Does Obama Love America? Does It Matter?

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani recently ignited outrage on the left – and mild criticism by some on the right – by declaring that Barack Obama does not love America.

Two important factors have been overlooked in the generally disapproving reaction.

First, why would Giuliani, a former prominent U.S. attorney as well as a highly regarded mayor during 9/11, who has taken political stands on the liberal side of the GOP, challenge Obama’s affection for America?  It’s not as if, in the characterization favored by the current White House, Rudy Giuliani is some “crazy right-winger”.

Second, are there good reasons to question the motivation that caused the President to act as he has these past six years and explain why he seemingly does not learn from experience?

Rudy Giuliani, I think, was expressing a frustration felt by many Americans, and not just Republicans.  The nature of the ex-mayor’s statements, and the extent to which he defended them, made clear that his opinion was neither off-the-cuff nor ill-considered. 

Objectively, Barack Obama has shown a reluctance to stand up for America.  That trait was on display early on in his presidency when he traveled to the Middle East to conduct what has been termed derisively – with considerable justification – as an “apology tour”.  And even when he speaks strong words about U.S. intentions, they prove to be hollow (red lines, anyone?).  Apart from the evident insincerity of his “word”, his actions reflect a lack of seriousness, even callousness, toward the fate of fellow Americans.  How could anyone supposedly affected by the beheading of a countryman make an announcement of condemnation and immediately thereafter go golfing?

Why does our president not seem to have America’s best interest at heart? Or so the question seems to many Americans.

Giuliani provided his answer.  Is the absence of love the correct one?  Maybe, maybe not.  Certainly, one can easily build a case, as he certainly did, to support the view.  Barack Obama was indeed a “community organizer” inspired by left-wingers.  His pastor for twenty years was openly anti-American. (“G.D. America,” prayed Reverend Wright.)  And Michelle Obama may have spoken for her husband, too, when she proclaimed, after the 2008 Iowa caucus win:  “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I’m really proud of my country.”

But does the level of the President’s affection for his country really matter?  Or is the proper concern what he actually does and not his reasons?

 

The answer is obvious.  America must live with policies he implements and does not.  Whether he loves – or even likes – America is beside the point. 

[As a lawyer, I may not like my client, but I have a job to do and responsibilities to that person to fulfill.  The same may apply to Barack Obama.]

Personally, I think the President’s attitude toward America is ambivalent.  His background is relevant in making that assessment.  He was raised to be skeptical of America as a force for good in the world.  Compounding matters is that, by personality, he is dispassionate.  Even if Giuliani is wrong, Obama’s cool nature leaves him unequipped to be America’s cheerleader.  So the President’s unassertive disposition in foreign affairs may be more a factor of personality than ideology.  Perhaps.

Yet perhaps not.  If he is motivated significantly by an antipathy toward America, that would explain why Obama still fails to alter failed polices around the world, including relations with Russia, Iran, Syria, etc.  His guiding light may be a determination to restrain the exercise of American  power on the world scene. 

Intelligent as Barack Obama is reputed to be, maybe a defense of his conduct can simply be that his obvious arrogance results in obtuseness.

However, if one remains – ideologically speaking – obsessed with America’s guilt and the continuing need to atone for it – what choice does the President have?