Obama ad bashes Romney on foreign policy

USATODAY

President Obama's campaign is responding to Mitt Romney's foreign policy speech with an ad saying that Romney is unfit for global leadership.

"His actions have proven that, on every measure, Romney has already failed the commander-in-chief test," said an Obama campaign statement.

The ad criticizes Romney's "reckless, amateurish" trip in July to England, Israel and Poland; it also protests his "knee-jerk response" to violent protests in the Middle East.

"If this is how he handles the world now just think what Mitt Romney might do as president," says the Obama ad.

As Catalina Camia points out in our On Politics blog, Romney plans to "step up his criticism of President Obama's foreign policy" in a speech Monday, seeking "a contrast with his rival on Iran, Libya and Syria."

Responding to the ad, Romney spokesperson Amanda Henneberg said: "In every region of the world -- and particularly in the Middle East -- American influence has been weakened by President Obama's failed foreign policy. American security and the cause of freedom cannot afford four more years like the last four years."

The Obama counter-ad will run only in Virginia, the state where Romney will speak Monday and also a major battleground in Election 2012.

"Reckless, amateurish—that's what news media and fellow Republicans called Mitt Romney's gaffe-filled July tour of England, Israel and Poland. When our U.S. diplomats were attacked in Libya. The New York Times said Romney's knee-jerk response 'showed an extraordinary lack of presidential character.' And even Republican experts said Romney's remarks were 'the worst possible reaction to what happened.' If this is how he handles the world now just think what Mitt Romney might do as president."

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