Political Punch

Sooo, let me get this strait. the flag pin now means that your pro-war and not just supportive of the united states and its troops? at the risk of sounding like a republican, thats a little anti-american isn't it?

The flag pin is an important issue for me. I like Clinton and McCain because they do wear flag pins, and by doing so, they show style. Red, white and blue bling. Bling is important to the eye of the voter because real issues are things that don’t really matter in a campaign. I know this, and you know this. Now on the other hand, flag pins show a candidate’s position on issues. It shows whether they are for a war or accept lobbyist money. So listen here Mr. Obama, if you want to win, bring out the bling, and you’ll get them votes.

I frankly think Obama is afraid to wear the pin. If he did, there would be outcry from the radical left that would make his head spin.

Judging patriotism by whether a candidate chooses or does not choose to wear some symbolic pin is absurd. Belief in symbolism over substance is something that I would expect from Republicans not Democrats.....

Obama stated in debate that he never said he would not or was not wearing the pin for any reason. Uh Lie again

In 2007 interview he stated he does not wear the Flag pin because he does not agree with what it stands for.

(Google It)

Just remember, fellow commenters, when your comment is unpunctuated, all lower case or all upper case, or simply full of grammatical whoppers, NO ONE CAN UNDERSTAND YOU! (All caps to indicate I was indeed shouting as I wrote that) If you want to get your point across, try good old clearly written English.

So…wasn't it Obama who made an issue out his not wearing a flag lapel pin?
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Uh no, Jake - the question was asked by an ABC affiliate. Why would anyone conducting an interview be overly interested in looking to see if a candidate is wearing a lapel pin unless the interviewer thought it was some kind of requirement - or "fashion statement."

I think the clue here is whether all candidates were wearing flag pins during all public appearances. Since we already know the answer to that, we also know who was trying to create the issue by asking the obviously irrelevant question.

Surely real journalists could devote enough time to meaningful research to come up with something of substance. As it is, the answer in Iowa seems the same as the answer today - we just don't know why the question has to command so much print and air time - unless the network is looking for a different answer.

As a foreign observer to your blog - What is the big deal about wearing a flag pin? Mostly all countries have flag pins and it means diddly squat. You people certainly make a mountain out of a molehill. Get with the program.

Why is it important for Obama to wear a flag lapel pin but not Hillary Clinton? She wears suit jackets and I don't see any flag pins (or necklaces, or bracelets, or hair pins, or anything).
More importantly, why doesn't anyone ever raise this point?
TM

Please don`t vote Barack Obama because he never wears flag lapel pins. He insults our American peoples.He said he loves America , Why not he wears Flag lapel pins? It sounds funny to me, maybe he loves other country than America. Think twice!! He will mess up with peoples`s dream in future.
Go, Go Hillary for 2009

We should ask tough questions and not the questions that candidates expect and write scripts beforehand. Those Qs from ABC are mostly good questions that help you understand the candidates.

Those questions are not welcome because the candidates are confronted with truth and liability in their speech and words. There is no use blaming the referee in a ball game. Just do your job.

Barack Hussein Obama think that true patriatism is giving the midle finger to Hillary?

right call--why not do both? seems together, your words would ring louder and clearer.

What he said: "You know, the truth is that right after 9/11, I had a pin. Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we're talking about the Iraq War, that became a substitute for I think true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security, I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest. Instead, I'm going to try to tell the American people what I believe IN my Heart what will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testimony to my patriotism."

I think there is a difference regarding outward signs, trappings, of being a patriot, when you are the average person on the street, than when you are an elected official who has sworn to uphold the constitution. and for bho this is behond flag pins, it also covers his lack of covering his heart during the pledge of alliagance and/or star spangled banner. it also touches on his 20 year affiliation with an african centric church, where anti-american sentiments have been heard(was he there for every slur? perhaps not, but the basic tenets of the church which parishners are to endorse--i.e., bho-- are racist in their black/african focus to the exclusion of anything else.) there is also the issue of his dual citizenship with kenya. how can you be president of a country and still be a citizen of another? does that not imply a conflict of intetest? politicains are asked to step down as ceo's, leave boards, and set up blind trusts when they become elected officials. but we are still going to elect someone as president who is a citizen of another country? where is his allegiance???

