Who Cares About Class?
The most recent fracas between Obama and Clinton was, as you have probably heard, the “bitter” comment made by Obama. The comment then led to numerous back-and-forth criticisms.
Like most, I am unimpressed by the attacks the candidates are making on one another, and worry about the effect this will have on the general election. However, I think that this is bringing to the fore an issue that we don’t talk about enough during elections: socioeconomic class. My question is this: What do you see as each candidate’s (include any candidate who interests you, including Green, Republican, or independent candidates) stance on socioeconomic class? How much does the issue of class figure into your decision regarding which candidate to support?
I’m thinking back on many veiled remarks that have had to do with class in other elections … e.g. “VOTE OR DIE”; the accusations around Dean’s campaign of Volvos and lattes; Bill Clinton’s image of being a “man of the people”; Ross Perot’s ability to make a major run for President because of his tremendous personal wealth …
I think class is important when looking for the president of the United States because I believe everybody wants a president who comes from money and who’s socioeconomic class is atleast in the middle class.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoIm not sure about specific candidates approaches to socioeconomic status, so I can’t fully answer this question.
To be perfectly honest, I’m not fully aware of each candidate’s stance on class. Actually, to be even more honest…I have yet to even research each candidate’s platform. Of course, I’ve heard various speeches on different issues but my knowledge is limited to that and more personal issues that seem to be “mysteriously” made public by the media. Sorry…I digress.
As for the prompt, I don’t understand what the whole “VOTE OR DIE” trend has to do with socioeconomic class?
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI think issues of class are very important to me personally. I am however extremely tired of this back and forth in the media between Clinton and Obama. At this point I want both candidates to concentrate on someone winning the nomination and getting focused for November, each should just respond to any remarks with NO Comment about the other candidate. Frankly you never really know what a candidate will actually do until their in office. We have promises and guarantees but no one could have forseen where the Bush reign would have us now eight years later. I would rather the candidates focus on this election and winning and dealing with many of these issues at a later date, say like when their running against their Republican opponent.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI’m not really sure. I really have not thought about this, and I also have not been keeping up with each of the candidate’s stance on socioeconomic class. I will have to read more about this in order to fully answer the question. I haven’t really included this issue of class in my decision regarding which candidate i will support, but I will have to take a deeper look now.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoWell I really don’t know much about any of the candidate’s stances on socioeconomic class. I would just assume that since Barack seems like he has the popular vote, that his platform on class would be the most moving, but then again I don’t know. But this does make me think how come socioeconomic class isn’t paid that much attention to?. Is it because traditionally those from lower economic classes don’t vote, so candidates really don’t put their issues at the forefront of their campaigns?. I hope not, but to me that seems like it is the answer to why most people don’t know about their stance on socioeconomic class
| Posted 1 year, 7 months ago1. I live in Pennsylvania and most of what Senator Obama said was true. Unfortunately the publuic does not like to hear the truth.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months ago2. I think class matters a lot but I do not think thatany of the candidate have touched on the class system issues. none of them have spoken on how the gap is growing between the have and the have nots. No one has complained about it so, the candidates do not have too.
Socioeconomic status is a phrase thrown around a lot and although this is frequently integrated into our daily discourse, its still a sensitive subject. A person’s socioeconomic status is doesn’t define who they are, but it does play a role in the person they become. A presidential candidate who has sympathy for their citizens is all fine and dandy but as a voter i want to feel like my president isn’t just looking at my situation and saying “that poor American girl…what a shame…” and turn around to handle foreign problems.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoBaracks comment my have been out of context and untactful but his messege is true. People are frustrated about their economic problems that seem to have no solution. What else is there to do but sit and simmer over why your soo miserable and who is to blame (e.g. immigrants, out sourcing, etc.)
While Obama’s comment sparked nationwide attention, this is not the first time the candidates have been asked to speak about the socioeconomic issues of this nation. In fact for my research paper, I discovered an article that criticized even the Obama’s for urging other people to reject corporate America when it was corporate America that provided them with both a substantial career and salary. I do think a candidate’s class is important when deciding who to vote for. I just find it hard to believe that a candidate who has never walked in my shoes or the shoes of most people would know what is best for me and others. They will generally tend to cater to the lifestyle they know.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI can only think of a couple because I’ve only been of age for one other election and before I really wasn’t paying attention. However, the one I remember most was Vote or Die that Diddy was doing. In response to each individual’s stance on socioeconomic class I don’t too much see one of Hillary or McCain but Obama’s “Change” is one that comes to mind.
