Fundraising in Israel with Romney and our duty to 'protect it'

[CeeKay]

something about this feels wrong to me:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2012/07/mitt-romney-fundraiser-israel-dick-cheney/1#.T_93HfWDl8E

Mitt Romney is reportedly planning a fundraiser in Jerusalem during his visit to Israel later this month.

The Jerusalem Post reports that donors will be charged "$60,000 or more per plate" at the event. Romney is jointly raising money with the Republican National Committee, and $75,000 is the maximum donation to the Romney Victory Fund.

Romney is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, among others, during his trip. The Israel visit will come after Romney attends the Summer Olympics in London.

Romney has frequently criticized President Obama for his handling of Middle East affairs, especially the United States' relationship with Israel. In 2008, Obama received 78% of the Jewish vote, according to surveys of voters as they left their polling places.

now I understand wanting to appeal to the Jewish voters (plus any money raised will probably be just a drop in the bucket, especially what is put towards his election fund), but shouldn't fundraising for any US political party come from US sources, and not overseas?  I'm sure both sides get plenty from outside the US, and I'm probably just being naive about it, but it just doesn't feel right.

[Andrew Wonser]

They were talking about this on NPR. There are apparently voters living in Israel and the Jewish population, in general, votes more republican versus here. The GOP knows they cannot win the American Jewish vote but they're hoping to grab a few percentage points away from the democrats.
As far as funding goes afaic Citizens United pretty much killed any rules we had.

[CeeKay]

US has 'solemn duty' to prevent Iranian threat to Israel

http://nbcpolitics.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/29/13020629-romney-us-has-solemn-duty-to-prevent-iranian-threat-to-israel?lite

Presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney told an audience of supporters here Sunday that the United States has a "solemn duty and a moral imperative" to do whatever necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons that could threaten the existence of Israel, a vital American ally.

Romney focused on the specter of a nuclear-capable Iran and pledged the U.S. would never forget past horrors or turn its back on Israel.

"When Iran’s leaders deny the Holocaust or speak of wiping this nation off the map, only the naïve – or worse – will dismiss it as an excess of rhetoric. Make no mistake: The ayatollahs in Tehran are testing our moral defenses," Romney said. "They want to know who will object, and who will look the other way. My message to the people of Israel and the leaders of Iran is one and the same: We will not look away, and nor will my country ever look away from our passion and commitment to Israel."

"We have a solemn duty and a moral imperative to deny Iran’s leaders the means to follow through on their malevolent intentions," Romney said.

Romney reiterated his belief that Iran is a vexing national concern to both Israel and the U.S. – suggesting, as a Romney aide did earlier today that the U.S. would not block a unilateral Israeli strike against Iran's nuclear program if diplomatic options failed.

does it have to be solemn?  can't it be cheerful, or manic, or humorous?

[Ironrod]

As far as funding goes afaic Citizens United pretty much killed any rules we had.

That's basically true. Foreign donations to US campaigns have been illegal since 1966, but the weak disclosure rules for Super PACs make it easy for them to sponge up money from any source (with a little sleight of hand).

Romney's nominal objective was the 150,000 US citizens living in Israel (who can vote in US elections and legally donate to US campaigns).

[Knightshade Dragon]

 

Every election cycle finds a new way to confuse me.  I don't want to 'protect' his right to go to foreign soil and badmouth a sitting President.  I don't care what party you identify with, that's just showing a weak hand to foreign powers IMHO.