June 30, 2008
Obama to deliver 'major speech' on patriotism
Posted: 08:01 AM ETFrom CNN Political Producer Chris Welch
Obama has been looking to emphasize his patriotism.
CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) — Presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama plans to deliver what his campaign is calling a "major speech" Monday, centering around an issue he's been trying to highlight for months now: his patriotism.
The remarks come in Harry Truman's hometown of Independence, Missouri, just days before the Fourth of July.
"Sen. Obama will discuss what patriotism means to him and what it requires of all Americans who love this country and want to see it do better," Obama spokesman Bill Burton wrote in a morning email to reporters.
The Illinois senator has been defending his patriotism ever since the days of Iowa when he was first criticized for not wearing a flag pin — which he now does much more frequently — and when false rumors began circulating that he did not say the Pledge of Allegiance.
A widely-distributed photo also seemed to show him failing to place his hand over his heart during a rendition of the National Anthem.
Obama's wife, Michelle, has been on the receiving end of attacks over her patriotism, after telling an audience at a campaign event, "For the first time in my adult lifetime I'm really proud of my country."
Senator Obama will follow up Monday's speech on patriotism with a Tuesday address focused on faith, and remarks on service Wednesday and Thursday. He will spend Friday, July 4 in Butte, Montana — with the whole Obama family out on the trail.
Filed under: Barack Obama
