Politics

Obama Then: It’s Inappropriate to Use Presidential Seal While Campaigning…Obama Now: I Take it Back

President Obama Brings Back Presidential Seal at Campaign Events After Calling it Inappropriate

(L) President Obama in Poland, Ohio, Friday, July 6, 2012; (R) President Obama in Pittsburgh, Friday, July 6, 2012 (AP)

Barack Obama has always been more of a “do as I say, not as I do” kind of president.

In the latest example, Obama busted out the presidential seal for the first time during his re-election bid on Friday, displaying it clearly and prominently on his lectern.

While using the seal while campaigning certainly breaks no laws — he is the president mind you — the Obama administration has previously said the presidential seal would not be used at “strictly political” events because they felt it was inappropriate, CBS News reports. Now, they’ve apparently changed their minds.

CBS News has more:

Until now, a campaign sign was often affixed to the lectern at campaign events. Earlier in the day, at a campaign speech in Poland, Ohio, a placard bearing the slogan “Betting on America” was affixed to the lectern. The same was the case yesterday at other stops on his bus tour.

Displaying the presidential seal serves to enhance the prestige of the event and contrast Mr. Obama‘s incumbency from Mitt Romney’s status as a challenger.

There’s nothing illegal about displaying the presidential seal at a political event being addressed by the president, but until now, the Obama White House felt it was inappropriate.

In 2010, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told CBS News that it had been decided “that at strictly political events we would not use” the presidential seal.

“It’s common practice for sitting presidents to use the presidential seal at campaign events when they are running for re-election,” an Obama campaign official said, referencing the re-election campaigns of Presidents Clinton, Bush and Reagan.

President Obama Brings Back Presidential Seal at Campaign Events After Calling it Inappropriate

Image source: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

To be fair, it doesn’t appear to be the use of the seal that is being questioned but rather the blatant flip-flop by Obama and his campaign concerning when it is “appropriate” to use the iconic symbol.

The Obama camp will now use the presidential seal at future campaign stops, but they have developed a new ethical standard: They won’t display the seal at campaign related fundraisers.

For now, anyway.

(h/t Weasel Zippers)

Comments (156)

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  • Hoax And Chains
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:54am

    “Fathom the Hypocrisy of a Government
    that requires every citizen to prove
    they are insured….. but not everyone
    must prove they are a citizen in order to vote.”

    Report Post »  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 11:11am

      O‘Blamer doesn’t Flip-Flop he evolves..OMG..

      Report Post » MIBUGNU2  
    • Countrygirl1362
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 11:11am

      How much you want to bet you have to show ID to buy insurance.

      Report Post »  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 11:37am

      My Mother is 87, had NO problem getting Voter
      Registration and a Photo ID..

      WHY should these Dopers, Felons and Illegal’s and
      all Holders friends that can’t get ID be allowed to VOTE….
      Just shows how CORRUPT this Administration really is…

      Report Post » MIBUGNU2  
    • lwillis59
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 11:41am

      the tax man cometh

      Report Post »  
    • doomytram
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 12:35pm

      The Patriot Act requires ID to get Insurance, Loan, etc, but not if you are an unpatriotic Illegal Immigrant.

      The Left’s vast hypocrisy is boundless. The Unpatriotic Demagogue in Chief assumes that most of these illegal immigrants are patriotic. We can’t chant USA at basketball games, but Mexicans and African American’s can make hateful remarks against White Americans. The chief wants those Lemonade stands shut down, and he wants to subsidize a $50 light bulb in every Welfare Patients house. The rest of you have to buy your $50 light bulbs….

      Report Post » doomytram  
    • drbage
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 12:54pm

      A couple of weeks ago, everyone at the meeting of La Raza had to show photo i.d. to get into the event because the self-anointed one was speaking. That was before they had to wolf down their lunch so that all the knives and forks could be removed from the room.

      Report Post »  
    • BelieveMe
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 3:59pm

      Exactly! When I applied for Healthy Way LA (Obamacare funds this already to assist poor obtain medicine and care), they require an ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE with SEAL to prove citizenship. When I stood up and declared to the whole room that isn‘t it IRONIC that the man serving as President of the United States doesn’t have a REAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE but to receive CARE from HIS program, WE NEED TO PROVIDE A REAL ONE! The Sheriffs escorted me out, I went to my locker 20 miles away and got my original, returned to hospital, got approved in a totally unsecured environment where birth certificates were in IN/OUT boxes everywhere, and received my medication 4 hours later. OBAMA could not qualify for HEALTHY WAY LA with that bogus long form birth certificate.

