Barack Obama removes his U.S. flag lapel pin once more

Well, it's gone again.

Barack Obama's little American flag lapel pin, which a disabled veteran gave him Tuesday and the Democratic presidential candidate announced he would demonstrably don for the crowd of applauding Pennsylvania voters and assembled cameras, went missing for the big debate last night with Hillary Clinton in Philadelphia.

The nationally televised debate was the final encounter between the two Democrats before Tuesday's potentially decisive primary balloting in the Keystone State.

Last fall, as we recalled here Wednesday morning, Obama removed the flag lapel pin that he, like many in public and private life, had worn since after 9/11. The gesture called public attention to Obama's early and continued opposition to the continuing Iraq War.

After a national controversy erupted over the symbolic removal, Obama....

explained his reasonable view that pins on the chest matter less than what's in the heart. He had not worn the symbol since October.

And he was not alone in that act. The Republican presidential nominee-to-be, Arizona Sen. John McCain, a decorated war veteran and former POW, does not routinely wear such a pin either. Nor does Sen. Hillary Clinton, although neither of them used to and then stopped, claiming publicly there was some larger issue behind that choice.

A number of conservative commentators and bloggers suggested Wednesday that Obama's sudden willingness to wear the U.S. flag pin in working-class Pennsylvania was an attempt by his campaign to assuage another ongoing controversy. This one concerns the candidate's recent disparaging remarks at a San Francisco fundraiser about the thinking of small-town Americans who, he appeared to suggest, cling to religion and guns in bitter disappointment with their lives.

The fact is, countless voters at nearly every candidate's appearance proffer gifts to the campaigner or anyone seemingly associated with the candidate. Secret Service guards, who must keep both hands free at all times, refuse to be distracted by such gestures or accept anything and are very careful about who gets close to the candidate holding what in their hands.

Alert campaign staffers usually head off such gift encounters to avoid any embarrassment, politely accepting the pins, cards, letters, photographs, even cookies, pies and cakes, and promising to pass them on, which they sometimes do.

For Obama to accept the token himself and publicly acknowledge it was no accident. Some past campaigns have even helped to arrange such seemingly chance encounters to create positive publicity and photo opportunities, not unlike planting questions in a public forum.

And the veteran's presumably genuine gesture gave Obama the very public opportunity as part of his standard stump remarks to thank all the veterans present for their service to the country and then to put on the pin in front of them, which drew an enthusiastic ovation.

The actual wearing of the pin, however, lasted less than 24 hours. In last night's debate Obama dismissed it as "a manufactured issue."

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo credit: Matt Rourke / Associated Press

Comments

[Cactusflower]

If patriotism is measured by whether someone wears a flag pin or not, we have reached the nadir of ignorance.

I find it interesting that Obama alone gets slammed for not wearing it.

[queequeg]

Any insistence that all Americans should wear a flag pin is a little too fascist for my tastes. Good for Obama for pointing out that this is "a manufactured issue." Too bad it's been manufactured by closet fascists.

Anyway, if I wanted a man who wears jewelry in the white house, I would have voted for cross-dressing Giuliani.

[Leigh]

Did he flip off the flag pin, too?

[Susan]

I would agree with Obama that this is a manufactured issue except IT"S NOT!

Wearing a lapel pin or not by itself means nothing. However, when we add up the picture here in context it has much more meaning....

William Ayers Weatherunderground terrorist association
Resko association
Project Hope Association
Rev. Wright, Louis Farrakan, Nation of Islam association
Grew up in a Muslim country
Went to a Muslim school
Has a black militant wife
Has been disdainful toward the Jewish people
Has been disdainful to American core values
Has been disdainful to middle America

I guess to Obama any issue he doesn't like is a manufacutered issue.

You know I taught teens how to be attorneys for a teen court program in my state. The cases were heard by our real Municipal Judge. One of them stood up and forcefully objected. The judge asked her why and she said, "B...b....b....because he's hurting my client." We all laughed. The judge said, "Sorry that's not good enough legal grounds for an objection."

