Sen. Barack Obama is closing in on the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, earning the right to represent his political party in what many consider the most important election in our nation’s history.

But the road is long. Obama will encounter many issues, face new challenges and must overcome obstacles on his path to the White House every day.

In fact, the fate of the Barack Obama campaign - and our very nation - may hang on one all-important, controversial political ally: His lapel pin…

NOTE: This political cartoon was created by and is property of journalist, cartoonist and friend of Donkey Dish Andrew Wahl. Visit his blog, Off the Wahl, for more!

Patriotism. Sadly, it’s shaping up to be one of the most important issues in the 2008 presidential race. I say sadly not because patriotism isn’t important, but because it’s usually dumbed-down, manipulated and misinterpreted.

Case in point: GOP nominee John McCain, a Vietnam War veteran and POW - the beacon of patriotism to many - is leading both Democrats (albeit narrowly) in national polls, despite favoring an interminable war most of us despise.

On the flip side, there’s Barack Obama.

Michelle’s comment, his Islamic-sounding name, his decision not to wear a stupid pin, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and Obama’s recognition of ambiguity (shock) in complex societal issues have people questioning if he’s “American” enough.

This is ironic, Time’s Joe Klein notes, since Obama’s liberal message of unity, hope and national improvement is profoundly more patriotic and optimistic, than innate conservative pessimism about the perfectibility of human nature.

IMAGE PROBLEM: Is McCain really more of a patriot than Obama?

Such is the culture we live in, and only John McCain given a free pass when it comes to his “patriotism” and embodying all that is “American.”

In a must-read commentary dated yesterday, Polishifter noted what he called a serious fraud perpetuated on the American public - that of John McCain.

The Arizona Senator casts himself in the light of a patriot, an upstanding man who is “duty-bound” and “honor-bound” to serve America. But does a closer look at McCain’s life actually reveal that - or some disturbing, contrary trends?

If you really stop and think about it, you might find that patriotism isn’t achieved simply by waving an American flag, inciting fears about terrorism and talking about duty. Read the article on Pissed on Politics and decide for yourself.