Another Day, Another Claim

In what is generally considered a "slip of the tongue," President Reagan in 1988 famously stated "facts are stupid things," misquoting John Adams noting in 1770 "facts are stubborn things."

John McCain, however, apparently agrees with Ronald Reagan. CBS News reports that on October 31 in Des Moines, Barack Obama commented "On the day of the Iowa caucus, my faith in the American people was vindicated and what you started here in Iowa has swept the nation." McCain responded on November 1 in Perkasie, Pa. "I’ve been humbled and honored to have the great opportunity to serve this nation, the greatest nation in the world and defend its freedom and I’ll do that until my last breath.”

I was not amused when Michelle Obama infamously remarked in Milwaukee on 2/28/08 "for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback" Still, Mrs. Obama at her speech to the Democratic National Convention in August put that issue to rest and she aims to be, ultimately, First Lady, not President.

But Barack Obama's statement was simply not the same as his wife's controversial remark this past winter. Check the dictionary for "vindicate:" according to the American Heritage Dictionary: To clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting arguments or proof: "Our society permits people to sue for libel so that they may vindicate their reputations" (Irving R. Kaufman). According to Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary: 1. To lay claim to; to assert a right to; to claim. [R.] Is thine alone the seed that strews the plain? The birds of heaven shall vindicate their grain. --Pope."

"Vindicate" usually is used by the speaker to verify to others that a claim is true. In this instance(s), it was employed by Obama to point to confirmation of what he already believed, as in "this is what I believed; now here is the proof."

Why has John McCain chosen this late date to manipulate and exploit the words of Barack Obama on love of country when he has been so enjoying fantasizing about a Socialist opponent? Obama spokesman Bill Burton responded to the Arizona senator by noting "It’s pathetic that McCain would take a statement Barack Obama has been making for a year about his faith in the American people and distort it to attack his patriotism." There really is no downside, however, for a candidate whose penchant for dishonesty always has been excused by a media which beginning on November 5 will try to sell the line that the real McCain was the guy they fell in love with eight years ago.