It is being widely reported in the UK media that the Newt Gingrich is "attacking" Mitt Romney in a video which states:-
Just like John Kerry, he speaks French too’.
Now I have no real opinion about the 2 republicans but I would have thought an understanding of other cultures and language would be a positive thing rather than a negative one.

As it stands it implies to me a stance of isolationism and xenophobia would be the norm amongst US politicians, am I wrong?

Sources:-
BBC News - Mitt Romney lambasted in attack ad for speaking French
Newt Gingrich ad attacks Mitt Romney for speaking French - 'just like John Kerry' | Mail Online
US election 2012: Mitt Romney attacked by Republican rival for speaking French - Telegraph