Van Jones suggests that Republicans have a “freer patriotism” than the “muscular” commitment of Democrats

CNN commentator Van Jones apparently suggested Wednesday that Republicans have a “freer patriotism” while Democrats have a “deeper” and more “muscular” commitment to their country.

“I feel like there’s a difference between what I would call a looser patriotism and a deeper patriotism. This is a deeper patriotism here, it’s not just the rah-rah stuff,” Jones said on CNN reacting to the third night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

“They’re asserting that the value of freedom is not just the freedom to not pay 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 smart government.”

“I’ve never seen so many ‘USA, USA’ [chants]…there is a muscular patriotism associated with Kamala Harris. There is a muscle in what she says. She wants to fight, she is not afraid. She wants to fight for it. [She says] I believe in this country, I believe in this particular vision of freedom, and I will fight for it. And I think this is a very interesting new combination that I haven’t seen before.”

Jones sang a different tune Wednesday than he did a month ago at the Republican National Convention, where he described the sense of a palpable “spirit” and unique enthusiasm in the room reminiscent of former President Obama’s first nomination in 2008.

“The last time I was at a convention I felt like this was Obama 2008. Something is happening,” he said at the time.

On Wednesday, the CNN commentator praised the energy at the DNC, crediting Democrats for bringing “the party back to the Democratic Party” while highlighting a new generation of leaders and supporters at the convention.

“They have a very different feel because the younger generation is taking the stage,” he said.

He also appeared emotional on air Tuesday night reacting to speeches by former President Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, calling them a “masterful act of leadership.”

“It was a sacred duty. They took it well. I didn’t realize I had been in a spiritual desert until they created that oasis in that scene. I didn’t know how much I missed them,” he said at the time. “I missed that.”

“Biden turned the party machine over to Kamala Harris,” Jones continued. “Obama renewed the magic of the movement. That was what they were transferring. They did it beautifully. They did it strongly. Obama used nostalgia in a beautiful way.”