Romney marks Memorial Day with call for continued military strength

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, center, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, and San Diego Veteran of the year Marine David Dickey stand together during a campaign stop at the Veterans Museum & Memorial Center, May 28, 2012 in San Diego.

/ AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

(CBS News) SAN DIEGO - Addressing one of the largest crowds to see him during his presidential run, Mitt Romney on Monday steered clear of partisan politics - but expressed concern over the world's security while singling out countries that he contends pose a threat to it.

"I wish I could tell you the world is a safe place today. It is not," Romney said to an audience of more than 3,000 at an annual tribute to the military at Veterans Museum and Memorial Center.

The former Massachusetts governor pointed to the danger of Iran and its rush "to become a nuclear nation." He mentioned Pakistan and its growing nuclear program. And he discussed China's rise as a potential military superpower.

In addition, Romney cited Russian leader Vladimir Putin, whose relations with the United States have been shaky. "Russia is rebuilding their military and is now led by a man who believes that the Soviet Union was a great, as opposed to evil, empire," he said of Putin.

Repeating a familiar theme, Romney stressed his commitment to a strong national defense. He briefly brought up the issue of military spending, and said that "shrinking our military smaller and smaller to pay for social needs" would create a world where "no one would stand to protect us."

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who is a veteran unlike Romney, appeared at the event and introduced the candidate. It was McCain who made the day's only direct reference to the presidential race when he introduced Romney as a "great man ... fully qualified to be commander-in-chief."

Earlier in the day, both Romney and McCain placed wreaths in front of the Veterans Museum and Memorial and observed a moment of silence in honor of the nation's fallen military members. The Romney campaign also released a video thanking veterans for their service.

[nancy_naive]

Another GOP chickenhawk...

[ProtectAmericanJobs]

All this single-minded, left versus right, ideological one dimensional bull has got to go! This is the problem with our country. It shouldn't be about Democrats or Republicans! It should be about Americans, especially our elected officials, doing the right thing for our country and it's citizens.

Both parties have sold out the bulk of the American citizens, who they're supposed to represent, by allowing the "out-sourcing" floodgates to open wider and wider without taking any sensible measures to stem the tide. (Under Clinton jobs to China, Under Bush I & II influx of illegals or cheap easily abused labor into the US and jobs to Mexico/NAFTA) Our leaders are elected by the Citizens of the United States of America to represent the interests of those citizens and the country itself. They are NOT elected by the Global Market Place or foreign citizens!

We to Start Protecting American Jobs and do whatever it takes to bring back the jobs they let go. They've got to give us somebody who will stand up for the American people.

[JGard911]

Obama has been criticized by some people for not putting his hand over his heart during the National Anthem. Will those same people criticize McCain and the guy standing behind him for not taking his hat off during the National Anthem?

[AOCGUY]

See my earlier comment same subject

[WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING]

Please remind me how much time Mitt did in the service, or how many of his family members did time in uniform?

[AOCGUY]

I'm no Romney fan but since when was military servce a prerequisite to serve as POTUS or for that matter to even have an opinion on the relative importance of the DoD compared to other federal departments. I suspect may posters here have never worn the uniform either but still feel qualified to comment on our military.

[WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING]

Well I wore the uniform for 30 years and I feel that for a person to make comments on the military; especially shaking the stick at China and Russia is a big mistake. Also when that person wants to add more money to the Pentagon budget when the Pentagon doesn't want it tells me a lot of that person. He needs to listen to the generals and admirals.

[AOCGUY]

Sen/CAPT McCain, what's with the hat? Generally whether it is the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem or saluting the colors, a gentleman not in uniform removes his hat as a sign of respect.

[AOCGUY]

No matter where you are from you don't "have to" but one would think someone like McCain who has served this country for over a half century and who touts conservative and patriotic creds would think to remove his hat. And that hat, my God where did find it? Looks like one of my boating caps that need an oil change.

[Jilli_B]

Romneys speech was a bit disingenuous and dripping with cynicism considering that he chose to peddle his bike and the book of mormon across france to avoid military service.

We could cut out military in half and still retain the strongest military force in the world. The correct stance is to use those forces intelligently and with respect, not as a tool to settle personal scores and enrich corporations.

The smartest quote I saw yesterday..."The best way to honor war veterans: Stop needlessly creating new ones."

[infantryman1968]

by cubscout09 May 28, 2012 11:46 PM EDT

Video script: Flash forward to Wednesday morning, November 7th, 2112. Mitt Romney looks at the "to do" list on his $70,000 Traulsen refrigerator........

LOL!

So your jealous?

[Nocults]

infant try man didn't do well on the spelling portion of the GED.

[infantryman1968]

by ruffiannd May 28, 2012 11:54 PM EDT

All amusing since Romney's only experience with conflict is ganging up on a vulnerable gay teen and physically assaulting him.


Reply to this comment ..by infantryman1968 May 29, 2012 6:24 AM EDT


LOL!

So he should have physically assaulted a girl instead like Obama?

Really?

[infantryman1968]

by ruffiannd May 28, 2012 11:52 PM EDT
Yeah - way to go out on a limb there Mr.I'm-not-going-to-talk-to-the-press-so-I-don't-say-something-stupid-on-the-record.

Fortunately we'll be sticking with the president we have for miltary strength. He understands a strong military is not measured by how many dollars he can funnel to old cronies (Haliberton anyone?).


LOL!


So why did you and Obama renew all of the Haliberton No-Bid Contracts 3 times since 2009?

[jstaro]

While the 112th House, back to their rubber stamping war control, and their in kind in the Senate, as well as state legislators now in (T) control, sought to cut Veterans Budgets as soon as they hit their chambers!
Want to Really 'Welcome Us Vietnam Veterans Home', after the viral speak, the symbols of support only, the who's more patriotic then whom, the 'purple heart bandages' as we sent a new generation into two wars of choice, it's way past time:
The new 'magnetic ribbons', the 'parades' and 'welcome home celebrations', with no demand for sacrifice get same results, but 'parades' only last a few hours on one day! Think 'Desert Storm' and 'Gulf War Syndrome', Ignored till the last couple of years, finally, after the 'Parades'! Have the 'Welcome Home Parades' but at each the one word that should be spoke and on the minds of All, 'Sacrifice', Demand It, You Owe It!

No Revenues {nor private capital economic investments} = No Sacrifice = No Support = DeJa-Vu all over again!. Now a decade and counting, told to go shopping, added to the previous decades of under funding the VA, while the peoples reps Still try and lay blame on the Agency, after rubber stamping wars and costs of and those represented cheer on these wars!

USN All Shore '67-'71 GMG3 Vietnam In Country '70-'71