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Legit criticism or typical ugly politics?? Both
http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Romney-criticizes-Obama-in-wake-of-embassy-attacks-3858201.php
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) ? Republican Mitt Romney slammed the Obama administration's handling of foreign affairs in the wake of attacks on U.S. diplomatic missions in Egypt and Libya, as the presidential campaign lurched back to negative mode after a one-day pause for reflection over the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
Romney branded the administration's early response to the attacks as "disgraceful," in a statement the former Massachusetts governor released before confirmation that the American ambassador had been killed.
U.S. ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three American members of his staff were killed in an attack on the U.S. consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi. Libyan officials said the attack was carried out by protesters angry over a film that ridiculed Islam's Prophet Muhammed.
President Barack Obama, in a statement Wednesday morning, strongly condemned "this outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi." He said he has directed administration officials "to provide all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe."
Romney was expected to address the killings during comments in Jacksonville, Fla., Wednesday morning.
His initial statement, released hours before Obama's, said the administration's early response to the attacks seemed to sympathize with the attackers.
The U.S. Embassy in Cairo had issued a statement saying, in part, that it 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 statement, an apparent reference to the video, was posted hours before the Americans' death in Libya was reported.
Romney said he was outraged by the attacks. He added, "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."
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in a statement released at about the same time as Romney's, condemned the attack in Libya "in the strongest terms."
Tuesday's pause for Sept. 11 remembrances of the 9/11 attacks had the two campaigns essentially in a stand-down mode. But with the dawn of a new day ? and the violence half a world away ? the political landscape at home was again wide open to negative ads and fierce statements, as the candidates were spreading out from Florida to Ohio to Nevada.
In a campaign speech and a new TV ad, Obama was accusing Romney of failing to explain how he would pay for trillions of dollars in tax cuts.
Eying the possible electoral paths to victory, both campaigns are jockeying more in Wisconsin, a state that has long swung to Democrats in presidential elections.
Romney, in the midst of a campaign week that has slingshot him across the nation, was holding one event Wednesday ? at his own campaign office in Jacksonville, Fla. He was expected to make the case that the nation's debt is undermining job creation and economic growth.
Obama was heading west, to Nevada, where he planned to hit Romney and vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan with charges of secrecy. The Obama campaign says the two Republicans are refusing to tell voters how they could pay for tax cuts that disproportionately help the wealthy without having to gut deductions for middle-class taxpayers.
An Obama campaign ad making that point will start running in Iowa, Virginia, Nevada and Ohio. Those four states, plus Florida, New Hampshire and Colorado, continue to draw the most campaign time and money, with others states looming on the margins as possible toss-ups.
One of those is Wisconsin, home state of the Republican lawmaker Ryan, who will be holding a town hall in Green Bay, Wis., on Wednesday as the race in the state appears to tighten. For the first time, Obama's campaign was airing TV ads in Wisconsin, starting Wednesday. They come after Romney started running his own spots there Sunday
Ryan and Vice President Joe Biden will also campaign in Ohio on Wednesday.
Tens of millions of voters in most parts of the United States are not being wooed directly, as their states are already considered to tilt clearly toward Obama or Romney. Obama appears to have more favorable paths to the required 270 electoral votes he needs for a second term, but in a shaky economy, he is in a hard fight.
With 55 days left until the election, Obama and Romney were keeping a steady pace of post-convention events, but hardly one that screamed urgency.
Romney spent much of his Tuesday in the air, flying from the Chicago area to Reno, Nev., for a speech on the legacy of the Sept. 11 attacks before moving onto Florida.
His morning event in Jacksonville is his only scheduled one Wednesday.
Obama devoted his Tuesday to Sept. 11 ceremonies in Washington on a day that was stripped of overt campaigning but clearly offered political messages from both candidates. On Wednesday afternoon, Obama was going to Las Vegas for one economy-themed rally at night before moving on to Colorado for an event there Thursday. Colorado and Nevada are key early-voting states.
Romney was splitting Florida duty with his wife, Ann, who was holding her own rally in Largo; former President Bill Clinton, meanwhile, was to campaign for Obama in Orlando.
The 11th anniversary of the 2001 attacks on America compelled Obama, Romney and their campaign teams to hold off on direct confrontations. Both sides yanked negative TV ads. And both Romney and Obama offered extensive praise and expressions of sympathy for those who died in the attacks and for their loved ones.
Yet Romney, in address to a meeting of the National Guard, indirectly but clearly drew distinctions with Obama. After declaring that the day was not the proper moment to address differences with the president, Romney took issue with threatened cuts in defense and the handling of disability claims and called for more assertive international leadership.
"I wish I could say the world is less dangerous now," he said.
Obama, for his part, offered election-year reminders that "al-Qaida's leadership has been devastated and Osama bin Laden will never threaten us again."
Said the president, "Our country is safer and our people are resilient."
Re: Legit criticism or typical ugly politics?? Both
I think Romney's timing is typical ugly politics.
I do however think the statement the embassy made prior to the attacks about "hurting the religious feelings of the Muslims" sounds ridiculous.
But these are the things that Romney doesn't understand.
They were made by the embassy, trying to calm things down.
Do you really think the diplomats should diss Islam and paint big targets on their backs? Sheesh. They're a relatively small group of Americans in a foreign city - I don't blame them for wanting to defuse the anger!
