William T. Fidurski

Clark, N.J.

Many of us small-town folk are immigrants or children of immigrants who have always believed in the promise of America. Many of us play by the rules and rightfully worry about illegal aliens undercutting trade unions, taking American jobs, and draining America's economy by taking community services and benefits, but paying no taxes.

Perhaps Obama and his wife are the ones "bitter" toward America. The rest of us are working hard through difficult times, as we always have. We do not expect or demand a free ride. Even without the Obamas' Ivy League law degrees, we have always been "proud" of our faith, our communities and our country.

Unlike Obama's pastor, we love both our God and our country, and will defend both to the last man and woman. Despite Obama's pretensions, we are the keepers of John F. Kennedy's "Ask not what your country can do for you." It's not about what America can do for Obama and his patronizing ego.

Marisa Quinn-Murphy

Absecon

As a representative of the middle class struggling to make ends meet, I find fault with Hillary Clinton's and John McCain's criticism of Obama's statements. As someone who has been paying student loans for the last 10 years and still has a considerable balance to confront, I appreciate a candidate like Barack Obama who has been in my financial situation, representing me as a concerned and "bitter" citizen. Bitter is an understatement. I would imagine many people are bitter, and rightfully so. Does that negate my ability to be optimistic? Not in the least; it inspires me to want to be optimistic even more. Let's get past this bickering about random statements and listen to what is important for a change.

Marla Coradi

Cranberry Township

I am appalled at Barack Obama's assessment of Pennsylvania and its people.

I live slightly north of Pittsburgh. I chose to stay here and raise my children because of the good schools, world-class hospitals, and strong sense of community and security. I am very proud of how this area has recovered and in some respects flourished after the end of the steel age. This is an area rich in culture and diversity, and committed to strong work ethics and values. Sure, we have many things to improve upon, but I see evidence every day of Pennsylvania's determination to stay strong, viable and progressive.

Obama's statement shows his contempt for those who are not like him or his supporters. If he is bold enough to make no attempt to disguise his bigotry and prejudices during the election season, I fear what his plans and policies will be for our country when he has control of the White House.

Rebeca Barragan

Philadelphia

Finally, a presidential candidate who gets the issues eating away at the morale of America, who has his eyes wide open to the realities of our lives.

Barack Obama gets why many hardworking Pennsylvanians may be bitter at the indifference exhibited by government and many elected officials regarding the state of our job pool and economy. Obama understands that many are angry and frustrated over the loss of their jobs to Clinton-backed trade agreements like NAFTA. Obama knows that one of the ways of helping our economy is to bring jobs back home. That's why he will give tax breaks to companies who bring and create jobs here in America.

The Clinton and McCain camps tried to spin Obama's realistic observations as an insult to Pennsylvanians, but all they did was prove how out of touch they really are. Clinton and McCain insult our intelligence if they think that hardworking people who are struggling and have lost jobs to outsourcing should not be frustrated.

Rosemary Friedrich

Berwyn

rcfriedrich@verizon.net

Barack Obama obviously thinks that people in small-town America are too stupid to vote their pocketbooks. Perhaps they've had enough dealings with officious and incompetent poverty bureaucrats to know that economic strength is not built on government handouts. Perhaps the people in small-town America live with too much integrity to vote against their principles and beliefs. Perhaps the people of small-town America have too much common sense to vote for a candidate who equates clinging to religion with "antipathy" against those unlike themselves.

Hurry, Obama, send Oprah upstate to transform their backward minds and bestow upon them 500-thread-count sheets!

Linda Monahan

West Chester

Oh, dear, he's done it again. When will Barack Obama learn that Hillary Clinton's cheerleader version of life in America is a far prettier story than his? Doesn't he realize that we don't want honesty? We want fairy tales and happy endings. Sheesh. And this guy wants to be our president? A leader who doesn't shy away from the truth of our bitterness and disappointment in our government. Just think how frightening it would be to address reality.

Beverly Gay-Raws

Phoenix

As a steelworker's daughter who grew up in Levittown, I was hurt and dismayed by Barack Obama's comments. I resent people being characterized as turning to guns and bigotry when things get tough. How can Obama think he is entitled to say that about anyone? I can only wonder what is truly in his heart.

Bob Brashear

Yardley

As a white, middle-aged, blue-collar, church-going, unionized, deer-hunting, lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, I believe Barack Obama nailed it. If not bitter, I am certainly frustrated and angry at the loss of jobs, NAFTA, our misguided entry into the Iraq war and the thousands of lives and the billions of dollars that we are sacrificing for that war. The list could go on.

While Hillary Clinton viciously and repeatedly attacks the probable Democratic presidential nominee, with no regard for the truth or party unity, I have become even more convinced that Obama understands my frustration, speaks to and for me, and has earned my vote.

Karen Nolan

Philadelphia

Once again Barack Obama has offended, and once again he's squirming out of the mud using the semantics excuse. Rev. Jeremiah Wright might have preached anti-Americanism but it's OK because he spoke in a special context. The offended are offended because they can't grasp that context, not because anti-Americanism is offensive. Now Obama claims he didn't mean "bitter," but a higher, grander truth. Obama is in perfect sync with Wright.

David Reichenbacher

Philadelphia

This campaign is dragging on too long, forcing candidates and the media to make stories out of nonevents, like the definition of bitter. I'll tell you something, Hillary Clinton. I'm a Pennsylvanian, and I am bitter. Obama is in touch with us.