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Tale (of) the Pin on the Donkey
May 15, 2008 3:27 PM
FROM GUEST-BLOGGER RICK KLEIN, OF ABC'S THE NOTE
Something interesting made its way onto Sen. Barack Obama's lapel on Monday -- and it stayed there for three days: an American flag pin.
Obama told reporters on his campaign plane Wednesday night that he put the pin on at a veterans' event in West Virginia on Monday, because a veteran handed it to him "who said it was important."
Per ABC's Sunlen Miller, Obama continued: "This is an issue that is a phony issue because I was never opposed to wearing a flag pins, I’ve worn flag pins in the past. I said very specifically when I was asked about it that I had worn flag pins after 9/11 and that I had chosen not to wear one because I didn’t want to be perceived as wearing patriotism on my chest, but not voting or advocating on behalf of veterans in a patriotic way."
"And some people took that as a slight against people who wore flag pins. It couldn't be further from the truth. It was a commentary on politicians and folks in Washington who sometimes are very good about saluting our soldiers when they come home, but then don't follow up with budgets that make sure they are getting treatment for post traumatic stress disorder. So it was a commentary about out politics, not about individuals who wear the flag with pride."
As often comes from Obama, this in an interesting, multi-layered answer to a relatively simple question. You'll recall that Obama made this more of an issue than it probably needed to be when he answered an Iowa reporter's question last October about why he wasn't wearing a pin with a longer-than-necessary discourse.
"You know, the truth is that right after 9/11, I had a pin," Obama said. "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."
"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 said.
Since then, that decision has stood out to Obama critics as an example of elitism and a perceived lack of patriotism. He's been asked about it regularly on the trail; Karl Rove said his response to the question in Iowa showed Obama to be "coolly detached and very arrogant," and Republicans are clearly hoping to use it as part of their efforts to frame Obama in a potential fall match-up.
Then, as Obama tried to show that he can be the candidate of working-class America, in West Virginia and its aftermath, the flag pin reappeared. Just wearing the little thing is the easy way to quiet the persistent questions -- but this looks like a slightly different politician than the man with the nuanced explanation for why he "won't wear that pin on my chest."
How long will it be there? (Obama has not public events Thursday, but you can bet reporters will be checking out his suit jacket on Friday.)
-- Rick Klein
May 15, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (52)
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HILLARY WILL SPIN IT TO WIN IT!
AT LEAST UNTIL SHE CAN GET ENOUGH SUCKERS SO SHE CAN TAKE HER OWN MONEY BACK OFF THE TABLE.
Posted by: rhbate | May 15, 2008 5:29:12 PM
I have some good news for you. Hillary Clinton ain't Lazarus in the bible. From where she is there's no coming back, she's just trying to get your money to clear her $20m debt. Open your eyes people, don't be fooled. Hillary is toast so stop all the talk of Hillary Rise, it ain't gonna happen, OK? The fight is now between Obama and McCain, so get over it.
Posted by: Oretega M | May 15, 2008 5:26:19 PM
CTJD ,
I know you support Hillary. Remember what she said, if u can't stand the heat stay out of the kitchen, OK?
Posted by: Oretega M | May 15, 2008 5:19:14 PM
This country is not about a flag pin; it’s not about a flag; it is more about a citizens right to burn that flag in protest if they disagree with what this country is doing. Anyone who thinks wearing a flag pin makes them patriotic is sick. It’s like a baby that cries, not because it hurts, but because it wants others to think it hurts. This country is about the right of a person to get up and put forth an opinion that others might totally disagree with, and you have the right to protest it . That is what America is about; that is what we should celebrate. It’s called freedom of expression as provided for in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution The right to express ourselves any way we wish. Our military risk their lives so that all Americans can enjoy the rights provided for in our Constitution, whether their manner of doing so is popular or not.
Posted by: rhbate | May 15, 2008 5:08:38 PM
for the person who said this is petty how many of you hypocrites are wearing a flag pin.
i say to that hypocrite obama and counting.
he threw wright under the bus for political reasons.
he has put on the flag pin for political reasons
and he will tell all of his disciples whatever he thinks you want to hear for poltical reasons.
Posted by: jgaw | May 15, 2008 5:06:07 PM
A new name,
I agree.
He is the one makes it an issue.
Just like he said, he never take money from lobbiest, none of other candidate said it.
The problem, he is not telling the truth.
That's bothering people.
Posted by: catleya | May 15, 2008 5:00:51 PM
I sincerely hope that the Domocrats have a plan. I hope that their plan is to let the Republicans think Obama is their candidate just long enough for them to plan their entire attack strategy around Obama and surprise them with the news that Hillary Clinton is the nominee. With not enough time to restrategize and regroup, it will be easy cruising for Clinton. I hope so, because at the rate that this is going, if that is not the case, they just threw the race and give the presidency to McCain. I think it is rather sickening that they'd rather lose with a black man, then win with a white woman. The 1747 mentality here is first come white men, then come black men, then come the kids and last the woman. I can not believe that the democratic is still so way back.
Posted by: CTJD | May 15, 2008 4:44:25 PM
It's really got to suck for Obama's campaign and the major media like MSNBC that 17 million democrats aren't buying the BS that Obama and the media are trying to sell us! Voters of KY and OR - time to send Obama and the media a message - this is not American Idol! Obama does not care about the United States, Israel or any of the other categories already thrown under the bus this primary. And it's still only the primary. Who goes under when the election starts?
