That Woman Who Cares About Flag Lapel Pins

Why shouldn’t she ask if that is important to her? Honestly how many other people would love to have asked Obama the same thing?
He wants to be our president so we have a right to know everything about him.
It isn’t really just about the flag pin for me. But that in combination with many other things that leave me questioning Obama’s patriotism. Mainly “why is he so friendly with people that hate America?”
If the debate did anything I hope it put a seed of doubt about Obama in the mind of many Americans.

Many Americans still doubt Obama’s patriotism. Obama can try and “brush” it all off -like it’s old Washington politics, — but it’s not Washington, it is the American people who are seeking answers in regard to whom they want in the White House.

are you kidding me? clinton did not have a lapel pin own–also mccain does not always wear a pin–this woman is one of those that ed rendell said won’t vote for a black person–you have not reported on rendell’s question–it seems to me obama is hoping for big vote totals in philadelphia where i live. philadelphia does not care about guns or religion–but obama was not going to get those voter’s anyway–that’s was the question when he talked about being bitter–they asked him about those whites from quakertown pa towards the poconos scranton up to amish contry etc.
he needs a big number in phila. and i can tell you not having a flag pin made in china is okay with me!!!

I agree with you “Vnd”. I saw Obama talking yesterday about the debate taking 45 minutes to get into important issues.
Does he think the character, patriotism, values, and judgement of our president are not important issues?
I was so glad the woman asked about the lapel pin. I can assure you that one little issue says volumes to many Americans about Obama’s patriotism.

If you wanted to know about character, then ask a character based question. Asking about why you may or may not wear a flag pin, is an asinine quest. She could have asked a question that actually pretained to his character…she didnt. I dont ever wear a flag pin, does that mean I am not patriotic…sure doesnt! And seeing as how this woman had all these troubles with jobs and health care….it seems her question had nothing to do with her plight or the plight of America!

Not to fear, I’m sure Obama wears a flag pin on his underwear next to his heart. Now, do you feel better about the future of the country?

I’d compare the woman from PA who is so concerned about Sen. Obama not wearing his flag pin to someone who carries their bible around with them everywhere.
Carrying a bible does not make you a true Christian.
Senator Obama shows his support of this wonderful country by serving in public office. In his earlier years of his career, he served the needy and disenfranchised of his city’s population.
I’d say he’s very patriotic and loves our country very much to choose the career path he has chosen.
I am very sorry to hear the personal circumstances of the woman who questioned his patriotism.
Her situation, and that of many others in this country, is exactly why we need Sen. Obama as President.

I am sorry but flag pins do not represent character. It is very similar to do you go to church every Sunday or not. Just going to Church on Sundays doesnt make you a person of faith..its what you do between Sundays..each day that you are faced with temptations and choices…
Similarly, if just wearing flagpins made you patriotic…its not about show..its about how you show your patriotism..how do you help serve your country and its people that shows your patriotism…
It is clearly a shame that some Americans are so shallow to be misled by politicians showing these symbols..see all the flag pin wearers that are in jail for taking money from Abramoff..and my favorite Tom Delay..who wore the flag pin to his indictment..

I wonder how many of our service people in Iraq wear flag pins on their civilian clothes when they’re home.
I wonder why Hillary doesn’t wear a flag pin? Or why none of the reporters at the debate wore flag pins?

Can Obama supporters discuss an issue instead of endless posts of the same daily talking point? Do you understand the concerns about the Obama’s from ordinary Americans -it doesn’t look like it.

I don’t understand why the flag pin is so important? It’s jewelry. I don’t wear a wedding ring because I don’t like the feeling, and becuase it would get damaged at work…but I’m a great husband and father…and I’d never cheat on my wife.
So you can be a loyal American and choose not to wear the jewelry of the month.
If Obama invests in American, feeds his kids American, shops American, gives time and concern to Americans, pays taxes to America, was born in America and choses to live in America…that can’t make him French, or Iranian, etc., He’s a loyal American.
Quite frankly, his choice not to give in to this unimportant political game shows that he is determined to focus on issues that will affect our lives…not just please whomever has the loudest voice.

The flag pin issue is a prime example of how the American people are manipulated by the corporate controlled mainstream media.
The “benevolent(?) aristocracy” that runs the country frames the questions that we ask.
As long as the people are willing to be spoonfed this slop and be unwilling to be moved outside of our comfort zone (READ!), then we deserve the kind of government we get.

