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Romney and his teleprompter in Jerusalem.
Mitt Romney, speaking in Virginia today, on the Middle East;
"I know the president hopes for a safer, freer, and a more prosperous Middle East allied with the United States. I share this hope. But hope is not a strategy."
Mitt Romney, speaking to donors in Boca in May, on the Middle East:
"[S]o what you do is, you say, you move things along the best way you can. You hope for some degree of stability, but you recognize that this is going to remain an unsolved problem ... and we kick the ball down the field and hope that ultimately, somehow, something will happen and resolve it."
Hmm. It's almost as if what Romney says in private, when he thinks the public won't hear him, differs from what he says in public.
Indeed, towards the end of today's speech, Romney went on to say, "I will recommit America to the goal of a democratic, prosperous Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with the Jewish state of Israel. On this vital issue, the president has failed, and what should be a negotiation process has devolved into a series of heated disputes at the United Nations. In this old conflict, as in every challenge we face in the Middle East, only a new president will bring the chance to begin anew."
Now, as a substantive matter, the notion that "a new president" who has no experience in or working understanding of foreign affairs will suddenly transform the peace process is pretty silly, but there's another, more obvious problem.
We know Romney doesn't mean what he's saying. We know this, of course, because Romney's said so.
The "47 percent" video didn't leave any ambiguities in this area. The Republican spoke of "the Palestinians" as a united bloc of one mindset, arguing, "I look at the Palestinians not wanting to see peace anyway, for political purposes, committed to the destruction and elimination of Israel, and these thorny issues, and I say there's just no way."
Romney then added he intends to show no leadership in this area at all, "hoping" -- remember, "hope is not a strategy" -- that someone other than the United States will somehow take the lead. If elected, "recommit America" to anything, except for letting others worry about the dispute after he "kicks the ball down the field."
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Oh heck yes he wants to start a war. Two reasons: 1. to give his backer buddies who sell war equipment business and 2. His other donors who want to drill all over the US for oil (we don't care what it does to the ecology)...that his attitude, to hell with everyone as long as I'm in charge and my friends are making money. He's stupid, unstable and emotionally retarded.
I would hope Obama would use this sort of thing to kick Romney in the balls during the "debate" on foreign policy. But I don't have much hope of that. I'm beginning to wonder if his advisers are even aware of this sort of thing. You'd think how could they not be, but then...
Just saw Dan Senor on Andrea Mitchell beating Romney's drums of war in the middle east.They want to supply the Syrian opposition with weapon's,including anti tank and anti aircraft weapon's from what I've heard.Israel would just love that. You know I can feel for the Syrian opposition but were'nt they the one's jumping up and down in the street's saying death to America on 9-11.And what happen's if Assad still win's out?The question to Romney is do we get involved in every conflict around the world,if he is elected.
And the romney team are to clueless to even realize the same people they want to arm in syria , are the same ones that were helping blow up americans in iraq a few years ago , and would use these same weapons on israel if they got the chance
I am all for helping world put a stop to assad killing unarmed protesters , but you have to take all those facts in your consideration , the contards do not go by facts tho
Wait for it......Wait for it......Aha, here it comes: Ladies and Gentlemen presenting for your entertainment and edification " The Romloony Campaign Walkback" "er-um ah, er-um, he spoke un-elegantly again folks...kindly disregard every thing he just said. Oh, and he wants you to know that he was completely wrong again.!!!! "
WOW! All the lies that Romney during the debate shows that this man operates by darkness.... In close rooms.. Speaking about how he would relate to the 47%... Be careful you are excited about how he performed during the debate... He is still said he could not help the 47%... when a man exposes his inter most thoughts believe him 47% is his truth... He's the Biggest Liar I have ever see... He's dangerous! How can man lie and know he is lying and continues with his lies until he convinces himself he is telling the truth??? Sounds like a unstable personality... Do we want him in the White House??? I think not...
I find it interesting that the person who has not served yet knows all. How do you know what is being discussed, negotiated, debated, etc in the back room? You don't. The President is not always at liberty openly discuss every aspect of foreign affairs in public. So to just assume he is doing nothing is not truthful. To stand up and not discuss your convictions and your policies openly with the American people and to tell bold face lies is not how you win a debate. It just gives the media something else to talk about.
You are absolutely correct. This moron is not privyed to sensitive information that is going on behind the scene. Please Willard and Co. let the President do his job....
Where is the obama team wacking mit for just that in the msm , I have not seen it any way ?