Posted by: calli | May 15, 2008 4:42:48 PM
Posted by: rhbate | May 15, 2008 4:30:16 PM
Wow! That was truly inspiring...
and so unlike you.
What happened?
Posted by: eyes wide open | May 15, 2008 4:39:05 PM
A Proud, Black, Hillary Supporter
Rise, Hillary, Rise!'08
LeeLee07
_______________
And no one cars what color you are.
This country is not about a flag pin; it’s not about a flag; it is more about a citizens right to burn that flag in protest. Anyone who thinks wearing a flag pin makes them patriotic is sick. It’s like a baby that cries, not because it hurts, but because it wants others to think it hurts. This country is about the right of a person to get up and put forth an opinion that others might totally disagree with, and you have the right to protest it . That is what America is about, that is what we should celebrate. It’s called freedom of expression as provided for in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution The right to express ourselves any way we wish. Our military risk their lives so that all Americans can enjoy the rights provided for in our Constitution, whether popular or not.
Posted by: rhbate | May 15, 2008 4:30:16 PM
Not wearing the pin wasn't as big an issue as the fact that he has now decided to wear one. Evidence of an elitist egghead trying to pander to the patriotic working class.
Did you see the flyer he's mailing in Kentucky? Obama standing in front of a huge cross with the title "Faith, Hope, Change".
Sinclair Lewis wrote, "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross."
Posted by: HoosierSue | May 15, 2008 4:25:28 PM
HRC does not wear it and it was not an issue, because she did not make it an issue - no bid deal, which is where it belongs.
BHO makes a big deal of it himself, by constantly talking about it. He has nothing else to show; whatelse could he make a big ideal of it any way. So, BHO made it an issue because he claims one thing and then does another, and does another, and then, changes again.
Posted by: a new name | May 15, 2008 4:24:14 PM
So, what did you expect of Obama? The Best Practices of an "Empty Suit" displayed.
Hillary or McCain '08
Posted by: SM | May 15, 2008 4:23:39 PM
This is a message to all Hillary's supporters. Hillary Clinton ain't Lazarus in the bible. From where she is there's no coming back, she's just trying to get your money to clear her $20m debt. Open your eyes people, don't be fooled. Hillary is toast so stop all the talk of Hillary Rise, it ain't gonna happen, OK? The fight is now between Obama and McCain, so get over it. Over & out.
Posted by: Owen | May 15, 2008 4:23:14 PM
What he is doing now is worse then when was not wearing the pin, Wearing the Pin for Political Expedience is an atrocity!
Who was the vet that gave him the pin?
Patriotiusm is more then words Obama, when you blame America first, when you are not proud of this country and when you accuse it of atrocities, and when you hang around Farrakhan - well this shows you are Anti-American you mixed up our states with your Islamic states there are only 50 States in the US, there are 57 in Islam!!
Posted by: spock | May 15, 2008 4:21:55 PM
I'm disappointed that Obama has folded on this absurd "issue." As if everyone wearing a pin is a patriot -- most just think they are.
Posted by: Alex | May 15, 2008 4:21:31 PM
This country is not about a flag pin; it’s not about a flag; it is more about a citizens right to burn that flag in protest. Anyone who thinks wearing a flag pin makes them patriotic is sick. It’s like a baby that cries, not because it hurts, but because it wants others to think it hurts. This country is about the right of a person to get up and put forth an opinion that others might totally disagree with, and you have the right to protest it . That is what America is about, that is what we should celebrate. It’s called freedom of expression as provided for in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution The right to express ourselves any way we wish. Our military risk their lives so that all Americans can enjoy the rights provided for in out Constitution, whether popular or not.
Posted by: rhbate | May 15, 2008 4:21:23 PM
If anyone seriosly is affected by this flag pin issue then they are failing in their duty as the electorate. Our job is to elect a leader, not someone who, as Office Space so dearly pointed out, wears "flair" on their jacket.
I agree with Obama's position and I for one am tired of patriotism being distorted by those who fear that which is different from them. We come from founding fathers who questioned, who thought independently and gave little regard to flag pins and other accessories - we dishonor their work by giving this issue weight.
Obama 08!
Posted by: David | May 15, 2008 4:20:42 PM
once again, the blinded obamabots fail to see the significance here. It is NOT just about the "pin"...it is about Obama's HYPOCRISY....he says one thing, then turns around and does the WORM ("What Obama Really Meant"), and basically changes and flip flops to serve his opportunistic needs. Is it patriotic or not to wear a pin? He said before he can show his patriotism in other ways, but if he can show his patriotism in other ways, there where is this patriotism? WHAT HAS HE DONE? ?????? nothing. so he goes to wearing the pin, just AFTER he loses by a humilating margin in WV. THAT'S THE STORY. Get with it people, Klein is doing an excellent job with the cajones to expose Obama when other news outlets are too chicken, afraid of being called racist. Immediately, I see someone asking "what do you mean by donkey"....just like that, the race card appears again!!!!
Posted by: doublestandard | May 15, 2008 4:08:57 PM
by the way
the reason we need to worry about poverty in Africa and India and hurricanes and disaster in other parts of the world ...
is those are the havens for terrorist recruiting duh.
whoever thinks we should not be helping them as was said on this blog...talk about taxes going up... have you seen how much this war is costing us...for nothing.
Posted by: dl | May 15, 2008 4:07:48 PM
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