All those years this woman worked her heart out to support herself and the man she married.
Talk about paying your dues.
And of all the questions she could have asked… she asked about the pin.
She didn’t complain about the economy, terrorism, education, gun control, abortion—not even HEALTHCARE COVERAGE which would help her plenty if we had Universal healthcare.
She wanted to know if this Obama loved his country… if he was a true American in his heart—- cause from what we know about him and what he wants to do is CHANGE things around here……………..
Change yes, but not by you.
Maybe she thinks like I do, as hard as my life is—it’s going to be the simplier things that can win my heart.
Like the fact that Hillary wasn’t your average wife behind the scenes when Bill was in the office…. she is just as smart or even smarter than Bill….

Give it up about the flag lapel pin and focus on our pres and vice pres and Karl Rove who started this incredible Iraq war blunder that has cost the lives of so many innocent women and children and men including our very precious young service men and women.
Lets look at issues that are important.
Thanks for the opportunity to speak.
Bill

Last I checked, wearing a flag pin, isnt gunna get me a pay raise, get me good health care, lower gas prices, bring back American jobs,etc.! But too so many of you, the flag pin holds some kind of measurement of current issues. Im starting to wonder if the way politics has gotten, if it’s really the gov’t or if just maybe it’s the American people. So very sad that this is more of an issue, then what directly affects us on a daily basis….obvious to see where any people’s priorities lie.

Why not wear the American flag on your lapel? This is a great country and it is okay to show you believe in that. Obama has some chararcter flaws that have come to light in recent months. YES, I mean the people he has as a minister, people he takes donations from like REsko and Ayers (former American Terrorist). This debate brought that to light and those Obama supporters are looking pretty stupid for supporting someone they really don’t know.

I applaud ABC and the moderators. They finally asked Obama hard questions.This just shows you that the questions asked where important to some people. Obviously this woman hasn’t had an easy life and still she takes pride in her flag and took offense when someone down played its importance. Just goes to show you that the media, as much as they say they do, don’t know what people care about.

Give it up about the stupid Internet Pin rumor. Obama occasionally wears a flag pin, and mostly he doesn’t. Hillary doesn’t wear one all the time, neither does McCain.
Some people just are fools, letting unimportant things rule their life.
More important is why Charles Gibson thinks the majority of middle class makes over 95K a year or wants people making over $200K a year or large corporations to pay less tax than people making $50K a year.
That’s what should be on the news! I want to know how some people are so out of touch with the misery of the REAL American middle class, not rich fools like George, Bill, or Charlie.

I love how the media reports these internet polls like they mean something. Let’s see, Obama is winning younger voters and Hillary wins working older voters, who actually has a lot of time to get on the internet and vote in a poll. The media forgets about the people that actually matter….the working class.

Bush is a terroist. He thinks it is OK to torture people, he thinks it is OK to invade another nation and kill people.
Why don’t more people worry about Bush?

well all I have to say about this article
is If this ladies life has been and is as hard as you say.
the last thing she needs is to read or be told about this article.
I believe she had a right to ask any question she wanted to ask.
and for obama yesterday to be talking about it the way he did is insensitive
and it kinda proves the point he was making ast the sf closed door fundraiser. which he meant the first time he said it. and he does look down on people like her.

Obama only “Loves” this country when he is pressed by the PRESS.
Please look at his histroy of Associations and what he really believes…. ( not much as he still portays himself as a blank screen for us to project our own views—- what load of crock is that!?!)
Wright, Ayers, Rezko, Meeks, Farrakhan, and soon to be in the spotlight again——- Here’s Auchi !

Little small town Americans the woman is not “bitter” or selfishly asking for a handout. She is asking for a President who loves America.

illustrative of one of the great things still about america, from the man/woman on the street to the rare journalist, you can ask a future president anything you want.

John McCain is a war hero, you communist.
While you were taking hits out of a bong he was sitting in a concertration camp getting bamboo shoved up his fingernails.
You people make me sick

I cannot believe that some people would spend so much time over a flag pin! You think its important to wear a flag pin, but how patriotic is it when you show division, racism, hatred among your fellow Americans? It is shameful how many hypocrits there are who’s making a mockery of being Americans. I have not seen Hillary or McCain wearing pins, but you consistently make noise about Obama wearing a flag pin. Your double standards are sickening!. Now who is the real patriot?

