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Radio host Bob Grant asserted that Obama created an " 'O' flag," but apparent flag in question was Ohio's

October 16, 2008 6:45 pm ET

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SUMMARY: Radio host Bob Grant asserted that Sen. Barack Obama "is not content with just having several American flags, plain old American flags with the 50 states represented by 50 stars[.] He has the 'O' flag." However, the flag to which Grant apparently referred was actually the Ohio state flag.

44 Comments

On the October 15 broadcast of his nationally syndicated radio show, Bob Grant said: "[W]hat is that flag that Obama's been standing in front of that looks like an American flag, but instead of having the field of 50 stars representing the 50 states, there's a circle?" He then said: "Is the circle the 'O' for Obama? Is that what it is?" Grant later said: "[D]id you notice Obama is not content with just having several American flags, plain old American flags with the 50 states represented by 50 stars? He has the 'O' flag. And that's what that 'O' is. That's what that 'O' is. Just like he did with the plane he was using. He had the flag painted over, and the 'O' for Obama. Now, these are symptom -- these things are symptomatic of a person who would like to be a potentate -- a dictator." '

Grant did not further elaborate on what he meant by the " 'O' flag." However, conservative blogger Michelle Malkin stated on October 13 that she had "received several e-mails today from readers complaining about Barack Obama's backdrop in Toledo today. Apparently, some talk show hosts have also gone ballistic over what they think is an 'Obama flag.' " But, as Malkin noted, the flag appearing behind Obama during his October 13 speech was actually the Ohio state flag.

From Malkin's blog post:

I received several e-mails today from readers complaining about Barack Obama's backdrop in Toledo today. Apparently, some talk show hosts have also gone ballistic over what they think is an "Obama flag:"

Relax, folks.

That's not an "Obama flag."

It's the state flag of Ohio:

Additionally, as the blog Sadly, No! noted, a commenter on Townhall.com claimed that Obama had spoken in front of a flag in which "[t]he blue field has been changed to show an Obama seal":

From the October 15 edition of WABC Radio's Bob Grant Show:

GRANT: Let me ask you this question, since you are aware of patriotic symbols. Maybe you don't know the answer. I'll be frank. I don't know the answer to this one, but what is that flag that Obama's been standing in front of that looks like an American flag, but instead of having the field of 50 stars representing the 50 states, there's a circle? Would someone please tell me what that is? Is the circle --

CALLER: Well, I thought it was our new flag.

GRANT: -- the "O" for Obama? Is that what it is?

CALLER: I thought it was our new flag. I thought we now instituted a new one under Obama, because we're going to change everything, and none of it is gonna be positive. And do people's mindset that Palin would be any kind of an adverse person around nuclear weapons, when you have somebody who has absolute deceived everybody from his onset of his life --

GRANT: All right, Sue. I want to thank you very much for your call. It's a pleasure to hear from someone who's paying attention to what's going on out there.

But really folks, did you notice Obama is not content with just having several American flags, plain old American flags with the 50 states represented by 50 stars? He has the "O" flag. And that's what that "O" is. That's what that "O" is. Just like he did with the plane he was using. He had the flag painted over, and the "O" for Obama. Now, these are symptom -- these things are symptomatic of a person who would like to be a potentate -- a dictator. And I really see this in this man.

Hey, I could be wrong. But I wouldn't say this on this great radio station if I didn't think there was some merit in this conjecture. And I stress conjecture. And so much of what we talk about is conjecture, is theory, is opinion based on intuition, based on some facts, based on some history.

I don't want to overdramatize this. Being dramatic, I must confess, does come easy to some of us, because, maybe that's why we're in this business. It is show business, is it not? I know some of my colleagues don't want to admit that, but they are the greatest showmen in the world. And I tell you this. I tell you this quite seriously. I am alarmed at the prospect of his election. I -- I would hope that if he is elected, that I could come before you one day and say, "Hey, there was no need to be alarmed, I was wrong."

Because I care about the United States of America and what future we may have much more than I care about being right or being wrong, having my candidate win or having my candidate lose. I want to know how many of you people think about the significance of the election.

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    • Author by shaggles (October 16, 2008 6:51 pm ET)
         
      If McCain was to appear here in WA and stand in front of our flag with a pic of an old, white haired guy (OK it's George Washington) would these yahoos think McCain put his picture on the flag?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by noconspiracy (October 16, 2008 6:58 pm ET)
           

        Actually, the US flag is GREEN, but yes, it does have George Washington on it.

        Report Abuse
      • Author by carlileb5935 (October 17, 2008 3:08 am ET)
           

        Is Grant still around? He must be ancient.

        I remember when he started in L.A. he was basically a second banana to Joe Pyne on the old KLAC talk radio. Home of an early Joel A Spivak, Les Crane, and Tom Duggan.

