Patriot Games: Short Memos to the Would-be Presidents

Who is a true patriot? Defining patriotism isn't just a tussle over words. No concept more completely challenges us to describe what we believe America means. To frame patriotism is to frame a story of an ideal America -- and its ideal leaders. In that spirit, here's some advice to the three presidential contenders.

TO: Senator Obama

You are the new hope for millions of Americans. But frankly, you are in danger of becoming John Kerry. The controversies about your patriotism and that of your wife and pastor are but a taste of what would come your way in a general election. Swift boats lie in wait. And you have not done remotely enough to identify, preempt and neutralize them.

Your March 18 speech, in which you deftly fused your identity and family with America's identity and family, was inspiring and perhaps the best speech on race in a generation. But it was still, at bottom, a defensive play, a reaction to your pastor's incendiary remarks. We believe you must go on offense now. You must articulate -- for yourself, your party and your country -- an affirmative case for why patriotism is progressive, and why progressives must embrace patriotism.

This is why: while this most recent controversy seems to be about race, it reinforces an equally potent political narrative that says, "Deep down, Democrats and liberals don't really love America." This storyline has been peddled by the conservative movement since at least Vietnam. To break it, you must do more than explain the divisions of race. You must offer a new narrative of nationhood.

Face the right first, and tell the GOP that you -- and all Democrats -- will no longer accept their jingoistic claim to the flag; that their narrow and negative conception of freedom -- as a permission slip for unchecked selfishness -- is fundamentally un-American; and that true patriotism -- the idea of "country above self" -- leads to a set of moral values like mutual obligation, shared sacrifice and a fair shot, values that are inherently progressive.

But then face left, and tell liberals that they must get over their decades-old ambivalence about embracing patriotism. Too many on the left think that proclaiming love of country implies support of George Bush or the war in Iraq. So they keep mute -- and allow the right to claim patriotism as its own. Too many other liberals think voicing criticism is the full measure of one's patriotic duty. Dissent is vital, but not sufficient. A true progressive patriot can say in heartfelt terms what is great and special about America and is not content merely to point out or explain its flaws.

This, more than speaking out on race, is your mission at this moment. Keep your eye on this prize.

TO: Senator Clinton

Congratulations. You live. You have landed on campaign narrative as the fighter, the candidate who won't quit and who'll always fight for those who won't quit either. But already you are wasting this new image. Already you are reverting to the kind of national Democratic candidate who has always failed on the big stage: a candidate who believes that leadership is the mere agglomeration of the wants of many small groups. You are becoming again the candidate of microtrends.

We applaud your command of policy detail, and we recognize that this is a tactically useful way to underscore your experience. But we submit to you that most voters cannot and will not reverse engineer from your detailed policy positions what your core values and principles are. And further, we believe that in a general election, it won't be enough that voters prefer your policies to those of John McCain. That's because too many voters will say he has a clearer moral framework than you do -- and even if they don't agree with his, they may prefer his something to your perceived nothing.

We are not asking you now to play a word game. This is not about tactics, or seasoning your speeches with a "moral" phrase here or there. Your challenge -- indeed, your opportunity, to wrest the mantle of principled leadership from Senator Obama -- is to express your deepest personal values within a framework of public morality and patriotism.

For example: what deep strategic gain is there in arguing with Obama about your health care proposals? You are the candidate with a mandate in your plan, and he is not. Fine. You get wonk points for that. But you would get much more if you were seen as the candidate with a principles framework for your plan. Your plan requires individuals to purchase insurance because of the simple idea that everyone should contribute to the pool, the healthy and sick, young and old. That moral principle is called mutual obligation. It is called shared sacrifice.

Talk about health care (and every issue) in such terms. And then wrap the discussion in two protective layers: one, a personal layer about how you came by these values honestly as the daughter of Midwest parents who believed in hard work but also believed that rugged individualism never got a barn built; and then second, a more mythic and national layer that describes these values not as Hillary's values but as American values -- as the living core of true patriotism.

You get to define patriotism anew, as emanating from the values of progress and a fair shot that made this country great. And that's a lot more compelling than a raft of microproposals.

