In his own words: Barack Obama speaks out on those pesky flag pins

Of everything that's been debated and discussed in this 16-month-and-rolling presidential marathon, perhaps there's nothing smaller than a flag lapel pin that has generated such a large number of words.

About Barack Obama. When he wears one, why? When he doesn't wear one, why? And what's the big deal anyway, since neither Hillary Rodham Clinton nor John McCain consistently wear one. One reason it hasn't come up with them is that neither one made a comment last fall about the wearing of the little patriotic doodad making a statement about the war.

Tonight, Obama walked to the back of his chartered airplane on the return flight from Grand Rapids, Mich., to Chicago. He talked with reporters, including The Times' Michael Finnegan, about a number of topics.

Among them was today's endorsement by John Edwards. (Obama is pleased, called Edwards a senior voice in the party, hopes the endorsement causes Edwards supporters to take a look at him, could see the ex-senator in a cabinet and hopes Edwards will campaign soon with him, though no details have been discussed.)

But Obama also addressed the issue of the flag lapel pin, which has caused some emotional and satirical debate. After not wearing one for months, Obama has recently taken to wearing one more often.

Here from the campaign's own transcript is the Illinois senator's complete explanation:

"You know, I started wearing it again at that veterans event, because once again I had been handed the flag by a veteran who said it was important.

"This is an issue that is a phony issue, because I have never been opposed to a flag pin. I have worn flag pins in the past. When I was asked about it, I had worn flag pins after 9/11, and I have chosen not to wear one because I didn’t want to be perceived as wearing my patriotism on my chest but not promoting or advocating on behalf of veterans in a patriotic way.

"Some people took that as a slight against people who wore flag pins, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. It was a commentary on politicians and folks in Washington who sometimes are pretty good about saluting our soldiers when they come home but then don’t follow up with budgets that make sure they're getting treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

"So it’s a commentary about our politics, not about individuals who wear the flag with pride."

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Wertyuiop]

Oh, this is a deep subject.

[Edwin Enciso]

This is more an issue because of pundits that it is anything most Americans see beyond. I doubt very much that you will find large numbers of people anywhere in the country who think that wearing a pin makes you a patriot. Patriotism in America is about what you do, not what you wear.

[Max Pinton]

You know where else wearing a flag pin is a big deal? North Korea. Everyone seemed to be wearing one there. I was in a tour group and we were told that anyone not wearing their pin when they should had to write a self-recrimination letter to apologize.

Sounds familiar.

[JS]

This is typical of the double standard that Obama has to face up to..I haven't seen a picture of HRC with a lapel pin in weeks, but no one questions her patriotism. She's rich beyond most average Americans wildest dreams, middle class background Ivy League educated and he's the elitist? This goes to show that as an African-American you have to be twice as good as any white person to receive half the credit. Thankfully Obama is twice as good and then some.

[Diana in California]

Just because Barack Obama is now wearing a flag pin makes him a patriot. I won't forget that picture of him slouching and not placing his hand over his heart when the National Anthem was being played. As grade school students we are taught to pay respect to our American Flag. In the military, that respect is reinforced, because so many of our fellow Americans have died for that symbolic piece of of cloth. If if weren't for these American heroes who gave their lives for our country, we wouldn't have the freedoms we enjoy today. May God Bless our country and the rest of the world.

[TheMist]

J.S. - YOU HIT IT RIGHT ON THE HEAD. I AGREE 100%.

[somename]

Well, just go out side of any places (street, bus, trains) Have you seen this small flag on any one?
Does it mean that most of us not patriots?
And many in DC, as well top level in states have it. and some of them committed crimes and get into prison.

[MCJ]

To wear or not to wear a flag lapel pin is one thing, but to not place your hand over your heart during the national anthem is another. If Obama chooses to not demonstrate the simple respect of wearing a flag pin or to place your hand over your heart during the national anthem terrifies me on how he will handle the big decisions if he is elected. We NEED partiotism in this country now more than ever, and this man is running for President!

[Viet Tran]

People, let's not think like communists or nazis who forced visual symbols onto their citizens in order to look a feel good about their ideology. We are America and we represent freedom of expression. I have never worn a flag pin nor do I own a u.s. flag, but I would defend us in during any invasion. Living abroad has made me appreciate America even more than I did in the past. Don't judge people by their outward appearances or else you will end up being duped into voting for idiots like Bush and Cheney, who will drive the country off of a cliff.

[ken]

putting your hand over your heart is for the pledge of allegiance. ive never put anything over my heart for the anthem unless i happened to be wearing a hat.

