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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Proud of ones’ country? Give me a break. Try going to a foreign country and seeing the looks you get when u say you’re an American or the special menu you get,or look at the anti-american graffiti splashed everywhere. This president is not only a moron, he’s a criminal. This is the 1st time in my life that I can truly say that I am ashamed to call myself an American. The damage that has been done can only be undone by someone who truly cares about America and its’ citizens. And that person is not McCain.
- Posted by CindyAmerica Has done some great things, and I sure would rather live here then Egypt. However we do have some people with Blinder’s on around here who don’t care about the difference between rite and wrong as soon as our troop’s are involved. And to whom 80,000 to 1,000,000 dead in Iraq means absolutely nothing . Go salute a flag.
- Posted by DLS[...] McCain doesn’t seem very proud of the country he wants to lead: Republican presidential candidate John McCain admitted on [...]
- Posted by appletree » Blog Archive » John McCain Isn’t Proud of AmericaIs this really an article? Sure sounds like a lame comparison of quotes by an idiot journalist quoting the other idiots in the mainstream media.
- Posted by Jasonproud of america?.. just WHAT does that mean?… there are certain things.. and certain segments that would be tough to be proud of.. certain actions… that would be tough to defend.. and clearly not something to be proud of… so.. for sure.. I for one.. am not totally proud of america.. and yet.. its not really america that Im thinking about.. rather its some bits and pieces that I for one would no longer consider to be part of America….
- Posted by Levi Crototally agree Mr. John McCain his comments, because look what America done to Iraq; after five years of illusion and death, the Iraqis are still left without a state, security, institutions, jobs or services. They are suffering from destitution, despotism, anxiety, displacement and death free of charge.
- Posted by Mo ali
- Posted by NinaK——————
Are you forgetting it was McCain and people like him that helped propel this needless war?? Yes, he is as responisible for all the things you list above. He is the one that wants to continue the war in IRAQ for years to come. McCain is a very sad and confused man.
‘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…………”
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So McCain said there are times when it is difficult to be proud of our country. By his comment above, is he saying he is NOT PROUD of our country now, but WILL BE PROUD OF AMERICA ONLY “because of what we’re going to do.”? That is actually what he is saying folks.
By the way, Michelle’s comment was: “For the first time in my adult life, I am REALLY proud of our country.” She did not say, nor is she saying, she was never proud of our country; she has ALWAYS been proud of our country but now she is REALLY PROUD of it. Senator McCain is clearly stating he is NOT proud of our country now; however, “will be proud of it ONLY because of what we are going to do….”, in other words, he will be proud of it ONLY when HE becomes President!!
- Posted by NinaKAnd some of you want this fellow to be your President? What he is saying is MUCH, MUCH worse than anything Micelle said!! And I still feel Michelle did not say anything wrong!!
My jaw dropped when I saw this. Is McCain actually being reasonable and realistic? Will he criticize and anaylize our situation instead of being a republican clone? Continue to criticize the president, people voted for you because they didn’t want an intrenched republican like Rudy, they want a CHANGE. They don’t want more Bush Co.
- Posted by GeoffMcCain is a pathetic liberal moron. Screw him! Americans don’t need to apologize for anything. Americans should be proud that they have liberated over 25 million people from tyranny.
He just lost election.
- Posted by BrownthunderHere’s what caught my eye in this web log (assuming the facilitator quoted Mr. McCain correctly):
“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.”
I’ve never understood, Mr. & Mrs. Reader, why the term “managing” is used or alluded to by Mr. McCain or any other politician or a pundit when referring to the counterinsurgency operations being conducted in SW Asia by Our Best & Finest. I’m sure that I’ve read where Mr. Obama has used this term too, within the same or a similar context.
I’m a retired Soldier. I commanded Our Best & Finest’s engineer units for five and a half years, to include a combat engineer company in the 8th Engineers, 1st Cavalry Division, III Corps. I came up through the ranks, having been a noncommissioned officer in Vietnam.
Based on my personal experience then, “managing” is not a term that can be applied to the world of Our Best & Finest.
Young squad leaders lead. Young platoon leaders lead. Company commanders command, and mentor platoon leaders. Platoon sergeants advise platoon leaders, and mentor squad leaders. Company first sergeants advise company commanders and mentor platoon sergeants. Squads and platoons conduct operations and tactics “down where the rubber hits the road”…where they risk their lives or limbs, sight, hearing and mental & physical health.
Above company level, battalion, brigade, division, corps, army & army group commanders command. Command sergeants major advise their respective commanders, mentor first sergeants and collaborate on how best to take care of Our Own.
There is nothing about “managing” in what I just wrote.
Now…this brings me to the president’s relationship with Our Best & Finest, as briefly spelled out in Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of “this Constitution for the United States of America”, to wit (EMPHASIS added):
“The President shall be COMMANDER in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.”
Does it say “MANAGER in Chief”? Of course it doesn’t. “Managing” relates to civilian business affairs, and is not applicable to “military business”.
Secondly, Our Best & Finest are not fighting a “war” in SW Asia. A war is an open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations.
