Mitt Romney

thank you __PUNCT__

command richard denoy __PUNCT__ i appreci the introduct __PUNCT__ and i proud to see a combat veteran from massachusett serv as nation command of the vfw __PUNCT__

ladi auxiliari presid gwen rankin __PUNCT__ incom nation command john hamilton __PUNCT__ incom ladi auxiliari presid leann lemlei __PUNCT__ adjut gener allen __PUNCT__ gunner __PUNCT__ kent __PUNCT__ execut_director bob wallac __PUNCT__ distinguish guest and member of the vfw __PUNCT__ thank you for your gener welcom __PUNCT__

i want to start todai with a few word about the unimagin tragedi in colorado last week __PUNCT__

we sinc learn that among the victim were four peopl who had serv __PUNCT__ or were serv __PUNCT__ our countri in uniform __PUNCT__

todai __PUNCT__ our heart go out to the famili of john larim of the u. __PUNCT__ navi __PUNCT__ rebecca wingo __PUNCT__ an air_forc veteran __PUNCT__ jess childress __PUNCT__ an armi veteran and member of the air forc reserv __PUNCT__ and jonathan blunk __PUNCT__ a navi veteran who di shield hi girlfriend from the sprai of bullet __PUNCT__

the loss of four american who serv our countri onli add to the profound tragedi of that dai __PUNCT__

all american ar grate for their servic and deepli sadden by their death __PUNCT__

we mourn them and we will rememb them __PUNCT__

the vfw is now over two million strong __PUNCT__

it ha a special place in america heart __PUNCT__

some of you fought recent __PUNCT__ in iraq or afghanistan __PUNCT__

other ar old enough to have march __PUNCT__ flown __PUNCT__ or sail by order of franklin d __PUNCT__ roosevelt __PUNCT__

whatev your ag __PUNCT__ whether you ar a republican or a democrat __PUNCT__ whenev you serv __PUNCT__ there on thing you have in common __PUNCT__ you answer the call of your countri in a time of war __PUNCT__

from __DATE__ __PUNCT__ __NUM__ to __DATE__ whenev america ha been test __PUNCT__ you step_forward __PUNCT__

you come from our farm __PUNCT__ our great_citi __PUNCT__ our small_town and quiet neighborhood __PUNCT__

mani of you have known violenc so that your neighbor could onli know peac __PUNCT__

you have done more than protect_america __PUNCT__ your courag and servic defin america __PUNCT__

you ar america at our best and it is an honor to address you __PUNCT__

our veteran ar part of a proud tradit that stretch back to the battlefield at lexington and concord __PUNCT__ and now to place like fallujah and kandahar __PUNCT__

year after year __PUNCT__ our men and women in uniform have ad proud achiev to their record of servic __PUNCT__

and presid_obama point to some of them yesterdai in hi speech __PUNCT__

ani time our militari accomplish a vital mission it is a proud moment for our nation __PUNCT__

but we ow our veteran and our militari more than just an account of our success __PUNCT__

thei deserv a fair and frank assess of the whole pictur __PUNCT__ of where we ar and where we want to be __PUNCT__

and when it come to nation_secur and foreign_polici __PUNCT__ as with our economi __PUNCT__ the last few year have been a time of declin influenc and miss opportun __PUNCT__

just consid some of the challeng i discuss at your last nation_convent __PUNCT__

sinc then __PUNCT__ ha the american_economi recov __PUNCT__

ha our abil to shape world event been enhanc __PUNCT__ or diminish __PUNCT__

have we gain greater confid among our alli __PUNCT__ and greater respect from our adversari __PUNCT__

and __PUNCT__ perhap most importantli __PUNCT__ ha the most sever secur threat face america and our friend __PUNCT__ a nuclear __PUNCT__ arm iran __PUNCT__ becom more or less like __PUNCT__

these clear measur ar the ultim test of american leadership __PUNCT__

and __PUNCT__ by these standard __PUNCT__ we haven't seen much in the presid first term that inspir confid in a second __PUNCT__

the presid polici have made it harder to recov from the deepest recess in seventi_year __PUNCT__ expos the militari to cut that no on can justifi __PUNCT__ compromis our nation __PUNCT__ secur secret __PUNCT__ and in deal with other nation __PUNCT__ given trust where it is not earn __PUNCT__ insult where it is not deserv __PUNCT__ and apolog where it is not due __PUNCT__

