Do you remember in Friday’s presidential debate where the Obamessiah had his little “me too” moment, and showed off the deceased soldier’s bracelet given for him to wear? Well, to his credit, Warner Todd Huston at Newsbusters dug a little deeper and found that the family asked Barack Obama not to wear the bracelet:
[Father Brian] Jopek began by saying that his ex-wife was taken aback, even upset, that Obama has made the death of her son a campaign issue. Jopek says his wife gave Obama the bracelet because “she just wanted Mr. Obama to know Ryan’s name.” Jopek went on to say that “she wasn’t looking to turn it into a big media event” and “just wanted it to be something between Barack Obama and herself.” Apparently, they were all shocked it became such a big deal.
Apparently, Mrs. Jopek is conflicted, wanting Obama to take off the bracelet, but feeling conflicted because she wants Obama to win the election. There’s a lot of pain, difficulty, and complexity to the story behind Barack’s “me too” debate moment. But it appears that all would be best served if he quietly complied with the family’s wishes and ceased making an issue out of this brave soldier’s death.
Mr Bob says
I think this shows the absolute naivte’ of this family to think that ANY Democrat politian would not use this to score political points.
I thought he looked very unpresidential throughout most of the debate, this part especially made him look rather juvenile.
Danny says
If the family told him to stop wearing it prior to the debate, than I believe it was wrong for Obama to do what he did, but it sounds like they want him to stop wearing it because he pointed it out in the debate, which is a whole different issue. He should honor the families wishes and stop wearing it. (Losing a loved one to war, must be one gigantic emotional roller coaster. And this family proves that, my heart goes out to them) Mr Bob, at least Obama didn’t pick a political ignorant to be his V.P. for “political points”, suspend his campaign for “political points”, run as a maverick for “political points” (when he votes with Bush 95% of the time) Oppose offshore drilling his whole senate career and change his mind for “political points” The word juvenile is quite an understatement for McCain’s behavior. Country first? If so than why is Palin his running mate? She makes Cheney look good.
Curious Stranger says
“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.”
Oops. Guess you shouldn’t take someone’s ex-husband at his word. As I’ve said many times, it’s a Republican’s right to be misled. They seem to enjoy it.