Obama Struggles To Feel Voters' Pain

Politico: His Aloof, Professorial Side Emerged At A Roundtable With Voters In N.H.

(The Politico)  This story was written by Carrie Budoff Brown.

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Barack Obama lost his common-man touch Wednesday at The Common Man restaurant.

His campaign assembled six voters with hard luck stories for a roundtable at the aptly-named New Hampshire chain.

There was the 25-year-old single mother with no health insurance and mounting school loans. She got choked up when another woman, cradling a 10-week-old, talked about her family’s strained finances and her wish just to stay home and raise her children.

Then there was Sandra Burt, who lost her job on her 65th birthday. She cannot afford her $2,900 monthly prescription drug costs (she tried skipping doses, but ended up in the hospital). Her husband cashed in his life insurance and sold his treasured truck. They live in a 30-year-old double-wide trailer where the thermostat is set at 64 degrees.

Obama listened intently at the center of a U-shaped table, but amid the heart-wrenching stories that moved even members of the media, he betrayed little emotion.

“We put on extra blankets. We put on an extra pair of socks, whatever it takes,” said Burt, weeping at the end of the table. “What would you do?”

Before Obama could respond, Burt apologized - “I’m sorry,” she said - for breaking down in front of klieg lights, more than a dozen cameras and many more reporters.

“No, listen, it is outrageous,” said Obama, his voice monotone. “We are going to change this.”

For all the charisma that Obama can show day-to-day, bringing crowds to their feet with optimistic rhetoric or lingering on the rope line to hear voters’ stories, he can also appear equally detached.

The dual personality of Barack Obama - the aloof, professorial side - emerged Wednesday at a time when he might have benefited from more of the I-feel-your-pain approach he exhibits regularly on the campaign trail.

His response to Burt was a snapshot of his stump speech.

“There is a direct correlation between the special interests agendas in Washington and your situation,” Obama said, looking down at the table as often as he did at her. “Nobody expects government to do everything for them. What people do expect is if you are working hard and doing the right thing, then you should be able to retire with dignity and respect and have some basic health care.”

“Can you fix it?” Burt asked.

“I know I can fix it if I got the American people understanding that it needs to be fixed,” he said.

When somebody handed napkins to Obama for Burt, he dropped the pile in her hands from across the table, passing up what could have been an opportunity to make contact. (Another way to look at it is he resisted pandering.)

He later mentioned the success of his book allowed him to buy a big house. He was highlighting the unfairness of a tax system that gave him a mortgage deduction not available to those who own less expensive properties, but the story seemed somehow misplaced.

As he dropped off presents at a Toys for Tots collection site later in the day, Obama said he was touched at the roundtable.

“It is exactly why we have to bring about change in this election,” he said.

By an early evening event in Manchester, where the pitch-perfect side of Obama’s personality returned, Burt had become an insert in his speech.

“She started crying in the middle of our conversation,” Obama said, recounting her story for 700 people.

Burt has become a bit of a mini-celebrity since August, when she lost her job, showed up at a rally for John Edwards, and detailed her plight for the crowd.

“Sandra, you are a living, breathing example of what I was talking about,” Edwards responded, according to the Concord Monitor. She was the “perfect example of a victim,” he said, of a health care plan written by big-money drug companies.

Burt later appeared in a radio ad for AARP,and works with New Hampshire for Health Care, an advocacy project of the Service Employees International Union. She said she has talked with Edwards, Obama, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

She’s narrowed her choice to Edwards and Obama, whose campaign, as part of the courting process, picked her up and drove her to a private house party in Manchester to meet him.

“He is a very, very interesting man,” Burt said. “He does take the time to listen to you.”

Asked by a reporter whether any of the candidates had actually tried to help her, Burt did not hesitate: “No one has helped me.”

An Obama aide listening to the exchange whisked her away moments later.

At the Toys for Tots drive, Obama explained that he talked with Burt privately after the roundtable - and promised help from his campaign.

[trueprogress]

Thank you for your anti feminists comments, I plan to share with my students after the winter break.

[trueprogress]

To Mr. Cryerson: I am confident that you are a male by your somewhat offensive post concerning what I teach my students. I have had a long career in public service, social activism and all the time teaching full time, with over 4 hours of class time each week, and have a depth of understanding and knowledge about race/gender/class/heath/wealth issue that needs no further lecturing from a man. Having said that, I do agree that all candidates must be judged on merit, and ability. John Kennedy was the first Catholic President, and had very little experience outside of family business and political attractions due to service in WWII, yet people rallied around him to bring change from the older generation to the new. So too, do I call for change to elect Hillary as the first Woman President; some people would say that Carter, given his sensitivity, attitude and style was actually the first woman President, however, vis a vis Male Clinton being Black. I disagree but can see why people take that stand in feminists colligoums.
Hillary virtually ran this country for 8 years already. Like Elenor Roosevelt, but only with more power.
Isn''t time that we give recognition to her, She stood by her man. She weathered tough questions. She is smart. Again while offended, I understand your concern -- Hillary is "our man" if that makes you brain circuits more comfortable !!

