Modern Life in Northern Minnesota
I suppose this was inevitable. Larry Oakes of the Star Tribune localized the two-week-old “bitter” comments of Sen. Barack Obama by interviewing Iron Rangers. You know, because Rangers get laid off a lot and like guns. Opinions about the comments (that Obama himself has expressed regret over wording poorly) vary widely based on who the opinion holders support in the first place. Who knew?
And the sun rises again on America …
By Aaron Brown A 21st century memoir of a place and a people: (Buy now on Amazon) -- The Iron Range is a string of blue collar towns along an iron formation in northern Minnesota, many of which ... Read More →
The Great Northern Radio Show features music, comedy & stories about modern life off the beaten path: Written, produced & hosted by Aaron J. Brown with a talented supporting cast and Minnesota musicians and guests. Each episode broadcasts from a different location. The next Great Northern Radio Show is Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 at 5 ... Read More →
Anybody who was upset by what Obama said was already going to vote for a republican anyway. In fact, he spoke what all of us know to be true. While that doesn’t win him points with his opponents, it should make those of us who support him solidify our support for him. Truth may hurt, but it won’t hurt his chances this fall.
Anybody who was upset by what Obama said was already going to vote for a republican anyway.
You mean all of us who think that NAFTA is a bad deal are Republicans? I don’t think so. The problem is not that Obama said some people are “bitter”, its that somehow that explains why they “cling” to issues like opposition to free trade agreements that don’t protect American workers.
This wasn’t a poorly worded mistatement. It reflected Obama’s honest assessment of small town America. You can find numerous books and articles decrying how these people have been “duped” by the right. Its a common theme among the Democratic intelligentsia.
As Phil Krugman has pointed out, its not true. The so-called “value voters” on the right aren’t poor Christians, they are mostly wealthy Republicans who attend Republican churches that affirm their wealth as a sign of God’s approval.
Most people minds are already made up and, as Aaron points out, their reactions will be determined by who they support. If Obama gets the nomination, I will be the first to say it is a non-issue. The question is what impact it has on people whose minds aren’t made up, either in the primary or for the general election.
I live in rural America and I’m bitter. I don’t hang on to either guns or bibles – by a long shot. My parents and family live in rural America, and they’re bitter too. They do, indeed, hang onto their guns and their bibles. In my experience, what Obama said was true – rural America is very bitter, and many in rural America cling to their guns and their bibles. All you have to do is look at the last coupe electoral maps in Presidential elections, and know the gun supporters evangelists voted heavily republican, and know that was what carried so many of those rural states to understand the validity of what he said. I think a lot of those people don’t like to be called out, partly because they are bitter.
Was it a smart move? Maybe, maybe not. I don’t think that’s decided yet. It depends whether those individuals thus described are willing to say “Yep, I’m bitter. You gonna do something about that?” And whether Obama can help them understand that by supporting him we can work for a better future for rural America. Do I think Hillary is going to provide that? No. Do I think the Republicans are going to provide that? No. On the other hand, just by being willing to recognize the situation exists, I think we have taken a step toward dealing with the matter.
Yes. I live in rural America, and I am bitter.