2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Romney Campaign: On China

WE CAN’T AFFORD FOUR MORE YEARS OF FAILING TO STAND UP TO CHINA

Four Years Ago, Candidate Obama Talked Tough On China’s Trade Practices:

Candidate Obama Had A “Pretty Straightforward Proposition” For China: “Keep On Manipulating Your Currency, We Are Going To Start Shutting Off Access To Some Of Our Markets.” OBAMA: “The problem that we’ve got with China is not that we couldn’t work out a deal in which they are benefiting and we are benefiting. The problem is that through all the tough talk of George W. Bush, he is a patsy when it comes to negotiating these agreements. And, what we need to do is to just be better bargainers that say, ‘Look, here’s the bottom line, you guys keep on manipulating your currency, we are going to start shutting off access to some of our markets. If you are doing the right thing and not trying to manipulate your currency to disadvantage us, then you will have access.’ It’s a pretty, pretty straight forward proposition.” (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks in Pittsburgh, PA, 4/14/08)

Candidate Obama: “If They’re Manipulating Their Currency … We Take Them To The Mat.” OBAMA: “[W]e’ve got to have a president in the White House who’s negotiating to make sure that we’re looking after American workers. That means enforcing our trade agreements; it means that if they’re manipulating their currency, that we take them to the mat on that issue…” (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks in Chicago, IL, 8/7/07)

But Just This Month, President Obama Pushed Off His Latest Opportunity To Label China A Currency Manipulator Until After The Election:

On October 12, The Obama Administration Announced It Would Delay Yet Another Opportunity To Label China A Currency Manipulator. “The Obama administration is delaying a decision that had been due Monday on whether China is manipulating its currency to gain trade advantages. The Treasury Department says the decision will now come after global finance officials meet in early November.” (The Associated Press, 10/12/12)

“The Delay Means The Decision Will Not Likely Come Until After The Nov. 6 Presidential Election.” (The Associated Press, 10/12/12)

President Obama Has Refused To Stop China’s Cheating At Least Seven Times Since Entering Office:

Under President Obama, The United States Treasury Department Has Refused To Label China A Currency Manipulator Seven Times. (Los Angeles Times, 5/25/12; Reuters, 12/28/11; MarketWatch, 5/27/11; New York Times, 2/04/11; MarketWatch, 7/8/10; USA Today, 10/15/09; Reuters, 4/15/09)

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH): “The U.S. Treasury Department Has Given China A Free Pass When It Comes To Its Currency Manipulation.” “‘Once again, the U.S. Treasury Department has given China a free pass when it comes to its currency manipulation,’ Brown said. ‘While we’re seeing American manufacturing rebound, China is stepping up its efforts in a number of critical sectors, including clean and solar energy, advanced manufacturing, and auto parts.’” (Sen. Sherrod Brown, Press Release, 5/25/12)

While President Obama Has Refused To Act, American Jobs Have Vanished And China Has Become The World’s Top Manufacturing Country:

The Washington Post: “China’s Policy Has Probably Cost Americans Hundreds Of Thousands Of Jobs And Contributed To China’s Destabilizing Pile Of Trillions Of Dollars In Reserves.” “China’s undervalued renminbi is a long-standing, bipartisan concern, and it is not a phony one: In pursuit of growth led by exports, China has held the renminbi down in relation to the dollar, rendering its goods artificially cheap in the U.S. market. The renminbi would gain about 20 percent against the dollar if it were allowed to float freely like other currencies, according to the Peterson Institute for International Economics. China’s policy has probably cost Americans hundreds of thousands of jobs and contributed to China’s destabilizing pile of trillions of dollars in reserves.” (The Washington Post, 8/31/11)

In 2011, China Became “The World’s Top Manufacturing Country,” Ending The United States’ Century-Long Run. “China has become the world’s top manufacturing country by output, returning the country to the position it occupied in the early 19th century and ending the US’s 110-year run as the largest goods producer.” (Financial Times, 3/13/11)

• · Since President Obama Took Office, The United States Has Lost 610,000 Manufacturing Jobs. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10/16/12)

• · Under President Obama, Ohio Has Lost 12,300 Manufacturing Jobs. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10/16/12) 

Why Is President Obama Putting Politics Ahead Of American Workers? He’s Afraid Of Embarrassing China:

President Obama Said He Wouldn’t Declare China A Currency Manipulator Because He Didn’t Want To “Go Out Of Our Way To Embarrass” China. “President Barack Obama, addressing questions Wednesday about China’s alleged trade abuses and currency manipulation, said the United States must push back against unfair practices but not ‘go out of our way to embarrass’ the country.” (The Cleveland Plain Dealer, 9/27/12)

Obama Campaign: What They’re Already Saying About Tonight’s Debate

What They’re Already Saying: President Obama Strong Out of the Gate

CHICAGO -- It didn’t take long for President Obama to show himself as a strong and steady leader, while Mitt Romney quickly appeared unsteady and uncomfortable, continuing with his wrong and reckless approach to foreign policy. Here are what some other are already saying:

Ed Henry ‏@edhenryTV Obama seems more comfortable weaving his way around world -- Romney appears to be watching every word carefully to avoid gaffe, v cautious

jmartpolitico ‏@jmartpolitico Mitt seems nervous out of gates

Jim Acosta ‏@jimacostacnn Obama did come out swinging. #CNNDebate

Laura Rozen ‏@lrozen Obama sounding a bit more sure footed so far......Romney like he memorized the map of MENA

Scott Conroy ‏@RealClearScott Romney asked lay-up question on Libya. Doesn't answer it.

Arlette Saenz ‏@ArletteSaenz Obama: When asked about our greatest geopolitical threat, you said it was Russia...The 80's are now calling us for their foreign policy back

Ed Henry ‏@edhenryTV Obama zing on Russia: The 1980's wants its foreign policy back

jasoncherkis ‏@jasoncherkis Looks like we are getting the Obama from the second debate.

Major Garrett ‏@MajoratNJ Significantly, Romney does not describe what new U.S. strategy should be in Libya, Syria, Mali, Egypt or region.

Marc Ambinder ‏@marcambinder Romney wants to let the Arab world fight terrorism on its own, but would leave more troops in Iraq

Philip Klein ‏@philipaklein This is not the same Mitt who wanted to double Gitmo.

John Heilemann ‏@jheil Romney very soft on Libya.

