Ummmmmm....Is McCain taking the high road????

[CoffeeCat]

He's speaking on CNN right now, about the pitfalls of being a Presidential
candidate who allows full press access.

He's outlining how that often leads to mistakes, missteps and a press that often
capitalizes on the negative. McCain goes on to say that this can lead to a campaign
that is more orchestrated, less open and rigidly staying on script.

He hasn't mentioned the "bitter" comments yet, but could he be taking the high road on
this matter?

Is anyone else watching this?

[maddezmom]

1. nope, he's talking about Obama now

[0007]

2. I think Hillary will take to the mike with the same speech after

John is through talking.

[kentuck]

3. And why are they showing his entire speech?

Now, he is attacking Obama, without mentioning his name thus far. Talking about small towns and faith.

[babylonsister]

4. Because he has an (R) after his name? nt

[Zynx]

6. This is what about 85% of DUers didn't understand about Obama's slip up.

It wasn't that he said people were "bitter". They are. When he said people "cling" to religion, as if in some act of desparation, he really stepped in the shit. There was nothing wrong with saying people are pissed about losing their jobs. They are. However, saying they are clining to religion because of it was not helpful.

[Life Long Dem]

7. This isn't Disneyland. Obama told the truth. Deal with it.

[Zynx]

10. If you believe that people only believe in God as a crutch, then yes.

[CoffeeCat]

15. Do you actually believe that....

Obama was saying that people "only believe in God as a crutch?"

He wasn't saying that. He was talking about some people who are in pain,
and how religion and guns can be used to avoid emotional pain or to provide
distractions from deep frustration and personal anguish.

It's pretty much basic psychology to understand that people often soothe
themselves with distractions when they are in pain.

Denial is very powerful and a less painful alternative to dealing with
tragedy and continued psychological discomfort.

Are people actually denying this?

The problem is---that people get damn defensive. No one wants to hear
that THEY might have a problem. Or that they're avoiding pain or using
a device to quell emotions.

When we attack leaders for acknowledging the human condition--we send the
signal that our own humanity is something to stuff down. This only furthers
additional pain and stunted growth.

[uponit7771]

9. People are graceful enought to forgive the use of the wrong words if the person doesn't show bigotry

...or biasness.

I personally don't see anything wrong with saying people "...cling to something personal because politicians suck..."

[Zynx]

12. I think the problem there was he put it in the same sentence with anti-immigration sentiment.

How it comes off is that it is an angry reaction, not a personal belief. The statement, as he said it, is not far removed from saying "religion is the opiate of the masses". However, he may be blessed by the fact the media is focusing more on the single word "bitter" than necessarily looking at that sentence and prying it apart.

Let me be clear, I am looking at this from the political perspective alone. I stopped backing Hillary after Obama made it clear he would take on Wall Street in a way I approved of. However, I will not defend that sentence of his. It was dumb. If he had just said people are pissed off about job loss he would have been fine.

[CoffeeCat]

14. But the truth is....

...that many people use good things, in ways that can distract them from pain.

We all need to eat everyday. However, food can be used to fuel addiction and
to distract people from pain.

Food, religion, alcohol, sex, watching television, shopping---are not bad things.

However, each of these things can be used to put a lid on a simmering pot of
anger, sadness, rage, pain and trauma---that needs to be processed.

Obama was simply speaking truth about basic human psychology and he was acknowledging
that people in pain in this country sometimes turn to devices and misuse them--in
order to avoid that pain.

But, I guess we aren't allowed to acknowledge our humanity and our weaknesses. You're
an "elitist" if you dare to point at the elephant in the living room and want to do
something about it.

That's what we've become---a bunch of lazy jerks who would rather laze in denial and
addictions---as opposed to do the hard work of growing and processing pain.

Pretty soon, we'll all be cavemen and cavewomen again, or else we'll go the other way and
become the emotionally blunted characters in "2001."

[keep_it_real]

16. But afterwards Obama clarified what he meant to say:

"And so people don't vote on economic issues, because they don't expect anybody's going to help them. People are voting on issues like guns, are they going to have the right to bear arms. They vote on issues like gay marriage. They take refuge in their faith and their community and their families and the things they can count on. But they don't believe they can count on Washington."

[CoffeeCat]

5. Ok, it looks like he's taking the low road...never mind!

What a loon.

He opens this speech by talking about the media exploiting political candidate's comments
and capitalizing on words that might be taken out of context.

Then, he goes on to do to Obama exactly what he just accused the media of doing
to him.

[uponit7771]

8. Yeap! I'm impressed honestly! ...if he keeps this up HE would've changed the GOP demeaner.

[KeepItReal]

11. He said "Yes" when asked if we are in a recession right now

(eom)

[Zynx]

13. He is trying to make sure that he doesn't get caught as being "out of touch"

with as old, white, and rich as he is, he needs to at least appear to be on the ball at all times.