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Obama Fights For A Piece Of The Patriotism Franchise By Wrapping Himself In The Flag

June 30th, 2008
By SHAUN MULLEN, TMV Columnist

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That Barack Obama felt compelled to give a speech today on patriotism speaks volumes about the lousy state of political discourse in the U.S. That few minds will be changed although the speech was a noble effort is a fact of life for this African-American with a foreign-sounding middle name and an opposition with toxic intentions. That there are so many real issues crying out for attention in this deeply troubled land as the July 4th holiday draws near and he feels the need to wrap himself in the flag is disheartening.

What Obama sought to do at the Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri was redefine our archaic and platitude driven views of what constitutes patriotism by telling his own story in much the same way he did in a March speech on race and religion in Philadelphia prompted by the damage his problematic relationship with the Reverend Jeremiah Wright was causing.

That controversy has passed, but defusing the issue of his patriotic bona fides will not be so easy with so many rumor and fear mongers and the willingness of John McCain to lend a hand.

Look for Obama to tell and retell the story he shared today of a multiracial and multicontinental upbringing, of a heartfelt love of country that is not based on being a warhero or even a veteran, but on living the American dream through overcoming a childhood lived in poverty to excel in academia, community service and politics – and that stories like his could only happen here.

Wresting a piece of the patriotic franchise from conservatives who believe that only they are entitled to it will be difficult. Additionally, Obama is trying to be dispassionate yet passionate about a subject where emotion is an easy substitute for substance and trying to redress wrongs is akin to being unpatriotic.

The conclusion of his speech:

[I]t was the most famous son of Independence, Harry S Truman, who sat in the White House during his final days in office and said in his Farewell Address: “When Franklin Roosevelt died, I felt there must be a million men better qualified than I, to take up the Presidential task . . .But through all of it, through all the years I have worked here in this room, I have been well aware that I did not really work alone – that you were working with me. No President could ever hope to lead our country, or to sustain the burdens of this office, save the people helped with their support.”

In the end, it may be this quality that best describes patriotism in my mind – not just a love of America in the abstract, but a very particular love for, and faith in, the American people. That is why our heart swells with pride at the sight of our flag; why we shed a tear as the lonely notes of Taps sound. For we know that the greatness of this country – its victories in war, its enormous wealth, its scientific and cultural achievements – all result from the energy and imagination of the American people; their toil, drive, struggle, restlessness, humor and quiet heroism.

That is the liberty we defend – the liberty of each of us to pursue our own dreams. That is the equality we seek – not an equality of results, but the chance of every single one of us to make it if we try. That is the community we strive to build – one in which we trust in this sometimes messy democracy of ours, one in which we continue to insist that there is nothing we cannot do when we put our mind to it, one in which we see ourselves as part of a larger story, our own fates wrapped up in the fates of those who share allegiance to America’s happy and singular creed.

Oh, and by the way, Obama was wearing an American flag lapel pin.

More here and here on the speech.

Photograph by Jae C. Hong/The Associated Press



This entry was posted on Monday, June 30th, 2008 at 10:42 am and is filed under Newsweek Blogitics, Democratic Party, Barack Obama, 2008 Elections. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Viewing 4 Comments

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    • v
    IN a country obsessed with style over substance, form over function- what else is new. We are rotting from the inside out. When cheap trinkets outweigh a person's accomplishment, and chain emails fuel rumor mongering, we should expect no better.
    • ^
    • v
    Ach...give Senator Obama his due...he gave a good speech that allowed him to deal with some issues of increasing signficance in this campaign.

    The smear merchants have been piling up on McCain's record, and impugning McCain's patriotism (a la Aravosis' latest)...and if Obama's claim of a "New Politics" had to mean anything...he had to address this. From Kos' smear of McCain's teeth to Aravosis' previous low of sneering at McCain's disability from his torture...to his all new pond-scum low of implying that McCain was disloyal and treasonous for participating in N.V. propaganda
    (for the record...McCain's resistance to his captors is well-known...and he received a medal for refusing early release/preferential treatment...finally, while the NV did film him in captivity, McCain and his fellows had no possibility of resisting that. Military historians of the Vietnam War note that those who refused any dealing with their captors found early graves - a lesson that changed Army POW regulations since).

    Obama is recognizing the importance of symbols. He aspires to be President of the United States...an office loaded with significance.

    It was a good speech. Obama did it well, and while the attack dogs of the Left may sneer at him...I think it will hold him in good stead with the vast majority of the population.

    Give Obama his due.
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    I would also add...Obama's speech was smart politics!

    I know Democrats despise smart politicians...hence their track record in recent decades...but Obama (unlike Aravosis) knows it pays to draw attention FROM McCain's record and onto substantive disagreements of policy etc.

    Senator Obama emerges from this looking like a decent honorable guy . . . and he has also tried to politically refocus the campaign away from McCain's strength.

    Smart politics. Undeniably. Senator Obama looks more impressive with every day.
    • ^
    • v
    This is a part of politics we all decry, but a politician can't stop being a politician, if he wants to be elected.

    I hate to bring in a sour note, but I will, of course. What Gen Clark said about McCain's military record not being a qualification for the presidency - is true.
    Clark shouldn't have said it so bluntly (politics again), but it's true, nevertheless.
    His record can be a testament to his character but not to his presidential abilities.

    There needs to be a better balance between giving credit where credit is due and extending that credit across the board to all other areas.
    Remember Giuliani and 9/11?
 
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