Mom Supports Obama's Bracelet Mention

Tracy Jopek "Ecstatic" About Democrat's Use Of Her Son's Name At Debate

(AP)  The mother of a Wisconsin soldier who died in Iraq says she was "ecstatic" when Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama mentioned during Friday's debate the bracelet she gave him in honor of her son.

Tracy Jopek of Merrill told The Associated Press on Sunday she was honored that Obama remembered Sgt. Ryan David Jopek, who was killed in 2006 by a roadside bomb.

Jopek criticized Internet reports suggesting Obama, D-Ill., exploited her son for political purposes.

"I don't understand how people can take that and turn it into some garbage on the Internet," she said.

Jopek acknowledged e-mailing the Obama campaign in February asking that the presidential candidate not mention her son in speeches or debates. But she said Obama's mention on Friday was appropriate because he was responding after Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee, said a soldier's mother gave him a bracelet.

"I've got a bracelet, too, from Sergeant - from the mother of Sergeant Ryan David Jopek, given to me in Green Bay," Obama said during the debate. "She asked me, 'Can you please make sure another mother is not going through what I'm going through?' No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided."

Jopek says Obama's comment rightfully suggested there's more than one viewpoint on the war.

She wouldn't directly say whether she wanted Obama to refrain from mentioning the bracelet again, but said she hopes the issue will just go away.

"I think these bracelets should be looked upon as an honor that both candidates wear them to respect the troops," Jopek said. "My request to both of them is that they honor the troops by lifting the conversation to the issues, and that they continue to live up to the standards our military deserves."

[vet_sk]

Obama is our hope that America can be great again.

On a fully separate account: Gov Palin. I almost feel sorry for her but at the level of Governor you should at least know your limitations. But she doesn''t seem to get it - likely the reason she finds it so easy to talk about the things that interest her: church, roe v wade, oil and gas, and making quick decisions {if they''re right or not}. She is the ultimate Chance Gardner from Being There (1979) when you put her on the national stage. Her husband Mr Palin is giving her an out to go back to Alaska and spend time with her family and take on her role as Gov again. Go for it Sarah: National and International policy has not interested you in the past enough to talk and think about it. It is time to move back to Alaska and enjoy what you do.

[rm1813]

It''s 3 a.m., a few months into 2009, and the phone in the White House rings. Several big hedge funds are about to fail, Whom do you trust to take that call? The odds are that the next president will have to deal with some major financial emergencies. We''ve known that Mr. McCain doesn''t know much about economics- he''s said so himself. That wouldn''t matter too much if he had good taste in advisers -- but he doesn''t. Remember, his chief mentor on economics is Phil Gramm, the arch-deregulator, who took special care in his Senate days to prevent oversight of financial derivatives -- that sank Lehman and A.I.G., and brought the credit markets to the edge of collapse. Mr. Gramm is still considered a likely choice as Treasury secretary. And when the McCain campaign announced that the candidate had assembled %u201Can impressive collection of economists, professors, and prominent conservative policy leaders%u201D to advise him on economic policy, who was prominently featured? Kevin Hassett, the co-author of %u201CDow 36,000.%u201D Enough said. To a large extent the poor quality of Mr. McCain''s advisers reflects the tattered intellectual state of his party. Has there ever been a more pathetic economic proposal than that we try to solve the financial crisis by eliminating capital gains taxes? (Troubled financial institutions, by definition, don''t have capital gains to tax.). At this point, one has the suspicion that a McCain administration would have us longing for Bush-era competence.

[pvperson]

So it was McCain that so shameless used the death of a soldier for political gain, I knew it all along.

[credibility2]

Why is it not political grandstanding when Obama does something like this, but it is when McCain does it? Mine is bigger than yours and other things are next. Stay tuned to the next debate and make sure you watch all of it and not just the parts that you understand and appeal to your limited attention spans.

[hokuto1]

Credibility2 asks: "Why is it not political grandstanding when Obama does something like this, but it is when McCain does it?"

If Obama had been the FIRST to mention the bracelet issue, and McCain had not responded with his own bracelet, what would people say? That he was being considerate of the feelings of the family? or what? The fact is, Obama is placed in the unfortunate position of having to respond to things that McCain does like this. It wasn''t Obama, but McCain who first mentioned that he wore a bracelet. Should Obama have remained silent, without noting that he, too, had one? Maybe so, maybe not, but I can understand why he did. He''s been smeared before for ostensibly not "supporting" the troops, even though he has visited them without any press coverage on at least several occasions that I know of. So if he now remained silent, how would people respond? Probably a lot of people would say, "see, there he is again, not thinking of the troops; McCain wears a bracelet, but Obama doesn''t." Or if they found out that he in fact does wear a bracelet, "then why didn''t he mention it? is he ashamed to let people know?" The possibilities are endless. All we know for a fact is: McCain mentioned his first, Obama responded he had one too, and the Mom is glad. I''d leave it at that.

