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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBREAKING: The latest Romney outrage (contradicts U.S. policy on Jerusalem)
by leevank
In what may well be the most outrageous statement on foreign soil by a Presidential candidate in this country's history, Mitt Romney today presumed to announce U.S. policy on Jerusalem being the capital of Israel.
[SNIP]
Romney's declaration that Jerusalem is Israel's capital was matter-of-fact and in keeping with claims made by Israeli governments for decades, even though the United States, like other nations, maintains its embassy in Tel Aviv.
He did not say if he would order the embassy moved if he wins the White House, but strongly suggested so in a CNN interview.
"My understanding is the policy of our nation has been a desire to move our embassy ultimately to the capital (Jerusalem)," he said, adding, "I would only want to do so and to select the timing in accordance with the government of Israel."
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/07/29/1114809/-You-re-not-President-yet-Mitt
Here is a CNN description of the interview, which recognizes that he did in fact pledge to move the Embassy:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/29/romney-says-jerusalem-is-israels-capital-vows-to-move-embassy/
Romney is either abysmally ignorant of the history of U.S. policy on this question or he considers grubbing for votes to be more important than standing in a city that is the center of a major foreign policy question and presuming to announce a major change in U.S. policy before he's even elected. (My personal money is on both of the above.) Wikipedia actually has a pretty good synopsis of the history of U.S. foreign policy on this question, as I understand it (and I took a course on the Middle East in world politics only a few years after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and have generally followed the issue since that time):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positions_on_Jerusalem#United_States
The United States and, with a handful of temporary exceptions from small countries, all countries have maintained their embassies in Tel Aviv, and have refused to move them to Jerusalem, despite the urgings of the Israeli government. The U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem does not operate under the jurisdiction of the Embassy in Tel Aviv, as do most consulates. Instead, as described in the State Department's website:
http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov/about_the_embassy.html
Make no mistake about it. In the words of the Vice President on another subject, "this is a big fucking deal." Other politicians, including President Obama, have recognized that Jerusalem is de facto the capital of Israel, but they have also taken the position that the final status of Jerusalem is a matter for negotiation between the Israelis, the Palestinians, and the international community, and have therefore refused to move the Embassy there. And now Mitt Romney not only says he intends to move the Embassy, he says he "would only want to do so and to select the timing in accordance with the government of Israel."
Since when do Presidential candidates stand on foreign soil and pledge to conduct U.S. foreign policy in accordance with the desires of the foreign government on whose soil they are standing? No other candidate has ever done so, and it is an outrage for this one to do it now. I would personally not be surprised if innocent Americans died as a result of this show of a stunning combination of arrogance and ignorance. But hey, at least Mitt got somebody to like him on this trip (from the Yahoo link above the fold):
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/07/29/1114809/-You-re-not-President-yet-Mitt
Mitt Romney said that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and that as president he would work to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in an interview with CNNs Wolf Blitzer Sunday.
A nation has the capacity to choose its own capital city, and Jerusalem is Israels capital, Romney said. I think its long been the policy to ultimately have our embassy in the nations capital of Jerusalem.
Romney said the timing of the move would be worked out. I would follow the same policy we have had in the past, our embassy would be in the capital, and the timing of that is something I would want to work out with the government, Romney said.
Earlier this week, the White House issued a statement in response to questions from the press, clarifying their position on the issue: The status of Jerusalem is an issue that should be resolved in final status negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. And we continue to work with both parties to resolve this issue and others in a way that is just and fair, and respects the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/romney-says-he-would-move-american-embassy-to
Romney needs to be yanked off the international stage.
Coexist
(24,542 posts)Raine
(30,541 posts)on MSNBC this week.
grantcart
(53,061 posts)For the non religious nut Conservative this is pure pandering away national security interests for kookery.
Ruby the Liberal
(26,219 posts)but I don't know why it is a big deal. The administration has the right to set their foreign policy, and he just stated what his would be. Might as well have said "no 2 state solution, it's all Israel's", but he told everyone what they needed to know about what his policies would be.
