Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney returned to the U.S. this week, after what the press deemed a ‘tumultuous’ overseas tour. Which tour they were watching, I’m not sure, because the former Massachusetts Governor held his own, exuded power and confidence, and managed to stand up for Israel, our most vital ally in the middle east.
Then again, these are the same reporters that would scream ridiculous questions to someone at a war memorial.
It’s not so much that Mitt Romney was campaigning abroad, as he was campaigning from abroad. After three-and-a-half years of President Obama’s weakness on the international scene, it was well done of Romney to show that he can stand up to the Palestinians without bowing to them.
The American president is often referred to as the ‘leader of the free world,’ a title that has come about due to American exceptionalism. Even with Occupy Wall Street whining that their degrees in underwater basket-weaving didn’t prepare them adequately for the workforce, the United States is the best country in the world to live in if you want to work hard to better yourself. We are freer and richer, we live longer, and I’m not sure if there’s been a study done or not, but I’d be willing to bet we eat more bacon and have more sex.
Given that America has so much heft in the world, it makes sense that a presidential candidate would travel abroad to meet with foreign dignitaries, and Americans should watch. Will he be proud of our country and represent accordingly, or will he apologize profusely for our prosperity? Will he stand by our allies, or insult them?
Besides, there’s an opportunity to gain some campaign cash while abroad, and ain’t nothin' wrong with that. America is a generous nation, and loyal to her allies. That’s why it was important for Romney to hit up Poland while in Europe. Poland is arguably the most successful westernized democracy from the former Soviet Union, and Obama has threatened that relationship. Mitt Romney was able to show good will to the Polish people, and tell them that as President of the United States, he will make sure we stand with them.
It behooves foreigners to donate to candidates they believe will make America better, because the world is a better place with America in it. American presidential candidates are smart to spend some time campaigning abroad, and I applaud Mitt Romney for doing it.
This post is part of a weekly conversation with our Moms Matter 2012 political bloggers. To see the original question and what the other writers have to say, see Should Mitt Romney Be Campaigning Abroad?
Image via the roving sheep/Flickr
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Comments 66
Stand up for Israel, eh? You know, I'm not a huge Obama fan but if Ehud Barack thinks Obama's been good for Israel, that's good enough for me. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/30/ehud-barak-sings-praises-of-obama-administration/
Romney is a rich idiot who has no business running for office because he can't think about anyone but himself.
I have to say that this is the last article of yours I will read Jenny. Not because our politics are different (I'm definately not Liberal) but really because.... you're so intent on trashing the other side, I really can't stand to read all the blatant hate and stereotyping you needlessly throw in anymore.
I also wish you hadn't mentioned how good he was for Israel, because now all the people that greatly dislike you are going to take the opposite stance on it because you seem to bring that out in people. *shakes head*
Jenny, this is not one of your better articles. You always talk about the double standard that exists on the left -- how they are allowed to talk trash but the right gets criticized universally when it does. However, you are doing nothing but subscribing to the double standard by returning the trash talking. I would recommend a rewrite of this article. If you believe Romney's trip abroad wasn't the disaster the press is making it out to be (I agree with you here), then write an article that supplies persuasive arguments, gives supporting details, and refutes the counter argument WITHOUT name calling. Showing such disrespect for our commander in chief makes you no better than the liberals.
And just as an aside -- I am a moderate, but I do support Romney over Obama in the election.
Billsfan -- Indeed, I do that all the time. You should read some of the stuff I've said to Maressa and Kiri! No need to disparage me; I said I support Romney a million percent. I just think this article could've been written more strongly and without stooping to the biased level of the liberal bloggers. Jenny should know better than that.
Ooooh Billsfan. If you bothered to read any of my replies aside from the last two of Jennys articles, you would see that A) I often think she has a good perspective B) I hate how underrepresented the conservative side is and C) I think it's awful coming from the other side too.
However, I will say that Jenny has really really gone downhill. It's completely needless remarks like 'whining about their degrees in underwater basket weaving' that are just... awful. That's not a good perspective, that's a snide attack. Who wants to read that?
Well, certainly not me.
Second, you Jenny are basically a living, breathing example of the rude, loud and outspoken American stereotype that the rest of the world thinks of when they think USA. The Ugly American poster child.