Poll: Americans Believe in Country‘s ’Exceptionalism’ but Does Obama?
- Posted on December 23, 2010 at 2:13am by
Meredith Jessup
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By and large, Americans agree that the United States is a nation with distinct character, anchored in a unique history and its constitutional republicanism. But a recent Gallup poll suggests a number of them doubt President Barack Obama feels the same way.
According to Gallup, at least 73 percent of Americans believe in “U.S. exceptionalism,” including a 91 percent of Republicans. But, at the same time, three-quarters of those who believe the U.S. is exceptional say they worry America’s status in the world is far from secure and believe the U.S. is at risk of losing its unique character.
But how does the country’s commander-in-chief feel? Nearly 40 percent of Americans doubt that President Obama believes in the country’s exceptionalism. Perhaps not surprisingly, Republicans lead the pack in doubting the president.
In the end, Gallup predicts that the issue of America’s “exceptionalism” may become a pivotal issue in the upcoming 2012 presidential election:
Some of President Obama’s potential Republican challengers are among those who have suggested that the U.S. is exceptional, but that this status is at risk… Given that Americans already believe that the U.S. is exceptional and that its status as the greatest nation in the world is at risk, Republican candidates‘ political challenges would be to convince voters that Obama’s policies and actions on the world stage are to blame, and that he does not share their values on this issue.




















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Comments (112)
cece959
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:09amIn a word…NO.
Report Post »I Believe In American Exceptionalism
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:42amRepublican candidates should absolutely make American exceptionalism a campaign issue. Main exhibits are:
Report Post »1. Obama’s World Apology tour.
2. Countless statements critical of America’s capitalist system and damning American capitalists.
3. Pushing the DREAM Act and amnesty for illegal aliens.
4. Putting the rights of illegal aliens far above American citizens (lawsuit against AZ).
5. Social justice (wealth redistribution) policies that penalize success and reward failure.
6. Complete disregard of the will of the American people (Obamacare, Stimulus, etc.).
7. Numerous unconstitutional Executive acts.
8. Obama’s plan to “fundamentally change America.”
9. “Progressive” agenda designed to destroy the fundamental principles of the Founders and the Constitution.
Country
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:41amNo Obama does not, that is why he needs to change the Consitution!
Report Post »rfycom
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:41amNonsense. How could you go from a poor black child to be president and not appreciate the exceptional USA. Reminds me of Navin R Johnson who also went from being a poor black child to extreme wealth. He endured hardships. He had to leave is beloved family behind. He was shot at by a serial killer, and sexually molested by a carnival freak. Some of you remember Navin. Navin was the Jerk. LOL
You normally don’t get this kind of funny for free PEOPLE
Report Post »cece959
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:12amNow this is funny stuff.
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:40amSo 10% of Democrats think Obama believes in American Exceptionalism, but think he is wrong? Berkeley, CA?
Report Post »publiuswarmac9999
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:56amObama and the international socialist crowd he runs with hate America. His policies are all geared to destroying the economy and undermining the culture.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:32amThe only thing on Obama’s mind is how to tear down AMERICA faster. He has been the best thing to happen to us in a long time. Because he has made us aware of the inner threat against us. Which comes from so-called AMERICANS that want to destroy AMERICA.
Report Post »dezldummi
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:15amfor walkwithme1966 I say… please do drink the kool-aid, your brain dead anyway what harm could a little cyanide do
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:15amThe only exceptionalism Barry believes in is his own.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:15amIt’s clear that obummer hates America. He has spent a very significant portion of the first two years of his administration bad mouthing America all around the world. His policies and legislation are DESIGNED to punish America on the world stage.
Report Post »NHABE64
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:10amAmerica has arisen to the fact that the CHANGE Barack Hussein Obama wanted for out country is not the same kind of change WE THE PEOPLE wanted. He lied to us, he has pursued a socialist agenda to bankrupt our country, turn us into a 3rd world country and he has done a fair job of it. However this cockroach vastly underestimated WE THE PEOPLE of this great nation that I do not believe he is a citizen of. What this socialist communist muslim loving radical thought is that he could really get away with it. Damage he has done to us of this there is no doubt. But on 2 November WE THE PEOPLE sent a strong message to Obama that enough is enough. Once this lame duck (good names for cockroaches) is over and these LIberal Progressive Sociaists (formerly the Democratic Party) are out on the street the GOP can really go to work undoing all that Obama has done to us. Even super cockroaches and weasels like Nancy Pelois and Harry Reid will not be able to pick up the pieces of their crumbling regime again. We know that in 2012 Barry Obama will follow the will of his puppet master George Soros and he will call out the socialist troops in ACORN and other cockroach organizations but in the end WE THE PEOPLE will prevail and we will take back this great country and Barack HUSSEIN Obama will do down as the worst President of US history. I mean even worse than the socialist and bonehead Jimmy Carter who almost devastated our country. Yes, we are asleep alright but just like in WWII when the Japs bombed us they already knew they were awakening a sleeping giant. WE THE PEOPLE are cominng Barry and its going to get bad for you pal. Hooyah for America!
