Mitt Romney vowed to improve America's standing around the world today, in his first major campaign rally since four American diplomats were killed in Libya.
"A strong America is essential to the world," Romney said. "It's essential to us and to our future but also to the world."
Romney tried to honor Christopher Stevens, the U.S. ambassador to Libya, and the three other U.S. embassy workers killed in Benghazi on Tuesday, but a man in the crowd started heckling. The crowd at Van Dyck Park drowned out the protester with chants of "USA! USA!"
"I would offer a moment of silence but one man doesn't want to be silent," Romney said, before continuing with his remarks linking the recent violence in Libya and Egypt to the need for the U.S. president to be a respected leader around the world.
In his remarks, Romney referenced his recent meeting with Lech Walesa in Poland, in which the Nobel Peace Prize winner cited an absence of "American leadership" in the world.
Romney also stressed the need for a strong military -- comments that undoubtedly bear more weight in Northern Virginia, home to the Pentagon and thousands of people who work in defense-related industries. He made a nod to the battleground state's importance in the election, and asked Northern Virginia residents to carry him to victory.
The Obama campaign hit back, focusing on Romney's job-creation plans.
Report: America's Job market worsens
"If he were serious about creating jobs, he wouldn't have endorsed ... tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans paid for by the middle class and deep cuts to critical investments like education," said Lis Smith, a spokeswoman for the Obama campaign.
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Edited By Cen Fox Post Team
