Has Romney ever been to an Arab or Muslim country?

[Anonymous]

Just out of curiousity, since he is now asserting such immense mastery of a persistently conflictual area of the world, has he ever been anywhere in the Middle East with the exception of Israel? How about his advisors, especially this wingnut Williamson? I know there are some cowboys from the early occupation of Iraq who are part of his advisory corps (Dan Senor) but does he have anyone with serious credentials on Middle East security issues or terrorism as part of his team?

Same questions about Ryan, although I'd imagine as a House rep he might have done the occasional Codel to Egypt or something.

And before someone yells at me I did google looking for this answer and didn't turn up anything other than reports that Romney didn't travel as much as his predecessor in MA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just out of curiousity, since he is now asserting such immense mastery of a persistently conflictual area of the world, has he ever been anywhere in the Middle East with the exception of Israel? How about his advisors, especially this wingnut Williamson? I know there are some cowboys from the early occupation of Iraq who are part of his advisory corps (Dan Senor) but does he have anyone with serious credentials on Middle East security issues or terrorism as part of his team?

Same questions about Ryan, although I'd imagine as a House rep he might have done the occasional Codel to Egypt or something.

And before someone yells at me I did google looking for this answer and didn't turn up anything other than reports that Romney didn't travel as much as his predecessor in MA.

Ryan has most definitely been in Iraq. Not that he would have left the Green Zone.

[Anonymous]

Who cares. B O lived in one and they are burning him in effigy. His stupid idea he could slow down the rise of radical Islam by talking to them like a baby has blown up in his face.
We are witnessing the rise of radical islam into leadership all over the middle east and B O unwittingly aided it with the "Arab spring" that was not in our interest. Now Cairo is anti-American after his stupid speech there. We were much better off under Bush , whose administration was more open to reality. Radical Islam is intent on domination and willing to end life as we know it if they don't get their way. They are on the verge of nuclear capability in Iran and they will use terror to plant bombs and blackmail compliance. A nuclear strike on Iran will be the only thing that may save our way of life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who cares. B O lived in one and they are burning him in effigy. His stupid idea he could slow down the rise of radical Islam by talking to them like a baby has blown up in his face.
We are witnessing the rise of radical islam into leadership all over the middle east and B O unwittingly aided it with the "Arab spring" that was not in our interest. Now Cairo is anti-American after his stupid speech there. We were much better off under Bush , whose administration was more open to reality. Radical Islam is intent on domination and willing to end life as we know it if they don't get their way. They are on the verge of nuclear capability in Iran and they will use terror to plant bombs and blackmail compliance. A nuclear strike on Iran will be the only thing that may save our way of life.

So you're only in favor of democracy and equal rights for Westerners? Wow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who cares. B O lived in one and they are burning him in effigy. His stupid idea he could slow down the rise of radical Islam by talking to them like a baby has blown up in his face.
We are witnessing the rise of radical islam into leadership all over the middle east and B O unwittingly aided it with the "Arab spring" that was not in our interest. Now Cairo is anti-American after his stupid speech there. We were much better off under Bush , whose administration was more open to reality. Radical Islam is intent on domination and willing to end life as we know it if they don't get their way. They are on the verge of nuclear capability in Iran and they will use terror to plant bombs and blackmail compliance. A nuclear strike on Iran will be the only thing that may save our way of life.

So you're only in favor of democracy and equal rights for Westerners? Wow.

Are you surprised? The argument du jour from the right wing is that Quaddafi and other Middle East dictators were, in addition to keeping their people poor and ignorant, containing religious extremism. And while this may in fact be a fair point, it doesn't make the double-standard palatable or justified.

[Anonymous]

We were much better off under Bush , whose administration was more open to reality.

I'm the OP and I actually served in the Bush Administration, and I can promise you this assertion is wrong in every aspect. As is your assertion that that the US should opposed the Arab spring (would love to see the Rs campaign on that one. Critics of the Bush policies were often described, sometimes with a little sarcasm, sometimes not, as "those who hate freedom." Who knew that this would be Republicans, a mere 4 years later??)

Still interested in any other answers to the question. PP must be right that Ryan has probably travelled to Iraq.

[Anonymous]

Radical Islam is at war with us . They have taken over democracy and will kill votes on the other side. That is not democracy. Face reality, this is the beginning of ww3.

