'The day of the RINO is over': Internet divided as Sen Mitt Romney says he finds the 'America First' notion within the GOP laughable

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: Sen Mitt Romney (R-Utah) shared that he laughs at the term "America First" as he finds it "disorienting." 

During his appearance on MSNBC's 'The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle', the Republican lawmaker noted that the growing isolationism within the GOP is "unimaginable" considering the party's stalwarts such as former Presidents Ronald Reagan, George HW Bush, George W Bush, and former Senator John McCain (R-Ariz).

Senator Mitt Romney explains why the 'American First' notion isn't going to make the country safe and prosperous

The 77-year-old outgoing GOP senator from the Beehive State contended that the term "America first," popularized by former President Donald Trump, "flows" in from talk radio shows and cable TV, where "outrageous" stories are readily embraced by the party’s base. 

Sen Romney argued, "Many in our party have followed that populist streak, which is, 'Hey, stop worrying about the rest of the world, just worry about what’s going on here.'"

He further explained, "What they’re forgetting is that we are connected to the rest of the world, that our economy is connected to the rest of the world. That if we had had that attitude then, you know, Germany would’ve ended up ruling the world, all right."

"We’re involved in the world out of our own self-interest, and I laugh at the phrase America first," claimed Romney, adding, "I know it typically means isolationism, but really, America is putting ourselves first when we’re involved in the world when we stop bad people."

The Utah senator, who is an outspoken critic of Trump, warned that if Russian President Vladimir Putin is not entirely thwarted in Ukraine, he will continue to march farther into Europe and that the America First strategy will not keep a "safe and prosperous" world for US citizens.

Romney argued, "Look, if Vladimir Putin goes, not just through Ukraine, but then decides to go into Poland, then we’re involved in a conflict with our sons and daughters going to war. Or we could walk away from NATO, in which case Putin is going to keep on going and going."

"How about a world where China and Russia control the world and we have our own little island? That’s not a world where Americans are going to be safe or prosperous. We’re safe and prosperous when the world follows the orders that have existed over the last 75 years," asserted the former Governor of Massachusetts. 

Internet divided as Mitt Romney denounces the growing 'America First' movement within the Republican party

One remarked, "This is probably why Mitt Romney will never be taken seriously within the Republican Party. The day of the RINO is over," and another said, "Mitt Romney is everything wrong with the Republican Party, if you don’t love and support your own country before all others, you are the problem, not the solution."

"America First isolationism was tried before WW2 and failed. It doesn’t work," offered a person while someone else mentioned, "America first means America alone."

An individual remarked, "America First Patriots laugh when we hear Romney claim to be a Conservative Republican!"

One more noted, "It's such a tiresome and obnoxious phrase. Because part of putting America first means recognizing that we participate in a global economy and that we have interests that go beyond our borders."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.