Obama fights back against questions on patriotism
INDEPENDENCE, Missouri (Reuters) - Democratic presidentialhopeful Barack Obama on Monday rejected questions about hispatriotism even as he drew fire for a supporter's attack onRepublican rival John McCain's military record.
Obama kicked off the week leading up to the July 4Independence Day celebration with a broad-ranging speechextolling American virtues. He said questions about patriotismwere a poisonous remnant of the 1960s culture wars.
In a clear sign the issue is a worry for the campaign,Obama said he would not sit back and watch his love of countryquestioned by political rivals.
"I will never question the patriotism of others in thiscampaign. And I will not stand idly by when I hear othersquestion mine," he said in a speech at the Harry Trumanpresidential library in Missouri.
As Obama spoke, however, a firestorm was brewing overweekend comments by an Obama backer, retired Gen. Wesley Clark,sometimes mentioned as a potential vice presidential runningmate in the November election.
Clark said on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday thatMcCain's military service record was overblown since he did notmake major combat decisions. McCain spent 5 1/2 years in aVietnam prison camp after his fighter plane was shot down overHanoi.
"I don't think getting in a fighter plane and getting shotdown is a qualification to become president," Clark said.
Obama distanced himself from the remark without mentioningClark by name. A spokesman, Bill Burton, said Obama rejectsClark's comments.
"No one should ever devalue that service, especially forthe sake of a political campaign, and that goes for supporterson both sides. We must always express our profound gratitudefor the service of our men and women in uniform. Period," Obamasaid.
But McCain campaign advisers seized on the remark asevidence to support their contention that while Obama preachesa civil message, he is willing to engage in cutthroat tactics.
"PLAYING POLITICS"
They organized a conference call with some of McCain'scolleagues in the military to defend his honour.
"They're playing politics," said Orson Swindle, who was inthe POW camp with McCain. "It's not good. Senator Obamaapparently is permitting it, and that's very disappointing."
McCain said the controversy should not distract from theimportant election issues.
"If that's the kind of campaign that Senator Obama and hissurrogates and his supporters want to engage, I understandthat. But it doesn't reduce the price of a gallon of gas by onepenny. It doesn't achieve our energy independence ... (and) itdoesn't help an American stay in their home," McCain toldreporters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Obama, an Illinois senator who would be the first blackU.S. president, will face McCain, the presumptive Republicannominee, in November's election for the White House.
Obama has battled persistent criticism about his failure towear a flag pin on his lapel, viewed as a symbol of patriotismfor some U.S. politicians. He often wears one now.
He also has been the target of Internet rumours about hiswillingness to cite the Pledge of Allegiance, and his wife,Michelle, has been criticized for a remark she said was takenout of context about feeling proud of her country.
Obama questioned the prominence of such issues in a crucialpresidential campaign.
"Given the enormous challenges that lie before us, we canno longer afford these sorts of divisions. None of us expectthat arguments about patriotism will, or should, vanishentirely," he said. "But surely we can agree that no party orpolitical philosophy has a monopoly on patriotism."
The speech was reminiscent of a March address in whichObama directly tackled racial questions raised by his candidacyand the controversial speeches of his former pastor, the Rev.Jeremiah Wright.
(Additional reporting by Jeff Mason and Steve Holland;editing by David Wiessler)
(For more about the U.S. political campaign, visit Reuters"Tales from the Trail: 2008" online athttp://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/ )