America's Place in the World

Description: We are still respected but have damaged our respect through our policies.

Transcript: Well you know, I think the U.S. is caught up in these issues big time. I think that the kind of tragic thing about the U.S. situation right now is I think for a country where I think the vast majority of Americans have such good motives – and you know, try so hard around the basics of freedom and democracy, and helping other people, and being generous, and being philanthropic and all these things – that somehow the country gets demonized and attacked. And frankly I find it at the very grassroots level as I travel around the world, which I do a lot. I think there’s a tremendous level of respect for the U.S. But for whatever reason if you read the newspaper, you would think we’re the worst country in the world. And I don’t think that any of the folks that call us names have even glanced at themselves at the mirror, because I don’t know how you would come to that conclusion. So that’s troubling, and I think that’s partly our own fault; and I think it’s because of the way we’ve engaged the world lately. And I think we can do so much more.

Recorded on: 6/11/07