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Part Of Romney's Foreign Itinerary: Raising Money
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is on a weeklong trip in which he's scheduled to meet with three prime ministers, give two speeches and attend the opening ceremonies of the London Olympics. On a more practical level, he'll also raise some campaign cash.
This trip is designed to highlight how Romney would fix the failings he sees in President Obama's foreign policy.
Romney opened his attack Tuesday while still in the U.S. In an address to the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Reno, Nev., he lit into the Obama administration's relationship with Israel.
"Since I wouldn't venture into another country to question American foreign policy, I will tell you right here — before I leave — what I think of this administration's shabby treatment of one of our finest friends," he said.
On Sunday night in Jerusalem — scheduled in between a day of religious fasting and a day of high-level meetings — is a Romney fundraising dinner. Tickets start at $50,000 per couple.
Fundraising Abroad
"I think that there's been an incredible response to Gov. Romney's fundraiser," says Jonny Daniels, an Israeli political consultant with close ties to the Republican Party. "I know dozens of people that are flying out to Israel from the United States, literally for a few days, just to be in Israel when the governor's there."
He says the travelers include leaders of the Republican Jewish Coalition and other members of the GOP elite.
"Which, in fact, in terms of what Gov. Romney's doing, strengthens his ties with these people," Daniels says. "Enables them to be with him not just for a fundraiser, but to be with him in a day in a place that they call home."
The Jerusalem event comes after Romney holds a pair of fundraisers in London on Thursday — a reception priced at $2,500 per person and a dinner costing $25,000 and up. Both are aimed at donors in the banking industry.
There's a little awkwardness involved. Originally, Barclays CEO Bob Diamond was going to be one of the hosts. But since then, the bank has paid $450 million in fines to settle charges that it rigged the LIBOR, the rate that international banks charge for short-term loans to one another. The bank faces a criminal investigation in England, and Diamond has resigned as CEO.
Still, another of Romney's fundraising hosts is Patrick Durkin, the top lobbyist in Barclays' U.S. operation. He's also a Romney campaign bundler — a solicitor of contributions.
The nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics says Durkin has previously raised more than $1 million.
Durkin and the Romney campaign both declined comment for this story.
Americans Overseas
Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, a liberal group that criticizes big money in politics, says Romney "is obviously raising huge sums of money from across the country and apparently from across the world, but he is focusing very heavily on the Wall Street sector."
Weissman says neither candidate nor donors seem deterred by the LIBOR scandal or other problems that have rolled through the financial sector.
"So I suppose it's no worse to be doing that in London than it is to be doing it in New York, but it's a sad state of affairs," he says.
Now, all of these events are raising money from American citizens and permanent residents.
"Best estimates are that there are 6 [million] or 7 million American citizens who live outside the U.S.," says Rob Carolina, chairman of Democrats Abroad United Kingdom.
He points out that it's illegal to solicit political money from anyone who isn't a citizen or a green-card holder. And he says the law is taken seriously.
"I'm typically asked to produce my passport at the time a contribution is made. Or alternatively, if a contribution is made online, it's become commonplace to ask people to scan and submit a copy of their passport for records," he says.
Carolina says Americans overseas are often eager to do more in politics than just vote.
And as campaign budgets keep pushing upward, politicians from would-be congressmen to would-be presidents are looking overseas — especially to London.
In the last presidential campaign, the visitors to London included Republican Rudolph Giuliani, Democrat Dennis Kucinich, former President Clinton and future first lady Michelle Obama.
Two weeks ago, the Obama campaign held a $250-per-person reception. And last July, Romney attended a reception in London that records indicate grossed about $73,000.
http://www.npr.org/2012/07/25/157381528/part-of-romneys-foreign-itinerary-raising-money
This trip is designed to highlight how Romney would fix the failings he sees in President Obama's foreign policy.
Romney opened his attack Tuesday while still in the U.S. In an address to the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Reno, Nev., he lit into the Obama administration's relationship with Israel.
"Since I wouldn't venture into another country to question American foreign policy, I will tell you right here — before I leave — what I think of this administration's shabby treatment of one of our finest friends," he said.
On Sunday night in Jerusalem — scheduled in between a day of religious fasting and a day of high-level meetings — is a Romney fundraising dinner. Tickets start at $50,000 per couple.
Fundraising Abroad
"I think that there's been an incredible response to Gov. Romney's fundraiser," says Jonny Daniels, an Israeli political consultant with close ties to the Republican Party. "I know dozens of people that are flying out to Israel from the United States, literally for a few days, just to be in Israel when the governor's there."
