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Title: The Heresies of Chris Christie
Source:
THE ALANTIC
URL Source: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics ... sies-of-chris-christie/245818/
Published: Sep 29, 2011
Author: Conor Friedersdorf
Post Date: 2011-09-29 19:07:00 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 2595
Comments: 6
Speeches delivered at the Reagan Library must praise President Reagan, zing Barack Obama, and assert the greatness of the United States. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie hit all those notes Tuesday night. But he also made four key assertions that are now heretical within the Republican Party, and the significance of his speech is almost entirely wrapped up in those passages of politely stated dissent. 1. Compromise is core to politics, a necessary characteristic of good leadership, and the only way to solve problems. This is anathema to a lot of the conservative movement, who regard compromise as tantamount to selling out principle, and support candidates like Michele Bachmann precisely because of their reputation for being stubbornly uncompromising. 2. American exceptionalism isn't a natural state of being or an inheritance -- it is something to which we aspire, and we're presently falling short. "For American exceptionalism to truly deliver hope and a sterling example to the rest of the world, it must be demonstrated, not just asserted," he said. "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." Contrast that with Marco Rubio's recent speech at the Reagan Library, where American exceptionalism was cast as self-evident due to wars we'd won against Nazis and Communists, people we'd freed in decades past -- it was, Rubio said, "our legacy as a people." 3. Americans should care what foreigners think of us. The world is watching when our politics is mired in dysfunctional infighting and stubborn refusal to compromise, he noted, and "There is no better way to reinforce the likelihood that others in the world will opt for more open societies and economies than to demonstrate that our own system is working." 4. Americans cannot remake the world in our image through force. "We certainly cannot force others to adopt our principles through coercion," he said. "Local realities count; we cannot have forced makeovers of other societies in our image. We need to limit ourselves overseas to what is in our national interest so that we can rebuild the foundations of American power here at home - foundations that need to be rebuilt in part so that we can sustain a leadership role in the world for decades to come." Does Bill Kristol still want him to run? What's interesting about these heresies is that none are a particularly groundbreaking insight, but all are fighting words on today's right. That's why, even though Gov. Christie isn't running for president, he warrants a place in the national public discourse. Conservatives would do well to grapple with his words.
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#1. To: Brian S (#0)
Christie sits to the left of Romney in many areas, so I wonder why the tea party appears to be excited by him.
Tagline for sale - inquire within
1. Compromise is core to politics, a necessary characteristic of good leadership, and the only way to solve problems. 2. American exceptionalism isn't a natural state of being or an inheritance -- it is something to which we aspire, and we're presently falling short. 3. Americans should care what foreigners think of us. 4. Americans cannot remake the world in our image through force. "We certainly cannot force others to adopt our principles through coercion," he said. "Local realities count; we cannot have forced makeovers of other societies in our image. We need to limit ourselves overseas to what is in our national interest so that we can rebuild the foundations of American power here at home __________________________________________________________________________________________ HorseHillary! This is the diarrhea of the brain that is typical of the idiots who are incapable of actually thinking. Conservatives are NOT against compromise,when they get something in return for what they have to give up. GETTING CONCESSIONS from the other side to further your cause is at the heart of compromise. THEY get something and YOU get something. This ain't what has been happening with the RINO Party,who are in NO respects conservative,over the last two decades. They haven't been making compromises,they have been surrendering. There is a difference between compromising and surrendering.
"It is impossible to talk reason with those who can only parrot Party Slogans." sneakypete Nov 2011
Hey Rip...how was the nap?
America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything...
Hey Rip...how was the nap? Should I have pinged you to post number #2 above? Check it out - and pay particular attention to point number one.
__________________________________________________________________________________________ I read it.
America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything...
#2. To: Brian S (#0)
Obama to GOP: ‘I Won’
Mr. Obama came of age in a bubble of post-'60s liberalism that conditioned him to be an adversary of American exceptionalism. In this liberalism America's exceptional status in the world follows from a bargain with the devil—an indulgence in militarism, racism, sexism, corporate greed, and environmental disregard as the means to a broad economic, military, and even cultural supremacy in the world.
--Shelby Steele, Sept 2011
Today, many see the U.S. as a great power in decline.
Nobel Peace Prize Winning Obama A Warmonger? What's interesting about these heresies is that none are a particularly groundbreaking insight, but all are fighting words on today's right.
Sounds like St. Chris' words may be fighting ones for the looney Obama Left too, eh Brian?
ABC NEWS: [Ron Paul] added that the United States is in 130 countries and has 900 bases around the world, and added that “we’re broke.”. He was booed at a Tea-Party debate.
Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Statist and all ships at sea. Your demonization of the Tea Party has worked - you need no longer fear it! Carry on!!
#3. To: Brian S (#0)
1. Compromise is core to politics, a necessary characteristic of good leadership, and the only way to solve problems. This is anathema to a lot of the conservative movement, who regard compromise as tantamount to selling out principle, and support candidates like Michele Bachmann precisely because of their reputation for being stubbornly uncompromising.
#4. To: sneakypete (#3)
Conservatives are NOT against compromise
--GW Bush
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
#5. To: war (#4)
Conservatives are NOT against compromise
ABC NEWS: [Ron Paul] added that the United States is in 130 countries and has 900 bases around the world, and added that “we’re broke.”. He was booed at a Tea-Party debate.
Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Statist and all ships at sea. Your demonization of the Tea Party has worked - you need no longer fear it! Carry on!!
#6. To: Get Outta Dodge! (#5)
--GW Bush
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
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