We did not choose wisely

[bhikkhu]

66. "just as I suspect the Brits belive in British exceptionalism..." a snipped quote is often misleadin

“I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism,"

and then more in closing: "We have a core set of values that are enshrined in our Constitution, in our body of law, in our democratic practices, in our belief in free speech and equality, that, though imperfect, are exceptional.... I see no contradiction between believing that America has a continued extraordinary role in leading the world towards peace and prosperity and recognizing that leadership is incumbent, depends on, our ability to create partnerships because we can't solve these problems alone."

Its not a bad statement, and I think we chose very wisely. Needless to say, the above quote most often inflames repugs who see it a statement of how Obama doesn't really believe in American exceptionalism. I wonder what it feels like to make well-crafted and balanced statements, and have bits pulled out for excoriation on both sides.

Do people really care what he really thinks and says, or he just a convenient target for "the outrage of the day", something to get one's blood pumping?