WASHINGTON — Mitt Romney yesterday declared war on President Obama’s foreign-policy record.
“America’s security and the cause of freedom cannot afford four more years like the last four years,” Romney said in a major foreign-policy speech.
He lamented the “passivity” of Obama’s leadership, which he said has spurred or facilitated deadly terror attacks in Libya, unchecked bloodshed in Syria, nuke building in Iran and anti-US protests across the Middle East.
“It is clear that the risk of conflict in the region is higher now than when the president took office,” Romney told the audience at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va.
He blasted Obama for planned deep Pentagon cuts, for strained relations with Israel and for blaming an offensive anti-Muslim video for triggering the attack that killed US Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans in Libya.
The speech marked Romney’s strongest indictment yet of Obama’s leadership abroad.
“If America does not lead, others will — others who do not share our interests and our values — and the world will grow darker, for our friends and for us,” he warned.
He called for helping arm Syrian rebels, imposing tougher sanctions on Iran, demonstrating unwavering support for Israel and recommitting to a Middle East peace process.
“Our friends and allies across the globe do not want less American leadership,” he said. “They want more — more of our moral support, more of our security cooperation, more of our trade, and more of our assistance in building free societies and thriving economies.”
The Obama campaign was quick to respond.
“We have a simple message for him: Bring it on,” said Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt. “President Obama has shown time and again that he is a tough, responsible and steady commander-in-chief.”
Obama released a new TV ad that slams Romney’s July visit to England, Israel and Poland as “gaffe-filled,” “reckless” and “amateurish.”
Meanwhile, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will stump with Romney tomorrow in Ohio, a key battleground state.