Romney: Obama's comments to Medvedev 'alarming and troubling'

 

Updated 2:43 p.m. - SAN DIEGO, CA -- Mitt Romney assailed President Obama's comments to outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev about increased "flexibility" after the election this fall.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev chat following the conclusion of their bilateral meeting March 26 at the Nuclear Security Summit Seoul, South Korea.

At a medical device company in San Diego, Romney called the president's comments -- captured Monday on an open microphone -- "an alarming and troubling development" as part of a longer wind-up about the importance of missile defense and standing by our allies.

“This weekend, the president happened to be somewhere where the microphone was left open. You may have heard that. It can be revealing, in this case, it was. He was speaking with Mr. Medvedev, of Russia. And he said, ‘This is my last election, I can be more flexible after the election is over,'" Romney started.

"Now when the president of the United States is speaking with the leader of Russia saying he can be more flexible after the election, that is an alarming and troubling development," Romney said. "There's no time for our president to be pulling his punches with the American people and not telling us what he's intending to do with regards to our missile defense system; with regards to our military might and with regards to our commitment to Israel; and with regards to our absolute conviction that Iran must have a nuclear weapon."

Obama's comments were captured at the very beginning of the photo opportunity after the the bilateral meeting between the president and Medvedev, when the two leaders were leaned over and speaking to each other.

RELATED: Obama's hot mic moment

"This is my last election," Obama was heard saying, "After my election I have more flexibility."

Medvedev responded that he would "transmit this information to Vladimir," meaning Vladimir Putin, the president-elect of Russia.

A Russian journalist's recording indicates the two leaders were talking about missile defense, a touchy area in U.S.-Russian relations.

Before Romney's remarks had concluded, President Obama's campaign pushed back at the former Massachusetts governor's criticism.

“Once again Governor Romney is undermining his credibility by distorting the President’s words," Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt said in a statement. "Governor Romney has been all over the map on the key foreign policy challenges facing our nation today, offering a lot of chest thumping and empty rhetoric with no concrete plans to enhance our security or strengthen our alliances."

Romney delivered his attack of the president during a speech that began with a critique of the President's health care law. Standing before a sign reading "Repeal and Replace Obamacare," Romney said there were "a lot of reasons not to like Obamacare," and outlined a number of his issues with the law, but stopped short of his usual direct call for the bill's repeal.

In his more than twenty minutes of remarks, Romney also never mentioned the Supreme Court case beginning today that could decide the law's fate well before the November election.

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The corporate media spends billions of dollars to make you uninformed and be brainwashed . They are doing there jobs well obiously.

  • 1 vote
Reply#27 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:48 PM EDT

Don't you people care about your kids ? Having something in your life if it just doesn't work out as planned. They want to take away everything their greedy hands can. Then tell you it is the welfare and all other forms of aid that you are paying so much taxes on. No should we just keep bailing out the banks and make them even richer again 6 banks controll 65% of the wealth in this country. The oil companies control our lives. Great jobs would be the companies controlled for their pullution. People to change filters. Our infrastruture . bridges roads . Public safety.

  • 1 vote
Reply#28 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:58 PM EDT

Ron Brock is right. Number one, that stray sentence could pertain to almost anything. Maybe Obama was talking about doing a trade for some Russian caviar for a big party, but was worried about somebody making a big deal out of it, like they did when he served Budweiser beer once---who knows.

I too, would consider voting for a Republican if they came up with someone that wasn't basing their entire campaign on Obama bashing and social issues that could be put on hold until we solve more important problems. Considering what Obama inherited and the non stop , total frontal assault on everything he says and does, I think he has done OK. I would tell all of his critics to kiss my black rear if I was him and go off and have a happy life with my wife and children, but, I guess I don't understand the euphoric influence of power, greed or whatever motivates him to suffer through such abuse. Maybe I am the gullible fool? Only time will tell.

  • 1 vote
Reply#29 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:58 PM EDT

once again, your president making a decision based on politics!!

    Reply#30 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:01 PM EDT

    I would hope so idiot. Why do you think you are on the page you are on? Because they take everything they can think of and spin it. Is this not why you came here . What do you think they are doing. They have no issues nothing to put on the table so all they can do is a Fox number on evrything. We could have had jobs rebuilding our infrastructure. no he might get credit for that. Fillibuster! He could walk on water and they would say the reason he does is because he can't swim.

