Obama Fires Back on Patriotism Attacks

LORAIN, Ohio, Feb. 24, 2008 — -- Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., defended himself from charges by conservatives that he isn't sufficiently patriotic, a theme developing in the Republican world that could tarnish the Democrat in the general election.

"There's always some nonsense going on in general elections," Obama told ABC News at a press availability in Lorain, Ohio. "If it wasn't this, it would be something else. I mean, as you will recall, first it was my name. Right? That was a problem. And then there was the Muslim e-mail thing and that stuff hasn't worked out so well. And now it's the patriotism thing."

Asked by ABC News how he could combat the accusations, Obama said, "The way I will respond to it is with the truth -- that I owe everything I am to this country. You will recall the reason I came to national attention was a speech in which I spoke of my love for this country."

Republicans have been stringing together events in the past year to paint Obama as unpatriotic:

After that comment, Cindy McCain, the wife of presumed GOP nominee Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., told a crowd, "I have, and always will be, proud of my country."

As happened with Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, a conservative campaign may be emerging to tarnish Obama.

"The reason it hasn't been an issue so far is that we're still in the microcosm of the Democratic primary," Republican consultant Roger Stone told the Associated Press. "Many Americans will find the three things offensive. Barack Obama is out of the McGovern wing of the party, and he is part of the blame-America-first crowd."