"Real America" = "Two Americas"
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/10/21/art.americanflags.jpg]
John Avlon
Author, Independent Nation: How Centrists Can Change American Politics
Back when this presidential election began, John Edwards was criticized by many conservatives for using the slogan "Two Americas." It was a vision of America divided between the haves and the have-nots – evidence, many said, of Democrats' instincts toward divisive class warfare.
But recently Republican surrogates have begun using their own equally divisive framing device: "real America".
A McCain adviser argued for their electoral edge in Virginia by saying their candidate would do well in "real Virginia" rather than northern parts of the state – unconsciously echoing former Virginia senator George Allen's infamous "Macaca" moment captured on YouTube when he invited a dark-skinned volunteer for the Webb campaign to visit the "real world of Virginia."
Then Sarah Palin got in the act: "We believe that the best of America is in these small towns that we get to visit, and in these wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America, being here with all of you hard working very patriotic, um, very, um, pro-America areas of this great nation." So if real America is pro-American, than there is an unreal America – by implication, the urban areas where most Americans now live – which is somehow inherently anti-American.
Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann helpfully tied it all together by saying that Obama "may have anti-American views" and calling for the media to investigate other Democrats with "anti-American" views in congress. [This would presumably require their removal from office, not just because they would be serving an institution they do not support, but because they all take an oath of office to uphold the constitution].
This is ugly and it has to stop. These may be just slips of the tongue, but they are evidence of an attitude that is just as divisive as John Edwards' "Two Americas" riff. It is an extension of the same analysis – an America that is fundamentally divided and mutually incomprehensible, by values if not economics. And it reinforces the subterranean attacks against Obama, questioning not just his patriotism but his essential American-ness.
As Colin Powell said this past weekend, "We've got to stop this kind of nonsense and pull ourselves together and remember that our great strength is in our unity and our diversity."
Dividing our politics into Real Americans and anti-Americans is not just insulting – especially to those urban Americans who were attacked on 9/11 – it draws on nativist and tribalist instincts that do not reflect the best of America, but the worst.
America is great in large part because patriotism and nationalism are not the same thing. We are not a tribal culture, we are a melting pot – being a fully evolved American requires transcending our tribalism.
Dividing America does not represent the politics that John McCain has fought for all his career. And it is not smart politics for the Republican Party in the long-run. Because the base that they are playing to is parts of the country that are less populated and less diverse. That is not betting on the future of America- it's betting on the past.
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Filed under: John P. Avlon • Raw Politics |
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Perhaps the most enduring legacy of this republican campaign will be the assault on civil rights that is both frightening and appaling to most americans with a conscience. Is is simply shocking,
John McCain and I have one thing in common (maybe two); we both served in the military for more than 20 years and would have gladly died for the country we served with honor. Today my love for the country continues and would gladly defend today at age 50, but more than anything else, i'm ashame of what McCain has allow to happen with his campaign. This historic election has caused the very best and the very worst in Americans to surface "racism". And for anyone to deny it, I can only say your denial prepetuates this cancer that has divided and continues to chip away at what America stands for. I speak of American's greatness in the present-tense because as ugly as things have gotten during this election season, this is still the greatest country on the planet. And for those who use fear, division, racism, lies, half-truths, and out and out hatred, I say to you, I am glad to have served in the U.S. Military for 23 years preserving those freedoms you abuse today, and would gladly do it again.
It's called an election. As election day gets closer, the mud gets thicker. I'm not offended if someone thinks I'm a "real American" or not. What matters to me is what I DO know:
1. I am an American.
2. This nation is broken. We have lost our sense of values, and common sense when it comes to our finances, both public and personal.
3. Leaders are paid by our taxes. If people don't work, taxes don't get paid.
4. We need a leader who puts America and Americans first. We need leaders who invest in America, not foreign countries.
Dissent is patriotic. I grew up arguing with my hero and father who was a WWII Marine. During the Vietnam years, he put a bumper sticker on the family car that read "America, Love it or Leave it." We fought long and hard, but eventually I persuaded him that those of us against certain policies of the government were obligated to protest.
Republicans like to wave the flag and claim patriotism as their own. I agree with Colin Powell. We must come together to make this nation a better one. Americans will always disagree, but the vehemence, the finger pointing, the baiting, must cease. Real Americans are supposed to wave their flag and protest injustice. We support our troops even if we don't agree with the military action. This is patriotism in action.
