Lawrence Wilkerson, the former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, skewered Mitt Romney’s foreign policy team on Monday, saying their policies make his stomach turn.
Wilkerson took particular aim at John Bolton, former President George W. Bush’s ambassador to the United Nations—and now an adviser to Romney.
“The man scares me to death,” Wilkerson, a retired U.S. Army colonel told MSNBC’s Ed Schultz. “He would defeat all the enemies in America and the world—and believe me they’re plentiful—and he’d do it with everyone else’s blood. John is like Dick Cheney, never served a day in his life and wouldn't serve a day in his life … These people make me sick.”
Wilkerson’s harsh rhetoric comes on the heels of Romney’s foreign policy speech earlier in the day, in which the former Massachusetts governor laid out a hawkish approach.
Without offering much in the way of specifics, Romney vowed to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, go after terrorists who attacked the U.S. consulate in Libya, and work to ensure Syrian rebels obtain arms to defeat Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
"Utterly unbelievable, Wilkerson said, blasting Romney as “operating on a Cold War music sheet.”
Asked about former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s endorsement of Romney’s speech, Wilkerson declared that Rumsfeld, one of the key architects of the Iraq War “has zero credibility with me and he’ll never regain it again.”
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Ooops accidentally hit like on a post I do not agree with at all. Something about Obama failed to work with republicans. Dont remember who posted it, was going to fast. Anywho.
In 2009 on the day of the presidential inauguration, a group of republicans got together (including Paul Ryan) and held a secret meeting and vowed to obstruct everything he proposed and make his 4 years as hard as possible. I believe the closing statement made by Newt Gringrich was "You will remember this day. You'll remember this as the day the seeds of 2012 were sown." Republicans, from day one have not made anything easy for this administration just for political gain. Dont believe me? Google that statement and judge for yourself.
I am so tired of the BS that the Republicans keep trying to stir up. Now they are having a hearing tomorrow regarding security in Benghazi. Assa has put together a list of events siting the danger that the Ambassdor was in, with dates. He says that requests for more security were denied. I hope he can prove his allegations as this is the second time he has attacked someone in the Obama Administration. The first attack and BS hearing was against Holder.
I pray that his allegations are false, and that Hilary can ward of this attack, as I feel it is obvious that Assa is on another witch hunt.
keep praying Lori...I find it strange that you'r rather "Pray the allegations are false", thus protecting your beloved leaders, rather than praying that the TRUTH is revealed. these allegations will come to be proven true...and when they do, then what? will you go back to sticking your head in the sand, and just hoping that it goes away, much like you did with "Fast and Furious"?
can you answer that question? what if the allegations prove to be true? that the State Department not only KNEW about impending attacks (they did), but withdrew security and ignored requests for more security (they did)??? then what will your comments be? you've made it obvious you dont believe the allegations now...will you believe them then? and if so, what will your opinion be?
Please spare me the BS! Republicans couldn't tell the truth if their hair was on fire. Romney and his clown show party is the dredge of the Earth.
thats a really articulate answer. thanks for that.
the truth knows no party. Clinton knew. Obama knew. they knew. you'll have to accept the truth at some point.
Hey CATT....I wonder what Obama is going to do now that the economist that he has been quoting on Romneys tax plan, is saying Obama misquoted him.....I think Obama has a major problem on his hands now....not only did he bring it up in front of an estimated 67 million people....he has it in his adds all over the country.....
Obama's lies are catching up with him.....in grand fashion.....These debates are going to be fun to watch.
Agreed, TAP...and good afternoon to you as well!!!
Yeah, Obama's proverbial "chickens" are coming home to roost...his lies are catching up with him...the $5T tax cut lie, that even Stephanie CUtter is saying is "no where near" $5T...the economist thats backing off, and now you have Big Bird himself saying "Don't use me to fight your battles", and even ANDREA MITCHELL is stepping up and saying "don't use me in your commercials"...and she LOVES Barry O!!!
what is the saying about the more lies you tell, the harder it is to keep them straight??? Obama is collapsing, and it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, at a better time. :)
His house of cards is falling around him.....I love it!
And yet...neither of you two geniuses can spot a single lie that Romney has told.
I guess you would call that "mental myopia."
They both have told lies....some are just repeated over and over.....Obama is paying the price for that as we speak.....The American People are starting to see through Obama's campaign of deception.....but it is all backfiring on him.....One more bad debate from Obama and he will be toast.