[cryerson-2009]

After reading only the first page of comments I must say I am the most disturbed by the post from the professor of women''s studies who thinks the smart thing to do is vote for Hillary because she is a female. This is one reason I will never claim to be a feminist.
A professor should know it is not the *** of the candidate but the job they will do for this country that matters the most. Hillary has been trying for a health care plan for 15 years now. She has not succeeded. What makes you think she will now? While I do think it is a wonderful time in our country when I women and a black man can run for president, I don''t think those should be deciding factors at a time when this country needs decisive leadership.
As far as experience goes, here is a little nugget for you, Bill Clinton had just as little experience as Obama when he got elected in matters of foreign affairs. How much foreign affairs experience do you get as a governor? So really, that is a bunch of hogwash the campaigns are trying to feed everyone.

[cryerson-2009]

After reading only the first page of comments I must say I am the most disturbed by the post from the professor of women''s studies who thinks the smart thing to do is vote for Hillary because she is a female. This is one reason I will never claim to be a feminist.
A professor should know it is not the *** of the candidate but the job they will do for this country that matters the most. Hillary has been trying for a health care plan for 15 years now. She has not succeeded. What makes you think she will now? While I do think it is a wonderful time in our country when I women and a black man can run for president, I don''t think those should be deciding factors at a time when this country needs decisive leadership.
As far as experience goes, here is a little nugget for you, Bill Clinton had just as little experience as Obama when he got elected in matters of foreign affairs. How much foreign affairs experience do you get as a governor? So really, that is a bunch of hogwash the campaigns are trying to feed everyone.

[ibzjem]

We know the pharmaceutical companies have all these candidates, and all of Washington, in their back pocket.
I don''t see much hope for health care reform until someone comes in denies campaign contributions from them. Is there anyone like this? Anyone?

If you are paying $3000/month for medicine, which will just suppress your symptoms so you have to keep buying more, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Very unfortunate. You can move to Canada though.

[coolprophet]

obama and hill are two sides of the same coin like the rest of the canidates on both sides except ron paul he is on the cutting egde in all aspects google him use your own brain that GOD gave you.no war is my choice i will walk before i condone murder for money,oil,imperialism!Question?if you believe in judgement why not know all your options,so when all the cards fall where they may you made a well informed decision 1 life 1 love stop killing in GOD''s name or you alone will be accountable for your war monger actions out of ignorance.fight the enemies within with knowledge (google Ron Paul 08)

[ansoed12]

pepperp1,
Why don''t cut her a check since you''re so concerned?

[ansoed12]

Hillary4sout,
Remember the 90s? What a awesome clean-up that was!

[ansoed12]

jonnie62,
How do HRC and W. sound? I hope you''re not one of idiots who got burned by W. twice and probably thinking HRC is great!

[samthetvcat]

"Sen. Obama''''s response should be familiar to many women. Lots of men feel at a loss and don''''t know how to deal with an emotional woman. But most of them don''''t have cameras rolling in that situation.

Since any change to current government assistance requires an act of Congress, he certainly can''''t guarantee a fix for these people. All he can do, if elected, is propose action and use his position as a bully-pulpit to try to influence Congress. I''''m sure his staff will do what they can to try to cut through red tape for these individuals, but any offer of direct assistance would result in thousands, if not millions, of appeals for him to intervene on others'''' behalves. That''''s not what they, or the public who are looking for a warm, empathetic leader, were looking for, but it''''s honest."
Posted by flreason

I''m completely the opposite to cdfoxtrot and thought this was a VERY brave post - one because guys just don''t really like to elaborate on that sickly wistful look on their face when they find themselves wanting to be able to be the hero but are cognizant of the limitations of reality; and two because for some shocking reason some women actually see the best part of men as being the worst and a disappointment (?)

Like it''s SO fundamental to who men are . . . ?!?

