The flag pin has been an issue several months ago and our attention is drawn back to it again as Obama is trying to woo the blue collars group as he toured Missouri and Michigan. He was wearing it on Tuesday in Missouri when he met with garment factory workers, then again on Wednesday as he visited a Chrysler plant in Sterling Heights, Mich.. When asked about it he said “Sometimes I wear it, sometimes I don’t.”Then he added, “Over the last several weeks, people have been handing me flag pins,” he said. “I’ve just been leaving it on.”

However, there is a more calculated and deeper intention in his wearing it and that is because of the comments publicized by W.Va. voters who questioned his patriotism, besides wondering about his religion. He is trying to win over the white working-class voters and that is as good way as any.

OBAMA CATERING TO BLUE COLLAR VOTERS.

By Jim Rutenberg and Jeff Zeleny (NY Times 5/15/08)
Abstract by Johana Nadler
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The 21st Democratic Debate, sponsored by ABC News and moderated by Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos, was just a rehashing of past issues. Clinton and Obama pledging both to raise taxes for those with less than $200,000. The slight difference between both candidates was the issue of payroll taxes paid by the worker. Obama favors raising payroll taxes on higher-income individuals, starting at $200,000, whereas Clinton disagreed, even though she did agree at one time with Obama on the same plan of action. Clinton and Obama also promise to respond with full force should Iran attack Israel with nuclear weapons. Clinton publicly apologized for mistakes in recounting her visit to Bosnia in 1996. And then it was Obama turns to explain his controversial comment on small-town Americans outlet to economic adversity by “cling[ing] to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them.” To which Clinton quickly grasped the opportunity to state that Obama obviously has a fundamental misunderstanding on the role of religion and faith. Meanwhile Clinton acquired to endorsement of the 45,000-member Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association and one superdelegate Rep. Jackie Speier of California. Obama on the other hand has Bruce Springsteen’s backing along with three superdelegates: U.S. Reps. David Price and Melvin Watt of North Carolina and Andre Carson of Indiana.

By Beth Fouhy (A.P.) 4/17/08
Abstract by Johana Nadler