Political Punch

When Obama refused to respect MY FLAG, and the song that repersents the core of MY COUNTRY, this let me know I could never help put someone who so openingly disrespects my country , my flag, in a position to lead MY country.!! How could he expect to lead a country he has so respect or love for, even refusing to say the word "The american flag", insted he referred to the pin of the american flag as "that pin". Any american who votes for this anti american is not an american bother or sister of mine !!--

Are you kidding me? - Obama's IQ level and political savy is a disgrace to the Oval Office. WHY WOULD ANY RATIONAL, SANE PERSON VOTE FOR A GUY WHO SAID HE'D INVADE PAKISTAN TO FIND AN AL QUAIDA LEADER? You guys must be joking to want this clown in office!! It's time to wake up!

Barack Hussein Obama was raised with loyalties to other countries and beliefs. Even his church is anti-white and anti-jewish. His wife ahs reflected on her anti-white bias as well as her lack of love for America until her husband stood a chance to hoodwink the liberals and become the Democratic nominee. Barack Hussein Obama is THE most liberal member of the U.S. Senate. His popularity is due to promising people free health care, free tution, etc. The way he would pay for these freebies is by taxing the pay of hardworking Americans that have worked hard enough to make more money than those not willing to do so. Why don't we start a really fair tax and tax EVERYONE 10%. Obama wouldn't be for that, because then he could steal the money of successful people through taxation and give it to those that live off of the general working public. Obama is a coward and would never fight on the battle field for this country, much less pledge to defend this country with his life. He has thrived by living off of his ethnic group just like Jesse Jackson.

Here's Obama the only reason the world went into a raciest series for the past months, 9 months and hopefully it will be back to repair the damage done. Now the hate and segregation has occurred, if he makes president, get ready, the great divide and borders lifting will create much deeper problems then us playing nice. Great the media takes care of Obama, though, we just want to be informed, if it's Ob than it's ok, hide it all, so we can get the big boom if he's elected. Free speach and they will alter this candidate, hum...kind of ring a Bush bell?

I feel we need to end the hate between the 2 parties and try to work together for the best interest of our country as a whole. Division is what will destroy our country and the people in it, we need to open and hearts and be a part of the solution. Hating people because of their race and religion is no better then what is happening in the Middle East do we want to become like that, where we hate anyone different??

Ha. This is only the beginning. The GOP is going to have a field day with Obama. Here we go.. swiftboating.

Joe C-Running a campaign and the country is 2 ver different things. For one he has people running like Axelrod running his campaign. Maybe it should be Axelrod for president then, not Obama. If you are expecting miracles in the next 4 years you are a dreamer. In the las debate they the part of one of Obama's stuttering aswers which should be replayed is "I know hope is not enough". This should be replayed again and again since he was running on hope and change.

Forgot to tell you, the TN Republican party has removed any reference to Sen Obama...even the mea culpa and anti-left rhetoric Jake writes about, above, is gone

The reason that Obama is qualified to be president is, he is a very young black man with a middle name of a muslim dictator (that was the focus of America's greatest foreign policy disaster) who just joined politics recently, and with all that against him he's about to win the nomination. He put a political machine together out of NOTHING and beat one of the most experienced political machines the world has ever seen. The dude obviously has skills. Other people can fill in the details, we need someone who can get stuff done and that is obviously Obama. If he can convince Americans to vote for a black man named Hussein, I'm thinking he might be able to pull off some other miracles around the world.

FOYAMA TANGI posted earlier with a list of Obama's credentials.

To that list one should add that Obama actually has a degree in political science with a major in International Relations.

So, when Senator Clinton jokes about not voting for a president who needs a manual on International Relations, the joke is actually on her because Obama has a degree in International Relations and doesn't need a manual.

What was Senator McCain's degree on again?

Who CARES about his middle name or what he wears or doesn't wear?! He does NOT have a good grasp of the issues - that's WHY I WON'T VOTE FOR HIM!

Guys,

Veronica Escobar from Texas with a good Hispanic backing has ditched Obama. She is with Hillary now. It is happening guys.

Hillary-Edwards '08

Pee Vee, YOU are the the "brainwashed" one. You've obviously bought into the absurd GOP notion that one can only be a "patriot" by wearing flag pins or flying flags from their gas-guzzling SUVs.

As an American, I find such condescension insulting, and such hollow displays of faux "patriotism" disturbing.

