NEW YORK (CBSDC/AP) — Vice President Joe Biden has issued a strong defense of President Barack Obama’s foreign policy record and suggested that Republican Mitt Romney doesn’t understand the role of contemporary commander in chief.

Biden delivered a campaign foreign policy speech Thursday at New York University.

“In my view, the last thing I think we need is a president who will subcontract our foreign policy to some expert at the State Department,” Biden said, according to BuzzFeed, adding that Romney is “woefully misinformed, or totally misunderstands” missile defense issues.

The vice president said Obama had met the foreign policy challenges facing the United States in the 21st century, including ending the war in Iraq and ordering the mission that killed Osama bin Laden.

“I promise you, the president has a big stick. I promise you,” Biden said in regards to dealing with Iran. Biden was referencing former President Theodore Roosevelt’s quote of “speaking softly and carrying a big stick.”

He said Romney’s foreign policy vision is stuck in the Cold War-era.

Romney advisers held a conference call before Biden spoke to criticize Obama’s record on foreign policy.

John Lehman, Navy secretary in the Reagan administration, accused Obama of “a gross abdication of leadership” that could have practical and political consequences.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)