Walesa Defies Polish Unions, Endorses Romney

"I wish you to be successful because this success is needed to the United States," Walesa said.

GDANSK, Poland -- Lech Walesa, the Nobel Prize winner and former Polish president, effectively endorsed Mitt Romney for president here Monday.

"I wish you to be successful because this success is needed to the United States, of course, but to Europe and the rest of the world, too. Governor Romney, get your success, be successful!" Walesa said through a translator following their joint meeting in Gdansk. He hit his handon the table for emphasis.

The favorable comments came as Romney began a visit to Poland at the end of an overseas trip that included stops in London and Jerusalem. Romney's schedule on Monday also includes meetings with Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk.