Romney's Foreign Policy Platform: Nothing New Here

In his only real foreign policy speech of the 2012 presidential campaign, Republican candidate Mitt Romney said at The Citadel, "If you do not want America to be the strongest nation on Earth, I am not your President. You have that President today."

In reality, though, Romney's foreign policy plan is little different from Obama's.

In brief, Romney wants an international system conducive to open trade, and political freedom; creative use of hard and soft power in diplomacy; and multilateralism with retained options for unilateral action.

Obama is the champion of multilateralism. Case in point: NATO's successful mission -- with the U.S. a partner among many -- to help Libyan rebels oust dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011. Yet Obama also retains the option of unilateral action. Remember the Navy SEALS taking out Osama Bin Laden?

Romney sees a sound U.S. economy as essential for a strong foreign policy, but he ignores the economic chaos that Bush-era military overspending, plus economic deregulation, created. He also skips right by the extra chaos that Tea Party shenanigans wrought twice last year with threats of government shut-downs and debt default.

Romney wants free reign to use both hard (military) and soft (foreign aid, negotiation) power in his international dealings. Obama does both. Romney wants to keep a close eye on China; Obama is shifting American focus to the Asia Pacific region.

It goes on and on. You can check out my brief digest of Romney's foreign policy platform here.

You can also read Romney's policies at his website.

No matter what rhetorical spin Romney puts on any of his policies, he is trying -- to no avail -- to differentiate himself from Obama.

Photo: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney shakes hands with supporters at a South Carolina rally, January 21, 2012.

Photo by John Moore/Getty Images