He says the travelers include leaders of the Republican Jewish Coalition and other members of the GOP elite.
"Which, in fact, in terms of what Gov. Romney's doing, strengthens his ties with these people," Daniels says. "Enables them to be with him not just for a fundraiser, but to be with him in a day in a place that they call home."
The Jerusalem event comes after Romney holds a pair of fundraisers in London on Thursday — a reception priced at $2,500 per person and a dinner costing $25,000 and up. Both are aimed at donors in the banking industry.
There's a little awkwardness involved. Originally, Barclays CEO Bob Diamond was going to be one of the hosts. But since then, the bank has paid $450 million in fines to settle charges that it rigged the LIBOR, the rate that international banks charge for short-term loans to one another. The bank faces a criminal investigation in England, and Diamond has resigned as CEO.
Still, another of Romney's fundraising hosts is Patrick Durkin, the top lobbyist in Barclays' U.S. operation. He's also a Romney campaign bundler — a solicitor of contributions.
The nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics says Durkin has previously raised more than $1 million.
Durkin and the Romney campaign both declined comment for this story.
Americans Overseas
Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, a liberal group that criticizes big money in politics, says Romney "is obviously raising huge sums of money from across the country and apparently from across the world, but he is focusing very heavily on the Wall Street sector."
Weissman says neither candidate nor donors seem deterred by the LIBOR scandal or other problems that have rolled through the financial sector.
"So I suppose it's no worse to be doing that in London than it is to be doing it in New York, but it's a sad state of affairs," he says.
Now, all of these events are raising money from American citizens and permanent residents.
"Best estimates are that there are 6 [million] or 7 million American citizens who live outside the U.S.," says Rob Carolina, chairman of Democrats Abroad United Kingdom.
He points out that it's illegal to solicit political money from anyone who isn't a citizen or a green-card holder. And he says the law is taken seriously.
"I'm typically asked to produce my passport at the time a contribution is made. Or alternatively, if a contribution is made online, it's become commonplace to ask people to scan and submit a copy of their passport for records," he says.
Carolina says Americans overseas are often eager to do more in politics than just vote.
And as campaign budgets keep pushing upward, politicians from would-be congressmen to would-be presidents are looking overseas — especially to London.
In the last presidential campaign, the visitors to London included Republican Rudolph Giuliani, Democrat Dennis Kucinich, former President Clinton and future first lady Michelle Obama.
Two weeks ago, the Obama campaign held a $250-per-person reception. And last July, Romney attended a reception in London that records indicate grossed about $73,000.
http://www.npr.org/2012/07/25/157381528/part-of-romneys-foreign-itinerary-raising-money
Does it seem odd to anyone else to have our candidates doing fund raisers outside the US ?
And what about this ?
Originally, Barclays CEO Bob Diamond was going to be one of the hosts. But since then, the bank has paid $450 million in fines to settle charges that it rigged the LIBOR, the rate that international banks charge for short-term loans to one another. The bank faces a criminal investigation in England, and Diamond has resigned as CEO.
And what about this ?
Originally, Barclays CEO Bob Diamond was going to be one of the hosts. But since then, the bank has paid $450 million in fines to settle charges that it rigged the LIBOR, the rate that international banks charge for short-term loans to one another. The bank faces a criminal investigation in England, and Diamond has resigned as CEO.
I see it as odd as well, but there's no way he is the only Presidential candidate whose ever done it.... impossible.
In fact, a Mexican drug cartel donated a sum of money to the Presidents campaign... granted, he gave it back but it did happen.
In fact, a Mexican drug cartel donated a sum of money to the Presidents campaign... granted, he gave it back but it did happen.
All Presidential candidiates do some sort of foreign fundraising. Romney is smart by going to Isreal and London.
Romney may have a smart team or people running him, but his foot in mouth disease disproves his intelligence, in my opinion.
I still have a problem with candidates doing fundraising outside the US.
Wouldn't that make him beholden foreign donors ?
How could he make a reasonable decision regarding future problems in the mid-east when he's accepted money from wealthy Israelis ?
I still have a problem with candidates doing fundraising outside the US.
Wouldn't that make him beholden foreign donors ?
How could he make a reasonable decision regarding future problems in the mid-east when he's accepted money from wealthy Israelis ?
Israel is an ally, unlike portrayed by Obama. Obama has and will do fundraising overseas. Maybe not directly, but indirectly.
