Obama Opens WV Headquarters; Overshadowed By Controversy
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Updated: 11:55 PM Apr 12, 2008
Obama Opens WV Headquarters; Overshadowed By Controversy
Presidential Candidate Senator Barack Obama's West Virginia campaign headquarters grand opening was overshadowed by controversial comments made by the junior senator from Illinois.
Posted: 11:17 PM Apr 12, 2008
Reporter: WSAZ News Staff
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama's West Virginia campaign headquarters' grand opening was overshadowed Saturday by controversial comments made by the junior senator from Illinois a week earlier.

Barack Obama was heard telling a group of wealthy donors in California that he thought some of the blue collar voters he met were bitter.

"They cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations," Obama said.

Saturday, Mr. Obama tried to downplay the controversy, saying the comments could have been phrased better.

Clinton, campaigning in Indianapolis, called the remarks "elitist and out of touch."

The former first lady is eager to hold on to her working class support in upcoming primary states like Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky.

Asked about the controversy at Senator Obama's campaign headquarters in Charleston, Senator Jay Rockefeller had no comment.

"No," Senator Rockefeller said. "Because I don't know about it. I didn't see any of it on television, and I didn't read the newspaper, because I've been busy."

Other elected officials in West Virginia are commenting. Two small-town mayors, both Hillary Clinton supporters, released statements through the Clinton campaign Saturday.

Mayor Jean Ford of Williamstown said, "I'm disappointed by Obama's offensive comments. If he came to Williamstown, he would find hardworking people doing everything they can to make a better life for their families, despite a slowing economy, a difficult war, and a broken health care system."

In Hinton, Mayor Cleo Matthews also released a statement. "The people in Hinton and small towns across America are working hard to get ahead," Matthews said. "We need a president who will help us revitalize our communities."

Latest Comments

Posted by: Danny on May 13, 2008 at 03:46 PM

Please,at least get it straight! Sen. Obama said-"FOLKS IN PA.ARE BITTER OVER THE WAY WASHINGTON HAS FAILED THEM SO THEY CLING TO WHAT THEY KNOW AND TRUST,THEIR FAITH, RELIGION, GUNS, AND THEY DON'T TRUST WASHINGTON!" NOW I ASK YOU, DON'T WE ALL CLING TO WHAT WE TRUST? HILLARY CLINTON HAS MUDDIED UP WHAT HE SAID TO DISCREDIT HIM AND GAIN HERSELF VOTES AND SUPPORT--WHAT ABOUT HER LYING TO US ABOUT A GAS TAX HOLIDAY SHE KNEW WOULD BE OF NO BENEFIT AND SHE KNEW HAD BEEN TRIED AND FAILED DURING HER HUSBANDS ADMINISTRATION. SEN. OBAMA HAS RUN HIS ENTIRE CAMPAIGN ON TRUTH--WHO ELSE CAN WE SAY THAT FOR? NO ONE IN MY LIFETIME. YOU STRAIN AT A GNAT AND SWALLOW A CAMEL! NO ONE IN OUR NATION HAS ANY "DIRTIER HANDS" THAN THE CLINTON'S -- ARE WE FORGETTING VINCE FOSTER, MONICA LEWINSKY, JENNIFER FLOWERS, A VOTE FOR THE WAR IN IRAQ, IMPEACHMENT! DO WE WANT MORE OF THAT SORT OF GOVERNMENT? I CERTAINLY DON'T!
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Anonymous on May 7, 2008 at 01:32 PM

You anti-Obama people obviously don't know what you are talking about. Obama is the most genuine politician to come around in decades.
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: carrie on May 2, 2008 at 07:35 AM

my family will not vote for Obama and if he is dem nom we will either vote for McCain or not vote at all. he is to shaddy for us. to much flip flopping on his Rev first he says he didnt bring him to his announcing he was running for President then we find out he had him hidden away. If he didnt know his Rev beliefs then why did he feel like he didn't want him at his side. things that make you go Hmmmmmmm.
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