Earlier today I commented in one of the numerous 'bitter' diaries that I'm starting to look forward to these so-called 'gaffes' of Obama's. He surely does have a knack for turning soundbite misrepresentations of his meaning into opportunities to show his insight regarding the more nuanced facets of taboo subjects where lesser politicians fear to tread, doesn't he? I love it that he doesn't have to backtrack, flip-flop, or deny his words, deeds or intentions to manage damage control. He just expands his original statement while admitting that his choice of words was imprecise. That is sooooooo refreshing given the standards we've come to accept (and often expect) from our political leaders nowadays!
I can't wait for the debate this week! I eagerly await the moment when someone tries to corner Obama in a bitter pocket of 'elitism' and 'condescension' towards people who've been suffering the effects of the last several administrations' lip-action sans real action to build an economy that's stable and vital for regular folks instead of the extremely wealthy people and corporations who've used their power and influence to gain legislation in their own favor, and to hell with those who actually work for a living.
What can Obama say to an attack of that nature? Well, he can point out that he made the choice to be a community organizer instead of going after a high-profile, big money job. He stuck with it, though he wasn't getting rich. He was there to help folks who'd been disadvantaged by a broken system that was content to let poor people fall through the cracks. He was there helping those folks develop ways to improve their lives and communities. He was helping them to stand up for themselves against an unfair system that had a vested interest in their failure.
Hillary and McCain were busy hobnobbing with people in power and building their own political careers while Obama was working with people facing the toughest challenges, the types of challenges more and more of us are running up against as trickle-down economics does nothing but piss in our Wheaties.
Once again, Obama's opponents and gotcha-style media have placed him in the position to talk to folks about what he really thinks, and all the attention to 'the gaffe' makes it that much more likely that people will be listening.
I am all ears, connected by a great, big smile.