As long as the guy can talk about jihad too, he can talk about optimism. And citing optimism is never going to work if he doesn’t radiate it. So talk is cheap, but saccharine though “morning in America” Reagan references may be, they’re not as irritating as, say, embarking on a battle and never quite making the legitimate and worthy case for why to Americans.

I want a president who knows what we face, knows it’s tough, is honest about that, but also believes that America is good and great and can continue to be good and great despite the threats we face. I think even as people are freaked by Republicans about, say, Iran, that’s a message they can appreciate and be rallied by.