Obama's mom is white. Racial bigots have sucked the "whiteness" out of Obama and tainted him all over with "tar". So the offspring of a white and black couple is black and nothing white???? Anyway, judge by the contents of character. For those of you who may not know obama and think he lacks the credentials please note:
1. He is a Havard Law graduate with honors
2. He became president of a law association at Havard.
3. He was a constitutional law professor.
4. A state representative
5. A community organizer
6. A state senator
7. Current senator.

What other credentials are needed to become a president????

Fact - Tennessee GOP should note
Fact - The media discussed Romney's faith extensively.
Fact - When JFK ran for the presidency, his faith was mentioned and discussed. No problem then. Now mentioning Hussein is taboo and discussing the fact that a candidate's parents are muslims is politically incorrect. Everyone should take pride in his/her name and religious ancestry. Perhaps we should all ask Obama if he is really comfortable because when the media start to shoot him down, he will need all the comfort he can get!

The American people commenting here don't seem intelligent enough to be voting for a president, no wonder the DNC came up with super-delegates!

If Obama simplified everything he intends to do, I doubt these people could grasp it. This is so sad. I doubt they know one thing a president does daily, yet they truly believe they have the intellect/credentials to emphatically state what this guy can't do.

Well if he runs the country like he's running his campaign, no need to FRET people!

Mark: This is my last comment to you. You obviously are a brainwashed liberal Obama supporter..Lots of luck, but more so lot's of luck to our country if he gets in.

By the way, I hear the Brooklyn Bridge is for sale, are you interested???

Why people are so afraid of Obama's freaking middle name? A middle name that he has always been proud of all his adult life.

What's wrong with Obama supporters. Are you ashamed of the very middle name that Obama is proud of?

If patriotism is defined by a hand over the heart and a lapel pin, and no one questions "President" Bush's patriotism then perhaps a quick search on Google Images for "Bush No Hand Over Heart" brings up not one, but two instances where his hand is not over his heart, but over his stomach. Now, surely, it could be argued that our current Commander in Chief was really hungry, or that he simply does not know where his heart is (hard to refute), but if it is a patriotism game we're playing, based on these photographs, it is obvious that our current President is not patriotic...

McCain's middle name is Sydney. That apparently means he loves Australia.

Is critism the only thing you people use to get your point across. Let's show some intelligence and talk about the interest of the American people, not what Obama is or is not wearing. I an an African American female and I am also from Arkansas, I was a loyal supporter of Hillary but after these last few weeks I am sure she has gone off the deep end I don't understand why all the negative conversation about a flap lapel, grab attire, or if Farrakah is supporting Obama. If you use logic then you will realize if Colon Powell was running for president then Farrakah would support for him. This is because of Farrakah" beliefs not the candiate.

Too bad that so many Americans don't even know Obama's rationale, in his own words, why he STOPPED wearing the USA flag lapel pin. Patriotism is defined by a patriot, not some lazy-minded American bigot who thinks that a President who wears a lapel pin, but invades another country based on lies, is patriotic. How many Americans have been killed by terroism since that great patriot George W. Bush took office? How many Iraqis have been killed during this great patriotic war? How many US soldiers have been killed and critically wounded following the orders of the Commander in Chief with a USA flag pin in his lapel.

Madbonger - so a lib finally admits the economy sucked under Cinton and Carter
Hoooray!! there may be hope!!
Because even in the slowing economy (which happens from time to time) we still have lower unemployment (Higher Employment), the stock market is higher.
We would not even have this problem if people did not go out and buy homes beyond their income, and most importantly if the Libs did not cry the sky is falling through out people would not be panicking now. But it still is a stronger economy then anytime in the 90's. Thanks to Pres. Bush!!

Blame food Costs and energy costs on the libs, they do not allow us to build refineries, drill for oil, build nuclear power plants. and now the food is going up because you libs are pushing to use food for fuel!! So when you libs are driving your fancy cars, remember the kids around the world starving!!

All because of the so called Global Warming oh I mean Cooling, ooops I meant to say Warming,
Even thou the earth has cooled by more degrees in the last year then warmed in the last 100!! (look it up if you do not believe me)

Here is the fundamental problem with insisting on using Sen. Obama's middle name in referencing him: it is a tactical ploy to try and incite some negative response based on nothing more than his father's faith. Consider this, would any of these anti-Obama propagandists, either from the far right or the left, concentrate on his middle name if it were "John" or "Paul" or "Gary"? They would not, simply because it would serve no purpose in trying to discredit him or force some phantom association with what is now perceived as a greater threat. As a civilized people, we address each other in the way that is acceptable. How many people refuse to call Sting, Sting? Or address countless others who have changed their names to a single moniker? Sen. Obama, as a matter of courtesy and respect should be addressed as either Sen. Obama or Sen. Barack Obama. Certainly, he is not embarrassed by his middle name, but making that such a talking point is a thin disguise for trying to discredit the man based on nothing more than the name chosen for him by his parents. The only embarrassment a man of Sen. Obama's obvious modesty could suffer is derived from the fact that "Hussein" means "The good, handsome one."

