President Obama trumpeted his foreign policy record on Monday, telling a convention of veterans that his administration has spearheaded a “new era of American leadership” that has made the U.S. “safer and stronger and more respected in the world.”
“Because we’re leading around the world, people have a new attitude toward America,” Obama told the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Reno, Nevada. “There’s more confidence in our leadership. We see it everywhere we go.”
Obama ran down a list of his foreign policy accomplishments and he called out Republicans for criticizing his stewardship of the military.
“Some said that bringing our troops home last year [from Iraq] was a mistake,” Obama said. “Well when you’re commander-in-chief, you owe the troops a plan, you owe the country a plan,” he added, dinging Republican nominee Mitt Romney, whom Obama says lacks a detailed military strategy.
Defending himself against Republican charges that his administration has weakened the U.S. military, Obama said he has made “historic investments to keep our armed forces strong.”
At the same time, he accused Republicans of favoring tax cuts for the wealthy over defense funding.
“Let’s stop playing politics with our military,” Obama said.
He called on the crowd to push back against anyone who says, “our greatness has passed, that America is in decline.”
“We will never apologize for our way of life,” Obama said, invoking Republican charges that Obama travels the world apologizing for America.
“We will maintain our military superiority [and] it will be second to none as long as I’m president,” Obama declared.
Romney is scheduled to address the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention on Tuesday.
