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LONDON -- Mitt Romney will try to rebuild momentum for his closely watched foreign trip Saturday when he arrives in Israel, where the presumptive GOP nominee will look to escape two days' worth of negative headlines plaguing his campaign in London.
Romney will arrive in Jerusalem with hopes of finding surer political footing than in London. He spent most of his two days in the United Kingdom's capital trying to clean up a controversy spurred by his comments to NBC doubting London's preparation for the Summer Olympic Games. He and his wife Ann attended the opening ceremonies last night.
This will be Romney's fourth visit to Israel, and it's expected to be another whirlwind day of meetings with top officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (a friend of Romney's from their days at Boston Consulting Group decades ago), and Palestinian leader Salam Fayyad, whom Romney also knows from previous visits.
Romney will also give a public speech while in Jerusalem — his first such engagement thus far during his foreign trip — that is expected to be heavy on praise for America's most important ally in the Middle East, with whom Romney has repeatedly called for the U.S. to "lock arms" on the international stage.
The presumptive GOP nominee has pledged to keep with diplomatic tradition by not criticizing President Obama or his foreign policy while on foreign soil, but in an interview with the Israeli newspaper Hayom (owned by conservative mega-donor Sheldon Adelson), Romney ripped the president for various elements of his policy toward Israel, including the president's call for the Israel to consider returning to its pre-1967 borders, including land swaps with the Palestinians to compensate for disputed territory.
"The president has also spoken of returning to 1967 borders — they are indefensible. And acting as a negotiator and usurping the primary role played by Israel in negotiating for its own future is not the right course for America to take," Romney told the paper.
Romney also indicated in his interview with Hayom that his primary audience on this trip to Israel was, after all, American voters. In 2008, President Obama carried the Jewish vote with 78 percent of the vote, a lead into which Romney's campaign would love to make inroads.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk explains:
"The context is a political campaign in which there is a sense that because of tensions between Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu the American Jewish vote is up for grabs," said Indyk, who served under Bill Clinton. "In that context its natural that the Republican campaign would seek to emphasize the friendships Romney has in Israel and the problems Obama has had with Netanyahu."
Indyk, who has authored a book on Obama's foreign policy, described Obama's security record on Israel - enhanced Friday by the signing of a new agreement - "impeccable," but said Romney had room to appeal to Israelis and Americans by showing more warmth to Israel than the sometimes cold Obama.
Sure to be on the agenda in Romney's various meetings: the specter of a nuclear Iran, the most pressing security issue to Israel.
"Again, he's got to walk between the raindrops, because while he'll try to draw distinction and claim Obama is weak and he is strong on this issue, he's got to be careful not to give the American voting public the impression if he's president he'll go to war with Iran," Indyk said.
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We're so sorry, Uncle Willard
We're so sorry if we caused you any pain
We're so sorry, Uncle Willard
But there's no one left at home
And we believe you've been a royal pain!
Staaaaaay across the water
Rom-ney!
Pleeeeeease
Don't come back Home
Home Home Home
Staaaaaay across the water
Rom-ney
Pleeeeease don't come back Home.
Will Mitt be visiting his money in Switzerland?
Sure!
GCV........maybe he can vist the Obamas accounts while he's there........you haven't been keeping up on the news have you.
Both candidates will have you verbally ripping each other apart while the government has more ridiculous laws that are putting young people in jails. The government is ignoring American neighborhoods where hundreds of our young are killed each year and lowering the flag to half mast because of the horror of the movie theater which is tragic but a one off. We've had over 200 years of laws stuffed down our throats. Our elected officials should spend their time deleting archaic laws. This year the cost of my house is just over half of what it was yet my taxes are the highest ever! We pay a ridiculous amount for a car registration, license, gas taxes, cigarette taxes, hotel room taxes, sales taxes, etc... The numbers of our homeless are staggering and the percent of them that are innocent children is horrifying. We've lost our compassion and resent any candidate that would take away anything from us to assist the rich or the poor. We are hoarding what little the government has not managed to demand from us. Every business I've dealt with this past year has raised their prices for their goods and services. In turn I've bought less and spent frustrating hours on the phone with companies who have added hidden fees such as hundreds of dollars for cancelling cell phones or denying customary insurance payments. Interest rates on credit debt are higher than a loan shark's vig. Customer service is a thing of the past. Police who protected and served are more like gestapos who eye us with suspicion. They risk their lives for us but we have allowed our goverment to understaff their departments or waste their time on a war on drugs that has saturated our judicial system and our prisons. Our military is filled with brave men and women who should come home. We are fighting over whether the king has a gold ruffle or a silver one when the king is strutting about without a stitch of clothing.
