Romney: Russia still a foe

FRANKENMUTH, Mich., June 19 (UPI) -- Russia remains a "geopolitical foe" of the United States, likely Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney said Tuesday on Fox Radio.

"The nation which consistently opposes our actions at the United Nations has been Russia," Romney said. "We're of course not enemies. We're not fighting each other. There's no Cold War, but Russia is a geopolitical foe in that regard."

Romney's hawkish stand on Russia has been criticized by many Democrats and some Republicans. Colin Powell, secretary of state in President George W. Bush's first term, said in an interview in late May on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that many in the party with expertise in foreign affairs were "quite taken aback" by earlier Romney statements about Russia, suggesting he or his advisers are still fighting the Cold War.

Romney campaigned Tuesday in Michigan, the last state in his "Make Every Town Count" bus trip through six swing states.

In Frankenmuth, he spoke to about 500 supporters outside the Bavarian Inn, the Detroit Free Press reported.

"I've looked at what he's done and I haven't heard anyone say thank goodness for Barack Obama's policies," Romney said. "He's making it harder for Frankenmuth, central Michigan and the nation."

Romney emphasized his Michigan roots, The Detroit News said, saying he would be the first president born in the state. Obama carried Michigan by 16 percentage points four years ago, but the state went Republican in the 2010 state elections.