I think its instructive to know that his plan is to put Israel's interests in front of the US - on so many different issues.
CTyankee
(63,926 posts)meddling in foreign policy for his own political ambitions. Obama had his own thoughts about policy with regard to Israel in the 08 campaign but he didn't go over there and muck it up. That was wise.
this is a huge deal. A candidate for prez is just a citizen and has no right to make foreign policy for the United States of America. There is a reason we have a State Department.
I am appalled.
Ruby the Liberal
(26,219 posts)He isn't representing anyone but his own arrogant ass right now. He isn't speaking for the US.
Maybe the issue is just that I could care less what tumbles out of his mouth (other than the entertainment factor). I guess it is difficult for me to think that anyone takes an unelected, private citizen seriously - as if this would have implications on our ACTUAL foreign policy?
aquart
(69,014 posts)Provide links.
Ruby the Liberal
(26,219 posts)Iran, the Embassy move, Bibi having him cancel his meeting with Sandy Yachimovich with less than 15 minutes notice?
Hell, cruise on over to Ynet, Haaretz or even the JPost and you can see each headline in all its glory.
jillan
(39,451 posts)What a f-ing idiot.
berni_mccoy
(23,018 posts)madamesilverspurs
(15,818 posts)the reporter stated that "no other president" has ever made such an assertion.
"no OTHER president" -- apparently CNN thinks that the election is over and that Romney won.
Good lord.
-
Aerows
(39,961 posts)He's just the presumptive nominee. I can't believe anyone is giving this arrogant idiot credence like he is anyone other than just a United States citizen. He is NOT the nominee yet, and certainly hasn't gotten elected.
RedStateLiberal
(1,374 posts)It's official now. They are Faux News-lite.
Hutzpa
(11,461 posts)well, it has gotten worse, as a matter of fact 'Mitt The Twit' is on a roll;
AzDar
(14,023 posts)Oy vey.
malaise
(269,263 posts)He is a neo-con tool
Voice for Peace
(13,141 posts)Gregorian
(23,867 posts)They just know that Obama is bad.
I fear for the world, because this is far more than a beauty contest.
That's all obvious. But what isn't is what would happen if Willard Romney were sitting in the Oval Office. I cringe for the world.
MrScorpio
(73,631 posts)I expect Romney to get another big donation from the casino big shot.
rucky
(35,211 posts)grantcart
(53,061 posts)CTyankee
(63,926 posts)To whom do you refer?
And in what context do you use the word "Jewess"? I haven't heard it used in any context in current usage and I need you to explain. I have a Jewish stepdaughter and 3 Jewish granddaughters, just so you know where I am coming from here...
grantcart
(53,061 posts)CTyankee
(63,926 posts)altho I am old enough to remember when "Jewess" was a very bad word used by very bad people. I am glad it is so passe that Silverman feels comfortable using it in this bit...
aquart
(69,014 posts)Do you know the thoughts of all billionaires or only all Jews?
MrScorpio
(73,631 posts)And afterwards Mitt raised a crapload of cash.
I think all the Likudniks and their supporters, like Old Sheldon there during that speech, were just as happy as peas in a pod to hear Romney pander to them.
RedStateLiberal
(1,374 posts)The world needs to be reminded that Mitt Romney is NOT in a position of power and the US needs to make sure he never is!
The Blue Flower
(5,451 posts)So does he think the Saudis, Yemenis, Jordanians, etc. want us to elect a president who wishes to move the Israeli capitol to Jerusalem? They can write checks as well as the Koch bros.
grantcart
(53,061 posts)OPEC has cast its vote.
Response to ProSense (Original post)
Post removed
chknltl
(10,558 posts)You do know what happens to Ron Paul supporters around here?
AHA! Fantasy Role Playing.
