from washington, the mclaughlin group. the american original. for over two decades, the sharpest minds, best sources, hardest talk. the mclaughlin group is brought to you by metlife. guarantees for the life. issue one, happy fourth. ♪ [ music ] >> built on rocks stronger than oceans, god blessed, and teaming with people of all

kinds living in harmony and peace. >> in 1989, twenty years ago, our 40th president saluted america. barbra thatcher, former prime minister of the uk also recognized our exceptionalism. americans and europeans alike sometimes forget unique is the united states of america. no other nation has been built upon an idea, the idea of liberty. >> question, is the spirit of american exceptionalism alive and well across the land this fourth of july? rich. >> yes, very much so across the land. i worry about washington, john. if you look at what american exceptionalism. other western nations have a focus on individualism and self- reliance, a really healthy distrust of government. and barack obama and the democrats are cool, hostile to

all three aspects of that. and have the biggest opportunity in decades to move us in a more euro direction. >> listen. i think the election of barack obama affirmed american's exceptionalism. i think the country feels good about itself, still feels good. the things that make us unique, freedom of speech, the fact that we have a separation of church and state and the fact we are an immigrant nation where people can come from all over and be part of the american experience. you can't do that in any other country. but it's how we export those beliefs that have gotten us into trouble. i think when you talked about the crew crusading, that is associated with invading another country without a good enough reason and i think barack obama is reformulating how we are reacting to the rest of the world and he is exporting our ideals in a different way. >> let's pause right there. obama salutes the fourth. >> after the reagan thatcher

comments two decades ago, barack obama also saluted american exceptionalism. >> the united states remains the largest economy in the world, we have unmatched military capability. >> question, obama also salutes values and american exceptionalism in that same quote. did the election of president of color, i think you were referring to this, redeem america's standing as an exceptional country? >> i don't think there was any redeeming to be had. in fact, eleanor mentioned the invasion of iraq, but that was done to liberate the people of iraq from under the jack boot of a crushing tyranny. the united states has done more good for more people and has been more generous than any other nation on the face of the earth. we are only turning 224 years old this year, john, for such a young country to be built upon this idea of freedom. individual freedom, and as rich

points out, the trust of government. barack obama was at the g20, he was asked by a european member of the audience, do you believe in american exceptionalism? he said yes, i do, the way the brits believe in british exceptionalism. and my fear is that obama doesn't really believe that america is so unique and that what he is trying to do in importing this european brand of socialism to america economically is that he actually considers america one of many countries rather than a very unique one. > monica, let me put your fears to rest. he knows we are an exceptional america. everybody has different interpretations of what that is. we are a nation that is bound by one ideal of opportunity. the pursuit of opportunity was what this land was founded on and it is not that our founders were so antigovernment, they were antigovernment that got in

the way of your opportunity, and in the way of individual achievement. that's why they formed a new one of their own. when america -- the world knows we're the super power. they don't like for us to get too full of ourselves. you know, when obama won, i think the very fact that it was a strong contrast between barack hussein obama and george walker bush chosen by the same electorate that the world could see this is a real democracy and we care about opportunity here. >> let's raise the vote. another president speaks to the subject. >> it was bill clinton who most sharply said why this 233- year-old nation of ours is so independent, so different. because without it, and only it, the world cannot land. >> america stands alone as the world's indispensable nation. >> there you are.

we are indispensable to the world. you are going to defend that statement? >> i don't think the world wants to do without us. you look at how they turn to us for leadership. >> in what sense does the world depend on us? >> look at, for example, the european nations criticizing iran while we have been a little more guarded in that, because we know the world expects us to do something. >> john -- >> hold on, eleanor. >> when he talked about the indispensable nation, that was a phrase that was filtered through a prizm of liberal internationalism that ran right through wilson, through fdr, through kennedy, through carter, and through clinton, and barack obama is turning his back on that tradition. going back to one of monica's points -- >> what do you mean by that? >> look what clarence was talking about iran. who is the coolest to iranian aspirations? it was barack obama at the same time the europeans were stepping up. >> obama's sluggish

condemnation? look at obama abroad. no american president has ever established as much critical distance between himself and his country as obama has abroad. >> that verges on slander. does anybody here seriously think barack obama does not stand with the expression of desire for legitimate counting of an election in iran? and when you talk about crusading liberalism, what do you want us to do in attack iran? >> stand up forthrightly. >> barack obama believes this country is exceptional enough that we can recognize that other countries are exceptional as well. which is why he made that speech in cairo and recognized all the contributions the muslim world has made. >> before that speech in cairo, he made speech after speech on foreign soil apologizing for the united states. apologizing for perceived

