Sen. Barack Obama in Aiken, S.C. on Oct., 6, 2007. Credit: Brett Flashnick/AP photo
by Frank James
Jeff Jacoby, the Boston Globe columnist, has a column today about the flap last week over Sen. Barack Obama's reasons for not wearing an American flag lapel pin.
As Jacoby writes, and he's not alone in this opinion, the Democratic presidential candidate could have easily neutralized the question:
Obama could have waved off the query - "Nope, no fashion statement; I'm just not a lapel-pin kind of guy" - and nobody would have given the matter a second thought. Instead he went out of his way to politicize it.
"The truth is that right after 9/11, I had a pin," he said. But "that became a substitute for . . . true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security." And so, he declared, "I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest. 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 testimony to my patriotism."
Obama brought up the subject again a day later. "I probably haven't worn a flag pin in a very long time," he told a campaign crowd in Independence, Iowa. "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." As for Americans who do wear a flag pin, Obama was scornful: "I noticed people wearing a lapel pin and not acting very patriotic."
This, surely, is something new under the sun: a candidate for president disparaging the sincerity of voters who wear the American flag, and loftily insisting that he "won't wear that pin." Of course Obama is free to believe that "speaking out on issues" is the best way to show "true patriotism." But does he really imagine that the many Americans who do "wear that pin" do so as a "substitute" for true patriotism - as a hypocritical affectation, in other words - rather than as a symbol of it?
Obama could've saved himself all this trouble by telling the Iowa reporter, "Who needs a flag lapel pin when my stagecrafters have turned many of my campaign appearances into flagapalooza?"
At some events, Obama is all but draped in American flags. Clearly, Obama and his image makers know the powerful uses and the symbolism of the flag. It's there, often in abundance, at his campaign stops for a reason. It evokes PATRIOTISM; USA, USA, USA; MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE etc.
Obama in Concord, NH on Sept. 20, 2007. Credit: Jim Cole/AP Photo.
Obama swiped at lapel pins as a cliché of patriotism, a superficial substitute for the real thing. But surely the same could be said of the often unsubtle use of the American flag by presidential campaigns that position the candidate on stage before a bevy of flags. Or that make certain a flag the size of a tennis court is in the TV shot with the candidate.
Pretty much all presidential campaigns do it and have done so for almost as long as there've been campaigns.
Even ancient American campaigns that struck many as un-American at the time, like Strom Thurmond's Dixiecrat effort in 1948, or fellow segregationist George Wallace's runs in 1968 and 1972, made strong use of the American flag at campaign events. Of course, the Confederate Stars and Bars also could be seen at some of their events but that's another story.
So Obama's same argument against flag lapel pins could conceivably be made about American flags at campaign events. But while the senator won't be donning a pin anytime soon, it's safe to say he'll also won’t be getting rid of all those flags.
(Inset photo: Obama at DePaul University, Oct. 2. 2007. Credit: Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Photo.)
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Comments
I hope we haven't reverted back to the rah-rah, lets wave the flag or your a pinko days. Actions speak louder than words or flag pins.
Ridiculous.
Posted by: Anonymous Bosh | October 10, 2007 11:28 AM
Thanks Frank for prolonging this non-issue.
Where are the flag lapel pins on other candidates. You can do a google image search on all of them and see recent photos of them sans flag lapel pins.
Posted by: Marko | October 10, 2007 11:32 AM
If patriotism is the last refuge of fools -- then what is hyper-faux-patriotism ?? Stick to the important issues please ....
Posted by: pitsniff | October 10, 2007 11:51 AM
This is the kind of nonsense that turns people away from politics. Who cares if someone wears a flag pin?
Apparently all of our candidates need to campaign naked, it is the only solution.
Actually scratch that, Hillary is running and nobody needs to see that.
Posted by: nisleib | October 10, 2007 11:52 AM
It's so refreshing to hear this exciting issue brought up again. It's as good as Hillary/Bill's cleavage and cackling issues. The thinking, insightful, intelligent public appreciates this kind of news because it is so illuminating and stimulating. Please keep up this kind of profound reporting. We desperately need it.
Posted by: GW | October 10, 2007 12:00 PM
Yes, this whole "flag lapel pin," fuss is much ado about nuttin'.
