Politics

Romney Offers Assurances to Military Families and Slams Obama for Failing to Communicate the Mission to Troops in Afghanistan

Posted on March 4, 2012 at 5:08pm by Christopher Santarelli
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Romney Slams Obama for Failing to Communicate the Mission to Troops in Afghanistan

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney answered tough questions on veterans’ benefits and the future of U.S. troops in Afghanistan Saturday, castigating President Barack Obama for failing to effectively communicate to the troops and Americans at home why we’re still there.

The former Massachusetts governor told a woman at a rally in Dayton that the president has failed in supporting her daughter, who is serving in the 82nd Airborne Division at Bagram Airbase and is confused why she is still there, according to her mother.

“If your daughter is not familiar with the mission that she’s on, how in the world can the commander in chief sleep at night, knowing that we have soldiers in harm’s way that don’t know exactly, precisely, what it is that they’re doing there?” The National Journal reports Romney said. Romney told the crowd that he found the president’s failure to make the mission clear, one of the “most disturbing and hard to explain” elements of Obama’s tenure, according to The National Journal.

Romney said Saturday that he understood the troops’ purpose in Afghanistan is to hep Afghani foces achieve sovereignty and security, but pointed out that “we will not be able to hand on a silver platter their freedom. They will have to fight for that, earn it, keep the Taliban from taking it away from them. But we’ve given them that opportunity. We need to finish the job of passing it off to them, and bring our troops home as soon as humanly possible.”

During an appearance with Mike Huckabee on Fox New Saturday night, Romney answered questions on how he would serve soldiers when they come home. The former Massachusetts governor assured panelist Michael O’Machearley, who lost his son in Iraq in 2003, that he would reduce federal spending as president but would not cut back on the military budget.

“I do not want to see us reduce our number of ships or aircraft, or our number of active duty personnel. And I certainly do not want to see us reduce our commitment to caring for those who need our care,” Romney said. Romney thanked O’Machearley for his son’s sacrifice and said for those who come back wounded, “we have an obligation to repair their lives and allow them to have a bright and prosperous tomorrow.”

In another emotional exchange at the Huckabee forum, David McArthur asked the former Massachusetts governor to look him in the eye and promise that if president, Romney would take care of veterans like his son, a veteran who suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

“I want you to know how much I appreciate your son’s sacrifice for our country, and I appreciate your sacrifice, your family’s sacrifice for our country,” Romney said. “To those who put everything on the line, we owe everything they need. And I can tell you if I’m president of the United States, I’ll not be raising co-pays on soldiers that are wounded, on men and women who serve this country. And I will do everything in my power to help your son and the men and boys and women and girls like him.”

The National Journal notes that Romney has criticized Obama for announcing a withdrawal schedule and for the pace of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. An Obama campaign spokeswoman responded to Romney’s criticisms Saturday, telling the The National Journal that Romney “has failed to outline any plan at all for what he would do in Afghanistan and has even made clear that he would leave our troops there indefinitely.”

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Comments (52)

dmerwin
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:40am
To all of you folks that are for ONLY Paul, or Gingrich or Santorum or Romney. WAKE UP and smell the frickin’ coffee. Your stance would re-elect Obama. Is that what you want? I can‘t have my guy so I’m letting the other team win. To teach WHO a lesson? You hurt yourselves as well. Since I see the good doctor concedes he has a “slim chance” that leaves 3, BUT the supporters of the good doctor are rabid fanatics (my words) whose posts on this site indicate that for the most part they see the issue as Paul or Obama. In my view they are not really conservatives in the true sense in that they would allow a re-election as a display of their support for Paul. At the end of the day really very few conservative Americans can support Paul’s foreign policy, which appears to me to be “wait for the bad guys to come get us” which is really no different from Obama’s. The key is to get ANYONE in the White House who will not veto conservative legislation and judges and obtain ABSOLUTE control of the House and Senate. That is where budgets and bills are made. ABO, ABO, ABO.
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- dmerwin
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:45am
  PS I really “love” the self identified Christians who cannot support a Mormon. Read the bible. You would think that he was satan himself the way some of you foam at the mouth.
  Report Post »
- AhLeahIris
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 12:38pm
  That’s okay, Romney is a liar, and it’s proven: http://www.markamerica.com/2012/03/04/after-hammering-gingrich-santorum-over-earmarks-romney-is-exposed/
  Report Post »
- Machtyn
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 2:50pm
  @Ahlearis: It’s all about context. As Governor, it was Romney’s responsibility to bring money BACK to MA from the Federal Government. Instead, Romney is going to do away with earmarks, send the programs back to the State level, and, as a result, reduce the Federal Tax rates. Not at all a lying position.
  
