Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney publicly accused President Barack Obama's White House of leaking classified national security information for political gain. Romney openly attacked Obama on national security during his speech at the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention on Tuesday.
Romney joins other Republicans, like Sen. John McCain, in openly faulting Obama for the leaks. Calling the purposeful release of classified information "contemptible," Romney said, "It betrays our national interest. It compromises our men and women in the field. And it demands a full and prompt investigation by a special counsel, with explanation and consequence."
Romney has thus far kept much of his campaigning centered on the economy, but now appears to be moving his focus towards national security and foreign policy. Tuesday's speech, one of the first times the Republican candidate strongly focused on foreign policy, comes on the eve of a foreign tour with stops in Britain, Poland, and Israel.
[See a collection of political cartoons on the 2012 campaign.]
Only having served as governor of Massachusetts and thus having no foreign policy experience, Romney could have a hard time competing on international issues. Obama has received widespread support for his handling of foreign policy and national security, most notably for the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
The White House declined to comment on the accusations made by Romney, only saying Obama "has made abundantly clear that he has no tolerance for leaks."
In June, Attorney General Eric Holder assigned two U.S. attorneys to investigate the source of the leaks.
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