If there are two things the Republican presidential candidates agree on, they would be that America is exceptional, and Barack Obama doesn't agree that America is exceptional. I explained here, but if you've been paying attention to the race, you've heard this before. But here comes Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chair of the Democratic Party, with a little curveball:
Speaking to reporters today, DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz took a page from the Republican playbook when talking about three of President Obama's top potential rivals in 2012.
Speaking of former governors Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman and Tim Pawlenty, Wasserman Schultz said, "I'm concerned about their commitment to American exceptionalism."
"I do not question their patriotism," she added, I'm guessing with a smirk. Wasserman Schultz gave a list of things Republicans ought to support more than they do -- health care, education, the auto bailouts -- that help make America exceptional. Though she seems to have been having some fun attempting to hoist Republicans with their own petard, there actually is a real philosophical difference at play here. What it comes down to is the difference between faith and works.
Like Protestants thinking about salvation, conservatives often believe that American exceptionalism comes primarily from faith. It's about our founding documents and ideals, but the most important part of exceptionalism is believing in it. While they have plenty of criticisms of Barack Obama about policy, their exceptionalism critique isn't so much about what he's done to make America less exceptional as that he doesn't believe in exceptionalism, as evidenced by some words he has said, and what they believe lies in his heart. As far as they're concerned, American exceptionalism is eternal, a gift from God and the Founders. You either get it or you don't.
Liberals like Wasserman Schultz, on the other hand, see exceptionalism like Catholics see salvation. Faith may be important, but works matter too. American exceptionalism comes from what America is and does, not just from what was bestowed upon it two centuries ago. If our health-care system leaves 50 million people without insurance, then that does indeed make us less exceptional (or maybe exceptional in the wrong way). Solving that problem is a way to promote American greatness. Not solving it is like chanting "Woo! We're number 1!" when your team actually came in fourth.
Wasserman Schultz is essentially saying, "I know you are, but what am I?", perhaps in the hopes that voters will respond, "Dang it, now I can't keep straight who's supposed to hate America." Then maybe the Republicans will decide that this is really a silly argument to have, and drop it. But probably not.