I wonder why the networks didn't make an issue about the finger thing.....

Now THIS is the appropriate forum for those of us who think that politicians have an obligation to do what few others need do: wear a flag pin on their lapel.

Let's keep it here. There's enough superficiality on the campaign trail.

See? Barry admits it. Ask him is this a great country or what and he'll answer no, actually this country is not great, never has been great and won't be great until you let me tell you what to do to make it great. And I am the TRUE patriot for first understanding this and then for knowing what, in fact, will make it great. Flag pins display a false patriotism and are worn by the false patriots who think (wrongly) the US is a pretty great country already. 'Cause it's not. But I can make it so. A vote for Obama is a vote for REAL patriotism. Get it?

Dear America9,

I don't know how old you are and even so I am sure you will lie if I accuse you of not knowing this great country's history. This is a "GREAT COUNTRY," even with all its flaws. This is why we are a nation of immigrants because the U.S. is always better than the alternative. If Obama doesn't know that than this explains why the nominee you all support is so unpatriotic.

Does Hillary Clinton wear a flag lapel pin? I've never noticed her wearing one.

Tell me something, are any of the people on this blog wearing a lapel pin? Probably not, and does this mean that you do not love your country? If America had only people like those who can't understand that a person who is running for president obviously finds something wrong in America that they feel they could change means that they love America, not hate it. Please stop this hate people. Blacks and women are people too, which is really what this thing is all about. "I'll be damned if a black man or woman runs this country". As the good Rev. Wright says, "God Damn America".

Obama does and says anything what a difference he is.

He is anti-american that all there is to it.

He is right wearing just the pin does not show patriotism (as shown by him wearing it now) but it is a show of standing together

If little ole Obama can't handle a metrosexual like Georgie Stephonopholus how are we suppose to expect he will stand up to our nation enemies?

"'I'm going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testimony to my patriotism.'
So…wasn't it Obama who made an issue out his not wearing a flag lapel pin?" What a disingenuously distorting remark. Either you know nothing of English syntax or you expect us not to. I'm tempted to point it out, but it will be obvious to everyone. The question remains - why play these games when no one cares anymore?

Yeah, and?? If he felt that he needed to take on the armchair patriotism of Bush and like-minded politicians, then maybe it was a worthwhile stand.

Instead of feeding us blind and ignorant patriotism he was redefining what it means to be a patriot. That is a game-changing move that has to happen if you want to make something happen.

Please man- not everything is cynical campaign ploys. I think that was another era of politics... the 1990s.

Keep up the good work Jake! Obama is indeed a "sleeper". Cunning, but not cunning enough. Perhaps 15 years ago he may have gone all the way to the top, but with new forms of media and the crumbling of the dino media, the truth will and is coming out. This man will take this great country into a dangerous death spiral of failed socialism and economic disaster far worse than we are experiencing now. Who of you out there are willing to give up freedom and liberty for mere "equality". I fear for my country. We have become weak and complacent. Lazy and ungrounded in the values of hard work, self responsibility, and patriotism. The audacity of {falling for false} hope. Obama is a fraud and dark cloud over this bright nation. Our assocoations and actions in all forms are in fact who we are! These issues are critial to undestanding who this man is and to think otherwise is a true sign of a hollow soul. He is the consumate politician. Nothing in this life is free. Even freedom. If you think he will change your life... you probably need to get one. Only you can change your world. Ask yourselves this; has there even been a mortal man in the history of this earth that has brought about the utopia like world that Obama initmates at being able to provide?.... No. So sad. A nation so rich has become a nation so weak. Wake up! Open your eyes and ears and pay attention!

Even sitting in Europe it was disgraceful to watch George Stephanopolous and Charlie Gibson using precious time with irrelevant stuff, when USA and the world need to focus on so many serious matters. Never have I been so surprised as to see George Stephanopolous channelling Sean Hannity suspicions, shame on him. All my regards for ABCnews and for George Stephanopolous vanished in 45 minutes.

I bet George Bush was wearing a flag lapel pin when he authorized torture...

