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Subscribe to RSSNBC's Ron Mott, Kelly O'Donnell and Luke Russert offer a preview of what to expect from Rep. Paul Ryan's speech before the Republican National Convention.
TAMPA, Fla. -- Out of all the speakers, all the proclamations, and all the political rhetoric, one topic was barely mentioned here last night, if at all: foreign policy.
That will change somewhat tonight when Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Bush Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice address the Republican convention. According to Romney officials, McCain's speech -- which daughter Meghan McCain said would be "red meat to the lions" on MSNBC -- will focus on defense matters, while Rice's will concentrate on foreign affairs.
Slideshow: The 2012 Republican National Convention
But that's pretty much it.
Tonight's other key speakers -- Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Sen. Rob Portman, South Dakota Sen. John Thune, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez -- will discuss domestic issues affecting the middle class, organizers say. And tomorrow's final night will be a build up to Mitt Romney's acceptance speech.
(That said, Romney will talk about defense and veterans' issues in his upcoming speech today before the American Legion in Indianapolis.)
This lack of attention to foreign policy and national security is a departure from past political conventions. Four years ago in Denver, Democrats devoted the theme of their Wednesday program to the issue (the title of the night was "Securing America's Future"). And given that McCain was the GOP's nominee in the 2008 cycle, foreign affairs was a dominant theme in the Republican convention in St. Paul.
And in 2004 -- just removed from the 9/11 attacks and the start of the Iraq war -- both the Democratic and Republican conventions had a heavy focus on defense and foreign affairs. (Remember John Kerry's "reporting for duty" speech? Or George W. Bush's finale? Or Rudy Giuliani's?)
Of course, one obvious explanation for this change is the focus on the economy. Indeed, almost every poll shows that jobs and the economy rank as the public's top concern. "Obviously, the economy is No. 1," said a top Romney official in response to a question why there's so little attention to national security and foreign affairs at the GOP convention.
Another reason is the truncated schedule. "We only have three nights," an additional Romney official replied. "That's a piece of it."
A third reason is President Barack Obama's strength on these issues, especially compared with his standing on the economy. In fact, the most recent NBC/WSJ poll found the president's approval rating on foreign policy at 54%, versus 44% on the economy.
And so guess what's a big Thursday theme of next week's Democratic convention in Charlotte?
According to the Boston Globe, it will be national security.
Leave a Comment:
The foreign policy debate is going to be the turning point when we get to it!!! So what would Mr. Romney do about Syria, Iran and Russia whom he's called are sworn enemy???!!! If I understand him from his comments we'll be in 4 wars at one time (including Afghanistan) because we want to bring American exceptionalism throughout the world again.
Jeff...
It is not Russia Mitt is afraid of....it is our REAL#1 enemy, the Soviet Union
If I had voted to fight two unnecessary, endless wars while cutting taxes and not paying for them I would kick foreign policy as far to the sidelines as possible. Usually it is the democrats who are in that shape. It is somewhat reassuring to know that both parties are incompetent.
Where is the Republicans "side-lined" foreign policy" speech................HELLO......Condie Rice, what else needs to be said? Will Barry talk about the invitation to the Muslim Bro's coming to dinner at the White House to discuss pardoning the Blind Sheik, at the Demmies convention, we'll see.
Romney shows his TRUE patriotism in Tampa, this is for all the young men and women who have given either life or limb/s for our country and he cant even show his respect for our country by displaying OUR flag on his Yacht. People need to go to abcnews.com to see which country he really supports by the lack of an AMERICAN FLAG ON HIS YACHT. He HAS A Cayman island FLAG FLYING FROM IT. How can we let him become president of OUR country when he shows a lack of respect for US by not having OUR flag on his YACHT.
Romney may not know what country he is true too. That's why he won't fly the America Flag on his boat.
Yeah, well I can't wait to see how much the libs spout off about foreign policy next week given their great successes in Iran, Syria, North Korea and Afghanistan. I'm sure NBC you'll do everything in your power not to ask the dems the hard questions next week. Be sure and ask Obama his favorite color and what he likes to eat for breakfast - real hard hitting questions that you're known for when interviewing Obama and Biden. So as far as talking about foreign policy - I don't look to see anything substantial out of the dems because frankly their policies have failed here as in everything else they do.
Subject: Democrat National Committee Convention
Theme; 4ward in the fog...
Hey, for your ows info; On September 4wardth the 9am opening event is the stars an stripes flag desecration ceremony...
There is a meal served off of the America banner buffet starting promptly following the observance,
I believe you all will be happy that I clued you in on the excrement for all smorgasbord and all the donkey urine koolaid you can't lovingly slurp up off of the opulent sleeping bag punch bowl...
Blue solo-cups only please, non complementary Big O & lil joe logos available for fity daulla$ hourly rental/donation gov't mandated charge consult ACA for details...
There will be a ground floor opportunity In the Star field don't miss your chance to get in on the Feast of the Fecal non-competition. Contestants will be non graded and all participants will be dully rewarded 4ward with exactly the same type of golden-brown encrusted blue ribbon in celebration of utopic equality for all....