You don't get to be CEO of companies and governor of a state if your not intelligent. You have not questioned Obama's intelligence so why question Romney's? Am I correct to assume that you questioned Bush's intelligence? For the most part is it just the intelligence of Republicans you question?
If taking money makes you beholden to people then should candidates not be beholden to only the people who gave money? No, the idea that taking money makes you beholden is just a myth.
You don't get to be CEO of companies and governor of a state if your not intelligent. You have not questioned Obama's intelligence so why question Romney's? Am I correct to assume that you questioned Bush's intelligence? For the most part is it just the intelligence of Republicans you question?
If taking money makes you beholden to people then should candidates not be beholden to only the people who gave money? No, the idea that taking money makes you beholden is just a myth.
Obama receives donations from outside the U.S. as well, including the middle-east.
Just curious if you're asking the question(s) you asked of Romney only, or of Obama as well.
Not trying to pick a fight, but fair is fair.
If the question of "How could he make a reasonable decision regarding future problems in the mid-east when he's accepted money from wealthy Israelis" is asked of Romney, surely you have to ask the same thing of President Obama.
Just curious if you're asking the question(s) you asked of Romney only, or of Obama as well.
Not trying to pick a fight, but fair is fair.
If the question of "How could he make a reasonable decision regarding future problems in the mid-east when he's accepted money from wealthy Israelis" is asked of Romney, surely you have to ask the same thing of President Obama.
"You don't get to be CEO of companies and governor of a state if your not intelligent."
Well, I don't know, it may have more to do with who your daddy is, and how big your bank account is, then your intelligence, at least in Romney's case.
As far as Obama goes, I thought he was intelligent. You do have to hand it to him coming from his background to make it as far as he has.
The biggest problem I think for all these guys is their huge egos.
BTW: I heard Nancy Pelosi speak once and was struck by how dumb she sounded.
Well, I don't know, it may have more to do with who your daddy is, and how big your bank account is, then your intelligence, at least in Romney's case.
As far as Obama goes, I thought he was intelligent. You do have to hand it to him coming from his background to make it as far as he has.
The biggest problem I think for all these guys is their huge egos.
BTW: I heard Nancy Pelosi speak once and was struck by how dumb she sounded.
Romney in Israel - mishegoss!
At least Romney will visit Israel.
No being a CEO has nothing to do with your father or bank account. A million/billion dollar company is not going to just hand the company over to just some guy.
We don't know how Obama did in college, he will not release that info but it was demanded Bush do so. Many people become a success coming from poor backgrounds. He is not the exception to the rule.
No being a CEO has nothing to do with your father or bank account. A million/billion dollar company is not going to just hand the company over to just some guy.
We don't know how Obama did in college, he will not release that info but it was demanded Bush do so. Many people become a success coming from poor backgrounds. He is not the exception to the rule.
How long does it take you to come up with this stuff?
Seriously - does it come right off the top of your head o do you have to think on it a while?
Seriously - does it come right off the top of your head o do you have to think on it a while?
Oy vey, mishegas is right !
Vance: I was referring particularly to ROMNEY not to every CEO. Go back and slowly read my reply. Read what is actually there.
Vance: I was referring particularly to ROMNEY not to every CEO. Go back and slowly read my reply. Read what is actually there.
Romney trip begins in shambles
London (CNN) -- If only Mitt Romney could turn the Olympic torch on the newspaper headlines in London.
He's the "Party Pooper" in the Daily Mail, "Nowhere Man" in the Times of London and "Mitt the Twit" in The Sun.
This was not the storyline Romney and his team wanted when they journeyed overseas for a trip designed to burnish the GOP contender's foreign policy credentials.
Romney has yet to publicly acknowledge the outrage he set off in London when he appeared to question the city's "disconcerting" problems in gearing up for the Olympic Games.
In an interview with CNN's Piers Morgan on Thursday, Romney chuckled when he was asked about the criticism.
Romney's Olympics false start
Romney's London blunders
Romney off to a rocky start in London
Romney's Olympic comments cause stir
Piers discusses Romney press backlash
"Well, I'm delighted to see the kind of support that has been around the torch for instance. I watched last night on BBC an entire program about the torch being run across Great Britain. And the kind of crowds. I guess millions of people that turned out to see the torch. That's what you hope to see," Romney told Morgan.
Asked about the controversy on NBC's "Today" show, Romney again sidestepped the question but declared London prepared.
"After being here a couple of days it looks to me like London is ready," Romney said.
