Although domestic issues often are emphasized in presidential campaigns, foreign policy should not be neglected. Thus, Mitt Romney traveled abroad to meet with political leaders in Great Britain, Israel and Poland.

His trip ended Tuesday with a ringing endorsement of Poland’s growing economy and dedication to freedom.

In Warsaw, he said: “At a time of widespread economic slowdown and stagnation, your economy last year outperformed all the other nations of Europe.” He spoke of former President Ronald Reagan, who is highly regarded in Poland for helping to end the Cold War, and Polish-born Pope John Paul II.

Mr. Romney said other countries could take a lesson from Poland’s initiative to reduce government spending. And he contrasted Poland’s journey toward freedom with Russia, where, he said, “once-promising advances toward a free and open society have faltered.”

He met with leaders in Israel, prayed at the Western Wall and talked tough about Iran. The former Massachusetts governor appeared to exceed current U.S. policy positions on Tehran at times, his campaign suggesting that he would “respect” a unilateral military strike by Israel on Iranian facilities.

Mr. Romney spoke of Jerusalem as “the capital of Israel,” which the Obama administration has avoided since Palestinians envision the city as the capital of their future state.

The Republican’s appearance with Polish icon Lech Walesa and praise of the candidate by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were high points of the journey. His questioning of London’s readiness to host the Olympics was a gaffe.

The Obama administration has called the trip “an embarrassing disaster.” There were missteps. But, as more than one analyst pointed out, some voters will like the fact that Mr. Romney was outspoken on important subjects.

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