--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not going to critique the president's…" description: "\"I'm not going to critique the president's every utterance, but I do think America is exceptional. America is different. We don't operate in any way the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf2/mitch-mcconnell-2153_america_i-m-not-going-to-critique-the-president_2484452.jpg" --- # I'm not going to critique the president's every utterance… ![“I'm not going to critique the president's every utterance, but I do think America is exceptional. America is different. We don't operate in any way the Russians do. I think there's a clear distinction here that all Americans understand, and no, I would not have characterized it that way.” quote by Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf2/mitch-mcconnell-2153_america_i-m-not-going-to-critique-the-president_2484452.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf2/mitch-mcconnell-2153_america_i-m-not-going-to-critique-the-president_2484452.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf2/mitch-mcconnell-2153_america_i-m-not-going-to-critique-the-president_2484452.jpg) > “I'm not going to critique the president's every utterance, but I do think America is exceptional. America is different. We don't operate in any way the Russians do. I think there's a clear distinction here that all Americans understand, and no, I would not have characterized it that way.” [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker claims America is uniquely exceptional and fundamentally different from Russia, emphasizing a clear national distinction. **In simple terms:** America is uniquely exceptional and different from Russia. Key Takeaway Recognize national identity. Themes patriotism exceptionalism politics Mood assertive defensive Type political ideological When to use this quote - political debate - public policy - international relations Key Concepts nationalism comparative analysis Questions to Reflect On - What defines true exceptionalism? - How do differences affect cooperation? A Different Perspective Overlooks complexities and shared challenges. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Critique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critique/) [Distinction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinction/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [If you ask me to name the proudest distinction of Americans, I would choose . . . the fact that they were the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/if-you-ask-me-to-name-the-proudest-distinction-of-americans-i-would-2/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [I get always a little uptight when I hear politicians say how exceptional America is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/i-get-always-a-little-uptight-when-i-hear-politicians-say-how/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [“If you ask me to name the proudest distinction of Americans, I would choose--because it contains all the distinctions of the others--the fact that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/if-you-ask-me-to-name-the-proudest-distinction-of-americans-i-would/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [I'm not going to critique every utterance of the president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/i-m-not-going-to-critique-every-utterance-of-the-president/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [Washington's Corruption and Mendacity Is What Makes America 'Exceptional'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-craig-roberts/washington-s-corruption-and-mendacity-is-what-makes-america/) [Paul Craig Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-craig-roberts/) > [Our higher education system is one of the things that makes America exceptional. There's no place else that has the assets we do when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/our-higher-education-system-is-one-of-the-things-that-makes-america/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [“America is exceptional. Does that statement shock you? It shocks me to have to say it! To be forced by your doubt to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/america-is-exceptional-does-that-statement-shock-you-it-shocks-me-to/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/what-makes-america-exceptional-are-the-bonds-that-hold-together-the/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [America still is an exceptional country. We love to lead and we love to win. And we do it, when we take on any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeb-bush/america-still-is-an-exceptional-country-we-love-to-lead-and-we-love/) [Jeb Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeb-bush/) > [America is exceptional: but because it yields the likes of Obama, not the likes of Bush.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-liu/america-is-exceptional-but-because-it-yields-the-likes-of-obama-not/) [Eric Liu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-liu/) > [My opponent misses something important. When we say America is exceptional, it doesn't mean that people from other places don't feel deep national pride,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/my-opponent-misses-something-important-when-we-say-america-is/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [America's exceptional nature confers upon us responsibilities. We are not exceptional because we say so; we are exceptional because, over and over, we do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-whitehouse/america-s-exceptional-nature-confers-upon-us-responsibilities-we-are/) [Sheldon Whitehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-whitehouse/) > [People say America is exceptional. I agree, but it's not the complexion of our skin or the twists in our DNA that make us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/people-say-america-is-exceptional-i-agree-but-it-s-not-the-complexion/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [Clearly America is exceptional in its immorality, lack of human compassion, and disrespect for law and its founding document.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-craig-roberts/clearly-america-is-exceptional-in-its-immorality-lack-of-human/) [Paul Craig Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-craig-roberts/) > [Affirming belief that America is an exceptional nation has become a test of patriotism in American politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ignatieff/affirming-belief-that-america-is-an-exceptional-nation-has-become-a/) [Michael Ignatieff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ignatieff/) ## More by Mitch McConnell > [When you hang the 'bipartisan' tag on something, the perception is that differences have been worked out, and there's a broad agreement that that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/when-you-hang-the-bipartisan-tag-on-something-the-perception-is-that/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [No matter how unusual a personality may be who gets elected to office, there are constraints in this country. You don't get to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/no-matter-how-unusual-a-personality-may-be-who-gets-elected-to-office/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [I'm optimistic that none of my members in the end want to be responsible for the status quo on Obamacare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/i-m-optimistic-that-none-of-my-members-in-the-end-want-to-be/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [America's a land of second opportunities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/america-s-a-land-of-second-opportunities/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [To call this a recovery is an insult to recoveries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/to-call-this-a-recovery-is-an-insult-to-recoveries/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [I believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/i-believe-that-marriage-should-be-between-one-man-and-one-woman/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [I'm really proud of this Supreme Court and the way they've been dealing with the issue of First Amendment political speech.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/i-m-really-proud-of-this-supreme-court-and-the-way-they-ve-been/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [I think it is to the advantage of my state to have the opportunity to come to meetings occasionally and to vote in person,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/i-think-it-is-to-the-advantage-of-my-state-to-have-the-opportunity-to/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [It is time for a leader who will lead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/it-is-time-for-a-leader-who-will-lead/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [On the issue of Iraq, it is my hope, and my challenge to my colleagues, that our debate will be based on what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/on-the-issue-of-iraq-it-is-my-hope-and-my-challenge-to-my-colleagues/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [Eventually, Americans would be stuck with government-run health care whether they like it or not. That's when the worst scenario would take shape, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/eventually-americans-would-be-stuck-with-government-run-health-care/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [Our nation has a regrettable history of drawing down our forces and readiness after each conflict, only to find ourselve ill-prepared for the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/our-nation-has-a-regrettable-history-of-drawing-down-our-forces-and/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [As President Obama reminded us, we're all on one team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/as-president-obama-reminded-us-we-re-all-on-one-team/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [The Frist fairness rule guarantees up-or-down votes for every circuit court or Supreme Court nomination, regardless of which party controls the Senate or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/the-frist-fairness-rule-guarantees-up-or-down-votes-for-every-circuit/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [I always think a debt ceiling is a good tool to carry something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/i-always-think-a-debt-ceiling-is-a-good-tool-to-carry-something/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) [Explore all 182 Mitch McConnell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) [Browse all 20,382 America quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm not going to critique the president's every utterance, but I do think America is exceptional. America is different. We don't operate in any way the Russians do. 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