The uproar in Britain reached its crescendo Thursday evening when London Mayor Boris Johnson whipped up a crowd of 60,000 revelers at a pre-Olympics celebration with a taunt for the Republican presidential candidate. Johnson is a Tory, theoretically putting him near Romney on the same conservative end of the political spectrum.
"There's this guy called Mitt Romney who wants to know if we are ready. Are we ready? Yes we are," Johnson shouted at what sounded like a political rally, for President Obama.
Meanwhile on Twitter, the hashtag #RomneyShambles was trending on both sides of the Atlantic.
For instance, @Pawelmorski's Tweet read: "Americans: This Mitt person is some sort of American Borat, right? #romneyshambles"
The hashtag is a play on "omnishambles," from the BBC TV series "The Thick of It," a satire of British government.
"It led most of the networks' news shows, and the message was clear: This fellow is not ready for primetime," said presidential scholar Larry Sabato with the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.
The British media also seized on Romney's disclosure after his visit with Prime Minister David Cameron that he had met Sir John Sawers, head of the British Intelligence agency MI6. Such meetings are typically not made public, a government spokesman told London's Telegraph newspaper.
Romney: Olympic snafus 'disconcerting'
"Sir John meets many people, but we don't give a running commentary on any of these private meetings," the spokesman said.
Former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, a top Republican surrogate for the Romney campaign, had his doubts about any long-lasting damage to the GOP's likely nominee.
"Britain is a strong ally. This governor is about strengthening America's relationship with allies not undercutting them," Coleman said in an interview on CNN's "Starting Point," a running GOP attack theme against Obama.
The former senator pinpointed other opportunities for Romney on the next legs of his trip, Israel and Poland.
"The governor will be in Poland. They had the rug pulled out from them on the missile defense," Coleman said. "Obama's ratings in Israel are in single digits," he added.
Aaron David Miller, a distinguished scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, believes Romney can redeem his trip while in Israel.
"He knows and likes [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and can convey quite naturally that he understands that Israel is a small country with a dark past living on the knife's edge," Miller said.
"Quite simply, Obama has failed to communicate that, and has given his opponent an opening," he said.
Setting the table for his visit to Israel, Romney issued a warning to Iran that he would consider military action to prevent the Islamic republic from building a nuclear weapon.
"The military option should be evaluated and available if no other course is successful," Romney said in an interview with Israel's Haaretz newspaper.
Back in the United States, the Romney campaign was busy capitalizing on new data showing the nation's economy had only grown by a disappointing 1.5% in the second quarter of the year.
"GDP -- Grossly Disappointing President," tweeted top Romney strategist Eric Fehrnstrom.
In the long marathon to November, Sabato said the gold medal issue for American voters is likely to be the economy, not foreign policy.
"Think of the string of gaffes on both sides in the past few months. Every single one was supposedly a game-changer. None has been," Sabato said.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/27/politics/romney-london-troubles/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
London (CNN) -- If only Mitt Romney could turn the Olympic torch on the newspaper headlines in London.
He's the "Party Pooper" in the Daily Mail, "Nowhere Man" in the Times of London and "Mitt the Twit" in The Sun.
This was not the storyline Romney and his team wanted when they journeyed overseas for a trip designed to burnish the GOP contender's foreign policy credentials.
Romney has yet to publicly acknowledge the outrage he set off in London when he appeared to question the city's "disconcerting" problems in gearing up for the Olympic Games.
In an interview with CNN's Piers Morgan on Thursday, Romney chuckled when he was asked about the criticism.
Romney's Olympics false start
Romney's London blunders
Romney off to a rocky start in London
Romney's Olympic comments cause stir
Piers discusses Romney press backlash
"Well, I'm delighted to see the kind of support that has been around the torch for instance. I watched last night on BBC an entire program about the torch being run across Great Britain. And the kind of crowds. I guess millions of people that turned out to see the torch. That's what you hope to see," Romney told Morgan.
Asked about the controversy on NBC's "Today" show, Romney again sidestepped the question but declared London prepared.
"After being here a couple of days it looks to me like London is ready," Romney said.
The uproar in Britain reached its crescendo Thursday evening when London Mayor Boris Johnson whipped up a crowd of 60,000 revelers at a pre-Olympics celebration with a taunt for the Republican presidential candidate. Johnson is a Tory, theoretically putting him near Romney on the same conservative end of the political spectrum.