Please sign up online @
www.onager_ordure_starmunch@DNClies.com or @ WWW.lets_beliberal4ward@BHOoneandone.com
Before sunday nite 11:5ate pm enter code {imaliar} for special offer
Also; side note sixteen trillion in debt
commensurate charges apply indefinitely to children grand children and when applicable any descendants necessary to fund repayment in kind , henceforth, all terms subject to revision by czars an bureaucrats at sole discretion of Potus 44 aka Pharaoh BARAKHUSSEINOBAMA mmm mmm MMM ,!,
vote R&R
Hello...Mitt Romney wouldn't know foreign policy if it bit him in the *&s. Just so much easier to avoid the discussion altogether. Of course we could bring up Mitt's fiasco in London when he couldn't even make a politically correct statement when asked if London was ready for the Olympics!!! A complete buffoon!
All this Obama bashing and no specifics about what the hell they're going to do to right this country. Bunch of right wing buffoons!
OBAMA, did not deserve election in 2008. his whole ideology is skewed towards fundamental change of our way of life. Even though he is a natural born American it is obvious that he is not one of us...
Hillary would have been a far greater choice for the democrat party but more importantly The Country's well being.
the really sad part the amount of suffering, ie people out of work people loosing every thing. The physiological effects of non prosperity has on the willingness to pull ones self up by the boot straps not to mention the amount of debt, and simply poor GDP level
The utter Waste of "by the time he is done" four years wasted gone, YOU cant get back time...
Even my company has suffered loses due to BHO but We have weathered this apocalyptic hope and change B/S artist long enough now...
I'm interested in expansion but I refuse to make any real substantive changes in my business model until BHO is gone be it January 20th 2012 or 2016
I know Mitt, he will help get government out of the way to allow business leaders to help put america back to work even though we are not in the business of employing people many of us will do what it takes to increase our bottom line if that means more Production then that means more jobs...
VOTE R&R
I call total BS on your post.
Our company went from 620 million in sales in 2006 to 370 million in sale in 2009
Lost almost 400 employees during the down turn...had to give up 20% salary and benefits as well
2012 Sales dollar volume is a record YTD with 720 million in sales through July.
Company is up another hundred or so employees over 2006. The 20% was returned to us along with a rise in salary.
We are better off, we are a manufacturing company and purchase 100's of millions of dollars of products per year to support our manufacturing operation.
If your company suffered losses during the upturn due to President Obama's administration....it's YOUR business plan that's not up to the job....not President Obama.
Another thing ...business people don't Threaten.....They ACT.
So go take you bat and ball and go home, you have no business being in business!
Therefore, lets examine the following scenario; IF, a. An employer has 100 employeesb. The Employer currently offers health insurance at say… $1,200 month (my families actual current cost) per employee of which the employer pays 80% and the employee pays 20% (in pre-tax dollars don't forget), thenc. The cost to employer per month offering private insurance is therefore $96,000. AND IF, d. The cost to the employer to pay the fine on 70 employees – don't forget, the first 30 are exempt – is $11,666 per month ($2000 x 70 divided by 12 months), and e. The employer chooses to no longer offer health insurance to their employees – as is their right under the law. THEN, e. The employer of 100 people saves $84,334 per MONTH or $1,012,008 per year by not offering health insurance, forcing his employees onto the government program and paying the fine. So, guess what decision the employer will make? Oh, lets not forget the savings state and local governments could enjoy in these tough economic times if they threw all their employees onto the government plan. That could probably balance more than one state house or city hall budget. I don't know this for sure…. but I bet local governments would probably catch an exemption from paying the $2,000 fine. Call it a hunch.// Obama's single payer system is also a failure in the making. Government will never be able to run a business of any sort cheaper than the private sector without paying MORE to do it..Save Medicare vote Mitt and repeal Obamacare then impeach Mitt. Simple !
Figure it OUT ! You can't have both private care and Obamacare competing against eachother it will never work fools . We can't afford both get the drift yet ? Obamacare will take over and send our heads spinning off. Mittt the twitt offers another form of treason soooo get real...The other thing here is Mitt supports what Obama is doing or he would attack Obama's secret war agenda. Mitt wants to take over Obama's power and run with it on the same agenda. Bush did it so can I..
Obama did it so can Mitt. As long as we sit ildily by and do nothing to stop this hijacking of America we are heading for big troubles.
FOREIGN POLICY!@#$%^^&. Gosh I have not heard ONE DAMN THING about ANYTHING SO FAR ???
Is there ANY "BEEF" in their sandwiches at this CONVENTION OF HELL for DEVILS!@#$#%$%^^&*???
This CIRCUS SHOW which the WORLD is seeing, MUST be saying "AMERICA HAS LUNATICS, THERE COUNTRY IS A JOKE with this CLOWN SHOW"!!!!! WOW, nothing is being CLEARLY SAID at the CIRCUS SHOW??? HIDE, and DECEIT is first and foremost!!
They are saying "I want a NUMBER, a VOTE" !!
