Questioning Obama, Neither ABC Moderators Nor Clinton Wore Flag Pin Either

Underlining the inanity of last night's Democratic debate, at the same time that Senator Barack Obama's patriotism was being questioned because of his decision not to wear an American flag pin on his lapel, neither of the two debate moderators were -- you guessed it -- wearing a flag pin of their own.

Indeed, as one reader of the Huffington Post pointed out, neither the well-dressed Charlie Gibson nor his sidekick George Stephanopoulos donned an American flag last night. In fact, Obama's opponent, Sen. Hillary Clinton, didn't have one either.

See the pictures here.

That, of course, didn't stop the ABC honchos from raising the issue strictly with Obama. Segueing off of a voter video and "conversations" that had come up "again and again," Gibson scolded Obama:

"It's something of a theme that Senators Clinton and McCain's advisers agree could give you a major vulnerability if you're the candidate in November. How do you convince Democrats that this would not be a vulnerability?"

Obama responded by restating, as he's done in the past, that he reveres the American flag as well as the country.

"What I've tried to do is to show my patriotism by how I treat veterans when I'm working in the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee," he said, "by making sure that I'm speaking forcefully about how we need to bring this war in Iraq to a close, because I think it is not serving our national security well and it's not serving our military families and our troops well..."

Sensing that the moderators weren't swayed (this was, after all, the same group that had just asked Obama if his controversial former pastor "loves America as much as you do?"), the Senator went on.

"And let me just make one last point on this issue of the flag pin," he said. "As you've noted, I wore one yesterday when a veteran handed it to me, who himself was disabled and works on behalf of disabled veterans. I have never said that I don't wear flag pins or refuse to wear flag pins. This is the kind of manufactured issue that our politics has become obsessed with and, once again, distracts us from what should be my job."

There were no follow up questions as to whether Clinton didn't show the requisite amount of patriotism. Nor, for that matter, did Gibson and Stephanopoulos turn and accuse each other of sedition.

Comments

[truthyguy]

Before any member of the media can be on a panel asking questions in a debate they should be required to have the U. S. flag tattooed on their forehead to show they are loyal to the United States. It would show they are not covert agents for some radical Middle East group and that they support America and our troops.

[maria1253]

make no mistake...this is bait and switch again...you're being distracted from voting in your own economic interests...it's sad when we have scream to hear our issues barely mentioned. This country currently has no soul. Does this matter to you? It matters to me. Repubs and corp interests will ruin the middle class and this country.

[mccabe49]

Maria you are absolutely right this reminds me of what happened in 2000 and 2004. We let ourselves be distracted from the issues and look what happened. Look what we got.

[maryrat]

I love Obama and his trying to run a positive campaign. Never once did he run an ad about Bosnia or any of Hillary's other lies or her past associations. But the time is now to come out with both guns blazing. He IS getting swiftboated now with the help of ABC.

[treadway123]

Black Panthers and what Hillary Clinton did to protect them from prison!

[kettletop]

I disagree about coming out guns blazing. He brought up a great point--he watched as Clinton was accused of being an elitist when she made her famous "should I be home baking cookies" remark and noted that he knew it was an unfair characterization. He needs to stay classy.

Remember that we don't need the votes of the idiots who think (or at least SAY) you can't be patriotic without a flag pin. Those are people who weren't going to vote for either Democrat.

McCain wants a civil election as well, mostly because he is such an easy target.

There are voices who will take the SwiftBoaters to task this time.

Obama has had plenty of advisors who have told him he needs to attack back. He has proved them wrong. He will continue to strongly defend himself. He will continue to respect others and not go for the cheap shot. We all liked and respected Hillary a lot more before she started playing the game of rancorous politics instead of standing on her own merits. We don't need Obama to go down that path.

[Julie02]

From what I know about Senator Obama and his concern for heathcare, working families, and bringing our troops home, sticking to the issues that are important to Americans, and turning away special interests. I firmly believe that his "flagpin" is indelibly attached to his heart. IMHO, he's the ultimate patriot.

[apoyo]

America's hopes are pinned on Obama.

[byrok67]

I would not be caught dead wearing a flag pin. My family has fought and died for this country. Wearing a stupid pin does not make you a patriot. Flying the flag does not mean that you love your country more than anyone else. This is just an argument that Constitution haters regurgitate for self importance. Na Na Na Boo Boo... I love my country more than youuu dooo.

[suntzu]

I am a veteran of WW II and I have never worn a flag pin, although I still keep my dog tags.

Wearing a flag pin does not denote that one necessarily loves his/her country more than one who does not. It is an issue manufactured to intimidate people by the right wing, and Obama refuses to be intimidated on this issue. Let me put it this way, of all those people who started this war in Iraq many are habitual flag pin wearers. Many of them also did not think enough of their country to serve when they had an opportunity to. Many of the rabid war supporters in Congress are flag pin wearers, who also did not serve.

In fact, among a certain class of people, the more likely they are to shy away from serving their country, the more likely they are to advertise their "patriotism." It is as if they had some kind of inner shame about the issue.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you want to wear a flag pin to show how you feel about America, it is your privilege. But don't tell me that I am not a patriot because I don't wear one.

