Obama To Counter Questions About Patriotism In Speech

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Monday he will never question others' patriotism during the race and blames his own "carelessness" for some criticism of him so far. Obama sought to reassure voters about his commitment to the country, choosing the aptly named town of Independence as his backdrop.

Questions about his patriotism were raised during the Democratic nomination fight, and Obama recently started wearing a flag pin on his lapel in one attempt to answer them. But a weeklong focus on American values in the run-up to Friday's July 4 holiday represents his most concerted effort so far to do so.

Obama said he chose the topic in part because of his experience during the race, even though he has always considered his love of country a given and his inspiration for running for office.

"I have found, for the first time, my patriotism challenged _ at times as a result of my own carelessness, more often as a result of the desire by some to score political points and raise fears about who I am and what I stand for," he said before a crowd of a few hundred people at the Truman Memorial Building here. "I will never question the patriotism of others in this campaign. And I will not stand idly by when I hear others question mine."

Obama also sought to tamp down controversy surrounding comments over the weekend from a supporter. Retired Gen. Wesley Clark said in a television appearance that the Vietnam War-era military service of John McCain, Obama's Republican opponent, does not necessarily qualify him to be commander in chief.

McCain was a fighter pilot who was captured and held as a prisoner of war for more than five years.

Obama said that patriotism "must, if it is to mean anything, involve the willingness to sacrifice" and sought to distance himself from Clark's remarks without mentioning them.

"For those like John McCain who have endured physical torment in service to our country _ no further proof of such sacrifice is necessary," Obama said. "And let me also add that no one should ever devalue that service, especially for the sake of a political campaign, and that goes for supporters on both sides."

The comment drew loud applause.

At a news conference in Harrisburg, Pa., McCain was asked about Clark's comments.

"I think that that kind of thing is unnecessary," McCain said. "I'm proud of my record of service, I have plenty of friends, leaders who will attest to that.

"The important thing is if that's the kind of campaign Senator Obama and his surrogates and supporters want to engage in, I understand that. But it doesn't reduce the price of gas by one penny. It doesn't achieve our energy independence or make it come any closer. Doesn't make any American stay in their home who's at risk of losing it today. And it certainly doesn't do anything to address the challenges Americans have in keeping their jobs, homes and supporting their families."

Separately, in a statement, Obama spokesman Bill Burton said, "As he's said many times before, Sen. Obama honors and respects Senator McCain's service, and of course he rejects yesterday's statement by Gen. Clark."

Comments

[96Bravo]

Well, it may be sad to see a person "have" to make a speech like this, but Obama always comes though. I just saw it and it was brilliant. Kudos to Mark Twain too!

[Mitchell4A]

It is of course a sad commentary that Obama must go through this. One of the places that he has been vulnerable has been his "exotic" sounding name. He can turn this around (and has already done so to a great deal). It will be a great day for many Americans with "exotic" sounding names when he is elected.

"Obama" It's the Name, Stupid"
http://msa4.wordpress.com/

[Sarahjan]

okayigive

that was my point. The very idea that Obama needs to speak abotu his patriotism is damaging to his candidacy. How can we explain this? Why is America is making itself look small in the eyes of the world? First we have Bill Clinton demanding that Barack Obama needs to kiss his ass and now Obama must give an speech on patriotism! Phew.

[AbbieXHoffman]

I wouldn't worry about Bill Clinton comment, which I find hard to believe. I lived in London and worked in Parliament as an intern and the British rags over there are much worse than our press regarding politics. They don't limit their printed gossip to celebrities, they attack any public official all the time based on hearsay. It's a joke and in this case there no direct quotes, which make it even less believable. I am embarassed that our press picked this lame story up to begin with.

[okayigive]

It's sad to see that a fellow American, who by the way is a US Senator and the nominee of the Dem. Party for President has to take time from talking about issues that effect and affect each of us, have to explain what patriotism mean to him. How belittling not only to Sen. O-bama, but to all other Americans that don't fit this created mold.

This is a historic election beyond the sensibilites of any other elections in our history, not because we have the potential of electing the first AA (biracial) or the eldest president, but because one candidate must define himself as patriotic, American, and of a acceptable fundamental religion. Forget the qualifications spelled out by the constitution, that's not enough, we must now interject our own personal criteria and standard beyond trustworthiness, character, ethics, integrity, ability and competence.

