By: Tim Martin
Associated Press
Sunday, May 13, 2007
"Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney told graduates of a Michigan college on Saturday that the U.S. military must be strengthened because evil exists in the world.
"Romney wants to add at least 100,000 troops and re-equip the military because of armaments lost during fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. And he said he wants to accelerate the nation's missile defense system.
"'The right course for America in a world where evil still exists is not acquiescence and weakness, it is assertiveness and strength,' Romney said in a commencement address at Hillsdale College."
...
"Romney said that while the U.S. must have a strong military to foster peace, it must also work to keep allies across the world.
"'We must always be able to defend America on our own,' Romney said in his 15-minute speech, before picking up an honorary degree from the small, private school with a conservative tradition. 'But we know that our strength is amplified when it is combined with the strength of other nations. America is stronger when we have friends standing with us.'
"Romney also touched on economic strength and strength of the U.S. family.
"'He stood true to his views and his beliefs,' Hillsdale student Joe Caspersen said after Romney's speech. 'He handled himself well.'" ...