"There's this guy called Mitt Romney who wants to know if we are ready. Are we ready? Yes we are," Johnson shouted at what sounded like a political rally, for President Obama.
Meanwhile on Twitter, the hashtag #RomneyShambles was trending on both sides of the Atlantic.
For instance, @Pawelmorski's Tweet read: "Americans: This Mitt person is some sort of American Borat, right? #romneyshambles"
The hashtag is a play on "omnishambles," from the BBC TV series "The Thick of It," a satire of British government.
"It led most of the networks' news shows, and the message was clear: This fellow is not ready for primetime," said presidential scholar Larry Sabato with the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.
The British media also seized on Romney's disclosure after his visit with Prime Minister David Cameron that he had met Sir John Sawers, head of the British Intelligence agency MI6. Such meetings are typically not made public, a government spokesman told London's Telegraph newspaper.
Romney: Olympic snafus 'disconcerting'
"Sir John meets many people, but we don't give a running commentary on any of these private meetings," the spokesman said.
Former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, a top Republican surrogate for the Romney campaign, had his doubts about any long-lasting damage to the GOP's likely nominee.
"Britain is a strong ally. This governor is about strengthening America's relationship with allies not undercutting them," Coleman said in an interview on CNN's "Starting Point," a running GOP attack theme against Obama.
The former senator pinpointed other opportunities for Romney on the next legs of his trip, Israel and Poland.
"The governor will be in Poland. They had the rug pulled out from them on the missile defense," Coleman said. "Obama's ratings in Israel are in single digits," he added.
Aaron David Miller, a distinguished scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, believes Romney can redeem his trip while in Israel.
"He knows and likes [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and can convey quite naturally that he understands that Israel is a small country with a dark past living on the knife's edge," Miller said.
"Quite simply, Obama has failed to communicate that, and has given his opponent an opening," he said.
Setting the table for his visit to Israel, Romney issued a warning to Iran that he would consider military action to prevent the Islamic republic from building a nuclear weapon.
"The military option should be evaluated and available if no other course is successful," Romney said in an interview with Israel's Haaretz newspaper.
Back in the United States, the Romney campaign was busy capitalizing on new data showing the nation's economy had only grown by a disappointing 1.5% in the second quarter of the year.
"GDP -- Grossly Disappointing President," tweeted top Romney strategist Eric Fehrnstrom.
In the long marathon to November, Sabato said the gold medal issue for American voters is likely to be the economy, not foreign policy.
"Think of the string of gaffes on both sides in the past few months. Every single one was supposedly a game-changer. None has been," Sabato said.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/27/politics/romney-london-troubles/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
I, for one, deeply care what the British tabloids think of Mitt Romney.
It really might swing my vote to President Obama.
Dear British Tabloids,
Thank you very much for posting your insightful thoughts on presidential hopeful, Mitt Romney. Consider me an Obama supporter now! How could I have been so wrong?!?
Sincerely,
~LMNO~
It really might swing my vote to President Obama.
Dear British Tabloids,
Thank you very much for posting your insightful thoughts on presidential hopeful, Mitt Romney. Consider me an Obama supporter now! How could I have been so wrong?!?
Sincerely,
~LMNO~
Personally, I am much more interested in what the Israelis think about the ramen noodle. That's going to be real exciting and may sway my vote.
"Since I wouldn't venture into another country to question American foreign policy......."
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/28/13001202-romney-looks-for-political-lift-in-israel-after-london-miscues?lite
"...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..."
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/28/13001202-romney-looks-for-political-lift-in-israel-after-london-miscues?lite
"...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..."
I am not comfortable with either party fund raising out of the U.S.
However, I am certainly more comfortable with a candidate taking money from Israel rather than from the Saudis.
Israel is an ally and the only democracy in the Middle East (along with Jordan) and while I still don't believe either candidate should be begging from any other country, better to be obliged to friends than enemies.
However, I am certainly more comfortable with a candidate taking money from Israel rather than from the Saudis.
Israel is an ally and the only democracy in the Middle East (along with Jordan) and while I still don't believe either candidate should be begging from any other country, better to be obliged to friends than enemies.
I'm cannot comment as to whether or not it's ok for Presidential candidates to actually take money from other countries, but it sure makes sense to me that foreign countries would donate to Presidential candidates campaigns. The US is unique in that it is the worlds biggest super power right now. You are always going to have a huge interest from outside the US as to who becomes President. Your election impacts all of us outside the US, it's just the way it is. Your economic situation has a huge impact on all of us. Frankly, everything you do touches us. So I can sure see how and why this happens. I doubt any other country watches our election or many other countries, but the whole world watches the US elections. Heck, I think it gets more media coverage in Canada then our own Federal elections do. I sure know I watch with interest (and sometimes worry).
