I guess that the Romney campaign could try to spin this that Mittens is a "man of the ages," but I think this has to be one of the better zingers that President Obama landed at the foreign policy debate.
Governor Romney, I’m glad that you recognize that Al Qaida is a threat, because a few months ago when you were asked what’s the biggest geopolitical threat facing America, you said Russia, not Al Qaida; you said Russia, in the 1980s, they’re now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because, you know, the Cold War’s been over for 20 years.
But Governor, when it comes to our foreign policy, you seem to want to import the foreign policies of the 1980s, just like the social policies of the 1950s and the economic policies of the 1920s.
You say that you’re not interested in duplicating what happened in Iraq. But just a few weeks ago, you said you think we should have more troops in Iraq right now. And the -- the challenge we have -- I know you haven’t been in a position to actually execute foreign policy -- but every time you’ve offered an opinion, you’ve been wrong.
Oh ouch. That left a mark.
And leave it to the liberal blogosphere to quickly capitalize on such a great meme. Matt Ortega put together "1980scalling.com" astonishingly fast for your amusement and edification:
Romney's "Cold War Mindset"
Republicans, Democrats And Russians All Have Suggested Romney Was “Stuck In A Cold War Mind-Set.” “Mitt Romney’s recent declaration that Russia is America’s top geopolitical adversary drew raised eyebrows and worse from many Democrats, some Republicans and the Russians themselves, all of whom suggested that Mr. Romney was misguidedly stuck in a cold war mind-set. But his statement was not off the cuff — and it was not the first time Mr. Romney had stirred debate over his hawkish views on Russia.” [New York Times, 5/11/12]
Constantly Referred to Russia as "the Soviets"
“The Romney Team … Seemed Dated” On Foreign Policy With References To “Soviets” And “Czechoslovakia.” “Still, it was the Romney team that seemed dated. Pierre Prosper, who was an ambassador handling war-crimes issues for President George W. Bush, accused Mr. Obama of appeasing Russia by abandoning plans to put a missile defense site in ‘Czechoslovakia’ — a nation that has not existed since the early 1990s. John F. Lehman, a secretary of the Navy in the Reagan administration, said the ‘Soviets’ were capitalizing on Mr. Obama’s weakening of the American military.” [New York Times, 4/26/12]
Be sure to scroll down to the game at the bottom.