The Curious Case Of Mitt Romney’s Extremely Large American Flag Pin

by Jada Wong | 12:01 pm, October 4th, 2012

If you watched last night’s presidential debate, you might’ve picked up that President Barack Obama‘s American flag pin was noticeably smaller than Mitt Romney‘s. Even if you had the television on “mute”, you could see that the pins were distractingly dissimilar in size, and that there might’ve been what seemed like dirt on Romney’s. So, what’s up with that?

While Obama’s pin was quite standard, and didn’t distract from his words, Romney’s was an eyeful. According to a tweet from the governor’s personal aid, D.G. Jackson, Romney’s pin was an old gift from Secret Service agents that protected him. The flag features the Secret Service’s star — a five-point star with a organization’s logo in the middle.

So, was this oversized patriotic piece of flair a calculated gesture or just an incidental accessorizing decision? Honestly, we’ll never know — and that’s politics for you.

Take a look at the pins below:

Enable JavaScript to check out our fancy slideshow.

1.'Wait, why is my pin so small?'

President Obama during the debate.

2.'Yes, my pin is this big.'

Notice that dark blob on the pin?

3.Fake-smiling for the camera.

Points to Obama for wearing a better tie.

4.Even from this angle, Romney's pin is huge.

Post-debate.

5.A side-by-side comparison.

Little pin, big pin.

Barack Obama Mitt Romney President debate President Obama presidential pins

http://twitter.com/romillerjr Robert Miller

Silly
Jim

Over-sized? Sure. Important? No. Why do you feel obligated to state that “Obama’s pin… didn’t distract from his words”? You just proved that the article had nothing to do with irrelevant ‘pin size’ and everything to do with you being upset that Obama did poorly.

Obama might have done better if Mitt hadn’t distracted him with that gigantic pin! Plus Al Gore said it’s hard to debate after flying at an altitude of 5000 ft. That Damn Romney is trying to steal this election!!!
Michele Gardner

If SNL remakes this debate. They should enlarge Romney’s flag pin to ridiculous proportions (like obviously too big to be real). They should play up Romneys’ “that’s not my tax plan” lie. They should actually play that up and have Romney say that about everything (even something stupid like “that’s not my health care plan” about his plan in Massachusetts) They should have Obama say “ah” for a painfully extended period of time before each answer (which he actually did). Then for some answers they should have Obama say nothing and just show him taking notes (distracted). In fact, they should have Romney trying to get Obama’s attention while he’s writing. When the camera pans to Leher they should always have everything go dead silent and all the viewers hear is crickets chirping in the background ( to symbolize his off hands approach to moderating).
http://realclearpolitics.com/epolls/latest_polls/president/ CyberForce

It will make a nice souvenir. He should probably offer it to Sheldon Adelson. Adelson has had more skin in this campaign than Mittens has.
Anonymous

Ms. Wong needs to get a life.
This was NOT a slow news day, so there can be no excuse for this silliness.
OH…wait….slam Mittens….YAY!!! His pin is too big!!! It’s a flag pin!!!

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz……….
Anonymous

Next time: Uncle Sam outfits for everyone!

http://spider-bob.com/heroes/dc/images/UncleSam06.jpg
Anonymous

As far as I’m concerned, I don’t care what size of flag pin he is wearing, but when he opens his mouth, I would like to hear some facts – not lies. To me, Romney isn’t anything but a big prck.
Anonymous

I bet Sheldon Adelson about crap ped his pants when he heard Romney say he wasn’t given a 20% tax break to the wealthy.
http://realclearpolitics.com/epolls/latest_polls/president/ CyberForce

Adelson knows better.

Mittens is just saying whatever he has to in order to win.
Anonymous

Willard will have all day to fondle his flag pin after he gets his ass kicked in November.
He and Noah Rothman will be sitting in a dark room, telling lies to each other.
WiddleBabyDanielson

HAHAHAHAHAHA
How soon you people forget.

Obama REFUSES to wear Flag pin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-4elxJouBY

Obama stops wearing American flag pin
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21138728/ns/politics-decision_08/t/obama-stops-wearing-american-flag-pin/#.UG4KEpjA81s

But it sure is ridiculous when it’s your guy, huh.

Oh yeah – doesn’t matter – he’s white.
maquignon

I am surprised that Obama even wore one. He has such disdain for our flag.
Anonymous

I think he wore it to distract from the cold sore he was covering up on his lip!
WiddleBabyDanielson

I’m surprised you can type. You have such a low IQ.
David

He changed the pin into what looked like a piece of jewelry. Maybe it’s size is a symbol of him being a millionaire. Disrespectful. Leave the flag alone!
Anonymous

Sheldon’s flag has no red.
TJ

Touché. I see Pin-gate on the horizon.
TJ

I am surprised you can be surprised. You seem like the type of person who can only experience anger.
http://twitter.com/kit9 rachel white

But, you’re a-ok with the mountain of lies the Obama administration has told about Syria? And, the mountain of lies they’ve told about their donors? Buckle up, that scandal is about to break wide open.
Anonymous

My gawd – people will write anything to stay off the topic of Obama’s failures. Funny
guest

And I agree with maquignon’s comment.
guest

TJ – and you cant handle the truth.
guest

you are absolutely right about obama’s failures.
guest

and what did obama do?? oh yeah he couldnt speak because of the altitude.
its brenda

At least he spoke. Boomie just stood there.
http://realclearpolitics.com/epolls/latest_polls/president/ CyberForce

SO you think it’s preferable that a candidate stand there and lies so noise is coming out of his mouth?
George Babbitt

“(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature. ”

http://www.usflag.org/us.code36.html#176

So this is a violation of the U.S. Flag Code, no matter who gave it to him.

The Curious Case Of Mitt Romney’s Extremely Large American Flag Pin

Most Popular Articles

Follow Us

Tips

Style Dish

Login

Style Sheets