WE support the war, our Veterans, waterboarding, and fighting for freeom and human rights.
You people burn flags and babble about sheets and “change”. Nothing has changed you are the same counter culture hippies that were losers 30 years ago and still are.

Did anyone notice that Hillary Clinton did not have a flag pin on at the debate? Look at the pictures…..both lapels are free of any flag lapel pin. Is this a male thing – only male candidates have to wear flag pins but not female canidates? If it was the other way around, Clinton would be screaming sexism!!!!!!!!!

Wearing a flag pin does not amount to character. Also, why then is OBama the only one being grilled about a flag pin… I have never seen Hillary wear a flag pin. both George and Charlie did not have on flag-pins… what is going on here? My children and I dont have healthcare and it scares the hell out of me, can we get real issues discussed for God’s sake !

I think it was important in the debate to ask questions about the character of candidates. Character is as important as position on issues to me. What Obama wants to do is avoid character issues and instead keep giving us the same old rhetoric about change, and fortunately Charles and George did not let me do that during the first segment of the debate.

Observer! Oprah? How did we get to Oprah? If we’re going to start comparing celebrity supporters, tell me, what do the folks in Pennsylvania think of Hillary on stage at Madison Square Garden with her pal Elton John who said that Americans are misogynistic? I’ll wait while you go look up that word tiny tim!

With all the personal hardships that she and her faimly have endured she is not bitter and still beleives in her country! This is what Obama can not understand that ones economic condition does not determine ones faith in God or Country! I am sure she is mad at times about her own personal problems but she still beleives that america is a great country and that we have the power to make it better for her and others like her! This is the values that small town america holds and what makes this country so great! If you travel around small town america you will see that those who are the most impoverished are the ones who fly the flag eveyday and go to church every sunday! Obama and limo liberals just don’t get it!

Observer,
Your crass language makes me feel that you and I would really never have a conversation generally speaking…Uninformed unsupported rheotoric…A college education may taught you how to critically think..might be worth considering..

Crass language?
How about the rules of fair play? I’m being called names, being insulted, but not to worry;;;; I can dish it out too.
Can you handle it without your handbooks?

Another example of ABC media bias:
1) Clinton’s questioner is a man who said he had supported her until the Bosnia flap and who asked her “How can you win my vote back?”
2) But ABC knowingly chose McCabe, who had already stated to the NY Times ten days ago that she would not vote for Obama and had never been a supporter.
As balance, ABC should have found someone who had supported Obama and now was going to Clinton.
Is it possible that it’s hard to find anyone who would switch to Clinton from Obama ?? Maybe.
But ABC did readers a huge disservice in not balancing this issue.

I have to go to work now. Got to make some reparation money if you know what I mean….
The NOI is calling Roxie, they don’t like to be put on hold, sister.

Some people are poster children for the Nation of Islam.

Elitesunite! ABC could have used it or they could have used another one! They decided what would be ask and what would be shown! She has a right to ask anything she wishes! You and Obama just don’t get it!

Of course she has the “right” to ask. However, that in no way makes the question and her asking it NOT stupid. You and I have the right repeatedly bash our heads against walls. We have the freedom to do so (cue waves of amber grain). That said, it would still be dumb. ABC’s decisions are a completely separate matter. In this instance, Ms. McCabe made an un-intelligent decision to ask that question. Maybe in other parts of her life she’s not stupid. But in this part, she’s stupid.

Russell, I think you’re saying that while you’re a Clinton supporter, if she doesn’t win, you’d rather have McCain in office. Is that correct? This means that by your estimation, McCain aligns more closely to Clinton on policy issues than Obama? Is that correct? You also seem to be saying that working class people care more about some ephemeral “love America” quality than things like minimum wage requirements, health care, and effective schools. I think someone who actually helps the “working class” experience a higher quality of life here in America demonstrates love for the country.

It was Senator Obama that started this issue. This lady, a citizen wanted to know why.
Some people deserve to wear flag pins, some do not.

