Obama Will NEVER Question Others' Patriotism

Barack Obama is doing his old routine, "politics as usual" dance in Independence, Missouri.

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Monday he will never question others' patriotism during the race and blames his own "carelessness" for some criticism of him so far.

Obama sought to reassure voters about his commitment to the country, choosing the aptly named town of Independence as his backdrop.

Questions about his patriotism were raised during the Democratic nomination fight, and Obama recently started wearing a flag pin on his lapel in one attempt to answer them. But a weeklong focus on American values in the run-up to Friday's July 4 holiday represents his most concerted effort so far to do so.

Obama said he chose the topic in part because of his experience during the race, even though he has always considered his love of country a given and his inspiration for running for office.

"I have found, for the first time, my patriotism challenged — at times as a result of my own carelessness, more often as a result of the desire by some to score political points and raise fears about who I am and what I stand for," he said before a crowd of a few hundred people at the Truman Memorial Building here. "I will never question the patriotism of others in this campaign. And I will not stand idly by when I hear others question mine."

Obama also sought to tamp down controversy surrounding comments over the weekend from a supporter. Retired Gen. Wesley Clark said in a television appearance that the Vietnam War-era military service of John McCain, Obama's Republican opponent, does not necessarily qualify him to be commander in chief.

...Obama said that patriotism "must, if it is to mean anything, involve the willingness to sacrifice" and sought to distance himself from Clark's remarks without mentioning them.

"For those like John McCain who have endured physical torment in service to our country — no further proof of such sacrifice is necessary," Obama said. "And let me also add that no one should ever devalue that service, especially for the sake of a political campaign, and that goes for supporters on both sides."

...Separately, in a statement, Obama spokesman Bill Burton said, "As he's said many times before, Senator Obama honors and respects Senator McCain's service, and of course he rejects yesterday's statement by General Clark."

Blah, blah, blah.

This is a pattern.

Obama gets his flunkies to throw mud and then Obama rejects the comments.

Same old, same old.

Another thing: I think it's irresponsible of a candidate to NOT question another's patriotism if it deserves to be questioned. You don't get points for being an apologist for clearly unpatriotic behavior.

No candidate should be afraid to address the issue of patriotism.
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By the way, Obama DOES question others' patriotism.

"I said, you know what, I probably haven't worn a flag pin in a very long time. After a while I noticed people wearing a lapel pin and not acting very patriotic."

"My attitude is that I'm less concerned about what you're wearing on your lapel than what's in your heart. You show your patriotism by how you treat your fellow Americans, especially those who serve. You show your patriotism by being true to our values and ideals. That's what we have to lead with is our values and our ideals."

Sounds like he's passing judgment on others' patriotism to me.

From Obama's appearance on the Tonight Show, October 2007, talking about his flag pin:

"I didn't replace it even though I have terrific respect for those who wear it because I think a lot of politicians will put their flag pin on and then act in a real unpatriotic manner."

"I mean you had Alberto Gonzales wearing a flag pin the whole time he was shredding the Constitution. And What I want people to do is to judge me by how I act."

Yes, Obama not only questions others' patriotism, he doesn't hesitate to call Alberto Gonzales a Constitution-shredding, phony patriot.

By Obama's own words, the discussion of patriotism isn't off limits.

As a politician, Obama should know by now: Never say never. Obviously, he doesn't. Chalk that up to his lack of experience.