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Updated 4:45 p.m. - Mitt Romney re-emphasized Tuesday a shared goal with President Barack Obama, to transfer control of Afghanistan to that country’s security forces by the end of 2014.
Speaking Tuesday before the annual meeting of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Romney noted his past criticism of the pace of the drawdown of U.S.-led security forces in Afghanistan, which was set to culminate in a handover of responsibility to Afghan forces in 2014.
But the presumptive Republican nominee said that it would be his own goal, as well, to complete a transition of power by 2014 – a stance that is difficult to distinguish from the president’s.
“As president, my goal in Afghanistan will be to complete a successful transition to Afghan security forces by the end of 2014,” he said in Nevada.
Romney didn’t offer specifics when it comes to what that would mean for the precise level of U.S. forces that would remain in Afghanistan over the course of the transition, relying on his usual rhetoric about deferring to the judgment of commanders on the ground.
“I will evaluate conditions on the ground and solicit the best advice of our military commanders,” he said. “And I will affirm that my duty is not to my political prospects, but to the security of the nation."
In a separate fact sheet, the Republican’s campaign said that Romney, as president, would order an interagency review of the transition in Afghanistan during his first 100 days in office.
The Afghanistan announcement was just one part of a multifaceted speech outlining the presumptive Republican nominee’s foreign policy vision before he embarks on a tour of the United Kingdom, Israel and Poland meant to burnish his credentials as commander-in-chief. Still, Romney’s pronouncement today on Afghanistan would seem, if nothing else, to mark a significant departure in the rhetoric he’s used toward the situation in Afghanistan.
But readers might be forgiven for reading Romney's speech today as a more forgiving assessment of the way Obama has managed the war in Afghanistan. Obama first launched a surge in troops in Afghanistan, a move that was generally applauded by Republicans.
Before officially launching his current presidential bid, Romney said in a March 2010 interview with NPR: “I was pleased that the president made the decision to take action to root out the Taliban in Afghanistan. I think he made a couple of errors, even in doing so, that makes it a little more difficult - or potentially substantially more difficult for our troops to be successful there.”
He continued, “Number one, when the military came and said we need a minimum of 40,000 more troops, I would not have been inclined to cut that to 30,000. My inclination would be to give him at least 40 or maybe 50,000. Number two, I would not have announced the date we're going to start pulling people out. I think that makes it more difficult at the time you're just adding troops.”
But his decision to withdraw those troops by September of this year had turned into the centerpiece of Romney's criticism of Obama.
Romney said in his June 2, 2011 speech launching his current White House run that Obama was “wrong” to announce a date by which U.S. troops would withdraw from Afghanistan.
Aides to the presumptive Republican presidential nominee said that Romney's disagreement with Obama stems from the pace of the withdrawal of troops, particularly in 2012, during the height of the fighting season in Afghanistan. Romney, aides said, would have more closely heeded military leaders' guidance to keep surge troops there longer.
But Romney shares an end goal of having only a small level of troops in Afghanistan at the time of the handover, pending the success in standing up the Afghan government.
"The timetable, by the end of 2014, is the right timetable for us to be completely withdrawn from Afghanistan, other than a small footprint of support forces," he said at a Nov. 13, 2011 presidential debate.
The pace of withdrawal Romney would pursue as president is unclear, though; commanders haven't issued their recommendations, and Romney's words at a Jan. 2012 debate underscored just how uncertain the conditions that would warrant a drawdown can be.
But Romney otherwise said he opposed negotiations with the Taliban that would end the fighting in Afghanistan. The solution, he said at an NBC News debate on Jan. 23, 2012, was to defeat the Taliban outright – a strategy that would seem to open the door to a potentially interminable engagement in Afghanistan and, for that matter, Pakistan.
"By beating them," Romney said of his strategy to end the fighting in the region. "By standing behind our troops and making sure that we have transitioned to the Afghan military, a capacity for them to be successful in holding off the Taliban."
"Our mission there is to be able to turn Afghanistan and its sovereignty over to a military of Afghan descent -- Afghan people that can defend their sovereignty. And that is something which we can accomplish in the next couple of years," he added.
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Was that another flip flop or is it an Etch-A-Shetch?