    • 1 vote
    #30.1 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:19 PM EDT

    What spin is there!!?? You heard the recording. You are the idiot (I normally wouldn't call you names since that is against the rules but I am following your lead) if you choose to brush it off! It goes to the core of Obama's actions. This is a case reported in his own words.

      #30.2 - Tue Mar 27, 2012 7:13 AM EDT
      Reply

      Don't worry about the nukes . That is the Repubs bought and payed for by the KocH brothers and their friends. deregulate everything like they are trying to do and just be scared what the hell are country is going to be. A toxic waste dump.

        Reply#31 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:12 PM EDT

        The one thing you people forget. He has the hardest most demanding job in the world, What ever he says in private on the air our future is the issue .He is not the george bush lie of a President who got in by the supreme courts lies. he should have neverbeen president. And the supreme court should have been impeached. but we know that would never happen. Not while it is a repub controlled House. They have to bring up the issue. Until then corporations are people my friends.

          Reply#32 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:29 PM EDT

          No prob baracalypse. youll have plenty of time after the election swingin a hammer with jimmy carter. GET OUT YOU DISASTER!

            Reply#33 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:32 PM EDT

            Dems lost the house to the job creators as they said .Not one job issue put on the table since 2010. Our country and people can suffer they don't care .Job 1 to them is making our President a one term president No matter what it takes . Why because he is too intelligent and cares about all are people. they say the keystone garbage toxic pipeline would create 20,000 jobs . Now it is down to 1,500. and those jobs are only for up to 2 years. people wake up they don't care if they frack are lands and destroy are water. Put toxic pollutants in the air as long they get richer and richer.

            • 1 vote
            Reply#34 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:39 PM EDT

            gopjobs.gov. refused by the libs.

              #34.1 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:10 PM EDT
              Reply

              Afganistan. We should have went in there and gave them money and knowledge to grow crops besides opium. make them feel like our friends. we could have won them over . Instead we go there and kill their people. Now they still hate us and still are making less than $500 dollars a year. We spent tillions. and killed scores of thousands on these two wars for the war criminals in office here.

                Reply#35 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:46 PM EDT

                cheer up, the wars will be over soon, then we will elect a gop president and senate and start another unpaid for war and never hear the word balanced budget until we get a dem president again

                • 2 votes
                #35.1 - Tue Mar 27, 2012 6:49 AM EDT
                Reply

                Russ don't want to be spending time on Forest gumps realatives. Got something intelligent to say or just grammer school sarcasm.

                  Reply#36 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:47 PM EDT

                  never a repub... the first problem is you tout baracalypse as "intelligent and cares about people". for a guy that gets an associates degree, and then travels cross country to get a bachelors, takes 5 years off, gets someone to pay for harvard after doing who knows what for 5 years and graduates from law school at 31, all while NEVER having a real revenue creating job, with no girlfriends, no friends, no stories, no grades. you have to be a complete moron to think this guy is some sort of genius.

                  theyve been fracking since world war 2.

                  we have oil and gas reserves to last 120 plus years. i think by then we will think of some new invention to replace it.

                  the only people getting rich are the solyndra types getting bonuses on a bankrupt co and the trillions in debt are lining the pockets of obamas friends.

                  stop fooling yourself.

                    Reply#37 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:51 PM EDT

                    Look up the truth what are you doing today? Are you wearing a hoody ? Didn't think so . You take all this garbage instead of thinking for yourself.That is why this country is in the shape it is in. Be;ieve what you want but if you wake up one day and say what the hell was I thinking like I did. you too will change yor mind.

                      #37.1 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:02 PM EDT

                      By the way Bush started solyndra and he followed up on it. what was he thinking? Dubya! I guess nobody is perfect

                        #37.2 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:05 PM EDT

                        bush denied solyndra. found it unworthy. fact.

                          #37.3 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:12 PM EDT
                          Reply

                          Pick up a book like Gashole or Gas land. Then maybe you can really see what is happening to our beautifull country.

                          • 1 vote
                          Reply#38 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:52 PM EDT

                          Reagan had star wars 1.8 trillion that never went anywhere but to his lobbiyists.

                            Reply#39 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:08 PM EDT

                            Hey russ by the way banckrupt companies take out the profits make the federal gverment pay for it . My God that's MITT

                              Reply#40 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:10 PM EDT

                              no repub. thats what you call GM. gm went bankrupt, and we will never get our money back.