Report Post »koyettsu
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:10amHey Stupid Windmill, why is it that every time a progressive wants to argue with someone they bring up Bush? Bush was a terrible President, the man spent a ton of money, put us deeper in debt, did things I consider unconstitutional and paved the way for a group of traitors to get hold of the country. Why you think evoking Bush makes your argument stronger is beyond me because honestly it doesn’t. It really makes you look desperate, like you are grasping for straws because you have no argument. Obama is the worst, let me say that again the W O R S T President in the history of the United States of America. Closely followed by Woodrow Wilson, FDR, Theodore Roosevelt, Jimmy Carter and every other Progressive traitor to squirm their way into office.
Report Post »JGP
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 10:15amDittos KOYETTSU. If you like what obama is doing then you should have been a Bush fan.
Report Post »Uncle Sambo
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:08amIf America was an exceptional nation that stood on the side of God the American People would not have:
Voted for Barack Obama.
Report Post »Voted for Harry Reid
Voted for Nancy Pelosi
Voted for Barney Frank
Voted for Barbara Boxer
Voted for Charles Rangle
Voted for Maxine Waters
Voted for Christopher Dodd
…
Gonzo
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:56amThat’s hard to argue with, sad though.
Report Post »Paleo Archer
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:01amWho cares, what Obama thinks…2 mores to weather this storm and it’s over. Then time to repair what he screwed up. What a Freaking wake up call, this was.
Report Post »Stupid Windmill
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:12amAahaahha, you guys.
America, number one exporter in pointless pride.
Report Post »wash1776
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:20amYou are number one in ridiculous statements. Obama is a traitor, not a president.
Report Post »Stupid Windmill
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:31amI believe you are misinformed, Barack Obama is the President of the United States.
When Bush was elected I called him the President of the United states (even though his administration did some awful things, unforgivable things). Keith Olbermann Made an argument calling Bush a traitor.
But thats besides the point. You are all buffle headed and can not see hypocrisy do to confirmation bias.
Report Post »Lonescrapper
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:56amWindmill, you might want to take a few more English and Grammar classes, then you won’t look so much like a foreign plant, because you aren’t even a good liberal plant.
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:12amStupid, Bush did he best he could, considering the circumstances. At the very least, he believed in this country and wanted to protect us from those who wanted to destroy us, and unlike President Obama, he didn’t wish to “fundamentally transforms” this country. That’s the main most are trying to make here.
Name a better country in which you’d like to live.
Report Post »JGP
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 10:05amPeople who go on about how bad Bush was, and then defend obama, are the definition of kool aid drinkers. Obama is Bush on steroids. If you like obama then Bush was your man ideologicaly. Both have continued the status quo of growing the federal government. I voted for Bush but in hind sight, as far as federal spending and growth go, he screwed us. Bush just used a little KY, obama isn’t.
It‘s not about dem’s or repub’s, it’s about freedom. Why on earth would anyone want a central government tryanny over freedom? Freedom works. Look at our history. Don’t be afraid of freedom.
Report Post »wash1776
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 10:24amYou are the one misinformed. But then again–maybe not, You are definitely not on the side of this country. You are probably a plant her to cause trouble.
Report Post »HippoNips
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:11amYou can’t believe Gallup polls , they are almost always wrong
Report Post »57 percent of Inpendents thinks Obama believes in American exeptionlism?? Really?
37 percent of Republican??
Suddenly since November??
C’mon now , Gallup is full of crap
nptden
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:08amThe only ‘exceptionalism’ Obama sees for this country is the top 2% whose wealth he wants to take and redistribute. Meanwhile he is destroying the middle-class to become wards of the state and the bureaucracy. It’s the same ole Marxist thing, with a new spin on NWO to include all his commie buddies in the UN…. Of course his ‘exceptionalism’ for his commie pals like Soros, Al Gore, Hillary and the crew will give them higher slots in the food chain of the wonderful world of Marxism. It’s always better to be a boss. Right comrade?
