FAIRFAX, Va. — Facing criticism, Republican White House nominee Mitt Romney on Thursday muted his barbed attacks against President Barack Obama’s handling of a diplomatic crisis and tried to refocus the campaign on the economy.
The GOP challenger delivered a spirited speech and television ad accusing the president of failing American workers. But he did not repeat his assertions that Obama apologized for American values in response to Middle East protests sparked by an obscure anti-Muslim film made in California.
Romney only briefly mentioned the crisis at the top of his speech in Virginia, one of fewer than 10 battleground states where the campaign is focused with less than eight weeks until Election Day. He spoke broadly about the need to strengthen American leadership overseas and warned that Obama was undercutting U.S. military might.
A heckler yelled out: “Why are you politicizing Libya?”
The crowd drowned him out with chants of “U-S-A” and supporters nearby tried to place a Romney/Ryan placard in front of his face. The man ripped up the sign and was escorted out.
Romney focused most of his speech on criticism of Obama’s record on jobs, wages and a growing gap between the rich and the poor.
“His policies have not worked,” Romney said. His new television ad accuses Obama of losing jobs while China is gaining.
The change in message brought Romney back to an issue where he is seen as stronger and away from a touchy debate in the midst of the unfolding international emergency that brought him criticism even from some Republicans.
Polling shows voters see Romney, a former businessman, as a stronger leader on economic issues and Obama, who ended the Iraq war and led the mission that killed Osama bin Laden, as stronger in foreign affairs.
Romney advisers said there was a sense in the campaign as unrest unfolded in the Arab world that Romney needed to be decisive and swift in his response to distinguish himself from the president’s tone on some foreign policy matters.