He fantasized that his notions would be welcome here. At least he got a pizza for his efforts.
noel711
(2,185 posts)Frankly I don't think Romney is savvy enough to 'maverick' some
foreign policy that undermines the US view of the middle east.
He's taking talking points from someone,
and not only does it make the US look ... unhinged..
but he looks like a doofus!
AND yet polls claim he's surging.
I am living in a bizarro world!
mfcorey1
(11,001 posts)spanone
(135,921 posts)Enrique
(27,461 posts)Romney gave himself wiggle room to do what the last three presidents have done, which is to delay the move to Jerusalem for diplomatic purposes. He said in his CNN interview that he wants to "ultimately" move the embassy.
President Barack Obama is delaying moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.
A 1995 U.S. law recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital and ordered that the embassy be relocated there. But the law also permits the president to delay the move for six-month periods, based on national security grounds.
Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush invoked the clause during their presidencies.
Obama notified Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton of his decision on Thursday. He first delayed moving the embassy in June.
The location of the embassy is a sensitive issue in efforts to negotiate peace in the Middle East.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)"bad information from kos, looks to me"
...bad information from Haaretz: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021040379
I mean, the TPM piece in the OP quotes the WH statement on policy.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)never signed the law.
Since passage, the law has never been implemented, because of opposition from Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama, who view it as a Congressional infringement on the executive branchs constitutional authority over foreign policy; they have consistently claimed the presidential waiver on national security interests.
<...>
Under the Constitution of the United States the President has exclusive authority to recognize foreign sovereignty over territory.[24] The Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel concluded that the provisions of the Embassy Relocation Act invade exclusive presidential authorities in the field of foreign affairs and are unconstitutional.[25]
U.S. presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and now Barack Obama have alluded to or explicitly stated the belief that Congressional resolutions attempting to legislate foreign policy infringe upon the Executive's authority and responsibility to carry out sound and effective U.S. foreign relations.
<...>
Even from the Embassy Act's legislative beginnings, the question of Congress' over-reach and if somehow it was usurping the Executive's authority or power over matters of foreign affair had played subtle role in shaping the debate at the time. President Clinton had taken the unusual step of not signing the Embassy Act into law once Congress had presented it to him but rather let 10 days of inaction pass, allowing the bill to return to Congress and automatically become law by Constitutional "default" to show his disapproval. The non-action on Clinton's part reinforced this sticking point between the branches of Federal government without the possible public fallout from taking a "negative stand" on what appeared to be favorable, veto-proof legislation on the surface overall and at the time.[27] [28][29]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_Embassy_Act#Constitutional_separation_of_powers
Still, the WH sets U.S. foreign policy, and Romney specifically contradicted the stated U.S. policy.
creeksneakers2
(7,476 posts)also promised to move the embassy. This is nothing new. US law says says that's where the embassy should be.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2011-12-08/gingrich-bachmann-israel-embassy/51745362/1
ProSense
(116,464 posts)"Candidates Bill Clinton and GW Bush also promised to move the embassy. This is nothing new. US law says says that's where the embassy should be."
There was no law when Clinton was a candidate, and even so, he opposed the law and never signed it, as noted here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=1043350
SunSeeker
(51,789 posts)He just doesn't give a crap that his whoring for Sheldon Adelson's cash will produce a deadly reaction by the Muslim extremists in the region--the ones too stupid to realize Romney does not speak for America, e.g. the ones who believed what they heard on Glenn Beck and showed up to violently protest Hillary recently.
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)WOW.
This man could be the most dangerous president in our history.
proud patriot
(100,716 posts)crimson77
(305 posts)Palestian authority"
Why do we even bother? It's a question not something snide, why do we engage them? It has gotten us nowhere.
LynneSin
(95,337 posts)Both of them are giant douchebags!
kraj8995
(35 posts)This comment of Jerusalem will be a breaking news in the breaking dusk.This issue and this nation are so much already complicated.Its very tough to give a verdict about this place in a certain manner.