from berlin to cairo to the unit_nation __PUNCT__ presid_obama ha share hi view of america and it place among nation __PUNCT__

i have come here todai to share mine __PUNCT__

i am an unapologet believ in the great of thi countri __PUNCT__

i am not asham of american_power __PUNCT__

i take pride that throughout histori our power ha brought justic where there wa tyranni __PUNCT__ peac where there wa conflict __PUNCT__ and hope where there wa afflict and despair __PUNCT__

i do not view america as just on more point on the strateg map __PUNCT__ on more power to be balanc __PUNCT__

i believ our countri is the greatest forc for good the world ha ever known __PUNCT__ and that our influenc is need as much now as ever __PUNCT__

and i am guid by on overwhelm convict and passion __PUNCT__ thi centuri must be an american_centuri __PUNCT__

in __NUM__ henri luce call on hi countrymen __PUNCT__ just then realiz their strength __PUNCT__ to creat the first great_american american_centuri __PUNCT__ and thei succeed __PUNCT__ togeth with their alli __PUNCT__ thei won world_war_ii __PUNCT__ thei rescu europ __PUNCT__ thei defeat commun __PUNCT__ and america took it place as leader of the free_world __PUNCT__

across the globe __PUNCT__ thei fought __PUNCT__ thei bled __PUNCT__ thei led __PUNCT__

thei show the world the extraordinari courag of the american heart and the generos of the american_spirit __PUNCT__

that courag and generos remain unchang todai __PUNCT__

but sadli __PUNCT__ thi presid ha diminish american leadership __PUNCT__ and we ar reap the consequ __PUNCT__

the world is danger __PUNCT__ destruct __PUNCT__ chaotic __PUNCT__

and the two men run to be your command __PUNCT__ in __PUNCT__ chief must offer their answer to the challeng we face __PUNCT__

like a watchman in the night __PUNCT__ we must remain at our post __PUNCT__ and keep guard of the freedom that defin and ennobl us __PUNCT__ and our friend __PUNCT__

in an american_centuri __PUNCT__ we have the strongest economi and the strongest militari in the world __PUNCT__

in an american centuri __PUNCT__ we secur peac through our strength __PUNCT__

and if by absolut necess we must emploi it __PUNCT__ we must wield our strength with resolv __PUNCT__

in an american centuri __PUNCT__ we lead the free_world and the free world_lead the entir world __PUNCT__

if we do not have the strength or vision to lead __PUNCT__ then other power will take our place __PUNCT__ pull histori in a veri differ direct __PUNCT__

a just and peac world depend on a strong and confid america __PUNCT__

i pledg to you that if i becom command __PUNCT__ in __PUNCT__ chief __PUNCT__ the unit_state of america will fulfil it duti __PUNCT__ and it destini __PUNCT__

american leadership depend __PUNCT__ as it alwai ha __PUNCT__ on our econom strength __PUNCT__ on our militari strength __PUNCT__ and on our moral strength __PUNCT__

if ani of these falter __PUNCT__ no skill of diplomaci or presidenti oratori can compens __PUNCT__

todai __PUNCT__ the strength of our economi is in jeopardi __PUNCT__

a healthi american_economi is what underwrit american_power __PUNCT__

when growth is miss __PUNCT__ govern_revenu fall __PUNCT__ social_spend rise __PUNCT__ and mani in washington look to cut defens_spend as an easi out __PUNCT__

that includ our current presid __PUNCT__

todai __PUNCT__ we ar just month awai from an arbitrari __PUNCT__ across __PUNCT__ the __PUNCT__ board budget reduct that would saddl the militari with a trillion_dollar in cut __PUNCT__ sever shrink our forc structur __PUNCT__ and impair our abil to meet and deter threat __PUNCT__

don't bother try to find a seriou militari rational behind ani of thi __PUNCT__ unless that rational is wish think __PUNCT__

strategi is not drive presid_obama massiv defens cut __PUNCT__

in fact __PUNCT__ hi own secretari of defens warn that these reduct would be __PUNCT__ devast __PUNCT__ and he is right __PUNCT__

that devast start at home __PUNCT__

these cut would onli weaken an alreadi stretch va system and impair our solemn commit that everi veteran receiv care second to none __PUNCT__

i will not allow that to happen __PUNCT__

thi is not the time for the presid radic cut in the militari __PUNCT__

look around the globe __PUNCT__

other major power ar rapidli ad to their militari capabl __PUNCT__ some with intent veri differ from our __PUNCT__