Posted by: John D | October 10, 2007 12:02 PM
Oh, yes, let's harp on the issue a little longer. Because who cares about health care, our country's dwindling education standards, relations to other countries, and the economy? I want to know why Obama isn't wearing a pin. And for that matter, I demand to know if he wears boxers or briefs; I don't trust a president in briefs.
Posted by: Michael | October 10, 2007 12:22 PM
If I wear two flag pins, does that make me twice as patriotic as someone who only wears one?
Posted by: A Patriotic American | October 10, 2007 12:30 PM
It's refreshing to see the Democrats returning to their true feelings. Remember when the color guard was booed at the Democratic convention just a few years ago? And let's change the
color coding of the states: Red fits the
Democrats more than the Republicans.
Posted by: Stasia | October 10, 2007 1:15 PM
If I wear two flag pins, does that make me twice as patriotic as someone who only wears one?
Posted by: A Patriotic American | October 10, 2007 12:30 PM
At least twice as patriotic, maybe even more. I hear that each extra flag pin produces an exponential multiplier of patriotism.
Posted by: Distrust and Verify | October 10, 2007 1:20 PM
For those that dismiss this as much ado about nothing- I would say you have been succesfully manipulated by the " I don't vote for much" senator from Illinois..
He has pretty craftily made himself appear to be above all of this and at the same time hasn't really made any statement that could pin him down..while at the same time getting everybody to talk about him.
Once again- this guy talks and says nothing.
Posted by: heartburn | October 10, 2007 2:06 PM
memo to Frank James:
If Jeff Jacoby told you to jump off a cliff would you do so?
Why in the heck are we back to this stupid non story?!?!
In case you are wondering why the public rates journalists lower than lawyers and politicians, please re-read this idiotic non story.
Posted by: weinerdog43 | October 10, 2007 2:11 PM
Why don't reporters bother writing about the number of Republican candidates who are also NOT wearing pins?!
Mitt Romney hasn't been wearing a pin for who knows how long (look at the photos and video at that fan's blog). PS: Gov. Romney gets $700 grooming sessions on occasion also. We don't hear much at all about that either, do we?
Will the double-standards ever cease?
Posted by: Rob | October 10, 2007 2:25 PM
Not wearing flag pins is not un-American; however, it is symptomatic of the erosion of Americanism and a heightened focus on internationalism in our society. It is the belittling of anything 1776, George Washington, Abe Lincoln, Franklin D Roosevelt, displaying our flag - all deemed irrelevant by some. It is the concern about the rights of the ILLEGAL alien and not the legal immigrant that waits years for American citizenship.It is the inability of our elected officals to declare English the official American language or to mandate it in our schools instead of bilingual education. Mr. Obama didn't lose my vote because of his rejection of the American flag pin, he lost it because his was one of the many little acts of Un-Amerianism that are leading to the Balkanization of our society. I agree with the philosophy that mortar from a mozaic will eventually corrode fragmenting the mozaic. The steel from a melting cauldron can withstand the forces long beyond the mozaic is redered useless.
Posted by: Ray Rodriguez | October 10, 2007 2:58 PM
This reminds me of a song:
Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore
© John Prine
While digesting Reader's Digest
In the back of a dirty book store,
A plastic flag, with gum on the back,
Fell out on the floor.
Well, I picked it up and I ran outside
Slapped it on my window shield,
And if I could see old Betsy Ross
I'd tell her how good I feel.
Chorus:
But your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.
They're already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin'
No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.
Well, I went to the bank this morning
And the cashier he said to me,
"If you join the Christmas club
We'll give you ten of them flags for free."
Well, I didn't mess around a bit
I took him up on what he said.
And I stuck them stickers all over my car
And one on my wife's forehead.
Repeat Chorus:
Well, I got my window shield so filled
With flags I couldn't see.
So, I ran the car upside a curb
And right into a tree.
By the time they got a doctor down
I was already dead.
And I'll never understand why the man
Standing in the Pearly Gates said...
"But your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.
We're already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin'
No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more."
Posted by: lochnessmonster | October 10, 2007 3:12 PM
The steel from a melting cauldron can withstand the forces long beyond the mozaic is redered useless.