Yes Dennis, we can add this to the very long list of Willard's flip flops or Etch-A-Shetch moments. However, Willard's bosses
the Koch Brothersmay order another flip. We should know within the next two hours.It's amazing that Willard Romney, the talking lying buffoon, is the Republican choice for President of the United States.
Romney "embraces" today. Tomorrow he will have another position.
He really is the etch-a-sketch candidate. I find it fascinating that even one voter takes this man seriously as a candidate for the POTUS.
Sounds to me like Romney is starting to run on Obama's record. What's next, keep health care and the tax - because it is good for American's?
Dennis, I think it's definitely an Etch-a-Sketch moment; just shake it up and start over.
Very shallow comments and very disingenuous. Gov. Romney did the RIGHT thing in not undermining the president in a time of war in a war zone. A move that is very PRESIDENTIAL instead of petty worrying about another stance.
If he would have come out and countermanded the president, you would also have negative comments. You know Gov. Romney said the correct things.
BTW -- what's an Etch-A-Shetch??? :-)
Jeeshh,
Just about all the business channels are talking about the impending full blown recession.
Obama needs to move along. Our Economy needs saving by someone that understands the Economy, understands growth and investment. Someone with vast experience working with and in. We need to rebuild this nations wealth.
We need Mitt Romney!!!
Yeah right Brockton...Romney is nothing more than a paper pushing glorified pawnbroker who buys and sells companies. He has no understanding of American Manufacturing like his father. Believes that a company like Staples creates lots high paying jobs by selling stuff mostly made in CHINA. Yup that's the kinda guy we need as President!
Romney finally getting some sense, backing up Obama like that??
No, Dennis, his position is "evolving". Isn't that the new politically correct term for it these days?
Another copy cat moment, another not original thought moment!
Darn it, just say I agree with the President!!!
Rmoney does another flip-flop. He's flipping like a fish out of water.
'Flip' Romney is a flop, a failure, that is.
Wow, the majority of the average salaries at Staples is 9 to 10 dollars an hour.
Obama: the taxer-in-chief:
“According to the updated estimates, the amount of deficit reduction from penalty payments and other effects on tax revenues under the ACA will be $5 billion more than previously estimated,” the CBO reported today.
Stop Obama's war on America, his war on Capitalism, his class warfare, his race baiting, his Marxist regime and his plan for the destruction of American values!
After listening to the
Willardthe ravings of a lunatic, IF you want more war & death be certain to cast a ballot for him!The idiot just committed us to half of the world...
Easy to sabre rattle from the cheap seats....
PS: Him calling for transparency is PRICELESS! How about you show us those tax returns Willard, for starters... lol
Feisty - I think he'll embrace leaving Afghanistan because he has plans for a war in Syria. You know those Republicans - never a country they don't want to invade.
red sux Your still beating the "ACA" dead horse. Can't defend Rmoney on this flip-flop so change the subject.
The source of Staples average wages???? Also what do you expect for retail wages???
Dang Ben##########, I did'nt realize Reno, NV was a War Zone! I'ma guessing all the Aliens @Area51 will be mobilized !
Sheeeeeeeeeeesh !
Someone needs to Proof Read Mr. Obrien as his 1st sentence calls Malibu Mitt a SHE!
At best, Malibu Mitt gotta tepid response from the AFW speech. It seems as tho they already knew what his words would be!
Blah, Blah, Blah!!!!!!!!!!!
You Betcha!
Occupy SoggyBottom!
And Iran... and China...and North Korea...and so on...
FR: Romney didn't offer specifics when it comes to what that would mean for the precise level of U.S. forces that would remain in Afghanistan ?
"I will evaluate conditions on the ground and solicit the best advice of our military commanders," he said. "And I will affirm that my duty is not to my political prospects, but to the security of the nation."??
Think-- Dick Cheney incognito!!! Nothing has changed with the fear and war mongering GOP obstructionist except time intent on enriching their pockets with no bid war contracts!!!
R-money's speech was retching. How can Romney, of all people, call our President corrupt when it is Romney who has the most corrupt looters with people like Dick Cheney lying in the hinterland.
Then there still is this:
Libor Investigation Closes In
Romney's indirect connection to LIBOR scandal
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/07/20/1111962/-UK-Parliament-Fundraising-by-Bankers-Resolution-Names-Mitt-Romney-specifically
What do we know about R-moeny today that we didn't know yesterday? Absolutely, nothing except that he is a profuse liar.