[coolprophet]

CLINTON PLANTS GLOBAL WARMING QUESTIONS
The Clinton campaign has admitted to planting questions at a college speaking engagement in Iowa. They have confirmed that a campaign staffer approached a student to ask Senator Clinton a question about global warming during a campaign stop in Newton, Iowa, on Nov. 6. The story was first reported by Patrick Caldwell, a junior at Grinnell College and the features editor of The Scarlet and Black college newspaper. He reported that student Muriel Gallo-Chasanoff was approached by the Clinton campaign to ask certain question about global warming and about the need for a global Carbon Tax. Gallo-Chasanoff also said that she "noted that staffers prompted Clinton to call on her and another student who had been approached before the event. Some of the questions asked were confusing and clearly off-message." Clinton Campaign spokesperson Mo Elleithee told ABC News that "on this occasion, a member of our staff did discuss a possible question about Sen. Clinton''s global warming plan at a forum. This is not standard policy and will not be repeated again." The staffer still remains with the Clinton campaign, but they would not reveal the person''s name. The Clinton campaign refused to comment on whether this was the only time they have planted questions among audience members about the issue of global warming.

[cdfoxtrot]

Sen. Obama''''s response should be familiar to many women. Lots of men feel at a loss and don''''t know how to deal with an emotional woman. But most of them don''''t have cameras rolling in that situation.

Posted by flreason

I like Obama and I actually hope he gets the nomination, but I don''t think it''s quite fair to generalize to the entire male population like this. He may be jaded from all the campaigning he''s been doing, but I don''t see that the fact that he''s a male is the sole reason for his apparent robotic response to the tragic stories of these individuals. And his analogies about his book and his big house make him seem very, very detached from the plight of ordinary people. It''s a wonder he didn''t turn to his handlers and ask "can''t they eat cake"?

[hillary4sout]

HILLARY 08 READY ON DAY ONE!!!!!!!!!
NO PLITICAL NOVIS 4 SURE
VOTE RIGHT! VOTE READY TO LEAD ON DAY ONE!
VOTE FOR THE PERSON THAT CAN CLEAN UP THE W MESS NOW!
THINK! THINK AGAIN ! THEN VOTE 4 READY ON DAY ONE!
WHAT IF IT WAS YOUR DOCTOR WOULD YOU LIKE THE 35 YEARS OF EXPRIENCE WORKIN TO SAVE YA OR THE NEW DOCTOR ON THE BLOCK WHO WAS CUTE AND SAID THE RIGHT THINGS AND HAD NOT A CLUE OTHER THAN HE WANTED TO BE A DOCTOR..... YOUR LIFE IS IN HIS HAND .. AN OUR COUNTRY HANGS IN YOUR VOTE .. WE N THE SOUTH TRUST GOD AN BELIVE IN HILLARY 08 TO DO WHAT SHE IS QUALIFIED TO DO AN HAD BEEN DOING ALL HER LIFE IF YOU REALLY ARE NOT A HATER AN WANNA KNOW WHAT SHE IS DONE YOULL FIND THIS OUT 4 YOURSELF AND GET BEHIND THE PERSON THAT WILL TAKE BACK THE WHITE HOUSE AND CORRECT THE MESS BUSH MADE OF THIS NATION ... HILLARY 4 PRESIDENT 08 GOD SAVE DEMS AND THE REST OF THE USA .... GO HILLARY 08

[hillary4sout]

GO HILLARY THIS IS WAT WE IN THE SOUTH HAVE KNOW ABOUT OSAMA THIS MAN DOES NOT UNDERSTAND PAVERTY HE HAS NEVER BEEN POOR OR HAD IT HARD LIKE MOST OF US. HE IS A FAKE AN AS THIS GOES ALONG PEOPLE WILL WAKE UP AND SEE WHAT WE SEE IN THE SOUTH PEOPLE STILL DONT UNDERSTAND HOW BLACK FOLKS IN THE SOUTH CAN TELL IF SOME ONE IS NOT BEING REAL OR NOT WE TOLD AMERICA ABOUT W BUSH DID THEY WAKE UP NO THEY SLECTED HIM AGAIN AN WE TELL THE DEM THIS OBAMA IS A FAKE WHO IS JUST WANT TO BE FIRST BLACK TO MAKE IT IN THE WHITE HOUSE, SAD THAT WE CAN SEE THIS AN NO OTHER RACE CAN UMMMMMMM MAKE U WONDER IF THEY JUST WANNA ELECT A NONE QUALIFIED DUDE TO BE PRESIDENT JUST TO SAY WE DID IT FOR YALL UMMMMMMMM, IF SO WAKE UP AN DO THE RIGHT THING ITS NOT THE BLACK MAN THE PERSON LEADING SHOULD BE THE BEST, MOST EXPERIENCED, DAY ONE READY INDIVIDUAL FOR THE JOB NOT JUST CUZ YOU ARE FASCINATED WITH A LIKEABLE BLACK MAN WHO TELLS YA WHAT YOU WANNA HEAR LOOK AT THE FACTS THE PERSON THEN VOTE THE RIGHT ONE THAT CAN WIN IT, THE GOP IS NOT AFRAID OF OBAMA THE ARE AFRAID OF THE ONE THAT CAN WIN HILLARY! AN YOU KNOW THEY HATE BILL .THINK THINK THINKG AN WAKE UP PEOPLE ! FOR GOD SAKES.......

