Van Jones: There is a ‘muscular patriotism’ associated with Harris

CNN commentator Van Jones said Wednesday that there is a “muscular patriotism” associated with Vice President Harris as Democrats continue to rally around their new candidate.

A CNN panel discussed the high energy observed at the Democratic National Convention throughout the week, with Democratic strategist David Axelrod noting Wednesday evening that the speakers have been invoking symbols of freedom and democracy throughout their remarks. Jones echoed Axelrod’s comments, saying that the convention shows a “deeper” sense of patriotism.

“I feel like there’s a distinction between what I would call a cheaper patriotism and a deeper patriotism. This is a deeper patriotism here,” he said. “It’s not just the rah, rah stuff.”

“They are asserting that the value of freedom is not just the freedom to not pay your taxes, or the freedom to, say, get off my lawn. It’s the freedom to live a full life,” he continued. “And to be able to live a full life, we need each other, we need a smart government.”

Jones also praised Harris for her patriotism and her willingness to fight for her campaign.

“But I haven’t seen so many USA, there’s a muscular patriotism associated with Kamala Harris. There’s a musculature to what she’s saying,” he said. “She wants to fight. She’s not afraid. I want to fight for this.”

“I believe in this country. I believe in this particular vision of freedom, and I’m going to fight for it,” Jones added. “And I think that’s a very interesting, new kind of combination that I haven’t seen before.”

After a busy week, Harris is slated to cap off the Democratic National Convention in Chicago with her highly anticipated speech Thursday night to accept the party’s nomination for the White House.

Her speech comes after a number of high-profile Democrats spoke to the convention throughout the week as they worked to energize the party, including President Biden; Harris’s running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D); former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D); former President Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; as well as former President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. A number of Republicans were also on the schedule.