Patriotism as a Political Football

Have we allowed political discourse in this country to fall so far that we need our candidates to defend their patriotism? The answer is yes.

Apparently we need Senators Barack Obama and John McCain to actually come out and discuss their patriotism as a political issue. Because apparently it's not a given that people running for president are patriotic.

Have we become this paranoid about our politicians that simply because we don't agree with their political views we question their loyalty to this country? Have we really allowed ourselves to become so divided as a nation that political strife and discourse has turned us into camps that question each other's PATRIOTISM. 

This line of attack is bi-partisan. Barack Obama looked particularly vulnerable to this attack because he didn't wear a lapel pin. Apparently all you need to do to prove you're a patriot in the days of mass media is wear a lapel pin. Obama's desire not to emulate other politicians, his race, and a series of scurrilous rumors have put him on the defensive about his patriotism. This despite his record as a community organizer, his work in government, and his truly american story. This embodiment of the American Dream has to defend his patriotism because a small few of those who disagree with him politically have used the megaphone of the the internet to claim he doesn't say the pledge of allegiance, he doesn't sing the national anthem, and he was sworn into the senate on the Koran. 

The left in seeking to defend Obama, has it's own lunatic fringe. A fringe actually trying to attack the record of John McCain's war service. For those who have never served to impugn the record of a man like McCain who has not only served but was captured and tortured  is a little like me telling Oscar De La Hoya he's not a very good boxer. 

These men have spent their lives growing careers and skills that have gotten them this close to becoming the next president. They have sacrificed time with their families, personal lives, and submitted to constant public scrutiny. They could not have risen to this level in American politics if their patriotism could ever have been seriously questioned. 

Let's put down the rumors and pick up the questions on real policy. One of these men will guide the future of the nation. Let's agree they love America, and move on. 

Colin Powell and Barack Obama have a meeting

The National Journal is reporting that two weeks ago Colin Powell and Barack Obama had a private meeting. What was discussed we don't know, but apparently it was just an informal chat about issues. Take a look at the report here. 

The New Spin Room

There was a lot of talk over Obama's decision to forgo the public financing system. His privately raised millions will out gun McCain from now until the election. The decision was clearly tactical, but it raises the larger specter of campaign finance reform. In many ways though, the debate is centered around a dying paradigm

Against the backdrop of an unprecedented internet fundraising campaign Barack Obama hurled himself to national prominence and now is one opponent away from the White House. However, the very same viral power of the Internet to spread Obama's message especially to the young when he needed them most, is also the very power he seeks to combat today. Fightthesmears.com is the Obama campaign's response to rumors that have swept the web. 

All of this stands as background to say that the battle of public relations and spin is moving from television to the internet. Barack Obama announced his decision to leave the public campaign system in a web video, Hillary Clinton announced her campaign online, John McCain is struggling to find his voice on the web, but is already making up ground.

So then the question becomes in this burgeoning internet age, when a candidate can not only fundraise, but indeed control their global message online, why do we need publicly funded campaigns at all? Moreover, why is Senator Obama raising hundreds of millions for the forthcoming fight with McCain? The answer of course is television. Paid television advertising is still the single most costly expense for any state-wide or national campaign. The cost of those 30-second spots all over the nation is what has spun campaign financing out of reach.

But is paid televised political advertising really necessary any more? I think Barack Obama and John McCain would tell you it is. That web video might be the future, but its not the present and plenty of Americans will be introduced to Barack Obama or John McCain via a 30-second spot on their screen.

I am not proposing a ban on political advertising on television it still holds a place in our media landscape. But with it's low cost of entry and global reach, plus the added benefit of having a message go "viral" the internet still offers the promise of a true market place of ideas. A place where not only well-monied candidates compete, but any candidate that can launch a website and start posting on youtube, can find a space on the web. All for far less in real dollars cost than television.

We are seeing the difference between being "good on the web" and "good on tv." The same way we saw the difference in the 60's between being "good on the radio" and "good on the tv." The skill sets are different, the strategy is different, and its the future of campaigning and media. 

So Barack Obama might have smashed the current campaign financing system to pieces when he opted out. But looking at the future of our politics, didn't it need to get rebuilt anyway?

The Fix: Obama Idealist, pragmatist

The Fix over at the Washington Post has a fantastic post dated yesterday on Obama march to the center, and the fight over patriotism.

Obama on Patriotism

The simple fact Senator Obama feels that he needs to give this speech is telling. But take a look at this video. Barack Obama lays out what he believes is patriotism, and why he is indeed a patriot.

Obama Moves to the Center

Senator Obama once vowed to veto any FISA bill that protected the telecom companies.

Then he voted for one.

Senator Obama supported robust public financing of elections.

Until he opted out of the system.

Senator Obama opposed NAFTA.

Now, he seems ready to just tweak it.

Obama is doing what is pragmatic, he is moving rightward toward the center of the political spectrum so as to appeal to independent voters in the general election. Having gleaned the support of the left he clearly sees a path to center and to victory in November.

