Scott Walker was well received in South Carolina at the Freedom Summit. He gave a vigorous, extended defense of his record in Wisconsin, nicely pointing to the idea that if he can do all that in a blue state, imagine what he can do in Washington.

He organized his speech on three points. First, we need to grow (by cutting taxes, regulation, Obamacare, and regulations on American energy).  He cleverly redubbed the idea that lower rates produce more growth and higher tax revenues the Kohl’s Curve to replace the old Laffer Curve. Second, he said we need to reform government to empower people.  The American Dream, Gov. Walker said “is not out of reach because of Wall Street, but because of K Street.”

Third, Walker said he wanted to talk about safety.  Safety?  Safety is what he redubbed national security.

Walker began his speech by asking all those who were military, or military spouses, or had family members in the military, to stand up.  More than 75 percent of the audience stood.  So it is not surprising his biggest applause lines were a promise to change Obama’s national security policies, to scuttle the Iran deal, to defend Israel, and to name the fight against radical Islam.

Many will find it a very stirring speech.  But on the issues we report on there was just one mention of life, during his extended discussion of what he has achieved in Wisconsin (starting at 9:16):

Now we’ve defunded Planned Parenthood in our first budget and passed pro-life legislation. We believe in the sanctity of life.

A strong speech in many ways, but nothing about marriage, and continued radio silence on the current religious liberty crisis (and no mention of Common Core).

Maggie Gallagher is a senior fellow at American Principles in Action.