GOP Debate: Romney Wins 'Most Overused Line' Award

Mitt Romney to the world: No, seriously, do not test the United States military.

The idea -- we should make our military so strong that no one would dream of attacking us -- is called deterrence, and it's a legitimate idea. But you would think, after a few repetitions, Romney might get tired of saying it in the same canned words. And yet, seeing as he used it in both South Carolina debates this week, that doesn't seem likely to happen anytime soon.

1. We need a strong military -- so strong no one in the world would ever think of testing it. -- Charleston, S.C., Jan. 19, 2012

2. I believe the best course for America is to have a military so strong and so superior to anyone else in the world that no one would ever think of testing the U.S. military. -- Irmo, S.C., Jan. 18, 2012

3. The right way, Congressman Paul ... to keep us from having to go to those wars is to have a military so strong that no one would ever think of testing it. -- Myrtle Beach, S.C., Jan. 16, 2012

4. I will invest in a military that is so strong no one would ever think of testing it. -- West Palm Beach, Fla., Jan. 12, 2012

5. I want to maintain a strong military that is so superior that no one else in the world wants to test it. -- Clinton, Iowa, Dec. 28, 2011

6. I want a big, strong military so people never think of challenging us. -- Muscatine, Iowa, Dec. 28, 2011

7. I want a military that's the strongest in the world, so strong that we don't have to use it because people would never want to test it.-- Londonderry, N.H., Dec. 27, 2011

8. A strong military prevents people from trying to test us around the world. -- Sioux City, Iowa, Dec. 15, 2011

9. We must preserve our commitment to a military that is so strong, no nation would ever think of testing it. -- Washington, D.C., Nov. 4, 2011

10. [We must be] so strong militarily that no one wants to get into a conflict with us -- to know that the United States of America has such capability that you wouldn't want to test us. -- Milford, N.H., Oct. 13, 2011

Can you think of other phrases that the GOP candidates overuse on the campaign trail?

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