Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on July 21, 2012

By Lisa Lerer - 2012-07-21T04:00:04Z

Mitt Romneys trip to Europe and Israel next week gives the Republican presidential candidate the opportunity to establish foreign policy credentials and get a temporary respite from nagging questions about his finances.

His first stop will be England, where Romney will meet with foreign leaders, attend the London Olympic games, and hold fundraisers with American bankers, some of whom are involved in the Libor rate-fixing scandal.

Campaign advisers were divided on whether Romney should go to London, according to one involved in the discussion. Some aides argued that a visit to the Olympics, where his wifes horse is representing the U.S. in the dressage competition, could draw more attention to his personal wealth, said the adviser who requested anonymity.

Yet Romney, whod been invited by the International Olympic Committee to attend the opening games, was determined to go. He urged aides to find another location in Europe that they could add to the itinerary, the adviser said.

The result is a week-long voyage that will take Romney from the heart of the Middle East conflict in Jerusalem to the birthplace of Polish democracy in Gdansk.

Romney aides think the trip will give the former Massachusetts governor, who has little foreign policy experience, a chance to demonstrate statesmanship, showing U.S. voters that he could be an effective global player.

This trip is an opportunity for the governor to listen and learn, to visit countries that share common values, common interests and in many cases share heritage with people in the United States, said Lanhee Chen, Romneys policy director.

In an election dominated by domestic economic issues, Romney has tried to build a foreign policy contrast with President Barack Obama by striking a hawkish position. Hes named Russia as the number one geopolitical foe of the U.S. and vowed to take tougher action against a nuclear Iran.

Romney is unlikely to use that kind of rhetoric during his trip, according to aides, who say the candidate is aware that it can be considered bad form to criticize a sitting president while abroad.

Continue reading here:
Romney Aides Split on Olympics Trip Overruled by Romney

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month
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