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Obama, Romney trade tough words over attacks
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama are trading tough words over the handling of foreign attacks on U.S. diplomatic missions in the Middle East, injecting foreign policy into a presidential campaign that has focused on a sour economy.
Romney accused the Obama administration of showing weakness in the attack that killed the U.S. ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, and three American members of his staff. Romney blasted the initial statement from the U.S. Embassy in Cairo as disgraceful and "akin to apology," adding later, "It's never too early for the United States government to condemn attacks on Americans and to defend our values."
However, the embassy statement came before the protesters had breached the embassy's walls and was not an apology but an affirmation of the American policy of religious tolerance and respect. A statement by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton minutes before Romney's was released condemned the attack in Libya and said there was no justification for such violent acts.
Obama made a somber statement in the Rose Garden condemning the attacks and announcing plans to deploy additional Marines at diplomatic posts overseas. In an interview with CBS News' "60 Minutes" later in the day, Obama said the episode showed Romney's penchant for having "a tendency to shoot first and aim later."
"It appears that Gov. Romney didn't have his facts right," Obama said. That night, during a rally in Las Vegas, the president said he had a message for the rest of the world: "No act of terror will dim the light of the values that we proudly shine on the rest of the world, and no act of violence will shake the resolve of the United States of America."
The four diplomats were killed Tuesday as protesters overran and burned the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. In a separate incident, the American Embassy in Cairo was breached by protesters, and the nation's flag was ripped down, although no deaths were reported. And on Thursday, protesters stormed the U.S. Embassy compound in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, tearing down and burning the U.S. flag.
U.S. officials are investigating whether the attack in Libya was a terrorist strike planned to mark the 11th anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Initial reports were that both the Libya and Egypt events had been motivated by anger over an anti-Muslim film made in the United States.
Obama made separate calls Tuesday evening to the presidents of Libya and Egypt, urging them to work with the U.S. to ensure the safety of diplomatic personnel. Obama and Libyan President Mohamed Magariaf vowed to work together to identify the Benghazi attackers and "bring them to justice," the White House said in a press release.
Obama told Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi "he rejects efforts to denigrate Islam, but underscored that there is never any justification for violence against innocents and acts that endanger American personnel and facilities," the White House said.
The Obama and Romney exchange came with less than eight weeks remaining in the tight presidential race, a campaign that has remained close for months and is being fiercely waged in fewer than 10 battleground states.
Economic concerns could play a more prominent role Thursday, when Romney appears at a rally in the Virginia suburbs outside Washington, D.C., and Obama holds an event in Colorado's Denver suburbs. Obama carried both states in 2008, but they remain up for grabs and heavily contested by both campaigns.
The Federal Reserve was expected to announce Thursday whether it plans to take new steps to jumpstart the U.S. economy. Many anticipate that the Fed will release a third round of bond purchases aimed at easing long-term interest rates and spurring borrowing and spending.
The economy has been the top issue throughout the race, with recent surveys showing Romney with a narrow advantage over the president when it comes to plans for reducing the nation's unemployment rate of 8.1 percent. On foreign policy, Obama has held an edge on which candidate is better suited to handle international affairs.
Romney, on Wednesday, defended his decision to issue his criticism Tuesday night, at a time it was not yet known that Stevens had been killed. Asked if he would have done so had he known about the deaths, he said, "I'm not going to take hypotheticals about what would have been known and so forth."
Some Republicans with experience in national security matters questioned the GOP candidate's handling of the events and top Republican leaders in Congress did not echo Romney's remarks. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Obama "correctly tightened the security overseas." Asked about Romney's remarks, he declined to answer and walked toward his office in the Capitol.
Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio defended Romney on CBS "This Morning," though he acknowledged he was unaware the Cairo embassy's initial statement came before protesters there had breached the embassy walls.
Romney "just said the American government ought not to be issuing an apology; we ought to be condemning these attacks," Portman said.
"No, I was not aware that it (the embassy's statement) was issued before there were any attacks," Portman said. "But I still think it implies that somehow these attacks could be justified by a video that the U.S. government had nothing to do with, that came out in July."
Romney's account didn't mesh completely with events in Cairo.
The statement that he referred to as akin to apology was issued by the embassy in Cairo at midday Tuesday at a time the staff was aware of still-peaceful demonstrations in the area nearby. The mob breached the compound's walls and tried to burn a U.S. flag about four or five hours later.
"The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims — as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions," the embassy said, noting that religious freedom is a cornerstone of American democracy.
Romney added that the White House later "distanced itself" from the statement, saying it hadn't been cleared by senior officials in Washington. "That reflects the mixed signals they're sending to the world," he said.
