Analysis: Mitt Romney’s Travels Take Another Detour Into Controversy - BostonHerald.com
But that prized moment was largely overshadowed by controversy over Romney’s comments several hours earlier at a Jerusalem fundraiser with top donors, including casino magnate and “super PAC” donor Sheldon Adelson. It was similar to the furor that surrounded Romney days earlier in the United Kingdom, after he questioned the country’s readiness for the Olympics just before he was to be a guest at the opening ceremony. London’s mayor publicly pummeled Romney for the impolitic remarks.
In Jerusalem, Romney had mused about the reasons for economic disparities between neighboring countries — a topic that drew his interest during his business career. He compared the gross domestic product per capita of Israel and the lesser economic heft of neighboring Palestinian areas, and noted that he had seen a similar contrast in other next-door nations including the U.S. and Mexico, and Chile and Ecuador.
“If you could learn anything from the economic history of the world it’s this: Culture makes all the difference,” he told donors in Jerusalem after citing books he’d read on the subject. “As I come here and I look out over this city and consider the accomplishments of the people of this nation, I recognize the power of at least culture and a few other things.”