Nice to see Racism is alive and well and hiding in conservative America.

We're in two wars. There is unrest all over the world. Our economy is in dire straights. Most Americans have not benefited from the economic growth over the last few years. Health Care, Food and energy costs are rising at the fastest rates since the 1970's and Conservatives are bashing the likely Democratic nominee because.

1. He decided to stop wearing a U.S. Flag lapel pin.

2. There's a single picture of him not holding his flag over his heart during the national anthem.

3. He belongs to a black church. Gee just 50 years ago he wouldn't have had a choice.

4. His father was a Muslim. I hope his father didn't secretly indoctrinate him when he was a baby. Nevermind his father abandoned him at age 2.

5. He went to a predominantly Muslim school in a predominantly Muslim country.

6. His church gave an award to Louis Farrakhan. God forbid. He's not the only religious leader that has said some horrible things. What kind of things do you expect from a black religious, social and economic movement that started in the country in the 1930's.

If any of these things really bother you to the point of thinking he's not qualified to be president (outside of your political views) you have a serious problem.

I would suggest you are the ones that are un-American and lack patriotism. You certainly don't have any understanding of the history of this country.

Mark: I agree it is not necessary to wear a USA flag lapel or as you call it a piece of jewelry to show your patriotism . You just don't get it, I said it is a symbol of loyality and patriotism to our country. It is worn by many people because they are proud to show their love and honor to our country. To choose not to wear it is fine, but why does Obama make an issue of not wearing it?. Why did he choose not to place his hand over his heart when all the other candidates did? Is he
ashamed to show his love for his country? The problem with many non supporters of Obama, such as myself who tend to make it more an issue is because of all the controversy following him, such as Farrankhan endorsements, associations with radicals, a racist church, his wife's comments, etc. etc. As much as I am not a Hillary supporter, I would put more faith in her allegiance to America than his.

Obama may have charisma, Obama may be able to make a speech, but, he certainly is not fit nor equipped to be the President of the United States.

His Muslim background, and membership of a blatantly anti-Semitic church just adds to my fear of his positions. In a time with growing tensions between the west and Russia again, Obama has pledged to not use nuclear weapons.

Mr. Obama may have the best intentions, and may mean to do the best, but the plain truth is that he is not fit to lead the world's super power, and will only diminish our already hurt status in the world.

Seems like Obama supporters just have their head buried in the sand. Reality is Obama, rhymes, with Osama, not going to change, Hussein, rings the Saddam and Islam bell and Barak is not that American either. I think what's happening is that people are looking at Obama and considering the baggage he carries. It may not be a sex scandal but it's not like there's not a cloud around him too. There are good people in the world who transcend race, gender and religion, but there are others who will never accept Islamic names or racial differences. That's just reality, not the idealistic world of Obama.

Mo: Well stated. Unfortunately, that's exactly what Jake Tapper has done - as an ABC News correspondent (1/16/07, see Media Matters 1/17/07). The media certainly has the right to use a candidate's full name, but we can't pretend that a name is not tangled up with image, association and sometimes, safety. The same standards should apply to journalists, as public figures. Are you willing to state your full name, Mr. Tapper?

@JJ: Tell that to the people who are trying to use his name to make it an issue.

I wonder, "Pee Vee," exactly which one of us truly needs to "get a grip": Me, or someone who genuinely appears to believe that patriotism can be measured by one's jewelry, and one's loud talking....

Hey Mark; Get a grip, many Americans died for the flag. The flag whether flown or displayed on your lapel is only a symbol patriotism. You need to go sign up and fight for this country, maybe you would value and show more pride in the display of our colors.

moeen: If you read my entire words, you would have understood that his name is his name. There are many good and honorable people in this country and around the world who have that name, so live with that. I also said that many people have the names of unsavory or evil people (you mentioned Timothy McVeigh). I said live with your name.

Then I said that if my name were Hitler or Mussolini, I would change it. There is no way that I would want to constantly remind others of two people who caused such death and misery in the world. If our names cause us grief, we can change them. This issue is not at the top of the list for worry. The candidate's plans for urgent issues are.

