Obama insists he's true red, white & blue

CAMPAIGN 2008 | Touts patriotism while stomping in Truman's hometown

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- Flanked by American flags, Barack Obama forcefully defended his patriotism Monday against anyone who would challenge it, declaring he wouldn't stand for persistent rumors questioning his loyalty and aimed at sinking his presidential campaign.

However, he was forced to interrupt the launch of a week of Fourth of July-related events -- in Harry Truman's old hometown -- to respond to Republican rival John McCain's complaint that it was actually Obama and his campaign who were wrongly questioning the importance of McCain's military service.

McCain said that ''that kind of thing is unnecessary,'' and the Obama camp agreed.

Obama praised McCain's service, and the Democratic candidate's spokesman rejected Sunday's remarks from a prominent supporter, retired Gen. Wesley Clark, who said McCain's years as a Vietnam War fighter pilot and prisoner of war did not necessarily qualify him to be commander in chief.

''I will never question the patriotism of others in this campaign, and I will not stand idly by when I hear others question mine,'' Obama pledged to cheers from a crowd of a few hundred people at the Truman Memorial Building.

AP