[ljb6599]

credibilty2....Such a foolish comment!!Obama only mentioned this bracelet situation because McCain brought it up first.Ther are 2 sides to this Irag situation.There are probaly just as many soldiers whom believe in Obama as they do in McCain.There are many soldiers whom believe this has been an unjust war and do not want to be there.Overall this country has been badly divided by the Irag war which continues to have no end in sight.

[credibility2]

You neanderthals are missing the point. How much media space is being giving to Obama on this matter and nothing being mentioned about McCain? I watched the debate too and did in fact pay attention to it. Obama is a grandstander about every issue. He keeps silent when issues surface, waiting until consensus is given by others and then comes out before a mic and puts forth commentary as if its his own. Obama won''t be elected because of his experience and qualifications, both of which are paltry. No, instead, he''ll be elected by those taken in by superficiality, wardrobing and makeup and the flash in the pan mentality that undermines the qualities needed for the office. He''ll also be elected because of the guilt trip many have on the matter of his being half black. The presidency has now been reduced to an exercise in affirmative action.

[eroosevelt08]

I was disappointed in Senator McCain''s behaviorand tone at the debate. He spoke with anger and showed a condecending attitude toward Senator Obama and his ideas. It was ungentlemanlike and in poor taste. Senator McCain is an old warhorse who served with honor, but that does not excuse his behavior at the debate.

[skyhawk761]

No, instead, he''''ll be elected by those taken in by superficiality, wardrobing and makeup and the flash in the pan mentality that undermines the qualities needed for the office.

Posted by Credibility2 at 11:39 AM : Sep 29, 2008
+ report abuse


Are you talking about George W. Bush there? That is an exact description of W!

[kittykatty2]

credibility2 - i assume you lost your first go round at credibility...and you''re about to lose your second. You need to hurry and sign up for the name credibility3 before John McCain or Sairahead Palin takes it. Obama did NO grandstanding...he left that up to motor mouth McCain, the name dropping, holier than thou, i was a prisoner of war attitude. I''d like to remind Mr. McCain...and anyone else who wants to throw that last in as proof of experience to be the prez...DUDE...YOU HAD NO FREAKING CHOICE. Stop crowing about that. It does not give you carte blanche to be so freaking high handed. McCain got seriously stuck when Obama stuck up for himself and McCain resorted to replaying what he''d already said. Much the same as Sairahead Palin recites what she''s read on the CBS website and regurgitates it as fact.

[nolalou]

That''''s how SHE feels. You''''ve just got to wonder, though, how HE would feel if he knew a nonpatriotic, anti military, son of chaos was exploiting his name.....

Obama as ascribed that our soldiers are criminals. How in the world could anyone favor our military servicemen and then support Obama at the same time. Its two faced in the purest sense.

Posted by Hwy71So

Just because Obama doesn''t agree with McCain on the war in Iraq DOES NOT MAKE HIM UNPATRIOTIC! If that was the case, then a majority of Americans would be unpatriotic, because a majority believes going to war with Iraq was NOT worth it!
Obama has honored our soldiers, he never said they are criminals! He has questioned the judgment of those that sent our soldiers in harms way, but not the soldiers themselves.
What is two-faced is your twisted attempt at logic, using LIES to back up your argument! (just like Bush used LIES to back up his argument for going to war in Iraq!)

[bigjoe-24]

@Credibility2 I wonder why you''re not in Iraq helping our troops.. what makes you think Obama wouldn''t have served in the military if he was called on? You guys are so incompetent in diplomacy that you think the only way to solve a problem is through war... as far as it is someone else''s daughters and sons that die

[element51]

whyaskwhy1...Maybe you had better do some research on you hero John Wayne before putting him up on a pedestal. He was no hero. While many of his fellow actors of the time stopped their careers and enlisted to fight in WW2, Wayne pulled a Limbaugh to avoid the draft. He drank like a fish, beat his women, and was not well thought of in Hollywood by those who knew him. This is the truth and you neocons react to truth like a vampire reacts to holy water so I don''t expect you to believe me but truth is hard to hide.