Mitt Romney would 'respect' Israel strike on Iran, aide says
http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/07/29/13016589-mitt-romney-would-respect-israel-strike-on-iran-aide-says?lite
JERUSALEM - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney would “respect” Israel if it were to decide it had to use military force to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, a senior aide said on Sunday.
"If Israel has to take action on its own, in order to stop Iran from developing that capability, the governor would respect that decision," Romney's senior national security aide Dan Senor told reporters traveling with the candidate.
The comment, made ahead of Romney's planned meetings in Jerusalem with Israeli leaders, seemed to differ with President Barack Obama's attempts to convince Israel to avoid any preemptive attack.
Gov. Romney’s first meeting was Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who greeted him as a “personal friend and friend of Israel.”
Shaking hands underneath U.S. and Israel flags, the pair signaled that Iran would be top of the agenda in their discussions.
Netanyahu said: "We have to be honest and say that all the sanctions and diplomacy so far have not set back the Iranian program by one iota. And that's why I believe that we need a strong and credible military threat coupled with the sanctions to have a chance to change that situation."
Sunday’s comments came as a senior Israeli official denied a newspaper report that President Barack Obama's national security adviser had briefed Netanyahu on a U.S. contingency plan to attack Iran should diplomacy fail to curb its nuclear program.
The Israeli liberal Haaretz daily on Sunday quoted an unnamed U.S. official as saying the adviser, Thomas Donilon, had described the plan over dinner with Netanyahu earlier this month.
"Nothing in the article is correct. Donilon did not meet the prime minister for dinner, he did not meet him one-on-one, nor did he present operational plans to attack Iran," the senior official, who declined to be named given the sensitivity of the issue, told Reuters."
http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/07/29/13016589-mitt-romney-would-respect-israel-strike-on-iran-aide-says?lite
JERUSALEM - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney would “respect” Israel if it were to decide it had to use military force to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, a senior aide said on Sunday.
"If Israel has to take action on its own, in order to stop Iran from developing that capability, the governor would respect that decision," Romney's senior national security aide Dan Senor told reporters traveling with the candidate.
The comment, made ahead of Romney's planned meetings in Jerusalem with Israeli leaders, seemed to differ with President Barack Obama's attempts to convince Israel to avoid any preemptive attack.
Gov. Romney’s first meeting was Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who greeted him as a “personal friend and friend of Israel.”
Shaking hands underneath U.S. and Israel flags, the pair signaled that Iran would be top of the agenda in their discussions.
Netanyahu said: "We have to be honest and say that all the sanctions and diplomacy so far have not set back the Iranian program by one iota. And that's why I believe that we need a strong and credible military threat coupled with the sanctions to have a chance to change that situation."
Sunday’s comments came as a senior Israeli official denied a newspaper report that President Barack Obama's national security adviser had briefed Netanyahu on a U.S. contingency plan to attack Iran should diplomacy fail to curb its nuclear program.
The Israeli liberal Haaretz daily on Sunday quoted an unnamed U.S. official as saying the adviser, Thomas Donilon, had described the plan over dinner with Netanyahu earlier this month.
"Nothing in the article is correct. Donilon did not meet the prime minister for dinner, he did not meet him one-on-one, nor did he present operational plans to attack Iran," the senior official, who declined to be named given the sensitivity of the issue, told Reuters."
Unless sanctions can cripple a nation, it seems as if they don't work so well. Humanitarian efforts disallow crippling sanctions, so you get what we have here.
I have no opinion on this matter. If a war breaks out, I know we will end up in it and I am tired of people blaming one President for wars and excusing another. That can't be the way it works unless you are very much in it for the partisan politics that most here say they are against.
I have no opinion on this matter. If a war breaks out, I know we will end up in it and I am tired of people blaming one President for wars and excusing another. That can't be the way it works unless you are very much in it for the partisan politics that most here say they are against.
War is making a few people an awful lot of money. These are the same folks backing both candidates and probably even selling weapons to both sides.
Am I ever getting jaded !
Am I ever getting jaded !
Agree with you both.
Mitt Romney: Jerusalem Is 'The Capital Of Israel' Mitt Romney:
Let's see if he remembers how many states there are in the US.
Yeah, right.
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