Honestly, other than blowing up the 'terrists', I didn't hear much that any conservative would approve of -- other than making the tax cuts permanent and a few other tidbits. Other than that it is just more government programs, more catering to the Lowest Common Denominators of Society and giving money away to lost causes (AIDS Africa, etc). Now if anyone on FR will offer counter-points, I'd love to read them.
I'd like to hear a President challenge his citizenry, like J F Kennedy did in the early 1960s.
Imagine a President having the courage to look into the camera and speak directly to the American people and say things like:
"My fellow Americans, our nation's tax code punishes achievers and is a drain on our economy to the tune of over $400 billion. I challenge you to write to your Senators and Congressman/woman demanding tax code change to make it easier for you to pay your taxes."
"My fellow Americans, Social Security and Medicare are in dire straights. I challenge you to write your Senators and Congressman/woman demanding that these systems be overhauled and that you may opt out of the system if you choose. Raising the tax isn't an option. Raising the tax simply takes money out of your pocket and gives it to someone else while depriving you of your opportunity to enjoy your own wealth; whether you spend it on nice dinners, paying down your credit card debt, hiring more employees at your personal/small business or investing in stocks and bonds."
"My fellow Americans, I challenge you to write to your Senators and Congressman/woman and demand that they reduce federal spending. The federal government gets money from only one source, you, the citizen. The only way to stop this out of control government spending is for you the citizen to demand that your Senators and Congressman/woman make efforts to reduce federal spending by 5% year over year until the federal budget is less than $1.75 trillion and we begin to reduce the national debt."
"My fellow Americans, in this global economy, we face the prospects of cheaper labor from countries where the cost of living and labor is far cheaper than here in the United States. These countries also do not have the piles and piles of complex regulations and restrictions that make it harder for businesses to operate - which in turn provides you with job opportunities. I challenge you to write to your Senators and Congressman/woman demanding the removal of these barriers to doing business and providing you with jobs.
Things like that...ya know?
I know.
I think people confuse cheerleading with being conservative. You bring up many points I agree with, and sadly, those points were not brought out in the speech.