Why did Obama recently wear the flag pin?

[Minimus]

I like the fact that he does not pander to the media hype of showing "patriotism" but he went and donned one in by-god WV.


http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-democrats-optional,0,6749272.story

snip

>
With pool cue, flag pin, Obama combats elitist image

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Barack Obama sported a flag lapel pin and talked up patriotism Monday as he campaigned in blue-collar West Virginia. He also shot a solid game of pool.

For only the second time in many weeks, Obama wore an American flag pin on his suit jacket. He has said he stopped wearing such pins routinely because he felt they became a substitute for "true patriotism" after the 2001 terrorist attacks. He recently wore a flag pin, for a day, given to him by a veteran. Campaign aides gave no explanation for Monday's decision, except to say that sometimes Obama wears a flag pin and sometimes he does not.
<

[Kittycat]

1. Speaking to Veterans

He wore the pin that was given to him by a veteran.

[ShortnFiery]

2. He was given one by a decorated war veteran. He said that he Never said "never"

How about we move on from inane topics of FLAG PINS or whether Obama's former minister LOVES America? :crazy:

[Cha]

55. That's right, ShortnFiery..Obama was given a Flag Pin

by a Viet Nam Veteran and honored that by putting it on.

<snip>

"But he didn't show up wearing the pin–instead, a Vietnam era veteran presented it to him on the ropeline as Obama made his way to the podium at the start of the event.

"I was just handed this," Obama said. "It's a flag pin. I think I'll go ahead and put that on."

He then did just that.

"I appreciate your service," Obama told Philip Fiumara, Jr., a Vietnam era veteran and undecided voter, according to the campaign.

"Thank you so much. It means a lot coming from you, and we are grateful to you."

This is the first time Obama has worn a flag pin on his lapel since it was widely reported last fall that he had stopped wearing one."

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/15/obama-dons-flag-pin-once-again/

[elfin]

3. He sometimes wears one when meeting with

predominantly verterans groups.

[CaptJasHook]

4. He was at a meeting for veterans.

An entirely appropriate place to show his support. He wasn't flaunting it, like the Rethuglicans like to do.

[BigDDem]

5. Like I said before....

Obama wont wear flag pin
DU: Hooray!!!

Obama wears flag pin
DU: Hooray!!!

You guys would applaud if he stepped in shit.

[John Q. Citizen]

12. and you wouldn't?

[BigDDem]

29. No, I would laugh.

[Saturday]

26. It's amusing to watch them spin isn't it? LOL nt

[Goblinmonger]

41. What spin?

Jesus christ, he said that he wears one sometimes but not all the time. He hasn't worn one for a while and now he did. How is that different from what he said he does?

Jumping Christ on a pogo stick, I can't believe that people on DU are getting a hard on about whether Obama wears a fucking flag pin. Way to push the right-wing talking points. How about if we debate about him being a Muslim, too?

[4_Legs_Good]

54. Obama Wears a flag pin: I don't give a shit. Obama doesn't wear a flag pin: I don't give a shit

DUers wanna tear down the likely Democratic Nominee and a Democratic Senator... not so good.

David

[NJmaverick]

6. Wow, Obama just can't win with some people

[Saturday]

28. That's because he's a flip flopper and a politician. nt

[NJmaverick]

39. He's a politician?!?!?!?!

:wow:

[still_one]

42. It looks like you are going to have to come to grips that Obama WILL win the nomination /nt

[4_Legs_Good]

56. Heaven forbid!

A politican!

Flip-flopper? Do we really need to do this?

David

[MethuenProgressive]

7. Pandering, after reading the polling and focus group results.

Like all things Obama.

[IsItJustMe]

14. Are you just a little bit cynical? LOL

[MethuenProgressive]

24. Regarding David Axelrod productions?

Yes.

[ekwhite]

18. Oh Please...

Like the Clintons can take a shit without checking the poll numbers first. :grr:

[dionysus]

30. classic projection... the clintons focus test what they want for breakfast...

[still_one]

40. There is a reason why Clinton lost the nomination, it is because they treat

flag pins and preachers as main issues

[still_one]

38. and how many people did wearing the flag pin kill, like the IWR vote did? /nt

[MethuenProgressive]

49. The IWR killed no one. Bush's violation of the terms and conditions of the IWR did.

Bush started Bush's war in Iraq. Not John Kerry. Not John Edwards. Not Hillary Clinton.

[indimuse]

8. called PANDERING...

[Avalux]

11. I am amused by your hatefulness.

I guess we all deal with loss in different ways. Good luck with that.

[indimuse]

47. you must be confused..again!

I don't hate a soul.

[patrice]

19. If HC was doing it, you'd call it "wise". nt

[ekwhite]

21. The pharmacy called

Your Haldol prescription is ready

[Saturday]

9. Because he's a politician who will do anything to win. nt

[Avalux]

10. Someone gave it to him to wear.

Obama has stated that he will wear a flag pin if it has meaning; as it did on this occasion. He won't wear one every day just for the hell of it. McCain and Clinton don't so I don't get why it's such a big deal.