injustices. >> we are off the topic. >> why aren't you medaling in iran's affairs? what happened when barack obama rationed up the rhetoric, what happened? the iranians blame all their problems on us. [ inaudible [ . >> relinquish. exit question. ronald reagan extole america in 1989. the 20th century, that century was called the american century. will this century, the 21st century also be an american century or will it be called the chinese century? rich. >> it will be called the american century. we have this run that will keep on going. the chinese have a lot of problems. >> you don't think we have a lot of problems? >> we are the most pluralistic open and dynamic country in the world. >> we are not in decline.

>> maybe a tiniest bit relative to the rest of the world. look, compared to where we were after world war ii, yes, there's been a small secular decline. >> well nor, what do you think? >> the story of the shorthand of the 21st century is unfolding. economic power? i don't know. i still think america does stand strong and proud in this world and to say that president obama is not proud of america, that's exactly what -- >> please stick with the question. >> no one said that. >> she said that about 30 seconds ago. >> i did not. >> the gift from this country that he has gotten to question whether he is patriotic enough. >> i will not have you slander me. that is not what i said. > monica, go ahead. >> getting back to the exit question. >> will the 21st century be the american century? >> it will remain the american century.

we have the full portfolio for military despite our problems and the united states will remain the bull work for freedom around the world, despite obama's lollly gagging on iran. >> what do you think? >> i think because of his lolly gagging on iran is where we will remain the super power. china is held back by their own repressive regime and you look at all the creativity in china, that regime modifying itself as far as capitalism is concerned? >> they still keep putting a lid on the internet. they don't take care of their own people. >> it wasn't the rigor it was ten years ago. >> the creative minds in china are following our model. >> the answer is -- it won't be china because china is too brittle. but not certainly. the 21st century will be the american century and it will be the best yet. when we come back, ambassadors then, ambassadors now.

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and get an ultra-sleek compaq mini netbook. call the verizon center for customers with disabilities at 800.974.6006 tty/v issue two, ambassadors then, ambassadors now. >> when it comes to hiring people in my administration, the litmus test will not be based on party or ideology, but on qualification and experience. >> except for u.s. ambassadors, sir. donors get plum spots. since the 1960s, about one out of three u.s. ambassadorships have been given to big donors to the president's political campaign. president obama is no exception. twelve of his 34 ambassador nominees thus far with about 140 yet to go have been big campaign contributors. obama's choices each raised between $300,000 and $500,000

for the obama presidential campaign. when asked about obama's choices, this exchange occurred between one house press secretary, robert gibbs, and a white house correspondent. >> from paris and london do go to personal funds of the president as opposed to career diplomat. what is mr. rifkin's qualifications to be ambassador of france? >> he is a friend of the president. i think the president saw him(zh in the last few days. again, as i said and i'll be happy to give you a bio for charlie. [ inaudible ] >> for the united kingdom -- >> he speaks english. >> at the time when the country was founded, a benjamin franklin, john adams, ambassadors to london and

paris. appointments were different in those days from what is happening today, as noted by the president of the american academy for diplomacy. quote, the practice of rewarding donors is a remnant of lse oisp system we abolished in the civil service. it is a dismal testimony to the importance of money in our elect rail electoral system. >> to be able to buy an ambassador ship, in other words, k for play. eleanor clift. >> i don't know i would call it corruption, but it's the way the game is played by republican administrations and democratic administrations. john, did we have this discussion when president bush was in office? i don't think so. but look, when the founding fathers were around, those ambassador posts to france and england were really critical posts. today they are mostly

entertainment venues. so i don't think any harm is really being done. >> no serious work is being done, is that what we are hearing? >> in fact, yes. >> the ambassador iraq has gone to hill. i would love to change the system, i don't think it's going to happen because it's a way for presidents to reward their political donors and that's the way the game is played and i don't see any serious -- >> how about inside access to these ambassadors, is that a quid pro quo? >> it has been done for decades and decades now. in fact, the more money you give, you are trying to score a better ambassadorship. you don't want to get stuck in some back water so you give more and more money that you might be appointed to the court of st. james or paris. >> what are the pluses? >> you get a great gig. >> for the president and the country? >> well, if you plan on running for reelection, you are going to want those donors to give back to you when you run

