The Conspicuous Silence At The Heart Of Obama's Patriotism Speech

Last Wednesday, in anticipation of the Fourth of July, Time magazine published a pair of mini-essays on patriotism -- one by Barack Obama, one by John McCain.

Given the holiday, the mainstream venue, and the fact that we're kicking off the general election of a presidential campaign, you know, without even asking, that -- no disrespect to Time magazine -- this was a set-up deal. You know that the feature wasn't conceived as a "point-counterpoint." You know that Time simply asked each campaign to provide a brief, eloquent ode to patriotism -- no harm, no foul -- and that both sides more or less played along by the same unspoken, feel-good rules.

This wasn't a place to pick fights.

Recalling a time, during his childhood, when he lived overseas with his mother, Obama wrote that

one of my earliest memories is of her reading to me the first lines of the Declaration of Independence, explaining how its ideas applied to every American, black and white and brown alike. She taught me that those words, and the words of the United States Constitution, protected us from the brutal injustices we witnessed other people suffer during those years abroad.

Soon thereafter, he observed that "the true genius of America" is

a faith in simple dreams, an insistence on small miracles. It's the idea that we can tuck in our children at night and know that they are fed and clothed and safe from harm; that we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door; that we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe; that we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution; and that our votes will be counted.

To say that these are the kinds of rhetorical chestnuts we have come to expect from Obama is not, in any way, to diminish their significance.

Still, in reading Obama's meditation for Time, one couldn't help but be struck by how little it had to do with the specific, persistent attacks on his own patriotism. Attacks which often have been fueled by false, fear-mongering speculation about his religious faith. Attacks which thus invite -- even demand -- from a former professor of Constitutional law a vigorous defense of patriotism on the First Amendment grounds of religious freedom.

So when word began to circulate this past weekend that Obama would cue up this week with a major address on patriotism -- and that the goal of the speech was to launch a counter-narrative that would be able to unseat months and years worth of anti-Obama smear emails on this issue -- the question was obvious: Having created the opportunity to say exactly what he wanted to say about patriotism -- and now unbounded by the pleasantries of a joint feature with John McCain in Time magazine and by the artificial constraints of the column inch -- would Obama do what he had not done in the Time essay?

Would he get to the religious heart of the matter?

It was a promising start. Early in his speech yesterday (video and text), Obama said that

...at certain times over the last sixteen months, I have found, for the first time, my patriotism challenged -- at times as a result of my own carelessness, more often as a result of the desire by some to score political points and raise fears about who I am and what I stand for. [emphasis mine]

In every generation, it seems, America has had its retinue of self-appointed secular priests who have sought to impose a religious litmus test for patriotism --- to all-but-insist that any true patriot must attest to and practice the tenets of orthodox Christianity, as these priests define them. This is ironic, of course, given that the very quest for religious freedom was a key impetus for the country's founding.

The effort to define patriotism in religious terms finds its latest incarnation in the suspicion -- if not outright xenophobia -- that continues to be directed towards this country's Muslims, in the wake of 9/11.

Indeed, the attempt to cast Obama himself as a closet Muslim -- as if being a Muslim were somehow un-American -- lies at the deepest, darkest heart of the most persistent attacks on his patriotism.

Whatever else Obama did with his speech yesterday, he needed to find a way to acknowledge all of these impulses and push them back -- hard. To make this one thing perfectly clear: that being a patriot requires that one defend religious freedom to the utter hilt.

He didn't even try. Not really.

Obama needed to declare that being a patriot does not require that one subscribe to any one religion, or to anyone's particular interpretation of that religion. He needed to say that there are Christian patriots and Jewish patriots and Muslim patriots and Buddhist patriots and Hindu patriots and patriots who -- because freedom of religion includes freedom from religion -- do not subscribe to any religion at all, organized or otherwise.

Obama knows this. He believes this. He needed to say this. He didn't.

Instead, he offered only the most generic platitudes. Two, to be precise:

...for me, patriotism is...loyalty to America's ideals....I believe it is this loyalty that allows a country teeming with different races and ethnicities, religions and customs, to come together as one. [emphasis mine]

and

...what makes America great has never been its perfection but the belief that it can be made better....our revolution was waged for the sake of that belief --- that we could be governed by laws, not men; that we could be equal in the eyes of those laws; that we could be free to say what we want and assemble with whomever we want and worship as we please.... [emphasis mine]

Was this a good speech? Yes. It was a very good speech. But on the issue of religion -- potentially the most threatening instrument of attack on his patriotism -- what we needed from Obama yesterday was a patriotism of real Constitutional grit.

We didn't get it.

Perception, they say, is reality. And after a week during which Obama was criticized as having sold out his brand on everything from FISA to gun control to capital punishment, yesterday's speech was an opportunity for him to reclaim his brand on patriotism and religion.

