Published: 5/14/2008

Flag pin makes reappearance on Obama's lapel

ASSOCIATED PRESS

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Like the American flag that Francis Scott Key famously wrote about, the one on Barack Obama's lapel keeps appearing and disappearing.

Mr. Obama said he generally stopped wearing a flag pin after the 2001 terrorist attacks because he felt it replaced "true patriotism" for some officials.

Some Americans, however, have said they question the patriotism of a candidate who makes such a choice, a sentiment that shows up in polls.

Last month, the pin briefly reappeared on his suit jacket. Mr. Obama said a veteran had given it to him and asked him to wear it. It wasn't seen again until Monday, when Mr. Obama spoke to a veterans' group in West Virginia.

When he spoke about the economy to workers in Missouri yesterday, it was there again.

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