Local Expert Agrees with Obama's Remarks
By: Lauren Murphy
Updated: April 21, 2008
On the eve of the Pennsylvania primary, Senator Barack Obama's past comments could come back to bite him
One local expert says they shouldn't.
It's been more than a week since Obama said small town voters are *bitter about losing jobs and the "cling to guns or religion..."
He later apologized for the wording of the statement, but many people took the comments as elitist, or as a jab at their faith.
Jerome Koch, a Presbyterian minister and a professor of sociology says he was right.
"We have two national studies that tell us that" said Koch. [Religion] is a legitimate and viable resource for people whom the healthcare system, economy or even government have fallen short."
Koch's research suggests African Americans turn to the church during a health crisis, more so than Caucasians.
Also, religion is a resource for those who make below the average income.