the regim in tehran is draw closer to develop a nuclear_weapon __PUNCT__

the threat of radic_islam islam_terror persist __PUNCT__

the threat of weapon of mass_destruct prolifer is ever __PUNCT__ present __PUNCT__

and we ar still at war and still have uniform men and women in conflict __PUNCT__

all thi and more is ongo in the world __PUNCT__

and yet the presid ha chosen thi moment for wholesal reduct in the nation militari capac __PUNCT__

when the biggest announc in hi last state of the union_address on improv our militari wa that the pentagon will start us more clean_energi __PUNCT__ then you know it time for a chang __PUNCT__

we not the first peopl to observ thi __PUNCT__

it is report that bob gate __PUNCT__ the presid first secretari of defens __PUNCT__ bluntli address anoth secur problem within thi administr __PUNCT__

after secret oper detail of the bin_laden raid were given to report __PUNCT__ secretari gate walk into the west_wing and told the obama_team to __PUNCT__ shut up __PUNCT__ he ad a color word for emphasi __PUNCT__

live of american servicemen and women ar at stake __PUNCT__

but astonishingli __PUNCT__ the administr fail to chang it wai __PUNCT__

more top __PUNCT__ secret oper were leak __PUNCT__ even some involv covert action in iran __PUNCT__

thi isn't a partisan issu __PUNCT__ it a nation_secur crisi __PUNCT__

and yesterdai __PUNCT__ democrat_senat diann_feinstein __PUNCT__ chairman of the senat intellig committe __PUNCT__ said __PUNCT__ quot __PUNCT__ i think the white_hous ha to understand that some of thi is come from their rank __PUNCT__

thi conduct is contempt __PUNCT__

it betrai our nation_interest __PUNCT__

it compromis our men and women in the field __PUNCT__

and it demand a full and prompt investig by a special counsel __PUNCT__ with explan and consequ __PUNCT__

obama appointe __PUNCT__ who ar account to presid_obama attornei_gener __PUNCT__ should not be respons for investig the leak come from the obama white_hous __PUNCT__

whoever provid classifi_inform to the media __PUNCT__ seek polit_advantag for the administr __PUNCT__ must be expos __PUNCT__ dismiss __PUNCT__ and punish __PUNCT__

the time for stonewal is over __PUNCT__

it is not enough to sai the matter is be look into __PUNCT__ and leav it at that __PUNCT__

when the issu is the polit us of highli sensit nation_secur inform __PUNCT__ it is unaccept to sai __PUNCT__ we report our find after elect_dai __PUNCT__

exactli who in the white_hous betrai these secret __PUNCT__ did a superior author it __PUNCT__ these ar thing that american ar entitl to know __PUNCT__ and thei ar entitl to know right now __PUNCT__

if the presid believ __PUNCT__ as he said last week __PUNCT__ that the buck stop with him __PUNCT__ then he ow all american a full and prompt account of the fact __PUNCT__

and let me make thi veri clear __PUNCT__ these event make the decis we face in __DATE__ all the more import __PUNCT__

what kind of white hous would reveal classifi materi for polit_gain __PUNCT__ i tell you right now __PUNCT__ mine won't __PUNCT__

the harm done when nation_secur secret ar betrai extend __PUNCT__ of cours __PUNCT__ to the trust that alli place in the unit_state __PUNCT__

the oper principl of american_foreign_polici ha been to work with our alli so that we can deter aggress befor it break out into open conflict __PUNCT__

that polici depend on nurtur our allianc and stand up for our common valu __PUNCT__

yet the presid ha move in the opposit_direct __PUNCT__

it began with the sudden abandon of friend in poland and the czech_republ __PUNCT__

thei had courag agre to provid site for our anti __PUNCT__ missil system __PUNCT__ onli to be told __PUNCT__ at the last hour __PUNCT__ that the agreement wa off __PUNCT__

as part of the so __PUNCT__ call reset in polici __PUNCT__ missil_defens were sacrif as a unilater concess to the russian_govern __PUNCT__

if that gestur wa design to inspir good will from russia __PUNCT__ it clearli miss the mark __PUNCT__

the russian govern defend the dictat in damascu __PUNCT__ arm him as he slaughter the syrian peopl __PUNCT__

we can onli guess what vladimir_putin make of the obama_administr __PUNCT__

he regain the russian presid in a corrupt elect __PUNCT__ and for that __PUNCT__ he got a congratulatori call from the oval_offic __PUNCT__