Obama might not like the questions asked since they h..h....h...hurt him but too bad lightweight!

[roger thomas]

Obama's background with Wright, Ayers, Khalidi and Michelle (his wife) says it all to me.

[Susan]

This country is going to be in even worse trouble than it has now if this man is elected President! He is worse than Bush!

[Tobias]

Look there are a few things required if you are going to run for president. They may be a bit old and traditional but if you really want to be president then you wear a lapel pin and you don't associate with a whacked out reverend or a known terrorist. I'm sorry but it's really not too much to ask. Obama's reluctance just shows his contempt for the US and his arrogance. He thinks that he can do things his way and that we will all be okay with it. Well, I'm sorry but that's not how it works. Beyond all of these distracts the guy is not qualified to be president so all of this doesn't really mean squat. It is time to wake up! Vote smart, vote Clinton.

[Evista]

Barak Obama is so arrogant he thinks he can do and say whatever he wants and his lies don't matter.
The words of his Pastor don't matter. His handwritten message and signature on a Gun Control document does not matter.

The media have crowned him their King and he believes it, all he has to say is 'I love this country', like he is doing us a favor.
Meanwhile his wife stated this is the first time in 44 years she has been proud of her country.

He is so arrogant he gets angry if he is questioned, the look on his face at the debate showed his anger.
Gone was the face of a man who could make Chris Matthews legs tingle. His eyes had fire in them.

[Chris C.]

Obama's entire campaign is a manufactured issue.

[robin]

Obama has turned out to be just a "TYPICAL" pandering politician. Oh, I take that back, he is a little lower, since he claims he isn't.
I have counted 57 lies he has told so far in this election.

[Liv(id)]

Maybe he can't wear the pin because he's too upset. Let's all give a big collective boo-hoo that Obama FINALLY got a taste of what the general election will be like. He's upset that he's had to withstand a WHOLE 45 minutes of interrogation on his anti-American, anti-white, anti-patriotic leanings. Now let's tell this most junior senator that a lot more is in store, and it will hit his wife and kids too. All he needs to do is ask Senator Clinton. ((Isn't her hair funky? What's with the hair bands? Is her voice appropriately feminine for a woman? What (he-he) did or didn't she do in the bedroom that CAUSED Bill to stray? Should a wife stay with a husband who strayed? Did she lie or misstate her experience in a war zone over five years ago?)) Hillary's been under a misogynistic microscope for 17 years, and she's still standing for America and the downtrodden.

It's sad to see Obama can't withstand 45 minutes aimed at him without the safety of the information monopoly powers that have shielded him so far....But maybe Reverend Wright told him to remove the pin...........

[No Answers]

I don't really think that this crap is about a label pin, when the man stands with his hands by his side as the National Anthem's is being played show what kind of heart he has and I would look further into his religious background, you may also want to read about who and what the Anti-Christ will bring and where he will come from.

The one other thing is straight forward- the politicians are not totally the blame for our economy, because we are giving the United Stated away little by little, and we have a infrastructure terrorist right before our eyes and no one see it, if you have gas so high that you can't get to work, diesel so high that truckers can't move food to the stores, airlines will not be able to fly and trains will not be able to move the commerce good, and the illegals draining the systems, and others from around the would getting setup in business with not a cent in their pockets (these are our great elected officials at work) It's right in front of you and I really don't think that either candidates can stop of change the course of the train wreck that our great country in heading for.

[I SPEAK]

Barack Obama is the one who started the no flag pin issue and the video of him stating that he would not wear became combined with the photo of him standing in front of the flag and not placing his hand on his heart and not singing or taking the pledge, ETC. It's a VERY big problem for MANY Americans and it was aperfectly acceptable question.