        Back when talk radio meant the Fairness Doctrine, and everything worked out just fine-- contrary to what repubs claim would happen if we got it back.

        Report Abuse
        • Author by wzwriter (October 17, 2008 9:07 am ET)
             

          Is Grant still around? He must be ancient.

          Bob Grant is ancient, but his toupe is not.

          Report Abuse
      • Author by wzwriter (October 17, 2008 9:07 am ET)
           

        If McCain was to appear here in WA and stand in front of our flag with a pic of an old, white haired guy (OK it's George Washington) would these yahoos think McCain put his picture on the flag?

        No - they's think he'd put a picture of Dubya's mother on the flag.  :-)

        Report Abuse
    • Author by jeopardude (October 16, 2008 6:58 pm ET)
         

      I'm gonna give her my O flag. You know, the flag goes  "Oh, oh, oh."

      Someone had to do it.

      Report Abuse
    • Author by Old_Benjamin (October 16, 2008 7:02 pm ET)
         

      How freakin' sad are you when you make Malkin the voice of reason?

      Report Abuse
      • Author by Col. Harlan Sanders (October 17, 2008 3:03 am ET)
           

        That's the highlight of this item for me, Ol' Ben. Malkin telling "folks" to "relax" about a potential right wing freakout is like Capt. Ahab telling you to stop worrying about that whale.

        Report Abuse
        • Author by magnolialover (October 17, 2008 8:40 am ET)
             

          That's what I took away from this as well. You know that your wing-nuttery has totally gone way off the tracks when Michelle Malkin of all people, is telling you to calm down, nothing to see here.

          Report Abuse
      • Author by NiceguyEddie (October 17, 2008 4:20 pm ET)
           

        Exactly what I was thinking, right after "GEOGRAPHY FAIL!" 

        But I wonder how long it will be before she started repeating this very nonsense herself.

        Report Abuse
    • Author by snoopy (October 16, 2008 7:12 pm ET)
         

      fer cryin' out loud. Rightwingers will lie about anything. Flags, flag pins, blah blah blah. And it's frickin' funny how Obama wore one at all three debates while McCain didn't, yet who gets criticized? Bunch of hypocrites.

      Report Abuse
      • Author by DAWUSS (October 16, 2008 9:07 pm ET)
           

        I don't think I've ever seen McCain with a flag pin. Palin, yes, McCain, no

        Report Abuse
    • Author by zamfir273114 (October 16, 2008 7:55 pm ET)
         

      Gee, now i know why McCain is losing.  None of these dolts in the super-right-wing media are doing him any favors.  

      Report Abuse
      • Author by peebs755 (October 17, 2008 1:47 pm ET)
           

        the ignorance of the far right wingnuts never ceases to amaze me.

        Report Abuse
    • Author by mefirst (October 16, 2008 8:27 pm ET)
         

      the really funny one is the blogger who says if you "look real closely", you can see it's not the american flag, and the stars don't add up to 50.   there are seventeen stars, ohio is the seventeenth state.   no looking real close necessary, it's obviously not the american flag.  maybe he's joe the plumber's assistant.  perhaps a moose hunting trip with palins when all this is over.  the today show keeps noting that palin keeps refusing all their invitations to come on the show, including this morning.  but she's a tough hockey mom. 

      Report Abuse
      • Author by Brabantio (October 16, 2008 9:54 pm ET)
           

        Right, you don't even need to count the stars.  The blue patch is a triangle, for crying out loud.  There are five stripes on it, the white ones being particularly thicker than the ones on the US flag.

        What did this guy say when Bush was on billboards that said "Our Leader", as if he was Chairman Mao or something?  Was he overdramatic about potential dictatorships then?

        Report Abuse
        • Author by Easy to refute wingnuts (October 19, 2008 2:33 am ET)
             

          What did this guy say when Bush was on billboards that said "Our Leader", as if he was Chairman Mao or something?

          Nothing. He couldn't read the text.

          Report Abuse
    • Author by jeff79 (October 16, 2008 8:56 pm ET)
         

      All this proves is that the conspiracy goes deeper than anybody could have known. Even Ohio's flag is in the tank for Obama.

      Report Abuse
      • Author by mary59 (October 16, 2008 9:21 pm ET)
           

        Har.  That's because the Ohio flag designers must have been liberals from a Muslim country and by golly, we'll get a constitutional amendment passed that bans any O flags in the good 'ole U. S. of A.

        Report Abuse
    • Author by robrob (October 16, 2008 10:47 pm ET)
         

      "the flag appearing behind Obama during his October 13 speech was actually the Ohio state flag."

      Apparantly RW pundits know very little about the country they claim to love.

      Report Abuse
      • Author by wzwriter (October 17, 2008 10:56 am ET)
           

        Apparantly RW pundits know very little about the country they claim to love.

        It would be more correct to simply say "RW pundits know very little".

