Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Romney finds warm reception in Poland, but critics still fuming over Palestinian remarks in Israel


                                                                                                                                http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505267_162-57483168/romney-finds-warm-reception-in-poland-but-critics-still-fuming-over-palestinian-remarks-in-israel/?tag=stack   Mitt Romney with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski in Warsaw Tuesday (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

(CBS News) WARSAW, Poland - Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney heads back to the U.S. Tuesday after a week-long overseas trip.
He made one final speech in Poland's capital - but critics are still focucing on some controversial comments from Romney during his prior stop, in Israel.
 Romney's speech in Warsaw was full of praise and admiration for Poland's struggle for liberty. "In a turbulent, Poland stands as an example, and a defender of freedom," he said.

Romney continued to suggest that, if elected president, he would be a stronger defender of America's allies than President Obama has been.
"I believe it's critical to stand by those who have stood by America," Romney declared. "It is for us, in this generation and beyond, to show all the world what free people and free economies can achieve for the good of all."
The White House canceled a missile defense system when Moscow objected, and the tension escalated after Mr. Obama told then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev he would "have more flexibility" in his second term.

Romney was invited to Poland by Lech Walesa, a human rights activist who became a legend in the country for co-founding Solidarity, a post-Soviet labor union. After their meeting, Walesa essentially endorsed Romney and implored him to win in November.
Romney also met with current prime minister Donald Tuck, stopped by a memorial to honor Polish soldiers, and greeted crowds that spilled onto the streets.
so Romney was following that old adage; "if you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with BS"

But his warm welcome was overshadowed by comments he made at a fundraiser before leaving Israel.

Talking to major donors, Romney described what he sees as cultural differences between Israel and the Palestinian people that make Israel more economically successful.    A spokesman for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas called Romney's comments racist.