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September 13, 2012

Romney Slams Obama Admin for Embassy Statement Made Before Attacks 
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The response to the deadly attack in Libya has entered the presidential
campaign after Republican nominee Mitt Romney used the tragedy to attack
President Obama. Hours before the protests erupted in Cairo and
Benghazi, the U.S. embassy in Cairo issued a statement attempting to
defuse anger over the anti-Muslim film in question, saying, "The Embassy
... condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the
religious feelings of Muslims — as we condemn efforts to offend
believers of all religions." That was before the Libya attack had taken
place. But in a statement released Tuesday night, Romney's campaign took
aim at Obama and made it appear the embassy's comments had followed the
attacks. Romney's campaign said: "It’s disgraceful that the Obama
administration’s first response was not to condemn attacks on our
diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the
attacks." Asked about his comments the following day, Romney stood firm.

Mitt Romney: "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. Simply put, having an embassy, which has been breached and has
protesters on its grounds, having violated the sovereignty of the United
States, having that embassy reiterate a statement effectively
apologizing for the right of free speech is not the right course for an
administration."

In response to Romney, President Obama told CBS News that his Republican
challenger is prone to making rash comments.

President Obama: "There's a broader lesson to be learned here. And I
— you know, Governor Romney seems to have a tendency to shoot
first and aim later. And as president, one of the things I've learned is
you can't do that, that, you know, it's important for you to make sure
that the statements that you make are backed up by the facts, and that
you've thought through the ramifications before you make them."

Steve Kroft: "Do you think it was irresponsible?"

President Obama: "I'll let the American people judge that."

 

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