Romney considers making summer trip to Europe and the Middle East

[Mr. Morden]

He's already supposed to visit the UK for the Olympics, but now might add other stops:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0712/78159.html

The tentative plan being discussed internally would have Romney begin his roll-out with a news-making address at the VFW convention later this month in Reno, Nev. The presumptive GOP nominee then is slated to travel to London for the start of the Olympics and to give a speech in Great Britain on U.S. foreign policy.

Romney next would fly to Israel for a series of meetings and appearances with key Israeli and Palestinian officials. Then, under the plan being considered, he would return to Europe for a stop in Germany and a public address in Poland, a steadfast American ally during the Bush years and a country that shares Romney’s wariness toward Russia. Romney officials had considered a stop in Afghanistan on the journey, but that’s now unlikely.

How will this affect the veep announcement timing?

[I left.]

We don't really want him...

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

Dear Mitt,

I certainly won't have time to hang out with you this summer. So, your trip would be kind of useless.

[BaldEagle1991]

Is he really going to get any positive response?

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

How will this affect the veep announcement timing?

I thought Mitt Romney is going to be Mitt Romney's veep.

[shua]

This sort of experience could be helpful. Maybe he'll even learn something meetings with those Israelis and Palestinians. He shouldn't bother with speeches at this point though - just go and listen and talk to the people there.

[ZuWo]

That's actually a good idea. I would say most Europeans don't know who Obama's challenger is, let alone what Romney's background and political stances are so a short trip to Europe is certainly helpful.

[I left.]

That's actually a good idea. I would say most Europeans don't know who Obama's challenger is, let alone what Romney's background and political stances are so a short trip to Europe is certainly helpful.

Will he look for a BMW at a souvenir shop? I mean, souvenirs are what normal Americans love

[Old Europe]

The tentative plan being discussed internally would have Romney begin his roll-out with a news-making address at the VFW convention later this month in Reno, Nev. The presumptive GOP nominee then is slated to travel to London for the start of the Olympics and to give a speech in Great Britain on U.S. foreign policy.

Romney next would fly to Israel for a series of meetings and appearances with key Israeli and Palestinian officials. Then, under the plan being considered, he would return to Europe for a stop in Germany and a public address in Poland, a steadfast American ally during the Bush years and a country that shares Romney’s wariness toward Russia. Romney officials had considered a stop in Afghanistan on the journey, but that’s now unlikely.

Oh god, please no.

[ZuWo]

That's actually a good idea. I would say most Europeans don't know who Obama's challenger is, let alone what Romney's background and political stances are so a short trip to Europe is certainly helpful.

Will he look for a BMW at a souvenir shop? I mean, souvenirs are what normal Americans love

Yes, but why a BMW if you can afford a Maybach?

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

He's already supposed to visit the UK for the Olympics, but now might add other stops:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0712/78159.html

The tentative plan being discussed internally would have Romney begin his roll-out with a news-making address at the VFW convention later this month in Reno, Nev. The presumptive GOP nominee then is slated to travel to London for the start of the Olympics and to give a speech in Great Britain on U.S. foreign policy.

Romney next would fly to Israel for a series of meetings and appearances with key Israeli and Palestinian officials. Then, under the plan being considered, he would return to Europe for a stop in Germany and a public address in Poland, a steadfast American ally during the Bush years and a country that shares Romney’s wariness toward Russia. Romney officials had considered a stop in Afghanistan on the journey, but that’s now unlikely.

What a bullsh**t. Polish-Russian relations did significantly improve during last years and general population is hardly scared or afraid of Russia. The same applies to political class, with exception of PiS nutjobs, that are out of power, luckily for good.

It's not f**king 2004, Politico.

[Hashemite]

I wonder how many people would turn up for his speeches in Europe? 100 max?

[WhyteRain]

I think that Romney recognizes the truth of what I've been saying:  If this election is a referendum on Obama, then he (or any GOP nominee) wins easily.  Therefore, I bet he wishes he could stay out of the country 'til the October debate.  Maybe even do that via teleconference!

[The Mikado]

Kalwejt would know better than I, but I'd assume Romney could at least get a good crowd of curious Poles to turn up.  I mean he is the one of the two candidates for the US Presidency.

The worst part will, of course, be Romney slobbering all over Benjamin Netanyahu in the Israel leg.

[BlueSwan]

Poor idea if the idea is to maximize his chances for a win in november. For Obama it made sense four years ago because he was greeted like a saviour and has always been far more popular in Europe than he has EVER been in the US. Most northern europeans aren't keen on republicans anyway, so Romney turning up is probably not going to result in all too much positive press.

[BaldEagle1991]

I wonder how many people would turn up for his speeches in Europe? 100 max?

56 people.

[WhyteRain]

Poor idea if the idea is to maximize his chances for a win in november. For Obama it made sense four years ago because he was greeted like a saviour

Just curious -- do Europeans feel as stupid for supporting Obama as Americans do?

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120708/NEWS09/307080024/Battling-for-every-Iowa-vote?Frontpage&gcheck=1&nclick_check=1

[ingemann]

I don't think this is a bad idea, this will give him the opportunity to shake hands with a few European leaders and look like a statesman, and protests is unlikely, as few common Europeans care about him yet. Poland and Germany are good choices, through I would also visit London.

[cope1989]

Yes Mitt, please stay in Europe as long as you'd like. Hell, rent a house on Lake Como and just take it easy!

That way, Obama can criss cross the country talking to voters about how you don't care about the American worker and are sending jobs overseas- then you can give your rebuttal to Fox News via satellite...OVERSEAS!!

[Simfan34]

With linen suit, tieless shirt, and straw Borsalino? Oh that would be a sight for the ages.

But I think a little tour to boost foreign policy creds could only do good.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

I wonder how many people would turn up for his speeches in Europe? 100 max?

56 people.

Hey, let's not be unfair to Romney here. He might be able to get 57 people to show up in London.

[Mr. Morden]

Looks like the first part of this trip is set:

http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=277050

Romney will fly to the UK for the opening ceremonies of the Olympics on July 27.  Looks like he'll fly to Israel on July 29, and leave on the 31st.  Once he leaves Israel, he may or may not stop in Germany and/or Poland before returning to the US.  That part hasn't been announced yet.

Oh, and when he's in Israel, one of the things he'll do is hold a $60,000 a plate fundraising dinner with American expatriates.

[I left.]

He saved the Olympics!!!

[Mr. Morden]

Six day overseas trip (leaving on Wednesday):

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/21/12875776-risk-and-reward-await-romney-on-foreign-trip?lite

Looks like about 2 days each in the UK, Israel, and Poland.

[Lief]

So Mitt Romney is literally going to Israel to fundraise?