alt.politics.economics

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

.....................................................................................................

Obama said today that, "The notion that I am disqualified because at
one event I was singing the national anthem but failed to put my hand
over my heart while I was singing, if that were the case that would
disqualify about three fourths of people who have ever gone to a
football game or a baseball game."

About his wife's comments in Wisconsin, Obama said, "I think she
already clarified this. She was very clear about it. She simply
misspoke. Because what she was referring to is this was the first time
she'd been proud of politics in America. And that's true for a lot of
folks who had been cynical and disenchanted. She spoke about how she'd
been cynical of American politics for a very long time, but she's
proud of how people are participating and involved in ways they
haven't for a very long time."

On the American flag lapel pin, Obama said, "When we start getting
into those definitions of patriotism, that's a debate I'm happy to
have, because I will come right after them."

Obama said he would argue that the GOP is "a party that presided over
a war in which our troops did not get the body armor that they needed
or [sent] troops over who were untrained because of poor planning, or
are not fulfilling the veterans benefits that these troops need when
they come home, or [are] undermining our constitution with warrantless
wiretaps that are unnecessary.

"That is a debate that I am very happy to have," Obama added.

"We'll see what the American people think is the true definition of
patriotism."


From ABC News, 2/24/08:
/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4336530&page=1

Obama Fires Back on Patriotism Attacks

'We'll See What the American People Think Is the True Definition of
Patriotism,' Dem Frontrunner Tells ABC News

By JAKE TAPPER and SUNLEN MILLER
LORAIN


Ohio

"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."

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Nice

Harry