WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said he doesn't wear the American flag lapel pin because it has become a substitute for "true patriotism" since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Asked about the decision Wednesday in an interview with KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Illinois senator said he stopped doing so shortly after the attacks and instead hoped to show his patriotism by explaining his ideas to citizens.
"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," he said in the interview. "Instead, I'm going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testament to my patriotism."
Obama was campaigning in Iowa Thursday, the second day of a four-day trip to the early voting state.
Maybe he is trying to get the muslim votes by not wearing the symbol of America.... But he doesn't get it does he about the symbol of the American flag??
Why are people blowing this so far out of proportion? Its a freaking pin! Is it mandatory? No. What is so hard to understand about this statement?
"I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest," he said in the interview. "Instead, I'm going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testament to my patriotism."
Looks like a good oldfashionwitch hunt. Get the torches andfarm tools, lets burn him!
Sounds like a lot of Reps trying to start the whole "anti-patriotism" thing again. Only, a good bit earlier this time around. [:'(] That's cool, I'd say it backfired last time. History tends to repeat itself.
Now, in my defense, I have NEVER intended to vote for Obama. Still can't see ANYONE on either side to vote for. [X(] Should he wear the pin? IMO, ofcourse! Do I think he'll regret not wearing it? Yep. Oh well, live and learn I guess........
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He started wearing the pin after 9/11 and now that he's running for President has stopped wearing the pin. That probably isn't his wisest decision and will naturally cause people to wonder about many things. This really isn't some sinister Republican plot; it's simply reality in America and it crosses over political lines.
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He started wearing the pin after 9/11 and now that he's running for President has stopped wearing the pin. That probably isn't his wisest decision and will naturally cause people to wonder about many things. This really isn't some sinister Republican plot; it's simply reality in America and it crosses over political lines.
He stopped wearing it years ago, not when he decided to run for president. Thats why I say its been blown way out of proportion. People dont want to read the whole story, just the part where they can make him out to be a bad person.
Personally, I believe that flags belong on poles and only on poles. I'm not offended that some politician won't wear a tiny metal pin on his lapel. There are plenty of other reasons to loathe his ideals besides his fashion tastes.
Personally, I believe that flags belong on poles and only on poles. I'm not offended that some politician won't wear a tiny metal pin on his lapel. There are plenty of other reasons to loathe his ideals besides his fashion tastes.
Actually Obama said that instead of wearing the flag pin to show his patriotism, he would remove it and show his patriotism by promoting his ideals. I'm conviced that his ideals are different than what the symbol of our flag represents.
C. Davis
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Glug glug. His campaign is slipping under the quicksand of not addressing those most likely to vote in caucuses and primaries. Soon he will be hx and the Dems will be saying Hail Queen Hillary!
How such an engergetic young senator can have such incompetent campaign staff is amazing. Oh well. Not my problem as a Republican.
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Bye Bye Obama