One more bad debate from Obama and he will be toast.
you won't be able to tell them that....they'll say "Obama is setting him up!" still...
we have to be realistic though...This debate won't go nearly as poorly for Obama...1) he won't have to confront Romney, because its town hall style. 2) he can walk among the crowd a bit, and bloviate on and on with his talking points. 3) he won't have to worry about defending his record as much, because he'll be engaging the crowd more. Obama DOES engage crowds well...he can lie right to their faces better than anyone I've ever seen...so he WILL have a better debate, I have no doubt.
and as long as its better, the left will call it a "victory", period. they can't conceive of losing another one...not THIS guy...not the "Greatest orator of our time"...
I totally agree CATT....I think the last debate will be the final straw for Obama....like you said...the next one is kinda in his safe zone.... He sure looked like he needed that zone during the last debate......
LOL..Whats funny is you think everyone in this country thinks the way you morons do. The ppl know Mutt lied and flip flopped. If the election where held today the President would be re-elected, period.
CATT and TAP like to kiss and pet.
I see you brought your uncle John to the party Chris....Welcome John....
And I see you brought your teabagger buddies.
The Robberbaron Willard needs to stick to what he knows...Cayman Islands accounts...corporate raiding...car elevators in his house...lying out both sides of his mouth (and another part of his anatomy that's better left unmentioned)...and leave foreign policy to minds (and temperaments) better equipped to handle potential volatility around the globe.
The world's problems are far too broad for a man of such narrow focus$$$$$$$$$.
Willard has no idea, no concept, no inkling, of what war truly is, or what it does to men, women, and their families. President Obama has visited many military families, and is doing so much to help with post war trauma victims and their needs. All Romney sees are bodies to be used as cannon fodder so he can look "tough". We've been down this road before, and we wound up in a country that we did not need to be in, so many lives lost in a lie-based conflict that was just to avenge on a whim a man's greed for oil profits. If those five boys of Willard had to suit up and ship off, we would see how thirsty he would be to get into another war. This country is weary of war, and needs to see to rebuilding infrastructure, getting people to work, and getting this country strong again- and we can't do that with war mongers whispering in Willard's ear that we can't be strong unless we're bombing someone. We need President Obama, a person with a much better understanding of that region. Romney will get us into war with Iran as soon as humanly possible. We don't want this insane man to take us down that road! A vote for Romney is a vote to put this country into another WAR!!!
coffeedrip12345----- sounds about right
To you and all FOX "News" minions.....
party of the people--- So your telling MSNBC the perfect shining STAR.
Gee, bronzestar. I thought you were being really "fair." Just politely asking questions. And yet, I don't think you are.
Cathy....who told you about this secret meeting? Let me guess. Ed Schultz. Come on cathy66.....do you think for yourself? Can you make your own decisions?
Does Ed Schultz and Chris Matthews and Rachel Maddow control you? Does Al Sharpton form your thinking?
Don't believe everything these people say. Their guy is on the ropes and they are getting desperate. Barack Hussein Obama has been the worst president we have ever have. Being half african american has nothing to do with it. He does not know what he is doing.
That is why you are seeing ads about Big Bird instead of the key issues of this country. That is why Obama is on Letterman and the View instead of meeting with world leaders.
This is why Joe Biden has done one interview since the campaign started and Ryan has done over 100.
This is why Obama was alseep during the debate. All he did was repeat dem talking points. Do you really want that guy for another 4 years?
Come on, think for yourself.
Yeah...switch right on over to FOX "News" tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!
Everyone knows how their audience thinks for themselves!!!!!!
Liberal cool aid.....tastes good but really ticks you off when you find out it is filled full of lies and distortions.....
Romney and Ryan aren't liberals... LOL, but they sure are liberal (loose) with their lies!!!
Lori....with almost $2 Billion dollars being spent on this election....there has been so much misinformation spread....how do you know what to believe?
That being said.....ignoring all the adds and spun up articles....just watching those two men on stage.....which one had the body language of a liar?
TAP-
the American people see it too...did you see the flip in the polls??? Women now are DEAD SPLIT between ROmney and Obama...Obama lost an 18 point cushion- in a WEEK. and thats the Gallup poll, which is still skewing heavy democrat, follwing the 2008 model...
in the end, commercials don't determine elections. voters do. and its why Chuck Todd on MSNBC was freaking out this weekend about the "enthusiasm gap" between Dems and Conservatives. ROmney is way up among seniors, and so is their enthusiasm. Obama has the youth and hispanics, but both groups, enthusiasm is down like 30%. in those 2 groups ALONE, it works out to be a flat "wash"...so much for any advantage for Obama...and the other group that is significant- independents- have broken strongly for Romney.