Romney Campaign: Overview – Afghanistan & Pakistan

A CLEAR CHOICE: AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN

Overview – Afghanistan & Pakistan:

Objective: Ensure that Afghanistan will never again become a launching pad for terror and send a message to any nation that would harbor terrorists with designs on the American homeland 

• · Enjoying the sanctuary of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, al Qaeda set in motion the conspiracy that killed so many Americans on September 11, 2001. We learned many bitter lessons that day, including that we are not safe from enemies who plot freely against us from the other side of the world. That is why so many of our best and bravest young men and women are risking their lives in Afghanistan.

• · Our mission in Afghanistan is to eliminate al Qaeda from the region and degrade the Taliban and other insurgent groups to the point where they are not existential threats to the Afghan government and do not destabilize Pakistan, with its stock of nuclear weapons.

President Obama’s Failure:

Much of the mission has been accomplished through the courage and dedication of our troops. The killing of Osama bin Laden was a landmark in the struggle for which President Obama deserves credit. Much more, however, remains to be done. Unfortunately, President Obama has repeatedly frustrated and imperiled the American mission through a series of unwise decisions.

• · After a protracted deliberation process, President Obama in December 2009 announced he would support a “surge” that would entail introducing an additional 30,000 troops into Afghanistan. But in the very same speech announcing the surge, he put forward a timetable for withdrawal. The mixed message left our Afghan allies in doubt about our resolve and encouraged the Taliban to believe that they could wait us out.

• · President Obama disregarded the counsel of his top military commanders, including General David Petraeus, when he fully withdrew the last of those 30,000 surge troops at the end of September 2012. That date fell short of the commanders’ recommendation that the troops remain through the end of 2012 and the Afghan “fighting season” to solidify our gains. That date also happened to be just weeks before the U.S. presidential election.

• · There was no military rationale for it, raising the question whether the timing was politically inspired. Whatever the motivation behind the decision, it compelled our military to begin moving troops and equipment out of Afghanistan in the middle of the fighting season, taking away forces and resources the military needed to combat the enemy.

The Romney Plan:

• · Mitt Romney will never make national-security decisions based upon electoral politics. Upon taking office, he will review our transition to the Afghan military by holding discussions with our commanders in the field.

• · He will order a full interagency assessment of our military and assistance presence in Afghanistan to determine the level required to secure our gains and to train Afghan forces to the point where they can protect the sovereignty of Afghanistan from the tyranny of the Taliban.

• · Withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan under a Romney administration will be based on conditions on the ground as assessed by our military commanders with the goal of completing the transition of combat operations to the Afghan Army by the end of 2014.

To defeat the insurgency in Afghanistan, the United States will need the cooperation of both the Afghan and Pakistani governments: 

• · It is in the interests of all three nations to see that Afghanistan and the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region are rid of the Taliban and other insurgent groups. Mitt Romney will work with both the Afghan government and Pakistan to ensure that those nations are fully contributing to success in Afghanistan.

• · But we will only persuade Afghanistan and Pakistan to be resolute if they are convinced that the United States will itself be resolute. Only an America that appears fully committed to success will eliminate the incentives for them to hedge their bets by aligning with opposing forces.

The United States must be clear in what we require of both Afghanistan and Pakistan: 

• · Afghan President Hamid Karzai should understand that our commitment must be met with reciprocal efforts to crack down on corruption in his government, respect free and fair elections as required by the Afghan constitution, and coordinate with the United States on fighting the narcotics trade that fuels the insurgency.

• · Pakistan should understand that any connection between insurgent forces and Pakistan’s security and intelligence forces must be severed.

• · The United States enjoys significant leverage over both of these nations. We should not be shy about using it.

Romney Campaign: On Defense Cuts

A CLEAR CHOICE ON STOPPING OBAMA’S DEFENSE CUTS

Mitt Romney Will Stop President Obama’s Devastating Defense Cuts And Provide Our Military With The Resources It Needs

President Obama’s Massive Defense Cuts Will Jeopardize Jobs And Devastate Our National Security:

President Obama’s Administration Was Behind The Idea Of “Massive Defense Cuts.” “The book ‘The Price of Politics,’ by Washington Post Associate Editor Bob Woodward, makes it clear the idea for the draconian spending cuts originated in the White House – and not in Congress. According to the book, excerpts of which were obtained by POLITICO ahead of the Sept. 11 release, President Barack Obama’s top deputies believed the prospect of massive defense cuts would compel Republicans to agree to a deficit-cutting grand bargain.” (Austin Wright, “Bob Woodward Book Could Bolster Republican Attack On W.H.,” Politico, 9/7/12)

• · “Simply Put, The White House And The Democrats Were Going To Be Able To Sell A Deal To Their Rank And File Because Of Defense Cuts.” (Bob Woodward, The Price Of Politics, 2012, p. 204)

President Obama’s Massive Defense Cuts Will Lead To Over 1 Million Lost Jobs. (Stephen S. Fuller, “The Economic Impact Of The Budget Control Act Of 2011 On DOD And Non-DOD Agencies,” Report, 7/17/12) 

Secretary Panetta, On The Effect Of The Looming Defense Cuts: “Guarantees That We Are Going To Hollow The Force And Devastate Our National Security.” PANETTA: “And let me tell you something if sequester goes into effect, you can throw all of this out the window. Sequester doubles the numbers of cuts, does it through that crazy formula, and guarantees that we are going to hollow the force and devastate our national security.” (Secretary Leon Panetta, Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee On Defense, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony, 2/16/12)

• · Secretary Panetta Says Defense Cuts Will Result In The “Smallest Ground Force Since 1940, The Smallest Number Of Ships Since 1915 And The Smallest Air Force In Its History.” “Defense Secretary Leon Panetta spelled out a doomsday scenario Monday that he said could occur if Congress fails to take action to avoid a $1 trillion cut in defense spending over the next decade. Panetta, responding to a letter from Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsay Graham, said cuts of nearly $100 billion a year would leave the United States with its smallest ground force since 1940, the smallest number of ships since 1915 and the smallest air force in its history.” (David Alexander, “Panetta Spells Out Budget Cut Doomsday Fears,” Reuters, 11/14/11)

Vice President Biden, On The Prospect Of Cuts To The Military & Veterans: “This Is A Dangerous Area … But We Should Look At It.” “The military was sacred, and it could be political suicide for Democrats to consider cuts for vets. ‘This is a dangerous area,’ he acknowledged, ‘but we should look at it.’” (Bob Woodward, The Price Of Politics, 2012, p. 115)

