11/09/2007
Barack Obama Irked By National Anthem Flag Photo Smear
Barack Obama responded on Wednesday to a photo that has been circulating since it was taken at Iowa Senator Tom Harkin's annual Democratic fundraiser in September, showing him alongside candidates Richardson and Clinton. His two rivals have their hands to their hearts while Obama's are folded neatly below his belt. Obama opponents have circulated the photo in emails claiming it reveals Obama's lack of patriotism.
Said Obama: "This is the classic dirty trick of the campaign...This is just so irritating. This was not the Pledge of Allegiance. This woman was singing the Star Spangled Banner. Now, I was taught by my grandfather that you put your hands over your heart during the Pledge of Allegiance. The Star Spangled Banner, you sing. So that's what I did. These aren't the only e-mails that are going out. You've got e-mails saying that I'm a Muslim plant that's trying to take over America and this and that and the other."
He also instructed the voters who asked him about the photo: "If you get this e-mail from someone you know, set the record straight. You don't have to curse them out, just tell them that they are misinformed."
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 9:45 AM EST by Andy | Permalink
Like it?
Subscribe to FREE Towleroad daily headlines with our RSS feed!
RECENT STORIES:
Great, now some dumb idiots wont vote for him. Just like the stupid Muslim rumors.
I still hope he wins the nomination. Only candidate I would vote for, instead of against.
Posted by: Sean | Nov 9, 2007 10:13:24 AM
The record shows that Obama's de facto endorsement of the poisons spewed by professional homohater Donnie McClurkin made me decide I could only support him were he the Dem Prez candidate but never in the primaries. However, I pride myself in being fair even to those I criticize, and I agree that it's sleazy to use this photo to score political points, particularly given that it exploits an intellectually and morally bankrupt definition of "patriotism."
Posted by: Leland Frances | Nov 9, 2007 10:16:46 AM
I'd be irked too. In fact I *was* irked, when the photo first showed up.
No doubt if he'd been standing where he could see the others, he'd have made sure to be just as blatant in his public show of patriotism. This is GOTCHA politics at its most insipid.
Posted by: adamblast | Nov 9, 2007 10:17:18 AM
Maybe he had a woody. :)
Posted by: JJ | Nov 9, 2007 10:32:48 AM
Welcome to politics, Obama.
Just like high school... only with older students.
Posted by: damien | Nov 9, 2007 10:39:16 AM
...can we get over the "Obama hates gays" crap? ...it didn't spin...
Posted by: yeahisaidit | Nov 9, 2007 10:58:48 AM
It is difficult for people who are not American to understand America's obsession with patriotism.
Some of us find it almost frightening.
That being said, the rest of the world is hoping and praying to see the end of Bush madness.
Pick a Democrat, any Democrat will do.
Please make it OK to like Americans again.
Posted by: Lars | Nov 9, 2007 11:00:18 AM
Here's a little known fact that I think is telling. The original "salute" to the flag was an outstretched right hand, fingers held tightly together, palm down, while standing at rigid attention. We've all seen this pose before. Think Nazi Germany. It’s actually been shown that the Nazi’s adopted the salute from America and not the other way around. Google it!
When this salute fell out of favor due to its fascist associations, someone came up with the hand over the heart salute as a kinder, gentler form of visibly demonstrating one’s allegiance to the State.
I grew up crossing my heart and proudly reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. I no longer do either. Not because I've become less patriotic but because I've come to a different, and I think deeper, understanding of what patriotism means, about what being an American means and about what the flag stands for.
For the life of me I can't find a way to look at a civilian saluting the flag and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance without seeing the American manifestation of the Sieg Heil salute and the Heil Hitler! pledge of allegiance.
It really creeps me out in a very Orwellian Twilight Zone sort of way.
Posted by: Zeke | Nov 9, 2007 11:02:25 AM
Liked him at first, until he smoozed up to Donnie McGlurkin, but will suck it up and support him if he is the nominee. This is a sleazy picture, but I don't think he appears to be singing like he says, just playing with his dick.
Love your site Andy!
Posted by: Chris in CA | Nov 9, 2007 11:05:43 AM
Its amazing how much racism is behind this smeer campaign against Obama. Its all done to scare the ignorant voters (most in the south) that Obama is really a Muslim, and that his interest are, therefore, more alligned with the terrorists than the U.S. This is why he is unwilling to wear the american flag on his lapel (the first strike), why many Republicans (including Mitt Romney) "mistakenly" mix his name up with Osama Bin Laden (second strike), why rumors are being spread that he's not really a Christian but secretly a Muslim (third strike) and now he is unwilling to salute to our flag (fourth strike). Its enough to make you sick. I would choose Obama over Hillary any day, but I worry that so much prejudicial damage has been done to his character that there is no way he could win the general election.
