2012 Olympics & Romney’s Overseas Tour

            The Olympic Opening Ceremonies took place earlier today, but what does this mean for the political scene in America, specifically our Presidential race? While Congress had a brief outcry over the USA Olympic uniforms being made overseas instead of in the U.S. – as if this is the most important issue we’re facing today – we’ve now semi-put this behind us and are welcoming the beginning of these Summer Games. Mitt Romney, having been involved in Olympic planning in the past, has made headlines lately as newspapers around the country seem to want his opinion on London 2012. What seemed to be a hesitant attitude regarding whether London was prepared for the Olympics, was ironed out when Romney made it clear the city is most definitely ready.

            In a six-day diplomatic outing, Romney looks to push economy talks aside and draw attention to another important aspect to being Commander-In-Chief: Foreign Policy. Obama made a very similar move during the 2008 Presidential race and it proved to be a success. It remains to be seen if Romney will be as lucky. Romney plans to visit Britain, Israel, and Poland on this tour. The London Olympics could help Romney on the road due to his positive contribution to the Salt Lake City Olympics back in 2002. Obama didn’t visit Israel on his first overseas trip, which could also help Romney in gaining pro-Israel and Jewish votes, as well as place Obama in a light of not living up to his 2008 assurances.

            Romney’s first overseas stop is Britain, where he is celebrating the start to the 2012 Olympics, most likely in hopes to make good with our allies across the pond. He may however have had a few missteps along the way: forgetting the name of the head of the Opposition Labour Party, not realizing some words in the British language have different meaning than they do back home, disclosing meeting with a secret British intelligence service, etc. Romney might hit some bumps in the road while he is overseas as his foreign policy group is comprised of a number of individuals who worked under the Bush Administration. In liberal countries like those Romney is visiting, this probably won’t help his cause. The Obama team will most likely spin the start to Romney’s trip as proof of Romney lacking foreign experience. We might learn from Romney’s tour that it just might be harder to please on the world stage than it is on the national stage; people are usually more comfortable when they have home field advantage. Even if the media claims this to be a rocky start for this GOP’s overseas visit, foreign tours aren’t a bad move for Presidential hopefuls. Just as Obama successfully went abroad in 2008 when he was on the ticket for fulfilling the seat in the Oval Office, perhaps this trip can prove to be just as positive for Romney.