Yesterday, Mitt Romney illustrated once and for all that he is completely incapable of handling the foreign policy of this nation.
He accused the president of giving sympathy to the protesters in both Libya and Egypt. His basis for this was a memo sent out by the US consulate in Cairo BEFORE the protesters showed up. I thought he might soften his stance a little after US Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens was killed but, instead, he doubled down, falling back on the "Obama is always apologizing" meme.
I don't get it. It's enormously frustrating to discuss this because it's so far from the truth that I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Honestly, I'd like to do both because what Romney said was in such poor taste given four people had just been killed. Couple this with the omission, from his acceptance speech in Tampa, of the word "Afghanistan" or any sort of salute to the troops and it's very clear that he has no clue whatsoever in the international political realm.
The president's words and actions, however, demonstrate that he does know what he is doing and has certainly never apologized for this country. His entire life, for crying out loud, is a testament to American exceptionalism. In fact, it's exactly what the GOP want people to be like...come from nothing, work hard, pull yourself up by your bootstraps, and make a lot of money.
To show how ridiculous this accusation is, take a look at this, reprinted in its entirety here from the New Yorker.
4/4/09: Barack Obama: I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism. I’m enormously proud of my country and its role and history in the world.
8/20/10: Mike Huckabee: His worldview is dramatically different than any president, Republican or Democrat, we’ve had … To deny American exceptionalism is in essence to deny the heart and soul of this nation.
9/20/11: Obama: Michelle and I, we’re only here because somebody passed on this incredible notion, this exceptional American idea that it doesn’t matter where you come from, it doesn’t matter who you’re born.to.
10/8/11: Rick Perry: Those in the White House today don’t believe—they don’t believe in American exceptionalism.
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1/12/11: Mitt Romney: We have a president right now who thinks America’s just another nation. America is an exceptional nation.
11/30/11: Obama: America is great not just because we’re powerful, but also because we have a set of values that the world admires … We don’t just think about what’s good for us, but we’re also thinking about what’s good for the world … That’s what makes us exceptional.
1/26/12: Newt Gingrich: If you are for American exceptionalism, you’re us. If you’re for European socialism and Saul Alinsky radicalism, you’re with Barack Obama.
3/8/12: Sarah Palin: Our president is not in this to unify America and to solidify our place as the exceptional nation in the world. He is trying to divide us.
3/31/12: Romney: Our president doesn’t have the same feelings about American exceptionalism that we do.
4/2/12: Obama: My entire career has been a testimony to American exceptionalism.
4/30/12: John Sununu: It goes with ego. The man doesn’t understand that other presidents have made equally difficult decisions … He’s trying to make himself exceptional.
Lou Dobbs: In embracing, if you will, American exceptionalism.
Sununu: That is exactly right. That’s the last and only place he acknowledges it.
5/23/12: Obama: The United States has been, and will always be, the one indispensable nation in world affairs. It’s one of the many examples of why America is exceptional.
5/27/12: John McCain: This has to do with a foreign policy led by a president who does not believe in American exceptionalism.
6/7/12: Obama: There are a set of values that make this country extraordinary, that make this country exceptional.
6/26/12: Condoleezza Rice: I’m pretty certain I don’t see that same level of willingness to assert this, that the United States is indeed exceptional.
7/14/12: Obama: What makes us exceptional—it’s not just how many skyscrapers we have; it’s not how powerful our military is. What makes us special is this idea that in this country, if you are willing to work hard, if you’re willing to take responsibility for your own life, then you can make it if you try.
7/17/12: Romney: I’m convinced he wants Americans to be ashamed of success. I want Americans to welcome and to celebrate success and to encourage people to reach as high as they can … It’s the people of America that make America the unique nation, the exceptional nation it is.
Seriously, what reality does these people live in?
5 comments:
Excerpt:
The lesson from that small (and unlike in Libya, bloodless) incident applies to Obama’s entire foreign policy vision: Whatever foreign policy you want to adopt, groveling is no way to bring it about. And that explains why Obama has accomplished so little.
The Groveling Potus
And you the rationalizer...dolt!
The president's words and actions, however, demonstrate that he does know what he is doing and has certainly never apologized for this country.
Most people here on Earth don't agree. He is flailing and incompetent. Israel thinks he is an idiot and Al Queda think he is a chicken shit...exactly how they thought of Clinton.
“President Barack Obama didn’t intend to signal any change in the U.S.-Egypt relationship last night when he said Egypt is not an ‘ally,’ the White House told The Cable today. . . . That comment had Egypt watchers scratching their heads, especially since technically, Egypt was designated as a Major Non-NATO Ally in 1989 when Congress first passed the law creating that status, which gives them special privileges in cooperating with the United States, especially in the security and technology areas.”
They’re scratching their heads, Obama’s in over his head. This must be more of that “smart diplomacy” we were promised.
From Instapundit. By the way, I don't think I have ever witnessed an administration having to walk back or explain their statements more than this one. What a train wreck.
To quote Bill Clinton, it takes a lot of brass to accuse someone of something they did. After the elimination of bin Laden, al-awlaki, and countless other members of Al Qaeda, I have to wonder what makes you come to your conclusion that Al Qaeda thinks he is "chicken shit."
Interesting note on Egypt considering that them "not being an ally" is what the right has been squawking about since the Islamic Brotherhood took over the government. Again, I don't get it. He's doing a good job, you don't like that, so you just make stuff up.
Most people, in fact, do not agree with you...on the planet Earth.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/09/12/fox-news-poll-obama-has-lead-over-romney-in-post-convention-poll/
Voters trust Obama more than Romney on foreign policy (+15 points)
During his first 1,225 days in office, Obama attended his Presidential Daily Intelligence Brief just 536 times — or 43.8 percent of the time. During 2011 and the first half of 2012, his attendance became even less frequent — falling to just over 38 percent. By contrast, Obama’s predecessor, George W. Bush almost never missed his daily intelligence meeting.
He's doing a good job, you don't like that, so you just make stuff up.
Ha, that is a laugh. Keep cheerleading for team zero. Just lends credence to you complete lack of objectivity.
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