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‘Unacceptable’: Romney Hits Obama for ‘Skipping’ Visit to Israel, Failure to Contain Iran & Perceived American ‘Weakness’

Oct. 22, 2012 10:38pm Billy Hallowell

The back-and-forth over Russia wasn’t the only noteworthy moment during tonight’s final presidential debate. When it came to Israel, President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney also clashed over the federal government’s relationship with the Middle Eastern nation.

It’s no secret that throughout Obama’s presidency, some have questioned the level of devotion that administration has had to Israel. Despite the president’s call for a return to 1967 borders and purportedly lukewarm support, Obama has consistently claimed that he is, indeed, devoted to the Israeli cause.

During tonight’s debate, Romney tackled these subjects, alleging that the president’s handling of international relations has caused Iran to see the U.S. as weak. This, the candidate declared, has hampered efforts to prevent Iran from securing nuclear capabilities.

Romney Hits Obama on Israel: You Skipped Israel, Our Closest Friend in the Region

President Barack Obama greets Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney at the end of the third and final presidential debate at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, October 22, 2012. The showdown focusing on foreign policy is being held in the crucial toss-up state of Florida just 15 days before the election and promises to be among the most watched 90 minutes of the entire 2012 campaign. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

“I think they saw weakness,” Romney said of Iran’s view of America over the past four years, calling Obama’s handling of international scenarios “unacceptable.”

Romney also noted that Obama has not visited Israel as president, while also decrying his so-called “apology tour.” “You skipped Israel, our closest friend in the region,” the Republican candidate said, calling out the fact that Obama didn’t make a stop in America’s closest Middle Eastern ally when he toured the region at the beginning of his presidency.

Then, when Bob Schieffer of CBS News asked the president if America will defend Israel if they are attacked, he doubled-down in an effort to rebut Romney’s claims.

“I will stand with Israel if they are attacked,” Obama said, going on to speak out against Romney’s allegations.

Watch this portion of the debate, below:

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Comments (31)

Tomswitts21
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:37am
I know that Romney has won this huge battle against leftist communistic Marxists, but the war is not over, just as Diego said, I know that they will not give up is true…prayer needs to happen for a revival of a close to torn country to rise with a true leader regardless of his religion. Romney is only a man just as we all are but his morals and integrity shine through and we need to pray for this battle to the end. He needs us Americans, and we need a true leader like him!!! Jesus will take care of these pigs who would try to steal our freedom and patriotism.

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crusaderx9
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:04am
Romney was the adult at the table, again.

obama was like a foolish child sitting at the table as a spoiler and NOT as leader of the free world – a role he will never be able to fill.

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voting-for-romney
Posted on October 22, 2012 at 11:57pm
Do you find it “creepy” that your excuse to not visit the state of Israel during the “apology tour” was you were there as a tourist in 2008? Is that going to be his excuse for avoiding Israel for the next four years? Yup, I visited a museum, and I stood where Hezballah rockets fell, whew, man this job is harder than I thought, next question please?

Maybe the world “apology tour” is being too politically correct, why not just call it the world ignore Israel tour? Don’t worry, we can ask Tom Hanks his brilliant grey subject matter on that question? Why do people go to the David Letterman’s show whose writers seem to have some weird obsession about laughing at millions of Americans who support candidates about serious issues, and not a show about making life more pleasant to think about?

Life is just a bowl of virgins (not a bowl of cherries?) with free birth control that get thrown from the top of really high walls, in Iran? When was the last time “politically correct” Tom Hanks told young men in America, without fear of his economic future, to keep your pants zipped up and think about marriage instead of supporting a political party that thinks the only politics women care about, is the right to kill babies?

Where are the stories in the press, that discuss since they have begun having access to morning after pills and really don’t have that many abortions anymore anyway?

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Diego Roswell
Posted on October 22, 2012 at 11:56pm
I fear that regardless of Romney’s good showing in the debates, clear message and surging poll numbers, the commies in this administration will not give up. I expect something awful to occur between now and election that will either discredit Romney or further divide the country. I pray that the American people are sensible and sane enough to get rid of the malicious fraud holding the title of POTUS.

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Vessel of Truth
Posted on October 22, 2012 at 11:49pm
“I will stand with Israel if they are attacked.” – Barack Obama

IF they are attacked?

True friends stand unconditionally with each other at all times.

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DOra Glasberg
Posted on October 22, 2012 at 11:12pm
Obama CREAMED Romney on the Israel visit thing = “I didn’t bring big donors and do a fundraiser
when I DID visit Israel. I visited the Holocaust Museum.”
Priceless.

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- spfoam1
  Posted on October 22, 2012 at 11:50pm
  That was BEFORE he was president, but I don’t really expect you to pay attention to a detail like that. As president he suggested Israel go back to the 1967 borders as though he were a spokeman for hezbollah.
  
  Report this comment
- antann
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:00am
  Right, Obama focused on the dead past instead of meeting a living leader with real problems. Not too Presidential. By the way I am speaking as a woman married to a Jewish man. We honor those who died at the hands of Hilter, but we also know Obama was a huge donor to the Palestinian cause.
  
  “Palestinian activist and Islamist Ali Abunimah, who was a close friend of Obama’s, attended an Arab fundraiser at which the late Edward Said — plagiarist, fabricator, and prominent PLO/Arafat advisor–was the keynote speaker, and at which the Obamas were notably in attendance.
  
  …Pictures on Abunimah’s site, show Obama and wife, Michelle, sitting next to Said and engaging in conversation. Abunimah, in a must-read article, says the Senator has since “changed” his proclaimed views from those he expressed privately, in order to get Jewish donors and votes.”
  
  Report this comment
- DOra Glasberg
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:21am
  SO what your point.
  
