Lisa DePaulo interviews the Dark Lord, Karl Rove. One topic that piqued my interest was the slam on Obama for not wearing a flag pin. Some have speculated as to why this particular question was brought up by ABC in the recent debate. I'm assuming this interview with Mr. Rove was conducted at least a month or so ago (since it appears in the print edition of GQ); it sure sounds like Mr. Rove is still working hard for the Republican Party, just behind the scenes.
There are Democrats, particularly blue-collar Democrats, who defect to McCain because they see McCain as a patriotic figure and they see Obama as an elitist who's looking down his nose at 'em. Which he is. That comment where he said, you know, "After 9/11, I didn't wear a flag lapel pin because true patriotism consists of speaking out on the issues, not wearing a flag lapel pin"? Well, to a lot of ordinary people, putting that flag lapel pin on is true patriotism. It's a statement of their patriotic love of the country. And for him to sit there and dismiss it as he did—
You're not wearing a flag pin, Karl.
[Click to read the full interview: GQ Blog: Karl Rove Likes What He Sees ]
Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. But I respect those who consciously get up in the morning and put a flag lapel pin on.
Second guessing the candidates is easy, yet I can't help but think Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton would have been better served by lashing out at the ABC hosts for their unhelpful questions, seizing control of the dialogue so that actual discussions of importance to the electorate could be addressed. Wearing a flag pin has nothing to do with anything important, other than cynical manipulation of the easily mislead.
