Comments on: Democracy in America: American Exceptionalism in Germany

By: Cives Romanus Sum « Submitted to a Candid World

Cives Romanus Sum « Submitted to a Candid World — Wed, 05 May 2010 12:31:38 +0000

[...] American exceptionalism (but see our criticisms of their limited view of the concept, here, here, here, and here, among others), elements of that faction seem peculiarly quick to dispense with one [...]

By: Obama & American Exceptionalism, Continued « Submitted to a Candid World

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:19:40 +0000

[...] covered this before. Kristol’s conception of American exceptionalism — the notion, shared by many of his [...]

By: oneiroi

oneiroi — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:58:44 +0000

I know we’re going to disagree here, but my opinion is that his policies are available to anyone who wants to know them. They’re posted on his site, and they were all over the debates and speeches that covered specific issues.

As I was trying to say earlier, there are times when policy discussions aren’t necessary or appropriate as in Germany when American policies would not interest thousands of non Americans, but a differing philosophy on foreign policy might. He doesn’t need a flowchart on that.

And I really doubt that McCain has any more to offer on the points of specifics and so I’m a bit puzzled to what standard you are holding him. I feel like a lot of the speeches and sound bytes from both candidates are aimed at general policy positions and their philosophy of leading the country. When McCain gets up and talks about cutting spending, he doesn’t usually mention what specific cuts he would make. Especially currently in the press when what you read are just back and forths between “What Obama would do” vs “What McCain would do”. Which still are battling very broad ideological differences.

I personally think a lot of the attacks on the issue of substance are more aimed at deflating the energy and the appeal of Obama’s speeches , since I still say his policies are readily available.

Sorry so long. I has having a hard time of thinking how to express that succinctly.

By: Progressive Conservative

Progressive Conservative — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:56:56 +0000

Oneiroi, I will echo what Harold Ford said about Obama after he got creamed in WV and then again in KY, "The guy needs to roll up his sleaves and start walking these states." He's made his point on the grand vision...the public wants specifics. It's also quite interesting what the German media is saying now that the magic has worn off.

By: oneiroi

oneiroi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:02:17 +0000

Today I read an opinion article from Bob Herbert and I think he makes a good point on how outlandish the attacks on him are,…

“I’ll say this about Senator Obama. He sure raises people’s hackles. I’ve never seen anyone so roundly criticized for such grievous offenses as giving excellent speeches and urging people of different backgrounds to take a chance on working together. How dare he? And 200,000 people turned out to hear him in Berlin. Unforgivable.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/opinion/29herbert.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin

@PC They are not necessarily in every speech. I’m not sure speaking in front of a German audience about specific American policies would be that normal. Especially when he’s just talking about working together, both citizens and politicians.

By: didionsmommy

didionsmommy — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:54:53 +0000

is that a criticism of obama or of limbaugh?

By: Progressive Conservative

Progressive Conservative — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:16:28 +0000

Flowery rhetoric sounds a lot better with specifics behind it.

By: didionsmommy

didionsmommy — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 02:23:21 +0000

wow! what a beautifully written post. you have such a knack for expressing what we at didionville are continually discussing in the early-evening hours … were you that fly on our kitchen wall?

i have long said that obama is the guy to heal and strengthen our relationships with our allies and to remove the dented tin siding (courtesy of the last 7+ years) from our image, reminding the world that “we” are more than sum of our leaders.