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
If Mitt becomes president we (Germany) have something to laugh at again...we really miss dingbat Bush...lol
Me and Mine-He said it in a speech from here in America. This was not a story we read from the Israeli press we heard the words come out of the President's mouth. It is so scary the talking points the left throws out. This speech was given on May 19, of 2011. I remember because I was sitting in a hospital room with my boyfriend who was recovering from major surgery and we were listening to the speech. I will always remember it because my boyfriend said, "What kind of drugs did they give me, I thought I just heard Obama say we should go back to the 1967 border's." Maybe those of you on the left should start listening to his speeches instead of repeating talking points and you will understand were we are coming from.
Me and Mine-Did you hear Netanyahu's speech today? You should listen to it and then respond.