Romney: Liberty comes from strength
(CNN) - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney used a speech to veterans Tuesday to chastise President Barack Obama's handling of the military and contrast his leadership style with that of the current commander in chief.
The former Massachusetts Gov. said the U.S. cannot be a leader on the world stage by expecting more from its enemies. American strength, he said, is the "only guarantee of liberty."
"With freedom as our cause, strength is our only sure defense," Romney said before the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in San Antonio, Texas.
Romney said defense cuts proposed by the White House assume two mistaken beliefs – that the world is becoming a safer place and that America should become a "lesser power."
"It flows from the conviction that if we are weak, tyrants will choose to be weak as well; that if we could just talk more, engage more, pass more U.N. resolutions, that peace will break out," Romney said. "That may be what they think in that Harvard faculty lounge, but it's not what they know on the battlefield."
He pointed specifically to U.S. involvement in Libya, where he said the mission lacked clarity, an oft-repeated Romney refrain from the campaign trail.
"When a president sends our men and women into harm's way, he must first explain their mission, define its success, plan for their victorious exit, provide them with the best weapons and armor in the world and properly care for them when they come home," Romney said. "Anything less is not befitting a great nation."
Rival presidential candidate and Texas Gov. Rick Perry spoke to the same group Monday and also advocated for the support of servicemen and servicewomen.
But Romney used his business past as evidence he can properly chart the future of the United States, which would include slicing billions from the defense budget.
"Let me tell you, as a conservative businessman who has spent most of his life in the private sector, I look at that kind of inefficiency and bloat and say, 'Let me at it,'" Romney said.
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1. There were no U.S. boots on the ground in Libya.
2. We are on the verge of a major foreign policy win in Libya, at exceptionally low cost.
3. The only thing Mr. Mittens knows how to cut is jobs.
4. Mr. Mittens' has two degrees from "that Harvard faculty lounge."
5. Mr. Mittens has never seen a weapons system he didn't like.
But none of this matters anyway, because Mr. Mittens lunch is going to be eaten by Mr. Parry.
I am so sick of people Romney and other hate filled white men in this country disrespecting President Obama. As a matter of fact, President has accomplished more with our military than the former administration who sent our men and women to war in Iraq based on a lie! I hope any of the others even though they suck too, win the nomination rather than Romney. I would love to see his cheap face filled with disappointment, I would pay to see it! President Obama will mop the floor with "Mitt"ens, can't wait to see it!
See, Obama's only killed bin Laden, ousted Gadhafi, and knocked off the leadership of al-Qaeda, whereas Bush got a lot of soldiers killed without hurting the terrorists. I think we'll stick with the black guy four more years, Mitty, but keep in touch, write when you find work!
Ah Mittens...struggling so mightily. And still not quite making the grade. I'm sure all the men and women on the ground in Libya lacked a clarifying mission...please just go expand your house.
"When a president sends our men and women into harm's way, he must first explain their mission, define its success, plan for their victorious exit, provide them with the best weapons and armor in the world and properly care for them when they come home," Romney said. "Anything less is not befitting a great nation
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Mitt Romney gets it. He understands and he knows exactly what he is talking about. Obama has violated 80% of the above 5 requirements for sending our military into a conflict.
The economy is supposed to be Romney's strong suit but defense is obviously another area where he gets it and Obama doesn't.