Does it matter if a candidate wears an American flag lapel pin? Does it signify respect for America or does it just pander to superficial voters? The controversy surrounds Obama's decision to not wear one and recent suggestions that he should.
We've been hitting this in class, and ought to pursue it more. What does the refusal to wear a lapel pin mean about the character of a presidential candidate? Is it a significant issue or not?
From the NYT story:
...it was Mr. Obama’s decision not to regularly wear the pin that drew attention when, on Oct. 3 — eight months into his campaign — a television reporter in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, asked why he had no flag pin on his lapel.
Mr. Obama said that he had occasionally worn one after the attacks of Sept. 11, but added that he thought the pins had become a substitute for true patriotism.
“My attitude is that I’m less concerned about what you’re wearing on you lapel than what’s in your heart,” he told audiences in Iowa. “You show your patriotism by how you treat your fellow Americans, especially those who served. You show your patriotism by being true to our values and our ideals.”
The controversy went away, until he started winning nominating contests. Then it dogged him, in Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania and Indiana. On his plane Wednesday, Mr. Obama called it a “phony issue” as he was not opposed to flag pins. “It was a commentary on our politicians and folks in Washington who sometimes are very good about saluting our soldiers when they come home,” he said, “but then don’t follow up with budgets that make sure they’re getting treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.”
Do you agree with his point or not? As a political consultant would you tell him just to wear it and get it out of the way? But does that encourage insincerity?