[MaryC]

I don't think we should be judging people on some cookie cutter definition of what "patriotism" looks like. Obama preferred to show his patriotism by acts rather than posturing with pins on his suit.
I dont' put my hand over my heart for the national anthem either . Haven't since 6th grade. I don't look at it as not being patriotic, its just not MY brand of showing patriotism.
Why are we looking at one another for every little move that doesn't fit a mold? Its silly. But then again, not any sillier than what all went on during Bush's presidential campaigns.
I had enough of the republicans' "If you aren't with us, you are against us and you must hate America! " Silly but sad.

[etone]

Who was it who said "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel"?

[George]

I put my hand over my heart every day in school to say the pledge of allegiance. However, I don't recall ever putting my hand over my heart for the national anthem, which is what was playing at the time of that photo. The custom I was taught is to stand at attention, remove your hat if wearing one, and if appropriate sing along. Obama did all of these.

With that said, holy crap could we please find more important issues to focus on? Does it make more sense to measure someone's patriotism by the hand motions they were taught, or by their policies and actions?

[treble hook]

The flag pin is an important issue for me. I like Clinton and McCain because they do wear flag pins, and by doing so, they show style. Red, white and blue bling. Bling is important to the eye of the voter because real issues are things that don’t really matter in a campaign. I know this, and you know this. Now on the other hand, flag pins show a candidate’s position on issues. It shows whether they are for a war or accept lobbyist money. So listen here Mr. Obama, if you want to win, bring out the bling, and you’ll get them votes.

[Scott]

@Diana in California re:hand over heart for National Anthem.

For your information, putting your hand over your heart was not taught to you in school for the National Anthem. The hand over the heart is specifically for the Pledge of Allegiance. That's what you said in elementary school. That's what you were taught. I was taught the same thing. People carried over the hand over the heart for the National Anthem...but it's not intended for that. When you join the military or other government organization and you take a oath when you're enlisted or employeed, you say the Pledge of Allegiance and put your hand over your heart. You don't say the National Anthem. Just FYI.

[bob]

nice cop-out Barack!

you'll make a fine president.

what greater love hath a man than to through down his

grandmother beneath the bus to save his political life?..

and then disavowing his 'father figure' mentor..

after two decades too!

yep..Obama has lost just the right amount of dignity now.

He fits the job perfectly now.

[Cheryll]

Obama..can you say wishy-washy like John Kerry...Yep he would sell his own grandmother for a vote. No principals with this guy!!

[Dick]

There's plenty of flag wavers in our country that are uneducated, back woods, redneck racists.... certainly don't want them leading our country no matter how patriotic they are. I'll take a Harvard grad who understands what it's like to grow up in in a single parent household and worked his way to the top. I'll wear a flag for him... not for Bush.

[ericmiami]

This bitter white guy is voting for Obama in spite of all the doctored and spun photos available on the 'net. There is one of Obama holding a phone upside down to his ear. Urban myths die hard among the lightly informed.

[someone]

Dick Cheney wears one. Is he a patriot?

Ken Lay wore one too.

[For Pete's sake]

I spent seven years active duty and I'm National Guard now, and I still don't really understand flag worship. The flag is not a holy icon. It's a tool of communication. It's a telegram that's made out of cloth.

It seems to me that people tend to elevate the flag over what it is the flag is supposed to represent. Servicemembers' sacrifices were not made for the flag. Sacrifices were made so that people would have the right to cast votes that determine the fate of a free nation. That's what our Founding Fathers fought for, not the product of Betsy Ross's workmanship.

If you really want the sacrifice of all those soldiers honored, base your votes on research into the issues that really matter, not candidates' personal rituals and the other meaningless BS the media uses to fill airtime and Webpages.

[Alex]

A flag pin? Seriously? Other nations mock us for stuff like this. People like Diana up there insure that this country won't last too long. We should have an SAT baseline score to determine whether or not you can vote. Unfortunately, that would create a one-party system, as the Repubs would be automatically be out of contention.

[William]

Now I understand. He wore one, before he didn't wear one. He wears one now, because it is a commentary on our politics? And what commentary is that? Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, I am the Wizzard of Oz.

I find it fascinating that many media outlets, including this one, published a photo of Edwards and Obama from January instead of from last night, where he is again wearing the pin.

[bongo]

Nothing like the flag controversy to bring out the same old worn out prejudices, same old comments. This is a non-issue. We are at war in a foreign country, heavily dependent upon countries that hate us, our economy is being boosted by cheap borrowed dollars, and you people are concerned about a flag pin! No wonder this country is so screwed up.

[Deward Bowles]

Those who believe they are patriots because they wear flag pins should check the label on it. It is probably made in China.

Senator Obama is right, for too long people have hidden behind flag pins pretending to be patriots. The Patriot Act, Protect America Act, etc..

My vote is for Senator Obama.