Report Post »Stupid Windmill
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:14amThis makes no sense at all.
Report Post »ETOOL USMC RECON
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:44amIt makes perfect sense to………..wait for it…………AMERICANS.
Report Post »Alan
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 4:00amI would like to take this moment to apologize for the exceptionalism on the left and within the Democratic party: they are exceptionally stupid, vain, and wrong. And I would like to apologize for being far too impatient and depressed to list all their varied sins, . . . and for registering as a Democrat lo those many years ago. Heavy sigh.
Report Post »Jsh1284
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 4:44amALAN, you just reminded me to go change my registration over from being a registered demagogue to republican! I have been meaning to drop by the county office and do that very thing for a while! If I can, I’ll be going to do that later today!
Report Post »One_NationUnderGod
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 3:11amI simply cannot fathom why any American would not see this country as the greatest in the world. I couldn’t believe what I was reading, when I read President Obama’s comments overseas, apologizing for the United States. People today like to focus on the mistakes (yes, we’ve made some…comes from being humans, after all!) instead of recognizing what the world would look like, if not for America stepping in to aid those who cannot aid themselves.
No, I don’t think President Obama hates America. I think he has been ill educated as to what made America great in the first place, as has most of the up-and-coming generation. Maybe we should start mailing him copies of Broke and the 5,000 Year Leap.
Report Post »Stupid Windmill
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:27amActually America takes the most and gives the least.
Though thats just my opinion based on facts.
Report Post »Lonescrapper
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:55amIf we, America and Americans, stopped ‘giving’ there isn‘t a nation in the world that wouldn’t be in the hole. We give more charity than any other nation, we give more international aid, we give more in federal dollars to help other governments. Where are you getting your “facts?” I can get mine from us.gov and redcross.org.
Report Post »Nvrforget
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 6:29amIn absolute Dollar terms, the USA gives the most. In relative terms of GDP, the USA gives the least.
Norway spends 1.01% of its GDP on foreign aid, topping the list of the 22 most developed nations. The USA takes last place, giving only 0.1% of its GDP in foreign aid.
So in a way, you’re both right.
Report Post »wash1776
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 10:21amSTUPID WINDMILL; It has become apparent you are a communist yourself. That is why you keep putting everyone that cares about this country down on this site.
Report Post »MR_ANDERSON
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 3:10amWow, those polls shift a lot. ~20% difference between Dem and Rep on the general opinion, and ~50% difference on the President. While I will not vote for the President in 2012, he seems to be realizing and learning a few things. I have seen a few speeches he has made lately that are a little inspiring, and off prompter even. I just hope that other people don’t get fooled by it, and vote for him, as if it was just him I wouldn’t worry so much, I think the problem lies more in some individuals within the administration. That said, the American EXCEPTIONALISM will pull this country through!
Report Post »MR_ANDERSON
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 3:12am/\ Worst post I have made, grammatically I mean.
Report Post »wash1776
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:17amObama is not realizing anything except that he has to put on an act. This man is not changing and to make that critical mistake will be deadly to this country. He is trying to pull the wool over our eyes. If he gets another term, this country will be irretrievably lost. A leopard does not change his spots. Obummer is up to something. That omnibus bill the DAMOCRATS tried to push through in the lame duck session was ready months before and waiting in the wings FOR that session. Do you think he didn’t know about that? He knows everything that is going on. All of that stuff left to the lame duck session was no accident. Obama and the progressive DAMOCRATS knew there would be a better chance of passing it then as congress wanted to go home for the holidays. Obummer is evil and what he is doing now is playing it cool. His intention since he got into office has been to tear this country down and he has no intention of stopping.. GOD HELP US ALL IF HE GETS ANOTHER TERM.
CatB
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:25amExactly Wash …. he is a manipulator .. with a mostly compliant press .. and those that do not comply they are trying to destroy. Look at the talk of shutting down any resistance to his agenda ….. net neutraility .. fairness doctrine … all nice names for TYRANNY!
Report Post »Lonescrapper
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:53amIf he’s learned some things, why is he still shoving bills that Americans don’t want down our throat?
Report Post »APatriotFirst
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:29amLonescrapper
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:53am
If he’s learned some things, why is he still shoving bills that Americans don’t want down our throat?
——————————————————————————————————
Report Post »What he has learned, is how to say and sound as tho he is moving to the middle. It sure looks good, don’t it? But is just an act on his part. He must keep his base supporters come 2012.
