Obama: The '80s called, they want their foreign policy back

Obama zings Romney for calling Russia America's biggest geopolitical threat

Published October 23, 2012 1:53AM (EDT)

In an exchange about al-Qaida during the debate, Obama attacked Romney for calling Russia  “without question, our No. 1 geopolitical foe” earlier this year.

"Gov. Romney, I'm glad you recognize al-Qaida is a threat, because a few months ago when you were asked what is the biggest geopolitical group facing America, you said Russia, not al-Qaida," Obama said. "You said Russia. And the 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back. Because the Cold War has 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 policy of the 1950s, and the economic policies of the 1920s."


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

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2012 Elections 2012 Presidential Debates Barack Obama Mitt Romney Russia