Helpflul update on the controversy surrounding Barack Obama's statement about small time America and white working-class voters: 'So it’s not surprising then that they get 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.' This short report fairly presents different sides of the story, as well as useful context.

This is a straight forward and balanced story that presents what Obama said, why and how opponents attacked him, his response and the further attacks by opponents. Aside from applause from a partisan crowd, there is no reading on public reaction. While I see nothing wrong with the journalism, I believe that this episode is an example of the "tempest-in-a-teapot" campaigning employed by all three potential presidential candidates and furthered (perhaps relished) by the press. Good mud slinging always trumps meaty discussions.

This falls into the journalism of "who gives a damn?" If by "bitter" Obama means we Americans who are upset about the looting of America by special interests, being spied upon, having our rights taken away, paying for a lost war, and facing the worst crisis since 1929, then Obama is talking about most Americans. Last week two "journalists" on MSNBC had a heated discussion, agreeing that Obama substituting orange juice for the drink on the breakfast menu shows just how ill-suited he is for president. The "silly season" is in full swing.

I think - for covering the "topic" - it's an OK attempt. But I think the entire story is just another attempt by Clinton supporters on one side, and the reich-wing Republican operators on the other, to try to make Barack Obama somehow distasteful to the American public - who ARE bitter AND dissatisfied. If they weren't bitter about the state of the country, and dissatisfied about it's trend, the operative word of the 2008 election season wouldn't be "Change" - now, would it? Once again, Barack Obama handled things well. I just wish that compromised $%^&! Clinton would just get off the stage, before she screws everything up for everyone, and lets McBush get into the White House.