http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspxFrom NBC's Chuck ToddWas Obama not ready for the Confederate Flag question? It seemed that way to this observer. en-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170305Thu, 26 Apr 2007 23:57:00 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170305Janice Patrick, Knoxville, TNFirst Gaffe?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170306Thu, 26 Apr 2007 23:57:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170306Anon, San Diego, CaliforniaI think he did the best he could being put on the spot.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170314Thu, 26 Apr 2007 23:59:00 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170314Judy BrownWho cares about a flag? Wow, are you guys scared of Kuchinich and Gravel?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170315Thu, 26 Apr 2007 23:59:02 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170315Anon, San Diego, CAOn the other hand, he could of just said, "Remove the flag."http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170316Thu, 26 Apr 2007 23:59:04 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170316CRW, Burlington, VTLike most politicians, I think he is under the impression that racism is over and forgot it might be brought up.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170318Thu, 26 Apr 2007 23:59:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170318Deborah Denson, Nashville, TNpriceless answer! the flag belongs in a museum!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170339Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:03:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170339Scott M., Suffolk, VAI think the FORMER Senator from Alaska needs to be in a museum. But I did like Obamma's answer.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170377Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:09:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170377Haley, Birmingham, ALHe had a great answer, considering the absurdity of the question. Race should not be brought into this debate.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170398Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:12:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170398Dorothy Kincaid, Alcoa, TNTHE FLAG - heritage (lie). The flag belongs in a museum along with the flags ideologue and ideas.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170411Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:15:20 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170411wmc,jonesboro,gaexcellent answer!next question?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170438Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:20:59 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170438Lee Reese, Lanark, ILI agree with Obama. The flag is historical and should be put in a museum.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170477Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:27:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170477K. SimelaroIt's a part of ""our" national history, it does belong in a museum.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170491Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:29:47 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170491Gary Antigua, Lancaster, CARegardless of the spot he was placed on. He answered the question as it should be answered. There are way bigger issues going on in South Carolina it's self not to mention the rest of the country and/or the world, to stand there and talk about the flag. I'm willing to bet if the flag were removed and put away, by the end of that year no one but museum tour guides would actually be talking about it.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170526Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:36:20 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170526Mordecai, San Anselmo CAObama had the right answer. The stars and bars belong in a museum. But the fact that it's at the state house shouldn't exclude the democratic party from debating issues in SC. Obama by far looked the most presidential.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170530Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:36:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170530Bill Clemens, Chicago, ILHe answered the question appropriately. The flag does belong in a museum. It was an absurd question in an era where so many other pressing issues need to be addressed.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170573Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:43:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170573jon stuart, arlington, vaI think after watching this it is clear that Obama is running for Vice President. His experience is incredibly inadequate and that came out tonight. I lvoe when he speaks about his experience as a state senator like we are supposed to be impressed.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170653Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:53:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170653Anna SophieHis answer was fine, appropriate. Don't have to like our history, but we can't erase it either. Museum is good. In the greater scheme of things, it was an inappropriate question. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170670Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:55:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170670G Ballard Vista, CaliforniaThe Flag is a non issue in todays society, it is ancient and not the direction of America. Race is surely an issue, but old props need to be retired in its proper place, museum of old outdated ideals.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170709Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:00:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170709Barak Alexander, Milwaukee, WII think the "Stars and Bars" flag is a state issue and does not belong in a national debate such as this. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170720Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:01:43 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170720Janie RomineI applaud Barack Obama for being the candidate of color that chose NOT to make race an issue. The Civil War, while a very unfortunate part of our past, is part of the American history, thusly the Confederate flag is a historical artifact. The unfortunate aspects of THAT war will, in the future, pale in comparison to the inhumane and unjust decisions being made in this war... http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170727Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:02:51 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170727G. Walker, Fort Washington, MDI agree with Anon, Barak should have just said, "It should be removed."http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170740Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:04:01 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170740beverdambobYou know I have to point out that you southerners are just too obsessed with the rebel flag. I am from the west, and never did get your undying support for this losing cause. The flag does belong in a meuseum, I think it is okay for individuals to carry on with the absurd notion of your "flag", but the state and local governments should not fly it. Here is a news flash for southerners, nobody outside the south gives a crap about your flag, how about flying the american flag for a start and join the rest of the free thinking world and put that thing to bed. No offense intended, but the world does not revolve around the south anymore, with that kind of thinking y'all belong in a meuseum, along with the other dinosaur bones.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#170750Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:05:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:170750Destry Downs, Cedar City UtahI think he was definately taken aback, but he regathered nicely and gave a sufficient answer. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#171107Fri, 27 Apr 2007 02:47:34 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:171107W.D., Columbia, SCDo monuments belong in museums and not on the grounds of state house buildings? Because that is where the flag is. Do not believe the media. The flag is not flying above the state house anymore...the flag is flying at the Confederate War Monument which is on the state house grounds. There is also a statue of Strom Thurmond, one of the biggest segregationists in our nation's history, and a statue of Ben Tillman, one of the South's biggest racists (an early 20th century SC Gov) and a monument to African Americans. So do you move those to a museum also, or does history remain history. I'm not even a fan of the flag, but I just get tired of Senators from Illinois telling citizens of SC how to recognize their history.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#171171Fri, 27 Apr 2007 03:10:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:171171P.E. Orangeburg South CarolinaI think his answer was perfect. He made a necessary point without getting drawn into a debate about racism in South Carolina. Historical artifacts belong in a museum. Potentially divisive symbols, especially, should not be displayed to generate further conflict.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#171214Fri, 27 Apr 2007 03:26:16 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:171214Jane, Southern MississippiI don't think the Confederate flag should be flown in ANY state capital or any other city of the United States because it creates divisiveness now. It SHOULD be in a museum, as it is part of our history. Obama's answer was a good one. To some, I think it stands more for the ancestors who died in the War, than it stands for their desire for a separate nation. No offense intended, but beaverdambob, I wonder if the Native Americans of the West feel the same way about the Stars and Stripes as you do about the Stars and Bars? http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#171547Fri, 27 Apr 2007 07:00:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:171547Alice J.W.D., the civil war and its emblems are part of every American's history, not just the people of South Carolina. Since the question was posed to the senator of Illinois, he was honest to give a straight answer. He could have said he would put the flag in a trash can, but instead he said he would honor your heritage by putting the flag in a museum. Fair enough.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#171857Fri, 27 Apr 2007 14:08:21 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:171857jtb I thought his answer was correct. He didn't pander to either American color on the opposing sides of this issue. History is where the flag, and the ideals of the Confederacy, belong. Museum is a fitting answer, where it can be visited or ignored, as each American sees fit.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#171986Fri, 27 Apr 2007 15:13:35 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:171986Russell in MarylandMade-up wedge issues irrelevant to running the country should not be used as questions by any responsible journalist. What next -- asking them about the war on Christmas? Evolution?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#172175Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:23:26 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:172175jtbRussel: is it finally dawning on you that there ARE no responsible journalists left, at least not in the mainstrem media? Guess who picked the questioners?: Can't blame the quality (or lack of) of the journalists picked on the RNC, or Cheney, or Bush, or Halliburton. Welcome to the real world of 21st century American journalism, where "reponsible" and "journalist" shouldn't be used in the same sentence.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#172595Fri, 27 Apr 2007 19:32:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:172595Dorothy"A Night at the Museum"--A moviehttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#173590Sat, 28 Apr 2007 17:58:36 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:173590OliviaI second what Russell in Maryland said about "made-up wedge issues." I'm surprised the candidates weren't also asked about Anna Nicole Smith and Don Imus. Questions about truly important, substantive issues such as Katrina recovery should instead have been asked.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/26/170295.aspx#192622Wed, 16 May 2007 09:04:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:192622John Smith, London, EnglandIts seems to me that flag is a such a simple tribute to those in South Carolina who died for that state. You people are far too insensitive to your own rather unique regions to allow them true freedom to decide to even fly a flag. Think about Ireland, Scotland and Wales on the matter of flags. So much for examples from America on freedom. Why not leave that state alone and its people define themselves? Perhaps a bit of civility is needed... not your state, your dead or historic flag... simply bugger off. Those people seem to be rather unique so let them be different. Must you force all America to look behave and be a Walmart city?