Romney leaves Tampa to seek veterans' votes in Indiana

Mitt Romney meets with delegates after speaking at the American Legion's national convention in Indianapolis on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012.

/ AP Photo/Michael Conroy

(CBS News) INDIANAPOLIS - Taking a brief break from the Republican National Convention, Mitt Romney on Wednesday touted his support of veterans' issues at the American Legion, saying it was important for him to deliver his remarks in person. "I consider any opportunity to address our nation's veterans a privilege not to be missed," he said.

Romney opened his address with a reference to Hurricane Isaac: "I appreciate this invitation to join you on dry land this afternoon," a comment that drew laughter. He then turned more serious: "For many in the Gulf Coast who just finished repairing their homes and getting their lives back to normal, this must be a heavy burden, and so today our thoughts are with them."

Romney reiterated his desire to modify the post-9/11 GI bill so that veterans are eligible for in-state college tuition regardless of residency. He also promised to make reforming the Department of Veterans' Affairs "a personal priority," citing the "reproachable failures" in swiftly processing claims, and vowed not to raise rates for Tricare, the military's health care program.

The presumed GOP nominee also repeated his opposition to looming defense cuts through sequestration under the budget deal struck by President Obama and Congress last year. Though the deal was bipartisan, he continued to single out his rival for criticism.

"A year ago President Obama told your national convention that quote, `We cannot, we must not, we will not balance the budget on the backs of our veterans.' I thought I'd finally agree with him on something," he said. "But now he's on the verge of breaking that promise. The Obama administration is set to cut defense spending by nearly a trillion dollars, my administration will not."

His remarks drew a swift rebuke from Obama campaign spokeswoman Lis Smith, who blasted Romney for refusing to let tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans expire.

"Throughout this campaign, Mitt Romney has offered a lot of reckless bluster and vague platitudes, but zero specific national security policies - and that continued at the American Legion today," Smith said. "Lost in his speech was the fact that the only thing standing in the way of preventing the automatic defense cuts he decried is his refusal to ask for another dime from millionaires and billionaires."

[churchstate]

How symbolic yet ironic for Mitt Romney to announce his VP choice on the battleship USS Wisconsin. GOP Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney certainly has the comfort of knowing it will not be the children of his fellow church members that will be fighting in any U.S. wars. The State of Utah lawmakers and other LDS/Mormon faithful lawmakers went to Washington in the 70's and made sure federal regulation was passed to exempt their 19-24 year old men and women from serving in the US Military. On any given day The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) - The Mormons has as many 40,000 young men and women missionaries in this age group serving their church worldwide.

[RollotheNorman]

I'm sure he'll get them from RepubliCON vets. They voted for a draft dodger with Dubya, and they loved that other dodger: Dick Cheney. I'm sure draft dodging in France is no obstacle to getting the RepubliCON veteran vote.

[democracy8]

Yeah, he LOVES being with Veterans, but unlike them, he got every deferment he could instead of serving. What a phony!

[RetiredArmy_Nurse]

True, he was a Mormon missionary in France while supporting the war he never served in. I served during Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, 1st Gulf War, and I even volunteered to go to Bosnia in a Combat Stress Unit. I have no respect for this draft evader.

[retmw1]

The guy who avoided the draft with deferments and he wants veterans to vote for him. What a hypocrit.

[RetiredArmy_Nurse]

I don't live in Indiana, but this is one veteran who would never vote for him. As a commissioned officer, I took an oath to protect the Constitution against all enemies, foreign & domestic. As a patriotic American I support civil rights, equal rights, human rights, voting rights, environmental protection, medicare, medicaid, social security, & programs designed to help those less well off than me better their place in society. These values preclude me from voting for any repug. Mitt Romney represents the worst values in our society. To quote the bible "it is easier for a rich man to pass thru the eye of a needle, than to enter the gates of heaven." Most of our ultra-wealthy, like Romney, have made their wealth thru immoral means, on the backs of hard-working people, whom they then trash. I'm better off than many with Army retirement, VA entitlement, SS, & state retirement, but I am still one of the 99%. America, do not forget your roots, you worked to achieve, do not vote for the idle rich who hold you in disdain.

[RollotheNorman]

Personally, after watching the buffoons around Washington the last few decades, I'm getting to be sympathetic to Robert Heinlein's thesis in "Starship Troopers": only veterans are franchised and can serve in political office. I understand that's unworkable, extreme, and would have deprived of some excellent Presidents such as Abe Lincoln and FDR, but after the last decades misuse of military power, I have to wonder. Thank you for your service, and as an former active enlisted member Semper Fi in regard to the oath we still share.