Reuters: Obama fights perception he is elitist

"The irony is, I think it is fair to say that both Michelle and I grew up in much less privileged circumstances than either of my two potential opponents."

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN3055017520080502
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That's undeniably true, yet in a country and on a board where irony impairment seems epidemic, how would one get that message across? Particularly someone from a multi-cultural background who has, in fact, experienced a great many things in the world that most Americans haven't -and perhaps, can't imagine?

Maybe some can- Military brats in particular, have bounced around a bit, from place to place. Hmmm

Even in the 21st Century, much of America remains provincial- still subject to the same sort of exceptionalism that http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/DETOC/home.html">de Toqueville wrote about in Democracy in America over 160 years ago.

Seems to me, some folks can and do wonder about one, two or three things and then consider: what elitism really is -and how it affects those we care about.

Yes, he traveled and lived in a third world country-he's so lucky! Yes, he lived in Hawaii, but not as a visitor on vacation. I wish some people would actually think on these things. Elitist? I guess you can be one if you don't know anything different, but Obama and his wife do. Clinton? Not so much. If I'm wrong, please tell me.

That's how I figure, too.

You're better than that.

It's a way to sow distrust and to make people forget that we share far more than the very few things that divide us. Because, really, who among us is so envious or miserly that we begrudge others whatever good fortune befell them in childhood? Or, the fruit of their own work? Even very real privilege can be accepted by Americans if the beneficiary can demonstrate regard for and service to the American people. Ted Kennedy might has something to say about this. :)

you might be an elitist :shrug:

Seems as if MizzzzHillary has led a pretty elite life:)

but then a white woman can get all down-homey and aww-shucksy, and she's just being nice..:puke:

I wonder if she talked & acted like that at Wellesley :) ..

The same people who berate Obama for being elitist, probably are ok with having an elite pilot or doctor..and even Nascar has made mention of the elite drivers they have:)

Damm, so I'm not not an elitist?

Would a sudden shift to Obama make me so?

Do some of the thoughts posted here somehow vitiate everything I (or anyone else) has ever written about the Clintons over the years?

Seems like that sometimes....

You can't operate a coffee machine at a truck stop..

When you can't set the clocks on all the VCR's in the multitude of rooms in your mansions.

When you make over a 100 million dollars a YEAR.. Oh Please..

I have to stop, too disgusted by that Lying, Elitist Woman and her Cheatin' husband..

Okay, one more..

You Might be an Elitist - if your husband, who is President screws a woman half if your age, and you refuse to chuck him out because you might want to run for President some day...

Ahhh.. Feel better now :)