Newt Gingrich to star in Citizens United movie about "American exceptionalism"

With Republican presidential candidates preparing to face off in their first debate next week, Citizens United Productions, a production company affiliated with the Newt Gingrich-associated Republican advocacy group Citizens United, will release a film entitled "A City Upon A Hill" - a documentary-style film on "American exceptionalism" co-starring Gingrich.

The film, which will premiere on Friday in Washington, D.C., features interviews with Gingrich, his "co-host" and wife Callista, and a handful of prominent Republicans discussing the idea that America is the best country in the world.

"Exceptionalism for Americans is the belief that the United States is in some way more open, more vigorous, more optimistic than other nations are," says Gingrich, a likely 2012 presidential contender, in the film's trailer. "Our best leaders have reminded us that we have a moral obligation to the cause of freedom and that the cause of freedom is the cause of all mankind."

(Watch the trailer above.)

The movie, which according to its website includes a mixture of "real stories from Americans" and interviews with political figures, touts the idea that, as Citizens United president David Bossie puts it, "America is a beacon of liberty for the rest of the world." It also warns that this "exceptionalism" may be at risk -- and seems to pin the blame on Democrats.

"Our belief in American exceptionalism has historically been bipartisan," Gingrich intones. "However, there are signs that this is no longer so."

"We're at battle, quite frankly, between two competing values - the American system and the European socialistic system," adds conservative commentator Andrew Breitbart.

The theme of "American exceptionalism" has become a prominent battle cry among the GOP presidential field.

Mitt Romney, who recently announced the formation of a presidential exploratory committee, wrote in his 2010 book that "This reorientation away from a celebration of American exceptionalism is misguided and bankrupt."

And Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, suggested in a 2010 interview that president Obama had an anti-exceptionalist perspective.

"His worldview is dramatically different than any president, Republican or Democrat, we've had," Huckabee said of the president. "To deny American exceptionalism is in essence to deny the heart and soul of this nation."

Gingrich was not the only possible presidential hopeful to make an appearance in the film: Rep. Michele Bachmann and Donald Trump also speak out on behalf of American greatness.

"American exceptionalism is really a great term, and it's something that is very special to us," Trump says in the trailer. "And by the way, we have to be very, very careful to protect it and cherish it because it can also disappear."

"A City Upon A Hill" was written and directed by Kevin Knoblock, who has produced and/or directed a number of films for Citizens United Productions. It is not currently scheduled for a wide release.

[brian_norwood]

Poor Newt. Finds himself at the bottom of the pissing rope...looking up.

[formrusmcsgt]

"a documentary-style film on "American exceptionalism" co-starring Gingrich".
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I find it funny that they cast a common philanderer in a film about American Exceptionalism......

[lucifersshadow]

Hearing t5his bone head talk about "exceptionalism" is funny. He is exceptional alright . . . exceptionally devisive, exceptionally pig-headed, and exceptionally booring.

[san850]

Two words for Newt: WHO CARES!

This big scumbag of wind discussing "exceptionalism"? What a joke.

[shylove2]

and American Deceptionalism is even firmer...

[kansas1946]

And Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, suggested in a 2010 interview that president Obama had an anti-exceptionalist perspective.





"His worldview is dramatically different than any president, Republican or Democrat, we've had," Huckabee said of the president. "To deny American exceptionalism is in essence to deny the heart and soul of this nation."

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Republicans are so stupid it is unbelievable. Obama is one of the most "exceptional" presidents that we have ever had. He was raised mostly by a single mom, he is bi-racial, he was certainly not rich, he was a troubled teenager. Does that sound like a recipe for a powerful leader in any other culture. Only in American could Obama have come from his beginnings and end up president. But Republicans refuse to recognize how amazing that is, recognize what a wonderful endorsement of America that his presidency is. That a nation that has been labled racist by most countries in the world has elected a black president. Republicans are idiots and the only thing exceptional about Newt Gingrich is that he has the morals of an alley cat.

[Familyof6]

Do you not follow it's about AMERICA itself and it's ideals? You missed the entire point.

[Smokey75]

Wow it is amazing the hatred liberals have for the US. I guess if their lazy deadbeat selves got the government handouts they so desire then they would think America is great.

But since it takes that dreaded four letter word liberals are so afraid of to succeed in the US and that is WORK. The US is a god awful place for the handout slime ball liberals. Just maybe they will all decide they hate it some much that they will move and go to one of the so called better countries wouldn't that be grand.

[brian_norwood]

Funny how the lion's share of Welfare and Medicaid go to southern white people.

Think they're liberals?

[Smokey75]

Any facts to back this up or are you just making things up as you go along?

[brian_norwood]

Poor Newt. One week from the first "debate" and he finds himself at the bottom of the pissing rope, looking up.

[Lindag10]

Is he competing with Trump for "buffon of the year"? How pathetic.

[jimbom121]

And they chose Gingrich to star in it? Was no one else available?