Great post! It's called the politics of distraction and it will continue as long as it works. Since unlimited political donations are now allowed that's likely to be a long time!
The politics of distraction. Sigh..
Sharky. Thank you for your definition but I don't think that my post made anyone else even pause and consider.
I've been trying to tell people about the Emperors New Clothes on this post for years now. They think because someone says a thing, it is truth. You are so right. Everyone in Washington is walking around naked and half of america thinks they're stylin'
While over seas, not criticizing the president's foreign policy is not a tradition: it is Constitutional law! When Republicans were making a negative big deal over President Obama's refusal to talk with any foreign official before taking office, he stayed steadfast. President Obama countered, that America only was one President at a time. L.D.S. Bishop Romney putting his foot in it in England is one thing, He best he not go to Israel and open negotiations on a Romney foreign policy. That would be a prosecutable offence.
"Benjamin Netanyahu (a friend of Romney's from their days at Boston Consulting Group decades ago)..
Really?
According to Netanyahu (Vanity Fair interview, July 2012):
“I remember him [Romney] for sure, but I don’t think we had any particular connections, I knew him and he knew me, I suppose.”
Best to get facts straight before writing article. Your reputation at stake, after all.
Mitt would be better off if he said nothing at all. It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove any doubt.
Big Al......true.....physician, heal thyself.
If he doesnt want to say the wrong thing, he should say nothing at all.
I hope Gov Romney dont flip-flop to the Israelis ..............saying ....that he was MORMOM before he became a MORMOM......or ........MORON......before.....a ......MORON........the most powerful thing to do Gov. Romney................................"SAY NOTHING"...............
I think I would go ahead and put that vodka bottle back in the cupboard for a while.
What you lefties don’t understand is the brilliance of the flip flop. The uneducated and uninformed make up most of Romney’s base. These people hear what they want to hear. So when Romney says that he is pro life, the pro life people love Romney. When he then says that he is pro choice, the pro choice people love Romney. When you are dealing with people who aren’t very smart, being on both sides of every issue should produce good results.
I dont blame Leftys for not liking Romney afterall hes gonna beat there boy obama like a drum.Rasmussen
Romney 49%
obama 44%
Busines owners disapprove of obama 59%
53% Want obamacare repealed
49% say Romney better with the economy
48% of voters stongly disapprove of obamas Presidency
obama has been under 50% for over 2 years and its getting worse here in the election year
8% UE for over 3 yrs straight
obama under 50% in all swing states
GDP is the worst this yr at the wrong time
Add all this up and obama gets his clock cleaned ...................But Mitt does have a foreign bank account as do I and most people of means including Pelosi and many Dems in Congress and oh yeh Mitt had a dog on his ROOF ...............Your right obama wins hahahahahahahahahahah lol hahahahaha
Heeeeey! Wuzzzup frankie!!!
Forecasts for November 6th from…
http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/
The big problem with Romney isn't his stupid comments in the UK. His foreign policies are the same as Bush. His economic policies are Bush on steroids. I guess if you enjoy war and economic disaster, Romney is your man.
Sorry Pal not gonna happen one and Done for obama ...............hes under 50% an incumbent is usually 55% if hes getting reelected an incumbent under 50% has lost every TIME LOL Keep dreamin though LOL
Now reality.....