Many of you are pleased that he is giving the speech, but he will be only speaking to the choir unfortunately. By the time the media scoundrels finish slicing and dicing, interjecting, and critiquing based on their personal bias his time may as well been used on issues instead. We ( those of us who are not W.A.S.P.) may as well delete the term "proud to be American" out of our conversation and vocabulary, since regardless of what litmus test that's applied, it still won't be good enough.

[gonavy]

It's a distraction. If Obama wanted to discuss the issues then he would. This is part of his political strategy. He's playing the victim against someone who has not attacked his race, patriotism, or his wife's. He had a great opportunity to raise the bar in presidental elections, and he has not done so.

[okayigive]

gonavy- You missed the point I was making. Iit's nice that you hold affection for a fellow comrade of the navy, but seriously where have you been? A day doesn't go by without a negative infererences towards Sen. O-bama and/or his wife, by either a surrogate, some John or Jane Doe, or MSM. You may call it a political strategy, but let's be real, it's a defense against character a-ssasination brought about by e-mail smears, gossip, fear mongering, pure ignorance, and bias reporting and talking heads. No American citizen should have to be subjected to this kind of nonsense when others are not held to the same standards. If the new criteria for being president include wearing a flag-pin (that's generally made in China); toting a Bible and having the ability to quote scripture and interpret meaning according to predetermined standards of relegated religious leader at the time; and have proof beyond a birth certificate proving you are a citizen, then so be it, but let's put it it the Constitution as an ammendment and have everyone seeking office abide by these rules.

[aquarius2001]

OkayIgive...I loved your post. My sentiments exactly!! I have followed this campaign for almost a year, and have found it quite disturbing how Sen O must constantly define himself and his beliefs while other candidates have not. I found it pathetic that his kindergarten papers, his wife's college thesis, and even his birth certificate found themselves in this campaign. You're right, I hate for him to have to get up there and do these speeches...just so we can move on when all the media will do is dissect every word and phrase he says. (Like in the race speech when he tried to explain, being bi-racial, and having family members (rev. wright and his grandmother) say things he didn't agree with---what happened---the media says he "threw grandma under the bus"!!).

I just pray that this nation doesn't miss the opportunity to elect this true leader...what we've been missing for a very long time.

[bosshogg]

damn obama is good, i thought giving this speech was a bad idea but now i'm listening to him i was wayyyyyyy wrong........................

[AbbieXHoffman]

He could burp into the microphone and it would sound like a brilliant symphony.

[AbbieXHoffman]

BO is giving his speech right now. God is he good at these speeches or what?! He really shines. He just said, "I will NEVER question the patriotism of others in this campaign and I will not stand idly by when I hear others question mine".

How lyrical

[gonavy]

No, he won't. He will have others do it for him, like Gen. Clark.

He needs to learn the value of brevity.

[AbbieXHoffman]

He said he rejected what S Clark said. I know it's hard for conspiracy theorists to grasp (not saying you are one) but not EVERY SINGLE thing is orchestrated. It's fascinating and interesting to think that it is, but it's not a reality.

[aquarius2001]

And what about all the crap that the JM surrogates and supporters have said?

[lorla]

CNN is covering it right now.It has not started yet.

[edwarvir]

Please give him a chance to do his own thing. We on HuffPO must not turn
on him. Move On is coming out against Fox news with petitions to stop them
from spitting out their racist nonsense. We want to target their sponsers.

We have to win. So let's stay positive

[coolkraft]

I cannot wait for the resmuglicans to drown in their own slime after the landslide election for Obama and rejection of all incumbents...same old dirty tricks...same old lame duck slimeball bush and same old do nothing incumbents

[aquarius2001]

Me too! =)

[PorkBelly]

I'm sure the speech will be great.

However, when does John McCain have to give a speech to defend his patriotism?

[gonavy]

McCain is giving a speech in PA today, but I'm sure no one will hear it. Funny how they just ran Obamas entire speech and only give McCain a few seconds. The tired old argument that the MSM is pushing McCain no longer applies.