With The Cuts Looming – And Against The Advice Of His Defense Secretary – President Obama Has Refused To Avert The Cuts Unless Taxes Are Raised:

President Obama Has Threatened To Let The Devastating Defense Cuts Take Effect Unless Republicans Agree To Impose Higher Taxes On Job Creators. “President Obama is prepared to veto legislation to block year-end tax hikes and spending cuts, collectively known as the ‘fiscal cliff,’ unless Republicans bow to his demand to raise tax rates for the wealthy, administration officials said. Freed from the political and economic constraints that have tied his hands in the past, Obama is ready to play hardball with Republicans, who have so far successfully resisted a deal to tame the debt that includes higher taxes, Obama’s allies say.” (Lori Montgomery, “Officials: Obama Ready To Veto A Bill Blocking ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Without Tax Hike For Rich,” The Washington Post, 10/17/12)

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, In September: “I'll Take Whatever The Hell Deal They Can Make Right Now To Deal With Sequestration.” “Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Thursday said he'd take any deal that would avoid across-the-board cuts to defense spending. Lawmakers have begun floating short-term agreements to stop the $500 billion in defense cuts known as sequestration from beginning in January amid concerns they won't be able to strike a "grand bargain" on taxes and spending. ‘I'll take whatever the hell deal they can make right now to deal with sequestration,’ Panetta said.” (Jeremy Herb, “Panetta Would Take 'Whatever The Hell Deal’ Possible To Avoid Cuts,” The Hill, 9/27/12)

Mitt Romney Will Rescind President Obama’s Devastating Defense Cuts And Ensure Our Military Has The Resources They Need:

Mitt Romney Has Called President Obama’s Defense Cuts Unthinkable And Pledged To “Get Rid Of Those Sequestration Cuts And Rebuild America’s Might.” “At a rally at the Military Aviation Museum, Romney described the possible defense cuts as ‘unthinkable to Virginia’s employment needs.’ Almost 14 percent of Virginia’s gross domestic product stems from defense spending, according to a November report by Bloomberg Government. ‘If I’m president of the United States we’ll get rid of those sequestration cuts and rebuild America’s might,’ he said.” (Margaret Talev and Lisa Lerer, “Obama Vies For Key Votes With Romney Over Medicare, Defense Cuts,” Bloomberg, 9/9/12)

Mitt Romney Will Restore The Defense Budget Baseline Established By Defense Secretary Robert Gates And Work Toward A Floor For Core Defense Spending At 4% Of GDP. “Mitt Romney will begin by reversing Obama-era defense cuts and return to the budget baseline established by Secretary Robert Gates in 2010, with the goal of setting core defense spending—meaning funds devoted to the fundamental military components of personnel, operations and maintenance, procurement, and research and development—at a floor of 4 percent of GDP.” (Romney For President Website, Accessed 10/19/12)

Romney Campaign: National Debt and National Security

OBAMA’S $16 TRILLION DEBT: A NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT

National Security Experts And Even President Obama’s Own Advisers Have Noted The National Debt Is A Major Threat To National Security:

Former Chairman Of The Joint Chiefs Of Staff Mike Mullen Warned That The National Debt Is The Biggest Threat To National Security. “Adm. Mike Mullen also renewed his warning that the nation’s debt is the biggest threat to U.S. national security.” (Roxana Tiron, “Joint Chiefs Chairman Reiterates Security Threat Of High Debt,” The Hill, 6/24/10)

Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton: “Our Rising Debt Levels Poses A National Security Threat … It Sends A Message Of Weakness Internationally.” (Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton, Remarks At The Council Foreign Relations, Washington, DC, 9/8/10)

Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke Says U.S. Debt Level Is “Unsustainable” Which Could Cause Interest Rates To Spike And “Cause Financial Instability Like We Saw In Greece.’” “But Ben Bernanke’s recent warning is ominous. The Fed chief calls America’s debt level ‘unsustainable’ and says if financial markets lose confidence, interest rates could spike and ‘cause financial instability like we saw in Greece.’” (Editorial, “Heed Bernanke On Federal Debt,” The Denver Post, 6/20/10)

President Obama Has Presided Over $5 Trillion In New Debt – “The Most Rapid Increase” Under Any President:

Under President Obama, The National Debt Has Reached Nearly $16.2 Trillion – An Increase Of $5.5 Trillion. (Department Of The Treasury, Accessed 9/11/12)

• · Every American’s Share Of The National Debt Currently Stands At Over $51,000 – An Increase Of Over $16,000 Under President Obama. (Department Of The Treasury, Accessed 9/11/12; U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 9/11/12) 

President Obama Is Responsible For “The Most Rapid Increase In The Debt Under Any U.S. President.” ”The latest posting by the Treasury Department shows the national debt has now increased $4 trillion on President Obama's watch. The debt was $10.626 trillion on the day Mr. Obama took office. The latest calculation from Treasury shows the debt has now hit $14.639 trillion. It's the most rapid increase in the debt under any U.S. president.” (Mark Knoller, “National Debt Has Increased $4 Trillion Under Obama,” CBS News, 8/22/11)

FLASHBACK: Candidate Obama Claimed It Was “Unpatriotic” And “Irresponsible” To Add $4 Trillion To The National Debt. OBAMA: “The problem is, is that the way Bush has done it over the last eight years is to take out a credit card from the Bank of China in the name of our children, driving up our national debt from $5 trillion for the first 42 presidents - #43 added $4 trillion by his lonesome, so that we now have over $9 trillion of debt that we are going to have to pay back -- $30,000 for every man, woman and child. That’s irresponsible. It’s unpatriotic.” (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks, Fargo, ND, 7/3/08)

And In A Second Term, President Obama Will Drive Our Debt To Over $20 Trillion:

Under President Obama’s Policies, The National Debt Is Projected To Surpass $20 Trillion By The End Of 2016 – An Increase Of More Than $4 Trillion In New Debt. (Office of Management and Budget, 7/27/12)

Obama Campaign: President Obama's Foreign Policy

President Obama’s Strong and Steady Leadership on Foreign Policy

“My first job is to keep the American people safe. That’s what we’ve done over the last four years. We ended the war in Iraq, refocused ourselves on who actually attacked us on 9-11. We are now able to transition out of Afghanistan in a responsible way, making sure that Afghans take responsible for their own security, and that allows us also to rebuild alliances and make friends around the world to combat future threats.” – President Barack Obama

Tonight, President Obama will clearly outline for the American people how his leadership has made America stronger, safer and more secure than we were four years ago. The President has delivered on his commitment to responsibly end the war in Iraq, and announced a plan to responsibly end the war in Afghanistan. He’s delivered on his promise to bring Osama bin Laden to justice and decimated al-Qaeda’s senior leadership. He signed the New START Treaty, reducing the number of nuclear weapons in both countries and allowing the resumed inspection of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.

