>>>At a debate at Saint Anselm College in June, he was twice asked if the war was a mistake - and twice refused to say, instead criticizing the question as a “non sequitur” and a “null set.” <<<
If only our nation thought like this as a whole.
We committed to Iraq. It’s our duty to finish it. It doesn’t matter how wrong the intel was outside of correcting the things that lead to that error. Once you’re at war, you’re at war and better act like it.
Protesting during the lead-up to the war is one thing. Protesting when our men are in harm’s way and have a mission to accomplish is quite another.
You’re one of the few people I have seen take such a negative comment, and try to spin it as a positive.
The correct answer to that question was no, it was not a mistake and give the answers and proof we all know.
We are looking for a leader, not a finger-in-the-wind politician looking for maneuvering room.
You are a funny guy!
It doesn’t matter how wrong the intel wasThe intel wasn't wrong. The WMDs got moved to Syria.
Romney DID answer the question. Actually, I think Romney gave the perfect answer during the June 5th debate (see below).
But CP is right, Romney was correct in attempting to not answer the question directly. We should not be dragged backwards by the DNC. We should NOT give them any sound bites with which to attack us in future TV commercials. We should concentrate on the future.
Any political strategist knows the war is unpopular and so is Bush. The objective is to keep the Clintons out of the WH. The smart and savvy person who wants to live in the WH instead of the Clintons will have to handle this question carefully and not attach themselves too strongly to the decision to go to war or to Bush -- regardless of how the candidate actually feels about it (the brilliant Newt Gingrich has explained this to you all 50 times -- why don't you get it?).
June 5, 2007 debate:
Blitzer: Knowing everything you know right now, was it a mistake for us to invade Iraq?
Romney: I supported the president’s decision based on what we knew at that time.
Transcript from debate
Perfect answer! 75% of Americans agreed with that statement at one time. Maybe they still do. He supported the president's decision without saying anything over the top that they could use against him in a TV commercial. Brilliant. Newt brilliant.
_______________________
The point is to look forward, not backwards. Regardless of why we went to war and how it has been managed, we all (including Romney) wholeheartedly support the troops, the President and the mission. Mitt Romney supports our troops and their mission in Iraq. He supports President Bush's "Troop Surge" plan to stabilize the population in Iraq and bring the conflict to a successful conclusion.
Governor Romney : "In the current conflict, there is only one way to lose, and that is if we as a civilized world decide not to lift a finger to defend ourselves, or our values, and our way of life. I will not be silent, you will not be silent."
Governor Romney: "Today, the nation's attention is focused on Iraq. All Americans want U.S. troops to come home as soon as possible. But walking away now or dividing Iraq up into parts and walking away later would present grave risks to the United States and the world.
Gov. Romney Called The Petraeus Report "Good News For Americans And Iraqis." "Today's testimony from General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker confirms the progress being made by our troops in Iraq. This is good news for Americans and Iraqis. The importance of a successful conclusion to Iraq must be weighed in light of the global threat of violent Jihad and terror. America must continue its commitment to the strategy General Petraeus is executing."
"I think the American people listened with interest to General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker and recognized that we have true American patriots and heroes here...."