Obama stops wearing flag pin-"A Substitute For I Think True Patriotism"

[kpete]

Obama stops wearing flag pin
By MIKE GLOVER, Associated Press Writer
Thu Oct 4, 5:14 PM ET


He commented on the pin in a television interview Wednesday and then again on Thursday at a campaign appearance in Independence, Iowa.

Noting the TV interview, he told the campaign crowd, "I said, you know what, I probably haven't worn a flag pin in a very long time. After a while I noticed people wearing a lapel pin and not acting very patriotic."

"My attitude is that I'm less concerned about what you're wearing on your lapel than what's in your heart. You show your patriotism by how you treat your fellow Americans, especially those who serve. You show your patriotism by being true to our values and ideals. That's what we have to lead with is our values and our ideals."

“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.”

more at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071004/ap_po/obama_no_flag_pin

[AndyA]

1. I agree with how Barack feels on this issue.

Wearing a lapel pin is a sorry substitute for feeling true love for your country in your heart.

Now if Barack would just move off the "no impeachment" platform, he'd look a lot better in my eyes.

(Yes, I know Edwards has the same stance, he just didn't go so far as to state nothing serious enough to warrant impeachment of Bush/Cheney had happened.)

[MADem]

2. Clever way to get a headline!

To be accurate, the article should read "Obama STOPPED..." not "stops." It's not really news if he stopped a long time ago. But it is a clever hook to get a chunk of the news cycle.

His team seems to be getting a bit better in that department! If they can get him to stop saying "The truth is" so much, as though he's confessing to sins, that would be helpful, too.

[zanne]

3. The only other Dem candidate who wears a pin is Richardson.nt

[bigtree]

4. not a thing wrong with that

It may be fine for Obama to take his off, but wearing one doesn't make you insincere or mean that it's there as a 'substitute' for anything.

[zanne]

5. Nor does not wearing one mean you're unpatriotic. nt

[bigtree]

6. of course not.

I like Sen. Obama's statement. Good for him.