Romney Defends Experience

Subscribe to this blog's feed

« Previous | Main | Next »

December 27, 2007 4:12 PM

ABC News' Matt Stuart Reports: Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney faced a series of questions on national security Friday, stemming from the death of former Pakistan Prime Minister Bhutto.

Speaking with reporters in Manchester, New Hampshire, Romney said, "(We) don't know for certainty who the source (of the suicide bomb) was...but it does underscore the reality of violence and treachery around the world."

Later, while speaking with voters in Bedford, Romney said he suspected al Qaeda was responsible for the attacks on Bhutto.

Romney called on the United States to "support moderate elements and moderate voices within the world of Islam," and "to establish the kind of strength and foundation which will lead to a more stable and secure world."

Asked what his first move would be if he were president given Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, Romney replied, "To bring in as many sources as you can together to understand their perspective as to what's happened and again begin to sort through the various options and the various risks."

Romney faced questions on his foreign policy experience after saying of a "foreign policy crisis" that, "You don't just jump from the gut and say, 'Well here's what I think we ought to do,' and then take action."

Not surprisingly, Romney also rejected the notion that his opponents, particularly either former mayor Rudy Giuliani, R-N.Y., or Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., might be better prepared to deal with a foreign policy crisis.

"He did a fine job at responding to the tragedy that occurred on 9/11," Romney said in reference to Giuliani, whose latest ads highlight his role in the wake of the nation's worst terrorist attack.

Romney argued his own experience running the Salt Lake City Olympics and serving as governor of Massachusetts gave him the relevant crisis management experience.

"I can rely upon the experiences I had in those areas to help me in matters relating to homeland security," he asserted.

What is your reaction to Benazir Bhutto's death? How do you think this incident will influence Pakistan's future? Click here to talk back and join the debate.

And for all the day's politics -- what's happening in Iowa, New Hampshire, and the entire 2008 campaign trail -- read The Note every morning.

December 27, 2007 in Dodd, Chris, Hunter, Duncan, Palin, Sarah, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (6)

User Comments

You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Look the facts are Mitt Romney has no foreign policy experience. Zero. He will require on the job training if he made it to the White House; that's assuming he wins the Republican nomination and then doesn't lose to Hillary.

John McCain is the only candidate that is ready Day 1 to be Commander and Chief. He has the experience and knows how to win.

Mitt has some major weaknesses including flip flopping on issues and no foreign policy experience. He is the wrong man for the job.

Posted by: imwithmmcain | Dec 27, 2007 5:23:51 PM

imwithmmcain

McCain knows nothing about foreign policies.Any presidential candidate that doesn't have an executive and managerial skills as well as being a leader for the most part of his life career doesn't really have anything to brag about.Being a prisoner in Vietnam is a foreing policy experience? come on give me a break and say something sensible.

Posted by: kmjjp | Dec 28, 2007 12:36:19 AM

Mitt oversaw a steriod freak show out in Utah (real homey for the stormin mormon)
with some of the most piss-poor attendance seen in the Olympics and that makes him experienced to foreign policies? LMOA KM, If you would like some assistance in understanding our current foreign policies, and or foreign affairs we face . . .please email me.
The fact that Flippy Mitt has no foreign policy experience is not nearly as disturbing as the fact that he has NO policy experience whatsoever! As far as foreign policy . . .he doesn't even understand it let alone have experience!
Mitt is simply scrambling because he is starting to realize he was lied to, he can't buy the electorate after- all.
Every time there is a 'crisis' such as the recent Pakistani one . ..EVERY expert, every network, every analyst turns to our Next President . . .John McCain.

Slainte'

Mad

Posted by: Mad Irishman | Dec 28, 2007 10:37:17 PM

difficult to respond to Romney because he might have another position the next day.

What really is disturbing is the mis-leading lies Romney has been presenting.

I believe that we are at a pivotal point in our country. We were conceived in greatness. I know that sounds trite, but it’s true. The American Experiment in democracy changed the world. It caused a wave of democratization all over the world. France was next, and the dominos kept going on. It replaced kings and queens, even Tsars. This is not a history lesson but let’s just say—Iraq is next. McCain is the Teddy Roosevelt of the 21st century. We must make this happen. This is our chance. Let’s get this done.

Posted by: Aric Smedstad | Dec 28, 2007 10:44:18 PM

Mitt should IMMEDIATELY remove himself, or should be removed, from the race after his comments following the Bhutto killing. What an absolute dolt. How could we possibly enlist the inability of anyone that in the dark about the way the world works for our most sacred office?
That is right . . . we couldn't...so we will vote McCain.

RK08

Posted by: RipKid08 | Dec 28, 2007 10:47:17 PM

I met Mitt here in NH. Watched him lie to a room full of people. Watched him look a man right in the face two feet from me and lie about the lie he had told the whole room. Then, he attempted to shake my hand and lie to me. Wasn't the same lie, I'll give him credit for that. He's quick to weave a web, he altered the lie just so for each of us. Just like he's doing to the rest of the country. Wonder when he'll loan his campaign another 10 mil to keep trying to buy votes?

VOTE MCCAIN

Sam

Posted by: Samantha | Dec 28, 2007 10:59:27 PM

Post a comment