Instead, he punted.

Comments

[NjT of DC]

Obama's speech on "Patriotism" was beautiful, an inspiration for generations to come. I found it more moving and meaningful than anything I have heard from the mouths of Bush,Cheney, or McCain, or even either Clinton. I am proud to know that other countries might hear it and see our country in the light he sheds on us through his words:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9n2-zEbHJo&NR=1

So please let's stop all the intellectual masturbation and whining. Stop undermining the intelligence of one human being who can not save us now from all the neglect we've allowed over the past 8 years.

This is our problem. This is why in 40 years and 10 presidential contests, Democrats have won only 3 out of 10 (Carter once, Clinton twice) while Republicans have won 7!

Republicans know how to win by pulling together, focusing, and playing on the insecurities of Democrats. The only thing that eludes them is the actual ability and desire to govern.

Meanwhile, Democrats scatter energies with so much protest and criticism and pet-projects and pet-peeves that it is just exhausting. We outwit ourselves and enable he wealthy few draped in flags to hide their faces on the way to the bank.

If you sat quietly (in fear) for the past 8 years-- please spare us now of all this noise and nonsense about what words you want to put into Obama's mouth.

If we blow this again, we will deserve what we get again.

[horizonr]

Please read my postscript (in three parts), below.

Obama said, in his speech, that the heart of patriotism is "loyalty to America's ideals." There is no American ideal more in the crosshairs, in the attacks on Obama's OWN patriotism --- and, indeed, no Constitutional ideal more central to the American idea itself --- than the ideal of religious freedom.

As I said, Obama gave a very good speech. But if so-called Democrats now are going to argue that there was no place in that speech for a vigorous defense of religious freedom --- indeed, that any lament of Obama's failure to have mounted such a defense merely is "whining," "noise," and "nonsense" (and "intellectual masturbation," to boot) --- we are in worse shape than I thought.

(And: Religious freedom a "pet project"? A "pet peeve"? In America? Really?!!)

Obama's great promise is that he offers us the best chance for an advocate in the White House who will work with us to help us restore our Constitutional ideals --- ALL of them. What better place for him to signal his determination to BE that kind of president, than from the campaign trail?

Or do you really mean to suggest: "We'll worry about the Constitution later --- let's get him elected first"?

The fact is, worrying about the Constitution first is the KEY to getting Obama elected later.

Anything less truly IS the politics of fear.

JOHN LUMEA

[Daly]

And what did Mc say? I've not read but I am sure it is something about the a hammer, I mean the millitary. When all ya got is a 35 year old glory days that are indeed something to be proud of but you must admit for all his saying that he does not want to ride his record; he does ammer it home at each chance. I'm just saying.

Did Mc come out and say anything about defending freedoms?

[BlueZoo]

Let's face it...you're either for Obama or against him. Anyone else notice there do not appear to be any "swing" voters in this campaign? All the John Lemeas in the world won't change anyone's mind about Obama so just who are these people trying to appeal to? Only Barack Obama himself can make any of us vote for McCain and I do wish he'd stop putting his foot in his mouth and pushing Democrats over the edge!

[robbep]

Why not write an article about the future of fmla or solving our energy problems? How about hearing a plan of rebuilding our infrastructure and providing mass transportation to our citizens? This crap about patriotism is CRAP and unfortunately we get it all the time. How do you judge patriotism? Does watching the commander in chief violate the constitution and saying nothing make you a patriot? Does funding and fighting a war that was misrepresented make us patriots? We are facing one of the most important elections of our time, we have problems in this country that if not solved will one day have us owe our existence to foreign countries, and we are determining our leaders by how patriotic they are! Watch Hardtimes at Douglas High and you will be alarmed by our inner city public education system . We have more to discuss than who is patriotic.Our media is just as disgusting as our politicians.

[dontshootme]

Agree

But sadly if Obama did not address the whole Patriotism issue, you would have all these people in certain parts of this country (parts that will go unnamed) who would openly question, "Why doesn't Obama not talk about his love of the United States? Could it be because he is a secret Muslim? Could it be because he lived oversees with (gasp) foreigners much of his life? Could it be because he really hates America and has NEVER been proud of America."

These people will probably never vote for Obama, but clearly Obama is going through the motions to get their vote. He is also trying to counter McCain basically wrapping himself in the flag.

Yes, its ridiculous, patronizing and stupid, but by putting it (patriotism) on the table for a week they are trying to make it less of an issue for the rest of the campaign. This is politics at its lowest, most inane form.

[horizonr]

POSTSCRIPT FROM JOHN LUMEA
(Horizonr at www.johnlumea.com)

Obama's opportunity and his obligation was to give the patriotism speech that only HE could give.