[coolprophet]

CLINTON LETS BUSH PARDON HIMSELF
Buried deep inside Military Commisions Act, which was FULLY SUPPORTED by Senators Clinton, Obama and McCain, is a provision which pre-pardons President Bush and all the members of his administration for any crimes which they may have committed all the way back to September 11, 2001. Why that far back? That kind of makes you wonder. Huh? I can''t help but recall what Nixon said during an interview following the Watergate scandal when he said, "If the President does it, by definition, it''s not illegal." History never repeats itself, folks. It only rhymes. At least Nixon had enough class to wait for another President to pardon him for his crimes against our country. Bush apparently doesn''t want to take that chance. He has to consider the risk that Ron Paul will become our next President.

[flreason]

Sen. Obama''s response should be familiar to many women. Lots of men feel at a loss and don''t know how to deal with an emotional woman. But most of them don''t have cameras rolling in that situation.

Since any change to current government assistance requires an act of Congress, he certainly can''t guarantee a fix for these people. All he can do, if elected, is propose action and use his position as a bully-pulpit to try to influence Congress. I''m sure his staff will do what they can to try to cut through red tape for these individuals, but any offer of direct assistance would result in thousands, if not millions, of appeals for him to intervene on others'' behalves. That''s not what they, or the public who are looking for a warm, empathetic leader, were looking for, but it''s honest.

[samthetvcat]

Okay, I appreciate the positives, and I appreciate the honesty about not liking her. What I was getting at though is that if your motives for supporting Hillary are rooted in vengeance. Rowdy Texan, Pepperp1, metroduck75, etc have all cited mistreatment by the GOP as reasons to vote for Hillary and some of you have even contemplated how it''s going to great it''s going to feel when that day comes. I guess it''ll feel powerful - like the victims are giving the ''bad guys'' a taste of what it feels to be on the receiving end?

So do you guys see yourselves as rationalizing all the digs at Obama from both you and Hillary as just self-defense even if you start it and do it 5x more, do you see him as just an impediment to your ''just'' revenge, or might it be because he too is a man? Because some of the bashing is extreme and has a really rage-filled tone that one doesn''t see when truth is the priority.

(Example: Are you familiar with the term hypocrisy feigned high principles the false claim to or pretense of having admirable principles%u2026%u2026I believe one that is hypocritical in their action is not principled and I have no wish to see another unprincipled President in the White House..)

PS I''m not singling you guys out - just curious about what''s in the mind of the typical Hill-fan. If you don''t feel like answering, that''s cool too :)

[usakousagi]

Everyone shows emotion differently just because he didn''t seem emotional over it doesn''t mean that he didn''t care. Also correct me if I''m wrong but Obama hasn''t always been rich has he? So the accusations that he doesn''t understand being middle class doesn''t make sense to me... but maybe it''s just me.

Although it does almost seem like due to her publicity this woman is being used as a pawn to win our votes. She''s meeting these rich candidates and not one of them has helped her? She''s appearing in commercials but she''s not being helped financially? Something just doesn''t seem right. This woman has led a difficult battle but her fame has helped her.

[pepperp1]

Can you fix it?%u201D Burt asked.

%u201CI know I can fix it if I got the American people understanding that it needs to be fixed,%u201D he said.

HUH ......all talk, lots of ifs in his talk, if I would have voted it would have been different....

[rowdytexan2]

"I however respect her competence, her intelligence, her pragmatic policy wonk approach to tough issue, her determination to keep her family together, her professionalism, her respectful treatment of others and I believe her to be the most ethical and honest candidate having the most complete and extensive background check perform by a rabid partisan and came out smelling like the rose of an accomplished leader she is. "
Posted by pepperp1 at 06:46 PM : Dec 20, 2007

Well said! And I admire her for standing up and taking on the cuff all the junior high accusations of the other two top candidates. Neither one of them had a word to say about a plan until they were booed at the debates. She had plans way before they even started their campaigns. They haven''t been talked plans except for about the last month!

Again, had people been listening to her, instead of not being able to get past old rumors and selective listening, they would have heard her message.