Posted by: Ray Rodriguez | October 10, 2007 2:58 PM
Nice post, Ray. Now go put on your label pin, take a deep breath, and calm down. And if you really want to revel in our Founding Fathers, read Trail of Tears.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 10, 2007 3:24 PM
Sorry, forgot to include my info...
The steel from a melting cauldron can withstand the forces long beyond the mozaic is redered useless.
Posted by: Ray Rodriguez | October 10, 2007 2:58 PM
Nice post, Ray. Now go put on your label pin, take a deep breath, and calm down. And if you really want to revel in our Founding Fathers, read Trail of Tears.
Posted by: DD | October 10, 2007 3:25 PM
Nice post, Ray. Now go put on your label pin, take a deep breath, and calm down. And if you really want to revel in our Founding Fathers, read Trail of Tears.
Posted by: DD | October 10, 2007 3:25 PM
DD- strange point- "revel in our founding fathers"?
So what should we "revel" in other than the basic premises and principles that founded our democracy and allows you to post out of context, ignorance like yours?
The trail of tears victimization of the Cherokee indians occured almost 50 years after the creation of our constitution - and long after most of the founding fathers were dead.
Posted by: heartburn | October 10, 2007 3:43 PM
A couple of more stories like this and we can at last reach a sunni-shia-state and start the violence. This kind of fodder hold no value at all and only helps to devide us further.But...at least you'll get more readers...right?
Posted by: bill r. | October 10, 2007 4:39 PM
I agree with the author that this was a non-issue that Obama could have easily knocked out of the park with a clever comment or two. Instead, he makes weird statements that he is not wearing the pin to make some kind of political statement. Bad idea. Now he's unnecessarily backed himself into a corner, and would look hypocritical if he decided now to wear the pin. This is a stupid issue, but it is the kind of generic issue that sticks in people's minds. Obama? Who? Oh yeah, the guy who refused to wear the flag pin.
Posted by: Herbie H. | October 10, 2007 5:47 PM
Heartburn, I'll stand corrected on my capitalization of "founding fathers", but at 50 years our country was still being 'founded' by Jackson and others that put forth agreements and treaties and then didn't stand by them. So much for "premises and principles."
So, let's call it opinion and not ignorance.
And it's not out of context to Ray's remark about "Americanism". I fly the flag, but am mindful of ALL the past and principles it carries.
Posted by: DD | October 10, 2007 6:17 PM
So Jacoby thinks Obama should have lied about his reasons instead of acknowledging he made a deliberate decision not to wear the pin? Indeed lying is often the easy solution and I appreciate Obama's honesty.
I have thought for a long time that many politicians wear those pins simply to justify their arrogance. And no, that doesn't mean anyone wearing a flag pin is unpatriotic. To suggest that was Obama's statement is disingenious at best.
Posted by: Phil | October 10, 2007 7:10 PM
DD,
I agree with you. WE negated treaty after treaty. Look at the Black Hills, SD, if you want a perfect example.
The 'Injuns' negotiated in good faith with the Great White Fathers, and what happened?
I will never go to Mt. Rushmore again. I have been there three times and felt ashamed every time.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 10, 2007 7:35 PM
I will never go to Mt. Rushmore again. I have been there three times and felt ashamed every time.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 10, 2007 7:35 PM
Amen brother. What an embarassment!!!
Posted by: Crazy Horse | October 11, 2007 3:53 AM
I'm wondering if saluting the flag is important for a president? After all Men and women have died for that flag.
Posted by: Anonymous | January 7, 2008 1:20 AM
I'm wondering if saluting the flag is important for a president? After all Men and women have died for that flag.
Posted by: J. B. | January 7, 2008 1:21 AM
I'm wondering if saluting the flag is important for a president? After all Men and women have died for that flag.
Posted by: J. B. | January 7, 2008 1:23 AM
Its sooooooo very simple. Its about RESPECT.How can you be president of a country you have no respect for? Check Obama's background and see exactly what he does believe in.If he makes it to the Whitehouse then Americans will then find out what terrorism really is!!
Posted by: snowbird | January 25, 2008 6:19 AM