Santorum Slams Obama On Foreign Policy

By Anna Cameron

At an appearance at the National Press Club Thursday, Former Sen. Rick Santorum chastised President Barack Obama based on the administration’s approach to foreign policy since his inauguration in 2009.

“A president who doesn’t understand the greatness of the American experiment cannot confidently advance her interests,” said Santorum of Obama. “If he will not or cannot lead, who around the world will follow?”

Referencing American values and mission from a historical standpoint, Santorum explained what he believes to be Obama’s aversion to the idea of American exceptionalism, which he believes has adversely affected American foreign policy

“Today we have lost this mission because our president doesn’t believe in it,” Santorum said. “He was asked point blank whether he believed in American exceptionalism and his answer was people of every culture think they are exceptional. When he speaks of the greatness of our country, he ties it to our modern social welfare programs. And when he confronts other countries on their human rights abuses…he does so pointing out we, too, have problems to apologize for…”

Turning to the current implications across the Middle East, as well as the mounting threat of what he referred to as ‘jihadism’, both domestically and abroad, Santorum noted the confusion and doubt the President has caused in the hearts and minds of the American people, and the international community.

“We have caused two very dangerous things on the world stage: confusion and doubt,” he said. “We now have a confused foreign policy in the hottest spots in the world: especially in the Middle East, and we have allies and freedom fighters all over the world who doubt our time tested and time honored commitments to them.”

In addressing his various concerns, Santorum introduced a 10 point plan that he believes will lead the nation to a better foreign policy. The plan places emphasis on reestablishing the American worldview to be more realistic, standing by Israel, redefining enemies and their respective ideologies, and better promoting the American “core values of freedom, equality, and democracy.”

“I am an optimist about America’s potential to again lead the world, and I don’t mean leading from behind,” said Santorum. “Be reclaiming our legacy of liberty I know we can make ourselves more secure and help the rest of the world become more stable and free.”