The Obama administration has worked with the international community to secure sanctions on Iran and North Korea, and the President led our allies and partners to support the Libyan people as they overthrew the Qadhafi regime. President Obama has reaffirmed America’s unshakable commitment to Israel’s security and has expanded security cooperation between the two states. The Obama administration has cracked down on unfair Chinese trade practices, and signed free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama – marking the biggest step forward for U.S. trade in nearly two decades.

President Obama has offered strong and steady leadership for America and will continue to move us forward in the next four years. Mitt Romney has nothing to offer but more bluster, a record of blunders and a commitment to endless war.

PRESIDENT OBAMA DELIVERED ON HIS COMMITMENT TO RESPONSIBLY END THE WAR IN IRAQ

 

As A Candidate, Senator Obama Said He Would End The War, “Because It Is The Right Thing To Do For Our National Security.” “So when I am Commander-in-Chief, I will set a new goal on Day One: I will end this war. Not because politics compels it. Not because our troops cannot bear the burden- as heavy as it is. But because it is the right thing to do for our national security, and it will ultimately make us safer.” [Senator Obama, 3/19/08]

• · On December 18, 2011, The Last Convoy Of US Troops Crossed The Border Out Of Iraq, Officially Ending The War In Iraq. “The last convoy of American troops drove into Kuwait on Sunday morning, punctuating the end of the nearly nine-year war in Iraq.” [NYT, 12/18/11]

PRESIDENT OBAMA ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO RESPONSIBLY END THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN

 

Upon Taking Office, President Obama Announced A Strategy To Refocus U.S. Efforts In Afghanistan And Pakistan And “Disrupt, Dismantle And Defeat Al Qaeda.” “I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future. That's the goal that must be achieved. That is a cause that could not be more just. And to the terrorists who oppose us, my message is the same: We will defeat you.” [Remarks President Obama, 3/27/09]

• · May 2012: President Obama Announced That By The End Of 2014, Afghan Security Forces Would Be Fully Responsible For The Security Of Their Country And US Troops Would Come Home. “This month, at a NATO Summit in Chicago, our coalition will set a goal for Afghan forces to be in the lead for combat operations across the country next year. International troops will continue to train, advise and assist the Afghans, and fight alongside them when needed. But we will shift into a support role as Afghans step forward. As we do, our troops will be coming home. Last year, we removed 10,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Another 23,000 will leave by the end of the summer. After that, reductions will continue at a steady pace, with more and more of our troops coming home. And as our coalition agreed, by the end of 2014 the Afghans will be fully responsible for the security of their country.” [Remarks by President Obama, 5/1/12]

PRESIDENT OBAMA DELIVERED ON HIS PROMISE TO BRING OSAMA BIN LADEN TO JUSTICE

 

Shortly After Taking Office, President Obama Directed CIA Director Panetta To Make The Killing Or Capturing Of Osama Bin Laden A Top Priority. “And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network. [President Obama, 5/2/11]

• · On May 1, 2011, President Obama Announced An Operation Into Pakistan Had Successfully Killed Osama Bin Laden. “In a late-night appearance in the East Room of the White House, Mr. Obama declared that “justice has been done” as he disclosed that American military and C.I.A. operatives had finally cornered Bin Laden, the leader of Al Qaeda, who had eluded them for nearly a decade“ [NYT, 5/1/11]

PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS DECIMATED AL-QAEDA’S SENIOR LEADERSHIP AND TAKEN DIRECT ACTION AGAINST AL-QAEDA AFFILIATES

 

More Than Two-Thirds Of Al Qaeda’s Senior Leadership Has Been Eliminated Since President Obama Took Office. Ask Osama bin Laden and the 22 out of 30 top al-Qaeda leaders who’ve been taken off the field whether I engage in appeasement,” the president fired back at an impromptu news conference at the White House. [President Obama, 6/28/11]

The Obama Administration Has Taken “Direct Action” Against Al Qaeda Affiliates In Yemen And Somalia. “Opening the window just a little further into his secret war on terrorists, President Obama publicly acknowledged for the first time on Friday that United States military forces had taken ‘direct action’ against groups affiliated with Al Qaeda in Somalia and Yemen. In a letter to Congress, Mr. Obama said American forces had engaged in ‘a limited number’ of operations against members of the Shabab in Somalia and Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen, arguing that both posed a terrorist threat to “the United States and our interests.” [New York Times, 6/15/12]

PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNED THE NEW START TREATY, REDUCING THE NUMBER OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN BOTH COUNTRIES AND ALLOWING THE RESUMED INSPECTION OF RUSSIA’S NUCLEAR ARSENAL

The New START Treaty Reduces The Number Of Strategic Offensive Arms In Both Russia And The United States. “Under the Treaty, the U.S. and Russia will be limited to significantly fewer strategic arms within seven years from the date the Treaty enters into force. Each Party has the flexibility to determine for itself the structure of its strategic forces within the aggregate limits of the Treaty. These limits are based on a rigorous analysis conducted by Department of Defense planners in support of the 2010 Nuclear Posture Review.” [White House Press Release, 3/26/10]

The New START Treaty Allowed The Resumption Of Inspections Of Russia’s Nuclear Arsenal. “The Treaty has a verification regime that combines the appropriate elements of the 1991 START Treaty with new elements tailored to the limitations of the Treaty. Measures under the Treaty include on-site inspections and exhibitions, data exchanges and notifications related to strategic offensive arms and facilities covered by the Treaty, and provisions to facilitate the use of national technical means for treaty monitoring. To increase confidence and transparency, the Treaty also provides for the exchange of telemetry.” [White House Press Release, 03/26/10]

The New START Treaty Does Not Place Any Constraints On U.S. Missile Defense And Conventional Strike Capabilities. “The Treaty does not contain any constraints on testing, development or deployment of current or planned U.S. missile defense programs or current or planned United States long-range conventional strike capabilities.” [White House Press Release, 03/26/10]

THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION HAS WORKED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO SECURE SANCTIONS ON IRAN AND NORTH KOREA