and then there wa that exchang pick up by a microphon that presid_obama didn't know wa on __PUNCT__

we heard him ask dmitri medvedev to tell mr __PUNCT__ putin to give him __PUNCT__ space __PUNCT__ thi is my last elect __PUNCT__ presid obama said __PUNCT__ and __PUNCT__ after my elect i have more flexibl __PUNCT__

why is flexibl with russian leader more import than transpar to the american_peopl __PUNCT__

presid_obama had a moment of candor __PUNCT__ howev __PUNCT__ just the other dai __PUNCT__

he said that the action of the venezuelan dictat hugo_chavez have not had a seriou nation_secur impact on us __PUNCT__

in my view __PUNCT__ invit hezbollah into our hemispher is sever __PUNCT__ seriou __PUNCT__ and a threat __PUNCT__

but at least he wa consist __PUNCT__

after all __PUNCT__ thi is the presid who falter when the iranian peopl were look for support in their struggl against the ayatollah __PUNCT__

that upris wa treat as an inconveni problem for the presid polici of engag __PUNCT__ instead of as a moral and strateg opportun __PUNCT__

that terribl misjudg should never be repeat __PUNCT__

when unarm women and men in tehran find the courag to confront their oppressor __PUNCT__ at risk of tortur and death __PUNCT__ thei should hear the unequivoc voic of an american_presid affirm their right to be free __PUNCT__

i will leav reno thi even on a trip abroad that will take me to england __PUNCT__ poland __PUNCT__ and israel __PUNCT__

and sinc i wouldn't ventur into anoth countri to question american_foreign_polici __PUNCT__ i will tell you right here __PUNCT__ befor i leav __PUNCT__ what i think of thi administr shabbi treatment of on of our finest friend __PUNCT__

presid_obama is fond of lectur israel leader __PUNCT__

he wa even caught by a microphon derid them __PUNCT__

he ha undermin their posit __PUNCT__ which wa tough enough as it wa __PUNCT__

and even at the unit_nation __PUNCT__ to the enthusiast applaus of israel enemi __PUNCT__ he spoke as if our closest alli in the middl_east wa the problem __PUNCT__

the peopl of israel deserv better than what thei have receiv from the leader of the free_world __PUNCT__

and the choru of accus __PUNCT__ threat __PUNCT__ and insult at the unit_nation should never again includ the voic of the presid of the unit_state __PUNCT__

there ar valu __PUNCT__ caus __PUNCT__ and nation that depend on american strength __PUNCT__ on the clariti of our purpos __PUNCT__ and on the reliabl of our commit __PUNCT__

there is work in thi world that onli america and our alli can do __PUNCT__ hostil power that onli we can deter __PUNCT__ and challeng that onli we can overcom __PUNCT__

for the past_decad __PUNCT__ among those challeng ha been the war in afghanistan __PUNCT__

as command __PUNCT__ in __PUNCT__ chief __PUNCT__ i will have a solemn duti to our men and women in uniform __PUNCT__

a presid ow our troop __PUNCT__ their famili __PUNCT__ and the american_peopl a clear explan of our mission __PUNCT__ and a commit not to plai polit with the decis of war __PUNCT__

i have been critic of the presid decis to withdraw the surg troop dure the fight season __PUNCT__ against the advic of the command on the ground __PUNCT__

presid_obama would have you believ that anyon who disagre with hi decis is argu for endless_war __PUNCT__

but the rout to more war __PUNCT__ and to potenti attack here at home __PUNCT__ is a polit time retreat __PUNCT__

as presid __PUNCT__ my goal in afghanistan will be to complet a success transit to afghan secur_forc by the end of __NUM__ __PUNCT__

i will evalu condit on the ground and solicit the best advic of our militari_command __PUNCT__

and i will affirm that my duti is not to my polit prospect __PUNCT__ but to the secur of the nation __PUNCT__

we face anoth continu challeng in a rise china __PUNCT__

china is attent to the interest of it govern __PUNCT__ but it too often disregard the right of it peopl __PUNCT__

it is select in the freedom it allow __PUNCT__ and __PUNCT__ as with it on __PUNCT__ child polici __PUNCT__ it can be ruthless in crush the freedom it deni __PUNCT__