Popular vote and polls don't win elections, electoral votes do.
Obama wins the swing states necessary and beats Willard. Willard concedes before midnight. Willard could not connect with the important, intelligent, independent voter. Views against gays, intolerance, anti-women and fear that he will lead us into war end up being the deciding factor when everything is said and done. In addition to the GOP's unwillingness to support increased taxation on the wealthiest individuals, the ones most able to contribute their fair share destroy the GOP. The congressional elections are a shambles as the Tea Party ensures defeat by running radical candidates in general elections when moderates would have had a chance, the dems regain control of the house and the republican party is dealt a serious blow and never recovers.
The way things are going, Willard might concede before the election.
You guys supporting Romney know why he was in England, right? It wasn't to see the Olympics, it was for fund raising. He met with and took money from the guys at Barclays who are at the center of the financial scandal in England. He also met with several other wealthy donors. Shouldn't taking money from foriegners be illiegal? How do we know that he is taking money from terrorists? Isn't he headed Africa? Who is he going to take money from there? This doesn't bother you folks in the least? You don't care if a President is beholden to terrorists as long as he has an (R) behind his name? Way to sell out your own country, but I guess that is what you Cons want to do anyway!
Mitt has a tough job ahead of him. He is running against an incumbant President which is never an easy job, and he's a Mormon. Gonna be a tough fight.
You mean he's a delusional cult member.
Don't sugar coat it just because he's a rich Republican lying, greedy scum bastard.
Not realy obama has been under 50% for two yrs and people care little about religion these days its all the ECONOMY and obamas numbers are dropping steadily as we head into Nov ...........Romney will easily win the way its trending Ive never been wrong on POTUS elections and I go back to JFK I had that one also NO This wont be that close IMO
Samuel Adams......thanks for the reminder that Obama supporters are so eloquent. Can you say religious bigot?
Willard needs to show us his tax returns.
Does any Pube on here have the balls to disagree or argue that Mitt Romney would never buy a company that refused to provide more than 1 year of doctored financials.
We're not buying your election pitch either Willard, noone trust you!!!!!
Show us your tax returns Willard!!!!
A British parliamentary committee report released Thursday says confidence in the London Olympics has been weakened by a private contractor's failure to provide enough security guards.
That has prompted British government officials to order an additional 13,500 military personnel to take up security duty during the Games.
Sorry Mitt don't tell the truth. The lying democrat golden stream media will attack you.
It might be the truth, but it wasn't diplomatic in the way it was presented.
Romney knows nothing of English culture at all, like a lot of Americans, expecting others to adjust to him versus the other way around.
Romney has no people skills, this was the proof of that.
It kind of doesn't matter if it was based in partial truth or not. The fact is, what Mitt Romney said about the London Olympics, was rude, arrogant and completely uncalled for. Certainly a sign that this man has no diplomacy skills whatsoever.
I agree. Somebody had to tell those people how incompetent they are. And now it’s on to Israel to tell them how stupid they are for not believing that Jesus is the son of God. I hope he has a long list of Polish jokes for his next stop after Israel.
cgent47 - here is a clue. Now try to stay with me here. Your wife is 100 pounds overweight. The truth is that she is very fat. But you might be offended by a neighbor telling you that you should put a lock on the refrigerator.
In my younger days, I worked at a company with a 350 pound receptionist. I was a smoker. We were talking about habits one day. I suggested that I wouldn't be a smoker unless I put a cigarette in my mouth and lit it. And she would be overweight if she stopped eating the massive amount of candy she kept in the bottom drawer of her desk. She was offended and said that her weight problem has nothing to do with what she eats.
Jim... Conclusive proof that she was a REPUBLICAN!!!
Do you think I should have told cgent47 that lots of republicans in leadership positions are shaking their heads in disbelief? All he had to do was to smile and keep his mouth shut. And of course, not fart during any meetings.
This is how Republicans test to see if their candidate can handle foreign policy: If they can embarrass not only themselves but the entire country - EVEN WITH OUR ALLIES - they are Republican-electable.