  But keep trying to bring Romney down while Obama dances through all of our Rights and Liberties, smashing them to bits.
  Report Post »
- Arbroath7
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:16pm
  @AhLeahIris said, “That’s okay, Romney is a liar, and it’s proven: …” So does this mean you’re voting for Obama if Romney gets the nomination?
  Report Post »
- MS-GlenNBC
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:21pm
  Someone needs to get this boy a Necktie! He looks just like Obama.
  Report Post »
cemerius
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 9:01am
I voted for Santorum here in the Florida primary but, Romney won Florida. I made vote with a clean conscience and will do the same whoever wins the nomination will have my vote now! We have Three Great Republican candidates and 1 Libertarian…ALL of them are BETTER than the marxist/socialist in the White House now!!!
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- JRook
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:18am
  As if there is any question that Romney is not a puppet of the military industrial complex or the financiers, probably Bain Capital for one, making money off of the new found enemies. Let’s get to Iran before the orders for cruise missiles and planes decrease.
  Report Post »
Simonne
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 6:01am
Romney was great on the Huckabee forum with the father whose son served in Iraq & has a brain injury. It was very touching.
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- dmerwin
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:42am
  I thought they were all good. I agree though that for the first time Romney appeared to be a regular guy that deeply cares about the country and the people in it. I would really like to see Gingrich as the White House press secretary, slapping the media around on a daily basis.
  Report Post »
- Machtyn
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 2:53pm
  You know, DMerwin… I think I might actually accept Gingrich in that role. I don‘t know if I’d want him in many other places, though.
  
  Romney was a Bishop and Stake President. As such, he has had to deal with many heartbreaking situations and he knows how to comfort and assist people. He also knows how to get things done.
  Report Post »
Iamamom
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 1:16am
I am so impressed with Romney. The more I get to hear him speak the more I know what a great president he will be. I was touched by the clips shown in this article and even more so by the genuine care Romney showed.
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- MS-GlenNBC
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 4:54pm
  Well then
  
  I’m guessing this will really make you feel great, might even send a thrill up your leg.
  
  “I am big believer in getting money where the money is,” Romney says on the video, “The money is in Washington.”
  
  http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/03/exclusive-in-02-romney-touted-d-c-connections-federal-funds/
  Report Post »
- MS-GlenNBC
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 4:56pm
  The More I listen to Romney……….
  
  The more I hear he spent his life in the private sector and saved the olympics….
  
  After hearing that over and over I have concluded……… Romney spent his life in the private sector and he saved the olympics….
  
  “She said, ‘Why don’t I get the Department of Education to buy tickets to the Paralympics so that high school and grade school kids can go to the Paralympics?’ She literally got, I believe the number was over $1 million from the Department of Education, funding to buy tickets for kids,” Romney said. “This way we got kids there and we also got additional revenues that we wouldn’t have had. That kind of creativity I want to bring to everything we do.”
  Report Post »
- MS-GlenNBC
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 6:04pm
  Yet nothing impresses me like this……..
  
  ” A little History, I, I, I was born and raised here, I love this state, it seems right here the trees are the right.. height…. uh I like uh… I like seeing the uh…. I like seeing the lakes, I love the lakes, there’s something very special here… The Great Lakes but also all the little inland lakes, that, that dot the uh uh the parts of Michigan uh… I love Cars I don’t know I mean I grew up i i u… totally in love with Cars I it it used to be in the 50‘s and 60’s if you showed me one square foot of all most any part of a car, I could tell you what brand it was the model and so forth, now now with all the Japanese Cars I’m not quite so good at it but I still know the American cars pretty well and uh Drive a Mustang uh Iife I Love Cars, I love American Cars and long may they Rule the world I want to do well…….. ”
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHaMqHh5NZ4
  Report Post »
Got2bRoni
Posted on March 5, 2012 at 12:39am
People need to take a step back and see the big picture. It seems like half of the responses here are from Obamas camp. They fear Romney. Here is our only hope. Romney 2012!!! I will make my vote count. When Romney wins the nomination and if u choose to stay home or not vote for because you feel he is not “Christian” enough or “conservative” enough you will get Obama and our country will derail and CAN KISS AMERICA GOODBYE! please see through all the bs from obamas plants. This will be deleted anyways. The blaze is pro Santorum…
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- Gonzo
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 7:26am
  “Help us Mittsey Wan Kenobi, you’re our only hope!”
  Report Post »
- MS-GlenNBC
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 4:59pm
  Gonzooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo…………
  
  Please, don’t drink any of he Kool-Aid….. I think it was mixed by Romney’s Camp.
  
