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Bradley in DC
09-24-2007, 06:29 AM
Romney silent on Blackwater shooting
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0907/5968.html

By: Kenneth P. Vogel
Sep 22, 2007 08:52 AM EST

Mitt Romney stays silent on killing of 11 Iraqis by company where one of his top advisers serves as vice chairman.

Mitt Romney has remained mum on the alleged killing of 11 Iraqis by a company where one of his top advisers serves as vice chairman, even as the case has led to an uproar in Baghdad and Washington. Barack Obama, John McCain and other politicians have raised the possibility of tighter controls on the firm.

The top counterterrorism and national security adviser to Romney’s presidential campaign is Cofer Black, vice chairman of Blackwater USA. The Iraqis died after guards employed by the private security firm opened fire following an alleged attack on a State Department convoy under their protection. Blackwater has a lucrative contract to guard U.S. diplomats in Iraq. . .

It’s become de rigueur for campaigns to assemble teams of experts to advise candidates and bolster their bona fides, particularly on their weaker issues. In tapping Black as a senior adviser to the campaign, Romney said in an April statement: “Black’s experience at the forefront of our nation's counterterrorism efforts will be a tremendous asset.” And three days before the Blackwater shootings, Romney announced Black would lead the campaign’s 10-member counterterrorism policy group. [more links in original] . . .