Good news: Obama trades Higher Patriotism for lowbrow, vote-earning kind
posted at 2:51 pm on May 19, 2008 by Allahpundit
Just in time for the general election. I guess I can stop wondering if this post was overly cynical.
The flag pin that appeared on Barack Obama’s lapel is just the opening salvo of Operation Patriotism for the Democratic presidential candidate…
Obama plans to use speeches and campaign events to reinforce his patriotic image to America by evoking his grandparent’s military background. He also plans to speak sometime this summer near Punchbowl National Cemetery in Honolulu, where his grandfather is buried…
The flag and other patriotic props will be displayed more often, Danzig said.
“It’s very important to convey a sense that these symbols don’t belong to one party or another, they belong to all the American people,” said [Richard] Danzig, 63, [an advisor and] a fellow at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.
It’s a sign of how convincing his post-partisan “new politics” nonsense initially was that even now a righty like me is surprised to see him make a move this cynical. There’s nothing egregious about it — it’s just politics, same as his Checkers-by-way-of-”I Have a Dream” speech on race was as a way to get himself off the hook on Wright — but the timing is so revealing that it’s impossible to believe, even if you’re straining, that he’s doing it for any reason other than political advantage. Same with his sudden climbdown from meeting personally with Iran without preconditions, a stance that was perfectly fine and “progressive” for the primary but which is now being criticized by Democrats across the spectrum. Worried about Obama’s policies? Don’t be — at the rate he’s going, by the time fall gets here, he’ll be running to McCain’s right. (Admittedly, there’s plenty of room.) And to the extent that he isn’t, it’s completely unfair to criticize him on those grounds anyway.
Exit question: Will the Messiah at least take personal responsibility for his pin reversal, or will he go the weaselly route by shunting it off onto his supporters? Guess.
Blowback
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As the primaries end, it’s time for a CHANGE in policy.
jgapinoy on May 19, 2008 at 2:54 PM
People forget why Bush got into office to begin with. Because we didn’t want to elect another finger-in-the-wind pundit. That’s why I *still* support Bush. Yeah, he’s made his share of mistakes but by God if he hasn’t owned up to them or stood by them as still the right thing to do.
I was really worried that I’d have to give Obama some consideration this fall. But thankfully, Obama has destroyed any reason to vote for him. That won’t stop Democrats though… they’re not thinking rationally at all. I’ve got too many very intelligent friends who complain to me about “Republican propaganda” and “faux news” but who are sucking down everything the Democrats are saying without even blinking and will vote for Obama just because he’s “not a Republican”.
Skywise on May 19, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Ministry of Truth, 1984.
Winston Smith rewrites history. Never mind that the history being rewritten happened yesterday, or last week. What is important is what happens today.
Never mind what was said, a week ago, a year ago. Never mind what the results were from a decade ago, or 50 years in the past. What is important is the point that needs to be made today!
Today, we’re patriotic because we display the symbols of that patriotism. Never mind that yesterday we said true patriotism is represented by the dissenting minority opposing the powerful majority.
rockhauler on May 19, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Change. Heh. In his case it really does mean whatever it takes to get elected.
HotJavaJack on May 19, 2008 at 2:59 PM
One party patriotic, the other not so much.
Where did he get that idea?
fogw on May 19, 2008 at 3:00 PM
The “Cult of the Community Organizer” coming to a theater near you Nov. 2008.
mred on May 19, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Haw!
whitetop on May 19, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Maybe B.O. should wear one of those bright yellow Smiley pins on his lapel as well, so as to whip all of us into a fervent stage of nostalgia.
pilamaye on May 19, 2008 at 3:02 PM
The backstory on Obama’s books
Patrick Casey
mred on May 19, 2008 at 3:03 PM
I think it’s unfair to criticize “He Whose Middle Name May Not Be Mentioned” over his faux-patriotism. But then again apparently it’s unfair to criticize him or his wife at all.
Fred 2 on May 19, 2008 at 3:05 PM
And I trust all of his “non-bitter but patriotic” photos will go right down the memory hole of the MSM.
By change, Obama means changing into whatever gets him elected.
Spc Steve on May 19, 2008 at 3:06 PM
The one on the front cover of Liberal Fascism would work:
“That’s not leadership. That’s not going to happen,” he added.
mred on May 19, 2008 at 3:06 PM
I am beginning to wonder if the man can take himself seriously. He seems wedded to nothing but his thought of the moment – which is made regardless of the past. Unstable.
Spirit of 1776 on May 19, 2008 at 3:08 PM
For the record, Obama now says Iran is a grave threat. Obamassiah puts Waffles to shame.
amerpundit on May 19, 2008 at 3:09 PM
He could wear a WIN (Whip Inflation Now) button…or is that too early?