  We need to clear headed…..
  Report Post »
- MS-GlenNBC
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 5:03pm
  We need you Clear Headed…… I meant to type.
  Report Post »
altannt
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 7:54pm
Come on people the only one that can beat obuma is Romney isn’t that the real plan here? Rick? no way Newt? no way Ron? no way. Obuma must go that’s the real deal. Don’t waste votes this time.
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- justangry
  Posted on March 4, 2012 at 8:14pm
  It might be your plan. Mine is to return to the Constitution. Mitt basically said he wouldn’t do that when he answered a question regarding the NDAA. I really don’t need to hear anything else. I don‘t think you’re going to get the Libertarian base of the republican party to go for anyone who won’t restore our Bill of Rights, tackle the Federal Reserve, and seemingly cares little about undelcared wars. The GOP‘s platform is flawed and can’t beat Obama.
  Report Post »
- kfalcon22000
  Posted on March 4, 2012 at 8:20pm
  It just goes to show, I think that the majority of the Romney supporters are really ‘anybody but Obama’ people. I don’t think that more than 10% actually support Romney. The man has no answers for anything. When I here him, or others speaking for him, it sounds like Jimmy Carter when he was campaigning in ‘76.
  Report Post »
- biblestudyspacecom
  Posted on March 4, 2012 at 8:20pm
  Christians Who Support & vote for Romney Violate the Bible and Scripture 30 to 40 Million Christians will never vote for Romney. Good luck
  Report Post »
- JJ Coolay
  Posted on March 4, 2012 at 8:26pm
  Bible study… I’m glad you became the judge. ?????????
  
  I’m a Christian and I WILL be voting for Romney.
  Report Post »
- Machtyn
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:01pm
  @KFalcon: Actually, I‘d put the number of Romney’s base supporters – the ones that support him not just because he can beat Obama, but that truly believe that he is best able to actually DO something to fix Washington at around 23% (+-2). How do I come to that number? That was supposedly his ceiling of support throughout the fall campaign season in 2011. That ceiling has become a basement, not just the floor.
  
  Romney has a proven record of fixing broken companies, entities and states. Not just anybody could turn the Olympics around – what he did there was amazing. Not just anybody could move liberalism in MA using a Conservative agenda the way Mitt did in MA – what he did there was astounding.
  Report Post »
mjs_pa
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 7:44pm
2009: Romney begs Obama: Embrace the Individual Mandate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsX0JB6jsBg

Romney: “I am big believer in getting money where the money is. The money is in Washington.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgYLBk_0t6w
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TRILO
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 7:37pm
There never has been a clear mission in Afghanistan or Iraq for that matter other than some philosophical notion that Democratic nations do not fight each other. Well we have forced “democracy” down the throats of the Afghanistan and Iraqi people and what has that gotten us – other than too many dead and injured soldiers? Nothing. Our country is not even safer. It is nothing more than an illusion promoted to the sheeple that believe everything that comes from the government propaganda machine.

We won the battle in Iraq but lost the nation building mission. We have not won the battle nor the nation building mission in Afghanistan. The Taliban and Al Qaeda are still in charge over a vast area of the country, not to mention a corrupt leader President Karzai who said he would support Pakistan against US aggression. Add to those failures, Afghanistan is still the leading producer of poppies for that lovely drug called heroin. Which is now becoming a issue in my community with teens. So much for the War on Drugs – another “war” failure.

Don’t be fooled sheeple, Romney will not change a d@mn thing. He is for the status quo and for more wars in the middle east. Democracy forced upon a people at the end of a gun barrel never works. The people must want it and fight for it.

