I just listened again to Jeane Kirkpatrick’s 1984 Republican convention speech. I was reminded of it because we today, once again, are confronted by the “San Francisco Democrats” to whom she made reference, to wit Speaker Pelosi and candidate Senator Harris, both as misguided and toxic as the San Francisco Democrats always have been.
Jeane Kirkpatrick was herself a Democrat. She revered President Truman, as do I. She respected President Kennedy. But she served President Reagan willingly after realizing the new direction the Democrats were taking, even back then.
Ambassador Kirkpatrick was a most wise woman. Here is a lift from her 1984 speech:
The American people know that it’s dangerous to blame ourselves for terrible problems that we did not cause.
They understand just as the distinguished French writer, Jean Francois Revel, understands the dangers of endless self- criticism and self-denigration.
He wrote: “Clearly, a civilization that feels guilty for everything it is and does will lack the energy and conviction to defend itself.”
With the election of Ronald Reagan, the American people declared to the world that we have the necessary energy and conviction to defend ourselves, and that we have as well a deep commitment to peace.
And now, the American people, proud of our country, proud of our freedom, proud of ourselves, will reject the San Francisco Democrats and send Ronald Reagan back to the White House.
But today the “blame America first” San Francisco Democrats are in full flourish and in total control of that political party. They are dangerous and manifestly un-American. Their defeat is imperative.