August 28, 2012 by David K. Sutton
RNC – NJ Gov. Chris Christie: Republican National Convention Keynote Speech
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie began his keynote speech at the Republican National Convention by saying we should choose respect and by also saying leaders need to stop tearing each other down. Later in this same speech Christie threw out his opening message and angrily began attacking Democrats and showing no respect for the tens of millions of Americans who identify with the Democratic Party.
The greatest lesson Mom ever taught me, though, was this one: she told me there would be times in your life when you have to choose between being loved and being respected. She said to always pick being respected, that love without respect was always fleeting — but that respect could grow into real, lasting love. – NJ Gov. Chris Christie, RNC Keynote
OK, this was just odd. Just after Ann Romney had started her speech about “love,” Chris Christie comes on stage and says forget about love, it’s all about respect. It just seemed odd.
Our leaders today have decided it is more important to be popular, to do what is easy and say “yes,” rather than to say no when “no” is what’s required.
In recent years, we as a country have too often chosen the same path. It’s been easy for our leaders to say not us, and not now, in taking on the tough issues. And we’ve stood silently by and let them get away with it.
But tonight, I say enough.
I say, together, let’s make a much different choice. Tonight, we are speaking up for ourselves and stepping up.
We are beginning to do what is right and what is necessary to make our country great again. We are demanding that our leaders stop tearing each other down, and work together to take action on the big things facing America.
Tonight, we choose respect over love. – NJ Gov. Chris Christie, RNC Keynote
OK, so Chris Christie is a Republican leader, he is the governor of New Jersey. So, how does he show respect and how does he put an end to tearing down other leaders? This is how:
Let’s be clear with the American people tonight. Here’s what we believe as Republicans and what they believe as Democrats.
We believe in telling hard working families the truth about our country’s fiscal realities.
They believe that the American people don’t want to hear the truth about the extent of our fiscal difficulties and need to be coddled by big government.
They believe the American people are content to live the lie with them.
We believe in telling seniors the truth about our overburdened entitlements.
They believe seniors will always put themselves ahead of their grandchildren. So they prey on their vulnerabilities and scare them with misinformation for the cynical purpose of winning the next election.
Their plan: whistle a happy tune while driving us off the fiscal cliff, as long as they are behind the wheel of power.
We believe that the majority of teachers in America know our system must be reformed to put students first so that America can compete.
They believe the educational establishment will always put themselves ahead of children. That self-interest trumps common sense.
They believe in pitting unions against teachers, educators against parents, and lobbyists against children.
They believe in teacher’s unions. We believe in teachers. We believe that if we tell the people the truth they will act bigger than the pettiness of Washington, D.C.
We believe it’s possible to forge bipartisan compromise and stand up for conservative principles. It’s the power of our ideas, not of our rhetoric, that attracts people to our Party. – NJ Gov. Chris Christie, RNC Keynote
Really Christie? After that diatribe, now you are talking about bipartisanship? Is this more of that compromise that means Democrats moving to the Republican position?
You see, Mr. President – real leaders don’t follow polls. Real leaders change polls. – NJ Gov. Chris Christie, RNC
I agree. Too bad Mr. Christie didn’t follow his own advice and show leadership when he vetoed same-sex marriage in New Jersey. Instead he said he wanted a “poll” (ballot referendum). He chose to take the easy way out. I believe Christie is not against same-sex marriage, and I believe the proof is in his own words. He wants voters in New Jersey to decide. Nobody who is against same-sex marriage would accept same-sex marriage even if it won a popular vote. It is for that reason that I know Mr. Christie either supports same-sex marriage or is at worst indifferent. So why did he veto New Jersey’s same-sex marriage legislation? Because he lacked leadership. Because he lacked political courage to sign it into law as a member of the Republican Party, a party that is overwhelmingly against same-sex marriage. So in other words, Chris Christie is a hypocrite.
I’m not sure who Chris Christie and Republicans were looking to win over tonight. With the possible exception of Ann Romney’s speech, this entire night was a show put on for the Republican base. Chris Christie’s keynote speech did nothing to improve Mitt Romney’s chances in November.
