Wesley Clark's rebuke of Senator McCain's military service couldn't have come at a worse time for the Obama campaign (which may, or may not - depending on how conspiracy minded you are - prove that Clark was acting independently of the campaign). Obama was in Independence, Missouri to give a major speech defending his patriotism.All Clark's remarks did was undermine Obama's critical message that he as is as patriotic as John McCain or anyone else. And that rumors about him not reciting the pledge or singing the national anthem are incorrect.Then, there's the flag pin controversy.If Obama had stuck to his guns and continued his practice of not wearing the flag pin, people might be more willing to believe him when he talks so glowingly about how much he loves this country. But there is a rank cynicism at play when we suspect him using symbols like the flag pin to say one thing to one group and another thing to others.Byron York at NRO has Obama before and after on the flag pin...(Read Full Post)