Romney Misses An Opportunity in Israel
In a speech in January, Mitt Romney laid out his policy on Israel. “I think, by and large, you can just look at the things the president has done and do the opposite,” he said.
But given a perfect opportunity to expand on just what "the opposite" might be, Romney avoided specifics during his speech on Sunday in Jerusalem. In fact, despite several interviews and addresses, Romney has yet to fully explain his position in detail.
Romney stood beside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he asserted that “all the sanctions and diplomacy so far have not set back the Iranian program by one iota.” Yet in an interview with ABC News, Romney also said sanctions “are beginning to have a greater impact on Iran,” and said he’d like to have seen the sanctions come earlier.
Romney and his campaign also spent time clarifying an adviser's remark that was interpreted as giving Israel a green light to attack Iran.
Of course, Romney was careful not to criticize Obama’s efforts directly while abroad, saying he’d rather not pick apart U.S. policy while standing on foreign soil. But in the end, he offered little during his stay to explain what “the opposite” is, a fact not lost on Obama’s campaign. “Romney and his team have failed to outline what that actually means,” read one email.
Romney may have missed an opportunity in Israel to stake out a definitive position and state it clearly. Of course, specific policies can invite specific criticisms from Democrats. And there are still months to go before Election Day. But with a recent poll showing Obama 15 points ahead of Romney on the question of who can better handle foreign policy, there is little time to waste.
—Alexandra Jaffe
NATIONAL JOURNAL’S PRESIDENTIAL RACE REPORT
Romney and Obama Strain to Show Gap on Foreign Policy
[New York Times, 7/28/12] Romney hasn't offered many specifics on foreign policy, but those which he has provided are close to Obama's, indicating that voters will likely judge the two on style, rather than substance, when it comes to their foreign policy prowess.
Romney Would Back Israeli Attack on Iran
[National Journal, 7/29/12] An advisor to Mitt Romney said on Sunday that Romney would respect Israel's right to take action to halt Iran's nuclear program, but later released a statement saying Romney hopes economic sanctions and diplomatic efforts will prevent the need for such measures.
Romney Clarifies Comments on Iran
[National Journal, 7/29/12] Mitt Romney said on Sunday that "I respect the right of Israel to defend itself," and that all U.S. diplomatic, economic and military options should be employed to keep Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, as he and his campaign sought to clarify an adviser's remark that was interpreted as giving Israel a green light to attack Iran.
Romney Hopes Polish Visit Can Pay Dividends in Swing States
[National Journal, 7/29/12] Mitt Romney's trip to Poland on Monday -- the last stop on his three-country, six-day foreign tour -- offers him a chance to bolster his image as a competent diplomat, something he could use after his gaffe-filled stint in London. But the real potential prize for visiting the Eastern European nation lies at home: more votes from the Polish-American and Catholic communities.
Romney Camp Hopes Israel Trip Secures Evangelical, Jewish Votes
[L.A. Times, 7/29/12] His visit to Israel is likely aimed towards wooing voters back home, not just at creating diplomatic ties with Israeli leaders. Though Jewish voters tend to lean Democratic, Romney sees an opening there, and evangelicals have historically been wary of the Mormon candidate, but he could shore up that support with his trip.
3 Takes on Mitt Romney's London Visit
[National Journal, 7/28/12] National Journal's Josh Kraushaar, Caren Bohan and Michael Hirsh all weigh in on Romney's gaffe-filled first stop on his international tour.
Romney’s Rude Awakening
[National Journal, 7/28/12] On paper, Mitt Romney’s first overseas trip as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee looked brilliantly plotted. But misstep after misstep indicates Romney didn't quite realize what he was getting himself into with his international tour.
Obama Gives It Another College Try
[Wall Street Journal, 7/28/12] Using social media and the internet, the Obama campaign is attempting to invigorate young voters to the same extent it did in 2008, despite the fact many younger voters aren't nearly as wowed by the candidate as they were the last time around.
Presidential Also-Rans Stiff Small Businesses
[Politico, 7/29/12] Many former GOP presidential contenders closed out their campaigns in deep debt (or, often, because they were in deep debt), and now have been unable to pay back some small business owners who helped them along the trail -- the same demographic their policies claimed to aid.
Obama, Romney Contrasts Clear on Insurance
[National Journal, 7/28/12] Health care is one place where a comparison between Obama and Romney’s health policies can be easily seen. And it fits right in with the narrative the Obama campaign has been weaving: Obama is for the everyman, and Romney is for the rich.
Romney, Obama Advisers Face Off Over London Gaffe
[National Journal, 7/29/12] Top advisers to both presidential candidates squared off on Sunday over Mitt Romney’s overseas trip, with Romney adviser Kevin Madden arguing that his candidate's well-publicized gaffes abroad will have no bearing on the election and Obama adviser Robert Gibbs saying they indicate he’s not ready for the presidency.
Romney Not Worried About 'The Wimp Factor'
[National Journal, 7/29/12] Mitt Romney may object to some labels, but apparently calling him a "wimp" is not one of them.
