Apr 13, 2008 7:37 am US/Eastern
Pittsburghers React To Controversial Obama Remarks
(KDKA)
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Presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama speaks at a rally at the Soldiers and Sailors Hall in Oakland on March 28, 2008.
KDKA
Pittsburghers are reacting to some controversial comments made recently by Democratic Presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama.
Saturday, Sen. Obama conceded that his comments made last Sunday about bitter working class voters who "cling to guns or religion" could have been better phrased.
KDKA's Paul Martino talked with some local people about the remarks.
In local small towns like Oakdale, many people say they were just hearing about Obama's comments and the reaction was mixed.
"It's a right to own a gun. You have every right in the world to own a gun," said Oakdale resident Mike Smith. "He's got no right to take that away from anybody."
Local teacher, Joe Welch, of South Fayette Township, says he is an undecided Democratic voter, but adds that Obama's remarks may sway him now to vote for Senator Hillary Clinton.
"I don't want to make an instant reaction here, but this is something I'll take into consideration," said Welch. "Religion and personal freedoms, that's something that should be taken into consideration."
Meanwhile, the gun lobby had their own reaction to the remarks.
"Outrage… people are very concerned that this man is distant, doesn't understand his responsibilities, said Kim Stolfer, of the Allegheny County Sportmen's League. "He doesn't understand what the people need."
Sen. Obama defended the remarks.
"I didn't say it as well as I should have. The truth is that these traditions that are passed on from generation to generation, those are important," he said. "That's what sustains us."
But, Obama's opponent, Sen. Clinton denounced the remarks.
"I was taken aback by the demeaning remarks Sen. Obama made about people in small town America," she said. "Sen. Obama's remarks are elitist and they're out of touch."
Meanwhile, gun lobbyists are claiming that Sen. Clinton has one of the most anti-gun voting records in the Senate.
Stay with KDKA for the latest news on Campaign '08.
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