Can someone explain Romney's speech?

[ingemann]

Well, Romney has no foreign policy experience, and no actual opinions on foreign policy, and is running against an incumbent with a highly successful track record on foreign policy.

Thus, his "platform" consists of meaningless memes he made up - "apologising for America durr" and vapid John Wayne platitudes about freedom.

As Hashemite put it: "America is a beacon of freedom. That s my foreign policy platform."

Given the damage done by the Bush 43 presidency to America's international standing, far from that of an apologst, the Obama presidency is more that of a restorationist

Trust me America's international standing is no better under Obama. In fact our foreign policy (especilly in the middle easy) Over the past 5 presidencies is ridiculous.

If Obama had done nothing different to Bush, purely being a democrat in the WH would make the ordinary people in other countries have a higher opinion of America. The republicans just aren't liked outside of America. If Bush got OBL people would look upon it cynically.

Until as late as 2000, Republicans were the prefered party to be charge of USA by foreigners. In 1992 the older Bush got more from foreign heads of states in his election campaign, in fact from 1993-1997 the British-American relationship was close to zero, thanks to Major's active support of Bush. Clinton was seen as a isolationist and a populist, of course Europe and Asia warmed up to Clinton, as he continued Bush's very active foreign policies.
So there's no inherient reason for the Republicans to be less popular among foreign states, it's fundamental a result of their own policies and rhetoric.

[politicus]

Just for us foreigners, can someone explain what Mitt Romney meant in his speech after winning the latest primaries when he said something like 'America will not apologize abroad' as its sounds a bit like 'we're going to do what we like and tough luck if you don't like it'. Not exactly what you might call diplomatic! Oh, and also, after he made this comment it sounded like what can only be described as a warehouse full of angry baboons had been released into the auditorium, screaming and grunting like they hadn't been fed for a week or two. Was this in fact the case or was it merely 'canned' baboon?

The above post captures the very essence of trolling.
You are not really asking a question for clarification at all. What you are clearly doing is going off on an extremely biased anti Romney rant, giving others the opportunity to do the same.

I agree. But the first part is actually an interesting question as to why Romney chooses this language. The whole "baboon"-thing then reveals that he isn't serious.

[TheGlobalizer]

Romney has no coherent foreign policy that I am aware of.  That is why he is falling back on platitudes.

[MalD73]

Ok, so the baboon thing is just me having a sense of humor - plus it's just not something I'm used to! Perhaps British politics would be more fun with a bit more vocal enthusiasm. But I must say this accusation of 'trolling' is a bit harsh. I happened to ask a question about Romney as I had just watched his speech on TV. I'm equally as interested in why the rest of the world seems to think Obama is so great? I hear time and time again from people I've met all over the world that Obama is the best thing to happen to America for centuries. But the world seems pretty much the same place now as it was during the Bush years and looking at the domestic problems in America, it's hard to understand where this admiration comes from. Do you think it's just the case that Obama 'isn't Bush' or is there some other explanation for this apparently undiminished admiration abroad?

[Politico]

Ok, so the baboon thing is just me having a sense of humor - plus it's just not something I'm used to! Perhaps British politics would be more fun with a bit more vocal enthusiasm. But I must say this accusation of 'trolling' is a bit harsh. I happened to ask a question about Romney as I had just watched his speech on TV. I'm equally as interested in why the rest of the world seems to think Obama is so great? I hear time and time again from people I've met all over the world that Obama is the best thing to happen to America for centuries. But the world seems pretty much the same place now as it was during the Bush years and looking at the domestic problems in America, it's hard to understand where this admiration comes from. Do you think it's just the case that Obama 'isn't Bush' or is there some other explanation for this apparently undiminished admiration abroad?

You're absolutely right.

My take: To put it as simply as possible, many foreigners like watching America struggle compared to our usual growth (mediocrity loves company). Obama is not helping America overcome its struggles. Therefore, many of the aforementioned foreigners support Obama and think he is great. They want America to continue to struggle, so why would they want a change in leadership in Washington?

[MalD73]

Hmm, I'm not sure that's necessarily true for everyone. As with individuals, not all countries think alike! While you are definitely right that there are some that relish any problem for America, there are others who's fate is so inextricably linked to the USA that they view any difficulties America experiences as possibly having repercussions for themselves. There are also those who are jealous of America's wealth and power but there are others (myself included) who are fans for purely personal reasons (visited many times and loved the various places and all the people I met). For what it's worth, it seems to me that the feeling abroad that Obama is a great president inhabits the same 'mindspace' as people believing Elton John is a great musician or that U2 are the best rock band in the world. Whilst some may generally agree and like their music, others can't see what the fuss is all about. And yet, they have this mythical status based, it seems, not on any knowledge of actual achievements (ask the average foreigner to name one of Obama's) but rather on some vague idea that they must be good cause everyone says they are (spin??) I find this strange and wonder is it a case of style over substance or has Obama actually earned his reputation abroad?