Kerry blasts Romney as inept and extreme on foreign policy

ROBYN BECK/AFP/GettyImages

(CBS News) CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., one of President Obama's top surrogates on issues of national security and foreign policy, delivered a brutal speech against Mitt Romney Thursday night, casting the Republican presidential nominee as too inexperienced, inept and extreme to lead the most powerful nation in the world.

"We've all learned Mitt Romney doesn't know much about foreign policy," Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, said at the Democratic National Convention. "But he has all these neocon advisors who know all the wrong things about foreign policy. He would rely on them--after all, he's the great outsourcer."

Kerry added, "This is not the time to outsource the job of commander in chief."

At the same time, the senator characterized Mr. Obama as a principled and bold leader.

"Ask Osama bin Laden if he is better off now than he was four years ago.," he said to cheers. "Barack Obama promised always to stand with Israel, to tighten sanctions on Iran, and take nothing off the table."

Not satisfied with attacking his rival party's nominee, Kerry blasted the entire GOP as downright un-American.

"Our opponents like to talk about 'American exceptionalism,' but all they do is talk," he said. "The only thing exceptional about today's Republicans is that--almost without exception--they oppose everything that has made America exceptional in the first place."

Democratic Convention 2012: complete coverage

Kerry cast Romney, however, as exceptionally ill-suited to lead, calling him "an extreme and expedient candidate, who lacks the judgment and vision so vital in the Oval Office." Romney and his running mate Paul Ryan, he said, are "the most inexperienced foreign policy twosome to run for president and vice president in decades."

(Watch the full speech at left)

The senator berated Romney for changing positions on issues like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the conflict in Libya. He also ridiculed him for his recent gaffe-filled trip to the United Kingdom.

"For Mitt Romney, an overseas trip is what you call it when you trip all over yourself overseas," Kerry said. "It wasn't a goodwill mission--it was a blooper reel."

Kerry jabbed Romney for earlier this year calling Russia the nation's "No. 1 geopolitical foe." Kerry called that assessment "preposterous."

"Folks: Sarah Palin said she could see Russia from Alaska; Mitt Romney talks like he's only seen Russia by watching Rocky IV," he said.

By contrast, Kerry commended Mr. Obama for working with Russia to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons. He hailed the president's decision to pursue Osama bin Laden, his success winding down the war in Iraq and carrying out the war in Afghanistan responsibly. He also defended Mr. Obama's partnership with Israel, noting that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has said of the U.S. under Mr. Obama's leadership, "our security cooperation is unprecedented."

Kerry also praised Mr. Obama's moral authority and seriously chastised Romney for failing to thank the troops abroad in his address at last week's Republican National Convention.

"No nominee for president should ever fail in the midst of a war to pay tribute to our troops overseas in his acceptance speech," Kerry said. "Mitt Romney was talking about America. They are on the front lines every day defending America, and they deserve our thanks."

[infantryman1968]

Kerry blasts Romney as inept and extreme on foreign policy


LOL!


The only foreign policy experience Kerry ever had was being fragged by his own men in Vietnam.

[jupitor123]

At least Kerry wasn't a Coward! Romney dodged the draft with 5 deferments while another man had to take his place!He hid behind the church's skirts an used our laws in the same way he does to hid his money from being Taxed over sea's! FIND the loop hole an make sure it pays for U personally! That is mitt Romney!

[jupitor123]

At least Kerry wasn't a Coward! Romney dodged the draft with 5 deferments while another man had to take his place!He hid behind the church's skirts an used our laws in the same way he does to hid his money from being Taxed over sea's! FIND the loop hole an make sure it pays for U personally! That is mitt Romney!

[notreich]

You may think it would be impossible for there not have been some truth in the big lies told about Kerry's Viet Nam record. But remember previous to that Republican big lies got Max Cleland defeated for re-election in Georgia. (He was the triple amputee Nam vet.) Republicans made up this lie that his wounds weren't war-related and he was actually on the way to get drunk when it happened. What kernel of "truth" did they use for that? He was in a helicopter gunship just back from a very tough mission, landing at base, and some sort of explosive ordnance rolled out of the copter and blew Cleland up. And the "on the way to get drunk" part? In those days, soldiers still got a daily beer ration -- so by Republican logic he was on the way to get drunk. Yeah right, funny he didn't get court-martialed instead of getting all those medals.

[Jhihmoac]

Romney Foreign Policy: "Outsource this job to India...Outsource that job to China...Have this made in somewhere in South America...

...and put the savings in my Swiss Account..."

[Xira411]

Obama has ignored more of the Constitution than Bush did, and that's saying something.

I hope he loses, but my Texas vote doesn't count anyway.

[retmw1]

Guess you forgot the about the "Patriot Act".

[kem45]

I really hope you people are not comparing Romney to this guy, because there is one big difference, Romney the other rich idiot is running for president. Kerry is not. He lost when he ran, oh wait! maybe thats because he is a rich idiot.
It takes one rich 1%-er! to know another rich 1%-er!.

[Millennial]

Kerry is looking to be the next Secty Of State upon Mrs. Hilary Clinton's departure as (SOS) if President Obama is re-elected to take another term in January 2013.

Kerry's speech, was about how DUMB Romney is on diplomacy throwing insults as talking points demonstrated on Romney's foreign so-called policy trip to Europe and Israel.

[LarryMoe2012]

CBS is only posting pro kerry comments. Censorship is alive and well.

[LarryMoe2012]

John Kerry, the ultimate gigolo has lived off his wife and the taxpayer all his life. Who can trust a man like that.

[smithmm]

You're a stooge

[retmw1]

You mean like john mcCain, who ditched a wife after she was seriously injured in a car accident, then married a rich women and has never held any kind of job in the private sector, all government employment.

[payasyougogo]

By the time this election is over, Romney will become a Viet Nam War Hero, Killing bin Laden the right way, a Crusader for the Poor, Just a Regular guy known for Saving American Manufacturing while at Bain Capital while working to close Tax Loopholes and for having lived in every state except liberal Massachusetts.

[Niles_Akbar]

Another loudmouth 1%-er! Will they never end? Do you think John Kerry has had his finances pinched by the recession? No way! He is one of the richest limousine liberals in the US Senate, married to the Heinz 76 varieties fortune. At least as rich as Mitt Romney. Ick!

[Eriverq]

John Kerry Nailed it and he killed Mitt in a very bad way.

[demsareloosers0000]

Thank god for John Kerry! OH wait your are Democrate, allah be merciful then