De Pere, Wisconsin (CNN) – Mitt Romney's running mate Paul Ryan, speaking at a campaign event in Wisconsin, condemned the deadly attacks on U.S. missions in Egypt and Libya on Tuesday while also accusing President Barack Obama of projecting weakness abroad.
The Republican opened his De Pere town hall on Wednesday with a mention of the "disturbing" news out of the Middle East. It was his first solo question-and-answer session with voters since becoming Mitt Romney's running mate.
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He said Americans are "shocked and saddened" by the killing of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens, at the U.S. mission in Libya.
Ryan called for a moment of silence, and then issued an oblique criticism of the Obama administration.
"In the face of such a tragedy, we are reminded that the world needs American leadership," he said. "And the best guarantee of peace is American strength."
It was a noticeably softer statement than the one released by the Romney campaign late Tuesday, which accused the President of sympathizing with the Cairo and Benghazi mobs who have taken to the streets to protest a crude film mocking the prophet Mohammed.
Ryan also avoided mentioning Obama by name.
Moments later, though, Ryan spoke with a sharper tone when asked how a Romney-Ryan administration would differ from Obama's in the foreign policy arena.
Ryan said it's "important that a president speak with a singular voice representing our principles and our values. We don't want people around the world wondering what our values are."
He added, "If you show weakness, if you show moral equivocation then foreign policy adventurism among our adversaries will increase. We do not want a world climate where our adversaries are so tempted to test us and our allies are worried about trusting us and that is unfortunately the path that we are on right now, and I'm really worried about that."
Ryan also went out of his way to condemn the "devastating" sequestration cuts to the defense budget.
He was referring the $500 billion in Pentagon cuts that would be triggered if a Congressional committee fails to come up with a deficit reduction deal by Jan. 2.
The Wisconsin congressman did not mention that he voted for the 2011 budget deal that put those automatic cuts in motion.
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Looking good mr next V.P. i agree since Oblameos been in , we have been getting walked on and out negotiated at every turn,
R & R for a better America (they wont lead from behind)
I'm getting de ja vu from 2008.
Remember when the 2008 financial meltdown was occuring and Mr. McCain was gonna go to Washington to save the day even though he had no clue what was going on? This is the desparate GOP campaign at it again. Talk about not knowing how to handle pressure and losing your load.
So glad our President is calm and actually thinks before shooting. I've had enough of this GOP 'foot in mouth disease'. They have a shoot first then spend the money and lives to clean up the mess later mentality.
Mr Ryan, Real Americans come together in times of crisis. They do not use it to attack the President and the opposing political party. It wasn't done on 9/11 and it is wrong to do it now. You sir, are no American.
Stick to those talking points junior, strategy works better if it's not released to press and your not taking advantage of some ones death as well
He was referring the $500 billion in Pentagon cuts that would be triggered if a Congressional committee fails to come up with a deficit reduction deal by Jan. 2.
The Wisconsin congressman did not mention that he voted for the 2011 budget deal that put those automatic cuts in motion.
Ryan the Liar, tell the people you voted for it, tell the truth Ryan. Now your changing your values!
"I voted for it (sequestration), now I'm against it",yet LYIN' RYAN is the one making everyone "wonder what his values are".
Mitt's nit-wit running mate, extolling the virtues of little knowledge, coupled with no experience and a big mouth.
Here we go, Ryan with no foreign policy trying to tell some with a good foreign policy how to handle foreign issues. I have an idea for Ryan/Romney campaign wait until you get into office before you bash the president on what should have been done, but then again you wont get into office.
"Mitt Romney's running mate Paul Ryan, speaking at a campaign event in Wisconsin, condemned the deadly attacks on U.S. missions in Egypt and Libya on Tuesday while also accusing President Barack Obama of projecting weakness abroad."
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Oh, please. Give it up. President Obama has shown over and over again that he is strong on foreign policy. But don't let facts get into the way of your fantasy. Keep blowing smoke. We are still going to demand a clear plan on what YOU TWO plan on doing to the USA before anyone with a brain votes for you. Got it, Buster Blue Eyes!??
You better shut up and sit down little boy – you and your high school classmate are way out of your league on this one. You should say our hearts and prayers are with the families of those slain and we are confident that the United States of America will once again bring those responsible to justice. Case closed, no having to keep explaining yourself and you would actually sound like an American who cares instead of a craven political hack.
How is Ryan gonna bash the defense cuts that he voted for? These Repukes are hilarious.
Romney/Ryan do not understand that this is not the time to show partisanship for political gain. In the time of crisis, all Americans should stand united.
Ryan is dumber than he looks!
What does Ryan know about foreign policy? Go back and work on your fantasy budget.
Regarding Ryan's YES vote on the automatic cuts in motion.....I can already see another "I did it before I didn't" scenario. For someone who says "one should stand tall with his commitments and principals"...why isn't he??????? Remember, he voted for the automatic cuts.....maybe he needs to be reminded!
Does this idiot have BRAIN??? Idiot.
Ryan also went out of his way to condemn the "devastating" sequestration cuts to the defense budget.
THAT HE VOTED FOR!
Republicans know they are dealing with a crowd full of idiots. Why tell the truth if no one questions the lies?
Cpngressman Ryan is commiting political suicide, I am certain even he knows he will NOT be Vice President in January, he should be careful not to overplay his hand otherwise he will be relagated to being an analyst on Fox news.
"The Wisconsin congressman did not mention that he voted for the 2011 budget deal that put those automatic cuts in motion."
Well, of course he didn't. TeamRomney is on record for not allowing fact checkers to get in the way of their lies. After all, lies are what they are running on and at this point in the campaign it would be useless to come up with anything else but lies. No doubt they are so bogged down in their own lies they simply can't see the truth anymore.
Another class act – would you expect anything different?
Rubberface sounds even more stupid that Romney. And that is difficult.
Of course he didnt mention that he voted for the budget cuts. It would prove to the American People that he has no spine and wants to keep them in the dark about the truth! Quite a shame to say the least. What we do know, is that our current president works with America's allies when using military force. That's what its all about; working together with nations that share the same concerns as you for civility and democracy abroad. Not launching a unilateral strike against a country.
How is this about values, Mr. Ryan? This is foreign policy. Now I know this is something you know nothing about and you really can't go to Mitt to ask for guidance because he is as clueless about it as you are but you both need to grow a brain if either of you want to get elected. You are not running for a crappy little congressional representative post any longer. You are running for one heart attack away from being President of the United States. That means stop playing politics on a situation where the ambassador Libya just got killed and his family is in mourning. That means supporting the current President of the United States. Didn't your mother teach you respect? I guess not.
This man wants to be Vice President so bad that he has totally lost all grip of reality!
"Lying Ryan" is at it again. If you tell a lie and have to defend it by NOT telling the truth in any case at all, well why even listen to him?