The majority of sheeple in this country have absolutely lost their ability to think critically. Thank you public school system for producing a bunch of marshmallow heads for citizens.
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- soybomb315
  Posted on March 4, 2012 at 8:11pm
  bingo. i find it ironic that we are halfway around the world trying to spread ‘freedom’ in an islamic country. Our government here at home has no idea what freedom really means…
  
  As the article says, romney has critizied obama on both sides of the issue. We cant have it both ways. As ron paul says, ‘bring em home’
  Report Post »
biblestudyspacecom
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 7:26pm
Christians Who Support and Vote for Romney, Violate the Bible and Scripture http://pastors4huckabeeblog.com/the-biblical-case-against-voting-for-a-mormon-for-president-why-christians-who-support-romney-actualy-violate-scripture/
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- Jstake
  Posted on March 4, 2012 at 11:24pm
  Wow biblestudy, you sound threatened by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You know, they don’t have a paid ministry. Which means the more converts they have the less money you make. That’s why you preach against them. But they don’t teach there congregations about you. They only teach about Jesus Christ. They are the most Christ-like religion that practices what they preach that I have ever seen, and all you want to do is go on web sites and tear down their faith. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
  Report Post »
- justin.blake
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 12:15pm
  BibleStudy – you and all of the Evangelical PseudoChristians like you are quickly showing the rest of the world just how bigoted you really are. To not vote for Romney just because you have theological differences is just plain foolish. Compared to Islam or Judaism, Evangelical Christianity and Mormon Christianity (albeit non-orthodox) are like fraternal twins. Furthermore, your link to ‘Pastors for Huckabee’ and the included article was quite the read. I was very interested in the argument put forth, as it was about the biggest logical fallacy in the world. The irrelevant conclusion springing from the argument of false propriety is stunning. Lets break it down:
  First – The Evangelical movement makes the assumption that their Exegesis of Biblical text is the only correct one. (the first fallacy). Then, based on their Exegesis, they (Evangelical Pastors) conclude that Mormon theology is not only, wrong, but compare it to the Anti-Christ. (second and third fallacies, those of false conclusion and appeal to fear). Next, they posit that no God fearing Evangelical should even let a Mormon in their home, let alone speak to them or be kind to them, using Biblical text to back up their argument.(again appealing to fear and authority). Lastly, they conclude that since a Mormon is so evil, you should of course, not vote for one, assuming that were they to get into power, they would usher in some kind of reign of terror.
  Sure sounds ‘Christian’ doesn’t it?
  Report Post »
- Machtyn
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 2:57pm
  Hmm, somehow Evangelicals for Mitt disagree with you. And, instead of a Biblical study of how wrong another Christian faith is when electing a President of a country, how about you go to that country’s Constitution which states that no religious test will be made against that candidate.
  
  And here’s a biblical quote for you: “Oh ye hypocrites!”
  Report Post »
- justin.blake
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 6:28pm
  Machtyn – I am sorry if I gave the impression that ALL Evangelical Christians ride in the same boat – I never knew that site existed! So to all of the Evangelical Christians out there that have a grain of sense, I apologize! To the others, see my post above.
  Report Post »
AJAYW
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 7:06pm
Obama is not a leader he can’t effectively communicate a plan to the troops, He has to find a way to say he did this and that its all about him.
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kfalcon22000
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 6:56pm
When I watched Romney on Huckabee last night, he didn’t have any solutions for anything. He just double talked all the questions. The reason I like Newt is because he lays out the foundation, tells what to do, how it will effect things, list all the research, etc.
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- audiemurphy
  Posted on March 4, 2012 at 7:45pm
  Christians like u don’t understand scripture and should remove the beam from thine own eye
  first …… for what judgement ye judge ye shall also be judged with at the last day.
  Report Post »
- audiemurphy
  Posted on March 4, 2012 at 7:51pm
  @ kfalcon
  you said”
  When I watched Romney on Huckabee last night, he didn’t have any solutions for anything. He just double talked all the questions. The reason I like Newt is because he lays out the foundation, tells what to do, how it will effect things, list all the research, etc.
  
