He was right: Mitt Romney's comment in debate becomes eerily true

Remember the big laugh and soundbite reference to the "1980s wanting its foreign policy back" in the debates between then-candidate Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama?

Romney suggested that there was a reason to keep a close eye on Russia and its interests. Obama thought that was old-fashioned and short-sighted.

Now, fast forward to the announcement this week that Russian president Vladimir Putin is ignoring the U.S. and European allies' call to remove troops from the Ukraine. The region is a fledgling country trying to take its first steps after the ouster of the Russian-backed, and corrupt, leader.

Hmmm. Romney doesn't seem quite so stupid now.

The mistake that the Obama administration continues to make in foreign policy is to believe that calls for diplomacy and empty threats of force are enough to foster fear and respect among this nation's enemies, and to inspire loyalty and confidence among its allies.

And that Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm approach is naive, dangerous, and as we have seen lately, patently ineffective.

Bullies understand strength -- and until recently, that is the message this nation sent to its enemies and its allies.

Perhaps we could use a little of that 1980s strength and resolve back, Mr. President.

Makes you wonder, too, if the U.S. should be quite so quick in weakening its military based on this administration's view of a new world.

Leadership will be a key factor as this nation moves forward. Perhaps we need just a few more adults with experience at the table as we determine what U.S. foreign policy should be in the future.

Or, perhaps we should be a little less quick to reject those who have a different opinion on how this nation should handle its relations with other nations.

Either way, the Russian action is no joke -- and what we are going to do about it isn't either.

Published in Editorials on March 4, 2014 10:37 AM