Full of patriots. [cheers and applause] we are here at a crucial time in american history. Because the truth is that we are in the fight of our lives. America today is weaker than it has ever been. And as a result, the world is a much more dangerous place. Individualism, patriotism, liberty, the unique properties of American Life and culture are all at diminished levels. For the first time any of us can remember, america appears to be becoming irrelevant in world affairs. But this is america. Its time to stop the pity parties and start [applause] its time to fight back. Its time to save america. Its time to believe in breakthroughs and turnarounds and miracles. Ladies and gentlemen, for as long as i can remember, ive wanted to change the world. One hard at a time. I want to change history. I want to leave a lasting legacy. I want to keep america number one. I want to see an american renaissance. But i cant do it myself. I need your help to do it. This is still the country people cross oceans to get to. Still the place that sees people empty their life savings to be a part of. Still the nation that has people selfassured on their back just a few the american wins of freedom and opportunity. Still the country of the dreamer. America the great, america the beautiful. [applause] some people are born burning for america. Arnold schwarzenegger was one of them. I was the same way. God planted a dream in my heart to minister to americans. To be a modernday paul revere, another alexis de tocqueville, to warn americans about the perils of the future and to expand to americans what makes them exceptional. And for the last four years over a dozen trips traveling from the other side of the world, i have miraculously carried out what i believe i was put on earth to do. And with gods hands firmly on my American Ministry and our righteous cause we have achieved the on all expectations. [applause] done things that no one thought were possible. But in america, anything is possible. [applause] i must tell you, my american credentials were solid from the start. The first word i ever uttered, my mother tells me, rather sheepishly, was coke, as in cocacola, the great iconic american brands. That was my first word, and ive had some trouble shutting me up ever since. And with a father who looks strikingly alike to archie bunker from all in the family, and shares most of his views as well, i suppose it was a fait accompli. And if that werent enough, when my mother, who is german, first that my father in europe and heard them speaking in english, well, i guess one accent was as good as the other, and so she asked him if he was an american. At the age of eight i told my parents, and anybody who would listen, that i was going to go to america and speak to people. They thought i was nuts. By the time i reached 10, i have revised my plants and boldly declared im going to go to america and become famous. They still thought i was nuts. Not much has changed. And i remember very clearly one cold, Late Afternoon in january 2000 standing on Westminster Bridge in london with my parents. I was 15. To give you some context, our london leg have been the final stop in and extensive, multicountry, multicity european tour. It had cost my parents a small fortune. It had taken us from the mountains of southern germany to the breathtaking cities of venice, florence and rome, to majestic terrace, to the likes of switzerland and to the villages of austria. I had seen everything in the Leaning Tower of pizza to the coliseum to the eiffel tower, power of pisa. It truly was the trip of a lifetime. As we stood on the bridge overlooking the magnificent palace of westminster, home to the houses of the british parliament, my father asked me, so, nic, did you enjoy your trip . Without even a moments hesitation i said yes, dad, i did, but i would want to go to america. Now, i will never forget my fathers crestfallen face. How ungrateful i was, but i couldnt help it. I was captive to america somehow. Excited by its flare, attracted to its opportunity, inspired by its story, captured by its who. I am often asked to explain my love for america. And its something i struggle being able to answer. Without rambling, into one day it just became clear. I love america because it is confident, competitive, courageous, faithful, idealistic, innovative, inspirational, charitable and optimistic. [applause] it is everything as a nation that i wish to be as a person. In interviews im often challenged to offer a personal answer to what american exceptionalism means to me. Hard to do when you have written extensively on it, but this is my answer. Its individualism, not collectivism. Its patriotism, not relativism. Its optimism, not pessimism. [applause] its limited government, not many state. [applause] god, not government. [cheers and applause] its faith, not secularism. Its life, not death. Its equality of opportunity, not equality of outcome. Its goodness, not moral equivalence. Its being bold, not bland. Brave, not need. Its choosing extraordinary over mediocre. Thats america right there. [applause] ill tell you what else i get asked. And ill never forget the first time it was asked of me. It was in harrisburg, pennsylvania. Hostile local Television Reporter was covering one of my speeches. The moment we got on camera, the ambush happened. Why does in australia and care about america . What do you care . Luckily, that wasnt my first rodeo. I knew the game and i knew the list. I spent eight years dealing with media bias and distortion in the australian media, while in public office. Without even blinking i shot to shot back, because what is good for america is good for the world. A week american [applause] a week american is a we the world. A strong american is a strong world. Everyone in the world should care about and work toward american staying on top. [applause] well, that shut her up. [laughter] crickets. I dont think i got a Christmas Card that year. But ladies and gentlemen, my friends up wetumpka, its true. The world fortunes travel with america. And i dont want to live in a world where america is not running the show. Keeping america strong, saving it from a european future, to my mind thats