"Governor Romney believes that bloodthirsty terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas have smothered the progress of the people and nations where they have built their networks, Lebanon serving as an example. These terror organizations cannot and should not be allowed to gain an advantage with the citizenry in Muslim nations just because they mask their terror agenda with an offering of some vital services. America can make great progress and provide more stability by creating partnerships with moderate Muslim governments to perfect the institutions of democracy and showcase the wonders and benefits of American democracy, such as our healthcare technology, educational institutions and free market commerce.
"By working with moderate Muslims to break down and defeat terror organizations like Hezbollah militarily, we can then turn to a new 'Marshall Plan' approach that strengthens the foundations of freedom and prosperity in burgeoning Middle East democracies."
- Romney Press Secretary Kevin Madden
FACT: Governor Romney Has A Long Record Of Denouncing Hezbollah Has A Terrorist Organization We Must Defeat:
Governor Romney Believes Hezbollah Is A "Bloodthirsty" Terrorist Organization. "Romney spokesman Kevin Madden told ABC News that the former Massachusetts governor views Hezbollah as a 'bloodthirsty' terrorist organization which has 'smothered' the progress of the people and nations where it has built its network, 'Lebanon serving as an example.'" (Teddy Davis and Matt Stuart, "Romney: U.S. Can Learn From Hezbollah," ABC News, 7/29/07)
Governor Romney Has Criticized Democrats For Failing To Recognize The Broader Jihadist Threat That Includes Hezbollah. "In his planned remarks at Yeshiva, a 7,000-student research university rooted in the traditions of Jewish law and life, Romney chides former President Carter for suggesting a security fence in Israel prevents peace in the Middle East. … 'What Jimmy Carter fails to understand is what so many fail to understand: Whether it is Hamas or Hezbollah or al Qaeda, there is an overarching goal among the violent jihadists that transcends borders and boundaries,' Romney says." (Glen Johnson, "Romney Favors Ambassador To Deter Nukes," The Associated Press, 4/26/07)
In Israel, Governor Romney Called On Arab States To Halt Financial And Weapon Flows To Groups Like Hezbollah. GOVERNOR ROMNEY: "[Arab states] should support Iraq's nascent government, they can help America's focus on Iran by quickly turning down the temperature of the Arab-Israeli conflict, stopping the financial and weapons flows to Hamas and Hezbollah, thawing relations with Israel, and telling the Palestinians they must drop terror and recognize Israel's right to exist." (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The Seventh Annual Herzliya Conference, Herzliya, Israel, 1/23/07)
FACT: In 2006, Governor Romney Ordered State Agencies To Not Support The Harvard Visit Of The Former Iranian President:
Ordering State Agencies To Not Support The Visit Of Former Iranian President Khatami, Governor Romney Cited, In Part, His Praise For Hezbollah. "Governor Mitt Romney today ordered all Massachusetts state government agencies to decline support, if asked, for former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami's September 10 visit to the Boston area, where he is scheduled to speak at Harvard University. … Romney cited a litany of hateful actions by Khatami, including his support for violent jihadist activities: … In the recent conflict along the Israel-Lebanon border, Khatami described the terrorist group Hezbollah as a 'shining sun that illuminates and warms the hearts of all Muslims and supporters of freedom in the world.'" (Office Of Governor Mitt Romney, "Romney Denounces Khatami Visit To Harvard," Press Release, 9/5/06)
· Governor Romney: "Well, what I say is that on that September 10th and September 11th, on the fifth anniversary of a extraordinary tragedy in America, you don't welcome a person to Harvard with open arms who has preached the destruction of Israel, who has developed nuclear technology, contrary to what he had said, who has jailed dissident students in his country, who has praised Hezbollah." (Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor," 9/6/06)
FACT: Governor Romney Believes The United States Can Better Use The Instruments Of Its Civilian Power To Defeat Groups Like Hezbollah:
Governor Romney Says America Must Do A Better Job Of Using All Its Civilian Instruments To Defeat Hezbollah's Efforts In Southern Lebanon To Win Hearts And Minds. GOVERNOR ROMNEY: "Our non-military resources enjoy no such jointness, no such clear leadership, no such clear lines of authority and responsibility. Too often we struggle to integrate our military and civilian instruments of national power into coherent, timely and effective operations. When facing the need to strengthen the democratic underpinnings of a country like Lebanon, our education, health, banking, energy, commerce, law enforcement and diplomatic resources are in separate bureaucracies, all under separate leadership, all protecting their own powers and their own prerogatives. So while we watched, Hezbollah brought healthcare and schools to the Lebanese. Guess who the people followed when conflict ensued? The same thing happened with Hamas and the Palestinians." (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks AT The George Bush Presidential Library, College Station, TX, 4/10/07)
· Governor Romney: "The wonders of America – like our healthcare technology – can be powerful tools to promote the foundations of liberty. It is time that we apply these American wonders to make the world, and in turn to make America, a safer, freer, and more prosperous place." (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks AT The George Bush Presidential Library, College Station, TX, 4/10/07)
· Click Here To Read Governor Romney's Full Speech At The George Bush Presidential Library: http://www.mittromney.com/News/Speeches/Remarks_George_Bush_Library_Center
FACT: This Attack On Governor Romney Is Being Pushed By A Partisan Democrat Organization:
The National Jewish Democratic Council Is Misconstruing Governor Romney's Words To Launch A Negative Partisan Attack. "Yesterday, in an article titled 'Mitt Romney cited Hezbollah's social network as a model for U.S. diplomacy,' the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) reported on recent comments by GOP Presidential candidate Mitt Romney that Hezbollah's 'kind of diplomacy is something that would help America become stronger around the world …' Today, the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) strongly criticized Mitt Romney for his praise of Hezbollah and released the following statement from Executive Director Ira N. Forman…" (National Jewish Democratic Council, "Statement From NJDC On Mitt Romney's Comments That America Should Use Hezbollah As A Model," Press Release, 8/2/07)
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