Mike, there is a difference between leadership and arrogance. Our esteem, as you put it, has only fallen against those who envy our leadership position. To reclaim our "esteem" would be to give up that position.

Obama already had the opportunity to promote American exceptionalism and he shot it dead. I don't recall the exact meeting but I think it was the one where Chavez handed him a book.

Obama is our President and not the world's savior. His role is to promote this country, this people, not equivocate or try to make us more popular.

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>>It's a rough world and the historical long view is that it doesn't suffer fools.
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>No, it doesn't. And arrogance is the epitome of foolishness. Do you not realize how far our esteem has fallen? Do you not realize there are consequences of that?
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>Sorry, that sounds arrogant. We have talked many times and I know you are one of the good guys. I just disagree with you profoundly here.
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>I believe you are mistaken if you think Obama is a pushover. He has a courtly manner, which is not the same thing at all. Give him a chance.