Barack Obama had an opportunity take the question as a GIFT but he flunked--he could have cleared it up for good. But he FLUNKED. He's terrible under pressure. A glass jaw. WIMP.

[I SPEAK]

Obama flipped the bird?

I watched the video and it is obvious that it is exactly what he did. He did it in one of those "street" ways we know people do it. The crowd knew he did it. Obama's smirk on his face says it ALL.

Is he just going to get away with this also? He also "brushed his shoulders off" like JAY-Z--you know the guy who did the Big Pimpin' song, with the music video of a whole bunch of nalf naked girls on a yacht and JAY-Z's boys holding champagne bottles at the crotches while dousing women's faves in frothy champagne...you KNOW what I mean..?

Obama is flipping the bird, brushing his shoulders off, doing Annie Oakley standup comedy, and all the while talking badly about small town USA and typical white people and FLUNKING at the debate and he is a MESS.

Barack Obama is not presidential material. AT ALL.

He is SO IMMATURE.

Americans demand that Barack Obama be vetted by the mainstream media. He is not immune to scrutiny--he can't destroy journalists lives for asking him hard questions. We AMERICANS will not stand for that!!!!!!!!!!

This is AMERICA and we have a right to VOTE AND LEARN about the person who wishes to lead our country.

WHO IS BARACK OBAMA?

[Jimmy]

Why does this surprise anyone? It is crystal clear that Obama hates white-Americans and is anti-American. Why should we think any differently when his best friends are Rev. Wright, Tony Rezko, and William C. Ayers?

He is a looser in my book which is why I am supprting HIllary.

[Patrick]

Mr. Obama has misrepresented himself to the people of this country. Fortunately, the American people are realizing that Mr. Obama is not the person he pretends to be. Hillary Clinton will be a great President. She will fight for the welfare of all of us common, average, working class people

[carmen zayas]

Label pin - stupid issue, we shouldn't even be talking about it.

then again, a young man with no extensive experience, no history of making a big difference, should not be fighting someone as experienced, as tough, as brilliant, as well-prepared as hillary for the presidential nomination. yet, here we are.

Barack has not said ONE word as the media lambasted Hillary (and her family) and his supporters made sexist demeaning remarks about Hillary - but then has the audacity to whine when in ONE debate he actually gets some questions? C'mon. Grow up.

Barack is not qualified to be president, period. not now. Even a longtime advocate for black rights like Andrew Young said it. Thank God he has the honesty to say the truth - "Obama will make a good president ... in 2016."

Even long term minority and black advocates like Maya Angelou, Gloria Steinem, Dolores Huerta, etc., etc., support Hillary.

They are applying for a job - to be president of this country. Like any job - proven history, ability, experience, intelligence, knowledge of the issues you will be faced with, all count. greatly.

As a human resource professional for 20 years I applaud Mr. Obama's ability to talk a good game. he is inspiring. But like a lot of job applicants, the gloss wears off quickly when you see how his credentials match up against his opponent. It's no contest. she is the best qualified.

She is the real change.

the only reason Barack is still in the race is because the media and Oprah's millions have done everything possible to make him the golden boy - the rock star.

Hopefully the super delegates will do their job and vote for the BEST candidate.

Hillary should not, and will not quit - she can get the nomination (as much as he can) and will actually win in November - most importantly she is the best qualified to be president.

Go hillary!!

[dave]

OBAMA TOOK HIS FLAG PIN OFF BECAUSE IT WAS BURNING A HOLE IN HIS AMERICAN- HATING, MUSLIM CHEST! DUH!!!
READ THE BOOK OF REVELATIONS PEOPLE, IT'S ALL IN THERE!!! GET READY FOR THE HOLY WAR, ITS JUST GETTING STARTED

[Janice]

America is finally starting to see Obama and what he is really about. This man cares nothing about America. America has values and if someone does not recognize these values then they should leave and go to another country. It is about time that we took our country back. Displaying our flag, holding our hand over our heart while saying the Pledge of Alligance, praying to our God, going to church, singing God Bless America, standing at attention when our flag passes, and honoring those who have served our country are things that we should place strong in our hearts. This is an American. And these are the only ones who can be called American. Hillary stands for these things and she should be the next President. Obama exposed is what is is. So quit whinning.

