I know it seems ridiculous. But to not wear it to make a point I think is unnecessary. I have said fuck that too all this time. But when that old man, the veteran, handed him a pin it gave me a different perspective. I realized that those pins actually mean a lot to some people, particularly veterans. It's not so much about his statement, it's more about honoring the customs of some. Like the somali gear or bowling in a small town. At some point pandering for votes crosses with 'when in rome'.

Barack needs to more succinctly explain his reasons though. If some Dems. aren't clear about this then imagine the GE population.

In general, I wich that Barack could find the same degree of emotional content to his debate answers that he brings to his prepared speeches. You can see the analytical wheels tunring in his head as he considers the questions, but I think the trick is for him to determine the correct answer with his head, but then to verbally express that answer more with his heart. Not easy to make that switch on-the-fly, I know, but we have obsereved him to posess both abilities.

I agree that someone should make a fuss over Hillary not wearing a flag pin. I can picture her in that shamrock scarf (telling the Bosnia story) and would love to hear people demand she wear a flag scarf. It would just wreck any outfit.

McCain doesn't wear a flag pin? I assumed he did. I never looked for it on any of the three of them actually. And I know people are only making a comment as far as his goes because it plays into their (pathetic) patriotic question. My point is to not put the pin on for those people, but that there are those that it is worth wearing for.

"But it matters to some. But those people wouldn't vote for him anyway, right? "

I don't buy it.

I agree with the "Fuck that" people.

Obama should fight on his own terms, and push aside the Rightwing's issues and debates.

The problem of Kerry was to get bogged down in debates and trivia the GOP wanted to talk about.

Obama does best when he discusses things in his own terms. Witness the Race Speech.

That said, he'll need to address patriotism in some way. But I hope he does it his way.

Bob Schieffer on CBS today:

"I watched the ABC debate the other night when the question came up, again, about why Senator Obama doesn't wear a flag pin in his lapel.
Since no one asked me, here's my thought on all that.
I think it is a nice thing if people want to wear a flag on their lapel.
But I believe it more important to keep the flag behind our lapel; in our hearts.
I feel the same way about wearing my religion on my sleeve; it fits better for me on the inside.
When I go to see our local baseball team, I do wear my Washington Nationals baseball cap. But am I less a fan if I don't wear it to work?
The truth is I have been known to wear a red, white and blue, stars and stripes tie on the Fourth of July. Am I less patriotic when I trade it for my Santa Claus tie at Christmas?
Patriotism is no more about signs or pins than religion is about reminding others how pious we think we are.
No, the proof in these puddings is not the signs we wear but how we act.
Wouldn't that also be a better way to judge our presidential candidates than by the jewelry they wear?"

"Symbols are important to us. They have been with us since the begining of civilization. Worlds of emotions and ideologies are distilled down into these archetypal images. They can be familiar and comforting, or alarming and frightening. Our flag represents home and history. It's comforting and elicits feelings of warmth and pride for many. Tens of thousands of soldiers have sacrificed their lives in the name of that flag - for them and their families our flag looms larger than life."

Gee - I wonder if there might not be some connection between this idiotic mindset and the appallingly ignorant and sleazy crop of politicians who seem to rely on it year after year after year.

If there were ever a more accurate measure of just how much the PUBLIC is responsible for its own troubles, this is it.

If your vote depends on such childish and immature 'reasons', then you deserve precisely what happens to you.

The only drawback is that the rest of us have to pay the price for your childishness as well.

I would like to see an ad like this:
OBAMA: I support the veterans' bill. If the flag pin meant that, I would wear it, but dozens of legislators who wear it do NOT support the veterans' bill. I have worked on legislation to improve the health care for and treatment of veterans returning from war. If the flag pin meant that, I would wear it, but scores of legislators who voted against that bill still wear the pin. I love this country, I stand for the national anthem, I cover my heart for the Pledge of Allegiance. The American people can see my love for this country without needing a pin to identify my patriotism. Let's start talking about how actions, and not accessories, help our country and our servicemen.

If he starts wearing the pin all the time now, it will appear to be an empty gesture--AND it will be interpreted as a lack of strength by the very people trying to coerce him into doing what THEY want him to do.

I ditto the others. Fuck that.

nevermind flag pins...look what's comming!
http://www.hillaryproject.com/index.php?/en/story-details/what_hillary_clinton_and_the_media_are_hiding_from_the_voters/

Putting it on now wouldn't make a difference. His best opportunity would have been to continue wearing it after the veteran gave it to him at the rally. That would have been his "out" on this issue and put it to bed.

It's really a non-issue, only those who care about it would have never voted for Obama in the first place and are looking for any reason not to vote for him without saying the obvious. Ask anybody bringing up the pin issue about the policies of either candidate and I can guarantee they'd be at a total loss.

Yeah. Unfortunately that mind set has almost made it so that he can't wear the pin without appearing to give them some sort of victory.

There is a standard issue size. I believe that when he put that pin on before those vets it made a difference to some. It may have even pushed a fence sitter into Obama's yard.

Fuck that to the Bill O'Reilys yes. Does it make a difference to the wider audience? No. Does it make a difference to some veterans, and some elderly folks? Yes, not all but some. Do the bulk of those people think he is unpatriotic when he doesn't wear one? Probably not. Does it make them feel good if he wears one when addressing a group of them. Yes for some.

I like that he put one on when the older vet handed it to him. It was sweet.

The Flag Pins are manufactured in China. I thought the working class resented having China stealing their industrial jobs

Things will all change if Hillary becomes president. She has a plan to have NASA develop A Way Back Machine, so that she can travel back in time, and stick Flag Pins on the jackets of every Founding Father, because nothing says Patriotic American like having a piece of cheap costume jewelry, made in China, stuck on your jacket.

No wonder America is falling behind. It has become a tyranny of imbeciles.

Just in from Planet Moron, er...Faux News by way of HufferPost. Chris "My Dad is Embarassased" Wallace and Karl "Turdblossom" Rove:

WALLACE: Let me ask you about that. Some liberal commentators say that Clinton has been using the Rove playbook going after Obama on values like guns and religion. Does what you have heard from her last week sound familiar?

ROVE: Well it's not what I would have done. There are democrats who are troubled by some of the things that Obama says and why she has not made this an issue earlier, particularly framing it up as an issue that would be raised in the general election and what's his answer now has eluded me. For example, he very early on made the comment about true patriotism consists not of wearing a flag lapel pin but speaking out on the issues. You can be a true patriot and speak out on issues AND wear a flag lapel pin. He sort of questioning the patriotism of people who might put on a flag lapel pin, but disagree with his opinion.

Hey wait, isn't the "Architect" the architect of the most unpopular administration in the history of tracking such numbers? So much so, that it may single-handled cause the destruction of the Reagan coalition.