Teddy Roosevelt once said, "To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but it is morally treasonable to the American public." This helped sway Dad over.
I agree with John Avalon, in today's trying times, there's on place to be deviding this great country. The McCain campaign is very devisive, this is very ungly and I pray that it stops!
John Avlon's article is spot-on. Over the past several election cycles, I've noticed that the core strategy seems to be to tap into base emotions as a means to stir enough passion to, not only vote for a certain party, but to vote regardless of potential obstacles (like inclement weather or long lines at the polling place). It's the passionate voter that can be relied upon to vote and it seems that most campaign strategies are focused on building those passions in any way possible. Nationalism is one sure-fire way, but this election has opened opportunities for racism, classism, even xenophobia to some extent. Frankly, this country embarrasses me now. My only hope is that the next leader in the Oval Office has the wisdom and forebearing to lead this country away from the divisive direction past leaders have led us. Alas, at best we can only count on that wisdom for 4-8 years before we run the risk of another dolt moving-in and unraveling any gains. One step forward, two steps back.
What we are witnessing is the true heartbeat of the McCain-Palin team. McCain is not going to stop it because it is part of who he is. You cannot pick grapes from thorn bushes. A good tree produces good fruit and a bad tree brings forth bad corrupted fruit. McCain is a wolf in sheeps clothing. He has not just developed this heart condition, it has been his condition all the while. He is a false prophet pretending to be a nice sheep. I believe that the only solution to the wickedness that is being exposed is prayer. Human effort alone will not do it. On a more positive note I must say this had to be. The true heartbeat of this nation will be exposed for the purpose change for the better.
Is a real American anything like a real German in Hitler's Germany? I sense a disturbance in the force.
it is not republicans who are dividing the country, it is dems.
all those people who blame america first and have resentment against whites are supporting obama. he is the guy who did nothing for the coutry , but expects every thing from it. he has no love for america. you do not love this country if you mingle with people like jeremia wright and bill ayers and tony rezko.
this nation is in debt of brave men and women like john mccain. it is because of them i feel safe from terrorists.
john mccain paid to be the president wilth his blood and sweat many times over. obama has done nothing for america. he does not care about america at all.
zulfi
I want to live in the REAL America – the inclusive one; the one where my opinion matters just as much as yours; where my right to pursue happiness is just as important as yours; where speaking my mind freely is respected – by all; where openess and diversity is valued.
I want to live in the America created by the extraordinary vision of our founding fathers - the REAL America.
Thanks for a great article. As an American in the melting pot of the free world, I am ashamed and embarrassed to see fellow Americans who have so much hatred in their hearts and disillusionment in their heads. It's 2008. We do not need McPain to encourage division any further. Thank goodness the real decision is up to the electoral college. And, thanks to those–popular or not–who voice sound reasoning for the Obama-Biden ticket.
Thank you for your words, hopefully they will help to mend this country of its divisiveness. It is not only the awareness of our thinking that must be recognised, but the adverse competitiveness that causes us all to be losers when we pit one against another.
Palin was searching for an adequate description of what she enjoyed about being on the trail; I don't think that she really means there is a real America and a nonAmerica. I think she had an unfortunate ad hoc answer that people are now reading meanings into that originally were not there. I think we all need to calm down and quit looking for perceived insults and denigrations in this last 2 weeks of the campaign. This constant analysis of what Palin said is just as divisive as the unfortunate way she chose to express herself.
Annie Kate
Birmingham AL
I completely agree with you and I am sadly dissappointed and frankly scared when I hear some of these "Republican" rallies. Sarah Pailin for some reason is playing into the ignorance and insecurities of some people, and McCain, by letting it happen, is endorsing it.
I am Canadian, but whatever happens in the US affects the World. For now anyways. If you continue in this direction, it will inevitably bring about chaos.
Instead of moving forward, these politics are moving the nation backwards. Preying on basic tribal instincts.
What I wonder is: why? Is it inadvertent or deliberate?
I'm for ONE TRUE AMERICA, which was started by small towns, small business, located on small main streets everywhere and that still exist today.
I believe in ONE TRUE AMERICA and NOT SOCIALISM AMERICA ......it, just does'nt not sound right does it.
WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?
Thank you.
Will "spreading the wealth" unite us then?
