Politics | Barack Obama Patriotism Is Latest Plank in Balancing Act Dem is battle-tested, yet he still needs to define himself in many voters' eyes By Jonas Oransky Posted Jul 1, 2008 8:39 PM CDT Copied Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., tours the East Community Ministry in Zanesville, Ohio, Tuesday, July 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Barack Obama is still doing battle to define himself, with his patriotism the latest thrust, Dan Balz writes in the Washington Post. But as he wrapped himself in the flag yesterday, Obama was revealed as both “stronger and weaker” than earlier in the year—stronger because he’s battle-hardened, but weaker because "he remains not yet fully formed in the minds of many voters." Obama was eloquent in his speech, once again taking on “sometimes-difficult ideas” in the “most personal of terms and the loftiest,” Balz writes. But it remains a challenge to be “new and different”—because “new and different works only when it is not threatening or exotic. Striking the right balance remains Obama’s big challenge.” Read These Next A family hike took a tragic turn in Arkansas on Saturday. White House makes Hegseth put his polygraph away. A new book argues the Sacagawea legend is all wrong. US denies visas to Venezuelan team bound for Little League tournament. Report an error