Posted by: Rob | Nov 9, 2007 11:14:08 AM
"...can we get over the 'Obama hates gays' crap? ...it didn't spin..."
He may not hate us, but by involving McClurkin in his campaign, he has endorsed McClurkin's message of hate and intolerance.
Posted by: Mark | Nov 9, 2007 11:16:03 AM
It's such an awkward photo. Obama is clearly not singing (nor are the others), but why is Richardson looking the other way? My guess is that this was taken during the pledge and that he simply was tired of doing it 15 times a day in these political rallies--I'd rapidly get sick of it myself. Barack barely qualifies as being native born, and now we can see why this is such an important presidential requirement.
Posted by: anon (gmail.com) | Nov 9, 2007 11:58:13 AM
LARS...I agree with you that it is difficult to understand America's obsession with patriotism...and I'm American! I believe patriotism is roughly akin to 'school spirit' wherein middle school and high school students are indoctrinated by the faculty to believe that their's is the best school *ever*, with the best academics and the best football team and the best debate team and the prettiest cheerleaders and that they should help their school win, win, win at all costs! The only difference is that patriotism goes further and creates nationalistic viewpoints that pit nations against other nations. Rather than working together, these nations end up in a race to see which one can dominate the other...which too often leads to war. It's completely retarded in my opinion.
And ROB I agree that the Obama smear campaign is fueled by racism. What has been interesting to me is that I have received the 'Obama is a Muslim' letter via email twice...and both times it was from southerners.
Finally, YEAHISAIDIT...Obama's sucking up to Donnie McClurkin may not have 'spun' for you, but it sure didn't sit well with this faggot. I agree with LELAND that I could never support him in the primaries largely due to his willingness to give McClurkin a platform. But I will hold my nose and vote for him should he become the Democratic nominee for President. It's a shame really: I've always wanted the opportunity to vote for a smart, capable, viable Presidential candidate who happened to be a person of color and/or a woman. And yet, the opportunity has presented itself in the form of Hillary (who has stated her opposition to marriage equality) and Obama (who associated himself with a homophobe in order to pander to the black, evangelical haters). Sad.
Posted by: peterparker | Nov 9, 2007 12:03:20 PM
Obama is a FOOL.
This is not the reason not to vote for him. Who cares about a stupid piece of cloth...One good reason not to vote for him is pandering to religious idiots. It is like if Hillary went on a tour with the head of the KKK and then said she disagreed with him!
Posted by: God | Nov 9, 2007 12:11:17 PM
traitor! I knew it! if you look closely, you can see his lips forming the sounds necessary to say "long live bin laden!" its all so clear now! OMG the truth has finally surfaced!
on a serious note, richardson looks confused again
Posted by: Wes | Nov 9, 2007 12:14:56 PM
ANON...what exactly do you mean by 'Barack barely qualifies as being native born'? Being born in the USA is sort of like being pregnant...either you fit the definition or you don't. In this case, Barack Obama fits the definition having been born in Honolulu (which, the last time I checked, was the capital of a U.S. state) to an American citizen. He spent the first six years of his life in the United States before his family moved to Jakarta when he was six years old. They returned to the U.S. when he was ten, and he remained in Hawaii until he graduated from Punahou high school in Honolulu (which, by the way, is also the alma mater of Steve Case). Given those facts, I'm not sure what you mean when you say that Obama 'barely fits the criteria of being native born.
Posted by: peterparker | Nov 9, 2007 12:16:58 PM
Damien, you nailed it.
Life is like one big eternal high school, with the "cool kids" ruling and making life hell for everyone else. The cliques continue on forever. God, high school was fun! I had a total blast.
But on this subject, by the poll numbers, I don't think you have to worry about voting for Barack, since it looks like Hillary will get the nomination (thank god). She's already been in the White House, and really has the experience, already having been co-president before (so-to-speak), plus, she has the balls that none of the others have put-together. She'd totally kick ass and take names. And at least she doesn't appear to be a psychopath like our current dictator.
Posted by: Jordan | Nov 9, 2007 12:20:55 PM
Hillary is also the only democratic dandidate who realizes we cannot and should not withdraw all troops from Iraq and leave the region in chaos. I was against the war when most of the sheeple in this country supported it because it was not the smartest decision from a resource allocation perspective and I am now convinced that most Americans got it wrong again. So I would not vote for Obama whose only claim to fame is an eloquent speech he once made at the convention.... big deal!
Posted by: ReasonBased | Nov 9, 2007 12:28:51 PM
I like Obama, because he has spent a good deal of his life outside of the USA... in a muslim country, Indonesia. Just think of what his knowledge regarding Islamic societies and how the rest of the world really perceives us will bring to the table. Compare that Bush, who didn't even know the difference between a Sunni and Shia.
