Inhofe Questions Whether Obama "Really Loves His Country"

Some harsh talk from Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK):

Regardless of what polls show, Inhofe said, voters will have to ask themselves a question once they get behind the curtain in the voting booth on Election Day.

"Do you really want to have a guy as commander in chief of this country when you can question whether or not he really loves his country?" he asked.

"That's the big question.''

The story quotes an Obama aide criticizing Inhofe's remarks, then a runs a "clarification" from Inhofe that seems just as harsh:

"Let me be clear,'' he said.

"I am not questioning Sen. Obama's patriotism, but you have to question why at times he seems so obviously opposed to public displays of patriotism and national pride, like wearing an American flag lapel pin.''

The message coming out of Minneapolis sure does seem to have crystallized: McCain's a patriot, Obama...not so much.

Comments

[helenwheels]

As I tried to say before the bad words filter deleted my comment (even though I used no profanity), the GOP has a lot of nerve running on the fearmongering issue when they have failed abysmally at keeping the U.S. safe. MSNBC announced today that a new study is emerging, created by a bi-Partisan group called Partnership for a Secure America:

WASHINGTON - The United States remains "dangerously vulnerable" to chemical, biological and nuclear attacks seven years after 9/11, a forthcoming independent study concludes. And a House Democrats' report says the Bush administration has missed one opportunity after another to improve the nation's security.

The recent political rupture between Russia and the U.S. only makes matters worse, said Lee Hamilton, the former Indiana Democratic congressman who helped lead the 9/11 Commission and now chairs the independent group's latest study.

Efforts to reduce access to nuclear technology and bomb-making materials have slowed, thousands of U.S. chemical plants remain unprotected, and the U.S. government continues to oppose strengthening an international treaty to prevent bioterrorism, according to the report produced by the bipartisan Partnership for a Secure America.

[stargazer13]

what I have learned in 48 years on this lovely planet is

those who accuse are usually guilty of what there accusing some body else of doing
makes you wonder when really think about it

so my ? to Mr Inhofe is sir do you really love your country .
I am so tired of this passive aggressive game that some of these people play
so third grade if you ask me

[obamadeus]

There wasn't much information on Palin's official website, but she'll probably want this section removed as soon as possible. Palin loves her country so much that the monthly newsletter her office puts out is called "Putting Alaska First: A Newsletter from Alaska Governor Sarah Palin".

http://gov.state.ak.us/newsletters.php

[akaJohnQ]

For your information, Senator Inhofe, you can love this country without wearing a flag pin on your coat. I have seen many people wearing flag pins who have never done anything for this country. I call them false patriots. What gives you the right to question someone elses love for their country? How about if I question yours? I question your love for Mother Earth because of your dismal environmental record. I question your love for mankind because you condone torture. You, sir, are not a man who should be questioning anyone elses love for anything.

[RoveRoveRoveYourBoat]

...hard to imagine Oklahoma can not find a better man to represent them. Even a small state like Alaska finds better representatives than......­oooohhh...­...maybe not.

[akaJohnQ]

I've been to Oklahoma. There are a lot of fine people living there. I don't know how someone as backwards as Inhofe could have been elected to the senate from Oklahoma, or from anywhere else for that matter.

[bluevespagirl]

If you go visit Inhofe's website, he isn't wearing a flag pin in his pictures. He must not love America either. McSame / Pain - neither of them wore flag pins during their convention speeches.

What about fighting for the middle class, saving social security, ending the war in Iraq?

http://inhofe.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Home.Home

[bryansmith]

Right, and conservatives can change a government that they themselves destroyed

[helen]

This from a man who doesn't know the definition of civility and human rights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hOH4NxsHBg

[gazissax]

Love of country is a classic right wing scare tactic. They use it to cover up the fact that they see the nation as nothing more than a cash cow to suck.

[Veradictum]

Right on gazissax - BUT - Democrats must fight vehemently against the Republican scare tactics - or they will lose this capaign. Gangsters understand only one thing; a knife on the throat. That is why it is absolutely necessary for all Democrats to get their intellectual knives out and pound on Jim Inhofe's completely uncivil and insidious barfs at Obama.

Get in Inhofe's face everyone! Like "Hey Jim, since you suggest Obama doesn't love his country - how do you feel Governor Palin's affiliation with the Alaskan Independence Party stacks up? Is that her way og showing love for our indivisible nation? And for God, under whom our nation rests?

[Val49]

I don't EVER EVER see a flag pin on the one that would follow Bin Ladin to the gates of hell and the Hero, POW that LOVES his country, that being McCain and I never hear anyone saying anything about his flag pin, its like they are blind to the things they want to be blind about. Have anyone else ever noticed that?

[BPCentrisAmerican]

Inhofe was one of the biggest water carriers for the neo-con traders in the Administration during the Valerie Wilson investigation. This man has a nerve to be talking about patriotism.

[Airball01]

http://inhofe.senate.gov/public/

I don't see an American flag lapel pin in your photo, Senator.

Shame, shame!

[ajax2]

I doubt that Inhofe loves the country or democracy. He supports and all powerful leadership, fascist or theocratic. He certainly does not support the best interest of the people, and should be removed from office.

[Motik70]

They question the patriotism of a someone who has worked for the government for more than 10 years, and yet say nothing about Palin who was member of party that advocated leaving the union?

Go figure.

The earlier poster was right, Americans are stupid.

[Ougie46]

I just called Senator Inhofe's office at the Senate. A very courtieous aide answered the phone. I expressed my concern regarding Inhofe's comment regarding Obama. I asked the aide how Inhofe
could state "Do you really want to have a guy as Commander in Chief of this country, when you can question whether or not he really loves his country".

I asked the aide, is this what the Senate has come to?

The aide in a low voice and hush tone, indicated that he personally would not agree with the comment. The aide said that Inhofe is passionate when it comes to Patriotism. The aide also said that Inhofe many times speaks off the cuff and from the heart.

I indicated to the aide, that it would be hard to believe that any Senator would not love his or her country. The aide agreed.

I reminded the aide that Senator Thad Corchran of Mississippi said that a "cold chill went up his spine when he thought of McCain as Commander and Chief".

Call Inhofe's office and express your disgust with the Senator's comment: [phone]