Amen! I am so sick and tried of idots like Limbaugh, who only stir hate and divide in our country. Put Bay Buchanan in this category as well! This woman is just a Rush Limbaugh in a skirt.
Colin Powell is the most honorable man in the country and for his own party to come after him like they have, well it just shows you what these republicians are all about. I sincerely believe Obama will beat the McCain / Palin ticket by a landslide, even though they are throwing everything but the kitchen sink in this race.
Everybody that truly believes in this country, please put your country first, get out to vote and vote for Obama. Don’t take his lead for granted, the republicians are full of dirty tricks, we are not dealing with honorable people. The republicians have gone way to far even for them this election and they should be treated to a sound defeat in the polls. It's time for the republician party to reorganize and take a good look at themselves and what they have become.
While I believe McCain was once an honorable man, his campaign has made him just another Bush politician for the extreme right. For those that think Obama is too far to the left, look again, he is more to the center, it’s just compared to McCain / Bush / Palin who are so far to the right anybody would look left.
its lack of positive education and understanding among americans about american values at schools and homes by teachers and parents and frankly by some relegious figures as well. collin powell mentioned durring his interview when he said "our greatest strength is in our unity and diversity".i think we should inject this subject of "disadvantages of racism/hatered" at different levels of our schooling system especially at early stages. by doing so we will have a whole new subject that students will have to pass to move forward and also do assignments regarding this subject with the help of parents and family memebers from the childhood level of education.
A war strategy is "divide and conquer".
Republican "activists" seem to be willing to accept the damage to our country, using that technique does, in thier efforts to "win" their war against non-Republicans.
I expect they (the Republican activists) would prefer our country to be named The United States of Republicans, since all of us Americans don't qualify as "real" Americans or "pro" Americans.
Republicans, spreading the word of division and hate, trying to undo so many of the fundamentals that make this country what it is.
And they try and question Obama's patriotism?
Sickening.
Governor Palin, I invite you to visit small towns in Vermont where I live, or in neighboring New York or New Hampshire. We consider ourselves as 'pro-American', and very much 'real Americans'. You would be surprised to find that the vast majority is voting the Democratic ticket. You might also be surprised by how many of these voters decided to go Democratic thanks to your insulting remark.
I am appalled at the tenor our politics and public commentators have been taking. There is no place in our society for divisiveness. We are supposed to be the great melting pot, yet we have politicians like Palin and Bachmann, and public commentators like Beck, Hannity, Limbaugh, and Imus, and others of their ilk who seem to believe that that's the way to appeal to the masses, that that's the way to campaign and win. If this kind of thinking continues to permeate our culture and society, then we are truly doomed, and will no longer represent "with liberty and justice for all."
And to think – people like Beck, Hannity, Limbaugh, and Imus actually make money to spew their narrow-minded bigotry in their Aggressive, Self-righteous, and Sarcastic manners. (Hey, it's an acronym!)
I can't believe the division that Sarah Palin is creating in this country. How many middle class Americans or their businesses are making over $250,000? People, this is your net income.....your taxes will not increase if you are below this level. If you are fortunate enough to make more than this, then you should be able to afford higher taxes. Isn't that what our country is all about? Not evading taxes or finding loopholes in the system. I think America is so angry about the economy that they want someone to blame and she is feeding them enough lies so they begin to hate. This is not a Christian attitude.
This is a powerful article. It's very sad that we as Americans have come to this. We have lost what makes an American an American which ever president wins this election. In my opinion has a greater challenge then fixing our economic crisis. He has to fix our sprit and unity as a great country and people. We have lost sight of who we are. "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" Thanks CNN for keeping it honest, real, and unbias...
Warm Regards,
Concerned Citizen
Eldra Kendrick
Louisville Ky
The reality is this...There ARE TWO AMERICAS! We try to ingore our differences about politics, religion, race, etc. and just coexist, but that isn't reality. How can you be unified behind a president when your views and values are FUNDAMENTALLY different? There are fundamental issues that I have with the democratic party that I cannot rally behind. I will not support a democrat in the white house, period. There are democrats who feel the same way about republicans (not that we have a true republican candidate).
Whatever happens with this election will change our country forever...Unfortunately, I feel that it will divide us further, no matter how we try to sweep our differences under the rug.
Very well put and so true.
