Soldier's Mom Blesses Barack's Bracelet

Despite reports to the contrary, Tracy Jopek , mother of the late Sgt. Ryan David Jopek, very much approves of Senator Barack Obama's mention of her son during Friday's debate. From The AP:

She acknowledges e-mailing the campaign in February asking that Obama not mention her son in speeches or debates. But she says Obama's mention on Friday was appropriate because he was responding after Senator John McCain said a soldier's mother gave him a bracelet.

Jopek says Obama's comment rightfully suggested there's more than one viewpoint on the war.

The original reports relied on months-old reporting of comments by Tracy Jopek's ex-husband. Jake Tapper has since updated his story to include Ms. Jopek's statements today. A more responsible course might have been to get some more updated and reliable information before publishing the story.

As I stated yesterday, it is unseemly for a candidate to presume to speak for all soldiers, yet offer only one viewpoint, and Obama's response was an appropriate reminder of this. Apparently, Tracy Jopek agrees.

Is it possible that, over the course of their email exchanges, Ms. Jopek communicated this sentiment to Senator Obama? Of course it is, but I would hope that people of good faith would finally show some respect and not ask to see the contents of her emails with Barack Obama. I would hope that both candidates could keep the memories of both men reverently.

Update: One conservative blogger added a partial quote to the end of his story, but left the headline the same and omitted the bulk of Tracy Jopek's statement. Perhaps he didn't have access to the AP's report.