                                #40.1 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:14 PM EDT
                                Reply

                                Romney only illustrates his lack of political practicality. He only demonstrates his novice nature in politics & world affairs. Besides the more Romney speaks the better he cements President Obama's re-election. Romney is the best thing going for the President's re-election. Keep talking Mitt and thanks for your efforts to re-elect the President!!!

                                  Reply#41 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:11 PM EDT

                                  Glad yiou thoght of it!

                                    Reply#42 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:12 PM EDT

                                    russ you keep saying stop fooling myself. Brother all can say is stop being a fool . Somebody elses fool! a little knowledge goes a long way. I don't hate you bro I love and respect you . We just got to take care of some issues. Don't believe everything you hear. Think for yourself. We are all in this together

                                    • 1 vote
                                    Reply#43 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:14 PM EDT

                                    se never a repub, i would gladly admit im a fool, if you take my sentences one by one and refute them with facts how wrong i am. its there for you to see and answer.

                                    dont be so quick to call names. its a little too predictably liberal.

                                    • 1 vote
                                    #43.1 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:17 PM EDT

                                    What stations are you watching? Call them liberal. LOLfirst of all i am a Progressive . I do not go by Dem Lib these words mean nothing any more. The ACLU is the most consevative group in the country . Try explaining that to the so called conservatves. These are the issuse our country was built on. The conservatives keep trying to put religion in our politics. That is what they do in Iran. Smal government untill it has to do with a womens body . Or like i say until it has something to do With gays,God ,guns ,gender. then they want to be right there in the bedroom with you. They think life begins at erection.

                                    • 1 vote
                                    #43.2 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:32 PM EDT

                                    again, you deflected into a tirade that neither of us wrote of. try staying on point to prove me wrong. id gladly admit it.

                                    never a repub... the first problem is you tout baracalypse as "intelligent and cares about people". for a guy that gets an associates degree, and then travels cross country to get a bachelors, takes 5 years off, gets someone to pay for harvard after doing who knows what for 5 years and graduates from law school at 31, all while NEVER having a real revenue creating job, with no girlfriends, no friends, no stories, no grades. you have to be a complete moron to think this guy is some sort of genius.

                                    theyve been fracking since world war 2.

                                    we have oil and gas reserves to last 120 plus years. i think by then we will think of some new invention to replace it.

                                    the only people getting rich are the solyndra types getting bonuses on a bankrupt co and the trillions in debt are lining the pockets of obamas friends

                                      #43.3 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:45 PM EDT
                                      Reply

                                      Don't let me or anybody else sway your ways. Just do some research.

                                        Reply#44 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:22 PM EDT

                                        If anybody here is smart ,watch George Carlin. Old stuff but he had everything right. He never voted in his life. but he could call it to the tee. The world doesn't care about plastic. it isn't going anywhere. We are

                                          Reply#45 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:38 PM EDT

                                          What Obama was refering to is his notion that when (if) he wins the election, he can do whatever he wants. Anything.

                                          And no one is buying the lie that he didn't know the mike was on. This is an underhanded way to try for more votes.

                                          Obama is easy to read once you understand where he is REALLY coming from.

                                            Reply#46 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:43 PM EDT

                                            yes joseph. thats why they call him OBEYME

                                              #46.1 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:47 PM EDT
                                              Reply

                                              Now before I go to bed im going to watch Marvin gaye . whats going on/ whats happening brother. call me a hippie. That makes $180,000 a year easy. and still cares about our people., like so many I know that do not give a dogs Chaney. oh what's his first name.

                                                Reply#47 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:46 PM EDT

                                                Since the Reagan era the Soviets, now the Russians, have been furious at the idea that the US had a capability to defend against missiles and that they couldn't develop the technology. Thus, it is particularly chilling when Obama appears to say that he will be able to bow to Putin's missile defense demands after the election. My strong feeling, and fear, is that Obama will agree to ensuring that the US will always be completely vulnerable to missile attack.

                                                Let me restate the dialog with what I consider to be the subtext: Medvedev: "We want the US to kill its missile defense program in return for Russian support of your Middle East policy." Obama: "I will do will do what you say, but if I agree now, I won't get reelected. Please wait." Medvedev: "Vladimir might go for it, but it will cost you."

                                                  Reply#48 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 11:14 PM EDT

                                                  So let me get this straight. The PRESIDENT of the US can't speak to the PRESIDENT of Russia about things that only PRESIDENTS are authorized to discuss?

