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Foreign policy Obama's 'sweet spot' or vulnerability?
Fox News ^ | October 22, 2012

Posted on 10/22/2012 12:09:15 PM PDT by jazusamo

Four years ago, then-Sen. Barack Obama ran for the White House as the foreign policy novice -- both in the primary against Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, and the general election against John McCain.

That inexperience, it turned out, proved not to be an Achilles' heel.

Monday night, as commander in chief, Obama goes toe-to-toe in the third and final debate with Republican challenger Mitt Romney, and takes the stage as the supposed pro -- or as Romney surrogate John Sununu put it, Obama "thinks this is his sweet spot."

But a close look at Obama's four years of setting and managing America's foreign policy leaves much to interpretation -- and even more unfulfilled. Usama bin Laden is dead, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are drawing to a close, but the administration has not struck a Middle East peace plan, has not yet broken Iran's nuclear determination with sanctions, and has been challenged on its claims that Al Qaeda is "on the run."

Violence in Iraq has also flared since the U.S. military withdrawal. The Guantanamo Bay prison camp is still up and running despite Obama's inaugural pledge to close it. And Russia once again has moved center stage under Vladimir Putin to more of an adversarial threat than potential partner for peace.

The terror attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya is the latest incident to raise questions about the administration's foreign policy. And Romney on Monday night is sure to go after those challenges -- hard -- as he looks to undercut Obama's presidential bona fides going into the final two weeks before Election Day.

Sununu, a former New Hampshire governor and one of the toughest-talking Romney surrogates on the trail, said as much Monday morning, claiming foreign policy has not been the strong suit Obama...

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: debate; foreignpolicy; obama; romney
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To: Ohioan
Great point on Obama’s abysmal performance shooting for the Olympics in Chicago and most of his contact with foreign leaders has been very similar.
21 posted on 10/22/2012 12:45:47 PM PDT by jazusamo ("Intellect is not wisdom" -- Thomas Sowell)
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To: Viennacon
Shame on Romney for politicizing this, shame, shame,shame/ssssssssarc.

Romney just wants to WIN...........ROFL Well, DUH!!!

This is what they are saying, sounds like panic to me.

22 posted on 10/22/2012 12:48:22 PM PDT by annieokie (O)
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To: jazusamo
Based on Romney's experience and Obama's record I don't see Romney at a disadvantage in this debate. Romney doesn't have direct experience in foreign policy but he has been doing analysis of complex real-world matters since Barry was back hanging with the choom gang. His team has had plenty of time to digest the information now available on developments in Libya. Obama has to defend failure. Romney just has to point out the failure and present a reasonable alternative course. I have heard the incumbent has an advantage on foreign policy simply because he has been doing it for four years. Obama is an exception to that rule because he has been screwing things up for four years.

My prediction: Romney by three touchdowns, with continued improvement in the polls.

23 posted on 10/22/2012 1:04:59 PM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson ("Every nation has the government that it deserves." - Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821))
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To: verum ago

I’m guessing interrupting Romney will be the biggest Team Obama ploy tonight, championed by the “moderator”.

Every word from Romney the enemy can squelch is perceived a victory by them.


24 posted on 10/22/2012 1:09:05 PM PDT by treetopsandroofs (Had FDR been GOP, there would have been no World Wars, just "The Great War" and "Roosevelt's Wars".)
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To: jazusamo

Aside form bow, apologies and embrace islamist just what is Barrys foreign policy?


25 posted on 10/22/2012 1:13:18 PM PDT by Breto (The Establishment party is killing our country)
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To: Homer_J_Simpson
Romney by three touchdowns, with continued improvement in the polls.

Your lips to Gods ears.

I'm with you on it because as you say, his foreign policy is an exception to sitting presidents. I doubt he could have done a much worse job and it's a reflection on the idiots he's surrounded himself with.

26 posted on 10/22/2012 1:15:40 PM PDT by jazusamo ("Intellect is not wisdom" -- Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo
"Great point on Obama’s abysmal performance shooting for the Olympics in Chicago and most of his contact with foreign leaders has been very similar."

Thank you. Watching the President who hates American culture, destroy any possibility that Chicago could get the 2016 Olympics, was a very memorable moment--not a proud or happy moment, but surely a memorable one.

It actually perfectly captured the Obamanist mindset, however. He compared the Olympic Committee to the people of the Chicago Southside slums by their physical appearance; so deeply into his Class-Warfare assumptions that he did not realize that he was insulting people of accomplishments who would not appreciate being compared to Welfare dependent slum dwellers.

Obama, in his own way, is just as befuddled as Chris Matthews, Nancy Pelosi, and other media & political airheads.

William Flax

27 posted on 10/22/2012 1:18:18 PM PDT by Ohioan
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To: verum ago

Since you’re referring to the Left, the word “delusion” might be a better choice than “perception”. They are certainly deluded if they think the current and general perception of American foreign policy is a positive one. Or should I say “not optimal”?


28 posted on 10/22/2012 3:27:38 PM PDT by katana (Just my opinions)
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To: jazusamo

Did I say Romney by three touchdowns? I guess it was more like a couple field goals. But he covered the spread.


29 posted on 10/23/2012 5:49:59 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson ("Every nation has the government that it deserves." - Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821))
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