That Wacky, Wacky Gerson Posted by Michael Cohen

In today's Washington Post, Michael Gerson makes the rather creative argument that what Americans are really looking for on Election is a little American cheerleading:

The issue of the lapel flag pin is a good illustration. Obama's explanation for its absence--that it had become a "substitute" for "true patriotism" in the aftermath of Sept. 11--is perfectly rational. For a professor at the University of Chicago. Members of the knowledge class generally find his stand against sartorial symbolism to be subtle, even courageous. Most Americans, I'm willing to bet, will find it incomprehensible after 20 additional explanations, which are bound to be required. A president is expected to be a patriotic symbol himself, not the arbiter of patriotic symbols. He is supposed to be the face-painted superfan at every home game; to wear red, white and blue boxers on special marital occasions; to get misty-eyed during the most obscure patriotic hymns.

It is rather amazing that anyone calls Barack Obama an elitist after reading this drivel.  The condescension displayed here toward the American people is simply breathtaking. Does Mike Gerson really believe Americans are so stupid they can't listen thoughtfully to Barack Obama's explanation of why he doesn't wear a flag pin and assess it critically?  Does he have such little respect for the American people's ability to accept a narrative about patriotism other than narrow, unthinking patriotic fervor?

What's even worse is Gerson's notion that Americans basically want a fratboy President who starts the USA chant at every ball game and has an "America: Love it or Leave It" bumpersticker on the back of his car. You know Mike, we've been down that road . . . didn't work out so well.

If the attributes above are the ones that Gerson thinks most Americans are looking for in a President maybe we should cancel the presidential debates and instead have a cheerleading competition to see who loves America more. To be sure, the reason Gerson believes that this is what Americans want in a President is because Republican candidates have spent two generations trying to convince Americans that blind faith in American greatness is somehow a prerequisite for national leadership. For the party of Lincoln to take such a stance is rich irony indeed. 

Personally, I'll fall back on the courageous words of Adlai Stevenson who reminded us 56 years ago, patriotism is "not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. The dedication of a lifetime - these are words that are easy to utter, but this is a mighty assignment. For it is often easier to fight for principles than to live up to them."

I'll take that over Stars and Stripes boxer shorts any day of the week.

Comments

[Mike M.]

And what's with the weird comment about red white and blue boxers on "special marital occasions" anyway? Gerson's weird.

[peace]

Once again it appears that Republicans like Clinton are pandering to the lowest common denominator and they think that all Americans are like Rush Limbaugh listeners.

[Don Bacon]

I agree with Gerson We expect the US president to be a symbol of America -- white, male and a True Patriot. Like John McCain. Obama already has one strike against him, and here he goes and tramples the flag just like his pal Ayers. It ain't right, and quoting a pointy-headed liberal like Adlai Stevenson don't make it any better.

Merle Haggard sang it:
I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee,
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all

On the other hand we could bring real issues into a campaign. What a concept!

[Dan Kervick]

He is supposed to be the face-painted superfan at every home game; to wear red, white and blue boxers on special marital occasions; to get misty-eyed during the most obscure patriotic hymns.

OK, maybe I have a bad read on the American public. But my sense is that most Americans do not want their president to be a regular guy, tailgate-American. And while they want him to be very patriotic, they don't want him to be a blubbering fool, crying-in-his beer every time he hears "Taps" or "Proud to Be An American". They want some class, nobility and steel - like Kennedy, Eisenhower or the Roosevelts.