Frankly, I am a little ambivalent toward his shift in positions, possibly because they are positions I am not terribly passionate about. But it does make the practical voter wonder, if I elect Obama in November, who do I get in January? Do I get the left leaning liberal who wants to withdraw from Iraq quickly? Do I get the the Obama that opposes NAFTA as presently written?

It's a fair question and its one that Obama will have to answer as the debates draw closer.

Brooks: Two Obamas

Brooks goes to town on Barack Obama today, taking the bait on the campaign fiance reform contraversy. I am not an Obama apologist on this one, a pledge has been broken. But I can't help but feel that if a Republican candidate pulled out of public financing under the guise of "hard working americans' tax dollars shouldn't fund my campaign" no one would bat an eye, pledge or no pledge. 

The bottom line, when a Republican does anything to win (i.e. Karl Rove and Co. promising evangelicals everything they wanted to hear in 2000, or John McCain cow-towing to Jerry Falwell) it's portrayed as intelligent tactical maneuvering. When a Democrat sacrifices principal to win, its seen only as political calculation. 

Still its important to see the difference in stance:

 and

Evangelicals for Obama?

Take a look at this piece posted by Ben Smith at Politico. Stephen Mansfield supporter of George W. Bush and Tom Delay has penned a pro-Obama biography. Here's a quote...

"Young Evangelicals are saying, 'Look, I'm pro-life but I'm looking at a guy who's first of all black-and they love that; two, who's a Christian; and three who believes faith should bear on public policy," Mansfield, who described himself as a conservative Republican, said in a telephone interview (with Politico). "They disagree with him on abortion, but they agree with him on poverty, on the war." 

I find it amazing that when you get two candidates that aren't willing to pander directly to the religious right, we begin to see open mindedness of people. Not seeing a candidate that is willing to tell them exactly what they want to hear, Evangelicals are thinking critically about a wide range of issues before they make their choice. I love what happens when Karl Rove disappears. 

Fighting Smear Tactics

In the race for the White House, there are so many real policy differences between John McCain and Barack Obama, we don't need smear campaigns. Senator Obama has faced smears that he's a Muslim (because ALL Muslims are evil *cough*cough*) that his wife calls white people "whitey" and that he hates white America. 

The Obama Campaign has launched a website, they hope will combat these smears quickly. Citing the swift boat attacks on John Kerry. I would hope for the sake of fair debate John McCain would make a statement denouncing such nonsense. 

Policy Difference: Obama and McCain on Iraq

A lot of hay has been made over McCain's comments on the Today Show yesterday (who knew the Today Show could make news). His sound bite-let came off more calous than I'm sure he intended but it leads to an important policy difference. McCain has consistently laid out a template wherein the US maintains a long term presence similar to what we have in Japan and all around the world. 

Here's the Today Show Clip one more time. 

Again, set the delivery aside. McCain believes a long term draw down is possible. But to a sustainable troop level.

Senator Obama on the other hand seems to want to get out of Iraq expeditiously. 

Above, Obama gets to lay out his Iraq Policy in some length (from a debate in February). He seems to suggest a draw down and a date certain, but then mentions all of these forces we will need. Embassy protection, counter-terrorism, humanitarian protection. What number are we drawing down to and when? His argument is about strategy on the world stage. It's cerebral and a breath of fresh air after the Bush administration. McCain's is about nuts and bolts military action. The question for voters on this issue is do they want erudite or do they want meat and potatoes? 

Let The General Election Begin

I just wanted to post a quick thought I've been ruminating over for the past few days. In the Democratic Primary, demography was king for voters. Faced with little policy difference between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton voters fell into very distinct blocs. 

Now in the general election, there are many real policy difference between Senators Obama and McCain. I wonder now for many independent voters, will these issues permeate the campaign enough to crack the demographic barriers?

That is the key question of the general election. 

Real News Network: Racism in West Virginia

The Real News Network gives us this priceless take on the West Virginia primary. I realize its about 3 weeks old now. But give it a look. It's a great example of how core Democrats refused to vote for Obama because of his race. Obama needs independents to win the general...how many more think this way?

Obama <3 Policythought?

Sometimes we get things right over here. Back in April I called Obama The Rorschach Candidate. Fast forward to today's NY Times, and the man says it himself....

“I am like a Rorschach test,” he said in an interview with The New York Times. “Even if people find me disappointing ultimately, they might gain something.”

McCain wants to hit the road

Jmart over at politico reports that McCain is going to challenge Obama to a series of debates ahead of the officially sanctioned ones. Interesting tack, does he think he can make Obama as uncomfortable in a debate as Hillary Clinton did?

I wish they had weapons!

