Obama fights back against questions on patriotism

[larrymeyer]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080630/..._politics_dc_2

Obama fights back against questions on patriotism By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent


INDEPENDENCE, Missouri (Reuters) - Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama rejected questions about his patriotism on Monday even as he drew fire for a supporter's attack on Republican rival John McCain's military record.

Obama kicked off the week leading up to the July 4 Independence Day celebration with a broad-ranging speech extolling American virtues. He said questions about patriotism were a poisonous remnant of the 1960s culture wars.

The Illinois senator also took another step to heal party divisions, speaking to former President Bill Clinton for about 20 minutes by telephone from Kansas City just days after campaigning for the first time with defeated rival Hillary Clinton, the former first lady.

The former president raised questions last week about how committed he was to Obama's success when he delivered a speech to the U.S. Conference of Mayors and barely mentioned the Democratic presidential contender.

The Obama campaign described Monday's conversation as terrific and said the Illinois senator asked Clinton to campaign for him, which the former president appeared excited to do.

"He has always believed that Bill Clinton is one of this nation's great leaders and most brilliant minds, and looks forward to seeing him on the campaign trail and receiving his counsel in the months to come," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said.

In a clear sign the patriotism issue is a worry for the campaign, Obama said in a speech at the Harry Truman presidential library in Missouri that he would not sit back and watch his love of country questioned by political rivals.

"I will never question the patriotism of others in this campaign. And I will not stand idly by when I hear others question mine," he said.

As Obama spoke, however, a firestorm was brewing over weekend comments by an Obama backer, retired Gen. Wesley Clark, sometimes mentioned as a potential vice presidential running mate in the November election.

FIRESTORM BREWING

Clark said on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday that McCain's military service record was overblown since he did not make major combat decisions. McCain spent 5 1/2 years in a Vietnam prison camp after his fighter plane was shot down over Hanoi.

"I don't think getting in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to become president," Clark said.

Obama distanced himself from the remark without mentioning Clark by name. A spokesman, Bill Burton, said Obama rejects Clark's comments.

"No one should ever devalue that service, especially for the sake of a political campaign, and that goes for supporters on both sides. We must always express our profound gratitude for the service of our men and women in uniform. Period," Obama said.

But McCain campaign advisers seized on the remark as evidence to support their contention that while Obama preaches a civil message, he is willing to engage in cutthroat tactics.

They organized a conference call with some of McCain's colleagues in the military to defend his honor.

"They're playing politics," said Orson Swindle, who was in the POW camp with McCain. "It's not good. Senator Obama apparently is permitting it, and that's very disappointing."

McCain said the controversy should not distract from the important election issues.

"If that's the kind of campaign that Senator Obama and his surrogates and his supporters want to engage, I understand that. But it doesn't reduce the price of a gallon of gas by one penny. It doesn't achieve our energy independence ... (and) it doesn't help an American stay in their home," McCain told reporters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Obama, an Illinois senator who would be the first black U.S. president, will face McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, in November's election for the White House.

Obama has battled persistent criticism about his failure to wear a flag pin on his lapel, viewed as a symbol of patriotism for some U.S. politicians. He often wears one now.

He also has been the target of Internet rumors about his willingness to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and his wife, Michelle, has been criticized for a remark she said was taken out of context about feeling proud of her country.

[PisnNapalm]

Obama makes my skin crawl....

[Brick]

I've long been sick of this guy and his line of BS. He so busy trying to set the agenda of what can be discussed, that he proves himself a total phony.

If you talk about his record in U.S. or Illinois congresses, you're attacking him.

[reels18]

Obama makes my skin crawl....

Probably the most succinct description of my feelings towards the man. Reps sent.

[Skullz]

This is going to come down to people that currently understand O'bama for what he is, talking to those who are voting for him. I had some surprising luck with my family and my wife's family last week wehen we had a barbecue at my house.

The conversation turned to politics at one point and so I asked a few questions of the "blue" family memebers.

• What makes you support O'bama for president?

Answers were the general "change and hope" mantra and some "no more Bush" talk. I pointed out that there was only emotion in the responses, but I understood why some people would "feel" that way.

• What bills that O'bama sponsored or co-sponsored in his Senate roll do you agree with most?

Mostly blank looks. I sarcastically expressed my support for the National Fingerprint DB bill that he co-sponsored.

• Are you familiar with the number of "present" votes cast by the senator?

Blank looks again. I gave them the definition of a "present" vote, and then sent them a link to factcheck.

• What do you think of repealing the "Bush Tax cuts"?

General agreement from both sides of the family, the same old talk about the rich getting richer, and what "we" can afford. So, I pulled up the tax policy center's table on what the repeal of the tax cuts would mean. You should have seen their jaws hit the floor :-)

I know that 2 of my sister-in-laws decided they would do some more research, but if everything we had talked about was accurate, they would no longer be casting a vote for O'bama. My mother is on the fence between staying home and a write in vote.

All of them were amazed that I never brought up "the gun thing". Simple answer, really. Barring O'bama's lack of constitutional knowledge about the 2A, and his history of voting for disarming the populace, there is more than enough information about O'bama's policies and stances that his "gun" stance doesn't matter to me one iota.

Skullz

[Tsgtbob]

If Obama thinks the comments on flag pins, and command desisions are bad, just wait till he gets "swiftboated"

I have the same conversation as Skullz with a co-worker who has fallen under the Obama Spell, he about turned purple when the lack of accomplishment was pointed out.

Here is, to my point of view, the true litmus test of a politician. Re-election. Plain and simple, re-election is the proof of a successful pol.

Obama has not EVER been re-elected. He's jumped from one office to another, with out being tested in the crucible of a re-election campaign.

Arrogant, elitist, power hungry, socialist.
Here's another issue I have with him. Listen to him answering questions.
Every other word, is punctuated by an "Umm" or "Err" or some such really intelligent sounding guttural noises. Just what I want representing ME in the halls of world power. Learn to think, and speak on your feet.

[DCChris]

Obama's right. Getting shot out of the sky doesn't qualify you to lead the country. I also think that a man who has served his country in a time of war, kept himself and other prisoners alive under unbelievably difficult circumstances, and has also been an elected official and served his country in that capacity, is a hell of alot better suited to lead us than the lesser of two evils from the Democrats.

[larrymeyer]

Any idea on where Obama served in what branch of the service ????

[Pector55]

Any idea on where Obama served in what branch of the service ????

I think his daycare visited a troop of Boy Scouts once.

[larrymeyer]

I see yesterday he was waring a flag pin thats a first