That's why they voted for Bush in a landslide - look what an enormous jackass clown HE was!
Romney the great divider, will now go Israel to try and divide Americans there.
Notice how the entire Republican campaign is a giant expression of "projection". They say Obama divides, when it has been them all along dividing the country on every issue.
Our president......the leader for all Americans, had pitted rich against poor, black against white, gay against straight, public employee against private, union against nonunion, men against women, left against right......and on and on. Our country has never been so divided since the civil war. For those who don't know.....it was a republican president and republican soldiers that fought and died for the freedom of ALL people in that war. When will a president represent All the people again? Obama, the great divider....a sad legacy.
Romney as President? Oy vay.
I certainly hope Mitt Romney as a devote Mormon and Ex-missionary for the Mormon Church living in France during the Vietnam war to avoid the draft tells the Jews they will all be standing before a judgement tribunal of Elohim, Joseph Smith, and Jesus Christ on judgement day the way his faith teaches.
And if judged worthy ( which none of them will be)... they will be elevated to GOD like staus and given a planet somewhere in the universe to populate and the multiple wives you will be given to screw.
And Mormons have a problem will Muslims (77) virgin theory when they die !!!.... LMFAO !!!
Dirty politics have worked in the past, I don't see that today. Voters are much smarter today. The tactics of Karl Rove angle on films are hurting Mitt, more then helping him. This taking a Obama speech and solely lying on what he actually said, isn't working. It's only a sign that Mitt approves dirty politics. The difference in this race is that Obama is saying what he feels while Romney is saying what others are telling him to say. Romney have been bought out by the billionaires, becoming a total puppet to them. The only reason that Romney won the GOP race is because of the billionaires. It's a fact at the start of the GOP race. Fox News, republican leaders, die-heart republicans and even Limbaugh stated,"We hate Romney the moderate." Yes, the billionaires defeated Fox News, republican leaders,die-heart republicans and even Limbaugh. Cain, Perry,Newt and Santorium and Ron Paul refused to be puppets to the billionaire and ran out of money. While Romney caved in with the billionaires, having the money on winning the GOP race.
It's now a race between President Obama versus some greedy billionaires. Greedy billionaires that could care less of American people.
Vote your choice, it's America.
Romney talks about the "ANGLO-SAXON ROOTS".
The Anglo-Saxon roots had a foundation of manners.
Thinly-veiled racial comments ("Anglo-Saxon") are not manners. Nor is insulting the British in a moment in which they are taking justifiable pride.
Perhaps that is why the Governor walked back his statement--because, among people of decency and intelligence, it only served to embarrass him and his advisors. Besides: he made the racist point with his base--so why not walk back a comment not intended for others anyway?
"The context is a political campaign in which there is a sense that because of tensions between Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu the American Jewish vote is up for grabs,"
Umm does anybody else find this idea a bit suspicious? After all isn’t this basically implying that Jewish Americans would be more likely to vote for whoever can give the best deal to Israel? And doesn’t that harken back to the old argument that Jews only have loyalty towards other Jews? (which is a mainstay argument of anti-Semites these days) and thus imply that Jews are A looking out for Israel’s best interests or B have more loyalty to Israel then they do the US? Or am I just reading too much into this?
Do not trust MITT the jack ass and the Zionist NUTENYAHOO together. only GOD knows what back room deals they will make.
News Flash!!!!!
Newt, the Cock Bro's and Grover concocted a scam that leads to the assassination of Mitt Romney. They have a Iranian Muslim as the fall guy.
Newt captures the GOP nomination, wins the election due to 20 trillion worth of advertizing provided by big business. WWIII is started 2 weeks after Newt's inauguration.
"Gaffe"? What gaffe? I've been reading the Brit papers daily for years.....he said exactly what's been in those papers.
It matters little what Romney says during his visit to Israel -- if he puts his foot in his mouth yet again --
He can always retract the offensive comment "Retroactively"...