Barack Obama:
Alias Barry Soetoro pawns himself as Barack Obama, the humanitarian, the POTUS, the campaign for hope and change. But we know better. Barry is a radical Marxist who was raised by Communist parents and Communist grandparents. His mentors were known Communists, his contacts in college were strictly Marxists supporters, Marxist professors and a group of Pakistani activists as stated in his book, "Dreams From My Father".
Barack Obama, tell us about Frank Marshall Davis or Bill Ayers. Surely you remember Mr. Davis. After all, your mother knew him all too well. Mr. Ayers, a known terrorist, responsible for at least a dozen bombings, helped your early Illinois campaign by raising money, thru his organization Underground Weather. Tell us about your trip to Pakistan ('81) with Pakistani Wahid Hamid.
Share with us your ideals of socialism, after all you're a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), referred as the "New Party". Please tell us why you have been influenced by the writings of Karl Marx, the prelude to Communism. Share with us your association with Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Do you justify this man's message by condemning our country by saying, "God bless America? No, God Damn America"? Was this a forethought supporting your belief in Marxism?
Are these the individuals who have inspired you to public office? Are these the individuals who have inspired you to plot against the United States? Are they the people for whom you've entrusted your Muslim faith?
Please tell us why you mocked the Holy Bible and Jesus' sermon on the mount, calling the sermon a radical message. You have mocked Christianity and this country. Barack Obama, you have betrayed this nation and all its' people. Your skin is dark because of your race, but your soul is darker because of your deception.
United States of America………………you didn't build it Barack Obama.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/birthers/occidental.asp
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp
Some good Americans record on foreign policy is just plain bad.
Rice, and McCain, both got it wrong on 911 and the Iraq war. 911 could have been prevented, and so could have the Iraq war. The memos were written to the President and to the Secretary of State about the concerns by the CIA of Bin Laden and his plans to commandeer planes and use them as missiles in a attack on the United States. As far as the Iraq invasion goes, the intelligence that Iraq had WMD capability was germinated by unscrupulous individuals in our government and spread around the globe to our allies who in-turn fed the tainted information back to us, and then again feed back to United States citizens, in order to justify going to war. However, with 75% of U.S citizens opposed the war and without United Nations approval Rice, McCain etc.. Still decide to go to war, and without any means to pay for it, and boy are we paying for it NOW. And, that is their foreign policy record!
Please, don’t blame the Iraq War on bad intel, and 911 on no-tel
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Naturally foreign policy would be moved to the sidelines at the GOP convention. Romney or Ryan would not know how to address the foreign policy issues that could make or break America. They already see America as a broken nation.
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I agree with your post and I would add that President Obama has done an exemplary job of Protecting the Nation and as Commander-in-Chief. You may well remember that it was rom;ney who said during the 2008 GOP Presidential primary debate that he "would respect the sovereignty of Pakistan and that he would not order US forces into Pakistan to get Bin Laden without first notifying them." He could not have been more wrong and he could not have been more hypocritical to now act as if he would have given the order and he couldn't have been more of an a-hole when he took a swipe at former President Carter who had zero to do with it. rom;ney:liar, hypocrite, loser, spineless, flip-flopper, tax cheat, crook. The only thing rom;ney would have been ordering was flambe and baked Alaska from the White House chef.
rom;ney's total Foreign Policy experience: 1. traveled to France as a religious mission in the 1960s to avoid the Vietnam War Draft, 2. that's it. Add in the fact that rom;ney has zero backbone and will give in immediately to the demands of all of W. Bush's neo-con advisers that rom;ney hired to whisper the same lies in his ear. Every one of these advisers are proven failures, like Bolton and Senor (what a couple of jokes these clowns are they nearly allowed a second rate power that had been weakened by a decade of sanctions to beat the mighty US of A if rom;ney gets elected he is going to appoint Bolton as Secretary of Defense and Dan Senor as Secretary of State and what a joke we will be. Senor is a clown and Bolton is a megalomaniac liar who will statrt a war based on lies at the drop of a hat. He learned under Nixon after all) and that is disaster waiting to happen a wimp with a bunch of liars pushing him to war with Iran and Syria and continued war in Afghanistan. Then you have the VP with the least amount of experience ever! He was a cub scout and you can see Canada from Wisconsin. These charlatans hope they can steal the election by appealing to their base of liars and bigots.
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I simple could NOT imagine Ryan or Romney on a "face off" with even a country like Mexico or Cuba.
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Pretty easy to see why they want to put that train wreck of his tour overseas during the Olympics as far away from people's minds as possible! That was the EXAMPLE folks of what to expect from Mitt the Stiff. Walking on his cheeks because both feet are in his mouth.
together, ryan and mii will go off into a fiscal sunset making the world safe for the wealthy.
foreign policy to both of these extremely ignorant men is about taking care of this country which the potus has done with great efficiency. the middle eastern states are in a state of their own flux, their own distortions and realities and they do not belong to us. iran is the world's problem, not just the USA. Iraq was a bush nightmare and remains so. syria is the home of a despot supplied by china and russia - so hwo will mitt and jackass paul stop the meddling of china and russia? funny they said nothing about it.
goper foreign plans do not exist, as they are evolving,
obama/biden2012