Political Crossfire Forums

President Obama defended the idea of "American exceptionalism" and its outsized role in international affairs during his address at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

9/24/13 Obama:I believe America must remain engaged for our own security. But I believe America is exceptional. In part because we have shown a willingness through the sacrifice of blood and treasure to stand up not only for our own narrow self interest, but for the interest of all.

Obama has mentioned 'American Exceptionalism' more than Bush.

4/4/09: Barack Obama: I believe in American exceptionalism...
9/20/11: Obama: Michelle and I, we’re only here because somebody passed on this incredible notion, this exceptional American idea that it doesn’t matter where you come from, it doesn’t matter who you’re born to.
11/30/11: Obama: America is great not just because we’re powerful, but also because we have a set of values that the world ­admires … We don’t just think about what’s good for us, but we’re also thinking about what’s good for the world … That’s what makes us exceptional.
4/2/12: Obama: My entire career has been a testimony to American exceptionalism.
5/23/12: Obama: The United States has been, and will always be, the one indispensable nation in world affairs. It’s one of the many examples of why America is exceptional.
6/7/12: Obama: There are a set of values that make this country extraordinary, that make this country exceptional.
7/14/12: Obama: What makes us exceptional—it’s not just how many skyscrapers we have; it’s not how powerful our military is. What makes us special is this idea that in this country, if you are willing to work hard, if you’re willing to take responsibility for your own life, then you can make it if you try.
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What does it mean? May be US president is willing to confirm significance of 'Fourth Reich'. Doesn't he really look forward to redrawing the World Map?

what is this i don't even

As the world's biggest economy, the most populated country in the Western world, etc. it makes no sense to say the US has an oversized role, although I certainly agree how it plays that role doesn't always make sense.

American exceptionalism is, of course, a weird concept that strikes me as a feel-good slogan meant to justify lots of stupid shit. Like a rallying call for greedheads.

As for the OP, I'm with Comrade.

Its a nasty little idea. Everybody thinks their particular set of imaginary lines is special. Whatever.

OP is off the rails.

I was never into blowing one's own horn so all this talk of "exceptionalism" starts to sound like nationalism to me.

As for the Obama-as-Hitler tea party-type boneheadedness: really?

How long can America remain exceptional with less then exceptional leadership? They have no plan, they don't even have a plan to make a plan. So here we remain in the state of la-de-da, searching for the land of Duh.

True, that's a good point: how "exceptional" are we when our gov't has become the laughingstock of the world? Or with the income disparity/poverty levels that we have?

Every country is exceptional and unexceptional for various reasons. I guess it depends on your own priorities, how you judge them. Some people would think a nanny state is a good thing, and some would think its a disaster. All relative.