I agree with the poster, Jill, who said she was proud of Jake Tapper, George, Charlie, ABC and ABCNEWS in general.

I agree that they raised questions and issues that Americans deserve to know about.

Too many Obama supporters are way too stressed out that Obama was asked questions they were either too rough or, alternatively, not relevant to the issues.

Do they think that after all this time on the campaign trail Obama has never had an opportunity to put forth his stance on the issues?

Do they think that Obama has not been able to articulate his take on the issues so that America understands them?

Do they think that Americans care too little to check his website to learn his position on the issues?

Or is it just possible that Americans still have a lot of nagging and troublesome feelings about some "petty" matters that might tell them a lot about this candidate?

I, for one, was glad that Charlie and George and ABC had the courage to raise matters that really bothered a lot of folks. If that weren't so, why would there be all this hysterical reaction?

It's an issue when consider it with his marxist community activities, his refusal to put his hand over his heart during the National Anthem, his anti-American preacher and his ashamed of America wife.

The big picture is this is a man who doesn't like this country.

Mona Wake UP
don't know what country you been living in this country is in a mess. yes and it is that way because of people like you who will feed into b..s..., instead of address the reality of this countries problems. Obama is saying to you that this is not OZ totto, but real life. YES WE CAN

I am going to pick one sentence from Obama's response, " I'm going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great." Hmmm...is that not yet another example of him saying he doesn't think it's a great country already?" I took it straight out of his remarks.

This whole business about flag pins is just silly. So I wrote a song parody about it.

nobody thinks here do they?
does anyone read the statement after "i wont wear that pin on my chest"?

he says that the pin has become a symbol of patriotism, and says that...

"I'm going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testimony to my patriotism."

he tried, and it seems like most everyone here dont know how to read or listen

people, please read it carefully, and then realize that this is the issue that wasn't

It's not about the pin - you pin-heads. When he was behind, he fabricated these issues. Clinton never brought this issue up nor any of the other contentious issues.
Now that he's ahead he wants to say don't do what I did!
But there is too much of an odd sequence of coincidences - Obama won't wear a patriotic symbol, Obama voted against a bill to sanction people killing our troops, Obama can pledge the allegiance, Obama is rumored to have a fake passport, Obama had a muslim father, Obama was associated with former extreme activists, Obama can;t spoeak from the heart - STOP USING A TELEPROMPTER YOU PHONEY!
These are just too many coincidences to say is campaign politics - what is this guy some sleeper!!

Yeah, when it comes to running for office, being truthful always gets one in trouble.
Damn that Obama for telling the truth.

Candidates typically observe the unspoken rule to persist in the fantasies. Such as the USA is a force for promoting peace and democracy around the world.

Just because someone wears a flag pin does not mean they are patriotic. There are a lot of bumper sticker patriots out there. Stick to the larger issues that effect the daily lives of Americans.

Obama is not "surrounded by people like the violent Ayers." From what I can tell, he barely knows him. He was 9 when the Weather Underground was at its height.

Apparently, according to the Boston Globe and the spokesperson for the network, Obama's major sin was that he did not respond to a question from a national news correspondent on the campaign trail - not the Fox News story that has been circulated, So the witch hunt begins, just like during the McCarthy era - it takes on a life of its own and it takes someone with a whole lot of courage and integrity for it to be silenced.

But is does bring up the question of guilt by association. If you were working for the greater good (say poor kids, or peace in the middle east) would it matter more that you worked with people who didn't necessarily share your viewpoint, or that you worked to find common ground? Say you are working for a peaceful solution to the Israeli/Palestinian crisis. If one of your top advisors had held a high rank in the PLO, should you resign because of that association? And if you did not resign, should you be harassed for collaboration? Or branded as anti-Israeli? Or should we be thankful that someone is sane and willing to work toward a solution - one that doesn't seem to have any easy answers, but touches almost every aspect of our foreign policy?

I want this nomination process to go all the way to the convention. The longer Obama is around, the more truth will be brought to bear on him.

