There are those who say that our day as the free world’s leader has passed, that our moment is waning. They point to the anti-Americanism that is sometimes heard in Europe and elsewhere, and take this as a sign that America no longer has the strength or the moral credibility to lead. The criticisms tend to pass or quiet down when global threats and dangers appear. In times of trouble, free nations of the world still look to America for leadership, because they know the strength of America remains the greatest force for good on this earth. My opponent had the chance to express such confidence in America, when he delivered a much anticipated address in Berlin. He was the picture of confidence, in some ways. But confidence in oneself and confidence in one’s country are not the same. And in that speech, Senator Obama left an important point unclear. He suggested that the end of the Cold War proved that there was, “no challenge too great for a world that stands as one.” Now I missed a few years of the Cold War, as the guest of one of our adversaries, but as I recall the world was deeply divided during the Cold War – between the side of freedom and the side of tyranny. The Cold War ended not because the world stood “as one,” but because the great democracies came together, bound together by sustained and decisive American leadership. All of this is more than an academic debate. For the sake of our own security, and the defense of our values in the affairs of the world, American leadership is critical. While we have our share of critics around the world, when people in the oppressed nations of the world need support, and solidarity, and hope, they look to America. When they talk about our country, it is not with distrust or disdain, but with respect and affection. They do not resent or resist America’s democratic influence in the world – they thank God for it.
I said it at the time, and since I’m not fearful of repeating myself, I’ll say it again. Obama showed both an ignorance of history and a disregard for America’s unique role in guaranteeing freedom during his Berlin peroration. McCain can dine out on that extended pratfall, which is in fact indicative of a worldview that differs markedly from his own, from now until November. One last thing on a writerly note. In the past, McCain’s speeches have been larded with lengthy, multiple-clause sentences. Such sentences may sometimes read well, but they’re nearly impossible to say aloud even for the most gifted speakers – which John McCain is not. Today’s written text was full of punchy, declarative sentences that lent themselves well to the speech-making format. Either McCain’s speechwriters have upped their game, or some new hands are pitching in. Regardless, today’s speech is a strong effort.
