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.
From CNN Politics
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This guy is amazing. Not only is he a pathetic liar you agreeed with every major foreign policy that Bush & Cheney pass thru congress. What a twit!
These guys don't pay any attention to 'facts.' They are politicians that are behind in the polls and will do ANYTHING, including exploiting the deaths of our heroes, to gain a vote. I'll admit I didn't think that either of them would sink that low.
Failure is all Barack Obama has to offer. From the Annenberg Challenge to the "recovery" to the Arab Spring to the GM recovery that saw the Volt factory shut down, tell us one thing that Obama really succeeded at? Obama only knows how to provide failure and his bots are on this site to protect this sorry record.
He did soften Romney's outragerously stupid comment earlier on events in Libya but he is still part of the dumb team running for the highest offices in the land
Right on Paul...all Dems have to offer is sarcastic attacks...
Does anybody know where Ryan’s lips have gone? Creeeeepy….
God help us if these bozos get elected. Bad news bears would be better.
aren't these arabs the same arabs that used to be our allies under bush? they weren't attacking us then. i guess this is the arab spring naive obama has brought us. arab dictators were bad but at least we weren't getting americans killed and embassies stormed. it appears obama has now given them the freedom they've always wanted, the freedom to attack and kill us at will. just wonderful.
Look who's talking? What experience has he gained in foreign policy to speak – oh that's right he & his boss are new in that area and all areas of governing.
Ryan says " our allies are worried about trusting us"
Perhaps first he should worry whether the voters trust him. Lying every time he opens his mouth, would seem to be a poor start.
a newbee to politics just talked out of place. Here we go again, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan jump on the opportunity to make a political point and twisting it, without having all the details, without respecting those who are dead, and even before hearing the president of United States or Lybia or Secretary of States clarify what happened. This is just a desperate attempt. People are not fool to realize to what length you are willing to go just to be a president.
We are not fool Mr. Ryan.
Paul Ryan's idea of strong foreign policy is saying, "Go Packers, beat the Bears".
Advice to Romney and Ryan
Now there is Only one way to beat Obama , both take a vacation come back on November 6th 2012
Divine intervention...
I thank GOD for Romney's Leadership in bringing down the entire Republican Party!
He has succeeded at making Romney look like a mental midget. Oh wait, I guess you are right Mitt did that all by himself.
Mitt Witt and Lyin Ryan at it again. Why can't these 2 just tell the truth about anything. No one can trust a word that comes out of their mouths at this point. Stop Lying!!!
Obama/Biden 2012
Paul Ryan is creepy. no other word!!! I think 'Used Car Salesman' when I see/hear him!!!! Or the worst Infomercial !!!
I initially thought Ryan might bring something to the Romney campaign. Gee, was I wrong! He has brought zero and really can't seem to be coherent on any of a number of issues.
Both obama and romney are paid by goldman sachs~this is a two horse race from the same owner. Same as WWE wrestling except its to sit at the glorious throne of our country. A nations soap opera played out for all the zombies so we can be entertained while our country turns into a pile of rubble.......
There goes Lyin' Ryan.
Paul Ryan is articulate and brilliant. "Important to speak in a singular voice representing our principles and values." He will make a wonderful Vice President.
Munster, please explain to me how President Obama is responsible for the video made by Israeli-American, Sam Bacile, and promoted by American pastor, Terry Jones? If President Obama had taken action to stop them, you would have accused President Obama of inhibiting free speech and waging a war on Christianity.
You, Mittens and the rest of you knee-jerk anti-Obama types are truly pieces of ....
Lashing out in post DNC bounce polls desparation I see. What a feckless twirp. I hope he no only loses his run as VP but, waste of House seat as well. I'm ashsmed to admit that this moron actually came from my generation. I think even Gennings Bryant may have had more sense over a hundred yrs ago.
oh SHUP UP ryan.... shupt up!!!
These Obama supporters are so idiotic that no matter what stupidity Obama does that they still support this muslim in the white house. Wake up, you are being fooled and taken for a ride by a poser in the white house!