Romney's newest big-name supporter comes out swinging

By: Sarah B. Boxer
Topics: Campaign 2012

Republican presidential candidate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, center, speaks during a campaign stop as John Bolton, the former US ambassador to the United Nations, left, and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, right, look on Jan. 13, 2012, in Hilton Head, S.C.

(Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman)

HILTON HEAD, S.C. - As Mitt Romney's newest foreign-policy surrogate, former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton made it immediately clear Friday that he's prepared to be one of the fiercest attack dogs of President Obama's foreign policy.

"He's not only the most radical president in history domestically; he is the first president, Republican or Democrat, at least since Franklin Roosevelt, who didn't get up every morning thinking first about what threats the United States faces," Bolton said of Obama to an audience here. "He just doesn't care about national security the way other presidents did."

Bolton endorsed Romney earlier this week. In touting the former Massachusetts governor's candidacy, Bolton said voters "want a president who has judgment, who has steadiness of purpose, who has leadership, who won't falter in a crisis, and who doesn't believe that the role of America in the world is to be a well-bred doormat."

Bolton - who flirted with launching his own presidential bid last year -- also contended it was the military, not Obama, that deserved credit for killing Osama bin Laden.

"You know, the irony is, he's campaigning on the basis that he's a success as a foreign policy president," Bolton said. "It's just really amazing and you ask, What is it that made the success? And it's because Navy SEAL Team 6 killed Osama bin Laden. That's his definition of success. As somebody pointed out, in 1969 when Americans landed on the moon, it's like Richard Nixon taking for credit for that, because it happened to occur during his presidency."

Sarah B. Boxer
Sarah B. Boxer covers politics for CBS News.
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by Fatesrider January 16, 2012 2:19 AM EST: BOLTON is endorsing Romney? The single-worst UN ambassador the United States has ever produced?

Why does that not surprise me.; Reply to this comment


by paulstewart9 January 14, 2012 11:27 PM EST: I suspect that Bolton has a few bolts loose. To me he is the classic wild west cowboy who thinks in black and white and lives in the world of Bush. This man is not just a throw back to the past, he is a throw back to cave man days. A mistake for Romney to be associated with this man.; Reply to this comment


by delrepublica January 14, 2012 5:46 PM EST: >> "He's not only the most radical president in history domestically; he is the first president, Republican or Democrat, at least since Franklin Roosevelt, who didn't get up every morning thinking first about what threats the United States faces," Bolton said of Obama to an audience here. "He just doesn't care about national security the way other presidents did." <<

Uhm... so how again does John Bolton know what Obama's thinking when the President wakes up in the morning?

Sounds kind of creepy.; Reply to this comment


by thebob-bob January 14, 2012 5:27 PM EST: Bolton? The Yosemite Sam of the deranged Right? His version of diplomacy is never talk, never negotiate. Just growl, posture and threaten.

George Romney is rolling over in his grave as his son embraces the most deranged extremists on the Right.; Reply to this comment


by samXXkiley January 14, 2012 11:42 AM EST: coucou,
****former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton made it immediately clear Friday that he's prepared to be one of the fiercest attack dogs of President Obama's foreign policy.****
=============
these are not attacks against Obama which will drive down the unemployment rate in the United States,
I must say that the accusations and criticisms that fly from both sides put Mitt Romney in a bad position, jeopardizing his ambitions to WH
"au revoir"; Reply to this comment

by 92F150 January 14, 2012 10:58 AM EST

I thought Mitt would want to distance himself from the failures of the past decade. I can see where extremists like Bolton's style but the average guy associates him with the WMD scandal. Is he betting some SC voters have selective memory? Is he promoting that, to err on the side of conservatism, will be his policy? I sure don't want this type of failed policy again.

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by 92F150 January 14, 2012 12:54 PM EST: Perhaps the word "fiasco" is more appropriate than "scandal" but it works for me. There's a way to spin a message by withholding information and being over dramatic with facts that fit your own agenda. When Powell called in cards to block Bolton's permanent UN job appointment, it was a tell on what happened. I'm not sure Mitt wants to have his face associated with Bolton if Obama advertisements are running. Powell may be asked to comment too. Mitt strategy should be distance from failed Bush era celebrities unless he's trying to win votes for Paul and Gingrich.

by pbaird2 January 14, 2012 9:15 AM EST

As usual, President Obama is held responsible for everything that happens in the world which is adverse, but anything positive is denied him. Amazing how the GOP spins the message.

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by RobAla January 14, 2012 11:21 AM EST: You really have to strain to find something positive to give President Obama credit for doing. I will give him credit for giving the order to kill Bin Laden, and I will give those brave SEALS the credit for carrying it out. However, I find little else positive recognize President Obama about.

The health care law was his largest accomplishment, but the majority of Americans did not support that law - and still do not. It is a disaster. The mandate will surely for found unconstitutional by the Supreme Court this year. The federal government should never have the power to force any American to purchase a service. That stinking law increases the cost of medicine for most Americans, in that it is loaded with fees on medical devices and other areas. It has caused the cost of private insurance premiums to go up. In 2014, it will impose additional expenses and regulations on private businesses (some business owners are putting cash away now to pay for this nonsense, rather than hire workers). It will increase out unemployment rates. President Obama gets credit, but most Americans hate the law.


by shurch4truth January 14, 2012 8:15 AM EST: Bolton is vile. It's sad that a man of Mitt's integrity has to resort to such a low life for support.

Boton lacks any degree of charisma so he resorts to extreme rhetoric to get attention.....very shallow

It's certain he is checking out these post so to him I say "Do something about your hair!"; Reply to this comment


by shurch4truth January 14, 2012 8:15 AM EST: Bolton is vile. It's sad that a man of Mitt's integrity has to resort to such a low life for support.

Boton lacks any degree of charisma so he resorts to extreme rhetoric to get attention.....very shallow

It's certain he is checking out these post so to him I say "Do something about your hair!"; Reply to this comment


by jimbom121 January 14, 2012 7:29 AM EST: You can see how much it pains the tea baggers are the neo-cons that Obama has preven to be much stronger on national defense than the Bush/Cheney was.; Reply to this comment