 

National Journal: Contrary To Romney’s Claims, The “Obama Administration Has Already Put In Place The Toughest Sanctions Ever Imposed On The Iranian Government.” “Mitt Romney claimed Wednesday night in the CNN debate that President Obama did not install stringent sanctions against Iran in its effort to derail its nuclear program, but top U.S. intelligence and defense officials disagree. Obama ‘should have placed crippling sanctions against Iran. He did not,’ Romney said. The Obama administration has already put in place the toughest sanctions ever imposed on the Iranian government, including new measures targeting, for the first time, Iran’s entire financial system. Obama on New Year's Eve also signed into law a raft of tough new sanctions that would penalize any foreign financial institution that does business with the Central Bank of Iran. As part of broader U.S.-led efforts to exert pressure on Iran, the European Union has agreed to ban new contracts to buy, transport or import Iranian crude oil.” [National Journal, 2/22/12]

In June 2009, The Obama Administration Secured Unanimous Support Of The Security Council, Including China And Russia, For Sanctions On North Korea That Provided A Framework For The Inspection Of Vessels Suspected Of Transporting Illegal Goods, An Extended Arms Embargo, And Financial Restrictions. “The Security Council today condemned in the strongest terms the 25 May nuclear test by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and tightened sanctions against it by blocking funding for nuclear, missile and proliferation activities through targeted sanctions on additional goods, persons and entities, widening the ban on arms imports-exports, and calling on Member States to inspect and destroy all banned cargo to and from that country ‑‑ on the high seas, at seaports and airports ‑‑ if they have reasonable grounds to suspect a violation... The United States delegation, which had co-sponsored the resolution ‑‑ along with France, Japan, Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom ‑‑ welcomed its unanimous adoption as a strong and united international response to North Korea’s test of a nuclear device.” [United Nations Resolution 1874, 6/12/09]

PRESIDENT OBAMA LED OUR ALLIES AND PARTNERS TO SUPPORT THE LIBYAN PEOPLE AS THEY OVERTHREW THE QADDAFI REGIME

Preside Obama Built A Coalition Of NATO and Arab Countries To Take Action Against The Qadhafi Regime. “Back in March, Obama gambled that the way to confront a potential civilian catastrophe in Libya was to build a coalition of NATO and Arab countries to use airpower ostensibly to protect Libyan citizens from a Gaddafi crackdown.” [Associated Press, 8/23/11]

CNN’s Fareed Zakaria: “Compared To The Wars In Iraq And Afghanistan, The Libya Operation Was A Bargain.” “Compared to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Libya operation was a bargain. It cost the U.S. about $1 billion. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan collectively cost the U.S. $1.3 trillion. In other words, success in Libya could be achieved at less than one-tenth of one percent of the cost of the interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan. That's not a bad model for the future.” [Fareed Zakaria, CNN, 8/23/11]

PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS REAFFIRMED AMERICA’S UNSHAKABLE COMMITMENT TO ISRAEL’S SECURITY AND HAS EXPANDED SECURITY COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO STATES

President Obama Directed The Pentagon To Expand U.S.-Israel Security Cooperation. “U.S. military aid to Israel has increased markedly this year… The effort stems from policy directives the White House gave the Pentagon early in Mr. Obama's presidency to ‘deepen and expand the quantity and intensity of cooperation to the fullest extent,’ according to a senior administration official.” [Wall Street Journal, 8/14/10]

Ehud Barak Called President Obama’s Support For Israel “Unprecedented.” "Once again it's been proven to all the doubters, President Obama is an ally and friend of Israel. The Obama administration gives backing to Israel's security in a wide, all-encompassing and unprecedented manner" [Jerusalem Post, 9/21/11]

 

President Obama Has Provided Israel With Record-High Levels Of Security Assistance Funding. “The case for Obama's Israel policy begins with record-high levels of Foreign Military Financing (FMF). The Obama administration has increased security assistance to Israel every single year since the president took office, providing nearly $10 billion in aid -- covering roughly a fifth of Israel's defense budget -- over the past three years.” [Foreign Policy, 8/16/12]

President Obama Committed $275 Million To Support Iron Dome In Shielding Israelis From Mortars And Rockets. “Israel says the Iron Dome is the first missile-defense system capable of detecting and destroying short-range missiles in flight… Mr. Panetta called Iron Dome a ‘game changer’ for Israel's security and said the U.S. intended to provide funding annually to support the system's deployment in Israel. The U.S. has so far committed $275 million to support the Iron Dome, which consists of arrays with about 20 rockets each, a command-and-control center and a radar facility. Each system can cover an area the size of a small city... Mr. Barak said the system has intercepted more than 100 rockets so far fired from Gaza and has a success rate of more than 80%.” [Wall Street Journal, 8/2/12]

This Month, The U.S. And Israel Will Commence Their Largest Ever Joint Air Defense Exercise. “The US and Israel will commence the largest-ever joint air defense drill of its kind in Israel on October 21, an army source said on Tuesday… On October 14, large numbers of American soldiers are expected to begin arriving in Israel, where they will set up aerial defense positions on Israeli territory and on US Navy vessels off the Israeli coastline.” [Jerusalem Post, 10/10/12]

THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION HAS CRACKED DOWN ON UNFAIR CHINESE TRADE PRACTICES, BRINGING TRADE CASES TO THE WTO AT TWICE THE RATE OF HIS PREDECESSOR, PROTECTING A THOUSAND U.S. JOBS FROM A FLOOD OF CHINESE TIRES, AND SUCCESSFULLY PRESSURING CHINA ON ITS CURRENCY

 

The Obama Administration Has Now Filed Eight Trade Complaints Against China To The WTO, Bringing More Cases Against China In A Single Term Than His Predecessor Did During Two Terms. Including today’s action, the Obama Administration, the U.S. has filed 8 complaints against China with the World Trade Organization. Under the eight years of the Bush Administration, the U.S. filed 7 complaints against China with the WTO. [WTO List Of Disputes Cases, Accessed 9/15/12]

 

President Obama Imposed Stiff Tariffs On Chinese-Made Tires, For The First Time Imposing Safeguard Provisions To Protect A US Industry From Chinese Competition. “The Obama administration will impose stiff tariffs on imports of Chinese-made tires after finding that a surge of imports has disrupted the U.S. domestic market… It is the first time the U.S. government has imposed special ‘safeguard’ provisions to protect a U.S. industry from Chinese competition.” [MarketWatch, 9/11/09]