CATT....I know there are more debates and a lot can happen between now and the election......but I think it is even worse for Obama than the polls are showing.....one more bad debate for Obama and I think this thing is going to be in the bag.
party of the people--- What makes you believe that?
It's called Gas & Oil Party. Or Grand Obstructionist Party. Or Greedy Old People.
But no one's ever called it "party of the people."
Why is it the Mr. Romney has five son's, but not one of them join any Arm Services. But he is very quick to offer our son's, daughter to fight and support other in country's. Where is the love for God and country that he speak of?
Why is it the Mr. Romney has five son's, but not one of them has served in the Armed Services. But he said that he love his country! He is very willing to send our son's and daughts into battle in other countries, but not one of his. This is one way to show your willingness to serve God and country!
Good question Sam from Georgia. I served 20 years on active duty. I almost remember every single person I served with were from the middle classes or working class families. I served in a joint service environment. This statement includes all the military services. Sure you will find a very few exceptions to this statement but about 90% of the military recruits come from families in the under $50K group or the lower 150 million Americans. Perhaps a few more come from the families who are earn slightly more than median income but very few recruits come from families earning $100K or more annually. These are generalizations but for the most part everyone I met and talked too pretty much came from working class families: teachers, cops, small business people, factory workers, rural farm kids from areas with few job or career prospects. People in the military really needed the health care for their wife and kids and the GI Bill for college.
So the answer is that the rich do not feel obligated have their sons or daughters serve on active duty. This is a very sad thing for our foreign policy. Mitt Romney would be in favor of green energy programs, bullet trains, and 50 MPG turbo-diesel and electric hybrid cars if all five of his sons were in the Army facing their second tour in Afghanistan. The fear of those military officers and chaplains knocking on their door makes a neocon cowboy parent into a pacifist pretty quickly.
Rex-
I know we've discussed this before...the first step to green energy is energy independence. we need to use our OWN oil and our OWN natural gas, so then companies can invest in green techs that actually work. look at the difference between Ford and GM...GM FORCED the Chevy Volt onto the public. it gets very few positive responses. meanwhile, Ford got their on their own. they are releasing 10 hybrid/ electric cars in the next couple years. they are variations of their already popular models, and they will actually be much more affordable than the Volt...we'll get to green energy...never COMPLETELY...we are too vast a countyr for that...but we'll incorporate it somehwat over time...but we HAVE to become energy independent first...
it shocks me that someone who was in for 20 years is so against Romney simply because he is wealthy, when the current CinC didn't serve a day in his life in the military, and who's experience set was "Community Organizer"...I can't understnad your support for him, from a military perspective...i can understnad your view on ROmney and his lack of service...but to be so IN support of Obama, with his lack of service...doesn't that sound a touch hypocritical???
Come on, CATT. Tell Rex how great fracking's going to be.
catt read again Rex's post here....all the way down to the bottom of it and ask your question again.............even UK places the princes in the military....long standing trend and principle..........
No, I do not like GOP cowboy diplomacy period. If you have good diplomacy good foreign policy you should almost never have to get involved in large unilateral wars. The GOP seems to have a penchant for getting involved with these unilateralist wars. I like regular diplomacy in foreign policy that is centered on working closely with our NATO allies to avoid war by the strength of a coalition. I believe in a highly professional military that is well led, highly trained, well equipped, and mostly stays home only going overseas to deter war with our allies on routine training missions such as in South Korea or the Persian Gulf moderate Arab countries.
The GOP is truly the party of gross hypocrisy. The Bush administration gave huge tax cuts, that mostly went to the wealthy, while starting two wars. Iraq was an unnecessary war of choice resulting in soldiers serving three or four tours in a combat zone. The Army and Marines do not have enough soldiers to support these wars so the Guard and Reserves got called up continuously. Many veterans who had served their time got "stop lossed" by the Bush administration and called back from civilian life to go serve in Iraq. Many of these sericemen had married and were going to college after getting an honorable discharge. You only do things like this after a Pearl Harbor style attack resulting in general war or a North Korean June, 1950 invasion not because the President wants to fight a war of choice. Much bitterness over this "stop loss" remains. Many of these "stop lossed" veterans have a deep hatred of Bush and Secretary Rumsfeld.