The real loser in the debate was ABC and the so-called journalists. This National Enquirer version of a debate undermined the public's right to understand the candidates stances on critical issues in this critical time, e.g., solving the health crisis, housing crisis, Iraq crisis and global warming crisis, to say the least. These gossipy, gotcha distrations are exactly what Barack is talking about helping us get away from and to bring our country together to solve these problems. Wednesday night I said out loud that this was the worst debate I'd ever seen in my life. I'm so glad the majority of rational, intelligent people thought so as well. Pathetic!

Way is everyone making such a fuss about Barack not wearing a lapel pin when neither Hillary nor McCain do either. I've never sen on on The Hill. Get real, people.

Don't believe all those poll, the poller called most the weather underground movement to make the poll look good for Obama

I cannot believe Obama want to be President of USA refuses to wear the flag pin. America had been fought for their blood to defend our flag.
It really show Obama's ideology is pararel with Bill Ayers, Farakhan, Rev.Wright, and those midle East countries that have been burned our flag

So then, shortly after 9/11, while Sen. Dashel and Lott were holding hands on the Capitol steps singing patriotic songs, Senator Obama tosses his flag pin as a statement.
I am all for free speech but what was he trying to say?

First of all, OBAMA is to blame for his horrifying performance. HE needs to take responsibility. Don't fall for internet polls, it is known that the OBAMA camp has rigged them. One minute Obama is down, then in the next minute he is up by 5000. This happens over and over. Have respect for our election.

Trying to cover for George's hit job on Obama during the debate? Please, this isn't helping ABC's credibility anymore.

The question was asked in Iowa and answered by Mr. Obama. His answer was already made clear by him. It is very clear, thoughful, and makes sense to me.

So, with all the problems with ou Democracy, Katrina, the war, high gas prices, saber-rattling Iran, a politicized Justice Department run amok, Blackwater, KDR, an on and on an on, how was such a juvenile question posed about a silly lapel pin to be viewed as anything other than juvenile? Where is Walter Kronkite when we need him most?

"So…wasn't it Obama who made an issue out his not wearing a flag lapel pin?"

No, it was the interviewer - a member of this country's media - who made an issue out his not wearing a flag lapel pin. Again...the INTERVIEWER made it an issue...BY ASKING THE QUESTION.

What Obama was explaining is the superficial behavior of the republicans who have a flag on every stone of their house and on the roff of their cars,

It's not superficial and it not only Republicans. and Iowa held a caucus not a primary election.

BKMC: If it's Obama it's Goddamn America! Come on man get with the program! Obama just now starting to love America!

geevil is very weird as a name, so not Medvedev, that is very russian simple but complicated for Hill's memory, she does not have it at all. Pin or flag does not say anything about anybody. Hillary has no pin on or mcCain has no pin on also. What Obama was explaining is the superficial behavior of the republicans who have a flag on every stone of their house and on the roff of their cars, that is the kind of exageration that Obama was talking about. The lady who has asked that question was a plant put there by George ABC, Hannity FoxNews and Hill the Bosnian General. God bless America and God bless Obama. OBAMA08.

Are you seriously implying that he should have told the Iowan asking the question that he forgot it or lost it, but he would have one on again tomorrow? He apparently knew someone would ask and decided to just get it out there. I'm from Iowa and we are not the liberal rabidly anti-war state that you presume us to be( although I feel that way personally). Based on that question and answer , he would have lost as many votes as he gained in Iowa. He won Iowa by 9 points for a lot of reasons and that question/answer doesn't rate as one of them.

Jo: Don't forget about the picture of him in Iowa, where he and Hillary,and Richardson are at an event and during the pledge he was the only one who did not put their hand over their heart! The Republicans will show that picture over and over! Whe one connects all the dots a picture emerges of a man who like Wright does not feel comfortable showing their patriotism! This is what turns moderate democrats off and they end up voting republican! When will we ever learn? How many elections do we have to lose before we wake up a nominate someone who is not so far left that they scare the middle?

It is all a scam. OBAMA caught in more lies, he actually "toasted" AUCHI. The man is a juvenile. A disaster and an embarressment. He has serious character flaws.

One of the Obama campaign offices in Houston didn't have an American flag on the wall, they had the flag of Cuba with a picture of Che. Not that they needed to have a flag at all - but to have a Cuban flag instead? Huh??