Also in response to the comment that Obama made I personally do not see the big deal. I really don’t. Again, like I said it’s always one thing or another especially regarding the Democratic party. I’m actually really starting to worry because I feel all these things going on within the Democratic party are starting to distract from Clinton and Obama’s campaign and start to be like this “reality tv” series kind of thing. I was rading some of the things that peopel were saying on like AOL.Com in response to a question asked regarding rather or not Obama was a “fake Christian.” Some comments were like “what is a fake Christian” which I totally agree with anyways… SIDEBAR MOMENT
Let’s see what everyone else said…
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI personally didn’t see anything wrong wtih what Obama said. I actually agree with him. I don’t really see what the big issue is with his comments…But I do feel that each candidates stance on socioeconomic class is important because I want to support a candidate who has not only my interest at heart but the interests of the lower class. I think Obama’s comment is only drawing attention to one of the issues with the lower class.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI agree with your first comment kjohns40 the people don’t like to hear the truth about their country or themselves…its a sad state of being
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoit’s sad that Hillary keeps attacking Obama’s patriotism at every possible angle. their continual bickering is only hurting the Democrats chances at winning. Before long people are going to get tired of hearing so much “dirt” on each candidate that they may choose not to participate in the election at all…or worse..taking a glance over McCain’s way…
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoUnfortunately I am not aware of Democratic candidates stance on socioeconomic status. I did hear about Obama’s comments and I did not consider them bitter.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoSocioeconomic staturs is a very touchy subject and hard to apporach by either democrats or republicans. realizing that the democrats support more social welfare intitives then the republicans, I have not heard McCain discuss the issues of poverty or lower class citizens. Hiliary tries to take the role or advocate/friend, especially since her husband Bill implemented and funded a lot of “social welfare projects”. Obama, to me, tries to take a whollistic perspective but because of the tension in the democratic party now, his words tend to get misconstrued. I don’t know their personal views on socioeconomic status, but since they are democrats I will say that they are for the advancement of all people especially the lower class.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI dont know how I feel about nobody knowing what the candidates think about class. I don’t know if its our fault for not asking or their fault for not telling
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI think we could all agree that America doesn’t like to hear the truth but honestly…. would you want to hear about all of the “under the table,” sly, agreements, mergers, etc. that take place. Take the book “Fast Food Nation” for example that in a sense exploits McDonalds and other fast food restaurants. Upon initial reading of the book you would not eat fast food again because you would be so angry; however, with the strategic logic of fast food restaurants also described in the book it makes it almost impossible not to.
Therefore, unwillingly and unknowingly we are being thrown into a lot of things that we know nothing about and are only told lies “cover ups” to the truth to protect “our identity.”
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI know my view is pretty jaundiced (I’ve now voted in five general elections for President), but I have to agree with those who are pointing out that the difference between GETTING ELECTED and actually SERVING seems to be key for Americans of all class strata, especially those who are less privileged. In other words, it seems to me that the fight to GET elected is getting further and further away from what a candidate, once elected, actually DOES.
George W. Bush’s stance as a “man of the people” seems to be a case in point.
Oh, and by the way … http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=1003
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI really liked deespencer’s comment! This whole thing is turning into its own reality series, every week on Best Week Ever they have a clip and funny commentary about the current election.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoi like your last statment ycooper. the democrates are just at eachother’s necks while Mr. McCain sits pretty waitinf for november to come around
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI agree w/ ycooper. This election has been filled with nothing but arguing and slander ( on hilary’s part anyway) and quite frankly I just want someone (preferably Obama) to win the Democratic nomination , run against McCain, and win the election and become the next U.S. President. Hurry please! I don’t know how much more of Bush I can take!
| Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI feel that its clear where each democratic candidate and McCain lie on the socioeconomic status chart. McCain…rich, the Clinton’s made over 100 million dollars in the last year, so I confident in saying that they are doing pretty well. I think that Obama and his wife didn’t even break the million dollar marking in earnings, so I feel that if there is anyone who would be likely to have an elitist point of view it, it should definitely not be Obama because in this presidential race he is certainly ranking at the bottom both socially and economically. Which is why I think it is hilarious that Hiliary of all people is calling Obama and/or his remark elitist. When Obama release his tax information what did McCain and Clinton do? They delayed releasing their own because they knew that such information may give their supporters a better idea of what background they are coming from and what type of perspective they are more likely to truly represent. Class is an important factor in choosing a candidate especially since the average american is not rich and it is the everyday joe and jane in my opinion who needs good representation the most because they are the ones who needs are most ignored.
| Posted 1 year, 7 months ago