And I also think we have some people who insist on putting out disrespectful and ever more inciteful imagery of Mohammed in the hopes that exactly what happened, would happen - then they can point their fingers and say "See? I told you they're animals!" Yay for them, they proved their point
but I hope they can live with the consequences.
I think it is a little bit of both.
No politician is going to waste an opportunity like this tragic murder of our embassador and embassy employees.
The US claiming that this coordinated attack had something to do with a stupid youTube video is redamndiculous.
The protests were a convienent cover to carry out an attack that was already planned to coincide with the September 11th anniversary. The terrorists got lucky and used it for their purposes.
The US State Department is running with that YouTube excuse. It is much easier to face than the fact that there are still people out there wanting to kill Americans. Someone in US intelligence f-ed up. Big Time.
BS. This is just Romney being a slimeball. All the worse because he pulled this ignorant nonsense at the tail end of a day that is supposed to be about remembering the unity that was the US on Sept 11, 2001.
Reactions from prominent party members during a similar situation 30 years ago-
"This is the time for us as a nation and a people to stand united,' - Ronald Reagan, Republican candidate, after president Carter's botched mission to save US hostages [in Iran].
"I unequivocally support the president of the United States -- no ifs, ands or buts -- and it certainly is not a time to try to go one-up politically. He made a difficult, courageous decision," - George H.W. Bush, a candidate at the same time.
In Libya, maybe. But in Cairo?
'A broadcast on one station, an Egyptian channel called Al-Nas, appears to have been the tipping point for the film.
Al-Nas is an immensely popular, and very religious channel whose motto is "a channel that will take you to heaven." Earlier this week, a complaint was filed against Al-Nas for allegedly "inciting strife between Muslims and Christians" in an unrelated incident.
A scene from the trailer of "Innocence of Muslims" was broadcast on Al-Nas just days ago by host Sheikh Khaled Abdalla. The particularly controversial scene depicted the prophet Muhammad as a "buffoonish caricature," according to the Lede.
While the Quran does not ban visual depictions of the prophet Muhammad, some Islamic traditions see it as deeply disrespectful.
Within 48 hours of Al-Nas's broadcast, hundreds of protesters were climbing the walls of the United States embassy in Cairo in protest, and an armed mob was setting fire to the consulate in Benghazi.'
Remember Theo van Gogh? Remember Salman Rushdie?
Remember Terry Jones and the deaths in Afghanistan after his Quran burning stunt?
This is not an unprecedented thing. Does that make it okay? Of course not. But it does mean that people should exercise some commonfuckingsense before doing things that will put US personnel abroad at risk.
And to act like things like this movie don't spur this sort of violence is ignorant and ridiculous- again, Terry Jones, anyone? It wouldn't happen without some malicious figures on the other end publicizing it, and twisting the facts- but this sort of thing is the greatest possible weapon for those people who do still want nothing more than to kill westerners. What better recruitment tool than to show how hateful and ignorant Americans can really be?
Google is your friend. I'm not even internet/computer savvy and I can still find this shiit within 30 seconds. See bolded but I pasted their entire response.
OBAMA:
I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens. Right now, the American people have the families of those we lost in our thoughts and prayers. They exemplified America's commitment to freedom, justice, and partnership with nations and people around the globe, and stand in stark contrast to those who callously took their lives.
I have directed my Administration to provide all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe. While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants.
On a personal note, Chris was a courageous and exemplary representative of the United States. Throughout the Libyan revolution, he selflessly served our country and the Libyan people at our mission in Benghazi. As Ambassador in Tripoli, he has supported Libya's transition to democracy. His legacy will endure wherever human beings reach for liberty and justice. I am profoundly grateful for his service to my Administration, and deeply saddened by this loss.
The brave Americans we lost represent the extraordinary service and sacrifices that our civilians make every day around the globe. As we stand united with their families, let us now redouble our own efforts to carry their work forward.
___
CLINTON:
It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the death of four American personnel in Benghazi, Libya, yesterday. Among them were United States Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith. We are still making next of kin notifications for the other two individuals. Our hearts go out to all their families and colleagues.
A 21-year veteran of the Foreign Service, Ambassador Stevens died last night from injuries he sustained in the attack on our office in Benghazi.
I had the privilege of swearing in Chris for his post in Libya only a few months ago. He spoke eloquently about his passion for service, for diplomacy and for the Libyan people. This assignment was only the latest in his more than two decades of dedication to advancing closer ties with the people of the Middle East and North Africa, which began as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco. As the conflict in Libya unfolded, Chris was one of the first Americans on the ground in Benghazi. He risked his own life to lend the Libyan people a helping hand to build the foundation for a new, free nation. He spent every day since helping to finish the work that he started. Chris was committed to advancing America's values and interests, even when that meant putting himself in danger.
Sean Smith was a husband and a father of two, who joined the Department ten years ago. Like Chris, Sean was one of our best. Prior to arriving in Benghazi, he served in Baghdad, Pretoria, Montreal and most recently The Hague.
All the Americans we lost in yesterday's attacks made the ultimate sacrifice. We condemn this vicious and violent attack that took their lives, which they had committed to helping the Libyan people reach for a better future.
America's diplomats and development experts stand on the front lines every day for our country. We are honored by the service of each and every one of them.