The Patriotism Problem (Time Magazine's Joe Klein)

[futuro]

Patriotism is, sadly, a crucial challenge for Obama now. His aides believe that the Wright controversy was more about anti-Americanism than it was about race. Michelle Obama's unfortunate comment that the success of the campaign had made her proud of America "for the first time" in her adult life and the Senator's own decision to stow his American-flag lapel pin — plus his Islamic-sounding name — have fed a scurrilous undercurrent of doubt about whether he is "American" enough.

"In this campaign, we will not stand for the politics that uses religion as a wedge and patriotism as a bludgeon," he said on the night that he lost Ohio and Texas. But then he added, "I owe what I am to this country, this country that I love, and I will never forget it." That has been the implicit patriotism of the Obama candidacy: only in America could a product of Kenya and Kansas seek the presidency. It is part of what has proved so thrilling to his young followers, who chanted, "U-S-A, U-S-A," the night that he won the Iowa caucuses. But now, to convince those who doubt him, Obama has to make the implicit explicit. He will have to show that he can be as corny as he is cool.

Read story:
http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1727502,00.html

[AX10]

1. Everyone should read th is.

[FrenchieCat]

4. This is what will be part of "change".....not cowarding to Republicans who

wear flag pins while sending others to fight the wars for them, while some stay back home and screw the rest of us.

I've never seen so many Democrats be so scared of Republicans in my life. This must be the pink DLC tu-tu set that keeps being "concerned".

[DefenseLawyer]

2. Joe "I have neither the time nor the legal background to figure out who's right" Klein

Is a hack of the highest order.

[DJ13]

3. Raw patriotism has been used to death by the GOP

What part of "change" doesnt Joe Klein understand?