Eyes on the Presidential Race: Romney's Foreign Policy Speech
Oct 11, 2011

Written by Bridget Nolan

Although the 2012 Presidential election will focus primarily on the economy—the candidates’ stances on foreign policy are not be ignored. In his second major speech, GOP candidate Mitt Romney spoke on foreign policy Friday, October 11th at The Citadel.

Reminiscent of the days of George W. Bush, Romney’s address asserted:  "America’s right to unilateral action in the name of our vital national interests", preemptive measures to deal with emerging threats before they turn into conflicts and a "full deployment of national ballistic missile defense system."

He began his speech in a hypothetical 2015 world where:

Iran is a nuclear weapon state.

The Taliban is in power in Afghanistan—after the U.S. and NATO withdrew forces from the country.

A failed Pakistan could lead to a nuclear weapon in the hands of an Islamic Jihadist.

Putin is trying to “bludgeon countries of the former Soviet Union into submission.”

But these atrocities are far from likely under “future President Romney” because he has the, in his own words, “overwhelming conviction and passion” to lead. I have no doubt that Romney has overwhelming conviction and passion, but his plan is not one that will increase America’s strength, bolster our economy or lead us to a more peaceful world.