      Report Post » BelieveMe  
    • scudster
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 5:22pm

      well spoken

      Report Post » scudster  
    • Paul
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 10:13pm

      What a freaking idiot as usual…

      Report Post » Paul  
  • MCDAVE
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:50am

    Just looking at Obama’s Physical condition….Maybe its time he submit to a drug screen test…Test him for AIDS too…He is are first gay president…

    Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:49am

    .
    I think that bird should be holding a Koran in one foot and a chunk of watermelon in the other……….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • CatB
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 11:32am

      Would be funny .. . if it weren’t so true! ;-)

      Report Post »  
    • Tom
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 12:04pm

      LOL that’s racist! lets be PC…… A golf club and a Koran

      Report Post » Tom  
    • MN NICE
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 1:17pm

      And he’s probably thinkin “bet that eagle tastes like chicken”…

      Report Post » MN NICE  
    • LB
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 3:29pm

      I heard they wanted to change the Eagle to a camel.

      Report Post » LB  
    • Want our country back
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 3:49pm

      That seal should be upside down, just like the country,

      Report Post » Want our country back  
  • quiltgal
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:48am

    In 2008, Obama’s campaign slogan was “change we can believe in.” Yes, I do believe he frequently changes positions to whatever benefits his own little self. But he’s looking more and more like a flipping fish out of water.

    Report Post »  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:40am

    surprised in a way that he is not using his personal obama swastika logo more everywhere, remember how much he loves that ugly thing, the blood rivulets on white skin under a blue sky filled with a white nuke cloud. yeah, his vision for America alright.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:36am

    obama’s presidential seal…Chiquita Banana brand seal.. no difference anymore.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
  • Iron_Wyll
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:36am

    It never stops with this guy, does it? Remember when he wasn’t going to accept private donations when running in 2008? Then he took them? This is just more of the same. Wake up America. Throw this bum out of office and his Dingbat Democrat friends along with him.

    Report Post » Iron_Wyll  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:49am

      Who cares if he uses the Seal.. What about the fact that they use our tax dollars for community organizations like Acorn and campaign with them..They used our money to win the office of Presidency..Brilliant, and a kick in the face to tax payers . Acorn was fined $5000 as I recall..Small price to pay for the leadership of the country..and I’ll wager that we even paid the fines..Oh..and I understand that Acorn has just broken up into smaller subsidiaries so now it is just more difficult to identify them..We are paying to kick our own a$$e$…lol.

      Report Post »  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:49am

      Just look at his impressive list of accomplishments — in flip flopping.

      http://www.therightsphere.com/2012/04/president-flip-flop-barack-obamas-broken-promises-policy-reversals-and-continuous-flip-flops/

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • Politician University
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:50am

      A graduate of the Politician University’s School of Hypocrisy and, while I am at it, the School of Tax and Spend! http://www.the PUschool.com

      Report Post » Politician University  
    • Anti_Spock
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:54am

      No it doesn’t. His self-glorified idea of what it means to be president has been off the mark since day one. However this “lie” pales in comparison to others that the media isn’t challenging him on;

      – SCOTUS sided with George Steponallofus on ruling obamacare a “tax.”

      – Recall Obama “I will not raise taxes a single penny for thiose making less than 250K” and now the obaamcare tax somehow is ok by the media.

      – He said Bush was “unpatriotic” for raising the national debt. Look at his sorry ass… he has outpaced Bush spending 3:1.

      Obama = One Big Ass Mistake America

      Report Post » Anti_Spock  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:22am

    that may as well be the Chiquita Banana brand seal for all we care anymore. nothing about the American Presidency or presidential seal is dignified, or worthy of repect anymore, obama has cheapened and ghettoed everything about the American presidency. even AF1 is nothing but a shabby shuttle costing us taxpayers $182,000 AN HOUR for that malignant narcissistic communist liar to fly every day between his mindless begging campaign stops. we wouldn‘t be surprised to see the obama’ presidential’ seal show up plastered on Skid Row. we are almost surprised his personal obama swastika-logo has not been implemented more, what are they waiting for.

    And the world will watch how quickly Respect For America rebounds when 100% AMERICAN President Romney takes the podium.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
    • Baja
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 12:34pm

      “Chiquita Banana brand seal”

      Too funny!
      It’s perfect.

      Report Post » Baja  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:15am

    So the press wants to look at important stuff like the presidential seal? How about exposing David Axelrod’s communist connections. Afterall, he is one of the POTUS’ top advisors. Would you want to surround yourself with communists if you were not a communist yourself?

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • dadsrootbeer
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:46am

      Gonzo
      Right again but now we have three years of socialist dictatorship history with the child king. It would be news if his advisors, czars or appointees weren’t radical, commie, socialist, Sal Alinsky types or all of the above.