TO: Senator McCain

We know that your first priorities, now that you are the nominee, are to act presidential while the Democrats bicker and to open up the GOP ATM with GWB's PIN. But we would caution you about the dangers of coasting.

It is tempting for you to assume that as the only candidate who served in the military, as the only one who is son and grandson of admirals, as the only one who survived an epic POW experience, and as the one who had the guts to propose a surge and to watch it work -- that with all this you get to own the title of patriot-in-chief in 2008.

And at first blush, you do benefit from the framing that your party has created in which "patriotism = love of the military," or "patriotism = loyalty to your president." But we've read your books. We know that your beliefs on patriotism, forged in the Hanoi Hilton, are deeper and subtler than that. You have written powerfully that freedom alone is not what makes the life worth living; what we do with freedom is what matters, and how we summon a sense of common cause to make the doing great.

So here's the opportunity for you. You alone, and you uniquely, can be the candidate who tells Americans that patriotism isn't just about serving in the military or supporting the troops; that true patriotism is not about "my way or the highway," or labeling dissent as un-American. You uniquely can tell us that true patriots can be found not only in the armed forces but in our public school classrooms; in the everyday work of caring for someone other than yourself.

In short, you can be Nixon going to China. Only Nixon, the die-hard anti-Communist, had the standing to make peace with Mao. And only you can command the country to grow beyond the tinhorn phony patriotism of this administration. You can be the man with unimpeachable uniformed credentials who broadens our conception of patriotism beyond militarism or jingoism, beyond lapel pins and flag-waving. You can appeal to independents not only with the charm of the rebellious maverick -- because in the end, that's still all about you -- but rather with a story that flatters us all: a story that says we all can be patriots.

This will help you win the election. More important, it will be true.

Eric Liu, a former speechwriter and policy adviser to President Bill Clinton, and Nick Hanauer, technology and civic entrepreneur, are authors of "The True Patriot." You can reach them -- and read their book -- at www.truepat.org.

Comments

[thatsNotWhatIHeard]

uh, Patriotism?

[ranchobob]

Let's take a step back.

[realist333]

Congratulations gentlemen! This is good, legitimate politico-philosophical analysis.
I especially admire the fact that you ignore the pathetic "What will the world think of us?" hand wringing into which so many left liberals have sunk.
You have also put your finger on the principal - possibly fatal - weakness in the Obama campaign, the swiftboats et al. that he would face in a general election. In fact I conclude, based on your analysis, that the candidate who holds a slight advantage at present is Senator Clinton.

[krisellyn]

Bravo

[interventor]

Wright indicted himself from his mouth. There are two more preachers with much the same to say associated with Obama. The swift boat will hit the fan and it won't be pretty. Exposing your daughters to that trash for years doesn't help either.

Funny thing is, Obama from 2 to 18 was mainly raised by his mother and maternal grandmother (last seen under a bus) both white, with the exception of ages 6 to 10 when he spent time with his asian stepfather. There is very little black influence in his early background.

[oracle99]

Have you read his book ? He didn't throw her under the Bus . . Please America read this book "Dreams from my Father" by Barack Obama and you will see how he grew up in a loving "white" home, and thus why he was so hurt when his white grandmother was afraid of a black man ....and why . It also tells how ostracized his mother was growing up in a racist Texas town, when she brought home a black friend from grade school. Read and understand. And if you have doubts about his Patriotism read"The Audacity of Hope" He taught constitutional law at a university in Chicago... Its so easy for some to criticize when you don't know all the facts.

[BatedBreath]

Nice try, oracle, but the poster does not want to know anything; she would much rather try to keep alive wingnut talking points to turn people off Barack Obama.

[research]

Listen to his entire speech. This is a Fake Noise attack. His speech is fine.

http://essence.typepad.com/news/2008/03/listen-to-rev-j.html

Obama's Speech changed the world, at least in small part, for the better.

Obama's took an attack, and turned it into an inspiration.

That's leadership.

Let's make it official.