To quote the immortal words of John Prine (1971):

"Your flag decal won't get you into heaven anymore

They're already overcrowded from your dirty little war

Now Jesus don't like killin,' no matter what the reasons for

And your flag decal won't get you into heaven anymore"

And that goes for flag lapel pins as well....

The ASININE assumption that a piece of jewelry somehow ascribes "patriotism" to the individual wearing, or connotes a lack of "patriotism" in one not wearing it, is foolish, backward and dim-witted.

Who cares what garb Obama wears. I am more concerned about his motive not to wear a small USA lapel pin. I love America as many do, wearing the USA pin is a symbol of your love and faith to America. It is more of an issue if you choose not to wear it to make some idiotic point. Why can't he put his hand over his heart honoring our country. No other candidate had a problem doing it. He is the only one who has controversay around his faith. How can we as Americans put trust in a man to lead our nation when he refuses to display simple symbols of loyality to his country. This man has two faces, Beware Obama Supporters!! The fate of our nation is in your hands if you help him get elected..

My point exactly, you can't use his middle name without someone bringing that up. You think that's going to change. His name is his name and it's ridiculous for people to try to make it into more. If the mere mention of someone's middle name stirs up that kind of debate, then it's a problem.

@JJ: Call him with his middle name if you want, but if you're doing it, as all of these opponents are - don't try and be coy - as a way to stir up fear by false rumor and implied association, then that's where it becomes an issue.

OBAMA - Grace and Dignity? God this guy is a good actor. He's got you. He's the one who will say or do anything to get elected, including the not getting rattled act. If you buy it then when he's in office and you see how you were duped by a slick carpetbagger. He's still got a few more tricks up his sleeve. AND the Hussein thing is just ridiculous, I think we should all call him by his name Barak Hussein Obama, unless he changes it to Barry.

georgia:

If your arugement is to be taken seriously, all the people with middle name "Timothy" or "McVae" should change their name to something else. I am sure you know Timonthy is a prefect example of what is called a terrorist in everyway.

I don't see how your argument holds water given the above example. To prove me wrong try convincing allthe Timothy's (Tim's) and McVae's to change thier names.

I just don't know where people get the idea that Sen. Obama doesn't take heat from the media. Maybe its because he haddles all of these accusations the media throws at him with such grace and dignity.

Aren't there many Americans with that name? How about all of the good and honorable people around the world with that name? After all, his name is Obama, which makes you think of Osama. We should be more concerned about Farakhan thinking he is a "savior", and worry about names like Rezko. What is in a name? The actions and character that person represents. Millions of people have to live with their names matching the names of evil or unsavory people. Here we go again, trying not to make him a victim. Are all the people with Jewish or Middle Eastern names in the same boat? I do not agree with the Tennessee GOP that leaving out his middle name is necessary. All of us know what it is already. Americans with all kinds of ethnic names are in the same boat.

I suppose if my middle name were Hitler or Mussolini, I would change my name. Change we can believe in!

Wearing or not wearing an American flag lapel pin should not be an indicator of a persons patriotism or lack there of. If one takes this logic further, does wearing or not wearing a cross indicate a person’s true belief in God? Does a skull tattoo indicate a person is a hooligan? There was a time when tattoos, skulls, choppers and big muscles were not the accessory of choice. A brief scan through any high fashion magazine these days indicates the reversal of this attitude. Even punk rock, once so disdained, has finally had its day (though it probably doesn’t appreciate this) with the Ramones classic t-shirt being one top celebrity dressed best list item. So no, I totally disagree with the flag lapel pin theory. Now, if someone goes and burns the American Flag – I would have a problem with this.

Reference John Stuart Mill’s celebrated essay “On Liberty” – “No one pretends that actions should be as free as opinions.”

"Obama is running scared trying to protect his muslim ties. "

How is Obama trying to hide anything? He's talked about his grandfather and the school he spent 4 years in several times. He is a practicing Christian, what secret do you know that no one else does? "My father never practiced; he was basically agnostic. So, other than my name and the fact that I lived in a populous Muslim country for four years when I was a child, I have very little connection to the Islamic religion."

@Joshua Bradshaw: "Do not say it is because they are trying to paint him as a moslem."

Why not? That's exactly what is happening. How can you say otherwise? Only his opponents are doing this, some of them even falsely inserting "Mohammed" as another middle name along with Hussein. It's 100% transparent that it's an attempt to try and associate him as being a "scary" muslim who might be a terrorist sympathiser. That's all it is.