Indeed, Obama's speech on race was powerful, precisely because it was rooted in the specifics of his own experience.

Obama's patriotism speech was rooted in those specifics, to a point --- but he stopped at the campaign's edge.

Make no mistake. The right-wing effort to brand Obama as a Muslim --- one of the most pervasive features of this campaign --- is the most insidious attack on his patriotism that Obama faces. Far more insidious than any quibbles over whether Obama wears a flag pin or puts his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance or the singing of the national anthem.

This effort leverages the irrational post-9/11 fear of all things Muslim, and it uses this fear to mobilize the latent assumption, in too many quarters of the American electorate, that any "real American" is a practicing believer in the God of traditional Christianity or, at the very least, of traditional Judaism. The effort of Obama's right-wing opponents to get Americans to believe that he might be a Muslim is an effort to get them to believe that he might not be a "real American," and thus is not worthy to be President.

If that's not an attack on patriotism, I don't know what is.

[horizonr]

POSTSCRIPT FROM JOHN LUMEA (cont’d)
(Horizonr at www.johnlumea.com)

In his speech, Obama said that, "for me, patriotism is always more than just loyalty to a place on a map or a certain kind of people. Instead, it is also loyalty to America's ideals --- ideals for which anyone can sacrifice, or defend, or give their last full measure of devotion. I believe it is this loyalty that allows a country teeming with different races and ethnicities, religions and customs, to come together as one."

There is no American Constitutional ideal more in the crosshairs, in the attacks on Obama's patriotism, than the ideal of religious freedom.

Which begs the question: Why did Obama mention these attacks at all --- "I have found, for the first time, my patriotism challenged...more often as a result of the desire by some to score political points and raise fears about who I am and what I stand for" --- if he had no plans not only to refute them but to explain why ANY religious litmus test of patriotism is out of line?

Indeed, didn't Obama's refusal to "challenge" the right-wing frames being used to attack his patriotism serve merely to strengthen those frames --- to say that religious litmus-testing of patriotism is OK?

[horizonr]

POSTSCRIPT FROM JOHN LUMEA (cont’d)
(Horizonr at www.johnlumea.com)

And why does all this matter, anyway?

It matters because Obama said that patriotism is "loyalty to America's ideals."

It matters because religious freedom IS one of America's foundational ideals.

It matters because, indeed, at the heart of the Presidential Oath of Office is the pledge to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States" --- where America's ideals live.

It matters because what America most needs right now is a Constitutional restoration.

It matters because the great promise of an Obama presidency is that Obama --- himself a Constitutional scholar --- is best positioned to bring that restoration.

Was Obama's patriotism speech very good? Yes --- as I said. And, had Obama's own patriotism never come under attack --- and had it never come under attack for the specific "reasons" it has come under attack --- this would have been an excellent speech, indeed.

But Obama's patriotism has, and continues to, come under attack --- specifically, on the question of his religious fealty.

As a necessary response to this reality, his speech was not as good as it could have --- and should have --- been.

Especially coming from a politician who speaks and writes on religion with insight and sensitivity such as we have not seen in generations...

This was a Presidential opportunity, missed.

[PATina]

EXACTLY !!!! Since he left HRC in the dust... he has always stayed on the defense... simply happy to keep the opponent from reaching a first down. There are so many passes that he could have intercepted and ran back for touchdowns... and this is one of them. In the primaries... he GAVE me a reason to vote for him. He the ball from HRC and ran w/ it... and even though she tried really hard... she couldn't get him to fumble. Now it's like he's purposely giving Mc Cain the ball (Mc Cain... just can't seem to hold onto it).

Okay enough w/ the football metaphors... but I really do wish he would reframe the issues to his point of view.

[thatsNotWhatIHeard]

man seriously, emphasis *yours* on religion. stay with the big picture, we got a long road ahead of us

[CalexenderJ]

Obama NEEDS to pick his battles. The left wants Obama to launch attacks for all our ideals but if you have been paying attention to him, you know that he's about trying to solve large problems which will require bringing people together, which necessitates compromise.

Right now Obama is trying to get elected. To do so he must overcome the irrational fear that he is a muslim (which he is not) because as you mention muslims are feared and considered un-American. The speech that you would have liked to hear, would have called into question his religious beliefs, and refueled the rumors that he is indeed a muslim BUT WOULD NOT have done much to persuade most of the people who believe these rumors that being a Muslim is okay. There is a reason why his staff was hesistant to allow those two Muslim girls to sit behind him at a speech, the Islam-ophobes aren't rational. Obama needs to concentrate on getting elected, and then hopefully he can address this issue as president. Or he can try and change opininons that have been steeped in years of ignorance and risk getting his campaign off message and possibly losing the election.

