Romney claims Obama sympathizes with attack on U.S.

UPDATE 10:20: In a press conference, Romney just claimed that “it is never too early to condemn” attacks on U.S. personnel. Apparently, “never too early” means condemning the attacks before they have even occurred. He also made it pretty clear that no apology for his statements will be forthcoming.

He is simply wrong on this. Wrong factually, wrong politically, wrong as a matter of simple decency. He has bungled this badly, and is doubling down on the bungle.

————-

With four American diplomats dead in Libya, including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, the United States has in effect come under attack overseas. The response of the Mitt Romney campaign has been to accuse the Obama administration of sympathizing with the attackers.

That charge is grotesque. It is also factually incorrect. It can be made correct only by going back in time and rearranging events to suit the Romney narrative, and that is not going to happen. Let’s take a look at how the tragic events in question played out:

newt
reince
olens

1.) Alarmed at reports of rising anger in Egypt over an anti-Islamic film made in the United States, the U.S. embassy in Cairo tries to calm things Tuesday morning with a statement in which 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. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others.”

2.) Hours AFTER that statement is released, as the Wall Street Journal reports, protesters in Cairo breach the walls of the embassy and pull down the American flag.

3.) Attacks in Libya — also launched well AFTER the embassy statement — end in the tragic death of four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador. They died in service to our country.

4.) Romney quickly puts out a statement calling it “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.”

5.) In the actual first U.S. response to the attacks, released about the same time as the Romney statement, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemns the violence in no uncertain terms:

“Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet. The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. Our commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation. But let me be clear: There is never any justification for violent acts of this kind.”

The charge that an American president sympathizes with those who attacked this country should not be made easily. In fact, under the circumstances it is a charge that should not have been made at all. It would seem to me that an apology is in order from former Gov. Romney, RNC Chairman Reince Preibus, Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens and others who made such an unfounded charge at such a delicate time.

– Jay Bookman

942 comments Add your comment

getalife

September 12th, 2012
2:16 pm

The Speaker did the right thing and called for a moment of silence.

They are uniting for a change and have to give them credit for choosing the right side.

I suggest you cons follow his lead not romney’s.

Ben Shockley

September 12th, 2012
2:17 pm

Bookman hasn’t posted in quite a little while…probably checking his iPhone to see what the DNC wants him to talk about this afternoon.

Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...

September 12th, 2012
2:17 pm

What is the problem with Allan West?

Williebkind

September 12th, 2012
2:17 pm

Well Obama did reduce the size of the federal government by four.

Brosephus™

September 12th, 2012
2:17 pm

Interesting that bro’s first thought ran towards sniffing glue….

Nowhere near as interesting as someone who’s supposedly 50 or near 50 wouldn’t recognize that line from the movie Airplane. Then again, I forget that you hard righties have the humor equivalent of a dead pet rock.

It is the economy, stupid!

September 12th, 2012
2:18 pm

You know, besides being morally reprehensible, Romney’s comments are politically stupid. Do you kind of think that the subject will come up in the presidential and vice presidential debates?? The net net effect on the Romney campaign will be to be paint him as unqualified to be POTUS.

You libs

September 12th, 2012
2:18 pm

towncrier

Jay, why you seldom call out “your own” when they make dumb or spiteful or inflammatory statements (and there have been a LOT of them made recently) –

*********************

I’ve only been enjoying this form for a brief time, but I’ve seen him do just that on several occasions. I’ve respected him for it.

DannyX

September 12th, 2012
2:18 pm

“none of our investments in lives or cash was worth any of this…”

And yet you want to see a Romney presidency with all of his Bush foreign policy retreads.

jewcowboy

September 12th, 2012
2:18 pm

“What is the problem with Allan West?”

He ran out of Thorazine quite a while ago.

Billybob

September 12th, 2012
2:18 pm

the real story here is the radical islamic nature towards our country based on the ‘perceived weakness’ of our leaders……right now that is the democrats and obama……jay’s attempt to change the direction of the actual story, as usual, doesn’t work with honest americans who call him on his manipulations…….how’s that WTOccupation?

