WASHINGTON - Republican presidential candidate John McCain admitted on Saturday it can be difficult at times to be proud of the United States.
“I’ll admit to you … that it’s tough in some respects,” McCain said when asked by a questioner at a town hall meeting how to be proud of the country.
“We have not always done things right and we mismanaged the war in Iraq very badly for nearly four years.”
McCain’s wife, Cindy, pounced on Michelle Obama, the wife of presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama, for saying in February that she was proud of her country “for the first time in my adult life.”
The Arizona senator said it was important for the United States to be more humble and inclusive.
“I think we can be proud of America because of what we’ve achieved and accomplished in this world,” he said.
“What we have to do is tell our friends around the world that we will be proud of America because of what we’re going to do.”
Click here for more Reuters 2008 campaign coverage.
- Photo credit: Reuters/Shannon Stapleton (McCain speaks during a town hall meeting at Federal Hall in New York on June 12).
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Hmm.. Will Cindy McCain (aka the St. Paulie’s Girl) slam John McCain for HIS comments saying it can be “tough” to be proud of the Unites States now? If this is John McCain’s idea of running a clean campaign, having your wife throw the mud we all should proud to call him an American.
- Posted by DaveIt frustrates me that he says this now, after the stink his wife raised. America is made up of it’s people and leaders. You cannot seperate the pieces. Our leaders have failed. Too many are homophobic, selfish, obese, self centered, greedy, etc, etc. You name it, there are a lot of things to be sad, and not proud of. I am angry. I am ready for change. I feel proud to be part of that change. Obama has new ideas and looks to Americans to step up and work together to make this country strong, secure, prosperous, unified and loving. That is something that anyone and everyone can be proud of. That is what Michelle meant. That is what I hope McCain meant. Those that mock, or excuse, you are exactly what I speak of. Look in the mirror. Or just shut up.
- Posted by John LockwoodWe can’t stand five more moths of all this parsing of talking points.
- Posted by John PolettiIt can be tough to be proud of the USA.
- Posted by SammyI sure want that in the White House representing
America. If he isn’t proud to be here then he should get
out. Besides is he dumb or what. His friend Bush has
made the USA what it is. Eight years of Bush and he
has nearly destroyed America.
McCain talks to much about nothing like Bush.
Obama will take him in November by a landslide.
Thank Heaven!!
If McCain gets into the White House I won’t be proud
of America for voting him in. If he does win then
you get what you deserve and stop whining. Just like
when they voted Bush in.
Lets grow up boys and girls and stop parsing every word both McCain and Obama say. Lets discuss the war, deficit, economy, energy and all the real problems facing America after what has happened over the last eight years. Right now we are the laughing stock of the western world.
- Posted by John PolettiWhy hasn’t anyone questioned john McCain’s patriotism for the United states….. What he said is right along the lines of what Michelle Obama stated…… Double standard as usual in the Country…..People need to get a grip and realize that this is not a perfect country and we have a right to question what our government is doing especially if is affecting everyone’s economic situation… No one needs to re-evaluate their feelings on this topic….Both have said what they felt…. and they are human… back off…..
- Posted by EricThis is a ridiculous statement. McCain is yet again exposing his campaign strategy by trying to run as a Democrat. I feel like there are two Democrats running: Carter Vs. Truman. I don’t want either of them.
- Posted by Billy PeachesClyde, that was over sixty friggin years ago. How long does the world have to pay for our involvement in WW2. There were other country that paid a higher price than we did, you know.
- Posted by JRAnd letthe excuses roll in.
But…but…but….REV. WRIGHT!!!!
- Posted by Darc“What we have to do is tell our friends around the world that we will be proud of America because of what we’re going to do.” says McCain…………
Maybe the country should try doing something worth being proud of first.
- Posted by JRI have always been proud of America. I have not always been proud of the leaders, but that is my right as a citizen. Michelle Obama needs to re-evaluate her feelings toward this country. She like her husband have spent 20 years listening to the likes of Rev. J. Wright it is no wonder her values are messed up.
- Posted by BenMcCain, like many that have served his country, knows his country is capable of greatness. He is not so easily persuaded by anti-americanism from home and abroad that he fails to see the good things the USA does.
God has blessed the USA with men (and women) of courage, which McCain has proven himself to be time and time again.
- Posted by Jeff B.The desperate attempt by the media to compare the two quotes is just plain sick, but not too surprising. We straw chewing regular folks saw media bias against Hillary, we expect it against McCain as well. The media will be punished in November- that’s a promise.
- Posted by yellThe only thing that Cindy McCain should be proud of is how she was able to steal John ( infidelity ) McCain from his bedridden wife. And to think that she waited him in this condition for 5 years while he was being held prisoner.
- Posted by RonIsn’t that what Michelle Obama said?
- Posted by Ed BeckleyMcCain is trying so hard to reach across the aisle to the independants and democrats that he is going to lose those of us who don’t appreciate him slamming our president.
- Posted by Sherry FowlerMcCain is so busy trying to be all things to all people that he is nothing. Republicans won’t vote for you, John. Not enough of them anyway.
- Posted by JDWAmerica has done so much for the world; just giving the lives of our sons, fathers, brothers, etc. during WWII to help save Europe was a tremendous sacrifice. I watched my older sister as she had to move in with my parents, have a baby and pray for her husband who was in the infantry and landed at Normandy. My brother in law missed the birth of their daughter, holidays, all sorts of occasions while fighting in France and Holland; my sister had to have their child without him, worried every day that news would come that she could not bear. How can any American say they are not proud of just this one thing? America saved countries and lives. This is just ONE instance of being very proud of America. There are too many to list them here. Obama’s wife need to move to another country and stay there.
- Posted by ClydeMcCain has lost his spine! Second guessing is for wimps
- Posted by DaveMcCain has lost it. The “management” of the war is a lot of second guessing. Senator you are losing it. I wish you had the spine you used to have!
- Posted by Dave