Since Tariffs On Chinese Tires Were Announced, Domestic Tire Manufacturers Have Added Over 1,000 Jobs. Bureau of Labor Statistics data that show the number of tire manufacturing jobs went from 50,800 in September 2009, when tariffs on Chinese tires were announced, to 52,000 in September 2011. Year-over-year changes in jobs are used because Bureau of Labor Statistics data for tire manufacturing jobs is not seasonally adjusted. [Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Employment Statistics Survey, Accessed 7/13/12]

 

New York Times: President Obama “Repeatedly” Made The Point That The United States Would No Longer Tolerate Deliberate Currency Manipulation During Talks With China’s Prime Minister. “Mr. Obama has tried to use the rising public anger over China's trade advantage to argue to Chinese leaders that the United States would no longer tolerate deliberate currency manipulation, a point Mr. Obama made repeatedly in a meeting last week with Wen Jiabao, China's prime minister. He did so again on Wednesday in Des Moines, where one businessman asked the president about the issue.” [New York Times, 9/29/2010]

After Adjusting for Inflation, The Chinese Yuan Has Risen About 11 Percent Against The Dollar Since June 2010. “China has allowed the yuan to appreciate and trimmed its current account surpluses, but the United States believes the currency remains undervalued and will press the issue with the Chinese, Treasury Undersecretary Lael Brainard said on Wednesday... A drop of China's current account surplus by more than 6 percentage points of GDP, reflecting an 11 percent appreciation of the yuan against the dollar, represented ‘progress that is worth acknowledging,’ said Brainard.’” [Reuters, 7/18/12]

PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNED FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS WITH SOUTH KOREA, COLOMBIA AND PANAMA, MARKING THE BIGGEST STEP FORWARD FOR U.S. TRADE IN NEARLY TWO DECADES TO WORK TOWARDS HIS GOAL OF DOUBLING EXPORTS BY 2015

Associated Press: Romney Has “Ignored The Most Significant Expansion Of Trade Ties In Nearly Two Decades” In Accusing President Obama Of “Doing Nothing To Open New Markets.” “Mitt Romney ignored the most significant expansion of trade ties in nearly two decades when he accused the Obama administration Monday night of doing nothing to open new markets. Rick Santorum claimed to be taking purely the high road in campaign ads even as a new one from him veered from that path.” [Associated Press, 1/17/2012]

President Obama Signed Free Trade Agreements With South Korea, Colombia And Panama In The Largest Trade Deal Since 1994, With The Agreements To Support An Estimated 70,000 Jobs. “President Barack Obama will sign the South Korea, Colombia and Panama free trade agreements on Oct. 21, the White House announced. The accords were approved by Congress last week. The agreement with South Korea is the largest trade deal since 1994 and will widen U.S. export access for everything from cars to farm goods and support about 70,000 jobs, according to the administration.” [Bloomberg, 10/18/11]

President Obama Created The National Export Initiative To Create Jobs By Putting America On The Path To Doubling Exports By 2015. “[In] order to enhance and coordinate Federal efforts to facilitate the creation of jobs in the United States through the promotion of exports… The NEI will help meet my Administration's goal of doubling exports over the next 5 years by working to remove trade barriers abroad, by helping firms -- especially small businesses -- overcome the hurdles to entering new export markets, by assisting with financing, and in general by pursuing a Government-wide approach to export advocacy abroad, among other steps.” [Executive Order – National Export Initiative, 3/11/10]

Romney Campaign: Obama on Syria

THE OBAMA RECORD: LEADING FROM BEHIND IN SYRIA

President Obama Has Left Syria’s Oppressive Regime Emboldened And Allowed A Human Tragedy To Unfold Inside The Country

President Obama And His Administration Attempted To Woo Syria’s President Assad, Despite Ongoing Violence:

The Obama Administration Initially Attempted To “Woo” President Bashar Al-Assad And Establish A Diplomatic Presence In The Country. “Mr. Obama sent Mr. Ford to Damascus in January 2011 as the first U.S. ambassador in Syria in over five years. The Obama administration also initially eased some trade sanctions on Damascus in a bid to woo Mr. Assad. Mr. Assad's crackdown on Syria's political opposition, however, ended Washington's outreach.” (Jay Solomon, “U.S. Moves To Shut Embassy In Syria,” The Wall Street Journal, 1/21/12)

President Obama, In February 2009: “We’re Gonna Have To Involve Syria In Discussions.” OBAMA: “We can't kick the can down the road. We're gonna have to take a regional approach. We're gonna have to involve Syria in discussions. We're gonna have to engage Iran in ways that we have not before. We've gotta have a clear bottom line that Israel's security is paramount.” (President Barack Obama, CBS Interview, 1/14/09)

• · In 2009, President Obama Restored The U.S. Ambassador To Syria After A 4-Year Hiatus. “President Obama has decided to return a U.S. ambassador to Syria after an absence of more than four years, marking a significant step toward engaging an influential Arab nation long at odds with the United States. The acting assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, Jeffrey D. Feltman, informed Syria's U.S. ambassador, Imad Mustafa, Tuesday night of Obama's intention, according to a senior administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the decision had yet to be made public.” (Scott Wilson, “Obama Will Restore U.S. Ambassador To Syria,” The Washington Post, 6/24/09)

Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton “Was Widely Criticized” After Referring To Assad As A “Reformer.” “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday Syria's government could still make reforms despite mounting political violence that has sparked worldwide condemnation. … Clinton herself was widely criticized in March after she called Assad a reformer, citing the views of congressional leaders who had met with the Syrian leader.” (Andrew Quinn, “Clinton Says Reform Still Possible In Syria,” Reuters, 5/6/11)

“It Took Months For The President To Call For Mr. Assad To Go—And That’s Despite The Assad Family’s 40-Year Track Record Of Hostility…” “That’s one of the many mysteries of the Administration’s policy toward Syria. Unlike with Egypt, where Mr. Obama was quick to call for Hosni Mubarak’s departure despite his 30-year alliance with the U.S., it took months for the President to call for Mr. Assad to go—and that’s despite the Assad family’s 40-year track record of hostility to the U.S. and its support for terrorism.” (Editorial, “If Assad Survives,” The Wall Street Journal, 4/9/12)