[Durango]

And what was it Jesus said about the person who would pray out in public. And how you should pray in privacy.

Something about hypocrisy, if I remember right?

Does any of that apply here?

Not being a Christian I am not sure.

Sounds like a good idea to me though.

[Hallucinocynic]

I'm with you, Sun Tzu.

Or, "Actions speak louder than jewelry."

[LBM]

The question is a very valid one. Obama has said previously that he removed his pin to protest the war. So why didn't he say that? Why didn't he explain his position. Another lost opportunity for Obama to take an issue like this and make it a win for him.

[cinnysmom]

why does he have to explain why he choses not to wear a flag pin? Do you explain why you do or don't wear one? Wearing a flag pin does not make you a patriot . It's what you believe in and what you are willing to do for your country and how you honor our brave men and women who have given their lives for us!!!! That's how you define patriotism in my opinion!!

[LBM]

He made it the issue by using his decision not to wear one as a political statement. Who cares if anyone wears the darn pin? The question is why does he make it a political statement not to wear one and he wouldn't answer the question. If he has decided it wasn't a good statement to make then he should just start wearing one and act ignorant about that fact that he ever made a big deal about it in the first place. That's basically what he's doing now instead of explaining his convictions.

[Durango]

Why won't you wear the AIDS Ribbon?

There is so much wisdom in Seinfeld reruns.

[happiness333]

...tell me. WHERE ARE YOUR "FLAP PINS"?

[LeftLeanWing]

Cosmo says NO to flag pins.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LZrVPFE9XA

[eladora]

somebody that knew somebody when they were in grade school said hannity used to run around with a pillowcase over his head. so i guess those early relationships can influence you

[OldBlackVet]

What else is to be expected. No other candidate has had to defend themselves against these types of attacks. If you can't take him down one way, make up something else even if you aren't holding everyone to the same standard. Do as I say not as I do.

[pleeezzze]

Yuo're kidding ,right ?
Hillary ,and Bill have been subjected to the most outlandish scutiny ! Noone in the entire world has never tried and tested in public as those two have .

Give me a break !

[SmootyBooty]

Bill Clinton did more to harm his own case than anything that the "vast right wing conspiracy" ever did. If you want to elect a candidate because she simply refuses to quit, go ahead, but don't you dare tell me or anyone that the Clintons are BETTER than Barack Obama...

[jg08091]

In January 1995, as the Clintons were licking their wounds from the 1994 congressional elections, a debate emerged at a retreat at Camp David. Should the administration make overtures to working class white southerners who had all but forsaken the Democratic Party? The then-first lady took a less than inclusive approach.

"Screw 'em," she told her husband. "You don't owe them a thing, Bill. They're doing nothing for you; you don't have to do anything for them."

[SanityNowPlease]

The point, that you have clearly missed, is that the attacks on Hilllary, on points of substantive issues I might add such as personal credibility and actual experience, is that the attacks you refer to have not been waged by Senator Obama.
Senator Clinton and supposed fellow Democrat is running a 100% negative campaign directly against Senator Obama. NEVER before in the history of Democratic Primaries has this been done. Nasty campaign tactics like the ones Hillary Clinton is waging and has endorsed are usually run between the Democratic and Republican parties, never internally.

[Hallucinocynic]

Yes, the Clintons have been scrutinized, generally for the wrong things. Some of the comments made here, and elsewhere, have been vile and totally uncalled for.

But the same can be said about Obama, and even about Crash (though I am one of those who will continue to attack that bastard).

It would be much more constructive if the candidates only addressed the issues that the country faces and how THEY as a candidate would deal with those issues - WITHOUT deflecting attention to their opponent(s).

When I see statements to the effect that HRC is the only one being attacked I just shrug my shoulders and resign myself to the fact that nothing is going to change. While I acknowledge that BO supporters are, all too often, over the top, the same charge can be levelled at HRC supporters. Neither side can claim to be totally fair or unbiased.

But, in all fairness, can anyone here please identify the first moment that either candidate attacked the other (please provide citations...) so we can state, with some certainty, that one side or the other is responsible for this nonproductive he said/she said crap?

[Roose]

Henny Penny the sky is falling! McClinton isn't wearing a flag pin either!

Silly season indeed.

[lleite00]

When patriotism is measured by a flag pin it is silly season indeed.

[fathr2brodie]

I think stuff like this is what makes stuff like this seem plain stupid and unneeded. I really wish sometime when Obama was asked one of these questions he would point something like this out.

[TeriMcCarthy]

Well obviously then, the question should be asked of snufalupagus and his side kick big bird: Why don't they love America?

[marymansour]

Blah, blah, blah....does he wear a dinky flag pen or not? This wonderful man has been beaten to a bloody pulp by the media and Clinton dogs (of which that Stephanopoulos is part and parcel) and he's still in there fighting. I've come to a conclusion of my own - this country doesn't deserve this terrific man as our leader. Maybe he can run in some other nation that will appreciate him for his greatness - like maybe France, England, Germany....they all like him and wish we would elect him.