Mark Shields: Jim Webb Doesn't Wear a Flag Pin Either

... the first thing, Judy, is how did the [Clinton-Obama] debate go? And I have to say, right at the outset, I disagree with David [Brooks], who has written rather glowingly and spoken glowingly about it.

I thought it was offensive. And I say this as somebody who admires enormously both Charlie Gibson, who did a great job in the New Hampshire debate, and George Stephanopoulos, who's made the successful transition to journalism from politics.

But there was no more egregious example of sort of the macho-swagger, press-pass, take-no-prisoners prosecutor attitude than asking Senator Obama, "Why don't you wear a flag lapel pin?"

And I'd just give you two quick examples on this, because this is the kind of question -- the explanation to ask? "It's all over the Internet." I mean, so are theories about John Kennedy's assassination and the United States government blowing up the Twin Towers. That's no reason.

I mean, Jim Webb, Democratic senator from Virginia, who was a company commander in the -- Marine company commander in Vietnam and won the Navy Cross, the second-highest award the country can give, the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts, and opposed the war in Iraq, does not wear a lapel pin.

Dick Cheney, who during the 1960s sought and received five deferments to avoid military service and explained that he did so because he had other priorities than military service, supported the war in Iraq and wears a flag lapel pin.

So I guess the question then becomes: Why doesn't -- should it be that why doesn't Jim Webb do it? I mean, this really bothered me. Now...

Exactly right, thank you Mark Shields. Now, just one question: have you (or Jim Webb, for that matter) ever talked to, shaken hands with, or glanced in the general direction of anyone who might have, could have, or would have if they could have joined a "bad" group or church or whatever?  C'mon, now, that's a "legitimate" question, at least according to George Stephanopoulos and Charlie Gibson channeling Joseph McCarthy.

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