Obama/Biden 2012
Oh how I long for the days during Clinton of peace and prosperity! No more wars!
More to the point about Staples and low-paying jobs that are all Romney could take any credit for (if that), $11/hour would be minimum wage right now if indexed to inflation. The minimum wage is not a living wage. Sure, there will be some jobs with pay like that in retail, etc. But what we need are more jobs that pay a living wage. Romney doesn't know anything about good paying except his own.
On the flip side, the fact that Romney gets 46% support really shows how much some people dislike Obama, willing to back a candidate like Mr Romney...
Bottonline on Obama / Afghanistan - FUBAR
Obama said the Afghan war was the war that had to be fought, that Bush had taken his "eye off the ball" ... that he would win the war.
Eye off the ball?
Obama takes a year to come up with a plan ... worst plan in military history that announced a we quit by date .... then never even shows up for the game.
70% of total losses in Afghanistan have come in the last 3 1/2 years ...for what ... a "responsible withdrawal?" What are we doing there if there is no goal other than a responsible withdrawal?
1,400 Americans have sacrificed their lives under Obama for a responsible withdrawal?
Sick ... just sick.
What can Romney / anyone say when everthing is, as they say in military parlance ......F@$%#ED UP BEYOND ALL RECOGNITION?
Sheila, MD
it depends on what audience he is speaking to....
Chris, Cranbury, NJ.
No, the difference is that we all evolve: we -as a population - started accepting gay TV shows, same-sex marriages, etc. Fifty years ago, over 90% of Americans disapporoved of mixed race marriages. I would say we "evolved" as a society, don't you think?
The difference with Romney's "evolving" is that at breakfast he has one opinion, at lunch another, and at supper time he may go back to the original opinion or come up with yet another one. Or he'll change his "view" from one audience to another - as many time recorded.
So no, Romney doesn't evolve - he flip-flops. Learn the difference!
From the article: "But the presumptive Republican nominee said that it would be his own goal, as well, to complete a transition of power by 2014 – a stance that is difficult to distinguish from the president’s."
So Mitt is saying he agrees with President Obama but, on the other hand, he agrees with President Obama. The hard part about straddling a fence like that is that the fence post is driven through his backside and into his brain.
NO LIMIT,
TO the sayanything, doanything GOP/Koch/NRA party.
They will take you straight to Hell, or wherever, if there is any profit in it.
Romney read the polls showing Americans want out of Afghansitan, hence, suddenly it's OK to telegraph our intention to withdraw, which earlier had been NOT OK, according to the big book of Cheney's Wonderful Military Aphorisms.
Oh, please, Romney today agrees with President Obama. Maybe the headline should be "Romney Admits President Obama is Right". How long before McCain and Graham now sing the praises of a firm departure date?
You only think so because of the selective reporting on this site. Google the speech- Romney called out Obama for leaking sensitive intelligence - very forcefully, I might add.
Isn't it funny that these "reporters" missed that part of the speech?
njnbnj is sooooo stupid she's believing the lies of Romney but of course, it's not surprising. She jumps at anything sparkly - no matter how low value!
Obama/Biden 2012
If Romney has evidence to prove President Obama deliberately leaked secrets, No Joe must have links to that evidence. If not, both No Joe and Romney are liars. Who would be surprised by that?
On the other hand, there is plenty of evidence that a member of Bush's staff, Richard Armitage, outed a CIA agent to punish the agent's spouse because he said things critical of the Bush administration. The republican hit the fan over that nasty little affair. So where is the evidence to support Etch-A-Sketch's wild claims?
Dennis -- Yes -- Exactly my thought.
Prior to now, Romney was not in favor of a specific date, rather he said withdrawal should happen only when U.S. generals approve it, or "as soon as that mission is complete." In other words, the same Romney-esque Vagaries as everything else. But now that he is going on his little photo-op trip, he comes out with this.
In reality, Romney has no foreign policy positions (i.e., clueless). Either he copies the president, or is out-of-date with Cold War or neocon silliness. In this case he is copying the president.
That's quite a switch Willard......but of course, you're lying, you will do whatever Cheney tells you to do!
Do we actually believe a word that comes out of Romney's mouth. Who has their hand behind his head, working the puppet? And, wouldn't ya think they'd get the script right?