[krisellyn]

An amazing speech about race is a non sequitor if the topic is "hate speech" and "unpatriotic sermons from the pulpit". He changed the subject for a few news cycles, but now people have read the speech and are putting it into context. Buchanan is right. Same old, same old.

[utd]

Some people could argue that Write's discourse was mis-guided but not un-patriotic. Also much of it was taken out of context to accommodate the sound bite world we live in. His anger was real. Blaming him for wanting something better for those around him though can hardly be used against him, much less against someone like Senator Obama who didn't even say those things much less the fact that the words were denounced anyway.

I view patriotism as a nationalistic pride and a feeling to push the betterment of those around us. It's a concept of thinking in terms of "we" instead of "me". All to often, for far to long, we as Americans have been forced to worry and get caught up in fighting for our own survival, and it has been easy to forget about the shared goals for the betterment of our society. There is more in common between us of different races in America than there is that makes us different. Losing your home is not a racial issue, it's an American issue. Watching our sons and brothers die in this war is not a racial issue, it's an American issue. Our failing economy is not a racial issue, it's an American issue. Our underpaid teachers and rising college tuitions are not a racial issue, it's an American issue. None of it can be fixed without people willing to come together and fix it though.

Reverend Write's comment was a catalyst to breach a topic of racial divide. Senator Obama showed great foresight in opening the topic to be discussed in a positive manner. There can be no nationalistic pride in a country divided by race. By making an effort to bridge that gap I see Senator Obama as more of a patriot, not less.

[krisellyn]

You are giving Wright a pass because you don't want Obama to be hurt by his words. Words matter. It was Obama's famous plaguristic speech that hit that one home. And he's eating them now.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

Let's not go there, I can clearly points to pictures on the internet with small children attending hanging
with there families.

What Rev Wright said to adults not children.
You may agree but when John Adams said , Ron Paul said it the Rev Wright it is not acceptable.

A house divided will not stand with this message being undocumented. Internet validates hanging with pictures

Please lets not go there, you are indicting yourself

[dadw5boys]

with all the lies told by the Pentagon Office of Misinformation it is hard to trell what are lies and if anything they ever said was true.

They admitted the Gulf Of Tokin that started the Vietnam War was not an attack but firworks.
How many thousands died for that lie. Sadam Isane we now know was trying to build a strong Iraq with citizen proud to be Iraqi's but since they sat on 25% of the worlds oil the USA was not gonna let it happen. That why they hung him so fast.

When the stink of corruption gets great enough it is the responsiblity of those who care to revolt.

[zerostress]

Here is a great definition of patriotism I heard 4-5 years ago, can't remember the name though :

"You are either with us or with the terrorist"

Must have been a great American patriot....

[nazgul]

Which brings me back to Bubbya's comment that Hillary and McCain were patriots (by ommission, Obama therefore is not).

Instead of de-legitimizing the Republican's bogus "patriot" tactics, Bubbya wallows in them.

Still waiting to find out what this campaign has done/will do Clinton's legacy/approval rating.

[StillAmused]

[StillAmused]

You must be referring to the newest Obama campaign invention, aided and abetted by a drooling press, that Bill Clinton "questioned Obama's patriotism"... apparently because Clinton discourteously failed to MENTION Obama by name and throw HIM a bouquet while making his case for a contest between Hillary and McCain.

... or is Bill obligated to campaign for Obama, too?

[rrafiringa]

Patriotism is defined primarily by your sense of duty towards the welfare of the land of your forefathers. It's extended to your sense of duty for the land that accepted you. Loyalty to the ideals of a political party, or one leader does not make necessarily make one a patriot.

To me patriotism this time around would be to vote for Obama, because I believe by doing so, I'd perform my civic duty towards the welfare of my country. Others may disagree, this is a democracy, and the right for free speech is granted by the supreme law of the land.

[dawlishgal]

Why is it always the scumbags with the flags in their lapels who yell the loudest about the lack of patriotism of others? And, why do we--as a country--allow them to get away with that kind of utter bladerdash? That any narcissist warmongering corporate-sucking creep with a cheap rhinestone flag can put a decent country-loving, respectful person on the defensive is yet another testament to the gullibility of the American people. I saw a bunch of crap-jewelry flags on a remainder table at Wal-Mart, and I though that was a good sign, but here are the jingoists again....and this time they are advising everybody to behave like a jingoist in order to prove their patriotism. It would be better to give everybody a tutorial about propaganda and how it works, especially on the laziest and most gullible.

