chriswarren:

I like this idea too. I’m also going to think about doing this if the chance comes along.

bigboxcar:

I like Mediation’s idea here. I will consider doing the same if that’s how things shake out Nov. 4:

“Last night I had a little bit too much to drink and started telling people that, even though I don’t agree with all his policy positions and think he’s way more of a moderate Democrat than his supporters realize, if Barack Obama wins the election and becomes the next President, I might just hang up his picture in my apartment, just like they used to do for Presidents in the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, and even a little in the 80’s, way back when people would proudly talk about how they loved and supported Jack Kennedy was or how Reagan was (we now know better) an American hero. I almost can’t imagine what it’s going to be like to have that kind of support for a President.” — mediation

This illustrates something I’ve been thinking about for a couple of weeks now.

There are a whole lot of young Americans out there (heck, old ones too) that don’t know (or have forgotten) how to display pride in their country. For too long public displays of patriotism have been dominated by Soaring Eagles and Rippling Flags, sized 2XL of course.

Now of course, Obama brought good design to partisan politics - but what happens to the Obama brand when he is elected president? What happens to that outpouring of creative energy that his campaign pulled forth from young, creative Americans?

I think the most iconic Obama imagery will have a shelf life far beyond his term(s) of service (and I’m looking forward to hanging that BO portrait on my wall too), but my real hope is that we can find a way to “take back” and “make our own” patriotic symbols that represent pride in the United States as a whole, rather then one party or another.

Here’s to hoping that on November 4th I’ll be replacing the Obama pin on my messenger bag with a big bold American Flag.