Obama said in the "60 Minutes" interview that the embassy was trying to "cool the situation down" and it was released "from folks on the ground who are potentially in danger."
"My tendency is to cut folks a little bit of slack when they're in that circumstance, rather than try to question their judgment from the comfort of a campaign office," Obama said.
He added that as president, "it's important for you to make sure that the statements you make are backed up by the facts, and that you've thought through the ramifications before you make them."
___
Babington reported from Denver. AP White House correspondent Ben Feller in Dulles, Va., contributed to this report.
http://www.unpartial.com/a/d1ebe9295195089cfed9a35a775c0b308f17d79d/obama-romney-trade-tough-words-over-attacks
Romney accused the Obama administration of showing weakness in the attack that killed the U.S. ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, and three American members of his staff. Romney blasted the initial statement from the U.S. Embassy in Cairo as disgraceful and "akin to apology," adding later, "It's never too early for the United States government to condemn attacks on Americans and to defend our values."
However, the embassy statement came before the protesters had breached the embassy's walls and was not an apology but an affirmation of the American policy of religious tolerance and respect. A statement by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton minutes before Romney's was released condemned the attack in Libya and said there was no justification for such violent acts.
Obama made a somber statement in the Rose Garden condemning the attacks and announcing plans to deploy additional Marines at diplomatic posts overseas. In an interview with CBS News' "60 Minutes" later in the day, Obama said the episode showed Romney's penchant for having "a tendency to shoot first and aim later."
"It appears that Gov. Romney didn't have his facts right," Obama said. That night, during a rally in Las Vegas, the president said he had a message for the rest of the world: "No act of terror will dim the light of the values that we proudly shine on the rest of the world, and no act of violence will shake the resolve of the United States of America."
The four diplomats were killed Tuesday as protesters overran and burned the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. In a separate incident, the American Embassy in Cairo was breached by protesters, and the nation's flag was ripped down, although no deaths were reported. And on Thursday, protesters stormed the U.S. Embassy compound in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, tearing down and burning the U.S. flag.
U.S. officials are investigating whether the attack in Libya was a terrorist strike planned to mark the 11th anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Initial reports were that both the Libya and Egypt events had been motivated by anger over an anti-Muslim film made in the United States.
Obama made separate calls Tuesday evening to the presidents of Libya and Egypt, urging them to work with the U.S. to ensure the safety of diplomatic personnel. Obama and Libyan President Mohamed Magariaf vowed to work together to identify the Benghazi attackers and "bring them to justice," the White House said in a press release.
Obama told Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi "he rejects efforts to denigrate Islam, but underscored that there is never any justification for violence against innocents and acts that endanger American personnel and facilities," the White House said.
The Obama and Romney exchange came with less than eight weeks remaining in the tight presidential race, a campaign that has remained close for months and is being fiercely waged in fewer than 10 battleground states.
Economic concerns could play a more prominent role Thursday, when Romney appears at a rally in the Virginia suburbs outside Washington, D.C., and Obama holds an event in Colorado's Denver suburbs. Obama carried both states in 2008, but they remain up for grabs and heavily contested by both campaigns.
The Federal Reserve was expected to announce Thursday whether it plans to take new steps to jumpstart the U.S. economy. Many anticipate that the Fed will release a third round of bond purchases aimed at easing long-term interest rates and spurring borrowing and spending.
The economy has been the top issue throughout the race, with recent surveys showing Romney with a narrow advantage over the president when it comes to plans for reducing the nation's unemployment rate of 8.1 percent. On foreign policy, Obama has held an edge on which candidate is better suited to handle international affairs.
Romney, on Wednesday, defended his decision to issue his criticism Tuesday night, at a time it was not yet known that Stevens had been killed. Asked if he would have done so had he known about the deaths, he said, "I'm not going to take hypotheticals about what would have been known and so forth."
Some Republicans with experience in national security matters questioned the GOP candidate's handling of the events and top Republican leaders in Congress did not echo Romney's remarks. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Obama "correctly tightened the security overseas." Asked about Romney's remarks, he declined to answer and walked toward his office in the Capitol.
Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio defended Romney on CBS "This Morning," though he acknowledged he was unaware the Cairo embassy's initial statement came before protesters there had breached the embassy walls.
Romney "just said the American government ought not to be issuing an apology; we ought to be condemning these attacks," Portman said.
"No, I was not aware that it (the embassy's statement) was issued before there were any attacks," Portman said. "But I still think it implies that somehow these attacks could be justified by a video that the U.S. government had nothing to do with, that came out in July."
