Mitt Romney's foreign policy tour: Can he repeat Obama's '08 success?
The GOP presidential candidate is reportedly planning an overseas trip to broaden his appeal. Will he pass the commander-in-chief test?

Mitt Romney is considering taking off on a five-country trip overseas in late July, as part of a major foreign policy offensive, according to Politico. The move would be a striking departure for the GOP presidential candidate, who for weeks has focused almost exclusively on attacking President Obama's handling of the economy. The trip, which reportedly might include stops in Great Britain, Germany, Poland, and Israel, would mirror a tour Barack Obama took in the summer of 2008 when he needed to overcome a lack of foreign experience and show that he would make an able commander-in-chief. The move paid off for Obama. Will it work for Romney?
Romney can definitely benefit from an overseas tour: Voters are fixated on unemployment and the stalled recovery, so it's unlikely that Romney will hit a home run with this trip, says Teresa Walsh at U.S. News & World Report. However, the former Massachusetts governor "has little foreign policy experience," and he needs to prove he can hold his own on the world stage. "An international trip could be a chance to paint himself as a more well-rounded candidate" who can talk about more than just jobs, jobs, jobs — even if that is what voters care about most.
"Is a foreign policy tour a smart move for Mitt Romney?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Mitt can't afford not to go: Romney has been hit recently with a "stream of articles questioning his foreign policy heft," says Ron Kampeas at JTA. He has to push back. Given Obama's history of tensions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an Israel trip is a great way to prove that Romney would be a better friend to this key ally, and help Romney shore up support with foreign policy hawks and Israel-friendly evangelicals, "two constituencies whose wariness have dogged his campaign."
"Visit to Israel gives Romney chance to shore up foreign policy, evangelical cred"
If Romney is smart, he'll stay home: Romney's "monomaniacal focus on the economy" makes it easy to forget that he has attacked Obama's foreign policy — from Israel to Iran to China — for years, says Jamelle Bouie at The Washington Post. The trouble is, "Obama isn't Jimmy Carter," and Romney can't touch the Democratic president on national security. Going abroad is a needless distraction. Romney would be "better off continuing to hammer Obama on the economy, which is where the president is actually weak."
"A foreign policy tour for Romney? Really?"
Read more political coverage at The Week's 2012 Election Center.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
An ingredient in Coca-Cola may be funding Sudan's war
Under the Radar Global trade in gum arabic centres on the African nation – and proceeds bankroll conflict between the army and paramilitary rebels
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Homes for multi-generational families
Feature Featuring a 1900 Jacobean-style mansion in Massachusetts and a 22.5-acre compound in California
By The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Foot PSA
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published