Obama salutes 'nation of rugged individualists'

David Jackson | USA TODAY

To celebrate July 4th, our Gannett colleagues at the Des Moines Register asked Iowa residents to identify "what's right with America" -- a group that includes an honorary Iowan named Barack Obama.

The president, who has often declared his fondness for Iowa since a win in the 2008 Democratic caucuses launched his White House bid, spoke of the nation's unique blend of individual and shared responsibilities.

Said Obama:

"We are a nation of rugged individualists, but we also believe that our destiny is shared; that this country only works when we accept certain responsibilities to one another and to future generations. That's what is, and always will be, right about America."