WP,pg1: Obama Faces Test in Asserting His Own Brand of Patriotism

[DeepModem Mom]

Obama Faces Test in Asserting His Own Brand of Patriotism
By Alec MacGillis
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, May 4, 2008; Page A01


Barack Obama, with a giant flag at a North Carolina Democratic Party event Friday in Raleigh, has been criticized by some for not pinning a tiny one to his lapel. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

The questions come on cable and radio talk shows, and sometimes from skeptical voters at his own rallies. "Hi, Barack. I am a supporter, a believer and a volunteer for you, and I'm trying to convince my mother to be one also," a woman said at a campaign event last week in Kokomo, Ind. ". . . One of the issues she has heard is that you do not address the flag."

As Sen. Barack Obama tries to secure the Democratic presidential nomination and turn his attention to the presumptive GOP nominee, Sen. John McCain -- a war hero who survived more than five years in enemy captivity -- he is facing a crucial test of one of his driving themes: redefining what it means to be a patriot. After watching past Democratic candidates wither under Republican attacks, Obama has sought throughout his campaign to present his own vision of patriotism, with a call for uniting the country and restoring its values that is, in its way, as redolent with gauzy American exceptionalism as the "shining city upon a hill" of Ronald Reagan.

In forceful tones, he has warned against using the Sept. 11 attacks to "scare up votes instead of as a way to bring the country together," condemned the "politics of fear," and demanded an end to the "mind-set that got us into war" in Iraq. When asked in October why he does not wear an American-flag pin on his lapel, he took the question head-on, saying he had worn one after the terrorist attacks but had stopped because it "became a substitute for . . . true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security."

Last week, it became more apparent just how much Obama has riding on the bet that Americans are prepared to define love of country the same way. His former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., resurfaced with new fiery commentary on the nation, prompting Obama to break with him a day later. Republicans and conservative commentators added the episode to their evidence portraying Obama as out of the mainstream -- his association with a former member of the Weather Underground; wife Michelle's declaration that "for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country" because of her husband's electoral success; his remarks about "bitter" small-town voters; and false rumors that he does not pledge allegiance to the flag, sparked by a photograph showing him singing the national anthem at an Iowa fair without his hand over his heart....

***

Obama campaigned from the start as if sure such questions will not resonate, particularly with younger voters open to new notions of patriotism and at a time when voters are preoccupied with the economy and the war. Past Democrats have sought to prove their patriotic and security credentials on Republican terms -- Dukakis riding in a tank, Kerry declaring at the 2004 convention that he was "reporting for duty." Not Obama. In his stump speech, he says that as commander in chief he would "keep you safe" and "not hesitate to strike at those who would do us harm," but he also argues for restoring the country's values abroad, saying that "there's no conflict between our safety and our security and our standing in the world."...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/03/AR2008050302049_pf.html

[CreekDog]

1. being patriotic is wearing a lapel pin, putting your hand over your heart

don't try to replace that with actually loving and caring about your country! :eyes:

[DeepModem Mom]

3. I think the article rightly points out that there's a generational divide on this kind of thing --

I hope Obama is not too far ahead of his time on it. And I really wish so many people weren't so ignorant/gullible as to believe any e-mail, from any unknown source, that someone forwards to them.

[Duke Newcombe]

2. This is how a president leads, gang...

...watch and learn.

Duke

[DeepModem Mom]

5. Well said. nt

[loyalsister]

4. Finally someone who stands up

The superficial symbols people wear on their collars while they have gutted the constitution are a joke and I am glad that someone is finally saying actions speak louder than tokens.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. As above, well said. nt

[madrchsod]

7. "we have a lot of flags but we have only one constitution"

a quote from a ww2 marine veteran mr 'red' white on the burning of the flag....

[DeepModem Mom]

8. Wonderful quote! nt

[madrchsod]

13. this guy hated hippies and was for the veit nam war

he died several years ago and i`m sure he`s still a right wing republican in heaven..ya he went there because under his toughness he was a pretty good guy

[KSinTX]

9. I don't wear a flag pin, so I guess that wipes out 20 years of military service

That's a chance I suppose I'm willing just take. Oh, and if Hannity, O'Reilly and Limbaugh want to compare my patriotism to theirs, I say "Bring your service records. That's a debate I look forward to having."

[DeepModem Mom]

10. Indeed! Thanks for your post, and your service. nt

[Night_Nurse]

11. Me too

I served in the US Army for six years. I love my country, I love its beauty, and its people - what I hate is the fact that the beauty and the people are being destroyed by the corporate-owned government. I love my country, so I vote (for what it's worth), I seek out the truth behind the propoganda, and I try to open the eyes of others who have been blinded by that propoganda.

No, I don't wear a flag-pin, or have a yellow magnet attached to my car - those are symbols, and they are meaningless unless they are backed up by actions.

Bush wears a flag pin.

'Nuff said.

[DeepModem Mom]

12. Great post, addreamgirl! Thanks for it, and your service -- and welcome to DU!