What on earth could be more UNPATRIOTIC than dragging your country into an endless war, one that destroys the financial basis of the country, kills hundreds of thousands of civilians in a country that did nothing to us, turns our military into nothing more than a propaganda device for the party in power, and kills 4,000 of our finest young people.

As long as Americans are encouraged to be lazy-thinkers (there is an OXYMORON for you) AND jingoistic, there will be unscrupulous candidates who will work their sleazy little butts off to impugn the patriotism of others. ...they will prowl through the resumes and life histories of opponents just looking for something/anthing that can be removed from context and distorted.

Education is the only defense against these thugs, educating the populace and SHAMING the ones who get caught trying to pull off the "patriotism" scam. . And if we don't educate, AND SHAME, our political system will degenerate to the point that the only person with a chance to win an election will be a young child with no discernable history. WHOOPS, I almost forgot....Bush's slimers have already attacked McCain's young adopted daughter from Bangladesh in order to get votes from racists. And the result of THAT: Bush beat McCain and McCain forgave and embraced Bush. Sliming an opponent's patriotism ought to be an unforgivable offense, an offense that ought to lead to the end of the slimers' dishonorable political careers!

Politics as usual....people have got to learn to reject the blatant use of self-ascribed patriotism as a qualification for any candidate.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

thank you

[Hufffan]

I believe that all the candidates rely too much on the passivity of the American public. I admire Obama for speaking to us as adults. I support him overwhelmingly but believe he has not done enough to convince the masses and clear himself from the inflammatory remarks of the pastor. The MSM continues to replay these soundbites and sadly most Americans are reactionary. Americans generally despise anything resembling anti-American remarks. We are so easily manipulated and uneducated when it comes to our truthful history.

The majority of Americans just want to believe the "Columbus discovered America in 1492 and we bought Manhattan from indians for 24 bucks" stuff. There is so much more to this countrys history than the narative we read from our grammar school history books. Much of the truth is ugly and most do not want to believe it. I have learned to never underestimate the ignorance of my country when it comes to voting. I believe that politicians remember to never underestimate it either.

[rrafiringa]

If you look at Wright's full sermons, they are not as incendiary as we were led to believe from the few sound bites.

[Hufffan]

I completely agree! The sermons in full context are remarkable and with a few obvious exceptions, I agree with what the Reverend is saying. But let's be honest that most people are just listening and judging from the snippets. And those snippets are being played ad nauseum repeatedly.

[richardsgirl]

I honestly do not think that Senator Obama needs to do anything else to convince the masses and clear himself from the inflammatory remarks of the pastor. Senator Obama has candidly and courageously addressed this issue, and it is not his responsibility to convince us of anything more. At this point, it now becomes our responsibility to be an informed electorate and to use the information that is available to us to make an informed judgment. If we choose to believe the media soundbites, soundbites taken out of context and used as a political tool, and choose not to seek a fuller understanding of the Pastor's words and intent, then that is on us, not Senator Obama. If we choose to be manipulated and uneducated, then that is our choice, and no matter how much Senator Obama explains or tries to clear things up to make it more palatable to our sensibilities, he cannot change those who are unwilling to change. Unfortunately, too few Americans are as open to truth as you are and as Senator Obama has challenged all of us to be, and these people will simply always be around.

[Hallucinocynic]

Well said.

[wmfor]

Those who loudly decry the sexual sins of others are hiding their own in the closet.

Those who rail about others' stupidity may have doubts about their own.

And those who accuse all who disagree with them of being traitors... ?

