The agreement is far from perfect, but it is a positive step, and a minor diplomatic miracle coming out of negotiations with Russia. A wide-ranging, bipartisan bevy of foreign-policy gurus, among them six former secretaries of state — including Dr. Strangelove himself, Henry Kissinger — has endorsed the treaty.
All that is left is Senate ratification — which requires a supermajority of 67 votes, meaning at least eight Republicans. Given the chorus of supporters, that shouldn't be hard to get — unless some right-wing blowhard riles up conservatives for no good reason. Apparently, being that blowhard was an opportunity Romney couldn't pass up.
Romney has taken to blasting New START in speeches, press appearances, and finally in a Washington Post op-ed. He claims — falsely — that the treaty will allow Russia to gain a tactical advantage, while preventing the US from developing its defenses.
His nonsense objections have been squashed by thoughtful Republicans, such as Senate Committee on Foreign Relations ranking member Richard Lugar. But Romney has launched himself into the right-wing echo chamber, where the Heritage Foundation, the National Review, and others are now calling on the GOP to block ratification.
It's not surprising that Romney is trying to play the spoiler. But since even Kissinger says it is okay, we had hoped Mitt might have given peace a chance.
