Romney vows to confront radical jihad

Mitt Romney returns to a call for a robust military and intelligence network in his newest TV ad, in a week that he has been on the defensive for saying he would consult lawyers on presidential authority to launch military attacks.

In the ad, which begins airing in Iowa today, Romney says the US must confront radical Islamists and vows to strengthen US intelligence services, add 100,000 members to the military, and stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

"It's this century's nightmare, Jihadism –- violent, radical Islamic fundamentalism," Romney says in the spot. "Their goal is to unite the world under a single Jihadist caliphate. To do that, they must collapse freedom-loving nations like us."

Romney's capacity to be commander in chief has been questioned by Republican presidential rival Rudy Giuliani because Romney said during Tuesday's debate that he would seek counsel from lawyers about whether he would need congressional approval to attack Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program.

The Wall Street Journal, the bible of corporate America, chided Romney on Thursday, saying in an editorial, "Egad. Call in the attorneys? Perhaps it is Mr. Romney's experience in business that taught him to want lawyers at his elbow, given that no CEO can survive without them these days."

Today, Romney had a letter to the editor published in response, saying that the Journal got it wrong. "If there is any confusion, let me be very clear: As president I would not shrink from the use of military force when grave threats confront America," he wrote. "At the same time, when time and circumstances permit, I would indeed seek the involvement of Congress as required by law and the Constitution.