TRENTON — Partisan bickering hindering American progress is a theme Gov. Chris Christie will touch on tonight in a highly anticipated speech at the Reagan Library in California. Christie's office released the excerpts from the speech, titled "Real American Exceptionalism," which he will deliver tonight in Simi Valley, California. "Unfortunately, through our own domestic political conduct of late, we...
Gov. Chris Christie will speak in Simi Valley, Calif. tonight, presenting his speech, titled "Real American Exceptionalism."
TRENTON — Partisan bickering hindering American progress is a theme Gov. Chris Christie will touch on tonight in a highly anticipated speech at the Reagan Library in California.
Christie's office released the excerpts from the speech, titled "Real American Exceptionalism," which he will deliver tonight in Simi Valley, California.
"Unfortunately, through our own domestic political conduct of late, we have failed to live up to our own tradition of exceptionalism," the speech reads.
"Today, our role and ability to affect change has been diminished because of our own problems and our inability to effectively deal with them."
He later will say, "Today, the biggest challenge we must meet is the one we present to ourselves."
Christie will also touch on national security and the country's economy.
"The United States must be prepared to act. We must be prepared to lead," the speech reads. "This takes resources resources for defense, for intelligence, for homeland security, for diplomacy."
"Our economic health is a national security issue as well," it goes on.
All eyes are on Christie tonight as he delivers the speech amid speculation that he is rethinking running for president.
Though Christie and his aides have repeatedly denied that he is running, a comment by Christie confidant and former Gov. Tom Kean Monday fueled a fresh round of rumors.
"The odds are a lot better now than they were a couple of weeks ago," Kean told National Review Online.
Christie's brother Todd dispelled the rumor today.
"I'm sure that he's not going to run," Todd Christie said. "If he's lying to me, I'll be as stunned as I've ever been in my life."
Full excerpts:
“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. If it is demonstrated, it will be seen and appreciated and ultimately emulated by others. They will then be more likely to follow our example and our lead.
At one time in our history, our greatness was a reflection of our country’s innovation, our determination, our ingenuity and the strength of our democratic institutions. When there was a crisis in the world, America found a way to come together to help our allies and fight our enemies. When there was a crisis at home, we put aside parochialism and put the greater public interest first. And in our system, we did it through strong presidential leadership. We did it through Reagan-like leadership.
Unfortunately, through our own domestic political conduct of late, we have failed to live up to our own tradition of exceptionalism. Today, our role and ability to affect change has been diminished because of our own problems and our inability to effectively deal with them.
…
I understand full well that succeeding at home, setting an example, is not enough. The United States must be prepared to act. We must be prepared to lead. This takes resources—resources for defense, for intelligence, for homeland security, for diplomacy. The United States will only be able to sustain a leadership position around the world if the resources are there—but the necessary resources will only be there if the foundations of the American economy are healthy. So our economic health is a national security issue as well.
…
There is no doubt in my mind that we, as a country and as a people, are up for the challenge. Our democracy is strong; our economy is the world’s largest. Innovation and risk-taking is in our collective DNA. There is no better place for investment. Above all, we have a demonstrated record as a people and a nation of rising up to meet challenges.
Today, the biggest challenge we must meet is the one we present to ourselves. To not become a nation that places entitlement ahead of accomplishment. To not become a country that places comfortable lies ahead of difficult truths. To not become a people that thinks so little of ourselves that we demand no sacrifice from each other. We are a better people than that; and we must demand a better nation than that.”
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