My money is on him and Reid doing all they can to pass Dream Act, one way or another. Too many votes there to lose.
I also have believed and still do that there will be no election in 2012. A national emergency, [created by Soros and company] [rioting in our streets etc. etc. ] the Prez calling for national martial law, and he stays in office.
I know you all are straining at the bit for 2012 to get here. I hope beyond hope, we do have elections, but………………..I think by then, it will be too late.
What we need is for people who love USA to march, to protest, even signs in our yards, anything peaceful to say NO to what is happening and what will happen. We need Tea Party to be more vocal now, not just during elections. People more vocal now, not just during elections. Everyone needs to know, follow our Constitution now and forever, or get out of the way.
If our govt. would go on vacation for just 2 years or less, and let We the People do what we do best, we would see a huge change for the better in our country. No bills, no nothing from DC, just maybe foreign problems dealt with, the rest here in USA by us, I know in my heart and mind, the USA would once again return to her greatness. We are great because of our people, NOT our govt.
Talking is good, but action is better. And what happens when our modes of communication is gone? Imagine turning on your TV for news…..and all we have is govt. run programs, saying what they are told to say [like we have now on MSM]
If you want to know how to defeat them…..you must be able to think and plan as they do.
Look at it as a novel you are writing………page by page……… write the problem, then write the solution.
N37BU6
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 3:09amObama believes in American “acceptialism”; the willingness to accept any freaking thing he proposes.
Report Post »joe3
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 3:02amPinko1966 – The only attitude change the republicans need come january is to get rid if the RINOS and the neocons who are rinos themselves. This lame duck BS is the only way this fake can pass treasonous laws, we can get rid of the lame duck. We voted your agenda down. We the people reject big government communists like yourself. You have pushed your rejected agenda into law threw deception, threw bribes, and any other degenerate way necessary. The tea party will crush the neocons, the progressives, the rinos, and the naked communists. This movement is in its infancy, it is growing up fast. You will respect the will of the people. Keep pushing your authoritarian tyranny, without that this movement would never have been. You have shown your true colors to we the people. You have given birth to 1776.
Report Post »Stupid Windmill
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:25amThe tea party, claims treason at the expense of reason.
Report Post »wash1776
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 10:16amSTUPID WINDMILL: Your name says it all.
Report Post »chexfive
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 2:59amObama believes in the American Extraction, he works for the UN and the global elites, look at the largest corporations making more money than ever, you know, the ones Obama pretends to be against, just like he pretends to be against Too Big To Fail, yet allows the Too Big To Fail Corporations to get even larger by the day. I will bet money the largest of the largest will be donating record campaign contributions up to 2012, as will those that accepted bailouts. Wait and see, you know the payoffs have happened for the corporations, now it is time for the politico’s to get theirs in return.
Report Post »Rob_M
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 2:40amHe believes in UN exceptionalism.
Report Post »wash1776
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:07amHe believes in communist exceptionalism and the destruction of this country. THROW THE BUM OUT!
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 2:16amobama hates America, period. he has accomplished in 2 years what took Hitler 6 years.
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 2:23amObama has done an great job in 2 years – wonderful! http://maboulette.wordpress.com
Report Post »IndyGuy
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 2:34amwalkwithme1966…Shouldn‘t Marxists like yourself be on MSNBC’s site???
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 2:44amFor Obama,
Report Post »Every country is exceptional , except USA.
We are the exception to the rule.
Obama believes in American EXCEPTIONISM
TRUTHSEEKINGAL
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 2:52amThere are a number of “isms” that Obama believes about America, Exceptionalism not so much .
Report Post »Deutscher
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 2:57amOk. I am not a fan, but clearly you don’t understand what Hitler did.
Report Post »AmeriWoman
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 2:59amIWho needs a poll? Actions speak louder than words, and this guy hasn’t been a couch potato when it comes to anti American activity. From the first day in office until the lies he spilled in his new confrence yesterday, he takes the cake. He’s managed to hurt this country and divide like no ther before him.
AW
Report Post »nptden
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 4:09amObama is a commie, a professed Marxist, follower of Saul Alinsky‘s ’Rules for Radicals. He’s not the only one in power. Hillary Clinton also and many others. He is the poster boy. They have used racism,unions, democratic party as a vehicle to power. Now at the upper levels of power, they are systematically destroying the Republic. He does hate America and whites in particular, even though he is a mulatto. They used race to get him in power along with white guilt. ‘It’s time’.. like he had to be elected. Well it’s time people wake up and see how the commies have used blacks, unions, education, media to attain power….Freedom of press is going…Freedom of speech…Freedom to assemble. Freedom of Religion it’s all going bye-bye. Big Brother is here. Only one thing …we still outnumber these bastards who have used our own laws against us. WE are the majority, not them. Time for change…EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS….VOTE THEM OUT….or if need be Blow them out of existence.
