Romney backs away from Hezbollah citation

Jewish Telegraphic Agency ^ | 08/02/2007 | JTA

[indcons]

Mitt Romney's campaign said Hezbollah was not a proper model for his vision of U.S. diplomacy, addressing a controversy arising from his earlier remarks.

The statement from the campaign for the former Massachusetts governor, a front-runner in the race for the Republican presidential candidacy, came in the wake of a weekend town hall meeting in Iowa in which he cited Hezbollah's social network as a model for reaching hearts and minds.

"Governor Romney believes that bloodthirsty terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas have smothered the progress of the people and nations where they have built their networks, Lebanon serving as an example," spokesman Kevin Madden said. "These terror organizations cannot and should not be allowed to gain an advantage with the citizenry in Muslim nations just because they mask their terror agenda with an offering of some vital services."

Romney had made the comparison in explaining why he would expand on President Bush's AIDS program in Africa, widely regarded as earning goodwill.

"Hezbollah went into southern Lebanon and provided health clinics to some of the people there, and schools. And they built their support there by having done so," Romney said. "That kind of diplomacy is something that would help America become stronger around the world and help people understand that our interest is an interest towards modernity and goodness and freedom for all people in the world."

The National Jewish Democratic Council slammed Romney for those remarks. "Any candidate for President should know that Hezbollah's social programs are inseparably tied to terrorism," it said.

[curiosity]

There's nothing wrong with what Romney said, and he didn't back away. He merely clarified the obvious.

This headline is misleading, and the organization slamming Romney for his original statement are a bunch of idiots who can't read.

[wastedyears]

Oh yeah, no better way to win hearts and minds than by blowing everything up and threatening everybody’s lives.

[JRochelle]

Republicans: If the surge is working, let’s continue making progress.

Democrats: If the surge isn’t working, let’s get the hell out.

Mitt Romney: If the surge is working, let’s get the hell out.

Huh?

[Finny]

Where he steps in it is by using the term “diplomacy”. If he had said that these actions are what allow hostile groups to develop bases of support and frankly if America was to take more of these steps then people would have a better alternative to turn to and see our commitment to building better relationships and promoting freedom and better standards of living around the world. We would also be denying terrorist organizations a major source of support.

Excellently well said, and agreed. And Romney stepped in it by using the word "diplomacy." But the thing is ... does Romney know it -- I mean, really know it, the way you so eloquently flesh-out above? My fear is the he hasn't a clue. To me, he made that statement to placate hostility. And that don't sit well with me when the hostility comes from a world movement that wants to kill me.

[TheLion]

"This was a really stupid remark on Romney’s part. I mean really stupid."

Well, you get out there day after day and lets see how well you can do. Everyone is entitled to a mistake after millions of words on the campaign trail....Especially with people like you looking for one little opening to attack.

Romney does very well over all and is probably the most impressive of all the candidates.

[TheLion]

"And we would want this guy running our country?"Yes we would. I sure wouldn't want you, since you can't see there is really nothing here....did you know that or just taking a cheap shot agains Romney?

[SoCalPol]

It is one thing to trip over your tougue but for Mitt
to make the original comments re Hezbollah and then
spin away from it again shows he is not ready for prime time.

I don’t care how many MBAs or business knowledge Mitt has,
we are at war and and need a person with Military and National Security experience and background.

[Saundra Duffy]

“This was a really stupid remark on Romney’s part. I mean really stupid.”

He apologized.

[doc1019]

Considering the fact that I’m not running for President of the US, but he is, I will consider everything he (and all others) have to say. I don’t take cheap shots at anyone. If I were to do so I would consider myself a Democrat.

[jedward]

“A shame he backed away, there’s truth in what he said.”

SJackson, I know you to be a very wise and intelligent person. From a Political perspective, he had no choice but to back away. I understand your sentiments, and others echo it as well...but we’re at the point in the races where perception will begin to trump either the truth and reality. It was a political reality that he clarify. From a Political standpoint, he diffused a definate suicide bomb (figuratively).

[barker]

He’s either a fool or an idiot, but I fear he’s both.

He's doomed. You can't cure stupid.

[SJackson]

SJackson, I know you to be a very wise and intelligent person. From a Political perspective, he had no choice but to back away. I understand your sentiments, and others echo it as well...but we’re at the point in the races where perception will begin to trump either the truth and reality. It was a political reality that he clarify. From a Political standpoint, he diffused a definate suicide bomb (figuratively)

You're absolutely right. I don't want to attribute too much insight to Romney, but he may well have not only understood the problem, but at least intellectually danced around a policy that could be implemented, and would likely be effective.

American schools, breakfast and lunch, we're supplying the food in some of these places anyway. And medical care for boo-boos.

Not a bad alternative to $80 million to the palestinians.

But he blew it, not a good thing for a politician who wishes to be elected.

[Rb ver. 2.0]

Romney was for Hezbollah before he was against them.

[jedward]

“But he blew it, not a good thing for a politician who wishes to be elected.”

I agree. Tough lesson for any politician to learn.

[TAdams8591]

"gestures the United States should follow is simply ludicrous."

The United States is already using such tactics, in Iraq.

[TAdams8591]

I understand Mitt's point. Hezbolla endeared themselves to Lebanon's people, by giving them humanitarian aid like schools and health care, just as the U.S. soldiers in Iraq have endeared themselves to many Iraqi's by rebuilding their infrastructure, schools and by giving them medical care and other kinds of help. Romney sees this kind of effort, as a way to build and establish good relations with such countries.

Mitt is obviously NOT referring to the indoctrination programs implemented by Hezbolla along with their humanitarian aid, as this twisted article would lead people to believe.

The United States is already extending humanitarian aid all over the world. Many people feel our government has OVEREXTENDED itself, in this regard on the taxpayers dime, (I am one of them) and won't support more such measures.

This is NOT a cornerstone of any of Romney's policy proposals, and hardly disqualifies him from the presidency. Too many conservatives are far too quick to point the finger and pile on.

[pissant]

Holy Shiite. He’s as wet behind the ears as B. Hussein Obama

[Captain Kirk]

It was only politically stupid. I suspect, however, that the statement reflected Romeny’s core values (assuming his any) of support for a international and domestic welfare/warfare state. This is the man, after all, who gave us Hillary....er......Mitt care.

[curiosity]

To cite the deeds of thugs as emblematic gestures the United States should follow is simply ludicrous.

Sometimes thugs do things effecitvely, and there's nothing wrong with emulating their strategies if they can be used for good instead of evil.

Hitler made the trains run on time. Does that mean making trains run on time is a bad idea?

Hezbollah won the hearts and minds of the people of South Lebanon by providing basic services that they otherwise couldn't get. There's nothing wrong with emulating that strategy.