Inhofe Plays the Patriotism Card (Badly)

Here we go again. Former Tulsa mayor and Oklahoma's official state fossil, Sen. Jim Inhofe, has raised questions about Barack Obama's patriotism—while denying he's questioning Barack Obama's patriotism.

"Do you really want to have a guy as commander in chief of this country when you can question whether or not he really loves his country," Inhofe told the Tulsa World.

It's so Inhofe. He waves the bloody shirt—Obama's really a secret pinko, Islamist, or something—and then, when challenged, goes into full denial mode.

"I am not questioning Sen. Obama's patriotism, but you have to question why at times he seems so opposed to public displays of patriotism and national pride, like wearing an American flag lapel pin," Inhofe said.

So which is it, Sen. Inhofe? Are you or aren't you questioning his patriotism? More importantly, how exactly does a flag lapel pin equate to actual patriotism or love of country?

If a lapel pin is real patriotism, let's look at the lapels of John McCain and Sarah Palin. Are they less patriotic because they don't always wear their lapel pins? Of course not.

The patriotism card is an inflammatory smokescreen, partisan political nonsense designed to scare the voters. The fact than Inhofe is still making such charges is an insult to Oklahoma voters and yet more evidence why the state needs new leadership.