Romney, Advised By Blackwater’s Vice Chairman

[cal04]

Several presidential candidates have spoken out in support of tighter regulations governing private security contractors in Iraq after the recent shooting involving Blackwater USA.

Former Republican Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has remained silent though. Not only has his campaign not issued a statement, but as the Politico reports, it has refused to even answer any questions:

(snip)
Romney has a clear interest not condemning Blackwater. Cofer Black, vice chairman of Blackwater, currently serves as a Senior Adviser for counterterrorism and national security issues on the Romney campaign. From the April press release announcing that Black would be joining the campaign:

“I am pleased to welcome Cofer Black to our campaign. He has a long and impressive career dedicated to making America safer and more secure in the world,” said Governor Romney. “Our country faces a new generation of challenges and Black’s experience at the forefront of our nation’s counterterrorism efforts will be a tremendous asset.”

UPDATE: Steve Clemons at The Washington Note has more.
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/22/romney-blackwater/
Mitt Romney's Silence on Blackwater
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/002360.php

[graywarrior]

1. This is how stupid he is. He thinks we're all just as stupid.

[patrice]

2. Please "God" let a Democratic candidate speak, loudly, and long about this!

Blackwater and the other War Profiteers f-ed our Troops up BIG time. They are the American version of al Qaeda.