in four years. it works both ways. >> yeah, it's not just limited to ambassadors. other appointments can in fact involve big donors. i still want to get to the pluses of an ambassador being able to buy the appointment, so to speak. aren't they mostly his friends? and aren't his friends candid with him? don't they in other words have a rapport with that circle? in other words, that's exactly the kind of person they would like to have on hand in a country informing them of what is really going on with the leadership of the country? >> eleanor is right. these posts that are bought are in countries that don't matter very much. >> really? >> ironically. >> what matters is the middle east, asia, really serious countries where you have turmoil and it really matters. >> london? > new york and london. >> it's the middle east and asia that really matter. >> ask any correspondents, which i have been in a number

of these countries and they'll tell you, if you want to know what's going on, you go to the council. especially true in places like london and paris. >> what is wrong with ambassadors running that? >> he used to be in charge of the company that gave us the muffets. he knows how to communicate. >> exit question. should the practice of appointing ambassadors based on their campaign donations be outlawed? yes or no. >> no, absolutely not. these are political appointees. it does show the rhetoric about changing the ways of washington from obama. >> what about jefferson and adams? >> we will never see their likes again. benjamin franklin, the most important achievement -- >> he couldn't find within the editorial review? >> topnotch people to pick,

precisely because they would make wonderful ambassadors? >> you prefer to let them buy their way in? >> john, they buy an ambassador ship to the bahamas, who cares? >> how did we get that big? >> quickly. you want to eliminate the practice or not? >> it's not worth worrying about. it doesn't rise to that level and we have had good ambassadors who paid their way in. and these countries want people sent to them that are friends of the president and that they get a lot of social cachet from. >> yes. it is done this way because there is a derse of thomas jefferson. >> our campaign finance system is legalized corruption. that's the real issue here. as long as we have private finance, and i don't see that ending, then we will have people complaining every four years, but the system isn't going to change. >> the present practice should

be retained and it should be retained because i don't think we want all bureaucrats and all ambassadorships around the world. issue three, check your facts, chris. >> you have a shrinking republican party instead of waking up and saying we got to look for a different solution, we got to look for positive ideas, they keep trying the old thing and that old play book means they are going to shrink further and further. >> not so fast, congressman. a new gallop poll shows more americans identify themselves still as conservatives. 40%, that's more than any other ideological group. the claim by many republican leaders, namely that america remains a center right nation is true. also, look at president obama on the personal level, he is popular. very well liked. 75% say so. they like barack as a person, says an nbc poll. but on his policies, the

president scores far differently. the economic stimulous, the bailout for auto companies, the healthcare plan, polls show public discontent with all of these obama offerings. so, many republicans insist that not only will they recover, but that they will cream the democrats in next year's midterm election. >> we are in a regrouping period and time and i think we'll be back. there's always swings in politics. you'll be surprised in 2010 with the comeback we are going to make here in the united states senate. are the obituaries for the republican party premature? yes or no? >> yes, they are, john. if we are seeing a seat change in america's relationship to the government, you wouldn't see the kind of numbers about the concerns about the deficit. this thing is very much in play. >> james is sending out fund raising appeal. saying it could happen again.

we had a young president, we have big democratic majorities and look what happened in '04. >> a majority of independent voters are concerned about the debt. i think the overreach by the democrats is going to play to the advantage of the republicans. >> i agree. it swings back and forth and you are going to see people who have skepticism, but i remember when democrats were out in the wilderness like the republicans are now, it happens. >> republicans. see you in a minute. we'll be right back. oi the mclaughlin ( rock music playing )

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lexus rx hybrid. predictions, rich. >> healthcare sinks beneath the waves on concerns over its cost and people losing their private insurance.

>> no healthcare? >> nope. >> 7 1/2 billion dollars failed for pakistan went through the senate with complete republican support, signals a new day in republicans attitude to how important pakistan is and the role that foreign aid plays. >> monica. >> iran just replaced saudi arabia as china's top crude oil supplier. look for more cooperation between the chinese and iranians. >> even more than now? >> even more than now. >> i predict obama's numbers will fall into the low 50s, but he will recover. >> i predict the u.s. dollar will not lose its aaa credit rating. bye bye. happy fourth. the distance from the field to your table just got shorter.

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