Obama's Gaffe Matters in General Election

In a press conference last Friday, President Obama assured the American people that " the private sector is doing fine." Many Democrats admit it wasn't the President's best moment, but insist that it was inconsequential for the election race. Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post believes otherwise:

"For Obama, winning in November is entirely dependent on two things: convincing average Americans that he understands their economic struggles and turning the race from a referendum on his handling of the economy into a choice between the two candidates' views on how best to manage the country’s financial situation. 

"Obama’s private-sector comments undermine both of those arguments. And that’s why this political gaffe can — and almost certainly will — matter."