Perry offers outline of foreign policy platform

[MrsPincince]

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/29/7512647-perry-offers-outline-of-foreign-policy-platform

From NBC's Carrie Dann:
Texas Gov. Rick Perry offered the broad outlines of his foreign policy philosophy at an annual gathering of veterans Monday, telling attendees that he opposes "military adventurism" while also advocating for "taking the fight to the enemy" and decrying indecision by "multi-lateral debating societies" at times of international crisis.

"We must renew our commitment to taking the fight to the enemy wherever they are, before they strike at home. I do not believe that America should fall subject to a foreign policy of military adventurism," he said at the annual convention of Veterans of Foreign Wars in San Antonio.  "We should only risk shedding American blood and spending American treasure when our vital interests are threatened."

But Perry -- who did not specifically critique American involvement in the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan, Syria, or Libya -- added that while American military leaders should honor and coordinate with allies around the world, too much collaboration with other nations could put U.S. soldiers at risk.

"We must be willing to act when it is time to act," he said to a crescendo of applause during his remarks. "We cannot concede the moral authority of our nation to multi-lateral debating societies. And when our interests are threatened, American soldiers should be led by American commanders."

"I say this because we owe to them and to their loved ones the commitment that any war is led by the country with the most advanced technology and the best training," he added.

The Texas governor, who served in the Air Force and whose father is a World War II veteran, made a special point to laud veterans of the Vietnam War, saying that soliders at that time faced the uncertainty of "not knowing at times when the enemy lurked among them in the civilian population" as well as the dithering of leaders in Washington were "not prepared to win" the conflict.

Perry was invited to speak at the convention in his role as the governor of the state of its host city, San Antonio. He is scheduled to campaign in Oklahoma this afternoon.

[margypops]

Yup I thought he sounded strong and interesting I have changed my mind he doesnt get my vote ...I have been having e-mails about his past on other political web sites are sounding skeptical ..I wish Alan West would run ...

[MrsPincince]

U know teko, the impression I got at first was "Is this guy talking about another war or two or three"? I was hesitant to post an answer b/c I didn't want to get chewed out for spewing negativity on a Republican Candidate....I admit. I did cower out t see who was going to post first. Thank you for positing your thought cus but you gave me balls to not stay stifled...LOL Why not focus on what WE (the American People) want to hear about. What is your plan to try make the economy better. How are you going to tackle unemployment and housing? What's your plan about Social Security, Education, Healthcare, Medicare? I mean those are the things I know I'm MOST interested in now. Our BIGGEST security threat is D.E.A.D. I'm all bout foreign policy. I am just as vested in the safety of my country like any other American. I just think that Foreign Policy plans shouldn't be first on his agenda. He should be focused on the obvious issues. Now, if he does have a plan about the things I have mentioned and I don't know about it, someone that does know about it, please enlighten me.

[teko]

hmmm. Another war to straighten out the econemy? I see this guy getting some tough questions very very soon. I hope he is enjoying his high. I dont trust him one iota. They better come up with something else if they want to win the election.