The Washington Post, On Secretary Clinton’s Reformer Comments: “A Piece Of Wishful Thinking To Which The Obama Administration And Its Congressional Allies Have Tenaciously Clung…” “‘Thus did Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton respond to a question on Sunday about Bashar al-Assad, the latest Arab dictator to respond with fusillades to calls by his people for democratic change. At the time she spoke, more than 60 Syrians had already been massacred by Mr. Assad's security forces; others have since fallen. Ms. Clinton was only reflecting a piece of wishful thinking to which the Obama administration and its congressional allies have tenaciously clung: that Mr. Assad, despite his brutality, sponsorship of terrorism and close alliance with Iran, can somehow be turned into a Western ally.” (Editorial, “Assad The Reformer?” The Washington Post, 3/29/11)

 

While President Obama Has Failed To Lead, The Assad Regime Has Massacred Tens Of Thousands Of People In Syria:

President Obama’s Strategy Of “Minimal And Indirect Intervention In The Syrian Conflict” Has Failed To Help In Toppling Assad And “May Be Sowing The Seeds Of Future Insurgencies.” “That conclusion, of which President Obama and other senior officials are aware from classified assessments of the Syrian conflict that has now claimed more than 25,000 lives, casts into doubt whether the White House’s strategy of minimal and indirect intervention in the Syrian conflict is accomplishing its intended purpose of helping a democratic-minded opposition topple an oppressive government, or is instead may be sowing the seeds of future insurgencies hostile to the United States.” (David E. Sanger, “Rebel Arms Flow Is Said To Benefit Jihadists In Syria,” The New York Times, 10/14/11)

President Obama’s Inaction Has Left A “Human Tragedy” In Syria, With An Estimated Death Toll Exceeding 30,000. “Aside from the human tragedy of the many lives lost in Syria's civil war — activists estimate the death toll has now passed 32,000 killed — there is the staggering damage to the country's infrastructure, economy and cultural treasures.” (Zeina Karam, “Civil War Leaves Syrian Economy, Cities In Ruins,” The Associated Press, 10/9/12)

Al Qaeda Is Becoming Increasingly Involved In The Violence In Syria. “It is the sort of image that has become a staple of the Syrian revolution, a video of masked men calling themselves the Free Syrian Army and brandishing AK-47s — with one unsettling difference. In the background hang two flags of Al Qaeda, white Arabic writing on a black field.” (Rod Nordland, “Al Qaeda Taking Deadly New Role In Syria’s Conflict,” The New York Times, 7/24/12)

The Washington Post’s Jackson Diehl, On President Obama’s Syria Policy: “Serial Miscalculations Have Had The Consistent If Unintended Effect Of Enabling Syria’s Bashar Al-Assad…” “But his serial miscalculations have had the consistent if unintended effect of enabling Syria’s Bashar al-Assad — first to avoid international isolation, then to go on slaughtering his own population with impunity. Obama’s Syria policy began in 2009 with the misguided idea of reaching out to the dictator. Within a month of his inauguration, Obama reversed the Bush administration’s approach of isolating Assad. He later reopened the U.S. Embassy and dispatched senior envoys, such as George Mitchell.” (Jackson Diehl, Op-Ed, “How Obama Bungled The Syrian Revolution,” The Washington Post, 10/14/12)

And Even President Obama’s Allies Have Called For A More Assertive Role For The United States In Syria:

Senator John Kerry Has Called For The Obama Administration To “Step Up Its Efforts” To Topple The Assad Regime. “The United States needs to do more to protect civilians in Syria, including considering setting up safe zones inside Syria and potentially arming the opposition, Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman John Kerry (D-MA) told The Cable in an interview Tuesday. Kerry also warned that if the balance of power is not tilted in Syria in the opposition's favor, it's unlikely that President Bashar al-Assad will step down. A political transition that sees Assad removed from power remains the goal, he said, but the United States must step up its efforts to make that goal a reality.” (Josh Rogin, “

Kerry: Time To Consider Safe Zones And Arming The Opposition In Syria,” Foreign Policy, 5/8/12)

Former Secretary Of State Madeline Albright Has Called For The United States To “Get More Involved” In Syria. “Madeleine Albright, who was secretary of state under Clinton, told me: ‘I’m for intervention, but it doesn’t have to be on-the-ground military intervention. We do have to get more involved in this.’ Albright said that the American intervention should be multilateral, but that the inability to achieve a Security Council resolution shouldn’t block action any more than it did in Kosovo in 1999. “We can’t afford to be in a cul-de-sac while people are being killed,” she said.” (Nicholas D. Kristof, “Obama AWOL In Syria,” The New York Times, 8/8/12)

Obama Campaign: What People Are Saying About Last Night’s Debate

What People Are Saying About Last Night’s Debate

President Obama: “Winner” … “Clear Victor”… “Stellar performance”… “Knocked it out of the park”

Mitt Romney: “Irked early on” …“Horribly weak moment”… “Painfully awkward moments” … “Deer in the headlights”

 

Mark Halperin: “I don’t think anyone can say Governor Romney won this debate… His answer on Libya was the closest thing to a moment, a horribly weak moment, I think that the debate had.”

 

Neil Cavuto: “The President put in a better performance tonight.”

 

Mike Allen: “There were a number of painfully awkward moments for Governor Romney. This was one of them. American Bridge, one of the liberal groups, has already bought the website binderfullofwomen.com.”

 

John Kerry: “I'm telling you, in the next days, all of these inconsistencies and untruths we'll see. Tonight the Mitt Romney campaign began to unravel formally and publicly and dramatically.”

 

John King: Romney on Libya: “That one moment, there, just a little bit of deer in the headlights.”

 

Jim VandeHei: “I’m getting an email from Lois Romano who’s on the floor in the spin room, and it says that Romney people are very defensive about the performance. She said that Ed Gillespie is red-faced and defending Mitt Romney’s performance.”

 

John Harris: “I sensed that this time Mitt Romney’s competitiveness sometimes made him seem a little peevish… I did feel that he was slightly annoying, frankly.”

 

Charles Krauthammer: “I think on points, if you’re scoring it on points, Obama wins on points.”

 

Ed Schultz: “I think the President had a stellar performance tonight … the dagger came out, the dagger of truth: Mitt Romney this is who you are behind closed doors, and the President hit him with the 47% comment in just the right tone, just the right way.”

 

Jim VandHei: “He seemed to get irked early on.”

 

Brit Hume: “[The President] will probably be declared the winner of this on most cards.”

 

David Brooks: “If we go by winners and losers, I guess I’d have to say Obama won this debate.”