Mister President
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 4:32amObama is a terrible President; however, he isn’t like Hitler. Hitler was responsible for the deaths of millions of people and sought to exterminate an entire group of people. Unless Obama tries to do that or something similar, stop comparing him to Hitler. It makes you sound like an idiot and no one will listen to anything you say after making that comparison.
The Congress can still stop the President; they often choose not to, but they still can. As long as the President can be stopped, he cannot be a dictator or anything like what Hitler was. Hitler dismantled the checks and balances in Germany’s government in order to seize absolute power. Even if you believe Obama is trying to do that, he hasn’t accomplished it. The Congress can still stop him. The American People can still stop. Nazi Germany didn’t have the Bill of Rights.
You might watch the BBC presentation called “The Nazis: A Warning from History”. It’s very interesting and will change your understanding of what happened and how it happened. You can use torrents to download it from isohunt or somewhere similar, if you are short on cash. I won’t provide the link here but since it has educational value, I don’t see anything wrong with torrenting it.
Report Post »wash1776
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:05amTO WALKWITHME: It is obvious what side you are on. Obama is nothing but a DESTROYER of liberty, the people and anything he can get his hands on. He has done nothing but tear down this country, raise taxes, curtail our liberties,etc. For you to champion him says it all.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:20amHe has been on a mission to “fundimentally change” us from exceptional since day 1 …..
Report Post »BMartin1776
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:21amBHO is a horrible President his actions prove it. No Pres in US history outside of Wilson and FDR have pushed such a radical agenda against the will of the people like BHO.
A man with ZERO experience thinking he knows whats best for the people when he himself has never held a real job. I will give him props as he has practically accomplished everything he promised he would do when he was candidate BHO. The problem with that is his plans are not to fundamentally transform the USA…. no no its clear they are to systematically destroy the USA! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhxI68eS6Bw
Never seen a Pres be so negative about his own country and have such a condescending attitude toward the people. Oh wait we have seen examples of that in history and every single time it didnt work out well for the people and the world.
http://www.savingtherepublic.com
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 5:43amDo we need to get the bowing to foreign leader video out again?
Obama is a JOKE…a bad one.
Report Post »quiet little lamb
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 6:13amhe doesnt hate this country. he’s apolitician. The people behind the scnes are the ones that hate it! remember that most leaders don’t write the bills and laws. he is a pawn!
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:00amWell said BMartin1776. If Obama believed in American exceptionally he would be trying to “fundamentally transform” America.
Report Post »treshall
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 7:40amSuccinctly and most accurately stated, Burnt. This is indeed the appalling and frightening truth about the current POTUS so the sooner he is out of power, the better. The survival of our republic depends on it.
Report Post »JGP
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:40amWhat is American Exceptionalism? It is the belief that all men are created equal and have unalienable rights given by a creator. Each individual has the freedom to pursue happiness. America set up a form of government to protect that. Other countries had dictators, kings, royalty…tryanny and caste systems. In America, anyone can go to the top on their own merit. In other countries, you have to be born with the right name or murder your way to the top.
Read the Declaration of Independence and Paine’s Common Sense. It’s no mystery.
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 8:44amObama has single-handedly helped to revitalize the Republican party, Constitutional research, and family vaules by threatening each of those components. He has lifted up Socialists and Communists to the light so we can remember why they are wrong.
Report Post »JKN
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:11amNo! Obama does not believe that America is exceptional… He is trying to bring us down to “level the playing field” so that we’re all one big happy “Global Society.” Makes it so much easier for our handful of wealthy global leaders to introduce their One World Order…
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 11:27amShould this survey come as a shock for anyone in touch with reality?
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:47pmparty take-over of Government to the point the leader and his select cabinet is passing laws without the governing body’s and process approval first, bank take-over, healthcare take-over, auto industry take-over, school indoctrination of children, energy take-over, media take-over, food take-over, total polarization of one set of people against another inside the nation.
who did it, Hitler or obama.
Report Post »…. BOTH of them.
Dan
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 2:45pmAGREED!!! Obama was a mistake form the word GO!!
Report Post »