Rahm Emanuel: Romney's 'made a mess of being a tourist'

From: Los Angeles Times

CHICAGO -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Monday that Mitt Romney has “made a mess of being a tourist” on his three-nation overseas tour, with stumbles that raise doubts about his ability to serve as commander in chief.

Emanuel, who is Jewish and served as President Obama’s first chief of staff, joined the Obama campaign in condemning the all-but-certain Republican nominee for remarks at a fundraiser in Jerusalem on Sunday in which he said he saw the power of "culture" at work in the large disparity between living standards in Israel and its Palestinian neighbors.

“At every level, this trip has shown more of how Mitt Romney is not ready for the Oval Office,” Emanuel said in an interview in his City Hall office, adding that he didn't "understand the political or intellectual basis" for the comment.

“Part of America’s role is to be seen as between the Israelis and the Palestinians as somebody that can be an honest broker. Mitt Romney just showed that under his administration he would never be able to assume that role for the United States.”