Romney's account didn't mesh completely with events in Cairo.
The statement that he referred to as akin to apology was issued by the embassy in Cairo at midday Tuesday at a time the staff was aware of still-peaceful demonstrations in the area nearby. The mob breached the compound's walls and tried to burn a U.S. flag about four or five hours later.
"The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims — as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions," the embassy said, noting that religious freedom is a cornerstone of American democracy.
Romney added that the White House later "distanced itself" from the statement, saying it hadn't been cleared by senior officials in Washington. "That reflects the mixed signals they're sending to the world," he said.
Obama said in the "60 Minutes" interview that the embassy was trying to "cool the situation down" and it was released "from folks on the ground who are potentially in danger."
"My tendency is to cut folks a little bit of slack when they're in that circumstance, rather than try to question their judgment from the comfort of a campaign office," Obama said.
He added that as president, "it's important for you to make sure that the statements you make are backed up by the facts, and that you've thought through the ramifications before you make them."
___
Babington reported from Denver. AP White House correspondent Ben Feller in Dulles, Va., contributed to this report.
http://www.unpartial.com/a/d1ebe9295195089cfed9a35a775c0b308f17d79d/obama-romney-trade-tough-words-over-attacks
decieve deflect and deny. Did you watch either of the videos? Who was president at that time might I ask? Were those statements downgrading Bush ? The sitting president while in the midst of a crisis?You compare this video with Romney coming out before anything even happened with wrong information in the middle of a crisis? Really? Really? Grasping at best.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/barack-obama-used-troop-deaths-to-ding-bush-mccai
The Obama campaign hit Mitt Romney for using the “tragic death of one of our diplomatic officers in Libya” to “launch a political attack.” On a July 2008 appearance on CNN, then-Senator used the death of U.S. troops in Afghanistan as talking point to ding John McCain and President Bush for their support of the Iraq War.
And what Obama was very Presidential in this?
The Obama campaign hit Mitt Romney for using the “tragic death of one of our diplomatic officers in Libya” to “launch a political attack.” On a July 2008 appearance on CNN, then-Senator used the death of U.S. troops in Afghanistan as talking point to ding John McCain and President Bush for their support of the Iraq War.
And what Obama was very Presidential in this?
Nor am I going to argue with you about this. We agree that the Obama admin has a full out crisis on its hands and I am not sure where you are getting your info but there have been things being done about this and as the situation continues to unfold I am sure there are other options on the table as well.
Drones were sent to that region to look for camps of terrorists. (There is a suspician that this was a planned attack from Al quaida to coincide with the 9/11 attacks), there is also the situation with a disgusting film that seems to be made simply to cause and stir this very kind of thing. I hear that the guy that made the film is in hiding, as he should be. I hope it was worth it to him and as far as Im concerned he has blood on his hands.
Two ships are sitting off the coast of Lybia, sent immediately and are armed with whatever is necessary if needed.
The leader of the region has been put on notice to take and treat this seriously, and as far as I know they have and are.
If things continue to escalate it is clear that military action may be needed and that option is on the table.
I think Romney acted very un presidential in this and while he may or may not have points that can be made, NOW is not the time. Now is the time when the nation needs to come together and stand as one imo.
Im not sure why you think he has been feeble in his response. Oh well, yes I can but I would personally rather have someone cool and decisive rather than a rant and blah blah blahs during this crisis. I mean, really? 4 people died here! Really?
Drones were sent to that region to look for camps of terrorists. (There is a suspician that this was a planned attack from Al quaida to coincide with the 9/11 attacks), there is also the situation with a disgusting film that seems to be made simply to cause and stir this very kind of thing. I hear that the guy that made the film is in hiding, as he should be. I hope it was worth it to him and as far as Im concerned he has blood on his hands.
Two ships are sitting off the coast of Lybia, sent immediately and are armed with whatever is necessary if needed.
The leader of the region has been put on notice to take and treat this seriously, and as far as I know they have and are.
If things continue to escalate it is clear that military action may be needed and that option is on the table.
I think Romney acted very un presidential in this and while he may or may not have points that can be made, NOW is not the time. Now is the time when the nation needs to come together and stand as one imo.
Im not sure why you think he has been feeble in his response. Oh well, yes I can but I would personally rather have someone cool and decisive rather than a rant and blah blah blahs during this crisis. I mean, really? 4 people died here! Really?
Romney, Romney, Romney...he is not the President. How about you focus on Obama and not Romney.
Oh and Obama did almost the exact same thing when he was campaigning in 2008. Guess that doesn't matter though right?
