McCain and Obama on Patriotism

How the candidates define their love of country may help determine the election's outcome. TIME asked each for his view of the meaning of patriotism. Here's how they responded

Left; LM Otero / AP: Laura Rauch / Getty

Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama.

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A Cause Greater Than Self
by John McCain

Patriotism means more than holding your hand over your heart during the national anthem. It means more than walking into a voting booth every two or four years and pulling a lever. Patriotism is a love and a duty, a love of country expressed in good citizenship.

Patriotism and the citizenship it requires should motivate the conduct of public officials, but it also thrives in the communal spaces...

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