It is just so sad that 2 of my friends died on 9-11 and my friends are fight this war and 1 died for America and because we live in NYC and not in a small town the Republican Party is saying we are not pro-America.. How sad is that
The truth of the matter is divisive beliefs have been a big part of this countries past and present. Whether it be the treatment of minories, people with disabilities, sexual discrimination, less educated, poor or just people with less anything. There is a tendency to wrongly believe the other person is not quite as good in some way. This frame of thinking in my opinion tend to come from people who are registered Republicans. Just look at the South for example where racism and bigotry is alive and well, republican dominated. Look at the so called rich, upper class good ol boy clubs throughout America, republican dominated. Look at the party of big business and less likely to share for the common good, republicans. Having said this it is not surprising the Republician Party is now coming out of the closet and showing their real colors.
Indeed – it is ugly and it should stop. And that we can step up and do our part to beat back bigotry of divisive politics with the stick of democracy and our first amendment rights is the true greatness of America.
Thank you for your article.
"...an America that is fundamentally divided and mutually incomprehensible, by values if not economics" is not simply an attitude or an analysis; it's an objective reality that has become more pronounced each decade. Political campaigns actually perform a valuable service by throwing light upon the split, even as they attempt to exploit it.
A house divided against itself CANNOT stand! America's greatness is in its diversity.
Get-real America! Anyone knows that, McCain and Palin will make a great team. In A-L-A-S-K-A!!!! Seems they both like to have their hand's in blood. McCain is "war" crazy. And, Palin is a sharp shooter! Apparently, death follows them wherever they go. From experience, we all know that, they like to criticise Obama. As well as more than half the population. " Pro-America, as in, not interested in her dictation's? Usually, if, you're not for the person. You're against them. Get over it, Palin. I'm against you. And, yes! I'm still American. Let's get the opinion's of women in Alaska. Where's the story on this? I'm very interested in knowing what they do have to say about her.
I do not find this article helpful. It points fingers at the Republican tactics while justifying the Democratic tactics. Both party's are equally responsible for this division, and articles like this only fire up Democrats more. What we need are both party's engaged in dialogue on how to solve our serious problems. Not focusing on who is more responsible and who is less responsible for our current division.
The truth of the matter is divisive beliefs have been a big part of this countries past and present. Whether it be the treatment of minories, people with disabilities, sexual discrimination, less educated, poor or just people with less anything. There is a tendency to wrongly believe the other person is not quite as good in some way. This frame of thinking in my opinion tend to come from people who are registered Repubilicans. Just look at the South for example where racism and bigotry is alive and well, republican dominated. Look at the so called rich, upper class good ol boy clubs throughout America, republican dominated. Look at the party of big business and less likely to share for the common good, republicans. Having said this it is not suprising the Republicians Party is now coming out of the closet and showing their real colors.
It's about identity and power folks. Palin and her "real Americans" (the extension of a real America is to assume those living there are the only "real" Americans) want to feel powerful, to feel like they belong, and are on top of a heap. The best way to do that is to put down, exclude, and demean others. Anyone who has not been living in a cave knows this. It's as old as social history. It becomes especially critical when large swaths of people feel scared, threatened, and angry- and all of that can be focused and directed to specific "other" people. I don't want this country to echo pre WWII Germany, but it sure is heading that way. The GOP leaders, evangelical preachers, and uber-rich stoking fear and anger in their presentations encouraging citizens to blame other citizens for their feelings does NOT help.
It's my opinion that the rep are responsible for dividing the country. In this campaign they have been quick to use labels. It seems that they will say anything to win.
you could not have said it better
p.s love your show
This is just scare tactics which divide. We should be ashamed of ourselves as a nation! Tisk, tisk!
We should be voting FOR a candidate not AGAINST someone!
I have watched and listened to this campaign since the primaries began. Needless to say I have become more and more disturbed over the negative ads and comments made by the candidates. I am a registered republican but for the first time in my adult life I will be voting for a Democrat, Barack Obama. Colin Powell summed up my feeling so very well that I won't even try to say it any differently that he did. Now is not the time for Americans to try to divide and conquer, we must stand united, we are in difficult times economically, politcally and especially in the worlds views of us. Please stop all these vicious attacks, keep with the issues and the challenges we face as a nation.
Thank you for listening, Judy
The article states that the recent comments by the McCain-Palin campaign - the ones that divide the country into the real America vs the not real America, or the pro-America parts of the country vs the anti-America parts of the country, or the patriotic America vs the non-patriotic America - are equivalent to the John Edwards' referring to two Americas during the primaries, meaning that the country has "Haves and Have-Nots."