the great moral imperative of our times. [applause] i want americans to understand what is at stake for them, and for people around the world if they choose to continue to drift from the virtues and values of traditional america. And i want them to realize what allowed them to become the greatest country in the world and stay there for so long. And what changed to bring them to where they are today. I dont do this because i no america better than actual americans, i dont. I couldnt possibly, but i believe i offer a unique perspective, one that might be helpful. Sometimes it takes someone on the outside to remind you what you are like. And i could be living in your future and im here to tell you about it and what you can expect should you proceed with a fundamental transformation of america. And ill tell you what else i bring to the table. I offer truth. I introduced cold, factual reality to a discussion colored by envy and driven by agendas of those who benefit from a week america. All you ever hear is that america is at fault. The default position has become american guilt, and its absolute garbage. [applause] its rubbish, baloney, to use an american term. The media academic corridor, my friends, have a lot to answer for. It has announced a disgrace to my professors parading as wardens, and card trading minds and having the Mainstream Media carry the water for the left. In kars a rating and minds. Incarcerating minds. Intellectual integrity and moral courage must be returned to americas schools and newsrooms. [applause] and thats what i make a point of speaking at as many high schools and colleges as possible, because we must recapture our classroom. American exceptionalism is not an accident, nor did it happen by chance. It happened because america fostered a state that allowed its citizens the widest latitude for creativity and innovation. It reward success without government approvals and bureaucratic interference. It embraced religious faith, aspiration and risk. And for those reasons, the people of america have been the most enterprising, market oriented, individualistic and a first to taxation and regulation to have ever walked dogs green earth gods green earth. [applause] and ill tell you Something Else you wont hear, and i speak i believe for the silent international majority. America wins respect in the world when it displays who it is and not what selfappointed culture dietitians would want it to become. [applause] i do not believe for one single, solitary second that americas best days are behind her. America decline is not inevitable. And to those that say that america should manage its decline gracefully, well, they should be told rather indelicately what they can do with their opinions. [applause] because as they say in these parts, that dog dont hunt last night. [applause] yes, america is falling behind, but only in fulfilling its own potential. Take it from me, there is no other country in the world even close to america. The american model has offered and continues to offer a greater chance for dignity, hope, and happiness are more people than any other system of government has offered its own. And if that werent the case, you would not be getting with the illegal immigration problem you have right now. [applause] as they say about the galante american war veterans, you were wounded you are wounded but not conquered. [applause] you might not realize, but there are americans all around the world doing great things for america. Doing so much to keep their country, to keep the improbable american experiment alive. Ive been blessed to have been able to travel the world in my 29 years, and am continually struck by american works. In december 2011 and january 2012, i spend an extended time in england and caught up with a friend from South Carolina who had come to study abroad at Oxford University through summit ministries. The Summit Oxford studies center is a study abroad program, combining the unique worldview approach of some universities with the academic strength of oxford, england. And foster scholarship for church and culture, propelling christian students forward as leaders in the disciplines and professions. It is run by kevin and angela bywater, profoundly exceptional americans. They have five beautiful young should add to live in a tiny village just outside of oxford. They are, they educate young academically successful students in a christian and proamerican worldview. I had the remarkable privilege of sitting in on a couple of their sessions, getting to know the students and bywater family and was so deeply impressed by both the intellectual and patriotism evidence that words cannot adequately convey my sentiments. I distinctly recall leaving and thinking how many bywaters are there out there, scattered all over the world, and what other country is so forward thinking, so passionate about producing tomorrows exceptional leaders that it is programs running in Foreign Countries . In june 2011, i was invited to keynote the 4h National Sport shooting championship closing ceremony in san antonio, texas. In front of me were over 1000 coaches, competitors, and parents representing almost every state in america. I believe 4h has almost 6 million members across the country, and i had the opportunity to meet the teams of every state, pose for photographs, and was amazed at the courtesy, confidence, inquisitiveness, and just how articulate they all were. But they never member most about that night, ladies and gentlemen, was the pledge that was recited. I pledge this is what the pledge said. I pledge my head to clear thinking. My heart to greater loyalty. My hands to larger service. And my health to better living. For my club, my community, my country, in my world. What a testimony to the american tradition. [applause] just exceptional, exceptional to the bone. America might be in a lot of trouble, but its important not to overlook its treasure. There are still tens of millions of americans that are being faithful to the america we know and we love. [applause] the current season in america is confusion, and its time to think seriously, deeply and searchingly. Its our job to inform for an informed citizenry is the bulwark