Romney Bashes Obama Speechmaking As Trip Begins

WASHINGTON — Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Wednesday accused President Barack Obama of failing to sufficiently highlight America's strengths in his travels and speeches around the world.

In an interview as Obama was flying to Saudi Arabia at the start of a Mideast trip, Romney said there's nothing wrong with "showing our respect for the people in the world of Islam." But he also said he believes Obama was too apologetic about this country's mistakes during a speech in France earlier this year.

Interviewed from Boston on NBC's "Today" show as Obama set out on a tour that will include a speech in Egypt on U.S. relations with the Islamic world, Romney said that "of course, America makes mistakes." But he also said considers it inappropriate to "go around the world apologizing."

Romney, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination last year, said Obama should talk more about the sacrifices the United States has made on other nations' behalf, such as during World War II, "what we have done in blood and sacrifice."

"I think it's appropriate for him to describe the greatness of America," Romney said of Obama.

On another matter, he said moving General Motors Corp. into a bankruptcy and restructuring was "the right course," but said it should have been done sooner.

He called the federal investment in GM "really money down the drain. .... The government should get out right now."

"Look, I don't want the Sierra Club telling General Motors what kind of cars they should build," Romney said.

Asked if he was already, in effect, running for the GOP presidential nod in 2012, Romney replied, "No, I'm looking right now at trying to get some Republicans getting elected in 2009 and 2010."

"And what happens later, ... that's a very distant horizon."

Comments

[KenHussein]

sore loser

[Beachchick]

Mr. Romney could never deliver a speech like the President because it's not in his soul. Romney is disingenuous and President Obama is authentic. What Obama has is rare and can't be mimicked. Romney and company know it.

[theclosetconservative2]

Then why do liberals get apoplectic everytime he's critical of your dear leader? If it's disingenuous, won't the majority of people realize it? http://theclosetconservative.com

[Travis Oz]

Keep on ranting Mittens....aren't you tied in the polls with Palin?...that's about the right place

[Smaiyna]

This guy was so desperate to be McCain's VP, he was doing so much ass kissing, it was just sickening.

[rsprags]

Romney is such a bore and ignorant concerning foreign affair! Romney does not understand where in the world President Obama. Romney should zip it!

[MyGuyO]

So now, Mr. Romney is in the running once again.
Mr. Romney can't hold a candle to our President Obama.

[theclosetconservative2]

Candles will be forbidden in the future once our kommisar institutes the carbon tax. http://theclosetconservative.com

[coliwabl]

This Romney feller is nothing but a joke. He says nothing meaningful but is quick to criticize.

[tel8034]

Does the magic underwear the Romney wears also give him clairvoyant powers?

How can he criticize what President Obama says BEFORE President Obama even speaks?

I'm beginning to think that the loss of the election has caused republicans to literally lose their sanity.

[IsyFleur]

I fully agree: the Republicans have gone quite bizerk. All that's left of them is a bunch of pudgy ageing white guys convinced that gays and non-whites are out to get them. Talk of projecting!

[w8aminute]

The only thing I expect from Mitt is to attack our President and lie to Americans to get votes...remember how he was going to 'save' detroit' when he won the MI primary? Where was he during this entire bankruptcy brouhaha? Trying to get a mansion or two ready to sell after he saw the fallout McCain got for having too many houses?

[KillBillV2]

Magic Undiepants, didn't stop and think that "Hmm maybe I should avoid b ashing our President overseas on the same day O sama B in L aden bashes our President"

[just4shiggles]

It's funny to read that Mitt said the bankruptcy of GM "should have happened sooner" on the very same day that I read that Cheney said that he and Bush decided to leave that little problem for President Obama, like everything else. Cheney claimed that they knew that GM was going down, yet did nothing to help prevent it. What great leaders they were.

[bluejoewho]

poor mit doesn't have a clue.

[BikeFreak]

It's kinda sad to see how he thinks people care for his opinion.

[kassandranobody]

If he is so good at giving speeches- how come he isn't president?

[AFAN]

Why did he flip-flop during the primaries?

[w8aminute]

Saving Detroit during the eve of the MI primary!

[ljmck]

I know it's quaint, but isn't there a tradition of not criticizing the president when he's overseas?