Ben Shockley

September 12th, 2012
2:18 pm

Is Obama going to be focused like a laser on bringing these people to justice, much as he has been focused like a laser on jobs the last four years?

Towncrier

September 12th, 2012
2:20 pm

“From what I’ve read, the Embassy staff were sent home early, but I have yet to find anything that said they were expecting anything near what happened. There were meetings from a US business group in the very same compound earlier that day trying to cement business ties between the US and Egypt. I doubt they would have held meetings like that had they known there was an impending attack.”

Well, I guess we will know soon enough Brosephus – people with a lot better resources of information than me will likely be looking into this question. Thanks for your responses.

Ben Shockley

September 12th, 2012
2:20 pm

Is Obama going to take his vow for justice as seriously as he took his vow to cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term?

Keep Up the Good Fight!

September 12th, 2012
2:20 pm

Unlike “conservatives” on here who like to throw all manner of poo at the wall and see what sticks, eh?

Now now JCB. They don’t fling the poo. Fox, Drudge, Brietbart and others do that. They just follow the trail and repeat it. But it is funny to see them scramble to avoid the issue and try to distract. It’s attack Obama in every form possible but little real defense of Mitt’s statement sequence (other than some lame claim to confusion over posting times and the micromanagement claims that Obama must approve everything anyone does — but I am sure that Brosephus can tell us about how everything he does is directly approved by Obama before he does it. :D )

getalife

September 12th, 2012
2:20 pm

Forget romney, he self destructed.

Pay attention to which side the cons chose and vote them out.

Old School Girl

September 12th, 2012
2:21 pm

Let me ask a question. Who among this group who is talking loud against the President, is willing to pick up a gun and support Israel’s bullying tactics, or jump on the next plane to Libya or Egypt, to ’shut up’ these people? Yeah, I thought so.

Diplomacy is all that we have right now. We are currently in several senseless wars, and now many loudmouths want to go and start another?

My heart and sympathy go out to the diplomat and embassy employees who lost their lives, trying to work for diplomacy and peace abroad.

Ben Shockley

September 12th, 2012
2:21 pm

How many rounds of golf can one play and still be focused like a laser?

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

September 12th, 2012
2:21 pm

MARTA SHEETS!

You libs

September 12th, 2012
2:21 pm

williebkind

Well Obama did reduce the size of the federal government by four.

The credit should go to Sam Bacile for that.

Billybob

September 12th, 2012
2:21 pm

bro,
i got your joke, but the left wanting us to be europe is true…..we see it every day…….i guess jay picked the wrong week to stop taking quaaludes……

Jay

September 12th, 2012
2:21 pm

I do from time to time, Crier, but it’s usually here in the comments section, as with the Palin quote. I try to avoid jumping on simple misstatements by either side, because having covered the campaign trail I have some sympathy with people who have to talk endlessly and will inevitably slip up in some fashion. And I’m sure it’s true that I am more easily offended by something said by someone with whom I disagree.

Now, for those interested, fresh Georgia sheets upstairs.

the cat

September 12th, 2012
2:22 pm

Old School Girl-very well said.

rightwing troll

September 12th, 2012
2:22 pm

“He wanted him captured but the SEALS made sure otherwise.”

Of course they did… in scout world. Bless your heart…

Ben Shockley

September 12th, 2012
2:22 pm

“MARTA SHEETS!”

Well its clear the DNC doesn’t want Jay discussing foreign policy any longer.

Williebkind

September 12th, 2012
2:22 pm

“That is why it was so shocking to him to find out the truth.”

What truth? He going to hate the President because the CIA and military intelligence gave him bad information? You too sad. You have been brainwashed by your liberals friends who will feed off the service of that young man.

Keep Up the Good Fight!

September 12th, 2012
2:22 pm

It says something (not good) about this blog when the conned’s post make Palin’s tweet actually look intelligent, thoughtful and reasoned.

Shout out to Ben for the great job from Sarah!

Mick

September 12th, 2012
2:22 pm

It’s really sad that americans lost their lives in service to their country and it gets swept up into the political whirlwind. Working for the state dept. in these times is a dangerous occupation especially in the middle east. Cooler heads will always prevail and an appropriate response should win out. Those who want to break out the baseball bats and start cracking heads just want to respond emotionally instead of strategically. Bottom line: Learn from what happened and take measures to protect our foreign service officers, that most assuredly can be done…

Williebkind

September 12th, 2012
2:24 pm

Ben Shockley

September 12th, 2012
2:22 pm
LOL, hey I can believe that.

