John McCain on ‘American exceptionalism’: ‘We’ve done a pretty good job’

I’ve been accused of being an American exceptionalist. It could be true, depending on the definition. I was impressed last night with the definition John McCain provided at the Columbia University forum.

Judy Woodruff: “… People who live in Canada, who live in Mexico, around the world feel special about their country, so what is it that’s different about being in America? Are Americans better than people in some of these other countries? We hear the term ‘exceptionalism’ about the United States.”

John McCain: “I do believe in American exceptionalism.

“And I think it was best articulated by our founding fathers. But I also think that my hero, Teddy Roosevelt, expressed it very well, and other leaders throughout our history.

“We’re the only nation I know in the world that really is deeply concerned about adhering to the principle that all of us are created equal and endowed by our creator with certain rights. And those we have tried to bring to the world. And we have not so much militarily, but through example, through leadership, through economic assistance.

“Look at what we did for Europe after World War II, look at the continuous efforts we make throughout the world. Look at the efforts we’re making to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa. There’s a lot more America can do.

“And I love these other countries, and I’m not trying to denigrate them. But I know of no other country in the world with the generosity of spirit and the concern for fellow human beings than the United States of America, and I think that goes back to our very beginnings.”

Woodruff: “Does that make America better than these other…?”

McCain: “I think it makes us exceptional. I think it makes us exceptional in the kind of citizenry we have and the kind of service and sacrifice that we are capable of.

“And I mean that in no disrespect to any other nation, our close and unique relationship with the British. I have — I’m not trying to in any way denigrate any other nation, but it doesn’t in any way diminish my pride in the history of this nation, which has literally shed our blood in all four corners of the earth many times in defense of someone else’s freedom and have tried to further the principles of freedom and democracy everywhere in the world. I think we’re dedicated to that proposition. And, frankly, I think we’ve done a pretty good job....

“But also let me say, look, the greatest thing that makes America exceptional is we have had wave after wave of people come to this country for the same reason — they want to build a better life, they wanted freedom and they want to be part of America. So I don’t accept that premise that somehow — some of the most patriotic Americans that I’ve ever seen and the hardest working and most ready to serve this country and go in harm’s way are those who just came here.

“I’ll never forget being at a ceremony in Baghdad last Fourth of July, where 160 some people who were green card holders got their citizenship, and they had been willing to serve in the military for an accelerated path to citizenship. That’s how much they wanted to be part of this country. That was an exhilarating experience.”

No reaction. The odd thing about this exchange is that it was in a packed hall at Columbia, and McCain’s words didn’t evoke even a smattering of applause from the students there. It was total silence.

Sure, the students were waiting to hear from Columbia alumnus Barack Obama, and they cheered him wildly when he appeared. But are the thoughts and loyalties of Columbia students so uniform that there weren’t two hands to clap for McCain?

Unfortunately, Woodruff didn’t ask Obama what he thought of American exceptionalism.

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Note: Alexis de Tocqueville, the great French student of the United States, was first to mention American exceptionalism in 1831. In "Democracy in America," he wrote:

"The position of the Americans is therefore quite exceptional, and it may be believed that no democratic people will ever be placed in a similar one. Their strictly Puritanical origin, their exclusively commercial habits, even the country they inhabit, which seems to divert their minds from the pursuit of science, literature, and the arts, the proximity of Europe, which allows them to neglect these pursuits without relapsing into barbarism, a thousand special causes, of which I have only been able to point out the most important, have singularly concurred to fix the mind of the American upon purely practical objects. His passions, his wants, his education, and everything about him seem to unite in drawing the native of the United States earthward; his religion alone bids him turn, from time to time, a transient and distracted glance to heaven. Let us cease, then, to view all democratic nations under the example of the American people."

New and enlightened. De Tocqueville described the phenomenon well. The fresh environment of America, combined with its roots in European intellectualism, allowed Americans to shake off some of the irrational traditions of the Old World and build a New World based on democracy and practicality.

Beyond de Tocqueville’s early observations, there is a whole history since 1831 that confirms the exceptionalism of the United States. The fact is, whatever the reasons, no nation on Earth has done as much as the United States to defend and spread democracy and liberty on this planet. Wherever there is human freedom today, the United States has had a part in nurturing it. That is exceptional.

Frank Warner

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See also: Diogenes in the White House: The freedom a cynic can’t grasp.

Comments

[Neo]

"We’re going to have a bold energy plan that says that we are going to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by 20 or 30 percent over the course of a decade or two. We are going to ask all citizens to participate in that process, not just government, but each and every one of us are going to have — are going to make commitments in terms of increasing fuel efficiency in our cars and homes, and the government is going to be in partnership with citizens to make that happen.." -- Obama at Columbia

Interesting that virtually nobody seemed to notice this metric.

With all the ads from people telling us ... independent in 10 years, with the US 70% dependent on foreign oil .. it will be at least 3 or 4 decades to be independent.

With cries for "energy independence" dating back to before Carter, somehow Obama's plan doesn't seem very bold and it certainly isn't independence any time soon. It may slow the bleeding, but it really underscores the necessity of opting for all energy sources.

[jj mollo]

John McCain is a great American and he says what all good Americans, whether they say it or not, actually believe. The students of Columbia had to be thinking about what he had to say. They have been taught that culture is relative, and that is always a good thing to consider when evaluating any group-related praise of condemnation, but it happens to be wrong, or at least not universal. Some cultures are better than others. The US dedication to liberty is without parallel. The US efforts to reform itself are without parallel. The US efforts to seek peace and promote the welfare of other nations is without parallel.

Not all immigrants believe that the US is a wonderful place, by the way. I know of some that think it is a stupid place. They come here for the economic benefit, and many of them retain their native prejudices. There are Russian immigrants who hate Georgians and love Putin and think the US is cruel and stupid. Still, they won't go back home. There are Arab immigrants who praise OBL and think that we deserved 9/11. Still, they won't go back home. Immigrants such as these are not particularly good for the country, which is why we should be so careful about controlling immigration. We can absorb quite a few as long as we are careful not to absorb too many of the same kind. I also think we should be a little more reluctant to bring in vast numbers who compete for our jobs as well as rejecting our ideals. McCain is right that we need immigration, but just not so much of it. And country of origin does matter.

This is not to say that the US is perfect. We pursue some decidedly stupid policies, but unlike some other nations, we retain the ability to change.

[Anna]

What a great article! Well worth a read!! I'm a PIR (Politics & International Relations) student from the UK. I myself am not a American exceptionalist but i do believe and support of what the US has done so far to the world.