We need a leader who doesn't coddle Americans. We need one who will tell it like it is. We have the potential to be great. We have the means. But right now we suck.
That was the main thrust of Christie's speech. The main theme was that exceptionalism must be earned--demonstrated. On this point he is correct, and El Rushbo is wrong:
A lot is being said in this election season about American exceptionalism. Implicit in such statements is that we are different and, yes, better, in the sense that our democracy, our economy and our people have delivered. But for American exceptionalism to truly deliver hope and a sterling example to the rest of the world, it must be demonstrated, not just asserted.
And again:
Without the authority that comes from that exceptionalism—earned American exceptionalism—we cannot do good for other countries, we cannot continue to be a beacon of hope for the world to aspire to for their future generations.
And then he closed on the same theme, that talk is cheap. We must actually accomplish our goals:
That is American exceptionalism. Not a punch line in a political speech, but a vision followed by a set of principled actions that made us the envy of the world. Not a re-election strategy, but an American revitalization strategy.We will be that again, but not until we demand that our leaders stand tall by telling the truth, confronting our shortcomings, celebrating our successes and, once again leading the world because of what we have been able to actually accomplish.
Only when we do that will we finally ensure that our children and grandchildren will live in a second American century. We owe them, as well as ourselves and those who came before us, nothing less.
This wasn't a feel-good speech. It was a tough-love speech. He's saying we stink right now, and he's correct. He's saying, as Trump did, that we are not respected in the world right now. They laugh at us, and rightly so.
It is feel good in the sense that everything will be fine if a Republican is elected but no explanation of what that Republican will actually do in terms of specific policy. What will he do in the Middle East, will he keep troops in Afghanistan, will he put tariffs on China or fight for free trade, will he cut spending and, if so, where and by how much, will he keep or step the war on drugs, will there will be more humanitarian intereventions in Syria, etc.. will he abolish the Department of Education of Energy and Education (or keep them)? Will he preserve Social Security as is or will he move toward some privatization? Would he close Gitmo or would he expand it? He gives nary a clue. How is that tough love? A tough speech would lay on the line on at least some details.