If you are an Iowa Democrat with an email address, you may have received a chain email over the past few weeks attacking Sen. Barack Obama’s patriotism.  While different versions of the emails vary in their wording and tone, they appear to have been sparked by a photo from Sen. Tom Harkin’s annual Steak Fry.

In the photo, which was taken during a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” Obama stands in the foreground with his arms at his side, and two of his Democratic rivals appear in the background with their hands across their hearts.

One version of the email erroneously claims, “Barack Hussein Obama not only REFUSED TO PUT HIS HAND OVER HIS HEART DURING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGI ANCE, BUT ALSO REFUSED TO SAY THE PLEDGE…..How can a man like this expect to be our next Commander-in-Chief????”  It then asks readers in large, red, bold-faced lettering, “IF THIS UPSET YOU, PLEASE PASS IT ON,” followed by nineteen exclamation points.

“Suffice it to say, we’re hitting back hard against these false attacks,” one Obama aide told Iowa Independent.False, quasi-anonymous attacks like these are nothing new, and they tend to emerge in the final months of any high-profile political campaign.  Obama is not the only candidate who finds himself the subject of negative emails.  In fact, one could argue that the under-the-radar email attacks against Sen. Hillary Clinton, which Iowa Independent receives on an almost daily basis, make far worse allegations than the ones made against Obama.

But unlike the Clinton emails, the Obama attacks appear to have gained at least a small amount of traction.  According to media reports, the Illinois Senator has encountered a few questions about them at events across Iowa.

In Muscatine Tuesday night, Obama himself became “irritated” when the issue came up, noting “This is the classic dirty trick of the campaign.”

Thursday, the campaign released a letter that it must hope will put the issue to rest.  Signed by retired Air Force General Merrill “Tony” McPeak, retired Air Force Major General J. Scott Gration, and former Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig (all of whom have endorsed Obama), the letter reads, “These accusations are outrageous. As retired generals in the U.S. military and civilians who have served at the highest levels in the Department of Defense, we know something about patriotism, and Senator Obama is one of the most deeply patriotic Americans we know.”

When the campaign receives a copy of the chain email from a supporter who received it, they will attempt to send the letter to each previous recipient of the email whom they can track down.

The Obama campaign appears to be leaving no stone unturned when it comes to setting the record straight about their candidate’s patriotism.  Although email chains are notoriously difficult to break, the letter may go a long way towards mitigating its impacts.

One example of the false email is reproduced below, as is the full text of the Obama campaign’s response letter:

False Email:

Obama%20Email

(Again, the above email is false.  It is printed here for information purposes and should not be construed as fact.)

Obama Campaign’s Response Letter:

To Whom It May Concern:

As you might have seen, vicious smears are being circulated in anonymous emails attacking Senator
Obama’s patriotism. These accusations are outrageous. As retired generals in the U.S. military and
civilians who have served at the highest levels in the Department of Defense, we know something
about patriotism, and Senator Obama is one of the most deeply patriotic Americans we know.

What makes Senator Obama patriotic?

We admire his long record of public service. Over the last two decades, he has served the American
people as a community organizer, a civil rights lawyer, constitutional law professor, a state senator,
and a U.S. senator.

We also admire his strong support for our troops and veterans. As a member of the Senate Committee
on Veterans’ Affairs, he has fought to improve care for wounded troops, slash red tape, and reform the
disability review process. He also passed legislation to combat homelessness among veterans. As
President, he will expand housing vouchers, and launch a new supportive services housing program
for at-risk veterans and their families. In addition, he will improve mental health screening and
treatment at all levels: from enlistment, to deployment, to reentry into civilian life.

Above all, we admire Senator Obama’s courage in putting his convictions ahead of his political
prospects by opposing the war in Iraq from the start. In 2002, Obama said the Iraq War could lead to
an occupation of “undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences.”
Today, he’s showing the same good judgment by fighting to responsibly end the Iraq War and by
standing up to the rush to war with Iran, including opposing the Kyl-Lieberman amendment that
would provide cover for an attack on Iran.

Senator Obama’s personal history represents the best of the American Dream. His grandfather fought
in Patton’s army and went to school on the GI Bill. His grandmother worked on a bomber assembly
line during World War II. His father crossed an ocean in search of the promise of America. And his
mother taught him that America has a place for everyone’s dreams.

Senator Obama’s attackers are peddling lies and smears because they disagree with his strong opposi-
tion to the war in Iraq and the rush to war in Iran.  They know that as President, Barack Obama will
end the ugly, divisive, slash-and-burn style of politics that they have mastered. To all those trying
desperately to discredit Senator Obama’s patriotism, take it from us: we have served this nation for
decades, and we know a true patriot when we see one.  Barack Obama is a patriot.  America needs
him now.

Sincerely,

Gen. Merrill “Tony” McPeak, USAF (Ret)

Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration, USAF (Ret)

Richard Danzig, Secretary of the Navy (1998-2001)