Rural mayors decry Obama remark

INDIANAPOLIS, April 15 (UPI) -- A group of small-town mayors in Indiana issued a scathing response to Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's remark that many rural voters are "bitter."

In a statement distributed by Obama's rival, Hillary Clinton, the mayors said the Illinois senator was out of line when at a San Francisco fundraiser he said "it's not surprising" that small-town voters are "bitter" over their economic situation.

"It's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations," Obama said.

The 10 mayors said the comments "demeaned the values of small Midwestern towns" and are "offensive to millions of hardworking Hoosiers who strive everyday to provide for our families, lift up our communities and strengthen our country."

They said when Indiana voters go to the polls May 6 they will be looking for a candidate who honors their values.

"We need a president who stands up and fights for us, and shares our can-do spirit," the letter said.