 

Matt Dowd: “Yeah, very clear victor. President Obama gets the victory in this.”

 

Juan Williams: “I think Obama won the debate.”

 

ABC Fact Check: “Mitt Romney, when he says the President doubled the deficit – that’s just false.”

 

Lois Romano: “The sense of the room is that Obama knocked it out of the park.”

 

NYT’s Andrew Rosenthal: “When George H.W. Bush looked at his watch in a 1992 debate with Bill Clinton and Ross Perot and absolutely bungled a question about how the national debt had affected him personally, he cemented the impression that he was out of touch with real Americans’ lives. When Gerald Ford denied in 1976 that there was any “Soviet domination” of Eastern Europe, he cemented the impression that he was out of touch with pretty much everything. Tonight, Mitt Romney may have had a similar moment, during a back-and-forth about the attack on the Benghazi Consulate.”

Taegan Goddard: “Obama won the debate decisively. The president had a simple formula: Defend and explain his record while insisting that Romney wasn't being truthful. He kept Romney on the defensive and came prepared with counter-punches to nearly every topic. It was devastatingly effective.”

Chris Cillizza: “In trying to catch the incumbent in what he thought was a clear mistake, Romney was hoisted with his own petard by Crowley in what will be the single most memorable (and replayed) interaction of the debate.”

New York Times: “The most devastating moment for Mr. Romney was self-inflicted. Continuing his irresponsible campaign to politicize the death of the American ambassador to Libya, he said it took two weeks for the president to acknowledge that it was the result of an act of terror. As the moderator, Candy Crowley of CNN, quickly pointed out, the president referred to it as an act of terror the next day, in the Rose Garden.”

Statement from Campaign Manager Jim Messina on Tonight’s Debate

Statement from Campaign Manager Jim Messina on Tonight’s Debate

CHICAGO -- Obama for America released the following statement from Campaign Manager Jim Messina in reaction to tonight’s debate:

“President Obama clearly won tonight’s debate. The American people saw their leader tonight – a strong, steady and decisive president with an affirmative vision to move this country forward and build the economy from the middle out, not the top down. He pointed out that Mitt Romney is offering the American people a ‘sketchy deal’ – his plan to spend $5 trillion on a tax cut for the wealthiest that they don’t need and $2 trillion for a defense buildup the Pentagon says it doesn’t want, without explaining how he’d pay for it. Romney misfired on his attacks and fired blanks on his own proposals. When he was exposed on the emptiness of his own plans, he was rattled, lashed out against moderator and refused to explain his indefensible ideas.”

Romney Campaign: What They Are Saying About Tonight's Second Presidential Debate

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT MITT ROMNEY: “OUR NEXT PRESIDENT”

“Two Very Good Debates Back To Back” … “Very Effective” … “Confident And Realistic” … “Dynamo, Winner”

Real Clear Politics: “Luntz Focus Group Of Mostly Former Obama Voters Switch To Romney.” “A Frank Luntz focus group made up mostly of former Obama voters say they now support Mitt Romney. ‘Forceful, compassionate, presidential,’ one participant said. ‘Confident and realistic,’ said another. ‘Presidential,’ another told Luntz. ‘Enthusiastic,’ another reacted. ‘Our next president,’ one man said. ‘Dynamo, winner,’ said one more.” (Real Clear Politics, 10/16/12)

The New York Times’ Adam Nagourney: “Romney's Strongest Argument: Obama ‘Speaks’ Great. ‘But We Have A Record To Look At.’” (Twitter.com, 10/16/12)

Miami Herald’s Marc Caputo: “Ticking Off Unkept Promises Of Obama From Deficits To Immigration.” “Boom. Boom. Boom. Romney swings back crisply, ticking off unkept promises of Obama from deficits to immigration.” (Twitter.com, 10/16/12)

The Hill’s Bob Cusack: “Romney Is Closing Well…” “Romney is closing well here. Mentions God, not settling on the economy, reforming entitlements. #debates” (Twitter.com, 10/16/12)

CBS’ Mark Knoller: “It Appeared Romney's Cuts At The Pres Drew More Political Blood.” “Both candidates scored points against one another, but it appeared Romney's cuts at the pres drew more political blood.” (Twitter.com, 10/16/12)

BuzzFeed’s Ben Smith: “Romney Did, Again, Come Away Looking Like A Guy Who Could Be President, Which Is Probably The Most Important Thing.” (Twitter.com, 10/16/12)

CBS’ Charlie Kaye: “In The @CBSNews Instant Poll, 65% Say Romney Won On The Issue Of The Economy. 34% Say Obama Won On The Economy.” (Twitter.com, 10/16/12)

The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza: “Romney Smart To Play Offense Against Obama On Immigration. Force Obama To Explain, Cut Time Obama Can Lace Into Him. #Debates”

CNN’s David Gergen: “I Think That Mitt Romney Has Had Two Very Good Debates Back To Back. I Think A Solid Performance Tonight…” GERGEN: “I think that Mitt Romney has had two very good debates back to back. I think a solid performance tonight, and I think overall, he looked like he could be president more than two weeks ago.” (CNN, 10/16/12)

CNN’s Gloria Borger: “Romney's Best Moments Were Focusing On The Economic Record And Saying The Middle Class Has Been Buried Many Times…” BORGER: But I will tell you, Mitt Romney's best moments were focusing on the economic record and saying the middle class has been buried many times.” (CNN, 10/16/12)

CBS’ John Dickerson: “Governor Romney Showed That The First Debate Wasn't A Fluke. He Came Back Hard At The President, He Stood Toe To Toe.” (CBS, 10/16/12)

Politico’s Alexander Burns: “Romney… Was At His Smoothest And Most Assertive In Exchanges On The Economy…” “Romney, meanwhile, was at his smoothest and most assertive in exchanges on the economy, urging voters to hold Obama accountable for four years of lackluster economic growth.” (Politico, 10/16/12)

The Associated Press’ Steve Peoples And David Espo: “Romney Gave As Good As He Got.” (The Associated Press, 10/16/12)

The Wall Street Journal’s Janet Hook And Patrick O’Connor: “Mr. Romney Distilled His Argument Against The President Down To A Simple Theme: The Country Can't Afford Four More Years Under Mr. Obama.” (The Wall Street Journal, 10/16/12)

AEI’s James Pethokoukis: “Very Effective.” “Romney answered the Bush question, outlined his plans, mercilessly pounded on the Obama econ record. Very effective” (Twitter.com, 10/16/12)