      Report Post » dadsrootbeer  
    • Boola519
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 10:10am

      we’ve seen this type opinion many other places lately: that obama ‘presidential seal’ anymore carries all the weight of a fruit company sticker on an apple.

      Report Post »  
    • 65Mustang
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 10:57am

      GONZO, I always look for your thoughtful comments. This man has spent his whole term in office campaigning and nothing he ever says is true.

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 11:36am

      Agree .. and remember the Office of President elect seal that he MADE UP .. he used it between Nov 2008 and January 2009. Don’t sweat the small stuff .. Expose this Marxist and his associates and throw them all out.

      http://obamashrugged.com/?p=225

      Report Post »  
  • Inlightofthings
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:10am

    Are there 57 stars on that seal?

    Report Post »  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 8:59am

    Why would surprise anyone that Mr. Obama would say one thing and then do another? He says at one time that it is wrong to use the Presidential Seal at strictly political events then does just that. He is always lecturing that the 1%, of which he is a member, does not pay their fair share and should pay taxes at a higher rate while at the same time he pays his Federal income taxes at a lower level. If he believed what he is constantly saying and lecturing the Nation about, he could do so voluntarily, but he doesn’t. I believe that an apt description of that type behavior would be “hypocrisy”.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • lisa2994
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 8:58am

    Talk about flip flop. He does it daily!!!

    Report Post » lisa2994  
    • BurntHills
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:09am

      he‘s LIED since he was an angry spoiled fat little bully in indonesia when he was telling the neighborhood gradeschool kids that his deadbeat father was an african ’prince’. he’s a born pathological LIAR.

      Report Post » BurntHills  
    • shorthanded12
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 10:21am

      Hourly

      Report Post »  
  • blanco5
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 8:37am

    Crapping ON and ALL over America since 2008!

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 8:43am

      Actually he has been doing that for a long time before; its just that when he became POTUS he was able to do so more and more openly as his narcissistic insanity unhinges his mind more daily.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • db321
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 8:45am

      He sure is a High Roller with our Tax Dollars.

      Report Post » db321  
    • blanco5
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 8:50am

      I stand corrected, Snowleopard!

      Report Post »  
    • 1proud_Texan
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:04am

      What do you expect from a narcissist who had president elect on his lectern while Bush was still in office?

      Report Post »  
  • TexPat
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 8:30am

    Once again it is all about HIM. As if we did not know who he was. As if we did not know who was “fundamentally” changing America into a Fascist country. As if we did not know his Socialist, Communist, Fascist and Muslim connections. As if we did not know who has brought this country to its knees and wants another four year to complete his destruction. As if…

    Report Post »  
    • mercenary4freedom
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:51am

      No ones going to come save us like we did for europe & the pacific, we’re going to have to do it ourselves.

      Report Post » mercenary4freedom  
  • AJAYW
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 8:27am

    He and his fat ass wife are nothing but lairs and racist pices of ****. When they are flushed out of the white house ( that he calls his white house) it will take many of months to get the stench out of it.

    Report Post »  
  • MarkWheeler
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 8:27am

    What a perfect dush-bag!

    Report Post »  
  • OldVietVet
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 8:17am

    “Evolving” again?

    Report Post » OldVietVet  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 8:04am

    If Obama ever told the truth his teleprompter would explode.

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 8:02am

    JESUS, LORD AND SAVIOR, it is sooooooo hard for me to say “thank YOU” for this man and for anything he says or does. But, LORD, YOU say we are to give thanks in ALL things. So, JESUS, in YOUR HOLY AND MIGHTY name, I obey your instructions to us with an obedient heart. Thank YOU, JESUS, for the unholy mess we are in. Thank YOU for allowing this man to be in the office of President of our country. Thank YOU for waking up those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. Thank YOU for shaking us out of our laziness and for waking us up. Without this man and the demons which surround and inhabit him, YOUR children might still be asleep. Thank YOU for all the hurt, destruction, and evil that has ridden in on his shoulders. Thank YOU for the vile plans he and those he represents have for our nation. Thank YOU for all the czars, obamacare, Executive Orders, all illegal, immoral by-passing of our laws and our Constitution. Thank YOU for all his lies. Thank YOU
    for YOU ALONE GOD are faithful and true. We love YOU, GOD. In YOUR HOLY NAME we do pray, amen.