  Report this comment
- Wango
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:30am
  SPH123 . . . Bush didn’t go to Israel until his 7th year in office. Just thought you should know.
  
  Report this comment
- DOra Glasberg
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:26am
  Sarah Palin went to ISrael,
  They sent her back.
  
  Report this comment
- Individualism
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 8:12am
  passage of NDAA is a dishonor to those who died because it enables that to happen again.
  
  Report this comment
- Lowgo1981
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:55am
  Dora, Dora, Dora…the man still has not visited as an American President. Shameful. God blesses those who bless his chosen people.
  
  Report this comment
Advection
Posted on October 22, 2012 at 11:05pm
Obama came across as anxious and rude.

The first hour was a boring tie. The last half hour was a Romney win.

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iceblast
Posted on October 22, 2012 at 11:02pm
George Bush visited Israel in his last Term of Office.

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70S_KIDS_FIGHTING_SOCIALISM
Posted on October 22, 2012 at 11:02pm
Now that Romney has one this debate as it will be declared tomorrow we can sit back and watch the communist libs fight amongst themselves. Sit back and enjoy the carnage some will just fall on their sword.
Commies never win and never learn. Its a beautiful day for freedom loving Americans just make sure you go out and vote.
TEA PARTY UNTOUCHABLES!!!!!!!!!

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iceblast
Posted on October 22, 2012 at 11:00pm
Bush visited Israel during his last term in office.

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SirhanSirhan
Posted on October 22, 2012 at 10:52pm
George Bush never visited Israel the entire time he was in office.

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- Advection
  Posted on October 22, 2012 at 11:02pm
  That’s a lie.
  
  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/dec/20/usa.israelandthepalestinians
  
  Report this comment
- Advection
  Posted on October 22, 2012 at 11:03pm
  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/dec/20/usa.israelandthepalestinians
  
  Report this comment
- SirhanSirhan
  Posted on October 22, 2012 at 11:29pm
  @ ADVECTION- I stand corrected, George Bush went as a lame-duck president. Ronald Reagan never visited Israel the entire time he was in office.
  
  Report this comment
Prosecute_Constitutional_Treason_In_Washington
Posted on October 22, 2012 at 10:50pm
God will take care of Israel if America turns it’s back on them. Israel has been chosen by God to occupy their lands. Anyone who messes with Israel will possibly face God’s wrath.

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- DOra Glasberg
  Posted on October 22, 2012 at 11:12pm
  Tell it to Iran.
  
  Report this comment
- Tomswitts21
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:59am
  Iran knows, their eyes are so blinded to their eventual inevitable desilation provided by the truth in Gods word!!!
  
  Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
  
  I had the beautiful opportunity of going to Israel for 2 weeks through Focus on the family while we were there I visited every holy place spoken of in the bible. Now we had a tour guide whos name I will not mention because he is a special forces veteran of Israel told us a story of the 1967 war with Syria. If you know the geology of the land you know of bunker hill a bunker high up overlooking Syria on one side and Israel on the other. Well during this war Syria had control of bunker hill assuming the upper hand. Little did thierry military know Israel had a double agent stationed as a captain for Syria at bunker hill. This man woke up one morning with a revelation given by G-d…with this revelation he went to his first commanding officer and said the men are suffering heat exhaustion and becoming burnt I have a great idea lets transplant full grown trees over each bunker. The idea came into reality and this double agent sent word that each tree was positioning a bunker and Boom!!!!!!! Bunker hill was taken back instantly.
  
  Let’s just say Isreal has the greatest most wise of allies and I am scared to think what may become of us if we turn our backs on them.
  
  Report this comment
Moondawg102
Posted on October 22, 2012 at 10:49pm
Obama only cares about himself. He is too out of touch with what is happening in the Middle East that it is one more reason to get him out of office.

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Prosecute_Constitutional_Treason_In_Washington
Posted on October 22, 2012 at 10:48pm
Debates don’t change who a President is. We have a marxist, liberal, anti Biblical God, anti Israel, pro UN, pro war, pro big gov., pro devalue the dollar, pro abortion president who wants to take our freedoms and limit our future of hope. The choice is clear. If we want real change we put Obummer on trial for treason and elect liberal Romney. Sorry Ron Paul the American people are to dumb to vote for a better life.

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- blackyb
  Posted on October 22, 2012 at 10:51pm
  I agree with your treason part, etc., but you have made me feel irked with Ron Paul. How can you want someone who wants to legalize dope?
  
  Report this comment
- resme
  Posted on October 22, 2012 at 10:58pm
  “How can you want someone who wants to legalize dope?”
  
  How can you want someone who wants to keep the NDAA?
  
  Report this comment
- Prosecute_Constitutional_Treason_In_Washington
  Posted on October 22, 2012 at 11:08pm
  RESME makes a great point. No one will agree with every position a candidate has. Dope is an important issue but small in comparison to issues of economy, war, pro life, and balance budget.
  Most people are not in favor of legalizing dope but this is not the big picture. The NDAA as pointed out is far far far more important to our freedoms and rights as citizens.
  
  Report this comment
- resme
  Posted on October 22, 2012 at 11:19pm
  “Most people are not in favor of legalizing dope but this is not the big picture. ”
  
  It really should be left up to the states. We needed a constitutional amendment to ban Alcohol. The NDAA is far more important to me as a citizen than “Pot”.
  
  Report this comment
- thelaststandonearth
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 1:03am
  First step is the get O out of office.
  Second step is to vote in Romney
  Third hold his feet to the fire and nudge the people back to what we’ve been nudged to over the last 100 years.
  Fourth, keep putting people in that have true constitutional values, now that we are all awake.
  
  Ron Paul is too right wing since the country as a whole is too liberal for him to get voted in. He would never win. A vote for Paul or anyone like him is a vote for O.
  
  Report this comment

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