Obama/Biden 2012
In case Romney has forgotten, the Taliban have been in Afghanistan since at least 1979 to oppose the Russian invasion. It's not like they aren't somewhat indigenous. It's not like the country, as many in that region, have well-defined, permanent borders.
Remember the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. it bankrupted Russia. Its doing the same to us now. We need to get out of there now! The same thing is going to happen to us. You cannot fight a unfunded war as long as we have.
Romney's sketchy image is firmly and permanently etched in voters minds.
Comon NBC...That was only 1 minute of the speech! What about the White house response to the" national security" lies this poltroon told the VFW. This phoney patriot will never be president. my two kids will resign their commissions rather than serve under this coward who dodged the draft. Oh and connies...The Pres was too young to have served but has supported vets more than ANY republican, including John McCain.
Explain this then:
Among Military Veterans: Romney 59% Obama 35%
The Webb Admendment did pass, but without McCain......guess he thought the vets were just too greedy!
Demographics by age and rank. What Poll?
Ben.....the key word in your post is veteran, as in old and mostly white. the younger members of our military are very supportive of their C-in -C, do you have a link to that poll?
GM - absolutely - our younger military support the President over Mitts any day. They can't stand the false and constantly changing Mitt.
President Obama will carry the military vote.
Obama/Biden 2012
Hi Ginger,
Ben is correct, and it is not only the Veterans that do not support the Presidents. Not only mostly white nor black nor green or yellow. There is no color in the military. let's not forget that 24% of soldiers coming back can not find employment.
Please do not get mad, but why must we always throw color into everything?
I see Insane Inanity has not changed in a week.
Romney 2012. and mind your own business for VP.
Concern - you have no clue - as usual. The vast majority of the military will be supporting Obama - as they did last time. The stupidity of the far right is irritating to those who put their lives on the line. Plus, they know President Obama has done more for them than any other President.
Still no sanity in the GOP!
Obama/Biden 2012
Not that I'm all that crazy about any polls at this point in the race - let alone Rasmussen - but Ben's numbers are correct:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/july_2012/among_military_veterans_romney_59_obama_35
Looks like you have to "subscribe" to Rasmussen to get the breakdown (if any) between older vets vs. current service members. Of course, if we're going to believe those Rasmussen numbers, then I guess we should believe these from Rasmussen as well:
Electoral College:
Safe, Likely, or Lean Obama = 247
Safe, Likely or Lean Romney = 191
Toss-up = 100
Or in other words, Obama only needs 23 of the toss-ups to win, while Romney needs 79.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/archive/2012_electoral_college_scoreboard
But since we all only cherry pick the polls we like, here's two others from Rasmussen I'll take - Obama over Romney in Pennsylvania, 48% to 44%, and Senator Bob Casey leading Tom Smith (who???) 49% to 38%.
Go, Pennsylvania! :)
From the one that continually reminds us that she is a black latina and the rest of us have no clue on how people of other races and origins might think.
Romney didn’t offer specifics
Romney didn’t offer specifics
Romney didn’t offer specifics
Journalists might as well save themselves some time, and copy this phrase to their notebooks. It pretty much applies to every issue he addresses.
Actually, Amy, he was pretty specific about a lot of things
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/24/romney-slams-obama-on-defense-cuts-and-leaks/
Specifically, he was pretty specific about Obama's foreign policy failures.
Like Romney would have any idea about foreign policy. What a buffoon this clown and anyone who follows him is!
Obama/Biden 2012
I'm back from vacation. Hello to all (including the usual few off the wall Liberals, you know who you are).
Back from a great Cruise my batteries are re-charged. I see that girlfriend feisty (Beisty) is still as grouchy as ever and if she does not work for FR, then she is waisting her old life away.......... I don't care if I misspelled any words.
Politics: Nothing has changed Romney and Obama are still in a pretty close race. The economy keeps staggering and wall street not doing so good and nothing interesting from MSN as usual.
Concern - tell the truth - after your "meltdown" a couple of weeks ago you were gone for a "rest," right? I mean, you know so much psychobabble clearly you've been exposed to it for a long time! LOL!
SeekingSanity:
I was in a cruise, celebrating 20 years of marriage with my Husband. My two boys stayed with my sister in Miami.
Unlike some of you libs there is more to life than posting and lying in FR.
It's funny, 50 nationalities on the ship and they all got along great.