in conduct trade with america __PUNCT__ it permit flagrant patent and copyright violat __PUNCT__ forestal american_busi from compet in it market __PUNCT__ and manipul it currenc to obtain unfair advantag __PUNCT__

it is in our mutual interest for china to be a partner for a stabl and secur world __PUNCT__ and we welcom it particip in trade __PUNCT__

but the cheat must final be brought to a stop __PUNCT__

presid_obama hasn't done it and won't do it __PUNCT__

i will __PUNCT__

we need that same clariti of purpos and resolv in the middl_east __PUNCT__

america cannot be neutral in the outcom there __PUNCT__

we must clearli stand for the valu of repres_govern __PUNCT__ econom_opportun __PUNCT__ and human right __PUNCT__

and we must stand against the extens of iranian or jihadist influenc __PUNCT__

egypt is at the center of thi histor drama __PUNCT__

in mani wai __PUNCT__ it ha the power to tip the balanc in the arab_world toward freedom and modern __PUNCT__

as presid __PUNCT__ i will not onli direct the billion in assist we give to egypt toward that goal __PUNCT__ but i will also work with partner nation to place condit on their assist as well __PUNCT__

unifi our collect influenc behind a common_purpos will foster the develop of a govern that repres all egyptian __PUNCT__ maintain peac with israel __PUNCT__ and promot peac throughout the region __PUNCT__

the unit_state is will to help egypt support peac and prosper __PUNCT__ but we will not be complicit in oppress and instabl __PUNCT__

there is no greater danger in the world_todai than the prospect of the ayatollah in tehran possess nuclear_weapon capabl __PUNCT__

yet for all the talk and confer __PUNCT__ all of the extens and assur __PUNCT__ can anyon sai we ar farther from thi danger now than four year_ago __PUNCT__

the same ayatollah who each year mark a holidai by lead chant of __PUNCT__ death to america __PUNCT__ ar not go to be talk out of their pursuit of nuclear_weapon __PUNCT__

what need is all the firm __PUNCT__ clariti __PUNCT__ and moral courag that we and our alli can gather __PUNCT__

sanction must be enforc without except __PUNCT__ cut off the regim sourc of wealth __PUNCT__

negoti must secur full and unhind access for inspect __PUNCT__

as it is __PUNCT__ the iranian_regim claim the right to enrich nuclear materi for supposedli peac purpos __PUNCT__

thi claim is discredit by year of decept __PUNCT__

a clear line must be drawn __PUNCT__ there must be a full suspens of ani enrich __PUNCT__ period __PUNCT__

and at everi turn __PUNCT__ iran must know that the unit_state and our alli stand as on in these critic object __PUNCT__

onli in thi wai can we successfulli counter the catastroph threat that iran present __PUNCT__

i pledg to you and to all american that if i becom command __PUNCT__ in __PUNCT__ chief __PUNCT__ i will us everi mean necessari to protect ourselv and the region __PUNCT__ and to prevent the worst from happen while there is still time __PUNCT__

it is a mistak __PUNCT__ and sometim a tragic on __PUNCT__ to think that firm in american_foreign_polici can bring onli tension or conflict __PUNCT__

the surest path to danger is alwai weak and indecis __PUNCT__

in the end __PUNCT__ it is resolv that move event in our direct __PUNCT__ and strength that keep the peac __PUNCT__

i will not surrend america leadership in the world __PUNCT__

we must have confid in our caus __PUNCT__ clariti in our purpos __PUNCT__ and resolv in our might __PUNCT__

thi is veri simpl __PUNCT__ if you do not want america to be the strongest nation on earth __PUNCT__ i am not your presid __PUNCT__

you have that presid todai __PUNCT__

the __NUM___centuri can and must be an american_centuri __PUNCT__

it began with terror __PUNCT__ war __PUNCT__ and econom calam __PUNCT__

it is our duti to steer it onto the path of freedom __PUNCT__ peac __PUNCT__ and prosper __PUNCT__

fewer member of the greatest_gener ar with us todai __PUNCT__ and thei can't hold the torch as high as thei have in the past __PUNCT__

we must now seiz the torch thei carri so gallantli and at such sacrific __PUNCT__

it is an etern torch of decenc __PUNCT__ freedom and hope __PUNCT__

it is not america torch alon __PUNCT__

but it is america duti __PUNCT__ and honor __PUNCT__ to hold it high enough so that all the world can see it light __PUNCT__

believ in america __PUNCT__

thank you and god_bless the unit_state of america __PUNCT__