Nobody has explained how the wearing of an artifact, a piece of jewelry, provides insight into how someone will govern this country. I’m not attacking this lady because I’m an Obama supporter, I’m attacking her because I’m a supporter for rational intelligence and I want America to be a country of rational and intelligent people. We seem determined to NOT be that. As I said, her question provided NO illumination about how HER life would be impacted by an Obama presidency. Patriotism is about acts, not symbols. She could’ve asked: “Senator Obama, can you explain the actions you’ve taken over your career that demonstrate your love of this country and your patriotism?” That is clearly a more intelligent question that would yield more useful information.

Obama is making fun of a voter when she asked her question. I guess he makes fun of all voters that might question him, if he does not like the question. Reminds me of Georgie Bushie.

This proves Obama’s point. Here, you have someone who was forgotten by the government, and what does she worry about? A flag lapel. This is what the Lee Atwaters and Karl Roves done to people.

Eloquently put Marie. I guess I’ve run out of sympathy. Her comportment, both on TV and in the NY Times, showed an aggressive perspective on her part. I’m tired of coddling and cajoling. It’s not nice, but she’s stupid. She’s a grown woman who is free to make her own decisions. In this instance, her decision was bereft of thought.

From Talking Points Memo
Well, it turns out TPM Reader JL did give it some thought. And he came up with something very interesting (see JL’s post at the DrexelDems blog). He did a little googling and found out Nash is pretty popular with the traveling press now in Pennsylvania. It turns out McCabe was featured in an April 4th story in the Times which begins like this …
Ask whom she might vote for in the coming presidential primary election and Nash McCabe, 52, seems almost relieved to be able to unpack the dossier she has been collecting in her head.
It is not about whom she likes, but more a bill of particulars about why she cannot vote for Senator Barack Obama of Illinois.
“How can I vote for a president who won’t wear a flag pin?” Mrs. McCabe, a recently unemployed clerk typist, said in a booth at the Valley Dairy luncheonette in this quiet, small city in western Pennsylvania.
Mr. Obama has said patriotism is about ideas, not flag pins.
“I watch him on TV,” Mrs. McCabe said. “I keep looking for that lapel pin.”
Now, it does seem like McCabe is not a fan of Sen. Obama’s. And I think we can assume that it’s not a coincidence that McCabe managed to show up featured in the Times and also as the sole outside questioner in the ABC debate. Presumably, a researcher for ABC or Gibson saw the piece in the Times, figured, hey, this lady hates Obama and is seriously ginned up about the lapel issue. Let’s send a camera crew and film her slamming Obama to his face. It’ll be great in the debate.

And let me address the point that is surely coming from the Republicans and Hillary supporters – that, as an Obama supporter, I am an elitist.
I will just say that I live my life and make personal and family decisions based on what impacts me. I vote for people who will get things done that will impact me favorably.
I concentrate on what matters and generally make good decisions. Ms. McCabe concerns herself with trivia, votes against her interests, and makes bad decisions. And that is why I am where I am, and why she is where she is. She’s in debt, on welfare, a total charity case who unable AND unwilling to work (no Burger King in Latrobe?).
I am happy to pay the taxes that enable her to carry on. But it is tough to know that this woman is an enemny of many of my core interests, and uses the money that we taxpayers GIVE to her to stick her face in front of every camera or microphone in the state.
I know there is a Wendy’s in Latrobe.

This is not a Christian nation.
It may say it is, but it isn’t. Sorry -the bar is pretty high to give yourself that title, requires not supporting torture or capital punishment. Or similar, un-Christ like teachings.
Sorry!

Running for the top position in government is pretty patriotic too me!!

Well, that is why Republicans win elections.

I believe all Americans are patriotic by default until their actions prove otherwise.

This is all such B S…
Hillary DOESN’T wear a flag pin!
Check the pins on the so called Patriotic Folks, were they made in a union shop in America or some little chinese sweat shop?
I don’t wear one, do you?
Let’s concentrate on $4.00 gas, unemployment, two wars and our NEW homeless issues. Let’s work on bringing America back to a true world power before we all have to hock our flag pins for a bowl of soup!

Here’s the big question about Obama…..what must be the size of his ego for him to believe that at the tender age of 46, with TWO years experience in politics at the national level, that he is anywhere near qualified to become the most powerful person in the world?

Guys get real. If only a flag pin can measure your level of patriotism, how about Mr.Bush? Is he patriotic? He has done such an irreparable damage to US. You are guys are out of your mind. This is exactly the kind of politics that Obama intend to change and we all hope that happens.