Oh and Obama did almost the exact same thing when he was campaigning in 2008. Guess that doesn't matter though right?
Yes, President Obama CAN and often HAS, done things correctly.
In this particular instance, I feel that the WH response was insufficient.
The Obama administration has a full-blown crisis on its hands, and as yet, there is no sign it knows what to do about it.
Not fighting with you about this Teko, please understand. I just feel that the response to an ACT OF WAR was a little feeble.
In this particular instance, I feel that the WH response was insufficient.
The Obama administration has a full-blown crisis on its hands, and as yet, there is no sign it knows what to do about it.
Not fighting with you about this Teko, please understand. I just feel that the response to an ACT OF WAR was a little feeble.
Let me reverse that question el. Can Obama do anything right in your eyes? Do you ever check the facts or do you just automatically suck up on the talking points of your party. Now go back and READ the facts. Here I will help you.
Mitt Romney claims the Obama administration issued an “apology for American values” after U.S. embassies were attacked. Not true. Romney refers to a statement issued before mobs attacked either in Egypt or Libya, and faults U.S. diplomats for failing to condemn actions that hadn’t yet happened.
Furthermore, the word “sorry” or “apologize” doesn’t appear in the statement. Under the headline, “U.S. Embassy Condemns Religious Incitement,” the embassy in Cairo said, “Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy.”
Romney has falsely accused Obama of “apologizing for America” many times before. The line has been a dependable applause-getter with conservative audiences. But we found no basis for this claim in Obama’s previous speeches and remarks. And other fact-checkers came to similar conclusions.
Getting Things Backward
This time Romney has gone beyond putting his own unwarranted spin on the president’s statements. He has just gotten his basic facts in the wrong order.
Romney appeared on national television the morning of Sept. 12 and said:
Romney, Sept. 12: I also believe the administration was wrong to stand by a statement sympathizing with those who had breached our embassy in Egypt, instead of condemning their actions. It’s never too early for the United States government to condemn attacks on Americans and to defend our values.
In response to reporters’ questions, he added:
Romney: The embassy in Cairo put out a statement after their grounds had been breached. Protesters were inside the grounds. They reiterated that statement after the breach. … I think it’s a — a — a terrible course to — for America to — to stand in apology for our values. That instead, when our grounds are being attacked and being breached, that the first response of the United States must be outrage at the breach of the sovereignty of our nation. An apology for America’s values is never the right course. …
The statement that came from the administration was — was a statement which is akin to apology and I think was a — a severe miscalculation.
The fact is, however, that Romney got his sequence of events backward.
http://factcheck.org/2012/09/romney-gets-it-backward/
Mitt Romney claims the Obama administration issued an “apology for American values” after U.S. embassies were attacked. Not true. Romney refers to a statement issued before mobs attacked either in Egypt or Libya, and faults U.S. diplomats for failing to condemn actions that hadn’t yet happened.
Furthermore, the word “sorry” or “apologize” doesn’t appear in the statement. Under the headline, “U.S. Embassy Condemns Religious Incitement,” the embassy in Cairo said, “Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy.”
Romney has falsely accused Obama of “apologizing for America” many times before. The line has been a dependable applause-getter with conservative audiences. But we found no basis for this claim in Obama’s previous speeches and remarks. And other fact-checkers came to similar conclusions.
Getting Things Backward
This time Romney has gone beyond putting his own unwarranted spin on the president’s statements. He has just gotten his basic facts in the wrong order.
Romney appeared on national television the morning of Sept. 12 and said:
Romney, Sept. 12: I also believe the administration was wrong to stand by a statement sympathizing with those who had breached our embassy in Egypt, instead of condemning their actions. It’s never too early for the United States government to condemn attacks on Americans and to defend our values.
In response to reporters’ questions, he added:
Romney: The embassy in Cairo put out a statement after their grounds had been breached. Protesters were inside the grounds. They reiterated that statement after the breach. … I think it’s a — a — a terrible course to — for America to — to stand in apology for our values. That instead, when our grounds are being attacked and being breached, that the first response of the United States must be outrage at the breach of the sovereignty of our nation. An apology for America’s values is never the right course. …
The statement that came from the administration was — was a statement which is akin to apology and I think was a — a severe miscalculation.
The fact is, however, that Romney got his sequence of events backward.
http://factcheck.org/2012/09/romney-gets-it-backward/
Romney made his statement at almost the EXACT same time that Hillary released hers, so I can't fault him for that, sorry.
Teko, please, please don't simply back BO because he's your guy. It makes you look... well, I don't know what or how it makes you look, but it certainly doesn't do you any favors.
