not because you don't like him. You can vote against him because he doesn't like you." – Grover Norquist (ABC News Sneak Peak)

The campaign of words seems unable to stop falling afoul of them. Senator Obama's latest controversial comments, previously reported by Dave and Faye Anderson, have ignited what some pundits think may be the biggest firestorm yet in his campaign. Even Chris Matthews has overcome his thrilled leg long enough to bravely recognize "Nobody wants to be called bitter."

Partially channeling Victor Davis Hanson, Senator Clinton spoke about Senator Obama's comments today:

"They seem kind of elitist and out of touch in talking about people who live in small towns and rural areas throughout America. You know, Americans who believe in the Second Amendment as a constitutional right. Americans who believe in God as a matter of personal faith."

"I grew up in a church-going family. The people of faith who I know don't cling to religion because they're bitter. In fact, they embrace their faith because it gives them so much in return; the spiritual reward of faith and belief that creates so many opportunities for all of us."

"I disagree with Senator Obama's assertion that people in our country cling to guns and have certain attitudes about immigration or trade simply out of frustration."

MSNBC's Jill Zuckman believes Senator Obama is in trouble. "I think it's a big problem for Senator Obama politically. Regardless of what he really meant by it, the idea that you're calling unemployed people bitter does not come off so good. I think that he's going to spend a lot of time on this between now and however long the election goes on," she said. This is MSNBC mind you, regarded by conservatives and Hillary-bloggers alike as Obama-friendly territory and home of Matthews' famous Barack-inspired bodily sensations.

Of course, there are those who believe this will be barely a blip. The Obama campaign has been pushing a video of a CNN panel that thinks this is all an uncalled for kerfuffle.

Aside from the analysis of pundits and politicians, it's hard to imagine the voters of Pennsylvania not making Senator Obama's comments part of their decision. You know, when they aren't bitterly clinging to their Bibles and rifles.