Mark Shields: Jim Webb Doesn't Wear a Flag Pin Either

By: Lowell
Published On: 4/20/2008 1:52:09 PM

As usual, Mark Shields (who, by the way, served in the U.S. Marines) nails it!

... the first thing, Judy, is how did the [Clinton-Obama] debate go? And I have to say, right at the outset, I disagree with David [Brooks], who has written rather glowingly and spoken glowingly about it.

I thought it was offensive. And I say this as somebody who admires enormously both Charlie Gibson, who did a great job in the New Hampshire debate, and George Stephanopoulos, who's made the successful transition to journalism from politics.

But there was no more egregious example of sort of the macho-swagger, press-pass, take-no-prisoners prosecutor attitude than asking Senator Obama, "Why don't you wear a flag lapel pin?"

And I'd just give you two quick examples on this, because this is the kind of question -- the explanation to ask? "It's all over the Internet." I mean, so are theories about John Kennedy's assassination and the United States government blowing up the Twin Towers. That's no reason.

I mean, Jim Webb, Democratic senator from Virginia, who was a company commander in the -- Marine company commander in Vietnam and won the Navy Cross, the second-highest award the country can give, the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts, and opposed the war in Iraq, does not wear a lapel pin.

Dick Cheney, who during the 1960s sought and received five deferments to avoid military service and explained that he did so because he had other priorities than military service, supported the war in Iraq and wears a flag lapel pin.

So I guess the question then becomes: Why doesn't -- should it be that why doesn't Jim Webb do it? I mean, this really bothered me. Now...

Exactly right, thank you Mark Shields. Now, just one question: have you (or Jim Webb, for that matter) ever talked to, shaken hands with, or glanced in the general direction of anyone who might have, could have, or would have if they could have joined a "bad" group or church or whatever?  C'mon, now, that's a "legitimate" question, at least according to George Stephanopoulos and Charlie Gibson channeling Joseph McCarthy.


Comments



No Need (Alicia - 4/20/2008 3:59:47 PM)
There is no need for some to wear their patriotism on their sleeve.
Actions - as always - speak louder than words (or lame lapel pins made in China)


Obama needs a shield ... (j_wyatt - 4/20/2008 4:26:21 PM)
emblazoned with red, white and blue.

The right wing (and Clintonista) line of attack on America's hope for the future is to sully the candidate who is all about the future with the atavistic brickbats of the past.  

The attack on Senator Obama as un-American, exotic, scary, fringe left, Muslim and what all garbage needs to be deflected by a running mate who is as red-blooded, apple pie, white bread and, yes, traditional, American as possible.  And, ideally, that someone is so unassailably patriotic that he can savagely counterattack the forces of darkness who are taking this country down.



Best cartoon on the topic... (Kindler - 4/20/2008 4:11:01 PM)
...right here


Forced myself to watch This Week this morning (Catzmaw - 4/20/2008 5:52:22 PM)
George surrounded himself with George F. Will, Cokie Roberts, and Sam Donaldson (the original "gotcha" reporter from the 70s), and all three of them agreed with Stephanopolous that it was only right and just that he ask questions about flag pins and old, tired controversies.  Each found it significant that the questions, coming out of left field as they did for Obama, who no doubt expected and had prepared for questions of substance from such as Gibson and Stephanopolous, somehow rattled Obama and caused him to stumble a bit.  I found the whole exercise disgusting, and the only good thing I can say about the whole show is that Stephanopolous played Jon Stewart's criticism as part of the Sunday Funnies.  For those who missed it, Stewart played tape of Stephanopolous describing the economy as the "number 1 concern of American voters" and then taunted him for making it the 16th question after 63 minutes of flag pins and guilt by association.  Good on Stewart, I say.

And good on Mark Shields, who remains one of the few straight talking and really sensible journalists out there.  I just adore Mark Shields.

As for Obama, here's a hint as to how to deal with such questions in the future - RIDICULE THEM.  Obama's problem is he treats each question seriously and tries to answer it honestly.  At some point, however, ridicule for asking a stupid question is the absolute best defense.  Heck, Reagan used ridicule quite effectively against very good questions.  It's a sure way to derail an uncomfortable line of questions and to flip the tables on the interviewer, who is almost never prepared for that line of attack.  



Excellent idea (Lowell - 4/20/2008 5:57:40 PM)
Ridicule the ridiculous, why treat it seriously at all?  


Hey, I keep waiting for my invitation to be Obama's debate coach (Catzmaw - 4/20/2008 6:52:19 PM)
Why haven't they called me????

I've spent all my adult life involved with rhetoric, debate, and argumentation.  All I can say is that with a little coaching Obama could crush all opposition and do it with a smile on his face and a laugh on his lips.  He has great gifts, but he's way too serious, probably because he didn't grow up in the Catzmaw family of snarktastic smart-assery which passes for our family gatherings.  Ridicule is a wonderful weapon, and something inherently understood by exactly the people Obama is trying to reach in Pennsylvania and Indiana.  No one appreciates a good puncturing of someone's ego-filled balloon as well as a blue collar type from the Pennsylvania mountains.  



Yeah, seriously. (Lowell - 4/20/2008 6:53:45 PM)
Obama's gotten better as a debater, but I think he could be a LOT better with the proper coaching.  Send them your resume! :)


I think the press is on Obama, cause (bladerunner - 4/20/2008 7:18:45 PM)
....they want this to be drawn out long for their ratings. I mean really, I've watched all the shows, Chris Mathews, Meet the Press, Wolf Blitzers, David Gregory's, and more...and they keep giving Hillary legs and credibility. What would they talk about if it was all sewn up. The media is milking and dragging this process out for ratings. I did here one juicey tid bit last week when it came to to prediction time no the shows...Monica Crowley predicted that Colin Powell would endorse Obama. That would be cool as hell.


Bob Schieffer nails it (Lowell - 4/20/2008 7:34:29 PM)


Schieffer did nail....Thanks for the post (bladerunner - 4/21/2008 10:11:23 AM)


Here Here. (humanfont - 4/21/2008 2:01:07 PM)
Those who wear the flag on their lapel have it furthest from their hearts.


Totally agree... (Lowell - 4/21/2008 2:04:26 PM)
...except it's "hear hear" not "here here." :)