A Defensive Crouch Is No Position From Which To Lead

From the Economist:
"Peter Kirsanow at the National Review is enraged. Quoting the debate, he says
Obama concludes by saying "I don't think any of us can say that our standing in the world now, the way children around the world look at the United States, is the same." CLANG.

Explaining his fury, he writes that:

Criticizing George Bush or any of our other political leaders is one thing. Contending America's ideals and values are somehow suspect is a breathtaking statement for a prospective commander in chief to make, especially when thousands of Americans have given life and limb, sons and daughters, in brave demonstration of our ideals and values.

Come again? Barack Obama did not say that "America's ideals and values are somehow suspect." He said what everyone on earth knows. Worldwide, America is vastly less respected and loved than it was before George Bush. That is not because those ideals are suspect, but because the current government has tarnished America's reputation for upholding them, beyond recognition to many former fans of America. The rule of law, habeas corpus, torture, not starting wars unnecessarily... These were America's values. Now, as the kids say, not so much. Are there still people out there who do not see the damage to America's global leadership wrought by the Bush administration? Apparently there is at least one. "

TW: This is classic right-wing attack modality- brook no criticism of "America" and extrapolate any hint at such criticism into an anti-American insult. Reactionaries love a monochromatic idealized view of "America" and are afraid. Crouching into a defensive stance accomplishes nothing. Lashing out hither and yon achieves little while wasting precious resources.

Progressives love the US and wish to make it better by keeping it vigorous, adaptable and legitimate. Maintaining vigor and legitimacy while adapting to a changing world require aggressive questioning and action not rigidity.