His story is one of inspiration. I may not agree with him regarding McClurkin, but I agree with him on 90% of the issues; and its about damn time we had someone in this country that can FINALLY bring us together and have a decent political discourse and debate, not someone who polarizes us further and intensifies the anger of the fringe right and left.
That's why I am supporting Barack Obama.
Posted by: Sean | Nov 9, 2007 1:01:21 PM
Sean - your reasons are not good enough. Whether you like it or not this fight with Al Qaida is between reason, secular values on one hand and primitive, faith-based religious fanaticism. I do not want a person in the white house who is too cosy with another kind of religious fanatics for this very reason. I also think no self respecting gay person should vote for a man who associates himself with virulently anti-gay biggot the same way an association with a Neonazi would be a deal breaker for any sane person.
Posted by: ReasonBased | Nov 9, 2007 1:19:12 PM
Corrections. The original salute to the flag was with the palm UP, not down (see Footnote 3 to the Supreme Court's decision in the 1943 case Board of Education v. Barnette).
And second, Obama's father taught him incorrectly. Title 36, Section 301 of the U.S. Code states that when the national anthem is played, all persons not in uniform should either face the flag (if it is displayed at the time) or face toward the music "...and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed." The manner prescribed by the same title and section for men not in uniform during the playing of the national anthem and when the flag is displayed is to "...men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart." Women don't have to take off their hats, but are supposed to place their right hand over their hearts.
Posted by: Michael | Nov 9, 2007 1:41:47 PM
I don't like McClurkin but to say he is "virulently anti-gay" is a bit much. If that is the case what is someone like Fred Phelps?
Posted by: Jorge | Nov 9, 2007 2:04:17 PM
God(s) and/or goddess(es)! I am so sick of these "stupid voter" issues. Obama has had me royally pissed off at him for weeks now over the whole McClurkin flap, his insincere attempt at a non-apology and his general lack of understanding over why gays were mad at him over the issue. I do not support Obama and indeed am tempted to work against his nomination, but this whole story is a political assassination attempt. It is the essence of pure meaningless crap designed to distort, obfuscate, hide and distract stupid people from the real issues.
Can anyone imagine the 1932 election if it were held today? Roosevelt's disability would have been blown wide open, hit pieces like this one would be sent out to the ignorant masses "Roosevelt hates America, Refuses to stand during Pledge or Natl Anthem! Traitor tries to blame it on his 'disability'" The dumbing down of American politics has got to stop!!!!!
Posted by: Craig | Nov 9, 2007 3:15:04 PM
You don't have to agree with the people spreading the lies and rumors about Obama in order to give them a platform to do so.
Posted by: beergoggles | Nov 9, 2007 5:02:44 PM
Haha, oh I do feel sorry for Obama, it's like The King of Hearts. A sane man trapped in crazy land!
Posted by: jake | Nov 9, 2007 5:34:06 PM
That photo (another sleazy, right-wing smear) is no different than the petulant asshole, Glenn Beck insulting the then Rep-elect Keith Ellison (D-MN) by asking Mr. Ellison can Americans be sure that he (Ellison) "is not working with our enemies" because Ellison is a Muslim (convert, by the way). Typical of the toilet politics from the always cynical and despotic Republicans and their "conservative" ilk. I haven't made up my mind about the primaries (I live in NYC and I still think Hillary Clinton is a carpetbagger), but whoever the candidate is, I will support them. As for the photo, I would LOVE to think Obama was hiding a "woody". In fact, I would love to see Obama's "woody", but I digress.....
Posted by: mike | Nov 10, 2007 3:43:27 AM
I've been against Obama from the start. He is not experienced enough in politics to be leading our country. He needs to stick around a while and prove what he's made of before he can be president or even vice president. It really irritates me that this neophyte thinks he's qualified to be president. This photo is just the latest in a string of missteps which prove his lack of political savvy. Anyone who's been around the block once in America knows you put your hand over your heart when the national anthem is sung. Hasn't he ever been to a single sporting event in America?
Posted by: Stenar | Nov 10, 2007 1:49:45 PM
You all are going to feel really stupid when, after the nomination, Hillary has public campaign appearances with people who are homophobic. It's going to happen, and it's going to be someone even worse than McClurkin, and you're going to rue the day you destroyed Obama, who publicly denounced McClurkin's views.
No presidential candidate can avoid meeting with people that have conflicting views of his or her constituency. Any attempt to woo religious voters is going to involve meeting with anti-gay voters. Any attempt to woo gay voters is going to involve meeting with secular people. Not all secularists are anti-religion. Not all religious people are anti-gay. But there are some amongst all.
And it's going to happen. And it's going to hurt your chest something horrible when you realize that you compromized with a calculating overzealous politician named Clinton in an effort destroy a good shot at a new kind of politics, a person you hastily and dangerously equate with a gaybasher.
Posted by: mikel1814 | Nov 10, 2007 11:46:08 PM