Obama Defends His Wife's Patriotism

By: Maria Gavrilovic
Topics: Barack Obama

(CBS)

From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:

LORAIN, OHIO -- Barack Obama today defended his and his wife's patriotism after she was criticized last week for saying she's proud of America for the first time in her life.

"What she was referring to is this was the first time she'd been proud of politics in America," Obama told reporters after touring the National Gypsum plant here.

"She spoke about how she'd been cynical American politics, for a very long time but she's proud of how people are participating and involved in ways they haven't for a very long time."

On issues of his own patriotism, Obama said he owes "everything to this country."

"You will recall the reason I came to national attention was a speech in which I spoke of my love for this country and the notion that I am disqualified because at one event I was signing the national anthem but failed to put my hand over my heart while I was singing, if that were the case that would disqualify about three fourths of people who have ever gone to a football game or a baseball game."

Earlier, Obama accused Hillary Clinton of "selectively picking" what she takes credit for and backing away from what is not "politically convenient." He justified his criticism of her position on NAFTA because, he says, she claims responsibility for economic success during the Clinton White House.

"Every good thing that happened she says she was a part of and so the notion that you can selectively pick what you take credit for and then run away from what isn't politically convenient that doesn't make sense," Obama said.

"If she suggested she had nothing to do with economic policy in the Clinton White House then it would not be fair for me to bring it up but as you know, that's not the claim that she is making."

During the press conference, Obama spoke about NAFTA at length and said the agreement should be amended but not repealed. Obama argued that the United States as too many relationships with other countries as a result of the trade agreement, and it would be impossible to reverse the agreement entirely.

He also blamed problems with immigration on NAFTA; "Part of the reason that we have such a huge influx of immigrants, undocumented immigrants from Mexico and South America is because farmers were devastated by NAFTA, and nobody was thinking about them."

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by tuckerg4 February 25, 2008 6:02 PM EST: I have never been proud to be an american, we are a nasty dirty country that hates anything of color, and we target the poor to make sure they stay poor, and child support in this country is ridiculous, how can someone under the poverty level pay 3/4 of their salary..again never proud to be american, also apologize to IRAN we hurt those people badly, all politics suck and O and H lead the pack. Mcain too; Reply to this comment


by jason_randon February 25, 2008 7:24 AM EST: Barack Hussein Obama
Barack Hussein Obama

Barack Hussein Obama
Barack Hussein Obama
Barack Hussein Obama

Muslim?; Reply to this comment


by jason_randon February 25, 2008 7:18 AM EST: "his empty message hasn%u2019t worn thin yet. It will not." We American are the greatest people on earth and it is *** shame and dumb to follow this cult leader named Barack Hussein Obama.

I GUESS WE ARE DUMB AMERICANS.

WE''VE BEEN LED BY BUSH FOR EIGHT YEARS FALSELY AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE LED BY INEXPERIENCED LIER AGAIN!

I MIGHT HAVE TO PACK UP AND GO TO CANADA.

YOUR STOMACHS WON%u2019T LIE TO you WHEN YOU ARE HUNGRY AND
BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA WILL BE a TERRIABLE president FOR economy. He is nothing but full of empty promises.

Lets not make the same mistakes again America.

we all need to contribute to make civilized society to work which means we all need to work hard and pay some taxes. Come on people! we need to pay some taxes so we can keep relatives of Barack Hussein Obama don''t attack America. We need to keep our defense strong and I don''t need any more tax cuts. I can''t believe followers of Barack Hussein Obama believe all his promises.
Hussein OSAMA will destroy and divide our country apart.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/anthem.asp#pledge
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2006/12/barack_hussein.html
http://www.trueobamafacts.com/2008/02/18/young-voters-for-obama-is-he-all-they-think-he-is/; Reply to this comment


by wisedad February 25, 2008 6:42 AM EST: I cant believe the media and many pundits are still referring to Mrs. McCains cheap shot concerning Michelle Obamas disclaimer when describing perhaps every African American''s sense of releif that this country and it''s non-African American communities are not as racists as Ultra Conservitive Right Wings like GWB would wish it to be, so those like Mrs. McCain could find reason to drum hatred and bigotry in this election process.

I wonder if Mrs. McCain were still proud of Govenor Wallace denial of access into segragated institutions in the south following federal laws which outlawed such acts as unconstitutional?

I wonder if Mrs. or Mr. McCain ever sought freedom from the the basics of American Prinicipals: Freedom of Expression!

The government of the United States should make every effort to insure that each individual is allowed his or her %u201Cinalienable rights%u201D as outlined in the constitution. This will be an ongoing process as lawmakers face the new challenges brought about by the ever-increasing diversity of the population.

The greater need is that of the individual. Until we as a people learn to see each other through the eyes of God, we will never see one another without fear and prejudice. %u201CThen Peter replied, %u2018I see very clearly that God doesn''t show partiality. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.%u2019%u201D ( Acts 10:34-35).; Reply to this comment


by wooha3 February 25, 2008 6:08 AM EST: Hillary and Bill Clinton attend Black churches at home and on the campaign trail and have for years and years. Has anyone checked any of these churches for Islamic connections? Bill Clinton''s office has been in Black Harlem for the past eight years. Neither Hillary, Bill or Chelsea wear a flag pin. They have refused to honor the U.S. flag. They must be Muslim terrorists. LOL!; Reply to this comment


by nationletter February 25, 2008 3:06 AM EST: So Obama is the favorite to win the Democratic nomination! Do you Dems ever learn anything? With a very unpopular republican president on its way out, and a nation primed to elect a democrat to the White House, the best that you guys can deliver as a candidate is an inexperience, self-righteous, former drug dealer? Obama has shown no grand ideas and is perceived by the masses as an empty head that delivers style but no substance. The Republicans are surely excited at the prospect of comparing the likes of John McCain against someone like Obama. Wake up Dems! This is serious business; don%u2019t give the republicans four more years.; Reply to this comment


by katefranklin February 24, 2008 11:59 PM EST: The next thing will be to deride Obama for not wearing red, white, and blue striped socks. It is amazing how dumbed down the news coverage can actually get in these campaigns. Anything to sell a newspaper.; Reply to this comment


by eddynewhope February 24, 2008 8:27 PM EST: factcheck21 - Check your facts. The hypocrite Clintons took money from Rezko too as did the DNC. Hillary also too $850,000 from Norman Hsu who is a convicted felon. Sounds more like YOU are doing Rove''s bidding with your B S smears that only serve to demonstrate Hillary''s desperation and willingness to lie, cheat, and steal to TRY to win. Looks like it ain''t working eh? LOL; Reply to this comment


by regello February 24, 2008 8:00 PM EST: The Obama candidacy is a protected species by the mainstream media, which is using it to defeat Clinton in the primaries. After that, the gloves will come off, and Obama''s 17-year relationship with slumlord Tony Rezko (who scammed Chicago''s African American community) will be front page news every day until the Wall Street/Karl Rove candidate gets elected. For more on the strategy, see the article I''ve posted at thecityedition.com; Reply to this comment


by hungry4goodg February 24, 2008 7:56 PM EST: Mrs. Obama''s patriotism is obvious. In light of what has happened to people of great potential (i.e., John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King) can you imagine the fear Mrs. Obama has to push aside about her husband offering his service to our country? Anyone who doesn''t recognize Obama''s candidacy itself as patriotic is missing a huge, valid example of patriotism. Thank you Mrs. Obama for sharing the man you love with his nation.; Reply to this comment