Obama: Romney foreign policy attacks will wither in debates

If Mitt Romney wins in South Carolina, it's likely that he will face President Obama in the 2012 election

/ AP Photo/Julie Jacobson

President Obama offered a preview of the foreign policy narrative that he will apply in the 2012 election debates versus his GOP opponent, who is likely to be Mitt Romney if he can win in South Carolina on Saturday. 

In an interview with Time's Fareed Zakaria, Mr. Obama defended his administration's foreign policy actions, calling Romney's attacks "primary posturing" that will wither under the glare of "a serious debate."

Romney has described Mr. Obama's foreign policy as an "an appeasement strategy" and has said the president "apologizes for America." In his New Hampshire primary victory speech earlier this month, Romney attacked the president's foreign policy: 

"Internationally, President Obama has adopted an appeasement strategy. He believes America's role as leader in the world is a thing of the past. I believe a strong America must - and will - lead the future."

"He doesn't see the need for overwhelming American military superiority. I will insist on a military so powerful no one would think of challenging it."

"He chastises friends like Israel; I'll stand with our friends."

"He apologizes for America; I will never apologize for the greatest nation in the history of the Earth."

"Overall, I think it's going to be pretty hard to argue that we have not executed a strategy over the last three years that has put America in a stronger position than it was than when I came into office," Mr. Obama told Time.

"I think there is a strong belief that we continue to be a superpower unique perhaps in the annals of history that is not only self-interested but is also thinking about how to create a set of international rules and norms that everyone can follow, everyone can benefit from,"  he added.

In response to Romney's contention that Iran would have a nuclear weapon if the president won reelection, Mr. Obama said, "I have made myself clear since I began running for the presidency that we will take every step available to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Can we guarantee that Iran takes the smarter path? No, which is why I've repeatedly said we don't take any options off the table in preventing them from getting a nuclear weapon."

The full interview will be available on Thursday online for Time subscribers.

[AdelbertAmes]

Mitt just can't do the math. Cut taxes... Yippee! Reduce the deficit...yippee! spend even more on the military...er what?

[Wanderwits]

Odd questions, skewed around marketing measures, I'm part of the crowd telling the truth where it is, calling it out, describing it, addressing the degrees and levels a person might achieve if all this ******** and spoon feeding were out of the way, God Bless Wikipedia, and Kahn Academy, they are doing what others could not, in the framework of their thinking self creation emerges, evidence shows public funding surpasses any corporate model.
Loose many battles, stay in the war, the winner is the one who stays.

[337-911]

Obama is a poser...what actions has he initiated? The military cleans up a war (while being handicaped by Obamas policies) and you are giving him Credit for it? Wiener would make a better president than Obama.....when you see the total picture of Obamas presidency, all you have is a move to socialism, an increase in debt, unemploymet, dependency on the government, impotence when dealing with our own boarders, and a bunch of gay liberals lineing up to get behind him....I will take any Republican over Obama as my next president.

[AdelbertAmes]

...and you would be welcome to them, hey why not take them all, please

[Justiceserved]

The President got OBL & 22 of 30 top AlQueda operatives, he killed the American cleric who promoter jihad against America, he got us out of Bush's oil war in Iraq which cost 4500 soldiers, 2 trillion dollars, and not only did nothing to make us safer, it gave Iran a free reign in the area. He is also wrapping up Afghanistan, shrinking our military budget getting rid of waste & overreach, had our airpower support Libyan protestors which led to overthrow of govt. w/o one US soldier lost, and was pivotal in backing protestors to help rid Egypt of Mubarack. He has succeeded everywhere that Bush failed. He also espoused same position with regard to Israel as Bush and the Rep. continue to lie & say he doesn't. Elect Romney & we'll be in another lost war in Iran, oil prices will go sky high & he'll bring back Bush economic policy which will finally lead us into a depression! OBAMA 2012!!!

[PhilipASC]

Right. Self-projecting much, colokent?

Any SANE person reading Romney's quotes would see right through them. An insane (or just insanely resentful) person will ignore the entire world's opinion and insist that his small corner of it has to be right...because it' HIS, after all. What do "they" know, right?

Yup, insane or insanely resentful.

[colokent]

BHO is delusional.

[akcoins]

No, Mitt is delusional. Where is Osama? Where are all the leaders of al-qaeda? They have been appeased right into their graves. Mitt doesn't know what he is talking about. I for one would like to know if he is still co-coordinating with the leaders of the Mormon church like he was when he ran for gov. of MA.