[excoachken]

To Hwy71so: I''m sure you would have preferred to have Obama refer to McCain as "Maassirr!" It was McCain who dissed Obama and the rest of us by childishly not making eye contact with Barrack when he was spoken to. Cover your mouth, your racism is showing, again

[emmer94]

I love it when the losing side realizes that they are on the losing side and can''t come up with anything better than erroneous, inaccurate insults thinking that people with an active brain might be persuaded to join them. The Dems are still scared that there will be enough people (right or wrong) interested in Sarah Palin to vote against Obama the chosen.
And enough stuff about the young daughter. If I remember correctly the folks slamming her were also the ones that said whatever Bill did in the privacy of the Oval Office was his own business.

[element51]

Yesterday I came accross a post by someone who calls himself trrrorislalmj. He had posted that the family of Sgt. Ryan David Jopek had ask that Obama not wear the bracelet dedicated to their son. He stated that Obama was doing it anyway even though the family had asked him not to. Then he went into the usual rant that the neocons are using right now to bash Obama. I posted back and told him he was a liar and I intended to contact Wisconsin Public Radio today to find out for myself what the truth was. I called this morning and they veified that I was right. It was a lie. Then, amazingly, this story appeared on the CBS site. But I''ll bet that trrrorislamj is still posting his lies. These people are total slime and will stop at nothing. Come on America, don''t buy into their lies. Check things out for yourself before you make a decision.

[emmer94]

Can someone remember what date it is that "supposedly" Biden is going to step down for health reasons and they''re going to stick good Ol'' Hillary on the ticket? What would that mean for all the people that not only have alrady voted but for the absentee ballots that have been mailed?

[lalabradle]

Credibility2

John McCain said absolutely nothing to let America know what he will do if elected. He talked the same game as the Bush administration. He seems to think that the war in Iraq is successful, but only fools like you believe that. Obama made very valid points, he said that America has put everything into a war that should not have been in the first place. And instead of concentrating on Afghanistan and Bin Laden, we were concentrating on Sadam and Iraq. Why?

[dennisam01]

whyaskwhy1 that is the perfect name for a Bush supporter and a Palin supporter neither want to answer questions with straight answers and with the Uncle remus comment your true color comes through and that color would be White only . and as for compairing McCain to John Wayne please don''t even though Wayne was a rightwing guy it is digusting to think of the 2 of them being equated with eeach other unless you meant to say Mccain will die of cancer soon thats the only simularity I see .

[redbds]

What a shameful show of I can do that too. McCain has used that bracelet on several campaign stops in the past. Oblamas answer is "I got one too and my bracelet is to remember Sgt...um...oh...(what was his name again)...let me read it on air....Obviously he hadn''t seen the bracelet since it was given to him. How pathetic the Oblama campaign is getting.

[element51]

Charlie1000.....Are you blind? Didn''t you read the above story? This is incredible. The story above clears the matter up and you, on the same thread, CONTINUE to try to pass your lies off as truth. Do you really think we are that stupid? And I checked this out for myself this morning before I knew there was an article about it on the CBS web site. You people are incredible.

[lalabradle]

The only thing McCain could really talk about was back when. He had a story for every question. We don''t want to hear stories, we want to know what he is going to do to improve this mess our country is in. Even when he did try to talk about something, it was confusing and round about. At least Obama did have his plans laid out. He was able to tell us what he intends to do without having to go back 40 years ago. Clearly Obama is someone we could trust to rationally run the country. McCain has no strategy and no plan, that tells me he''s just going to take the position of commander in chief and continue the same game. The moderator was even getting frustrated with McCain, he was running over his time and still hadn''t said much of anything.

[redbds]

Then, amazingly, this story appeared on the CBS site. But I''''ll bet that trrrorislamj is still posting his lies. These people are total slime and will stop at nothing. Come on America, don''''t buy into their lies. Check things out for yourself before you make a decision.

Posted by Element51 at 12:32 PM : Sep 29, 2008

I have seen posts by this guy and I think he is an idiot. But, you are not getting it right either. Both the mother and father had emailed the Oblama campaign and asked that their sons name not be used for political reasons. It had nothing to do with wearing the bracelet. Obleam used his name anyway. Apparently he didn''t get that email. Now that it is said and done the mother is saying that it is alright because she is a democrat. The father who is a McCain supporter has asked that he not do it again.

[blindhowlin]

I still can''t believe McCain said that the death of the soldiers in Iraq will be in vain unless we "win". I guess the Americans that died in Korea and Vietnam were in vain?