                                                  But a guy who isn't even NOMINATED yet and thus not yet an actual CANDIDATE for PRESIDENT can dictate terms to North Korea, shake his finger at a camera and demand the Chinese stop manipulating currency and in what I'm not entirely certain isn't treason, as he doesn't have the authority to order the guy in the Pentagon cafeteria to get him a cup of coffee, took the stage in a live debate on national television and commited the US Military to keeping Iran in line.

                                                  • 1 vote
                                                  Reply#49 - Tue Mar 27, 2012 2:57 AM EDT

                                                  All the time we hear how we should "error" on the side of the children when it comes to safety, the constitution, anything. Well, the same should apply to America as well. Only in this case it means we need to get our Socialistic, Nihilist out of Office in order to save America. Even if only partly true, we need to error on the side of keeping country a great country.

                                                  Need another example of BHO and his not being able to be trusted? Just a few months ago 12 or 13 new EPA laws were to go into effect. Worried that they may hurt his standing in the polls, he told his followers that he would delay implementing the laws until after the election. They were mad but understood what he was doing. In short, BHO placed his re-election above all the concerns of those that believe the world is melting.

                                                  Now, a history lesson for those that call themselves "progressives". The term progressive was first introduced into American politics in 1928. Get this, by the American Communist Party! The ACP used the progressive term because they knew they had no chance of getting a communist elected. Fast forward to today and progressives don't even relalize they are being used.

                                                  Back to BHO caving in to Russia. Remember when BHO cancelled the 1st agreed upon European ABM System? Well, his idea of a replacement consists of older technology RADAR and not even our best intercept missiles. Why would a president, that cares for Europe or the US insist on installing a second rate ABM system? Worse yet, BHO ABM System would not be into place until 2016. How many years is that after Iran gets the Nuclear bomb? Three years? Four years?

                                                  Now, let's look at how BHO has helped our enemies. During the first 32 months BHO was in office, BHO increased aid to countries that would just as well see us destroyed by 300%. Here we are in a budget crisis and BHO has asked fo ran additional 700 million for next years budget to go to Muslim countries. Worse yet, BHO gave to Hamas (Gaza) or, requested a total of $1.021 billions. BHO has even approved $1.7 billion going to the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

                                                  It is high time we "error" on the side of America, instead of our enemies.

                                                    Reply#50 - Tue Mar 27, 2012 3:09 AM EDT

                                                    OMG, he just might have been talking about his current tight schedule and the need to meet with the Russian prez, but being unable to do so at this time. It could mean any number of things! I just do not like the arrogance in assuming he will still be in office.

                                                    Some arrogance is fine, even good for a POTUS but come on, we all know that few of our expectations are met as perfectly as we thought they would be. Or else people wouldn't hate Bush as much as they do now, and he DID get re-elected. The things we learn after the fact are just downright terrifying!!! I tremble at what COULD be revealed about Obama after the fact!!!

                                                    Besides Obama should not delay talking to the Russians, why waste the next months campaigning when he could be making history AGAIN by bringing about permanent peace? I would rather vote for a 'too busy saving the world to campaign" POTUS, than the 3 GOP candidates without current jobs, Perry had a state he still had to run and Paul is still a congressman.

                                                      Reply#51 - Tue Mar 27, 2012 3:32 AM EDT

                                                      He made a statement to the current Russian president about something the US and Russia have been talking about since the 1980's. God forbid he's overheard doing his job. I'm not sure how it's arrogant to assume he will be in office when his opponents start every stump speech with some variation of "when I'm elected President."

                                                      I agree with your last paragraph, but delaying the meeting isn't his call. The reason President Medvedev agreed to take it to Putin is because Medvedev is leaving office in a month. Putin takes over in May.

                                                        #51.1 - Tue Mar 27, 2012 4:05 AM EDT

                                                        See and thats what 30 years of nothing being done, (1980's) I mean come on he could have everything worked out by May with agreement from both the current and future Presidents. But I really hate campaigning by the current POTUS, it always boils down to a full wasted year. And if the 3 dips currently with the best nomination shots are not going to win and Obama is sure of it enough to assume he will still be there in December, then why campaign on the road. Get back to work and ignore the blathering 3 stooges who step all over each other. I HATE ELECTION YEAR!!!! Its 365 days of jerry springer mixed in with a little desperate housewives!!!

                                                        • 1 vote
                                                        #51.2 - Tue Mar 27, 2012 4:19 AM EDT
                                                        Reply
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