Image is everything...

As the U.S. Presidential campaign heats up, all the candidates are worried about their images. Every little thing they do will be scrutinized by now and election day 2008.

A week ago Senator Barack Obama became the latest casualty of this. He was asked by a reporter why he doesn't wear an American flag lapel pin. "I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest," he said. "Instead, I'm going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testament to my patriotism."

The above photo was taken from Tome of Communism. It should also be noted that this is one of the very few pictures of Obama, a long-time smoker, with a cigarette in a mouth, which will surely turn off the morality police. (As if Obama is the only smoker in America)

Nonetheless, how refreshing! An American politician not using 9/11 for political gain.

Enter Rudy Giuliani.

The following photo was taken from TV commentator and author Keith Boykin's website. The only reason the former NYC mayor is the forerunner in the Republican nomination race right now is because of his popularity following 9/11 attacks, and it seems like he is milking the tragedy for all its worth. Is it me, or the imagery in the banner of what looks like a plane going into two structures look incredibly offensive?

America really needs to reexamine what patriotism really is? What is more demeaning: smoking, sans lapel pin Obama or terror pimp Giuliani?