'Clueless' Romney sounded like 'beauty pageant contestant' in final presidential debate: NYT

Washington, Oct. 23 (ANI): US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney often sounded completely lost and had no original ideas on most world issues, including Syria, Iran and Afghanistan during the third and final presidential debate on foreign policy.

According to the New York Times, during the debate, Romney sounded as if he had read the boldfaced headings in a briefing book, or a freshman global history textbook, and had not gone much further than that.

Twice during the first half-hour, he mentioned that Al Qaeda-affiliated groups were active in northern Mali.

At other times, he announced that he had a "strategy" for the Middle East, particularly Iran and Syria, and really for the whole world, but gave no clue what it would be.

At his worst, Romney sounded like a 'beauty pageant contestant' groping for an answer to the final question.

"We want a peaceful planet," he said, adding: "We want people to be able to enjoy their lives and know they're going to have a bright and prosperous future and not be at war."

According to the report, he added that the United States "didn't ask for" the mantle of global leadership, but was willing to wear it.

Romney's problem is that he does not actually have any real ideas on foreign policy beyond what President Barack Obama has already done, or plans to do, the report said.

He supported the planned withdrawal from Afghanistan - and was quick to insist during the debate that he would pull out by 2014.

The president virtually attacked Romney at virtually every opportunity, showing no sign of the oddly disconnected Barack Obama who lost the first debate.

When Romney called for spending more money on the military than the United States can afford or the military wants, Obama moved in: "You mentioned the Navy, for example, and that we have fewer ships than we did in 1916. Well, Governor, we also have fewer horses and bayonets."

Obama hit Romney hard on his ever-shifting positions on world affairs, including comments he made in 2008 disparaging the idea that killing Osama bin Laden should be a priority, the report said.

According to the report, Romney's closing statement summed it all up. He said almost nothing about foreign policy. He moved back to his comfort zone: cheerfully delivered disinformation about domestic policy. (ANI)