Trump Vows To Make America Great Again

by Gary Bauer, Contributing Author:  "Make America Great Again" - Last night, Donald J. Trump formally accepted the Republican Party's nomination for president of the United States. In doing so, he becomes the first major party nominee without elected political experience since General Dwight Eisenhower won the Republican nomination in 1952.

I have been to many conventions. And this one was unlike any other. The convention hall last night was electric. Trump delivered his speech in his usual extravagant style, but his message was controlled and disciplined.

The left-wing media's reaction was predictable. "Dark." "Vengeful." "Extreme." "Incendiary." "Toxic."

Given recent events -- terrorist attacks and police assassinations -- the public is in no mood for happy talk. According to a recent Gallup survey, just 17% of Americans are satisfied with the state of the country.

But here's something to consider: An instant reaction poll by CNN found that 75% of those who watched Trump's speech had a positive reaction to it, and 73% said the policies he outlined would move America in the right direction.

The American people want real change and real hope. The left-wing media might be happy with the direction of our nation, but most voters know we are on the wrong track. They are sick and tired of politicians and their platitudes. They want to make America great again!

Reaching Main Street, U.S.A. - I felt Trump's address last night was an incredibly effective, populist message aimed at the great swath of Americans -- the "silent majority" who work hard, play by the rules, love their country, but who have been left behind by the globalist, corporatist agenda.

Trump made it clear he was speaking to these Americans when he said:"My message is that things have to change and they have to change right now. Every day I wake up determined to deliver a better life for the people all across this nation that had been ignored, neglected and abandoned.

"I have visited the laid-off factory workers, and the communities crushed by our horrible and unfair trade deals. These are the forgotten men and women of our country, and they are forgotten, but they will not be forgotten long. These are people who work hard but no longer have a voice. I am your voice!"Expanding The Base - Trump also made several direct appeals to minority voters. He slammed Obama's failure to deliver on "hope and change," saying:"This administration has failed America's inner cities. Remember, it has failed America's inner cities. It's failed them on education. It's failed them on jobs. It's failed them on crime. It's failed them in every way and on every single level." While some in the left-wing media are decrying his law and order message as a "racist dog whistle," minority communities suffer the most from crime.

This is not, or should not be, a racial issue. Every American -- black, white, Hispanic, Asian -- wants and deserves safe streets so their kids can walk to school and play.

Trump was 100% right when said, "The most basic duty of government is to defend the lives of its citizens. Any government that fails to do so is a government unworthy to lead."

On this point, Democrats have big problems. Portions of their coalition despise the police and our military. It took Clinton hours to issue a statement after three Baton Rouge police officers were killed. What on earth were they debating?!

Nevertheless, some of the speakers at next week's Democrat convention indicate that Hillary and her allies are all in on the left's anti-cop agenda. And the police union in Philadelphia is furious!

Trump also championed school choice, a popular idea with minority voters, saying, "We will rescue kids from failing schools by helping their parents send them to a safe school of their choice."

And while his immigration message is falsely bashed as "anti-Hispanic," Trump framed it the right way, saying:"Decades of record immigration have produced lower wages and higher unemployment for our citizens, especially for African-American and Latino workers. We are going to have an immigration system that works, but one that works for the American people."Speaking To Values Voters - Of particular interest to values voters, Trump clearly reiterated the kind of judges he would appoint. He said:"We are also going to appoint justices to the United States Supreme Court who will uphold our laws and our Constitution. The replacement of our beloved Justice Scalia will be a person of similar views, principles and judicial philosophies. Very important. This will be one of the most important issues decided by this election."Again, he is absolutely right!

That issue alone -- control of the Supreme Court and everything that entails for religious liberty, the sanctity of life, the Second Amendment, separation of powers -- should have every conservative rushing to the polls on November 8th to vote for the only candidate who can keep Hillary Clinton out of the Oval Office.

And that candidate is Donald Trump!

Trump pointedly thanked evangelicals for their "amazing support." To my surprise, he added, "And I'm not sure I totally deserve it." To me, those remarks demonstrated some welcome humility. And there was more.

Trump brought up the 1954 IRS amendment, passed by then-Senator Lyndon Johnson, that muzzled the ability of pastors to speak freely from the pulpit. This isn't the first time Trump has raised this issue, which, frankly, too few of our friends in Congress ever talk about. Trump is making it a real cause and seems to feel strongly about it.

Of course, values voters care deeply about life and religious liberty. These issues will be decided by the judges he appoints, and he is trying to expand religious liberty by overturning that amendment.

But values voters also love America, support the rule of law and are very patriotic people. They dislike globalism and the trend toward international law overriding our Constitution.

Many evangelical churches often pray for our soldiers and our men and women in law enforcement. Some have special services devoted to our men and women in uniform. We do that in our church.

Trump is hitting a lot of themes that resonate with values voters -- an important part of the electorate, especially within the GOP coalition.

Lastly, I would point out that actions speak louder than words. And that is why I was so encouraged -- and believe every conservative voter should be as well -- by his selection of Indiana Governor Mike Pence, a solid, articulate, pro-family, pro-life conservative Christian, to be his running mate.
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Gary Bauer is a conservative family values advocate and serves as president of American Values and chairman of the Campaign for Working Families

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