"I know the president hopes for a safer, freer, and a more prosperous Middle East allied with the United States. I share this hope. But hope is not a strategy."
He is double talking the talk again and saying absolutely nothing. If he shares the hope but it is not a strategy, What the heck is his strategy??????????
Willard's religion should be called into question. He talks of morality, but then lies. As far as I can see that is what his religion teaches him. If not, then he is going straight to hell. He is clueless when it comes to foreign policy. I would love to know who he plans to appoint as Secretary of State??
As someone who would be affected by Foreign Policy by a Romney Presidency(a true Oxymoron if ever there was one) speaking from the UK there are a couple of points of the text that I would like to comment on. The first is so condescending that it would cause apoplexy in Brussels peace in Europe is due to the USA. The fact that the Marshall Plan was great and instrumental following WWII is correct. However, this insults all of us in the EU that have decided in the last 57 years that we are brothers and sisters on one continent and actually would like to have a United States of Europe and if you look at the dominant European political view that is the obvious journey end that is likely despite `our bumps along the road` as the President would state we are having at present. My despair is living in a country the UK which is adopting an ostrich approach to this vision. The most dangerous world-view of the statement is it`s Neo-con Manichaeism a return to the Bushist view if you are not for America you are against America. A simple example being Chavez`s re-election in Venezuela which is a massive success for the Venezualan people of Hamas being democratically elected. I am surprised that Romney is not criticising the two most dangerous countries in the Middle East, Israel and Saudi Arabia. In Israel`s case they have Nuclear bombs so for many neutral observers why shouldn`t Iran have the same. There is a solution a Nuclear-free Middle East. This would be in harmony with Obama`s Nuclear Objective to have a Nuclear free world. Saudi Arabia with its Wahanabbi Sunni faith is providing the ideology and finance for the Talabin and Al-Quahidi ideology why are Sufi`s and Shiites up in arms because you have a faith that makes the Southern Baptists look like moderates. So if both Romney and Obama are serious about peace in the Middle East these are the countries that need to be dealt with, you may say how, Democracy in Saudi Area and Israel losing their nuclear capability. In finding ways to do without Saudi Oil and for America to state categorically that any aid to Israel is dependent on Nuclear disarmament would create a more peaceful Middle East and provide the conditions that would enable a more Democratic Middle East. I suggest this is a pipe dream but when others ask what are the alternative views to bring peace in the Middle East these are the fundamental building blocks but I am not holding my breath
Are Republicans totally crazy that they would want to put a know nothing flip flopping dough-head Romney into the white house with foreign policy that he cannot even decide on his own. And with Romney’s actions that he has done in the past to just get rich of uncontrolled greed and craving power. Republicans have got to be asking for another war with a draft imposed especially with that 2 trillion dollars they want to put into the military, but of coarse no American jobs. The draft will be imposed, because being in combat in a war is very draining on a person and there is enough military people committing suicide from the hell of it all from repeated combat tours. At least with President Obama you have gained that knowledge and learning of fixing that crap hole Bush and Chenney created. With Romney you got a total know nothing on foreign policy pretending he is the man for the job and tries to hide that greedy bully side of misery, despair, violence, and death. Romney is not a solution, but the same old problem just causing more senseless trouble that is not needed. Romney in there would be like Daffy the clown at the circus. It is time we start moving in better directions than just more Republican stupidity without an understanding of human nature and changing things for the better.
Deb:Your being to kind to Romney.
Rachel, Last week's presidential debate was a game changer.
(1) The nation saw (through deception) that the villainous Mitt Romney that was depicted in Obama attack ads was actually human and seemed to want to engage in a debate regarding his proposals.
(2) That snapshot in front of 60 million voters blew the Obama six month campaign strategy of making Romney an unacceptable choice under water. It took down Obama's credibility as honest broker good guy because.
(3) The 47% ad was devastating because the voter was seeing a candidate's words fit the narrative created by his opponents to show why he would be a disastrous presidence. Obama's inability to defend himself or attack his opponent fits the competing empty suit narrative that his opponents had used and hadn't stuck until now.
(4) The Bengazi attack seems to have had a background effect on the voters' trust in Obama's foreign policy acumen (approval numbers in that regard had slipped a bit). Mideast unrest evokes fear and reminds Americans of their vulnerability. Obama was supposed to be awake at the switch for this sort of situation. So the timing of Obama's unwillingness to engage or fight a weaker opponent gave an opening to neocons.