Yes, people, these little things start to add up. The flag pin becomes a REAL meaningful issue.

Are you serious? You say that he was ASKED the question then try to insinuate he brought it up to get votes because he was behind in the polls. And there is a difference between deciding you won't do something for a period of time for a reason and deciding not to do it, full stop. I'm guessing you're an educated guy, so you should get the difference.

Did he also bring up the riveting question about whether he believes in the American Flag also?

And I don't buy this "everything's been asked" nonsense. If the president only has to be able to respond to questions on a dozen or so topics, sign me up! I can study up on 12 topics really well. There are a myriad of topics and details that have not even been touched upon. Do some real journalism and stop trying to act like you're just the misunderstood news.

It is obvious why he does not want to wear a flag pin, haven't you heard they just started loving america when they thought they had a chance to win the presidency! Sunshine patriot!

Well said. It's the little things that actually mean a lot.

Clinton was asked to pronounce the Russian guy's weird name. No complaint from the far left on that "gotcha" question

It is time for Obama to put the training wheels back on! Everytime he takes them off he crashes! It is obvious that he is not ready to ride on this own!

How is it that he raised the issue, jake? Obama didn't bring it up--you yourself say that it was a question posed to him in Iowa, to which he provided a succint and legitimate response.

so given that, what is the point of bringing it up again and again?--the answer is that it is something that the right wing has used as a way of suggesting that Obama is less of an American, less patriotic than they are. And now its something that ABC has shamefully joined in on.

It is great to see that those who are truly bitter are Obama and his supporters! Mom a that girl just hit me and called me bad names! Boo Hoo!

I am all for taking the country into a new direction. However, one man can not and will not be successful, it will take voting out of office the House and Senate to make real change. Keep that in mind in November too. Some of the current Democrates in office (examples: Pelosi and Reid) should be voted out, as they are as bad as Bush has been. This is not just about a vote for the President. Change has to happen in House and Senate too!

Additionally, I am not in support of swinging the country all the way for the extreme right (Bush) to the extreme left (Obama). The extreme of either side is dangerous!

Finally, YES, it is a problem that a person running for the office of the President will not wear it's flag on his chest. Ask yourself this question: HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU KNOW THAT WILL NOT WEAR AN AMERICAN FLAG ON THEIR CHEST?

Since Barack made the statement, I have been privately, randomly asking friends, family and my community this question. Too date, Barack Obama has been the only one who would not wear the flag pin. For all our problem within this country at the moment, that American Flag is our uniter! It's the bond that holds us together as Americans.

Obama supporters. read slowly and carefully.

Obama based his refusal to wear a flag pin on insulting and looking down at people who do wear them. understand? Looking at your posts it's obvious many of you also look down at them.

Looks Obama won't be able to unite Dems party based on current issues he has....

If he can't gain support from all dems, he will lose in Nov, because he cannot attract Independents any more...

There were complaints that nobody cared about the flag pin question, but it was a viewer that asked it, not Charlie or George.

Even if the questions were ridiculous, Obama should have been able to answer them. Have you ever seen a presidential press conference? Lots of silly questions. Obama can't even handle the silly questions, how can he handle the tough ones?

Answer: He can't. And that's why he will lose the general in a landslide.

Can we stand any more of the aggressive, bullying, intimidating Obama supporters?

america deserves the leader it chooses. We've deserved every mess we're in right now through the idiots we keep electing. And judging from these idiotic rants on posts like these that address no real problems affecting americans, we're going to deserve worse. Bitter??? no, just resigned to the stupidity of the electorate. Keep wearing your lapel pins, you can look at it whenever you need to feel like you've done something of significance to help fix the direction of this country. It's much easier than actually doing something.

A more important question than who brought up the pin is:

Does it matter?

Every day Obama loses the general election by 5 points. This is so exciting. By the time this is over, it will take 20 minutes nationwide to count his votes.

A polititian who tells the truth! Help, we must Destroy him before it is expected of everybody.

I want to congradulate ABC for finally acting like true journalists and asking the questions the American people need to hear before they elect a Socialist who hates America.

