Cain defends Libya, foreign policy gaffe

URBANDALE, Iowa -- Herman Cain sought to sharpen his grasp on national security and foreign policy while campaigning in Iowa yesterday, a day after botching his answer to a question about his support for the U.S. role in Libya.

On his first trip to Iowa since decade-old sexual harassment allegations surfaced, the Republican presidential candidate indirectly addressed the foreign policy problem by telling more than 200 people at a northeastern Iowa restaurant that the U.S. needed to leave no doubt about its allies and enemies.

"My overriding philosophy relative to national security and foreign policy is an extension of the Reagan philosophy. Peace through strength," Cain said earlier in Dubuque. "We need to clarify our relationship with friends and enemies around the world and make sure we stand with our friends."

Cain commented a day after he hesitated during an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial board, first saying he disagreed with President Barack Obama's decision to back Libyan rebels, then adding that he likely would have done the same.

It was the latest in a series of bumps for the Georgia businessman who has risen sharply in national GOP polls despite the setbacks. A Cain aide later blamed the episode on lack of sleep.

But Cain told reporters yesterday that the apparent reversal was the result of his own contemplative process.

"The Libya comment was a pause to gather my thoughts. I'm not going to back down from that," Cain told reporters. "Remember, if you were being asked seven, eight different questions on seven, eight different topics, and then all of a sudden someone switches to Libya, and they are not clear with the question, before I shoot from the lip, I gather my thoughts. That's all that was.

"I believe I have a good enough philosophy of foreign affairs and foreign policy." -- AP