of democracy. I believe there is a first a thirst for mourning in america, and it has to be a belief in american exceptionalism. [applause] and the only people that can deliver it our Patriotic Forces with traditional values. [applause] how do we win this fight . How do we vanquish the forces that make us weak . How do we restore american glory . What does america have to do to come back . Heres my 15point plan for an american renaissance. [laughter] one, exercise fidelity to the constitution, declaration of independence and founding ideals. [applause] 2, return to american self belief as a force of nature. As any leader knows, you can expect those to believe in you if you dont believe in yourself. [applause] three, i we engagement with all too institutions. It is time for conservatives to give people control of the cultural institutions that for the past four decades have been the seed beds of the left. [applause] from hollywood the popular music to teaching to journalism, the days of the cultural elites playing unopposed, they are numbered. We are coming to get you. [cheers and applause] number 30, ending the culture of complaint and entitlement. [applause] we need to put out we need to put out of business the professional offense take her. [applause] they are designed to intimidate us, to remove our confidence, to make us afraid to even look at somebody the wrong way. To make all our visceral convictions suspect. The days of promoting grievance and envy, they are over. [applause] point number four, standing up to the bullies. America cannot allow itself to continue to be bullied by the antibullying crusade. Its time to punch the bully in the nose. [cheers and applause] number five, and embrace of rugged individualism. Rugged individualism is not an exercise in political nostalgia. My friends, it is a genuine solution for the married problems facing the u. S. In the 21st century. American National Character must be understood in that it is a selfmade society. The world needs america to be a country of selfreliant warriors, not pussycats. [applause] number six, every commitment to success. If you aint first, youre last. [applause] work harder, be the best. Thats america. There is no virtue in striving for mediocrity. No american kid grows up wanting to be the Vice President , and thats the way its got to stay. [applause] desire upward mobility. Upward mobility can never be replaced by a downward stability. If america does that, it shrugs its way all the way to belgium. Taking a risk is virtuous. The next point, support israel, always. [cheers and applause] defend israel to your last breath. Its a providential nation, and americas success and purpose is linked to israel. Supporting israel is an american value. [applause] limit government. Nothing, nothing, my friends of attempted, will distinguish extinguish liberty quicker than an activist government. Its goal is to turn adults and infants, and everyone into victims. [applause] there is nothing more odious or obnoxious than a government whose attitude is dont worry, we know whats best for you. [applause] limited government is an american theme. Keep it that way. We need to be in peace through strength. The uncommon valor america has shown against the sordid tyranny must continue. Weakness is provocative. Conviction is the mother of success. The United States military is the greatest vehicle against evil ever, and the noblest fighting force this world has ever seen. [cheers and applause] u. S. A. Usa usa usa the u. S. Military must continue to be stronger than the rest of the worlds militaries combined. America doesnt have to attend every art and its invited to but it does have a special role to play in the world as the keeper of civilization. Smashing Political Correctness. [applause] Political Correctness empowers radical islam, terror and socialism. Advocates of the pc again are as dangerous to america as the men that offered september 11. [applause] british Prime MinisterMargaret Thatcher said it best when she said the world had never ceased to be dangerous, but that the west had ceased to be vigilant. America needs to restore character. While it may be substantially less than other places, america does have a character problem that must be arrested. It was dwight d. Eisenhower that said, the spirit of man is more important than mere physical strength. And the spiritual fiber of the nation then its well. And always remember alexis de tocquevilles famous line, america is great because america is good. If she ceases to be good, she will cease to be great. [applause] and on the subject of character, i urge americans to understand and defend the sanctity of human life from conception and tell natural death. [cheers and applause] guard your christianity closely. It is behind everything great about america. Whether its neighborliness, charitable works or optimism. The more christianity eroded in europe, the poor, less powerful, weaker and less influential it became. John adams wasnt joking when he said that the constitution was designed for our religious and moral people, and was wholly inadequate for any other. [applause] on matters of the economy, america must remain economically massive and nimble. Capital and imagination must continue to combine more quickly in america than anywhere else in the world. Taxes must always be low, and government should be out of the way. [cheers and applause] dont spend money you dont have. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, thats my 15point plan to read the american and get it online again. [cheers and applause] to me, america is the hope that banishes hopelessness. I want to share with you my testimony. When i was 16 months old, i was diagnosed with stage four a form of childhood cancer. Its an extraordinarily difficult cancer to diagnose, and most children, when diagnosed, already in an advanced stage where the tumor has metastasized. When a child is diagnosed with stage four, they have a 5 chance of survival. Only one in 20 children survive. They were the odds that were given to my parents. But we serve a great god. [cheers and applause] and he helped me fight the strongest adversary and win. [applause] weve already won the lo