  Hey did you watch the segment ! He was in a question / answer format and had no clue what the question would be. He answered ! Hardly pandering to the Vets answering a question and stating he has always supported the military vets.
  Too many MSNBC like comments from Blaze peeps when it comes to candidates.
  Perhaps preview your post before you put it up and make a bozo of yourself .
  Report Post »
justangry
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 6:49pm
Pfft! I don’t believe him one bit. The government CAN‘T fix it or these people’s lives. The VA is the worst group of doctors and nurses I’ve ever seen. If you want to see what government health care looks like, head to your nearest VA clinic on a Monday morning at opening. Look at the suffering from our nation’s best and the apathy of the incompetent staff that simply tune it out. If you want to help these people, Mitt, make sure you send them in ONLY to protect OUR freedom.
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- Machtyn
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 3:26pm
  You are right, the VA is a failing program. It is also a government program. Who better to fix it than Romney, who has experience in fixing broken programs? It is impossible for a private entity to fix a government program without getting the government to agree – Romney can be that person to send the VA back into private business.
  
  However, the we as a People should afford our veterans every Right and Liberty they protect us and our friends from. We are that shining example on the hill for the world. If we fail, if our world representatives fail, the world may descend into a dark, dark place.
  Report Post »
MS-GlenNBC
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 6:46pm
I do believe Romney….

If Romney will get Tax Money to send Kids to the Olympics, I’m sure he will get tax money to give to the Military and anyone else…….

After all…….. “I am big believer in getting money where the money is,” Romney says on the video, “The money is in Washington.”

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/03/exclusive-in-02-romney-touted-d-c-connections-federal-funds/
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MS-GlenNBC
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 6:44pm
Wow Blaze….

Quick to get that Pro Romney Story out and bump the Gingrich story down the list…..

…… You are definitely for Santorum and not for Romney>>>>>>>>>>>>>

K e e p ~ y o u r ~ h a n d s ~ o f f ~ m y ~ R o m n e y C a r e~

“I am big believer in getting money where the money is,” Romney says on the video, “The money is in Washington.”

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/03/exclusive-in-02-romney-touted-d-c-connections-federal-funds/
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cyclops
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 6:35pm
A must, a must, we owe it to them, so ANYONE BUT BO……….
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martinez012577
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 6:24pm
So Ron Paul says troops have no idea what they are still doing in Afghanistan and to bring them home and he is crazy. Romney says it and it isnt crazy?
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- justangry
  Posted on March 4, 2012 at 7:03pm
  Romney’s just pandering to the veterans and I HATE that.
  Report Post »
- soybomb315
  Posted on March 4, 2012 at 8:21pm
  martinez
  it is maddening. i also remember in the 2008 debates when ron paul was saying iraq was a mistake (of course they all called him crazy). now it is readily accepted that iraq was a mistake
  
  the truthtellers never get credit
  Report Post »
Common.Cents
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 6:21pm
It is better to say they will be there indefinitely than to give our enemies our withdrawal plans. Plus, Romney did not say that.
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suzpenn
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 6:11pm
It’s hilarious that an Obama spokeswoman criticizes Romney over foreign policy. Obama cuts our military’s pay and then their health care benefits, while embolding our enemies by announcing our with-draw dates. And Romney never said we would be there indefinitely. Look at the ROE’s our troops are fighting under, is there any wonder why things are screwed up? These same critics were silent when the NY Times leaked info that we were tracking OBL via his cell phone. Imagine if we’d taken him out years earlier? Imagine if our troops were actually allowed to fight to win?
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- 13th Generation American
  Posted on March 4, 2012 at 7:43pm
  President Obama did not cut Military Pay or their benefits, I detest liars.
  Report Post »
- 2theADDLED
  Posted on March 4, 2012 at 8:17pm
  @ 13th Generation American
  Are you in the VA system I am seeing all kinds of cuts. I have been denied surgery 3 times now and Copays have increased drastically also cuts in Homecare. If you don’t think Obamacare is going to increase cost you are mistaken.
  Another thing Soldiers are expendable to Obama he has no interst in the U.S. Military and he said so he wants a private army of his own bigger and stronger and better equipped than the U.S. Military.
  Report Post »
audiemurphy
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 6:11pm
If after seeing Romneys response and his sincerity you gotta think this guy is going to take care of business and be compassionate at the same time! Remarkable response! Not the robot he usually comes off as.
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- Gonzo
  Posted on March 5, 2012 at 8:01am
  Thurston Howell III 2012! He’s going to need a more “man of the people” style running mate though…Are any of the Rockefellers still Republican?
  Report Post »
AquaBuddha
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 6:03pm
We can just dream the dream when Obama is gone!
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