Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney addressed attendees at the 113th annual VFW Convention on Tuesday.
Romney addressed about 6,000 veterans inside the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
He started off by asking a few questions. "Since then has the American economy recovered? Has our ability to shape world events been enhanced or diminished? Have we gained confidence with our allies? Has our biggest threat - a nuclear Iran become more or less likely?" Questions he answered himself. "These measures are the test of American leadership and what has happened with (President) Obama so far in his first term does not inspire confidence in a second term."
In his speech, he also emphasized his support for his country. "I do not view America as just another place in the map. I believe our country is the greatest force of good the world has ever known and our influence is needed today as never before."
He also talked about budget cuts - including a $1 trillion in cuts to the military set to start in just a few months unless action is taken in Washington, D.C. "Mark my words those cuts would weaken our already stretched VA system and that every bit received care second to none. If I am elected president of the United States I will not let that happen!"
Romney also ripped into the president's policies. "The president's policies have made it harder to recovery from the deepest recession in 70 years, exposed the military to cuts that no one can justify, compromised our national security secrets (applause). And, in dealings with other nations, he has given trust where it is not earned, insult where it was not deserved and apology where it is not due (applause)."
Romney also accused President Obama of leaking for political gain classified details of the raid that killed al-Qaida terrorist leader Osama bin Laden and covert actions in Iran.
Romney calls the leak "contemptible" and says such action betrays the national interest, compromises troops in the field and demands a full and prompt investigation.
Romney says Americans have the right to know who -- if anyone -- in the White House shared classified details. Romney adds that an administration led by him would not reveal classified material for political purposes.
He also addressed America's current relationship to Israel saying President Obama has not "been a good friend to the Israel" saying the country has received a "shabby treatment."
Concerning Iran he said, "There is no greater danger in the world today than the prospect of the ayatollahs in Tehran possessing nuclear weapons."
Monday, Romney met with small business owners in Costa Mesa where he discussed the economy and the areas he believes President Obama has it wrong.
Romney fielded questions about job creation and taxes - taking suggestions along the way.
He also addressed healthcare reform saying he prefers a health care system that puts more power in the free market and less power in central government.
He left from Reno today headed for London, Poland and Israel.
But before he left, Erin Breen had a chance to sit down and talk with Romney one-on-one. We'll have that interview for you tomorrow night.
Vice President Joe Biden issued the following statement in response to Mitt Romney's remarks to he VFW National Convention today:
"Over the past three years, President Obama has taken the fight directly to America's enemies, confronting al-Qaeda head on and taking out Osama bin Laden. He ended the war in Iraq responsibly and has a plan to do the same in Afghanistan. He has done more for Israel's security than any President since Harry Truman, led international efforts to put the most pressure in history on Iran, protected the people of Libya from a brutal dictator and helped rebuild our alliances across the globe. He saved our economy from collapse with bold decisions, including the rescue of the automobile industry – which has made us stronger abroad. Because of President Obama's leadership, Osama bin Laden is dead and General Motors is alive.
"Today, Governor Romney had an opportunity to fulfill a long-standing promise by laying out his foreign policy vision and agenda. He had a chance to say how he would lead as Commander-in-Chief. Instead, all we heard from Governor Romney was empty rhetoric and bluster. He reflexively criticizes the President's policies without offering any alternatives. When he does venture a position, it's a safe bet that he previously took exactly the opposite position and will probably change his mind again and land in the wrong place – far out of the mainstream. Or he mischaracterizes our record to create a non-existent contrast.
On Afghanistan:
"Governor Romney supported the President's timeline to end the war in Afghanistan, then he opposed it and now it is hard to know where he stands. His misguided criticism of the President's new defense strategy is undermined by the fact that strategy was designed with and supported by the entire Defense Department senior leadership, uniform and civilian. It provides for a more agile, flexible force, better able to confront aggressors and project power, with strong partnerships to share the burden and smart investments in cutting edge capabilities. We proposed a budget to fully fund that strategy and keep faith with our veterans.
