Romney Calls for Stronger Military

ABC News’ Matt Stuart Reports: In remarks this evening at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library, Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney will call for a stronger military, a "bold and far-reaching" energy initiative, and a revitalization our national security structures.

In excerpts released by the campaign, Gov. Romney demonstrates support for the current administration, but denounced "the divisiveness, the bitterness, [and] the smallness" of Washington politics.  Gov. Romney makes special note of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) current Middle East trip as "one of the most partisan, divisive, and ill-considered of any national leader in this decade."

Romney’s speech focuses on the "four changes needed to meet a new generation of global challenges." Following comments he made last week on ABC’s "Good Morning America" embracing talk of timetables in Iraq, he expresses support for President Bush and General Petraeus stating that the "new strategy for Iraq…deserves a chance to succeed." Notably, Romney calls for an increase in the size of the military by 100,000 troops and for setting a minimum of four percent of GDP to be spent on defense.

On energy reform, Gov. Romney proposes a "bold and far-reaching research initiative" dubbed an "Energy Revolution" that will aim to "create new, economic sources of clean energy."

Romney also addresses "our civilian international efforts," arguing that "we must . . . constantly challenge bureaucratic ‘group think’ and revitalize our national security structures" for the 21st century.

Finally, Gov. Romney focuses on the "threat of jihadism" and the "failures of efforts such as the United Nations and Human Rights Council," calling for a revitalization of "alliances such as NATO to face the new threat of radical Jihad and increase homeland security."

Gov. Romney’s speech is at 6:00 PM Central Time at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University.