[Hufffan]

wmfor....I do not "rail" of others stupidity. However, I do not have much faith in a country who elected GWB twice. I know Bush stole both elections. Barack Obama's task is to have a convincing victory where the superdelegates have the courage like Richardson to endorse Obama. He then has to convince the huge amounts of Americans who are being bombarded with Rev. Wright snippets and are too lazy to THINK and open their minds.
If someone wishes to vote for McCain or Hillary that is fine. I applaud your belief that "swingvoters" or Obamicans do not need more information to stay with Obama. I just do not think it's realistic. There are more Rev. Wright comments coming. Do you think it's over?
There is nothing that the future snippets of Rev. Wright will reveal that will change my support for Obama. I hope the majority vote of America feels the same way.

[littleblackcat]

Because of the subtlety of the title, I think some people who might read this post otherwise will not do it. I read it because I also read the B S in the republican blogspots in an effort to "Know Thine Enemy" and get a clearer picture. It is frightening to read some of the things in say, anything backed by Fox Noise. These are excellent points and we need to remember that by saying nothing, the short-sighted take our silence as agreement. The repus do NOT have any special claim to patriotism as indeed they have been the principle force in decimating it! I do not and will not wear a flag pin because to wear one would mean appearing to support bushit and his ilk. No one has come up with a design the wearing of which would echo my favorite bumper sticker; "Partnership for an Idiot-Free America". Keep making the points that need to be made, but do watch your wording a little. Education has been dumbed-down for so long that the very plainest and clearest of terms must be used. Thanks.

[changeisontheway]

Sorry guys, any discussion of patriotism at this point is just comedic fodder. Do you actually think a person would put him or herself through 2 years of hellacious schedules to contend for a job if they didn't love their country. This phoney prattle on patriotism ran it's course when bush was elected the second time and millions were proven to be dupes for so called "patriotism".

[1pappy]

-Eric and Nick-
Looking at the posts in response to your article, looks like you two failed to reach the HuffPo audience. And, really, "agglomeration"?

[truesoccermom]

Brilliant article! We have needed a good "What It Means To Be Patriotic" speech for a long time now. While I agree with you that each of the candidates has a case to make, clearly Obama is the man to bring it home and speak to all of us.

[DanielAdamSmith]

Is the entire state of South Carolina unpatriotic for flying the flag of a confederacy that wanted to leave the Leave the U.S..
Patriotism is to me often like religion. We use it to define something that appeals to our world view. Whatever we see or believe we use it to rationalize and justify our won arguments.
Is it patriotic to give veterans negligent care when they return from battle? Is it patriotic to for a Vice President to respond "SO" as in "so what", in response to two-thirds of the American public that disagree with the iraq war? Is it patriotic to allow most of our cities to be bought by foreign banks and conglomerates? Is it patriotic to allow vast parts of our country to continue living in poverty? Is it patriotic to spend 3 trillion dollars on a war that was not needed while millions of Americans die from cancer and could you use that for research and a path to finding a cure,
and most importantly is Patriotic to question the Patriotism of another American Citizen?

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel"
Samuel Johnson

[MadeinAmericaProud]

Now this is what I call brilliant.

from a vet.

[nightwind928]

"Patriotism:".... A wonderful word that stirs visions of a country and a people who worked together and made untold sacrifices during the great struggle that embodied W.W.II. Unfortunately that generation is now almost gone as are the the ethics that they embraced and patriotism is a word that has become relative. The Republicans learned early, after 9-11 that if they wrapped themselves in the flag and challenged their detractors "patriotism" they could get away with almost anything. It was patriotic fervor that allowed Bush to launch into Iraq. The same mindset has allowed him and many in his cabinet to forge ahead with laws and policies that would have seemed ridicilous a generation ago. But to question them, we were told, was to question our own "patriotism". Now, the Mc Cain Republicans use the same strategy to challenge their rivals and the Democrats, so far, have let him get away with it because they fear to do so might some how tarnish their own patriotic image. Scrabble is a word game....patriotism is not.

[pahpah25]

who was it that said.........'PATRIOTISM IS THE LAST REFUGE OF THE SCOUNDREL'?.......REPUBLICAN 'TIN-HORN PATRIOTISM'! WHAT A GREAT PHRASE....SAYS IT ALL ABOUT THE BUSHS,LIMBAUGHS, HANNITYS, OREILLYS ETC.