McCain does not have to explain such things because the public knows who he is, whereas Obama is an unknown and has to spend much time introducting himself. He has a nontraditional background, and that makes people nervous.

[aquarius2001]

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[karela]

Obama has shown himself to be a patriotic American by the surest test: He cares about Americans. He works for good jobs, good educations, good healthcare and good American economy.

In contrast, the republicans led by the Bush/McCain fiasco have proven over and over that they care about money and pounding their chests Internationally. Estimates are that by the time we get out of Iraq that it will have cost America three trillion dollars---this against a country who we now know was not involved in any attack against the United States. This was a quest for oil and power. If those dollars had been spent at home, it would have been enough to rebuild every road, every bridge, every levee, every school and every hospital in America. And there still would have been enough left over to create tens of thousands of new jobs in green energy that could have put Americans back to work, helped the environment and decreased dramatically our need for the foreign oil the oil men in the White House were chasing. If it hurts Americans and makes the rest of the world dislike and distrust The United States of America, it is by definition NOT patriotic.

[JJaye]

Only people who belong to Sean Hannity's "America" can be patriotic. Kinda like "W" uses a different internet than the rest of us - there are 2 you know.

[AdamInMaryland]

I know it's a topic that has been done to death, but...

I kinda wish he DIDN'T wear a flag pin. I see flag pins as an insult to the voters. To me, it says "See? Look! I'm proving I'm patriotic because of this little piece of metal stuck to my suit!"

While I understand why he is doing it now, part of the reason he appealed to me was that he WASN'T wearing one. Wearing a flag pin is kind of like slapping a yellow ribbon on the back of your gas guzzler, right next to the "honor rolls student" bumper sticker; it's a useless gesture that people do in an attempt to "prove" they love their country.

I don't have to prove that I love my country, just as a presidential candidate shouldn't have to prove it either.

[JBCinSD]

It is too bad, Adam, that he has to stoop to the level of wearing a pin to "prove" a whole mindset and set of principles. But as long as people are so ignorant as to think the pin proves anything and, worse yet, Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopolous give wearing a flag pin prominance in a debate watched by seven million people, Obama has to address it. Lowest common denominator - spread by the internet and fueled by irresponsible journalists.

[Piatt]

Did you notice that neither one of them was wearing a pin?

[enoughalready13]

Excellent post. But it just shows that Obama is like any other candidate out there willing to do anything necessary - including compromising principles - to get elected. He has changed positions now on key stances right as he became the nominee, and no longer had to worry about securing votes. He has the Dem ballot, so he's now going to do whatever he needs to move to the center and pander to others, versus sticking to his beliefs and principles upon which the American people voted for him to be the nominee. Shameless.

[bison2]

McCain is an unquestionable war hero. There have been no disparaging remarks against McCain"s military service nor patriotism. Being a POW speaks for itself. Wes Clark remarks found fault with the basis of McCain"s executive qualifications. Wes Clark is attempting to remove any blurred thinking that argues being a POW war hero automatically qualifies one for the presidency.

[DallasMike]

And being a 1st term Senator makes him qualified?

[gonavy]

McCain never stated that his POW status gave him this automatic qualification. It is just part of McCains past, his story. It may appear as though Clark's statements are to benefit Obama, but the initial reaction to his comments are more questions about Obamas qualifications. I wonder if this has been calculated. Clark was a Clinton supporter afterall.

[lorla]

Most of these posts and writers, saying O is going to lose their money or votes, have overlooked one glaring fact. O is black. This is an experiment we are trying to do for the first time in America. Left leaners and progressives can easily envision this, but much of the country is going to vote for the white guy just because he is white.
O has said from the beginning theat he wants to reach across the aisle to build a more perfect union. He is a centrist, not a leftist. He has been successfully strattling multicultural worlds all of his life. He is a great thinker and considers his first four years to be unsuccessful if we do not:
End the War in Iraq
Get Universal Health Care
Address Global Warming and our dependence on foreign oil
He claims that it can not be accomplished without the participation of the people.
I will gladly accept this as an agenda of his for the next four years compared to anything the republicans have to offer, and I will donate my time and money to help O get where he needs to be in Nov.