He’ll probably need to break that out once he gets his hands on the economy and needs some more “props” for the rubes and hicks in flyover country.
Asher on May 19, 2008 at 3:09 PM
the perfect BO description. says it all.
jimmer on May 19, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Just more emptiness from Senator Stealth
William Amos on May 19, 2008 at 3:09 PM
So he has one White grandfather that was married to the woman that raised him, and One Black grandfather that was a Muslim in Africa. Am I missing something? The Muslims in Africa were often allied with the Axis.
So Obama is so removed from the military that he has to go back two generations? Good luck with all of that.
Hening on May 19, 2008 at 3:15 PM
The question now is how many are dumb enough to fall for it.
RobCon on May 19, 2008 at 3:15 PM
It’ll be off-limits along with Michelle’s pride, and RevRight’s racialism. Oh, and his ears were the first “tell”.
Randy
williars on May 19, 2008 at 3:16 PM
As a military veteran can I ask, “Did that guy just call me a patriotic prop?”
BohicaTwentyTwo on May 19, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Seriously? I bet he also one time caught part of a John Wayne movie.
rbj on May 19, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Classy. One grandparent thrown under the bus, the other used as a “patriotic prop.”
World B. Free on May 19, 2008 at 3:20 PM
The question now is how many are dumb enough to fall for it.
Drudge has a photo of 65,000 people listening to Obama somewhere in Oregon. Those are a lot of “dumb” people and his masses are growing. So yes, there are plenty of dumb people all across America who are willing to vote for Obama even though his side of the aisle has given aid and comfort to the enemy for the last five years. Obama is a puppet on a string and is being controlled by George Soros and his cronies. The corrupt news media (mainly a couple of internationally broadcasted cable news outlets) is also in his corner and the campaign has now become a “perfect storm” for the lying left to take control. Pretty scary.
Travis1 on May 19, 2008 at 3:29 PM
The flag and other patriotic props
Good god, what a bunch of morons.
winemkr on May 19, 2008 at 3:29 PM
LOL Nothing in his record will help so lets go to his ancestors. This is genius!
shick on May 19, 2008 at 3:33 PM
Does he really want to bring his grandfather into the race?
MayBee on May 19, 2008 at 3:34 PM
The grandfather who served in the military–was he by any chance married to the “typical white woman” whose fears of black people made little Barry cringe? The one who can’t be disowned any less than Reverend Wright? That’s right, Barry, claim his patriotism and throw his wife under the bus! Dream about your father and diss your mother while you’re at it! Hmmm…why do Hillary supporters find Obama to be sexist?
What about his other (paternal) grandfather? Did he serve in the military? Maybe of Kenya, which will become our 57th state?
There’s already a candidate in this race whose grandfather was an Admiral. That’s patriotic enough!
Steve Z on May 19, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Hey, the AFL CIO really, really hates John McCain.
http://www.aflcio.org/issues/politics/mccain.cfm?source=mccainrevealed
nice little flip book format too.
funky chicken on May 19, 2008 at 3:44 PM
I will drive my SUV, I will eat however much I want, I will put my thermostat at a nice chilly 70 degrees, and I don’t give a damn what any other person, party, organization or country thinks about it!
.
SUV+FOOD+70=Pursuit of Happiness.
AZCON on May 19, 2008 at 3:46 PM
Can’t use Mom; she was a dingbat hippie. Got to jump to Gramps, and somehow not mention that he’s a whitey.
Jaibones on May 19, 2008 at 3:47 PM
His grandparent’s military background?!!?
Somebody please look into it, but I think even one of Karl Marx’s close relatives (father? grandfather?) had a relatively respectable reputation. HAH!
Yeah, only difference is: the Democrats mostly use it to burn or stomp on.
Lockstein13 on May 19, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Senator Obama has always worn a flag pin. Any pictures to the contrary have been Photoshopped.
Kafir on May 19, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Obama is patriotic, depending on what your definition of “is” is.
forest on May 19, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Obama has no Patriotic background whatsoever.
Obama has no experience to base a Presidential run upon.
Obama is an overly ambitious affirmative action product that
has racist and marxist roots.
Obama was elected by the Chicago Political system to be a useful idiot.
Obama is selling America on Hopes and Dreams that have no basis in RESPONSIBILITY.
Obama is just another self serving Politician that is dangerous with any AUTHORITY or TRUST placed in his inept hands.
Obama will be worse than Jimmy Carter Round Two!
No Thanks!
old trooper on May 19, 2008 at 3:59 PM
Manufactured story of the day! Courtesy of the Obama campaign. At this rate, we won’t even need to fire up the VRWC or our terrible, evil attack machine this cycle!
