Hillary Clinton in Democratic Candidates Compassion Forum, April 13, 2008

On Principles & Values: Faith sustains us in bitter times; faith isn't bitterness

A: I believe people are people of faith because it is part of their whole being; it is what gives them meaning in life, through good times and bad times. It is there as a spur, an anchor, to center one in the storms, but also to guide one forward in the day-to-day living that is part of everyone's journey.

Q: You have been extremely critical of Senator Obama's recent comments in which he argued that som economically hard-pressed Americans have "gotten bitter and cling to guns or religion."

A: Well, he will have to speak for himself. Those comments do seem elitist, out of touch and, frankly, patronizing. That has nothing to do with him being a good man or a man of faith. We had two very good men and men of faith run for president in 2000 and 2004. But large segments of the electorate concluded that they did not really understand or relate to or frankly respect their ways of life.