[calluna]

Not going to happen. He's not going to distance himself from religion -- he's going to grab it in a bear hug and pinch its cheeks and tell it how cute it looks in its Sunday dress. He's not a secularist and he's not a liberal. He's not even a progressive. Save yourself some heartburn and give up on the expectation game. It's not worth it.

[Zogtastic]

Uhh... since when did we start critiquing speeches based on what he DIDN'T say?

I'm sorry, but stop whining because you didn't get the speech you wanted to hear. I'd like to hear that speech too, but I'm not going to start whining because he doesn't give it.

Sounds like you're buying everything the right is selling you... "And after a week during which Obama was criticized as having sold out his brand on everything from FISA to gun control to capital punishment, yesterday's speech was an opportunity for him to reclaim his brand on patriotism and religion."

I'll give you FISA, but on gun control and capital punishment he hasn't changed. Perhaps you thought he was ultra hardcore left-wing no guns no capital punishment ever because you wanted him to be, but that's not Obama and it never was. Stop pretending he is someone that he isn't. It makes it easier for the right to say he's flip-flopped and pandered when in reality he's ALWAYS said those things.

[RoaringMoose]

The thing that you pointed out with out pointing it out is; there is a difference between listening to the speech and hearing the speech. Some of us listened to the speech others only heard the speech.

[lennix]

thank you labc this is 100% right lets not shoot our self in the foot again this is what the rep wants please let not do this not this time and some of tese blggers are reps anyway and feeding us this bs not this time not this time

[BassMent]

I totally disagree with Mr. Lumea's comment.

Webster defines "patriotism" as "love for or devotion to one's country." Period.

Mr. Lumea extrapolates from this simple definition of patriotism a requirement that the heart of patriotism for citizens of the United States is freedom of (or freedom from) religion. This is a reductionist approach to patriotic sentiment, a sentiment which, as Obama showed in his speech, can be legitimately and sincerely expressed in a multitude of ways, the majority of them irreligious.

While I agree that Obama needs to work hard to combat the sort of religious intolerance that lies at the heart of viral emails claiming that he's Muslim, I do not see the necessity of tying this fight into a speech about patriotism and service to country. It would have actually deflated his message on patriotism, and undoubtedly confused most Americans, who (let's face it) are not in the habit of dealing with the complex and nuanced message that Mr.Lumea demands was required of the occasion.

Obama will address more issues, such as religious bigotry, in the future we can be sure. He was on-message and on-point in his discussion of patriotism. Introducing religion into the speech would have simply muddied his message.

[Gma11]

I totally disagree as well, BassMent.

Structural Coupling is a concept developed by biologists Maturana and Varela (Nobel winners). I can teach a class of 20 students and, in a sense, they're hearing 20 different lectures depending on their own individual and my "structural coupling."

Lumea notes the speech HE wanted to hear from obama. That's not the speech he heard. That has no relevance for me whatsoever. I personall know no one who watched or listened to that speech personally. We political junkies and residents who attended or live in the area are aware of it. Most people aren't.

[ksyellowdog]

I refuse to allow him a free pass! We need a change from the same old politician we've been getting. Obama is showing us he is not that change after all.

[StephenDedalus82]

Obama's speeches have always been nothing but safe platitudes masquerading as his new brand of political forthrightness. It was a nice con, and I'm surprised that so many supposedly enlightened liberals fell for it. When has he been anything but totally safe to the point of pandering?

[Ravoon]

As opposed to what, for example? The straight talk of John McCain?
Enlighten us, please do.

[PATina]

I can only speak for me.... but O bama in the primaries was like finding an oasis after having traversed a desert for 7 years. I stuck my face in the pool and slurped. Now that I've been sated... I find an unpleasant after taste in my mouth. The pool of water seems to have been polluted. To be fair... I feel more refreshed after having drank the water... but I am afraid of what the toxins will do to my body.

[LABC]

Please...consider why he has to do this. You and I might see it that way, but his speech is going out to people who are still susceptible to fear-mongering and faux patriotic gestures. I think it was a great speech and a conversation starter with people about what is real patriotism. I am growing tired of the daily demanding of a pound of his flesh by the Left. Can we work on getting him elected and stop undermining his message with our list of demands?

[Genisa]

Exactly!

[blaqntelligence]

I second that.
As I read these articles, I am constantly amazed at the sheer number of people ready to criticize Obama because he didn't say what THEY wanted to hear.....
He didn't do what THEY expected of him....
He didn't respond in a manner THEY thought appropriate....
This one man is running for president of a nation with, what, 300,000,000 people?
And some are truly amazed that Obama isn't doing what THEY want him to do....
He is not campaigning to be YOUR president, he is running for President for ALL of America.
Good Lord people, he is one man. Not God.
Naysayers and trolls, save it. I am an Obama supporter. Not an Obama worshipper.

[DamianG]

I agree.