Joan Walsh: Mitt’s magical thinking on foreign policy
Romney's VMI speech hints at more war in Iraq and Afghanistan -- and demands that Europe spend more on defense
Mitt Romneys hailed foreign policy speech combined magical thinking and mendacity, with promises or threats to maintain, restore, escalate or commence military involvement in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Iran, at minimum. Speaking at the Virginia Military Institute, Romney had to have his audience of cadets wondering how many wars hed commit them to if elected.
Ironically, in a speech most passionate about making sure theres no daylight between the U.S. and Israel, Romney repeatedly hailed VMI graduate George Marshall, the former secretary of state who famously opposed Harry Trumans recognizing the state of Israel in 1948.
Romney used the tragic killing of Libyan Ambassador Christopher Stephens Sept. 11 to paint a picture of a region made more dangerous by Obamas alleged weakness and fecklessness. Americans are asking how this happened. Ive come here today to offer a larger perspective on these tragic events, he pompously proclaimed. But as he hailed the massive protests in Benghazi by thousands of Libyans outraged by Stevens killing, he seemed not to notice that it was exactly those forces Stevens, Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had worked to support and strengthen in their Libyan military and diplomatic policy.
Certainly the administration has to answer questions about and be held accountable for the security problems that led to Stevens killing, but Romney seemed not to understand that Stevens died trying to empower the Libyan people who supposedly inspired Romney. He spoke of Stevens as though he were some rogue hero rather than a career diplomat committed to implementing a policy directed by Obama. He accused the president of not partnership but passivity in dealing with freedom-loving citizens in Libya and elsewhere in the Middle East, and once again pulled out the leading from behind slur as though it was stated presidential policy rather than an offhand, anonymous quote in a New Yorker story from almost a year ago. He didnt say that the president goes around apologizing for America, though, so thats something.
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http://www.salon.com/2012/10/08/mitts_magical_thinking_on_foreign_policy/