On Russia:
"When it comes to Russia – which he recently called "our number one geo-political foe" – Governor Romney remains mired in a Cold War mindset. We have serious disagreements with Moscow, but our cooperation has made the American people more secure. Russia cancelled the sale of cutting edge radar to Iran and joined us in imposing the toughest sanctions in history on Tehran. Together, we negotiated a major nuclear arms reduction treaty – New START – that virtually the entire Republican foreign policy establishment supported but Governor Romney and a very small group of Cold War holdovers opposed.
On Poland and missile defense:
"On the eve of his trip to Poland, the Governor is either profoundly misinformed – or misinforming the American people. He asserts that the President abandoned a missile defense system in that country. President Obama asked me to secure Allied support for a new missile defense plan for Europe. Who did we ask to host its main components? Poland, along with Turkey, Romania, Germany and Spain. These countries and all of NATO embraced our approach because it protects more of Europe more quickly than the old plan.
On Israel:
"Governor Romney continues his long litany of untruths about our administration's policies toward Israel. We've provided record levels of security assistance, funding for the Iron Dome missile defense system that intercepted nearly 80 percent of the rockets recently fired from Gaza, close collaboration on longer range missile defense systems, the largest joint military exercises in history, the most consistent and comprehensive exchanges ever between our top political, defense, security and intelligence officials. And, contrary to Governor Romney's outrageous accusation that the President joined in the chorus of insults levied against Israel at the United Nations, President Obama has stood up repeatedly, publicly and often alone against efforts to delegitimize Israel at the U.N. and around the world.
On Iran:
"On Iran, Governor Romney does a compelling job laying out exactly what the Administration is already doing. The only step he seems to think we should take that we are not already taking is to launch a war. If that is what the Governor is for, he should tell the American people.
On al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden:
"One thing the Governor did not talk about today was al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. That's not surprising. When he last ran for President, Governor Romney was asked what he would do about bin Laden. He said then: ‘it is not worth moving heaven and earth spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person.' We know how Obama answered that question: by ordering our intelligence services to leave no stone unturned in the hunt for bin Laden, and then authorizing one of the highest risk missions ever to capture or kill our number one enemy.
"Thanks to President Obama's leadership, bin Laden is dead and General Motors is alive -- and everything we have learned from Governor Romney today and during this campaign tells the American people that a Romney presidency would have resulted in just the opposite."
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The convention is expected to pump about $12.7 million to the local economy it's Reno's biggest single-week convention of the year. It's expected to draw 10,000 visitors through the time it ends Wednesday. The organization helps younger veterans coming home from the Middle East.
Monday, President Obama addressed attendees. During his appearance, President Obama said as commander and chief he will make sure the U.S. military will remain the strongest on the world. He also announced a major overhaul in system in which vets transition from military service to private life.
Obama also announced a major overhaul for the assistance program to help veterans find a job, start a business or pursue their education.
He said his administration has helped thousands of veterans get jobs and today signed he Veterans Skills to Jobs Act.
"People should understand how skilled you are," he told veterans. "Our message to companies is simple. If you want someone to get the job done. Hire a vet. Hire a vet and they will make you proud."
"I've got your back," he told the VFW. "We have a solemn obligation to all who served."
"Let's stop playing politics with our military," Obama told the VFW.
He said he promised to strengthen the VA and he will continue to make "historic" investments in the U.S. veterans. He said he promised he would stand up for veterans health care and he said he made dramatic investments for veterans. "We've made VA health care to nearly 800,000 veterans who didn't have it before," he said.
He started his speech by remembering the victims of the Colorado shooting, including Jonathan Blunk of Reno. He said he had a message for the victims yesterday. "We honor your loved ones. We salute their service," he said. "We stand with you as one untied American family."
For more information, go to http://www.vfw.org/