[element51]

Hwy71S....I have followed this campaign from the beginning and I have never, NEVER, heard Obama be disrespectful toward our troops. You make this stuff up and post it as truth knowing full well it is nothing but lies. Well, where I come from that makes you a liar. I challenge you to provide one solid piece of evidence to support your claim..Fox News excluded. You won''t because you can''t but you will continue to post your lies. The truth terrifies you doesn''t it? Come on, Show-Me.

[redbds]

The only thing McCain could really talk about was back when. He had a story for every question. We don''''t want to hear stories, we want to know what he is going to do to improve this mess our country is in. Even when he did try to talk about something, it was confusing and round about. At least Obama did have his plans laid out. He was able to tell us what he intends to do without having to go back 40 years ago. Clearly Obama is someone we could trust to rationally run the country. McCain has no strategy and no plan, that tells me he''''s just going to take the position of commander in chief and continue the same game. The moderator was even getting frustrated with McCain, he was running over his time and still hadn''''t said much of anything.

Posted by lalabradle at 12:51 PM : Sep 29, 2008

The only thing that I remember Oblama saying is that we should not have gone into Iraq in the first place. Talk about living in the past. That is the crux of his foreigh policy. Never mind the fact that we did go into Iraq and whether or not you agreed back then is irrelevant. It has to be dealt with now. How it is dealt with by the next President will frame our foreign policy for decades to come. Oblama''s cut and run regardless of the outcome shows just how naive he is. Good intentions do not make someone qualified to be President. The experience and qualificatins of McCain make him the better choice hands down. Anyone that can''t see that has been brain washed by the Obamasiah.

[redbds]

Fox News excluded.

Posted by Element51 at 12:55 PM : Sep 29, 2008

Are you implying that Fox news doesn''t tell the truth?

[element51]

redbds....Thanks for the clarification. When I spoke to the lady in Wisconsin this morning it is possible that I misunderstood her. I believe that there was a mis-communication because Obama would not have been stupid enough to disrespect the family had he seen the e-mail. We lost our nephew about 9 months ago and I relate to the pain the family has gone through. It doesn''t go away quickly. My heart goes out to the Jopek family and I know that Obama will honor their wishes. It saddens me that an issue like that has to be used in an election campaign.

[element51]

redbds....Fon News wouldn''t know the truth if it bit them on the arse.

[redbds]

"I''ve got a bracelet, too, from Sergeant - from the mother of Sergeant Ryan David Jopek, given to me in Green Bay,"

Wow! If CBS is going to quote someone then they should quote them exactly. This quote is missing a few words like: um...ah...duh...

[redbds]

redbds....Fon News wouldn''''t know the truth if it bit them on the arse.

Posted by Element51 at 01:08 PM : Sep 29, 2008

The truth is what it is. But you don''t want to know the truth! You can''t handle the truth!!....Sorry, I have just always wanted to use that movie line. What you are really saying is that Fox news does not tell the truth from the liberal point of view.

[jn122736]

Do all dumocraps have grandchildren on welfare from teenagers who never know their baby daddies?

McCain for decent people! We can either pick Uncle Remus (Ohmama) or John Wayne(McCain).

McCain 08!
Posted by whyaskwhy1 at 11:59 AM : Sep 29, 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~```

IMO, comparing McCain to John Wayne is appropriate only in one respect;
Wayne was and McCain is a FAKE hero.

John Wayne was an actor who LEGITIMATELY faked being a hero in many movies but never passed himself off as a real-life hero.

I have approximately 50 John Wayne movies, which I have watched many times (My favorite Wayne war movie was, In Harms Way).

A real Hero is the soldier who, without pause, gives his/her life by falling on top of a grenade trying to protect others.

According to several news reports, McCain actually gave the Viet Cong military information, in order to protect himself.

If this is true then, far from being a hero, McCain is directly responsible for some of the 50,000 soldiers killed on the battlefield just so he could receive special treatment for his wounds.

Frivolous and/or false use of the term, hero, detracts from the honor to true heroes.

[redbds]

Frivolous and/or false use of the term, hero, detracts from the honor to true heroes.

Posted by jn122736 at 01:12 PM : Sep 29, 2008

You wouldn''t know a true hero is he kicked your sorry arse!