[Caution-Road washed out !]

Atrophied pride in American values- Robust tolerance for
desecrating pastors, Chicago slum lords and bomb planter
Ayers,welcoming of endorsements by conspiratorial Soros financed extreme left rabble-rousers and other
Judas and traitor Hanoi Jane and this most recent gesture
of vulgarity.......HELLO ? Looks,sounds and feels like a
sub-prime candidate to me. Hope and change we can
believe in ? Yeah... right

[carl]

I agree it does show us more about Clinton than OBama. It shows us that she does pick up on elitist attitudes. Obama said he knew groceries were going up because the last time he was in Whole Food’s argula had went up. How many middle class families shop at Whole Foods? They are at Food Lion hoping for a sale on hamburger or chicken. Is this relating to middle america. Don’t get me wrong I love Whole Foods, but I am a single male, who makes 6 figures. I know Hillary is a lot richer than me and probably Obama, but I don’t hear her being that out of touch. The problem is he will eaten up in November by the Republicans. He can not win. The states is has done well in are republican states. We can all wish and hope, but that will not get the democrats back in the White House. And if he should win do we want someone with his lack of experience and knowledge being President. He will the the equivalent of a democratic George W Bush. We need someone with leadership skills, who can start on day 1. Who knows where the restrooms are at. In 8 years he can run again. But we need someone to get us straight in the world.

[Gloria Cordova]

It appears that Sen. Obama considers anything he chooses to dismiss as a "manufactured issue," a "distraction," and "politics as usual." This is a pattern he consistently demonstrates. Well, the pattern doesn't go unnoticed! I, among the viewing public, take notice. Sen. Obama needs to give us more credit and recognize that what he is labelling as manufactured, distraction, and politics as usual is, in fact, informations which we voters need and want to know. I would like to see Sen. Obama stop dismissing and answer such matters when asked for example about his questionable relationships.

[1950democrat]

Obama manufactured the issue himself -- in 2001 by making a big deal about not wearing one. LIke Bush in 2000, making up some kind of 'principle' about every little thing.

[Joe]

Unfortunately, the lapel pin is just a small part of the deception. The manufactured candidacy of Barack Obama is larger than life. While researching the candidates, I saw plenty of the past problems with Clinton - the Clinton White House was bogged down with the Health Care disaster, Travel Gate, Whitewater and Lewinsky, to name a few. Obamas controversies are just begining. Tony Rezko trial is coming very close to the Senator. After a nearly 20 year relationship with a corrupt individual from a state where the Combine is part of the politics in Chicago as well, you have to wonder not if, but when Obama will be implicated. Besides the Rev. Wright, some of Obamas choices for advisors are puzzling, Tom Daschle - Bristish Petroleum Advisory Council Member, then theirs the Oil Moguls Robert Cavnar and George Kaiser. Seems like he's got plenty of Oil people to help out once he's in Office. Looking through opensecrets.org the list of oil company executives and their spouses is long, along with lobbyists and their spouses, banking industry executives and spouses. Obama doesnt take money from PACs or Lobbyist Firms directly, he takes it from them individually. What else is he telling the Elite Wealthy Donors behind close doors? "They're not only bitter, but they're fools, too?"

[Emmi]

The lies, the connections, the ghetto gestures, the arrogance, the unpatriotic words, the disdain for whites and for middle America, the racist wife...

These are only but a few reasons that Obama should step down, now. If he manages to steal this nomination because of the disenfranchisement of millions of voters and/or corrupt caucuses, the Dems will lose the White House to the republicans come November. Mark my words.

This man is not fit to hold the highest office of the land, much less a seat on the senate.