I was born in the North-East and I've lived in the North-East for most of my life so I'd say I qualify as a local and yet for some reason I wasn't remotely offended that the comments you're talking about. Firstly because he was possibly speaking about one or two individuals and not everyone from the North-East and secondly because I tend to not believe anything I hear, see or read in the media.
I'm not sure what the context of him saying we had unrealistc expectations was to be honest but again I'd find it really hard to even pretend that it offended me in any way.
Anyway it's the glory hunting Weegie fakers that are the problem.
I only have one car. Must work harder.