Anyone who thinks Obama believes in American exceptionalism should probably schedule a CAT-scan ASAP…
PRINCETON, NJ — Americans widely agree that the United States has a unique character because of its history and Constitution that sets it apart from other nations as the greatest in the world. This view, commonly referred to as “U.S. exceptionalism,” is shared by at least 73% of Americans in all party groups, including 91% of Republicans.
At the same time that Americans believe the U.S. is exceptional, they also are inclined to believe that status is far from secure, according to the Dec. 10-12 USA Today/Gallup poll. Three-quarters of those who believe the U.S. is exceptional (62% of all Americans) also believe the U.S. is currently at risk of losing its unique character.
The poll does not delve into possible reasons why Americans think the United States’ stature is at risk. It is possible this viewpoint reflects Americans’ tendency to see national conditions as getting worse rather than improving. Gallup has observed this pattern in a variety of areas, including the state of U.S. morals, the quality of the environment, the crime situation in the U.S., and the economy.
Some Republican critics, however, imply that Barack Obama’s policies, including his approach to foreign policy, are a threat to the United States’ status as the world’s greatest nation.
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