Mitt Romney in The Wall Street Journal

On War & Peace: No daylight between the United States and Israel

The president began his term with the explicit policy of creating "daylight" between our two countries. He recently downgraded Israel from being our "closest ally" in the Middle East to being only "one of our closest allies." It's a diplomatic message that will be received clearly by Israel and its adversaries alike. He dismissed Israel's concerns about Iran as mere "noise" that he prefers to "block out." And at a time when Israel needs America to stand with it, he declined to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. [We should have] no daylight between the United States and Israel. Source: Romney's editorial in the Wall Street Journal Sep 30, 2012

On Foreign Policy: Support Arab Spring gov't & individuals who share our values

The Arab Spring presented an opportunity to help move millions of people from oppression to freedom. But it also presented grave risks. We needed a strategy for success, but the president offered none.

In this period of uncertainty, we need to apply a coherent strategy of supporting our partners in the Middle East--that is, both governments and individuals who share our values.

This means restoring our credibility with Iran. When we say an Iranian nuclear-weapons capability--and the regional instability that comes with it--is unacceptable, the ayatollahs must be made to believe us. And it means using the full spectrum of our soft power to encourage liberty and opportunity for those who have for too long known only corruption and oppression. The dignity of work and the ability to steer the course of their lives are the best alternatives to extremism.

Source: Romney's editorial in the Wall Street Journal Sep 30, 2012

On War & Peace: Not conquest, but promoting human rights & free markets

Addressing [Mideast] threats will require a new strategy. The first step is to understand how we got here. Since World War II, America has been the leader of the Free World. We're unique in having earned that role not through conquest but through promoting human rights, free markets and the rule of law. We ally ourselves with like-minded countries, expand prosperity through trade and keep the peace by maintaining a military second to none.

But in recent years, President Obama has allowed our leadership to atrophy. Our economy is stuck in a "recovery" that barely deserves the name. Our national debt has risen to record levels. Our military, tested by a decade of war, is facing devastating cuts thanks to the budgetary games played by the White House. Finally, our values have been misapplied--and misunderstood--by a president who thinks that weakness will win favor with our adversaries.

Source: Romney's editorial in the Wall Street Journal Sep 30, 2012

The above quotations are from Columns and news articles on NY politics in The Wall Street Journal. Click here for other excerpts from Columns and news articles on NY politics in The Wall Street Journal. Click here for other excerpts by Mitt Romney. Click here for a profile of Mitt Romney.
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