Is America nothing but bare-faced ideals, that become realities for the few who make it, standing on the shoulders, bodies even, of those who don't?
If it's not about the taking part, but the winning, then it's always about the winner. So what happens when you don't win? Well, I guess it's someone else's fault. Your side has been infiltrated by losers who have caused this defeat. The aims were true but a turncoat has brought you down. It's never about having done the wrong thing, because whatever you attempt is de facto the right thing.
Mind you TB seems similarly afflicted.