And for the record, all I said was that I agree with Romney's statement that Obama appeared to be apologizing, that's all.
As Romney has no power in thsi situation, and simply made a comment about what President Obama said, it's a little moot. President Obama's response showed weakness on the part of the United States.
And as I said, if it was a Republican president that said what BO said, I'd be saying the same thing.
Can BO do no wrong in your eyes???
Teko, please, please don't simply back BO because he's your guy. It makes you look... well, I don't know what or how it makes you look, but it certainly doesn't do you any favors.
And for the record, all I said was that I agree with Romney's statement that Obama appeared to be apologizing, that's all.
As Romney has no power in thsi situation, and simply made a comment about what President Obama said, it's a little moot. President Obama's response showed weakness on the part of the United States.
And as I said, if it was a Republican president that said what BO said, I'd be saying the same thing.
Can BO do no wrong in your eyes???
Not true el, Romney made it all about him and politics for speaking out of turn before the facts were in. Read the timeline of events. Did you?
The media really DOES seem to be focusing on Romney's statements, rather than the statements of the President.
1) Does the WH not realize that their statements and infighting are being translated into HUNDREDS of different languages for news agencies all over the globe?
2) Does the WH not realize, that while BO is busy trying to win an election, the rest of the world is looking at our response as being weak?
While Romney & President Obama sit and argue over semantics, and try to win the election, people are being KILLED.
1) Does the WH not realize that their statements and infighting are being translated into HUNDREDS of different languages for news agencies all over the globe?
2) Does the WH not realize, that while BO is busy trying to win an election, the rest of the world is looking at our response as being weak?
While Romney & President Obama sit and argue over semantics, and try to win the election, people are being KILLED.
Yeah Romney would nuke'em, keep living in your dream world. What has Obama done? He called the heads of the countries and asked if they can keep our people safe and sent a couple of war ships over to the area. And then he went on campaigning.
How about you demand these countries to keep our people safe until a Ranger unit gets over to secure the embasy? If not then you are cut off from any aid the US gives. In order for diplomacy to work you have to show strength. Obama has no strength to show.
Yep lets focus on Romney's statement instead of the lack of leadership. That's what the American people want is to focus on what a nominee is saying and not what the President is doing.
How about you demand these countries to keep our people safe until a Ranger unit gets over to secure the embasy? If not then you are cut off from any aid the US gives. In order for diplomacy to work you have to show strength. Obama has no strength to show.
Yep lets focus on Romney's statement instead of the lack of leadership. That's what the American people want is to focus on what a nominee is saying and not what the President is doing.
A United States Embassy is sovereign-soil, and a part of the United States itself. The attack on the embassy was an act of war.
The issue hasn't been handled correctly.
I have to agree with Romney on this one. Obama's response really was "akin to an apology".
I'm not saying that we should go to war over this, but a stronger response from the WH is necessary. Sending (50) USMC personnel into the area to "police", isn't the answer.
Our soldiers are trained to KILL, not Police.
Allowing radical thugs to attack our embassy because of something they didn't like, that they saw in the FILM???
Congress, the WH, our SOS (Hillary) should all be fired for our lack of response to this deplorable act.
(***And yes... if the WH was controlled by the Right, I'd be saying the EXACT same thing).
The issue hasn't been handled correctly.
I have to agree with Romney on this one. Obama's response really was "akin to an apology".
I'm not saying that we should go to war over this, but a stronger response from the WH is necessary. Sending (50) USMC personnel into the area to "police", isn't the answer.
Our soldiers are trained to KILL, not Police.
Allowing radical thugs to attack our embassy because of something they didn't like, that they saw in the FILM???
Congress, the WH, our SOS (Hillary) should all be fired for our lack of response to this deplorable act.
(***And yes... if the WH was controlled by the Right, I'd be saying the EXACT same thing).
I heard that the film-maker is a Mormon...
Just trying to figure out a way to make the attack on the embassy Romney's fault.
Just trying to figure out a way to make the attack on the embassy Romney's fault.
Why did I know you were going to say that? Obamas lack of response? What praytell shall we do? Nuke em? I do think that is what warmongering Romney would do and is another reason I opt for the sanity and coolness of Obama.
I saved this just for you
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2012/sep/12/romney-says-us-embassy-statement-was-apology-was-i/
I saved this just for you
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2012/sep/12/romney-says-us-embassy-statement-was-apology-was-i/
So instead of the media focusing on the events or Obama's lack of a responce they focus on a statement by Romney. Well played liberal media. Just like when several reporters got together to go over the questions they were going to keep asking Romney.
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