        Report Abuse
    • Author by Trillian (October 17, 2008 12:15 am ET)
         

      The state of Ohio could use a national marketing plan. Ohio has a great flag, but how many people who don't live in or near Ohio can identify it. Compare and contrast with the flags of New Mexico and Texas.

      Report Abuse
    • Author by theexcellentcadaver (October 17, 2008 5:59 am ET)
         

      Honestly, all I got to say to this is....

      BAWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ::pant pant:: BAWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

      ::pant pant:: BAWAHAHAHAHAHAHA oh man, phew that's rich....

      Is this real? Really? Please God come down and pinch my butt and tell me I'm not DREAMING!

      I guess when modern conservatism has really screwed up the country that Mr. Grant "cares so much for" you gotta fill that radio slot with some other form of hot air.

      Excuse me......BAWAHAHAHAHAHA!

      Report Abuse
      • Author by T-X-I (October 17, 2008 8:44 am ET)
           

        I agree. Before I was even done reading the title I knew they were talking about the Ohio flag (living right over the border in Huntington, WV I see it a lot). It is utterly priceless that of all people, it's Michell Malkin attempting to calm the crowd down.

        This is by far the most insanely hilarious right wing screwup/freakout ever.

        Report Abuse
        • Author by wzwriter (October 17, 2008 10:57 am ET)
             

          This is by far the most insanely hilarious right wing screwup/freakout ever.

          Bob Grant IS an insanely hilarious right wing screwup/freakout.

          Report Abuse
    • Author by nerzog (October 17, 2008 8:57 am ET)
         

      Why does Ohio hate America?

      Report Abuse
    • Author by political_left-religious_right (October 17, 2008 10:06 am ET)
         
      The Michigan flag has an elk and a moose on it--we must be in the tank for Palin! Auggh!
      Report Abuse
      • Author by magnolialover (October 17, 2008 10:36 am ET)
           

        The Maine flag has a moose on it as well, so the must be going for Palin too. Then again, not so much.

        Report Abuse
        • Author by Col. Harlan Sanders (October 17, 2008 12:41 pm ET)
             

          Mine has a bear on it, and a Chinese-style red star.We hate Steven Colbert here in the Poople's Republic of California.

          Report Abuse
          • Author by peebs755 (October 17, 2008 1:52 pm ET)
               

            Speak for yourself, Comrade.

            Report Abuse
            • Author by Col. Harlan Sanders (October 17, 2008 2:21 pm ET)
                 

              OK, Peebs, I may be a little confused. I think I like Colbert, but how do I explain my states flag palling around with bears, the #1 threat to America?

              Report Abuse
              • Author by peebs755 (October 17, 2008 4:17 pm ET)
                   

                Didn't you know that CA is full of Hollywood Comunist Liberal Pinko's that want to take your children and put them into Madrasa's to teach them terrorist ways? That's why there's a red star and bear. ;-)

                I stll like Colbert though.

                Report Abuse
    • Author by kfodom (October 17, 2008 1:49 pm ET)
         

      Man, I can't wait til Keith Olbermann gets hold of this one!  Can you say "Worst Person in the World," boys and girls?

      Report Abuse
    • Author by brady (October 17, 2008 5:36 pm ET)
         
      Bob Grant was an early hero and mentor to Herr Hannity. No further explanation needed.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by hornblower (October 17, 2008 8:47 pm ET)
         

      On Nov. 5th I hope I have the pleasure to listen to Grant et al. lamenting a landslide.

      New rugs for everyone.

      Report Abuse
    • Author by McKinley Morganfield (October 17, 2008 10:04 pm ET)
         

      Bob is a sorry ,sad old bigot.

      Report Abuse
    • Author by Ivy Shoots (October 17, 2008 11:07 pm ET)
         

      I must say I'm happy to finally see Michelle Malkin do something amounting to nonpartisan human decency, bolstering my flagging Pollyanna-like faith in the human race.  Most of her ilk, including her past self, would have simply ignored debunking this unfair slam on Obama.  Keep up your new-found urge to not bear false witness against thy neighbor, Michelle!

      Report Abuse
    • Author by TheAncients (October 18, 2008 12:19 pm ET)
         

      Im an Australian and knew that was the flag of Ohio. How ignorant could someone possibly be of their own country. This person is clearly moronic.

      Report Abuse
      • Author by peebs755 (October 18, 2008 3:18 pm ET)
           

        I have to say, after dealing with far righties, the depth of their ignorance on most of the things they profess to hold dear, is truly astounding sometimes.

        Report Abuse
    • Author by jbraskin (October 18, 2008 5:46 pm ET)
         

      Anyone want to bet that Grant's first response to this mess is to say that his words were taken out of context?

      Report Abuse
    • Author by Tobimaro (October 18, 2008 11:45 pm ET)
         

      Well, I guess that Bob Grant can forget about having an audience in Ohio.  What an imbecile.

      Report Abuse

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