But will the pin issue stick?

There was a fair amount of noise this week about Barack Obama's comments to an Iowa TV station that he had stopped wearing an American flag lapel pin -- a seeming requirement for serious political candidates (that's how you can tell they're American, apparently).

"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, instead I’m gonna try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great and hopefully that will be a testimony to my patriotism.”

Other candidates don't wear flag pins very often, either. John Edwards comes to mind, with his pin commemorating his son Wade, who died in a car crash. But symbolism is everything in politics, and the littlest things can sometimes echo far beyond the moment. Think Michael Dukakis and the tank. Or Dan Quayle and the spelling lesson. When the symbol reinforces a broad perception of a candidate -- Dukakis not quite ready for prime time; Quayle not quite ready for sixth grade -- it can be devastating.

Which is why you can expect the Obama pin story to flutter around for a while, particularly on radio shows that make symbols of patriotism a litmus test, even though some of their own statements are tantamount to stepping on a political land mine (Google Limbaugh and "phony soldiers").

Most voters, one would suspect, are likely to shrug this kind of stuff off. But as we just pointed out, it can have a corrosive effect over time, which has a lot to do with why you never hear the phrase "President Dukakis." Or President Kerry, for that matter.

But if you must wear a lapel pin, at least the American flag would be cheaper than a McCain pin.

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Goldie]

The Republican candidates aren't even wearing the lapel pin and Fox's Hannity doesn't wear it often either. Clinton may wear it occasionally. This is the stupid kind of story that only has legs when reporters use is to trash someone. Is the LA Times going to show their bias and promote a stupid biased story? In fact, to show respect for the flag, according to the rules written down for the care of the flag, we should not be putting the flag on as jewelery, and lots of other things we are doing with the flag. So Obama might actually be respecting the flag more than all the phony patriots.

(Ans: This is a blog, not a news column. The pin is an issue. Some people have an opinion about it, whether you like it or not.)

[Rise Against]

"If Obama knew his American Civics, he would know that Congress codified the protocol for rendering the Pledge and the National Anthem. In both cases, all present not in uniform shall face the flag or music, uncover and place their right hand over their hearts - except for military members in uniform who render a salute. Anyone who ever attended a pro sports event knows that. Either way; Pledge of Allegiance or National Anthem; Obama is dead wrong and no one in the mainstream media called him on it."

America is afraid to criticize African Amerians for the fear of appearing racist. Enter the Al Sharpton version of First Amendment law: Any criticism of any African American is racism. The mainstream media seems to accept this view, and we currently have a chilling effect on speech when it comes to the criticism of one racial minority. We can criticize every other race except for African Americans out of fear of being perceived as a racist. Wake up America, African Americans are Americans too, and they should be held to the same standards as every American. To do otherwise would be racism.