Brian
Freedom’s Lighthouse
8/29/2012
Here is the transcript.
…when the world looks to America, they look to us because we are the most successful political and economic experiment in human history. That is the true basis of “American Exceptionalism.” The essence of America – that which really unites us — is not ethnicity, or nationality or religion – it is an idea — and what an idea it is: That you can come from humble circumstances and do great things. That it doesn’t matter where you came from but where you are going.
Ours has never been a narrative of grievance and entitlement. We have not believed that I am doing poorly because you are doing well. We have not been envious of one another and jealous of each other’s success. Ours has been a belief in opportunity and a constant battle – long and hard — to extend the benefits of the American dream to all – without regard to circumstances of birth.
But the American ideal is indeed endangered today. There is no country, no not even a rising China, that can do more harm to us than we can do to ourselves if we fail to accomplish the tasks before us here at home…
Update: Video of New Mexico’s Governor Susana Martinez from The Astute Bloggers.
Update 2: Matthews to Rice: You meant to go after birthers with your speech, huh?
Talk about your Rorschach moments. Condoleezza Rice gave a stirring speech that touched on the necessity of American engagement abroad, a need for education reform, and the true meaning of American exceptionalism. She talked about transcending a childhood in the Jim Crow era in Birmingham, Alabama to become her nation’s chief diplomat, and spoke hopefully of shaping the next generation for “greatness.” …
…But you know what Chris Matthews heard during this speech? Birthers screaming in anguish, or something…
Update 3: At Power Line Paul Mirengoff wrote:
I confess to wondering about the decision to give the New Mexico governor a plum speaking time on a big convention night, just in front of Paul Ryan. But then I had never really seen Susana Martinez in action.
Now that I have, I wonder no more. The sky could be the limit for this rising star.
You can watch video of the Governor’s speech at the link in our first Update, above.
