By Jon-Christopher Bua, Sky News political analyst

With a week to go before the crucial Pennsylvania Primary, Senator Barack Obama has exposed a raw nerve that could slow his momentum in wooing the working class - blue-collar voters in the Key Stone State.

For the past three days Obama has been forced to explain, clarify and get passed remarks he made at a "closed to the press" fundraiser in San Francisco.

He was recorded by a "guest" saying that small-town Pennsylvania voters, bitter over their economic circumstances, "cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them," as a way to explain their frustrations.

In rabid response to Obama's unfortunate, if not well thought out, comments the campaign waters turned crimson.

The latest shark-infested feeding frenzy led by Hillary Clinton, who commented in response that his remarks were "not reflective of the values and beliefs of Americans", became the weekend hot topic.

To counter Hillary's claims that he is an "elitist" and out of touch, Obama has to gingerly walk the line between telling the truth as he sees it - voter frustration with the economy and dashed hopes in the American Dream - and stepping on the "third rail" of American politics, the incendiary "3 Gs" God, Guns and Gays.

It is rather ironic that Clinton uses the word "elitist" to describe Obama when just last week the Clinton's tax return disclosure shows they added $109m to their coffers since their White House departure.

It is often risky when a candidate actually dares to tell the truth. The truth is often painful. Some folks don't want to hear it and some folks don't want it hear it from a young "upstart" who wasn't supposed to be leading at this time in the popular vote, the delegate count and states won.

This week was not a stellar one for the Clinton campaign either. Just as her exaggerated Bosnia saga was beginning to fade away, her Campaigner-in-Chief needed to perform an embarrassing public regurgitation.

In his quest to rescue his Guinevere, Hill's Lancelot further muddied the waters with more factual inaccuracies and to add insult to injury claimed that because she was 60, tired and that it was late at night, she must have misspoken.

It seems Hillary's champion may have pulled the plug on the credibility of her most effective ad so far and raised some serious questions. How can Hillary be ready to answer that 3am emergency phone call if she is a tired and confused 60-year-old at 11pm?

When if ever, will Bill Clinton learn that this campaign is not about him, his legacy or his redemption? Or maybe he believes it is?

As we approach the Pennsylvania primary, where Clinton is still favoured to win, and the North Carolina primary two weeks later, where Obama has a commanding lead, the political game is managing expectations and seizing momentum to ride that wave to win the nomination.

Comments

[Allan - Portugal 5 Jun 2008 00:22:06]

Enough already!
Now that the nomination is settled can we get back to real news? I am fed up hearing about a political party's nominations. Does anyone in the USA know who is in what party in ANY European country? No. So why should we be BOMBARDED with the US 24 hours a day? It is BORING for us EUROPEANS. Come on SKY - get your priorities right!

[jerry, abuja 28 Apr 2008 23:25:54]

Let Hillary go home and rest she is old and not well equipped to lead America and handle her numerous problems.

[David, Belfast 21 Apr 2008 21:42:21]

I hear you say abou the disgrace of the debates. Well I think there have been 21 or 23 debates, and in only ONE was Obama the main target. All the other times it was Hillary who was attacked. Do you not remember the Ohio debate? Obama needed a pillow it was so easy for him as Hillary was attacked by the journalists. The media are biased and in thursdays debate, journalists for the first time were not biased, they went after both candidates and now Obama cries foul.

Hillary has been talking about the issues all along, now Obama wants to start.

[Madeleine McGeorge - Africa 21 Apr 2008 18:37:40]

Hillary is your better candidate.
She is smart and intelligent - but the choice is yours - America.

Nothing against Obama - just do not think he is right for Presidency.
Voting for the best candidate in whatever the situation might be - is most important - forget colour and gender issues - a bit outdated for me.

[Khalid 18 Apr 2008 13:36:27]

Sir
Thus far as the interest within many a campaign quarter, politicians have this habit of saying one thing, meaning another and delivering something completly different. So, whether he meant to tell [DJ Sweegy-I Give You All My Lovin Baby] remains a matter of whether or not he is capable of balancing the economical sheets of a nation that thrives upon survival through food and not words. Oh look who's in town?^

[John B Sheffield 17 Apr 2008 13:33:56]

Sorry but I feel however bad the past few days have seemed for Barack Obama, its more what the Clinton campaign and some of the media want voters to think. In fact daily polling has shown no change in the past few days, Hillary has from a 4 point lead in PA to 7 points, nothing like the 20 point lead she had just over a month ago. This is a little similar to Clinton's early comment the race would be all over by February 5th.

What is a disgrace to US TV is the way Thursday nights TV Obama/Clinton Debate was handled, a disgrace to TV journalism by Charlie & George.

When will some sections of the media realise and accept Politics has changed, it is 2008, we are so better informed as voters, we are no longer interested in Obama's Church or the wearing of pin badges. Most of us Americans are really struggling with the US Economy, that is what counts, in the end the debate became petty gutter TV.

Even though there was no clear winner taking into account the attacks he took Barack Obama for many of my friend in PA and myself Barack Obama had the edge still!

What was interesting is for the first time Hillary seemed to indicate a escape route when she said "I will Fully Support whoever gets the nomination"

I like how many Republicans would love to see Hillary as the candidate, but they are fooling themselves if they don't realise once the Real Debate starts if it is Barack Obama he will run rings around a very tired and old looking McCain - Bring It On!

[Jeff Avery 16 Apr 2008 13:56:43]

As an american I'd say your comments are mostly on.However,This battle of the Dems is mostly an exercise in futility.Both Dem. party candidates lack credibility.In my opinion it will make no difference which gets the nod come November.

[t byrne holland 15 Apr 2008 11:30:53]

has hillary ever read the book called Billy :Misspoken:?

[Gayle, South Africa 14 Apr 2008 21:38:30]

It sounds to me as if Hillary is becoming desperate. If I were American I'd vote for Obama who shows the statemanship qualities reminiscent of Mandela. I personally applaud candidates who are courageous enough to speak the truth as they see it, not simply mouth the platitudes the electorate want to hear.

[Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 14 Apr 2008 14:34:59]

The democratic nomination will be decided at the convention I beleive. This little game will play itself out, both candidates will look for ways to trash each other, high stakes.
I still say Hillary for president, but I am not American, I don't get to vote, they do. It is up to Americans to make a sensible choice.