VolMagic on May 19, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Audacious.
kirkill on May 19, 2008 at 4:05 PM
He should go to Normandy and make a cross on the beach out of pebbles.
Akzed on May 19, 2008 at 4:05 PM
To cap this effort off at the DNC convention, Obama will come out on stage and recreate Jimmy Cagney’s dance number from the title production of “Yankee Doodle Dandy”.
jon1979 on May 19, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Why do they keep saying “the first black this and that?” Have the thought police won? Isn’t he the first Mulatto? Oreo? What can we say? Can’t say 1/2 black 1/2 white, that’s too long, how about Most Inexperienced EVER.
kirkill on May 19, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Wait a second…if Senator Harkin hears about all this family militarism in which Obama was steeped, he might withdraw his support.
“Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s family background as the son and grandson of admirals has given him a world-view shaped by the military, “and he has a hard time thinking beyond that,” Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Ia., said Friday.
Senator Harkin? Senator? Helloooo? Yoooooo hoooooooo?
Bishop on May 19, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Why do they keep saying “the first black this and that?” Have the thought police won? Isn’t he the first Mulatto? Oreo? What can we say? Can’t say 1/2 black 1/2 white, that’s too long, how about Most Inexperienced EVER.
First ‘Arugulan American’.
Bishop on May 19, 2008 at 4:11 PM
We can be smart and complain about his policies and his character, but we really need to somehow start reaching his supporters. I don’t think most of them are behind him for policy reasons, they’re just basically in love with a man who speaks brilliantly, talks about change, and isn’t Bush. We need to get them to move past “not Bush,” and McCain needs to show them very plainly that he does not deserve the name McBush, which seems to be more popular all the time.
kc8ukw on May 19, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Was that the grandfather, who’s wife recently got thrown under the bus?
MarkTheGreat on May 19, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Barak shows a level of cynicism that puts even Billary to shame.
petefrt on May 19, 2008 at 4:28 PM
The MSM will naturally decide that Operation Patriotism conclusively resolves doubts as to whether Obama has America’s interests at heart, just like the Wright speech took care of any doubts about whether Obama is the follower of a conspiracy-mongering, racist, anti-Semitic demigogue.
Can an “Operation Manly-Man Candidate” be too far off?
Cicero43 on May 19, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Heh. That’s probably next.
petefrt on May 19, 2008 at 4:29 PM
He’s going to tear a phonebook in half!
/dewey beach delaware’s
Akzed on May 19, 2008 at 4:35 PM
Next he’ll have a star of david around his neck and swear he doesn’t wish for the destruction of the zioni…..i mean jewsish state.
Rbastid on May 19, 2008 at 4:36 PM
He could kill a rabbit with an oar. That would prove that he’s at least as tough as Jimma Cahta.
Akzed on May 19, 2008 at 4:38 PM
doesn’t wish for the destruction of the zioni…..i mean jewsish state
Very funny.
kc8ukw on May 19, 2008 at 4:39 PM
To prove The Dali-Bama is patriotic, he needs a tank photo op.
Yeah, no kidding. He has neither the experience or qualifications to be a top executive at a Fortune 500 company let alone be the CEO of the Republic.
He must really believe in hope and change if he thinks being a “community organizer” & “activist” (whatever that is) and 1.5 years in the US Senate made him qualified to run for Prez.
moxie_neanderthal on May 19, 2008 at 4:46 PM
New Obama campaign song.
brtex on May 19, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Never mind the pin—have you noticed the inevitable collection of glum looking white folk he has seated behind him at speeches these days?
jeanie on May 19, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Obama is a two-face, liar, and un-American.
madmonkphotog on May 19, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Punchbowl National Cemetery?
Who’s gonna drink the Kool-Aid he serves up there?
mikeyboss on May 19, 2008 at 5:34 PM
drugged? LOL
funky chicken on May 19, 2008 at 6:02 PM
I can see it now. He’s digging through the garbage at home, looking for that flag he forgot to burn.
oakpack on May 19, 2008 at 7:21 PM
Never mind the pin—have you noticed the inevitable collection of glum looking white folk he has seated behind him at speeches these days?
jeanie on May 19, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Right. They look like they were just seated after taking a 1,000 mile trip on a Trailways Bus. Who the heck are these people?
Travis1 on May 19, 2008 at 8:05 PM
He has to neutralize the morons that make up a significant percentage of population. It’s not cynical, it’s practical.
freevillage on May 19, 2008 at 8:21 PM
Taqiyya?
{o.o}
herself on May 20, 2008 at 5:57 AM