[alphafemale]

15. I guess we can garner from the above Clinton supporters that Hillary....

Who doesn't wear a flag pin...

Would have refused the offer of a flag pin from a veteran?

[Minimus]

17. Unfortunately the media makes it a big deal when it concerns Obama

The "story" of him wearing the flag pin was even on my small town local news channel in NC yesterday.

[BigDDem]

31. "Obama has stated that he will wear a flag pin if it has meaning"

I'm sure you have that quote, right?
Please provide link.

[Blue_Roses]

13. It's called RESPECT!

he was speaking to Veterans and I admire his respect for them.

[MonkeyFunk]

44. Why is it respectful to wear a flag for veterans?

By your logic, is he disrespecting a group if he doesn't wear a flag pin for them?

There's a simple answer - he was pandering. It's fine - he's a politician. That's what they do. The only objection people here are making is over the suggestion that only Clinton panders, that Obama is somehow above that kind of stuff. He never was, he isn't, and he never will be - because he's a politician.

[patrice]

16. It's not as simple as "pander", "not pander". There IS Victory in compliance in certain situations

because it demonstrates STRENGTH.

I am VERY happy to hear that Barack Obama understands this.

He's signalling the Veterans that THEY are important to him. Watch him, he will not wear the flag pin every time you see him. He's telling the Veterans that they are Special.

[Minimus]

20. I like your answer -

I wish the media and pundits would say that!

[patrice]

25. It also shows self-control. Another good quality.

Anyone who has provided services, e.g. waiting tables, to others will recognize this behavior. Media Millionaires have never had to do such things, or they have forgotten it if they ever did.

P.S. Self-control is, under MOST circumstances, also "other" "control", BHO's intelligence is quite mature.

[iamthebandfanman]

22. lol, damned he does... damned if he dont

what a sad state hillary supporters are in to be talking about pins.

[LoZoccolo]

23. So people would STFU already. n/t

[BigDDem]

27. Flip Flop.....

"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."

Oh well, not so much.

:rofl:

He's so "Authentic!!"

:rofl:

[still_one]

37. There is a reason why Hillary isn't the nominee, because of issues like this

These are not ISSUES

Her vote on the IWR is an issue
Her refusal to admit that vote was a mistake, not only is an issue but is a reflection of poor judgement, since the IWR overturned the War Powers Act
Her vote on the Kyle/lieberman ammendment only amplifies her convoluted judgment

The Iraq war has destabilized an entire region, killed hundreds of thousands of people, is responsible for the high price of energy and food

Most of those who banged the drum for this war all were wearing flag pins, and that says every thing

[still_one]

32. There is nothing wrong if he wears a flag pin. He is talking about his families

service in WWII, and the opportunities America has given him and his family

People trash him if he doesn't wear a flag pin, people trash him if he wears a flag pin

How come they don't do the same with the other candidates?

This isn't an issue

[lojasmo]

33. Because he chose to do so. EOM

[SoonerPride]

34. So you would talk about it.

We want to identify those who are easily distracted and keep you away from anything that plugs in the wall.

We don't want you hurting yourself.

[BigDDem]

36. "So you would talk about it."

Sort of like you are talking about it?

[crankychatter]

35. we get Clinton faking a drawl and populist message... on the back of a truck

practically with a bullhorn... downing shooters... talkin smack about gun control...

Obama wears a flag pin at a Veteran's group and it's news?

why even post this?

Clinton is the all time Queen of Pandering

[SeaLyons]

43. Obama felt the need to PANDER.....

oh my - does that make him a typical politician??

[barack the house]

45. So wrong to not wear now wrong to wear it. Ignoring Hillary also rarely wears it.

[Triana]

46. WHO CARES!!!?!?!? n/t

[NorthernSpy]

48. Because one of the veterans gave him one as a gift.

Obama has, in fact, worn flag pins occasionally in the past. His point is that it shouldn't be an issue whether someone chooses to wear one or not; it's just not the kind of thing we should focus on.

[DearAbby]

50. Damned if he does, Damned if he doesn't

Why does Obama have to prove he is patriotic, and the other candidates, its a given? Just wondering? Does Hillary wear a flag pin? Does McCain? Do you?

[BlooInBloo]

51. I sleep in the flag myself. Why do you all hate America?

[DearAbby]

52. I have Flag Sheets

and a Flag bedspread, and Flag 'jammies....ya traitor!

[BlooInBloo]

53. I fail. :(

:P

[DearAbby]

58. Epic fail....

:rofl: I am looking for flag bloomers...would that be taking it too far? Can enough cotton be grown to cover it? Burning questions....

[4_Legs_Good]

57. Flag thong required to be a patriot!

[LTR]

59. He said on CNN last week...

...sometimes he wears one, sometimes he doesn't.

Sometimes he likes a burger and a beer, other times he likes a glass of wine and a steak.

[snooper2]

60. Damn!

Way to bring out "ignored"

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:



GOBAMA!