Did you watch the Democratic Rules Committee meetings on CNN? The only thing that would have made them better was if the meeting used gladiator style combat, with the last man (or woman) standing getting to decide the fate of Michigan and Florida. I love it how they are so nasty to each other, yet every sentence begins with some meaningless salutation like, "I think you are a very intelligent, and dedicated public servant, but..." People who say the Democrats will not have a rough road ahead clearly are not watching these events unfold. If Hillary wins the popular vote, this may not be as easy as some have been saying over the past three weeks. Remember months ago when some pundits predicted this election would be decided in a smoke filled room? I may not smell cigarette and cigar smoke, but I do smell disaster.

Brooks Tuesday: Who's gonna bring the reform?

Today Brooks lays out his case the it is McCain the elder statesman that will actually be able to bring change to Washington from his seat at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Brooks takes the farm bill as an example of an opportunity missed for Senator Obama. Take a look and see what you think. 

Oh, and we'll dive into the farm bill soon...

A Minor Tale of Racism

Barack Obama is poised to be the first mixed-race nominee for president of a major political party in the United States of America. His nomination is a quantum leap forward for the status of minority Americans across the country. It is also a reflection of the growing demographic changes of the United States. While Obama's story is highly unique, his racial make-up is not necessarily so. His mixed race background is the leading edge of a trend that will change the landscape of American political and social life.

There has been ample discussion about whether or not he can't win the white working-class because of underlying racism, there has been talk about his known ceiling when it comes to support from those white americans that will never vote for a black man. I know in reading these stories, I said to myself, "these must be isolated cases." Sure in some backwoods areas of the country people still feel this way, but with a little education, and a little exposure to different kinds of people, surely most Americans are open minded enough to vote for who they think is best qualified to be president.

Well this past weekend I was given a first hand example of why that is not true, why racism exists everywhere. Even in the greatest city in the world.

Those of you that know me personally know that I love to play roller hockey. I've done it since I was a kid and I'm pretty passionate about it. I recently got back into the swing of it and now I try to play 2 or 3 times a week at a rink in Queens. As I've gone more and more I've fallen in with a crowd of regulars. People I don't know very well but who come down to the rink often enough that we recognize each other and are probably on a first name basis. One of the games I play in comes on Saturday morning, around 11am.

It's always been a fun game, usually anywhere from 15-20 people show up, with a few goalies, we divide into teams and play for a while. Lately, a new group of younger players has been showing up. They are "good enough" despite their age, probably 15-18 that they get to play with us.

Despite their age and relativly small stature they could hold their own. In fact I often found myself getting frustrated that I would take them too lightly and make a mistake. They had only two things in common as far as I could tell-a deceptive speed moving with the puck and dark skin.

This past Saturday was one of the hotter we have played on this year. During a "sweat break" so the goalies could cool down I took a knee by the boards to fix my shin guard, unconsciously making myself appear anti-social. After tossing some jokes out from my kneeling position about one guys lousy wrist shot, and somebody else'w lousy stick handling one of the players I had known for a few weeks rolled over to me.

"What is this bull____?" he asked me.
"What bull____?" I replied.

He answered in a low whisper, "These kids? What are they black or Indian or what...?" I answered truthfully that I didn't know, but their names were Kevin, Tony and I didn't know the other kid. He shook his head. As I was answering, another player came over probably in time to hear me naming the kids. The two of them commiserated on how the dark-skinned kids "didn't know the game." I found myself stuck between hating where their sentiments were coming from and not wanting to get on a soap box. So as I rose from my kneeling position I said simply, "Well for not knowing the game they get around us pretty well." and then I skated away.

The point of this story is that when people are threatened by something new, by something that they don't quite understand or isn't exactly like them, they try to find ways to separate so they can attack. Whether it be on the roller rink or in the general election, people are scared of something different. There is room for hope though, despite our fears and differences, when it came time, we dropped the puck and started the game.

Brooks: Obama Hearts George (H.W.) Bush

Today my man David Brooks at the NY Times delves a little deeper into Senator Obama's plans for Middle East negotiations. Far from appeasing the Nazi's as W's thinly veiled comparison tried to portray-Brooks seems Obama as far more pragmatic. 

Different Election, Same Bull$h^t!

Too dumbfounded to write, let this explain...

Eating my words, and loving every minute of it!

There are some times in my life where I love being wrong. On this blog nobody has been more critical of John Edwards that I. Long have I waited for Edwards (whom I supported for president) to stand up and make an endorsement of a Democratic candidate. My waiting turned into impatience and I incorrectly predicted that he would sit on the fence until the convention. Today my friends, I was proud to eat those words as I flicked on the television to see Breaking News: Edwards endorses Obama! Only one day after pundits predicted total divide in the Democratic party, Edwards rushed in and offered words of reconciliation at just the right time. This is exactly what we needed folks. If you listened to his tone he congratulated Hillary, applauded the gains the party, and simultaneously pumped up Obama. This folks, is the tone that the Democrats have longed for, which only Edwards could provide. I am so proud today, I could barely contain my excitement. For the first time in two years, I would consider myself a Democrat again. Thank you John Edwards for transcending the garbage news headlines and providing stewardship for your party when they needed you most.