To equate the McCain-Palin campaign comments with what Edwards says is completely off the mark. Edwards was not belittling the Have-Nots. Quite the opposite. He clearly stated that he wanted to create opportunities to make the Have-Nots become more like the Haves, opportunities that would allow them to have a better life.
The divisions created by the McCain-Palin campaign is exactly the opposite. What Bachman, Pfotenhaur, Palin and the rest are saying is that there are large parts of America that are anti-American, unpatriotic and not the real America. Nothing could be more divisive and is, in fact, the polar opposite of what John Edwards said and meant when he talked about the "Two Americas".
You sound very naive. Politics is about social control, not truth. Polarized public dialog is a long-established foundation of politics (1000s of years). Basic recipe: make tautological pronouncements, then augment with emotionally-charged-yet-substance-free extensions that polarize the world into the two-kinds-of-people view, then you inflame antagonistic passions to create the illusion of unity and secure control as a figurehead. That is what politics is about; once control is established, truth/justice and lies/injustice are just two sides of the same steering wheel, and the driver has very wide margins of error before loss-of-control is a serious threat. (This was all taught in Sunday/Grammar School, if you'd have bothered to pay attention.)
It started very simple “best of America”, “real Virginia”… What is next? “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”?
If you don't want this country split into three smaller countries, well, tough! You must be one of those quiche eaters from Hollywood, or maybe a loyal American still trying to save a country that died in 2000. Too bad! Bush has wrecked us forever. Balkanization and absorption by Canada is, as Todd Palin will tell you, our best long-range plan.
Sorry to burst your bubble but there are two Americas, the liberal America and the conservative America and never will the two meet. People are so divided in this country that all we share is a common language and animosity towards the other side. Our country is becoming more Balkanized with every election and until the political parties stop endorsing far left and far right candidates for our highest offices things will only continue to get worse.
"A house divided against itself cannot stand." A. Lincoln, a Republican, on June 16, 1858, paraphrasing Christ in the New Testament. Likewise consider: "The handshake is stronger than the fist." Old wisdom needed in these new times.
Being an immigrant of 11 years, all these comments by the Republicans is making me sick in the stomach. It goes straight against my faith in America.
These are precisely the kind of things that make people like me leave their countries and come America. Now America is becoming the like those countries.
The divide is growing, as all of us in rural America are generalized into the catagories of "Hicks" and "Rednecks". All parties involved are responsible, the Dems, and Republicans as well as the media. This generalization coupled with the concept that we as rural Americans are not intellectuals, is a wedge. We read the same books, and are given the same education and have al the same opportunities as the elite citizens of the coasts. Please consider this the next time any of your contributors to CNN use the term Hick or Redneck.
I am Republican voters that choose to go an independent but now will be voting for Obama. My decision was based on Gen. Powell remarks on Sunday and the negative direction our Great Country is heading. I am also concern about the Republican Party labeling Obama as a Socialist. If Obama is spreading the wealth around, what is wrong with that? Why then is McCain offering to buy mortgages and why did McCain and Obama backed our government with a 700 Billion Package to assist Wall Street Gangsters.
Our Politics have become a Big JOKE in the eyes of the rest of the World and I am afraid. I’m afraid that if McCain becomes our new president we will be further alienated by the rest of the World. McCain has already labeled the President of Russia a KGB.
Pres. Bush is a walk in the park compared to what McCain will bring. We voted for a jackass twice. If we vote for another; what does that makes us.
If this was 1958 clearly Sen. McCain would have a distinct advantage over Sen. Obama. He has a huge knowledge base in dealing with communism, socialism, Cuban Missile Crisis, elitism and separatism and the Great Depression. He would be my first choice if this was 1958. We as a nation have conquered many of these social ills and yet, John McCain is campaigning as if we are in the heat of battle. He is attempting to wage a worker’s revolutionary war against socialism. One big problem, we have already fought that war. In fact, we have many programs that society benefits from such as Medicare, Medicaid, and our Educational system. We are a capitalistic country with sprinkles of socialized programs throughout. Move on the past is the past, but what have you done for me lately? It’s 2008!!
We should be terrified that the Republican Party would divide out country into real Americans and "others." John McCain says he is the best qualified to lead. Is this showing his leadership skills? Selecting Palin as his running mate shows poor leadership as well.