The broadcast of that debate had me so angry that I refused to listen to Jake Tapper at the end because people who have failed miserably do not recognize or own up to their failures witness this posting. This is what GWB has been doing for eight years, denying poor results.
Make decisions on a superficial basis and you get the most superficial candidate rising to the top.

Shame on ABC news for trying to pin the flag pin issue on Obama when NO ONE ON THE STAGE was wearing a flag pin… not Hillary, not Stepho or Charlie Gibson, and most especially, the nitwit that asked teh question. Exactly WHO are the hypocrites here?

Stop drinking the cool-aid. You saw with your own eyes how Sen. Obama fumbling, looking tired, worn out. He was out of his element without a teleprompter and friendly media adoration. So he struggled like a fish out of water. The thought crossed your mind─ during the Tuesday night debate─ can Barack Obama be even worse than George Bush─ if elected president? We all asked the question, what happened? What happened was that on Tuesday night Sen. Obama got treated like a front runner─ that’s was all. What Charley Gibson and George Stephanopoulos did was just that; and nothing else. During the course of the debate Sen. Obama appeared frazzled and weaker than ever? How can this fumbling man take on the responsibility of two raging wars, devastated economy, and a long list of gargantuan issues from education to immigration, infrastructure and transportation, health crisis, pensions and social security, energy costs and so on and on, how can he shoulder all the heavy duty rigors of the presidency and besides, you watched him in utter dismay that he was even stretching himself even more thin, as he kept promising to “cleanup Washington.” (While his campaign is planning a discreet fund raiser by Murdoch family in Nottinghill, London hosted by Elizabeth Murdoch.) Tuesday night Sen. Obama became a like any other “ordinary” politician. It was tragic fall, for Sen. Obama, as David Brooks of the New York Times pointed out for a man who started his campaign as a transcendent figure, but on Tuesday night we watched with utter horror, Sen. Obama slipping over the existential edge.

This country is not about a flag pin; it’s not about a flag; it is more about a citizens right to burn that flag in protest. Anyone who thinks wearing a flag pin makes them patriotic is sick. It’s like a baby that cries, not because it’s hurts, but because it wants others to think it hurts. This country is about the right of a person to get up and put forth an opinion that others might totally disagree with, and you have the right to protest it . That is what America is about, that is what we should celebrate. Our military fights for our Constitutional right to burn that flag if we wish. It’s called freedom of speech. The right to express ourselves any way we wish.

I think we all know how Hillary and McCain stand on patriotism and know for sure they are for the United States. That is why it doesn’t bother me they don’t wear the Flag pin. So the woman had a right to ask Obama about his love for the United States because she wasn’t sure of it. we already know how Hillary and McCain Stand, No one needs to question that.

ABC correspondents can’t wear a flag pin? If this is true, and I fervently hope that it isn’t, bye-bye ABC. I’ve had enough of your biased, un-fair and inaccurate media coverage and this is just the icing on the cake for me.

Down with ABC everything. It’s time for the American people to hand up and be counted for this wonderful land. So very sad an American can’t wear the American Flag pin if they choose. ABC has no place in my home!

not the freedom to wear lapel pins?
and our American Boys are dying for our
freedom….are we sane, stupid, or what?
Is this MY GREAT COUNTRY? ABC…what is wrong with you?

I had to read for myself that ABC reporters were asked NOT to wear the American Flag Pin. Well it is true. I am NOT watching ABC again.
I am a patriot, an American, a conservative, a religious person. It is time we all become responsible citizens and really study what is going on. It is more than just the American Flag pin – that is just one of thousands of things that are going on right now. The very core of our citizenship is being ripped apart. Our freedoms are being taken away.
Maybe that doesn’t bother the rest of you, but it does me and my friends and family.
We didn’t vote for O’Bama and glad we didn’t. We have let the fox and his czars in the “hen house” and now all we have is chaos – EVERYWHERE. Planned chaos. and this will help them control even more.
There is nothing you or anyone can say that will change our feelings.
We are done with ABC.

Is it true that your employeed are not allowed to wear a lapel pin flag? If this is true, you can be sure I will no longer watch abc. How sad and how unamerican. Joanne

What should she have done? Grovel at his feet and ask for a handout?