[element51]

You know what? There isn''t any point in arguing points with each other. My mind is made up and I am not going to change it, and you McCain supporters feel the same way. I''m just really tired of all the going back and forth over nothing. Somebody will win, somebody will lose. The rest of us will have to live with it and life will go on. I don''t know any of you people and frankly I don''t want to and I''m sure you feel the same about me. You don''t respect me and I don''t give a ***** so tell me exactly what we are accomplishing here with all the insults and name calling. Nothing. Whatever happens, happens and our lives will not change. So, I''m going to opt out of all this *****, I hope. It''s hard to read things that you know to be false and not reply but all this just seems like a giant exercise in futility. Good luck to you all and try to be happy.

Do all dumocraps have grandchildren on welfare from teenagers who never know their baby daddies?

Posted by whyaskwhy1 at 11:59 AM : Sep 29, 2008

I could ask why all republicans are such liars, but I don''t think most are. There sure are a lot of desperate, misguided liars like you out there now, though.

John McCain has always be wrong on lots of issues, but he used to be honorable. Now he can''t stop lying. Sarah Palin has been lying ever since she was picked.

[leftyintexas]

This article is an out and out lie. Obama didn''''t remember the boys name and the mother was furious.

OBAMA IS THE BIGGEST PIECE OF TRASH EVER FOISTED ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. I DON''''T THINK THERE IS A DUMPSTER BIG ENOUGH FOR HIM.

Posted by john43218 at 01:06 PM : Sep 29, 2008

Hey Johnny boy don''t get your panties up in a wad just because your view of reality and the REAL world are not the same. It''s obvious that you suffer from delusion. It''s a common trait among DUMBYA supporters.

[redbds]

It''''s hard to read things that you know to be false and not reply but all this just seems like a giant exercise in futility. Good luck to you all and try to be happy.

Posted by Element51 at 01:17 PM : Sep 29, 2008

In the end it doesn''t really matter who wins. Most of us won''t be any differant regardless. Both are good and honorable men. both are smart enough to surround themselves with smart people.

[leftyintexas]

Do all dumocraps have grandchildren on welfare from teenagers who never know their baby daddies?

Posted by whyaskwhy1 at 11:59 AM : Sep 29, 2008

Another trait among DUMBYA supporters is that suffer from a lack of intelligence. You are a good example.

[inketolstoy]

Obama said during the debate. "She asked me, ''Can you please make sure another mother is not going through what I''m going through?'' No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they''re carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they''ve provided."

For a great speaker, he is pretty unclear. Does this mean he isn''t going to have any soldiers die while he is president, or that mothers should be happy because they died following his orders. Either way, I don''t think it is going to work out that way.

[element51]

redbds....Thanks for the laugh. I too would like to use that line some day. But you know what, you''re right. Everyone has a different truth and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you and I sat down and really talked we would probably find that we have much more in common than we might think. We differ politically but that doesn''t make either of us bad, does it? I don''t hate McCain and if he is elected I will support him in hopes that he can move the country forward. I have doubts about him just like you have doubts about Obama but I know you have the best interest of the country at heart. Since we don''t know anything about each other it is possible that there was a time long ago, in another war, when we stood side by side and faught together. Sounds far fetched but it could have happened.

[seaslew]

John Wayne dodged the war,,, i saw that in a Bio about him,,, that was hard to take,,,

[kevingrze]

You Repugs are racist idiots who are traitors to this country. Please leave and do no more harm!

[susanhelit]

That settles it - she thought Obama was right, was ecstatic at the mention.

[mjbusa]

Do think Obama will remeber the name now? Just in case tell him its Sgt. Ryan David Jopek.

[dsr57]

John Wayne dodged the war,,, i saw that in a Bio about him,,, that was hard to take,,,


Posted by seaslew
------------------------------------------------------

You''re a LIAR ! ! Take it back ! ha ha ha

[dsr57]

John Wayne dodged the war,,, i saw that in a Bio about him,,, that was hard to take,,,


Posted by seaslew
------------------------------------------------------

You''re a LIAR ! ! Take it back ! ha ha ha

[amerigal]

I find it interesting that Obama values our American Soldiers lives, particularly because of the lack of value he places on the lives of babies in the state of Illinois.

[truthtell22]

So the mother asks Barack not to mention her son anymore, but he does it anyway? Even if she reversed herself afterwards, isn''t it illuminating about Obama that he would use the name when he was asked not to? Kind of shows what kind of person he is, he will do anything to win.

[libertarian5]

Don''t worry about criticism of McCain for his bracelet. It''probably just another of his never ending lies.

[ofbyfor2]

Since Senator McCain was the 1st to mention it bracelets the debates, I can''t understand how Senator Obama can be criticized because he mentioned one as well.