    Report Post »  
    • Jezreel
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:26am

      God did not allow this man to be president. He was voted in because of the votes of ignorant simple minded masses and the votes of silly women. A lot of times, God stand back and allows man to do his “own” thing. Just like satan is not the ruler of hell, a myth spawned by poor theology. The people of the United states may be in store for what awaits them after many years of unthankfulness and greed and not paying attention to the take over of socialists and communists and atheists in our government. If this man gets back in then it means that we deserve what we get. Our country desperately needs the judgment of the living God to cleanse and purify.
      We should not thank God for the plans of satan either. I know that there are false teachings and bad doctrine that teaches that we are to thank God in everything but that is not what that is speaking about. That is speaking about a person who is living in the will of God, not for those outside the church, His body. The kingdom of man and the kingdom of God are two completely different dimensions. I know that organized religion has the poor teachings that God anoints every leader that is voted in. That is not true. The king anointing was for the old covenant. In the new covenant, we are all kings and priests and hiers, according to the promise. Just as pastors are not leaders of churches and only mentioned once in the new testament, we are all still coming out of traditions and doctrine of man that is hindering the power of God

      Report Post »  
    • 321481
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:58am

      The American people are free to make a decision, in this case voting in Obama, but we are not free from the consequences of that decision, “con artist in chief”. God always people to have free will, in this case, voting in Obama. The evidence was there what kind of person he was, people choose to ignore the evidence and vote fore him anyway. So here we are again, time to decide again, what will the majority vote for this time?

      Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 12:30pm

      Grandma, very nice prayer – God Bless you – I love you like a Grandma, But!

      God told those that believe and would ask to be infilled them with the Holy Spirit. Nine Powers, the least of which is the power to discern good from evil, right from wrong, truth from false.

      The Bible warns us that many will be deceived, even the wisest among us. I don’t want to sound all righteous, but I knew the moment Obama opened his mouth that it was all about him. He took all the credit and Glory and he wallowed in it. He was the one that was going to part the seas.

      His followers at that moment replaced their God in Heaven with a man God. A false Golden Calf if you will. You are so correct Grandma, a Vail of Blindness has been placed on many American’s and the true root of this blindness is self gratification in the form of Welfare, Citizenship, Birth Control, Food Stamps, Free Heath Care that is not going to be Free, a Political Part and even the Color of Skin!

      If I had to choose between giving up my God in Heaven and following a false God, Prophet or teacher – I will hallways choose God. Even if it cost me the rest of my 80 or so years on this Earth – oh well, so be it – God made you and me a much better deal in eternity.

      God does instruct everyone how to vote in the Bible. 3 Key Element to look for. Does Candidate support Abortion, Gay Marriage and Non Support for Israel – THEN RUN FROM THAT CANDIDATE!!!!! It would be like spitting in the face of God to vote for

      Report Post » db321  
    • kickagrandma
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 1:05pm

      @JEZREEL~~~ The BIBLE says, “In all things give thanks”. It does not say, “for the good things only”, nor does it say, “for MY people only.” It says, “In ALL things give thanks for this is MY will for you.” HIS will is that we are able even in the bad times, the times of persecution, the dark times, the wilderness experiences of life, to say to HIM, our LORD AND OUR GOD, “Thank YOU, FATHER, for this time in my life.“ I can tell you from personal experience that the prayer of naming the ”bad things” in my life and giving thanks to GOD for them, immediately started a HEAVENLY chain of events to move my life and my faith to a higher level than it had ever been before. It is a hard thing to do when we are hurting and disillusioned, but it works every time for those who love the LORD.

      Report Post »  
  • yazoo
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 8:00am

    There could be reasonable security reasons for using the Presidential seal and podium. They are both likely bullet proof. Or, perhaps it’s as simple as Obama could be nothing more than a habitual liar who no sense of right or wrong; a “half human” with no honor. no conscious, and no limits.

    Report Post »  
  • dublinthewagons
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 7:57am

    More “evolution”

    Report Post »  
  • Prepare for the 2nd Coming
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 7:51am

    WHEN will people wake up to the fact that this man is a pathological lier?

    Report Post » Prepare for the 2nd Coming  
  • HKS
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 7:47am

    Well now if your going to be a lier, at least do it well and be consistent. Obama is really good at it.

    Report Post » HKS  
    • historyguy48
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 7:53am

      Comrade, isn’t Dear Leader just wonderful? He gives me a trickle going down my leg, oh darn! I think that may be pee.
      Just remember this about Dear Leader “If his lips are moving he is lying!”
      Pretty simple, right?

      Report Post » historyguy48  
  • GeorgieJo
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 7:45am

    THIS is news?
    Narcissistic at best.
    VOTE in 4 months
    OMG 2012

    Report Post »  
  • ricckky
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 7:44am

    Such a liar about everything—Don’t people get this sociopath?!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
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