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

[MarieFara]

I'm still waiting for Hillary to prove she's a fighter. She SAYS she's a fighter and everyone gushes. What has she been up to for the past 8 years? Her husband has been vetted, but SHE hasn't. So can someone please look into what she's been up to for the past 8 years so we don't jump from the pan (Obama) to the fire (Hillary with even bigger and nastier baggage)?

[happytrails]

This is off-point, but what H Clinton has been up to during her time in the Senate is:

Being in the top ten for getting earmarks, which are nothing more than your dollars for her to give out to buy votes AND

Enabling Bu$h.

PERIOD

Forgot, to say setting herself up for the inevitability of being the FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT.

I don't think "patriotism" will ring a bell with her. She is too intent on destroying the Democratic Party and ultimately, the country with her same-old-same-old. She offers nothing new.

[itmaybetoolate]

Your focus on patriotism is excellent. In my mind, a true patriot is loyal to the Constitutional principles upon which the country is built. Using that as the definition, how do these three measure up? Obviously, based on their behavior, all three believe that bush should not be impeached. Or, and this is even more disturbing (if possible), they believe he should be impeached but do not have the courage to do what is called for. But, this is never discussed and, based on the response I get when I bring it up with folks, no one thinks it is important. By my definition, there are only a handful of representatives and even fewer senators who are true patriots. I find it very depressing, and, in the final analysis, I don't care if it is obama or hrc. Just let me vote for the lesser of the two evils - a democrat.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

I just started a month ago logging on and found this site. I looked around at other and found u all for the most part truly enjoyable to read you thoughts from the heart. I want to thank you for sharing your.

In just one month as much as love this country, if truth be told, we have carried the title united only as united states. Some how Obama has made me feel he is showing young we can do this. The baby had their turn and it appears they don't want to let go. I like the Obama team because he has great senior people such as the 4star general willing to back this young man. I believe this time we can let car or bus wheel go. We are in the ditch. or over the cliff. Allow him this to show us, he is capable of organizing a nation to pull ourselves together as a nation and also out of the ditch.

We can do this.

In my 61 years I have never felt united as a nation. I have gone through the motions trying my best keep the faith the Constitution is a real document that can have a living part for growth, but the principles will always stand as the core.

I know we must put Obama to the test, I can handle that but this time I hope there are more people that will not be race,and patriotism baited hooked with extremely false advertisement (3am call or other 5 second sound bites shown so many times we are ready to beat down plasma TVs to a 3" screen for emergencies only announcement. the control vote steering like the cow being pushed on TV to slaughter house, I truly cannot take it any more. . By the way, again thank u

[harriscrl3]

Obama handled the GOP on patriotism in the past MASTERFULLY what flared up this discussion again was the Wright controversy. But I bet people didnt even remember or realize how OBama handled it in fact the only show I saw where it was discussed was on Countdown with Keith Olbermann. Thank goodness for Keith what would I do without him. I still believe that Obama is the best candidate to handle this patriotism swiftboat that the republicans will throw. But its difficult right now with the Wright stuff the Michgan and Florida stuff all this stuff that are mere distractions from the issue and imo so is this talk about Patriotism. The republicans know they cant compete on the issues. Does McCain even have an ecomonic plan? so insttead they define what the election will be about whether its patriotism or Foreign policy. What Hilary does is she follows the definition that the GOP define for who's a patriot and who's experience on Foreign Policy. Obama on the other hand CHANGE how we define these terms for example you can have all the experience in the world if you have poor judgement your experience isnt worth much. Democrats CANNOT compete the way GOP define these terms they MUST redefine them in order to compete. Obama GETS that. Hilary DOES NOT. And this is why I think he has a better shot with McCain.

Carol

[MadeinAmericaProud]

In my heart I agree. This nation is in the ditch. I think "WE" can pull it out together as a united states.

[christieZ]

Patriotism and "America" are impossible to define, but I think Obama is doing a good job of creating a working definition that appeals to most people's sense of the words. He's going to have to continue pushing it, though, and hard, too. He's certainly got the rhetorical capability!

[couch2000]

After this Reverend Wright DVD and Barack staying there for 20 years i would be ashamed to even mention Patriotism and Barack in the same sentence, he preaches pulling everyone together through the week and going to this church on the weekends? that cant be, you have to be one way or the other, everyone knows this even Baracks Suppoters know this dont smell good, but they arent leaving him, thats understandable but he cant get elected without the white vote also, this is the worst hate group i ever heard and no its not a church they just use its name, i mean everyone saw the DVD and they still try to say its something else, its like we are looking at a green barn and they keep telling us it is red, he is done i think, thanks to that white hater pastor of his. and then was stupid enough to sell the DVDs out of church, my god what is wrong with these people

[POINT84]

The rev was quoting an American Ambassador, interviewed on Fox News about the diplomacy of the US. Please don't use facts that you get from loudmouth talking heads on the telly. There are links all over Huff Post concerning the issue

[WordManMI]

As I posted above, just wait till the video is aired of Wright baptizing Obama. AND IT WILL COME OUT!!! Maybe soon, maybe in October, but the word is it's floating out there and only a matter of timing.

[Hallucinocynic]

"...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."

Nick and Eric (hey, fellow Seattleite!), embracing 'patriotism' is all well and good. But, perhaps the greater need is for someone to DEFINE what IS true patriotism. Patriotism, ala the flag-waving, flag pin wearing, xenophobic type practiced by regressives, is antithetical to the American ideal that we have been encultured to believe in. And much like the term 'loyalty' that Clintonistas claim that Bill Richardson lacks, patriotism has become a nebulous term whose characteristics have been diluted by campaign hacks and pundits whose own 'patriotism' is in question.

Simply giving a speech about patriotism won't sway those who have reduced Obama to a racial or gendered cypher. It might preempt, to a certain extent, the inevitable attacks that will be delivered by McCain and by Lieberman, but, ultimately, those who have taken a stand against Obama have demonstrated an inability to embrace any idea that might put their own predispositions at loggersheads to a pragmatic reality.

But, still a speech like this would provide another attempt for naysayers to marshal their hatred.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

True patriotism not putting 9+millions out of work and have them fight over what is left. I could have handle it if :

1. the country was not communist who received our jobs. I was all my life was not people I should fear them. We are so broke, they are our banker. (china, communist country)

2. The products they made were good safe products(lead free toys,food, toothpaste, medical products, pet food that don't kill and break our hearts when they die with so much pain,plus more)

3. tax breaks and let people fall off bridges and sink holes. I do not mind paying taxes for safety and infrastructures. Its when Haliburton in a war zone kill my solders with my tax money.

I have more than enough of that kind of patriotism. I am truly afraid to buy food products, I don't know what the hell I am eating food products don't say made in America, They just provide the distributor name. I don't any more legal rights because selections of the surpreme courts don't have to provide details, yet the president candidate must provide every detail in speech instead because people don't want to look on his web site or they can not read. The republicans know who thes judges are, but the public don't .

What will be the next test, after his church, his pro life record.

[EspritDeVoltaire]

Patriotism is a myth which is used as emotional blackmail by Conservatives to get others to do what they (usually) would not do themselves given a choice. It is a sliding scale version of three card monty where the target can never guess the proper approach and where the definition varies according to whom it is applied.

[desmirl]

GREAT POST! One can ony hope that the three recipients read this few paragraphs of wisdom and take them to heart. Thanks for helping redefine patriotism in a time in which patriotism is being confused for mindless jingoism, and in which those who do not parrot the accepted jingoist nonsense are labeled as unpatriotic traitors.