(5) Obama has been running the country and knows the intel and is the author of the official story versus the real story in geopolitical actions and decisions. He lost round one and relitigating round one is a waste of time. Your team should be pushing Obama to go big and give a foreign policy address that brings the electorate up to speed on where we are as a nation on the security front.
(6) Obama has to help connect the dots for the electorate. We need to understand the role of proxy players such as Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and China along with Israel and Saudi Arabia on the landscape of conflicts throughout the world and how that effects US security.
Obama can bring this all together in a foreign policy speech about the role of drones. As you've noted, Rachel, this debate has not occurred and we're at the eleventh hour of a presidential election.
Mitt Lies on almost every topic, and I think he should be questioned more on Mormonism everyone should stop tiptoeing around the subject , President Obama's is still a topic of discussion for the right
RawMoney should indeed be questioned, but this is Amurrica, where those on the right are given a pass whenever possible.
We should stop playing defense after the debate debacle.
The truth is that the public knows that Romney's a serial liar and they're ok with it.
Bringing up Romney's foreign trip gaffes as Obama's team did today is silly.
They've got to get real!
Obama needs to connect the dots for the electorate regarding US' policies toward Iran, Russia, Pakistan, Israel, China, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, France, China and Germany- not to mention Afghanistan and Iraq.
Ambassador Rice has been the least visible UN ambassador to my memory. Maybe it's not too late to have her all over the media platforms filling in the gaps that are sorely missing. The reason we still remember Madeleine Albright is that she did that when she was in the same position.
What role does the US play in the future? The "leading from behind" criticism is liable to stick if he doesn't step in fast to take over the leadership edge from Romney.
As you've suggested, Rachel, Obama owes the country a speech regarding US' policies towards the use of drones.
I've been riveted by the series Homeland whose plot revolves around the consequences of a US drone strike that killed 85 children in the mideast. Art imitating life? This uneasiness is in the public consciousness and it's exactly the mindset that allowed the neocons to jump in after 9 eleven and plunge our world into chaos.
and no one in the media talks about this point
Does Romney actually listen to any of the words that come out of his own mouth? I'm getting dizzy just trying to keep track of what his latest position is.
Mitt is a coward ,during the vietnam war that he supported by rallying for it at college ,when he got his low draft number,he got his missionary derferment ,and headed to france {check out Doonsbury comic},Why didnt he join the military and minister to the Mormon boys that got drafted , thats why he is a Coward he could have served the USA , his only allegence is to the cult , MO
Can pictures be whited out?
Seriously, people around the world must be shaking their heads and wondering, how did someone so lame get to run for president? He is a huge embarassment and needs to go back to Utah and play at being a Bishop in his cult.
If Romney really wanted a Democratic, prosperous Palestinian state he'd cut the billions of annual funding to Israel that aids the continuation of colonizing, exploiting, and segregating the Palestinian people from their land, water resources, and human rights. If there is any country losing its democratic status it is Israel. As an American living in the West Bank, Romney's ignorant foreign policy and cultural awareness is laughable at best but mostly exceptionally worrisome.
The speech, summarized: Obama is bad, I am good. Obama is weak, I am strong. I will prove how strong by attacking Libya, Syria and, my favorite, Iran. Parents, no need to worry about the escalting costs of college, as we will need able bodied men and women to draft and send into more fruitless conflicts that will cost American lives, billions of dollars and our reputation in the world. I will be tough on China, so long as my Bain investments aren't affected. I will tell Putin where to go, guaranteeing that Syrian war I mentioned. I will continue to irritate our allies by trashing their countries, like Spain. And while I could have been making this speech as a veteran who fought for my country in Vietnam, I end by reminding you to get Time magazine for the photo of me on a French beach sending love letters to Ann:my first attempt at "foreign relations."
The Republicans who claim the Right to Life" don't admit that the right to life actually lasts only until birth. After a woman too poor to get birth control, brings into the world a child who will receive NO support from those same people, as they plan also do away with welfare, medicaid, food stamps and education.
Oh my...is that a teleprompter in that photo?
Mi, Mi, Mi, don't tell lies Mitt. Look, after viewing the RNC and the DNC my mind was made up. Hand's down! I couldn't understand how anyone that loves/cares about Mitt wouldn't just tell him to respetfully step down. I know this is inconceivable yet a part of me couldn't help but think that this would be his best way out and still have his dignity in tact.
I hope he washed his hands!! Tomorrows BIG "speech" will look and smell the same!