Romney: Obama gave a 'superb' speech
(CNN) – Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney praised President Barack Obama's remarks on Thursday at an interfaith service remembering victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.
In an interview on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer," Romney also stressed the importance of learning from such terror attacks and opened up about how his faith plays a role in times of crisis.
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"I thought the president gave a superb address to the people of this city and the state and the nation," the former Massachusetts governor said. "It was an inspiring day."
Romney has deep ties to Boston. He ran his presidential campaign from the city and now serves as a chairman of a committee for the Boston-based Solamere Capital, the investment firm founded by his eldest son, Tagg.
Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick invited Romney to attend the church ceremony, along with other current and former Bay State politicos. Romney and the president did not speak at the event, the former GOP nominee said.
In the interview, Romney repeatedly emphasized a need to learn everything possible from Monday's bombings, which killed three people and injured 180 others.
The FBI released video footage of two suspects on Thursday and asked the public for help in identifying them.
"This is a learning opportunity," Romney said. "We should learn the lessons that come from this and apply them to the extent that we possibly can."
Asked if he would consider working on a security commission to study the terror attack and design steps to avert future attacks, Romney said he wouldn't turn away from a call to prevent violence.
He pointed to his experience leading the 2002 Winter Olympics and the security measures installed in Salt Lake City.
He also referenced his time serving on the Homeland Security Advisory Council, a panel comprised of a range of leaders from both the private and public sector who advise the secretary of homeland security, under the George W. Bush administration.
"In my heart of hearts, what I understand is, it is intelligence work. And by intelligence, it's not just meaning the CIA and the FBI and wire taps. It is also people who are watching what's going on, reporting what's going on, combing that information such that we can prevent the worse things that are occurring," he said.
Romney, who belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also gave a rare glimpse into his faith and how he sees the role of God and free will
Asked why he thinks bad things happen to good people, he said the only answer he knows for that type of question is to "get on one's own knees and to pray for understanding and for comfort."
"I believe very deeply that we have a creator and that he loves us and cares for us. But when he actually intervenes in the affairs of the people on this earth - it's something that happens only rarely - and when that happens and why that happens and who that happens to is something that we don't understand," he said.
Romney said he also gains strength from seeing the community come together during tragedy and talked about his visits with injured victims in Boston hospitals on Thursday.
"This is a time when your faith in God is enhanced by seeing the goodness of the men and women He's created," he said.
Referring to the interfaith service, Romney said it was an "inspiring" and lauded the singing of "America the Beautiful," a song he was known to sometimes sing on the campaign trail.
"It was a hearty rendition."
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This guy could care less about the average American and we know what he says about poor Americans,.....come on America......this guy would of been the WORST PERSON ON THE PLANET FOR POTUS
I love how he says "We have to come together..". Yes, because I for one was thinking the nation needs to be apart now more than ever.
Romney has more class in his little finger than Obama has in his whole lying, corrupt, arrogant, golfing, wasteful, lazy, Benghazi-hiding, body.
Mitt? Tagg? Another son named Matt? And they all pray to Gott in himmel.
Funny how the only time the media wants to display Romney is when he credits the Prez.
I wasn't aware that Mitt Romney had been hired to critique (spelling) President Obama's speech!! Where does he get the impression that he has the Last Word on anyone or thing!! Why doesn't he just go away and take his kids with him!! Also, I'm so thankful that he is not the POTUS, !!!
Yes, Obama can give great speeches, but he has never demonstrated the ability to be a great leader. He was never a leader before he was elected, and he still doesn't know how to lead. 30 days into office and he was publicly chastising Congress for disagreeing with him. He never worked to become a leader. He expected people to blindly follow him, and he still expects as much. He is seen as aloof by Congress, even those in his own party have said as much. He just doesn't lead....................................................
Obama has his words, but he doesn't have the actions to back them up. He's always been all talk, and so many Americans have fallen for it – even me when I voted for him the first tie around.
A lot of sore winners here, but you failed to see the goodness and class in a man – Romney – who would have been a much better president than the one in office now; you know, the one who throws a tantrum when the Dem controlled Senate didn't vote his way and who is going to leave a legacy of debt for which generations will pay.
Mitt would have made a great leader. So sad we have Obama :'(
o bite me is a good example of what's wrong with people today, The article was not mean spirited and apparently he needed to use it as a chance to dish the president. A president who I think has done a good job this week bringing people together. Im not a Mitt fan but sorry to hear people bashing him too.
This is a time to come together as Americans – not continue to find fault with people that love and give service to this country. Both the President and Mr. Romney are men of faith. There are terrorists in waiting and I'm sure they relish all your negative comments about two men who do care about what happens to this country. The terrible events of 9/11 should never be forgotten. The suffering and death in Boston should not be forgotten. Pray for America – I don't care if you are Republican or Democrat...I love this country, the people, and our differences...THANK YOU GOD for watching over us – please heal the families that have suffered loss in Boston and Texas this week. Be grateful for each day you are alive and well in OUR COUNTRY. Thank you God for the compassionate men and women who provide care and help to those in need during times of crisis. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
No matter what your hateful comments about the president are. it only matters what the people of Boston felt about him coming there and showing his support for them and their city. Mitt Romney showed class for the first time in complimenting the president and what he said. I find the president to be a very sincere person who loves his family and this country and was not seeking to sell us out to the highest bidder. THe people of Boston's opinion is what matters and I feel they all expressed their thanks for the president comiing there to meet with them. THank you Mr President.
glad this ordeal is over (for the time being).
sad that something like this is the only thing that can make these united states united again...
@O'bite me – If by class you mean disregarding half the population and their votes because Romney doesn't believe they will vote for him due to needing handouts while he pretends not to hide millions of dollars in profits overseas to avoid paying U.S. taxes, then yes, he has more class. Give me a break. Let it go. Your side lost the election
The man listens to a speech and makes laudatory comments to the President, and you left-wing nut jobs turn up your juices and start to spew. So when you talk about the divisiveness in the nation– perhaps it is time you looked at Lawrence O'Donnell and Rachel Maddow and the long list of friends in the "progressive" press who constantly crap on everything that anyone who is conservative says....perhaps you should join the idiots in London who booed at Maggie Thatcher's funeral procession. You are the divisive idiots in this country who should leave your government loving subsidized lives and go out and earn a proper living, take care of yourself and keep your big thoughts in check. Or at least learn to be polite.
Romny, as usual, doesn't get it. There is no lesson to be learned from this tragedy. That;s the sorry part about it – it couldn't be stopped and there will be no rational reason for it. It justy happened and innocent people suffered. Give that kid life with no sunshine and very little food. Or better yet, let him be the girlfriend of one of his room mates.
Since he lost the election, Romney is making nice about Obama. And you notice how the Repub leaders (?) have toned the rhetoric down. Well, don't be fooled, they are trying to make nice with the American citizens so just maybe they will win in 2016. Oh please NO, dear God!
All you seperatists need to chill out. I don't care for Romney, but he did a good thing here. He put aside his political affiliation, his adversarial mindset and praised the President for doing something that we all SHOULD agree was a very positive message. Be shamed all of you that create a story on togetherness of two of the biggest adversaries in the wake of an American tradegy and turn it into an us vs them situation. Be shamed.