Rather, Our Sons & Daughters are conducting artificially extended counterinsurgency operations resulting from an unconstitutional congressional “resolution”. That is, no “war” has been declared in accordance with Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the U.S. Constitution, to wit (EMPHASIS added):
“The Congress shall have Power…To DECLARE war, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;…”
Does it say “RESOLVE or SOLVE war”? Of course it doesn’t. A “resolution” is a formal expression of opinion, will or intent. To “DECLARE” on the other hand, is to make known formally, officially and explicitly, i.e., clearly and forthrightly.
If temporarily elected politicians don’t like the U.S. Constitution’s permanent wording, then they have every right to try and get it amended by the states. What they don’t have a right to do is make end runs around America’s supreme law, i.e., the law that transcends all other U.S. laws. Such an end run by the legislative and executive branches is illegal, whether OR NOT ruled and declared illegal by the judicial branch, e.g., the supreme court.
The vague and murkily implicit business of “resolutions” only leads to unconstitutional powers being indeterminately exercised by elected and appointed officials–said powers and their indeterminacy never being expressed by the framers of the U.S. Constitution.
If such indeterminate “war powers” are somewhere in the U.S. Constitution, I challenge anybody to quote them.
Finally, I just mentioned “artificially extended”. It’s way past the time for hedging and the mincing of words when it comes to what has been going on at the White House and on Capitol Hill.
It is downright shameful of politicians to sacrifice Our Sons & Daughters on the altar of their desire (even lust) for power.
Okay, I’ll give a few of those temporarily elected politicians who have not taken personal action to make every human effort to rescind unconstitutional “resolutions” the benefit of the doubt. Let’s just say that they should be downright ashamed to sacrifice Our Sons & Daughters on the altar of (first) their ignorance and (then) their informed procrastination.
OK Jack
P.S. As for Mr. McCain’s remarks about being proud of our country–I’m proud of the U.S.A. and Our Best & Finest. However, I’m extremely disappointed in the majority of politicians who occupy the White House and Capitol Hill. Are they disappointed in themselves? Perhaps…but I really seriously doubt it.
- Posted by OK JackInteresting how the GOP is quick to bounce and viral Michelle Obama’s comments… Question? What will the Tennessee GOP say NOW??
- Posted by Thetruth[...] permalink Of course it is. Thanks to McCain for deflating this silly ‘controversy.’ Jonathan Martin’s Blog: McCain doesn’t pick up on Michelle Obama joke - Politico.com Tales from the Trail Blog Archive McCain: It can be “tough” to be proud of USA | Blogs |… [...]
- Posted by Being Proud of America is "Tough in some respects." - Los Angeles Kings Hockey Fan ForumWow. This will get the Bush dead-enders wound up. So McBush agrees with Michelle Obama on this issue. As do most of the sane and rational. The only difference is that the media won’t have a conniption over it when McBush says it…you know, because the media is “liberal.” Hilarious.
- Posted by jimI understand very well what Sen. McCain is saying. Pres. Bush’s approval rating is below 30 percent. When I see images of him with other world leaders, it has at times been very embarrassing. As he said in the article above..”it can be difficult at times…” and it’s tough in some respects”.
- Posted by MargaretTo the one speaking about POW’s…being a christian has nothing to do with war..do you think it was fair when Moses let the sea swallow up the army that was chasing them? Trust me, if someone raped your child the last thing you would do is treat that person “fairly”. Try learning about what Sen. McCain experienced as a POW. Guess what, he knew the treatment he was getting was because he was THE ENEMY!! “FOR THOSE WHO FOUGHT, FREEDOM HAS A FLAVOR THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW.”
Wow — can we say “double standard”?. Jeez; Obama ‘08!
- Posted by ShonaI’m proud to be an American and it’s not hard at all. I’m proud that our founding documents brought the concept of civil rights and human rights to the world. As long as we have been free, we have been a strong, good hearted and generous people. From electricity to the personal computer, we’ve given many wonderful things to the human race. In Mt Rushmore, we created the largest permanent monument on the face of the earth … one that will still be there when the pyramids have been blown to dust.
Most of all, I’m proud of our pioneering personal liberty. That’s why I’m still supporting Ron Paul. I’ll be marching in Washington on July 12th, and I’ll be marching into Minneapolis in September. I hope many of you will join us!
- Posted by JohnFromChicagoDoesn’t McCain realize that there are people waiting for a reason to cast their ballots for him? All he has to do is think about what he’s going to say before he opens his mouth. If that means a few seconds of dead air, so be it.
- Posted by David AdamsThe weasel-worded statement about pride in America was doubly lame because of Flag Day.
I have always been proud of being an American. I have always loved this country and this flag.
If there were no America, the world would be a conflagration of dictators and socialists with dead and dying people as their legacies.
John McCain is weak on ‘Global Warming’ and weak on American Pride
i like to see a video link…let’s see if foxnews will be making just as big a deal as they did with michelle obama
- Posted by GORYWHY HASN’T THE MSM QUESTIONED JOHN MCCAIN’S PATRIOTISM AFTER SUCH A STATEMENT? COULD IT BE A CASE OF DOUBLE STANDARDS?
- Posted by nenaThe straight-talk express roll on. But in this case I know you guys on the other side wish he would have thrown you a little red meat to feed your ignorance.
Sorry guys, In case you have not noticed, your candidate is confused and out of touch with the devices and tactics of the GOP party.
but more importantly
- Posted by OmentumHappy Father’s Day Tim…. You will be sorely missed