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
I totally agree with you wamom223. I've been trying to say for weeks that this stupid arguing needs to stop so we can focus on what's really important. Forget about Procrasto. Obama has made Canada the richest country FOR THE FIRST TIME. Is it any wonder some of them like him?
Obama himself said if he didn't fix what needed to be, he'd be a one term president. Alrightythen. That was a lie too wasn't it? The funniest thing is still "it's Bush's fault."
Do you notice that the right is spending more time walking back the Romney gaffes than they are campaigning or spreading their message?....procrastamom
Did you notice that the Left is spending more time attacking Romney than they are talking about BObama's record? No? People in America sure have.
Romney 2012
Hockey, to add on a little, the Poles are still offended, when Obama called a concentration camp a Polish concentration camp, instead of a Nazi concentration camp.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/05/obama-apologizes-to-poland-over-death-camp-remark/1
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/01/obama-polish-death-camps-regret_n_1561894.html
And that was just this year. That is far more offensive, than Romney's press guy saying kiss my ass to a reporter that was next to him.
Little Frog- I hope that was a joke. This is America where we have the right to disagree with anyone we want to no matter who they are. Netanyahu doesn't seem to like Obama at all so what good is it to reference Barak. We deal with business people in Israel also and they do not speak highly of our President at all. I am so offended by your comment of "who are you to disagree." That is a sign of ignorance. You should never blindly follow any man or any opinion. Always ask questions, and yes disagree and debate and learn from each other. Here we are again LittleFrogs talking emotion and follow the leader instead of talking facts. I notice you didn't want to bring up that Mitt Romney is personal friends with the President of Israel, you only want to talk of the Prime Minister who backs Obama. Its called spin and the Conservatives on this site are way to smart to not call it what it is.
Jafe-I have seen your post's and agree with you. Lets talk about the plan to fix this country and see who has the better plan. Lets talk about things that reall really matter. I am not being sarcastic when I ask those on the left to come to the debate with facts, I really want to understand where they are coming from. I am not a big fan of Romney but he is the only alternative at this point and if he doesn't tow the line I say we make him a one term President too. Its time to remind Washing D.C. that they work for us we don't work for them.
Also I stand corrected by HockeyMom's post. Ehud Barak is the Minister of Defence not the Prime Minister. I think that proves my point even more. I would take the word of the President of Israel over the opinion of the Minister of Defence.