And Israel, and Poland too. LOL! President Obama is following Mitt Romney's de-Gaffatholon, with cunning moves obviously designed to magnify the embarrassment, by issuing a series of statements designed to clean up after Romney's mess. Says Yahoo:
Dear Britain: The White House wants you know that even if Mitt Romney may harbor doubts about your ability to pull off the Olympics, President Barack Obama "has the utmost confidence" in you. In fact, the Obama administration would also like Israel and Poland—the two countries the Republican standard-bearer will visit next—to know it has their back, too.
President Obama's top Homeland Security and counter-terrorism advisor, John Brennan met with the UK to help plan their security strategy.
[Brennan] led a discussion with key security officials "to take stock of our efforts, working with the United Kingdom, to prepare for the London 2012 Olympic Games."
Brennan then discussed the issue with Obama, who "directed that we continue to ensure that we are doing everything possible to keep the American people safe and to continue close cooperation with our British counterparts," Carney said. "In keeping with our special relationship, the president also made it clear that he has the utmost confidence in our close friend and ally the United Kingdom as they finalize preparations to host the London Olympics," Carney told reporters.
Burn! Mitt Romney's not the only one with a 'special relationship' with the United Kingdom, Anglo Saxon heritage notwithstanding.
Brennan had also recently visited Israel, to discuss a range of security concerns.
So what about Israel? On Wednesday the White House issued a written statement noting that Brennan had visited Israel. His mission? "To consult with senior Israeli officials about a range of shared security concerns, including the recent wave of terrorist plots against Israeli and other interests," according to a White House statement. "He also had a productive meeting with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Fayyad in Jerusalem."
And what about Romney's last stop, Poland, which seems to have been chosen because of Obama's lowest European approval ratings there? Sec. of Defense Leon Panetta met with the Polish Defense Minister.
On Wednesday, the Pentagon issued a statement highlighting Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's meeting with Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak.
They discussed "issues of mutual interest, including Afghanistan, NATO missile defense and the ongoing crisis in Syria," according to Pentagon spokesman George Little, who noted it was their "third in-person meeting."
"Panetta believes the strong defense relationship between Poland and the United States underpins a strategic partnership that helps provide for the security of the North Atlantic community. Siemoniak expressed full confidence in the United States-Polish friendship and alliance," Little said in a statement.
"The arrival of this detachment will mark a new step forward in the relationship between United States and Poland and enable closer military cooperation," Little said.
Panetta and his guest also discussed U.S. missile defense plans—a subject on which Romney has previously blasted the administration, accusing the president of rolling back American strategic objectives in the face of Russian opposition.
"The leaders discussed how the recently announced U.S. strategic guidance preserves investments in these kinds of capabilities," said Little. "The two nations are working closely together to establish an SM-3 ballistic missile interceptor site in Poland by 2018."
Let's see Romney try and top that. There is some advantage to the bully pulpit after all. I remember fondly the
worst day of Romney's life, way back when the Immigration announcement was made. By today's standards, that seems like a good day for Romney.