Vice President Joe Biden has issued a defense of President Barack Obama's foreign policy record and suggested that Republican Mitt Romney doesn't understand the role of contemporary commander in chief.
Biden delivered a campaign foreign policy speech Thursday at New York University.
The vice president also drew snickers when he made reference to the president being touch and carrying "a big stick."
"I promise you, the president has a big stick," Biden said, after quoting Teddy Roosevelt's enduring line "speak softly and carry a big stick."
The audience at New York University responded with scattered laughter.
"I promise you," Biden repeated, deadpanning.
The vice president said Obama had met the foreign policy challenges facing the United States in the 21st century, including ending the war in Iraq and ordering the mission that killed Osama bin Laden.
He said Romney's foreign policy vision is stuck in the Cold War-era.
Romney advisers held a conference call before Biden spoke to criticize Obama's record on foreign policy.
John Lehman, Navy secretary in the Reagan administration, accused Obama of "a gross abdication of leadership" that could have practical and political consequences.
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