[Anonymous]

Trying to reason, spin, or wish it away is childish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Radical Islam is at war with us . They have taken over democracy and will kill votes on the other side. That is not democracy. Face reality, this is the beginning of ww3.

Uh, do you think it's got anything to do with the fact that for decades the US has supported dictatorship and oppression in the Middle East? Just imagine if we hadn't helped overthrow a democratically elected government in Iran in the 50s and installed the repressive Shah, whom we propped up for years until the Iranian Revolution, maybe, just maybe the Iranians would see us as an ally today. And we are great allies of truly repressive regimes in Saudia Arabia and Bahrain, among others. You know Bahrain, don't you? That's the place where they tortured and jailed doctors and nurses for just giving medical treatment to pro-democracy demonstrators who had been beaten by police. If we had been a voice for democracy all along maybe today we wouldn't be so reviled in the Middle East.

[Anonymous]

Why does it matter whether he has been anywhere. It's not like traveling gives you any insight into what is going on somewhere. Even if he traveled, he would travel with extensive security, stayed at expensive hotels, have his schedule full of meetings with statesmen, fancy dinners and the like...i.e. pretty much live the same kind of life he lives in the US, just with a more exotic background and more ethnic dishes...

[Anonymous]

OP here, yes PP - I take your point. Just travelling doesn't imply understanding, especially if you are a VIP (as anyone running for president would be.) But when the campaign is making a big deal about how "Obama doesn't understand the Arab spring" and how much better Romney would have handled the past 2 years in the region and the present crisis, then it provokes a question about what he knows and via what source. This has always been an important part of the world - if he hasn't been there, why hasn't he made the effort to do so, given the job he's been aiming for over the past decade or so?

I don't think it's a disqualifier, but I'd like to put his policy recommendations in some context. If you've literally never even set foot in this part of the world, I'm less inclined to take you seriously when you tell me that you understand it.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Why does it matter whether he has been anywhere. It's not like traveling gives you any insight into what is going on somewhere. Even if he traveled, he would travel with extensive security, stayed at expensive hotels, have his schedule full of meetings with statesmen, fancy dinners and the like...i.e. pretty much live the same kind of life he lives in the US, just with a more exotic background and more ethnic dishes...

I travelled to Iraq during Saddam's rule with a US Senator. We had very little security, we stayed at expensive hotels, and had a schedule full of meetings with statesmen, fancy dinners and the like. I can assure you that the Senator heard views not normally expressed at home. In addition, while some preconceived notions were confirmed (sadly in most cases), others were shown to be wrong. I think even Romney would gain considerably from visiting an Arab country.

[Anonymous]

It has to do with a billion people who have no problem with beheading Jews and stonIng women. It has nothIng to do with us other than we show the world a more desirable way of life .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who cares. B O lived in one and they are burning him in effigy. His stupid idea he could slow down the rise of radical Islam by talking to them like a baby has blown up in his face.
We are witnessing the rise of radical islam into leadership all over the middle east and B O unwittingly aided it with the "Arab spring" that was not in our interest. Now Cairo is anti-American after his stupid speech there. We were much better off under Bush , whose administration was more open to reality. Radical Islam is intent on domination and willing to end life as we know it if they don't get their way. They are on the verge of nuclear capability in Iran and they will use terror to plant bombs and blackmail compliance. A nuclear strike on Iran will be the only thing that may save our way of life.

So you're only in favor of democracy and equal rights for Westerners? Wow.

Are you surprised? The argument du jour from the right wing is that Quaddafi and other Middle East dictators were, in addition to keeping their people poor and ignorant, containing religious extremism. And while this may in fact be a fair point, it doesn't make the double-standard palatable or justified.

The newly elected Muslim Brotherhood government in Egypt, aside from calling on all Arabs to rebel against the U.S. these past few days ("peacefully" ), has made it known that it expects all Christians to convert to Islam, pay a fine, or leave the country.

Apparently the latest thing, after they resorted to burning Christians homes and churches, is the new crucifixion on trees naked in front of the president's palace. Does that sound like "democracy" to you? Are you insane? NO, it's the sharia law everybody knew would take over if Obama and Hillary kicked Mumbarack out.

[Anonymous]

Romney was born in Michigan, which has a substantial Arab-American community. Plus, he saved the Olympics so he's met Arabs and Muslims. He respects them, but will NEVER apologize to them!