President Obama has no military service but he also is not a warmonger either. President Obama has empathy for human beings while Mitt Romney only has empathy for the wealthy elite. Also, President Obama does not wish to invade other countries while Mitt Romney seems to think that the military response is the first and best response rather than the very last one when all others fail. President Obama is also much more cerebral about his decisions. President Obama got Qadaffy eliminated without a single US casualty by drones, diplomacy, and a NATO coalition. Its better to always work in a coalition because the United States does not have enough national wealth and power to squander in endless foreign wars. President Obama understands all of this while Mitt Romney is incompetent. President Obama and Michelle care deeply about military families and veterans.
I think Romney only cares about corporate quarterly profit statements of his campaign contributors. Empathy for human beings is the foundation of leadership. Mitt Romney was never been poor and sat out Vietnam in France. Why didn't Romney join up when he was a younger man. He protested in favor of the Vietnam war but then went conveniently to France. My middle class teachers who served in the Army had no such choices. They graduated from high school and got their senior trip in Vietnam. Why didn't Mitt serve in Vietnam if he is so gung ho about starting wars with Iran or Syria? I don't like cowboy diplomacy it only causes huge problems at huge human and monetary expense and casualties for no gain.
Green energy and infrastructure investment at home on bullet trains, electric cars, and all electric cars plus the Picken's energy plan are what we need for our national security. Remember we hemorrhage more than one trillion dollars annually to import oil. We are at peak oil now. The Chevy Volt and cars like it will be the only kind of cars you can buy in ten years time. The day of the 4,000 lbs plus SUV is dying rapidly. The Asian Pacific and BRIC countries that make up the non-OECD countries used more oil than the OECD countries this year. Asia is driving the 21st century. If America wants to keep its place in the world to face the Asian onslaught we need to do the following:
1. Year around school for our kids modeling our education system on Canada and Finland. Plus we need to make sure every student who can go to college graduates from college or tech school ready to work.
2. We need an Apollo program that eliminates our need to import OPEC oil. We subsidize oil to the tune of $11 to $15 per gallon. We can no longer afford to subsidize oil. Forget domestic U.S. production that peaked in 1970. We only have 2% of the world's oil reserves but have 20% of the demand. This is not sustainable in a non-OECD dominated energy world.
3. We need to upgrade our infrastructure because much of our infrastructure is old, worn out, is dangerous to public safety, and costs our businesses and industries hundreds of billions annually. The American Society of Civil Engineers says we need $2.2 trillion over the next five years. Other groups say we need to spend at least $3 trillion on infrastructure. Investing in your country is good debt while tax cuts for the rich and wars overseas are bad debt. Good debt is paid off in the form of a growing economy with good paying jobs.
4. We need a system of bullet trains in our country. You can go wherever you want to in Germany or France on the bullet trains. The UK has fast passenger rail to that is highly efficient. If fuel is $8 or $10 per gallon people will demand that the interstate highways get tore up and replaced with bullet trains. All that has to happen is another major Middle East war and $200 per barrel oil.
If we are going to face the onslaught of the Asian Pacific rim countries, especially China and India, we must start doing most of the things written above is some form or fashion. Shutting down overseas tax shelters and offering safe tax free bonds with interest backed by the government in the form of a private-public partnership will help pay for green energy and infrastructure improvements. We also have to smartly downsize the military while investing in new weapons such as robotics and drone aircraft.
I have sourced these figures repeatedly and you can look up the figure used here if you have questions. But the bottom line is this: Asia is driving the economic train of the 21st century global economy. We need to understand that our threats to national security come from economics and less from military threats. Our 103 nuclear plants are nearly 50 years old in many cases designed for a 25-30 year life span. Our pulverized coal plants are 40 years old or older and grossly inefficient. Plus our electrical grid is woefully inefficient when compared to Western Europe's or Japans grid system. These are only two examples. Bad infrastructure means economic decline. President Obama understands this global economy of the 21st century fully while Mitt Romney is incompetent and should retire.
@Crackhead Awards. I agree, it would be foolish for Romney to unleash troops or weapons against Iran. I think we need to give more credit to the people of Iran and not Iran's leaders. Iranians want peace as much as we do. Yes, there are the agitators and extremists, but no one talks about the young people of Iran (and Israel) who wish to avoid war and have a more democratic life. Check out the FB page called "Iran-Loves-Israel"
"but no one talks about the young people of Iran"
not sure about Israel, but think around 60% of Iran's population is 40 and under.
thats a very young nation.