Barack Obama, Michael Gerson, and Conservative Revolutionary Ideals
By Robert Schlesinger, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
I wrote earlier and somewhat dismissively about Michael Gerson's analysis of the Obama inaugural address, but his column today is worth a read for its leading notion, that Barack Obama is a "conservative revolutionary."
Similarly, Obama's address diagnosed a time of "standing pat, of protecting narrow interests." And he rooted his vision of social and economic restoration in the renewal of moral virtues—courage, honesty, fair play, loyalty, tolerance, patriotism and duty. He insisted on using the word "virtue" and explained that such convictions are not merely useful but "true."
This shows a deep understanding of America, which remains moral to its core—and a mature understanding of American leadership. Obama's argument should appeal to many conservatives, who would never accept a case for progressive policies based on relativistic or libertarian moral views. Like Lincoln or Martin Luther King Jr., Obama positioned himself as a conservative revolutionary—attempting to re-create our country by reasserting the traditional moral principles that gave it birth.
This type of insight makes President Obama a formidable political figure—and if he really believes and defends these ideals, perhaps a formidable American leader.
Gerson makes a good point here, though I disagree with the notion that convictions of courage, honesty, fair play, etc., are somehow conservative (and are thus implicitly neither liberal nor progressive). As I wrote Tuesday (and as Gerson noted in his appearance at Brookings today), the theme of returning America to greatness by re-embracing its basic values is a classic.
That said, the point about invoking traditional values to assert revolutionary ideas is an interesting one and one that progressives should keep in mind (and have done in some ways for years).
- Read more by Robert Schlesinger.
- Read more from the Thomas Jefferson Street blog.
- Read more about the Inauguration.
Tags: Barack Obama | conservatives
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Reader Comments
He misses more than that.....
Yesterday I thought that Mr. Schlesinger had an IQ at least one point higher than that of a rock. Today he proves me wrong. His reasoning proves he is the rock of stupidity. If you want to see a "conservative revolutionary" look to Dr. Ron Paul. If you want to see the man named most liberal by his voting record look at Barry Soetoro. (aka Barack Obama) Has no one ever told you that actions speak louder than words? Thats right, I forgot. You are a rock.
Never confuse truth with opinion!
Setting Aside Childish Things -- The Most Important Change We Need
I thought that Mr. Obama's speech was a beautiful message to all Americans to get beyond our more petty differences and work together, use our vast array of liberty to move foward in a physical and meta-physical sense as individuals, families, and as a nation, and to reach out to all so we can expand our liberties even more fully. I'm a Reagan Republican and want our country to do well in the coming years -- and that includes Mr. Obama doing well. It is critical that we do well - economically, diplomatically, militarily, and morally!
Obviously, there will be things I will disagree with the President on -- some issues are already emerging like F.O.C.A. and union card check... but he is the President of ALL Americans and like 1861, 1933, 1941, 1981, or 2001, it is a difficult time for our country. I felt really touched and inspired to hear Mr. Obama refer to the sacrifices that have been made by our soldiers through the years and the opportunities that our kids still have in this country that they wouldn't in many others. I was also impressed by the fact that in addition to evoking patriotism and the possibilities still in sight for America, he also spoke of "data and statistics". That is impressive to hear from a politician, especially for someone familiar with finance and statistics.
This does not have to do with ideology of "left" or "right". As Reagan said in 1964, it is about "up" or "down". "Up" is the direction toward liberty; "down" is the direction toward totalitariansim. Conjuring up policy from pure ideology and theory is not going to help us out of the crisis. Rather, a smart mix of things that will retain our economic and personal liberty while providing essential protections where they are needed. As a conservative, I don't want to hang my hat on anyone's coattails or mis-classify anyone's ideology, but I do believe that this is a pivotal moment in our history. Mr. Obama has some serious choices to make. If we are to end up on the other side of these four or eight years on the side of our better history, we will continue to have and strengthen a robust economy that will provides opportunity to all those who are willing to work hard, stabilization in the Middle East and maybe even additional democratization, a strong and expansive military that is used wisely that has been the key piece of the puzzle that has led to no Great Power wars since the close of World War II, a strong and highly skilled diplomacy to be our first line against emerging threats, and strong moral values. Mr. Obama has a lot of responsibility - I won't always agree with him and it won't be easy to win my vote in 2012 as it stands now, but I'm proud that he is our President and am PROUD to be an American!
in other words...
...moral virtues—courage, honesty, fair play, loyalty, tolerance, patriotism and duty have completely different meanings betweens conservatives and liberals because they understand and value them differently.
concluding:
one believes them to be 'merely useful,' i.e. Robert Sshlesinger
one believes them to be grounded in some moral reality embodied in the word 'truth,' i.e. 'America, which remains moral to its core'
This is the point. And it is the point the Robert missed.
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