Romney walks away when asked on campaign trail about Iraq

The GOP candidates are in a tricky situation.  Whoever makes it to the general election will try to distance himself from President Bush's war policy.  But until the primaries, they can't show opposition to the war because it might upset the conservative base.

In the run-up to Saturday's Iowa straw poll, today was saw a classic example why the Republican candidates are scared to answer tough questions about Iraq.  Here is an exchange that happened between Mitt Romney and two people among the audience:

Here is the exchange:

Father (Holding up a photo of his son: “This is my son governor.”

Mr. Romney: “How are you doing? Good to see you.”

Father: “Are any of your sons in the military?”

Mr. Romney:  “Oh gosh. No, not now.”

Father: “None of your sons are in the military?”

Mr. Romney: “No. They are not”

Father: “Are they going to go over to Iraq?”

Mr. Romney. “No they are not. Can I take a look at your son?”

Father: “Who is going to do his job?"

Mr. Romney “We have a volunteer army. That’s the reason.”

The man moved away as Mr. Romney tried again to shake his hand, andMr. Romney turned to another voter. “Hi, how are you? , iMr. Romneyasked. A moment later, Mr. Romney was called over by Ron DeVoll Jr. 26,from Cedar Falls, and found himself in a confrontation surrounded bypeople – some reporters, some passers-by, and some, no doubt, agents ofrival campaigns – holding cameras and tape recorder.

DeVoll: “I’m an Iraqi vet, who was wounded over there.  So if you’re elected when would you pull the troops out?”

Mr. Romney: “When the job was done and hopefully that gets done soon and the surge is successful. I sure hope it is.”

Mr. DeVoll: “Don’t you think that this is compared to the Vietnam War?”

Mr. Romney: “It is by a lot of people, but I think it’s different ina lot of respects and the key respect is this: And that is if we leavethe wrong way there, this could become a conflict that would engulf theentire region and draw us back into a worse situation. I believe thesurge – I hope the surge – is going to be successful. We are going togive it a shot. ”

At that, one of Mr. Romney’s aides announced that the governor had to leave.

The party that runs on being pro-military is learning the lesson that military communities all throughout the country are fed up with the rhetoric and want a solution.  No Republican candidate other than Tommy Thompson and Ron Paul has laid out a plan to end the war.  These GOP contenders underestimate the significance of foreign policy as an issue in the '08 Republican primary.

Comments

[George]

Ah, a man of the people.

His sons are going to be his demise. I think Mccain will make a comeback eventually. everyone else is just so bad.

[Jon]

Romney really damaged his chances with his answers about how his sons are serving the country but I think McCain is still headed for a rocking chair. Rudy is probably going to be their nominee.

[Jon]

Maybe the Romney boys aren't so safe.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070810/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/bush_war_adviser

[Chief Editor: Todd]

George, I think you are right on about McCain. He's stepping back at the moment. But when Republican voters look at people like Romney and Giuliani and say, "This isn't a good field," then they will turn elsewhere. In the hierarchical pyramid known as the Republican Party, McCain is next in line to be the nominee. That is how the GOP usually chooses its nominee -- unlike the Democrats, who are much less predictable when they pick their nominees.

Overall though, I think Jon you might be right about Giuliani. He can say, "I can compete in blue states where all the other Republicans cannot." He is very strong among independents.

Who knows, any of us could be right. However, if I were in Vegas, I'd say it will be one of these four, in this order:
1) Thompson
2) McCain
3) Romney
4) Giuliani

[George]

If iraq shows ANY signs of progress, and i dont mean George Bush style progress, then mccain will bubble to the top again.

Have you seen Thompson's wife? no way the republican's put her in as first lady.

i think they will realize that mccain is their man. i think he's the best choice (other than Paul) even though i think he's off base with Iraq.

[Chief Editor: Todd]

Yeah. McCain is getting old. He won't be able to run for president again. So he will give it his all. And yeah, if Petraeus claims progress and the media buys it, then McCain will benefit the most.

lol You're right about Thompson's wife. However, you could say the exact same thing with Rudolph Giuliani's spouse!! Could you imagine her sitting in on cabinet meetings?

Keep in mind though that Thompson has barely started campaigning, yet he's still among the top-tier. He is a very likable person (just pretend you are a conservative for a minute), and when he starts participating in the debates he will persuade a lot of GOP voters. He has a lot of charisma.