By TOM RAUM Associated Press 
Posted:   10/08/2012 09:35:31 AM PDT
Updated:   10/08/2012 09:35:32 AM PDT

 
  
In turning to foreign policy, Mitt Romney is playing to a traditionally Republican strength while trying to build on momentum from his winning performance in last week's presidential debate.

He's also resurrecting an old GOP theme: that President Barack Obama's policies have reduced U.S. influence around the world—particularly in the Middle East.

"If America doesn't lead, others will, others who don't share our interests or our values," Romney told an audience Monday at Virginia Military Institute.

Romney has suggested in the past that Obama had "apologized" for U.S. behavior and values while overseas, an accusation not borne out by the facts.

While he didn't use such words on Monday, he said that friends and allies want more, not less, American leadership and that, "We must show them that we still have faith in ourselves."

Polls have shown that Obama generally does better on handling national security and foreign policy issues than the former Massachusetts governor.