What is most disturbing about Obama is not his refusal to honor the American flag or National Anthem, not that his middle name is Hussein or his wearing of muslim garb, what is most disturbing is his neutral rhetoric and avoidance of any and every issue. He's either ignorant and incapable or he's being evasive and duplicitous.
Run Americans, run from this chameleon.

Don't confuse a cult leader with a President. obama and patriotism is an oxymoron.

What's going on? I thought Karl Rove was unemployed and facing an indictment. I guess his students are at work this time.

So the Tennessee GOP's entire arsenal against Obama now consists of denigrating a few of his (many) advisors on the grounds they aren't 'politically correct' enough. How far they have fallen....

The good news is that they still have Fred Thompson to give a moving eulogy for the Republican Party. His acting ability and air of gravitas will provide them with a dignified ending.

don't confuse a fashion accessory with patriotism.

In the interests of embracing middle names, heritage, culture and whatever else the Tennessee GOP were trying to imply, I say good for them for so blatantly and honestly revealing their racist and xenophobic proclivities and urge them to continue to do so at every opportunity. What kind of yellow-bellied cowards would they be if they caved in to the Left and stopped calling out Obama's middle name? Why, if they can't stand up to the Left, who will they stan up to?

Somebody should tell the obviously out-of-touch people who wrote that pitiful excuse for a "news" release that they should have verified everything before launching their slanderous invective. It weakens your argument when you have to print a partial retraction, you know!

Also, I noticed that the title of the web page was "Tennessee Republican Party--Leading by Conviction." After reading their laughably pathetic, hate-filled, distorted screed, they should change their slogan to "Leading by the Idiotic." It seems they're not far removed from James Cunningham, the bigoted radio talk-show host who recently introduced Sen. McCain at a campaign event.

Now that the GOP lacks professional operatives like Rove to hide their true nature from public view or polish their statements with carefully manicured code words, we're back to the days of the 60's and 70's when everyone could understand how crude and ugly their world view really is and turn them away at the voting booth. Every word these folks say will generate more votes for Obama. The harder they fight the harder they will lose...

Wow, Obama's middle name must be the new "gay marriage" or "flag burning" issue for the Republicans this year.

It's rather sad to see the Republican faithful get played by their own party election cycle after election cycle.

While the electorate gets its passions inflamed by such stupid symbolism, the attack on our freedoms and the growth of big brother, by both parties in Congress but particularly by the Republicans, continues unabated.

As the great and powerful Oz once said to Dorothy, "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!"

Duh? This article makes no sense. Like I said earlier, this is a free country and we can ask questions on issues of great concern to the American people. There is no point in asking irrelevant questions like what a man wears or how he dresses. We should be concerned on how that person's decision would impact the lives of every American. It's called "constructive criticism". While you guys are busy trying to find out what color of underwear he's wearing, more important issues are not being discussed. Wake up people.

This is outrageous. How dare anyone whether it be a candidate or a party central committee or Congress or the President Even. Not one of these entities have the right to tell people what they can or can not say. Have we all forgotten that we have a constitutionally protected right to do so. Hussien is Barrack Obama's middle Name. Why is he so offended by it. Do not say it is because they are trying to paint him as a moslem. Is he ashamed of his ancestry of is he trying to hide something. At first i thought this was nothing, until i repeatedly saw him get mad about the use of his middle name. Then it comes to light that he is endorsed by an anti-semite and his pasture agree's with this anti-semite. This is utterly distgusting by Him. HUSSEIN is his middle name. He is begging to remind me of a demagogue . I am begging to think that he is a danger to the United States of America.

Obama is running scared trying to protect his muslim ties. Republican Party should not back peddal move forward and prove he's guilty with association. Thank you Ralph Nader for running, Dems will lose for sure.

Nice reply Mo.....Not (since the obama lovers are obsessed with out dated SNL references). Since when does a President refuse to honor the Flag?

Since when is a flag pin a national costume. And when was the last time you were at a baseball game during the national anthem? Are all those thousands of people talking, walking around, eating, etc un-American now?

Your opinion is extremely myopic...

Every dignitary from Prince Charles to Kofi Annan to Queen Elezabeth II have donned the local garb when travelling abroad in Africa.

I think you would do well to re-evaluate that comment.

Also, since when is wearing a flag pin on your suit lapel a prerequisite for being patriotic?

How nice of Obama to refuse to wear and American flag pin or honor our National Anthem, yet happily don a turban and other Somolia garb.