Here in this site, we can't even agree on color. Insane, how can you remember what happened two weeks ago. How sad!!!!!! get a life or a mate. Notice did not say husband or wife. You do need to have fun.
Concern- see I don't have to talk about my private life - because I actually have one - one of the reasons I don't post at night.
You're a trip - cruise - of course that's what they're calling it now!
Did she take them out salsa dancing & coke snorting until wee hours of the morning? lmao!
They really need to extend the mandatory 72 hour hold...
Feisty - you would have loved Leno's opening last night. Said Romney hasn't named his VP choice yet because he's not used to hiring - for American jobs!
To girlfriend Feisty who writes about my sons:
Beasty Feisty, I bet you are not even a read head. Is not surprising to me that you would say something about my kids. My autistic young son, has more intelligence than you. And I'm going to leave it at that. You are such a compassionate person or is it just a front that you put for your friends?
How sad for you, to make fun of my sons. I would never go there for you. But you know I can take it, because that is what Liberals like you do.
You know our President did say that our kids are off limits. Not only are you racist, but you are a fake.
Excellent!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Make it stop!
Now, I remember why I shouldn't open your comments, cup cake!
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL,
It is quite obvious that I get under your skin. All you have to do is ignore the author and then you can have your dogs go after me.
Oh no! People like you is what gives Democrats a bad name.
Cup Cake???? You must be a really ugly bad person. But I forgive you.
Seeking and Feisty, you both know this one drives me bat shi!! crazy! She continually brings in her family and children to her posts ... to do what? Make them more "personal?" Yes, they are off limits but to make them off limits Concern ... DO NOT POST ABOUT THEM! Gah!!!
And by the way, Concern, I'm pretty sure Feisty is both a "read" head and a red head.
Favorite line of the day from the Daily Koz ...
Concern, go on supporting your "Do NOTHING" candidate and making fun of the true liberals that post here who actually care about this country. Get back on your "cruise" ship and take less "brakes." You've nothing worthwhile to read.
drezner.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/07/24/thoughts_on_romneys_vfw_speech
Pretty much sums it up, and talks about the rest of the speech you're not reading about..yet.
One thing is certain about mitt romney and that is he will never let himself be tied down to one subject because he is very limited on having original knowledge, and that is the main reason he follows President Obama around looking to steal his ideas so he can have something to talk about. Even bush jr had more original ideas than romney he just covered his up with lie's with dick cheneys help.
This guy is the junior varsity. All the candidates who ran in the primaries were basically the tackling team. The Republicans know Obama will win in a landslide this November, and that's why this year's candidates were like the clown car at the circus. The serious candidates are waiting for 2016. Romney and his magic underpants are a joke.
Bhokara - let's hope that's true. I'd hate to think this buffoon (Romney) is actually the BEST the GOP has!
Bhokara,
Please, not the landslide thing again. If Obama beats Romney, it will be by the skin of his teeth.
Way to go out on a limb there Willard.
When you consider that the same people that advised Bush on military involvement will be carried over into the Romney administration, don't be suprised if we extend troops in Afganastan, invade Iran, invade Syria and go back into Iraq if Mitt is elected. Of course, financed by cuts to Medicare, Social Security, layoffs of police, firemen and teachers, gutting the EPA and cancelletion of infrastructure projects. We will then be justified in spending more than the next thirteen countries combined on defense. (including China and Russia) Get ready for a big windfall, Halliburton.
Seeeeeeeeeeeee, the Republicans should warm to the thought of a health care bill that's not as pricey as was thought and won't cover the ones who need the coverage. So the bill wasn't soooooooo bad your gutless Shaun Hannities out there. It's a warm and fuzzy feeling when the price tax is cheap and people suffer, all you Tea Partiers should run a victory lap, not the 85%of Tea Partiers that are fat and over weight, don't need a coranary.
The 'bain' of Romney's existence
When it comes to foreign policy - this guy is really scary. Arming the Syrian Rebels, Going into Iran, Russia is enemy No 1.
On Afghanistan "Listen to the commanders on the ground" - how naive..... The commanders would put 100k soldiers on the ground and stay there forever.
Romney is currently competitive because of the economy but foreign policy is going to kill him. Americans have no interest in more wars...... Landslide and coattails are on the horizon.
It's morons like you that politicise war and get troops killed... Probably a Navy guy...