Thanks for proving my point.
ABC really could do without you people.

Better go sign up for the "Revolution" that is starting over at Daily Kos because they know their boy is toast.

But a question: how can you start a revolution? You guys are against guns. Conservatives have all the guns! What cha gonna do?!

ROFLMAO. Obamabots are like watching cartoons.

This is an asinine issue, good grief! Can we just come out and say anyone that doesn't wear a flag pin hates america, including all the posters on this board (unless of course you are wearing one right now).

Jo "20 years at a Anti America, racist, bigoted church that loves Farrakhan"

That's the kind of despicable lies that are unfortunately going to be spread by the GOP's whacko hate mongers until November.

And yes, America IS a mean country, but mainly in the parts dominated by the jingos, racists, and neo-fascists that constitute the GOP base.

Fluff "issue".

Suppose some large percentage of those who voted for Bush wear flag pins. Bush has done lots of harm to the U.S. Does this make those who wear pins and voted for Bush unpatriotic?

Did the person asking the question wear a pin? Does it matter?

That was not a debate according to any valid definition of the word "debate".
It was a sloppy attempt at entertainment.

It taught the viewers next to nothing new about either candidate.

Incisive? No.
Entertaining? No.
Informative? No.

It was a weak display of something other than journalism.

"America is a mean country."
Michelle Obama - New Yorker magazine

"For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm proud of my country."
Michelle Obama -speech

Obama deciding to not wear the pin after 9/11

20 years at a Anti America, racist, bigoted church that loves Farrakhan

Fundraising parties with anti America terrorist who says he "wish I had done more (bombing).. William Ayers

Gosh, I really don't see a pattern here. Why should anyone doubt Obama?

LOL.

Hillary has the American flag tattooed on her butt.

Obamabot Logic:

Putting down America, saying America is mean, not wanting to fly the flag, protesting....all of these things mean you really love America and dissent is patriotic, blah, blah, blah.

However....

Even DARING to question Obama = YOU MEAN, RACIST OBAMA HATER...WE'LL COME AFTER YOU!!!

Get the picture?

Wearing (or not wearing) the flag lapel pin has a meaning. it is not silly or irrelevant, just because you deem it so! (this is why the liberal elitism label gets used)

As president Obama would be representing *all* Americans, not just the liberal elites. It symbolizes patriotism to many people and just because you don't see it doesn't mean it's not there!!

If wearing the pin really doesn't mean anything, then the question becomes so why won't he wear one??? Clearly he is offending many (not a majority, but many) people, and yet he still refuses to not wear it. So what's the hidden meaning they ask?? You get it??

To say he doesn't want to bother with "silly" questions and instead wants to focus on the issues is ridiculous! what are his answers to those issues??

The president does not decide things, he has to get congress to agree. Whatever his plans are, they will undoubtedly have to be modified to get past congress, that involves compromise. He's got to get a large group of diverse people together and come to a mutual agreement that satisfies everyone. How is he going to do this in the White House?? Talk about uncompromising, he won't even wear a freakin' pin!

Way to go ABC. Hitting them hard with those really important questions. After all, who cares about Iraq, the economy, global warming, corporate piracy, national healthcare, etc. when you can truly get the critical question of the day answered; why doesn't Senator Obama wear that lapel pin? Got my vote ABC.

Yes, as I tried to explain here dozens of times after the debate, it was OBAMA who made an issue of the pin.

And since then when you add in his wife's anti American remarks ("America is a mean country" "For the first time I've been proud of my country" etc.) and add it to who his pastor is, his terrorist friendship with Ayers, etc. etc., it becomes VERY suspect.

Character matters, and Obama doesn't seem to have any. That's why the Obamabots are angry about the other night. Their guy got exposed.

I am so proud of Tapper, George, Charlie, and ABC and ABCNEWS in general. They are asking questions and pointing out issues that Americans need and deserve to know about - unlike the sham "news" organizations of CBS and NBC. We don't want to get our news and analysis from stepford journalists who hide and twist facts so they can promote their agenda, hoping Americans are too stupid and ignorant to think critically. Way to go, guys! Keep up the great work!