TGT

September 12th, 2012
2:24 pm

I’ve seen a variety of sources that say that the statement in question was issued prior to the flag being torn down.

I’ve seen a variety of sources that say I will win the Oscar for best director next year.

You really need to read more carefully Kam. That statement you mocked is EXACTLY what Jay is claiming.

Towncrier

September 12th, 2012
2:24 pm

Williebkind

September 12th, 2012
2:25 pm

“Let me ask a question. Who among this group who is talking loud against the President, is willing to pick up a gun and support Israel’s bullying tactics, or jump on the next plane to Libya or Egypt, to ’shut up’ these people?”

Me and my sons will.

F. Sinkwich

September 12th, 2012
2:25 pm

“Is Obama going to be focused like a laser on bringing these people to justice,…”

Nope, but he’s aggressively pursuing the establishment of a commission tasked with determining why Muslims hate us.

He is also scheduling a new apology tour.

Newby

September 12th, 2012
2:25 pm

Williebkind

September 12th, 2012
2:09 pm
“I’m sure Mr. Green will permit viagra to be covered.”

Now what has that got to do with destroying human flesh?

Willie – the subject is medical coverage. Just what the h*11 are you atlking about? I begin to doubt your intelligence.

the cat

September 12th, 2012
2:25 pm

Holy Moly! ignore the con jerks on here. I wish you and your son well. Thank him for serving his country so honorably.

Towncrier

September 12th, 2012
2:26 pm

Williebkind

September 12th, 2012
2:27 pm

Just like the Kentuckians, Tennesseeians, and others went to the Alamo!

Mick

September 12th, 2012
2:28 pm

**He is also scheduling a new apology tour.**

How can he do that when he never had one to begin with? Hell, we all apologize for the destruction wreaked by the previous administration, does anyone really want to go back to that?

Child, please

September 12th, 2012
2:29 pm

These are attacks by Osama sympathizers on the anniversary of 9/11-nothing more, nothing less. And a reaction by our country as anything less than that is cowardly and shows lack of leadership.

Some stupid movie coming out is just an excuse and to talk about ‘religious freedom’ in those countries is worthless. They have none. The Arabs can go back to reading The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and stop the smoke screen.

Williebkind

September 12th, 2012
2:29 pm

“Willie – the subject is medical coverage. Just what the h*11 are you atlking about? I begin to doubt your intelligence.”

My intelligence is fine, but thanks for doubting.

You libs

September 12th, 2012
2:29 pm

Rasmussen is to polling as FoxNews is to journalism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Push_poll

Jay

September 12th, 2012
2:30 pm

Crier, that may or may not be accurate. But Libyan officials would be tempted to say that regardless of whether it was true, because it shifts blame away from them and onto a target that they know the Americans hate.

So we’ll see….

josef

September 12th, 2012
2:31 pm

First, my thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have lost their lives in the service of their country.

Second, in situations such as this which threaten to spiral out of control, restraint and caution are of the utmost importance. This is no time to go making domestic political hay, and that applies to the citizenry as well as the political leadership. A measured response is the best response right now.

For our own to go off here and now is not much different in substance than that of the mobs attacking our embassies and consulates. It is a mob mentality however more “civilized” and/or “nonviolent” it may be in its expression.

Towncrier

September 12th, 2012
2:31 pm

“I try to avoid jumping on simple misstatements by either side, because having covered the campaign trail I have some sympathy with people who have to talk endlessly and will inevitably slip up in some fashion. And I’m sure it’s true that I am more easily offended by something said by someone with whom I disagree.”

Well, thanks for that. I would submit that a lot of the things being said these days are more than “simple misstatements” (perhaps even Palins’ remark). Calling someone a terrorist or nazi or racist is not a slip of the tongue.

jewcowboy

September 12th, 2012
2:31 pm

Keep,

“But it is funny to see them scramble to avoid the issue and try to distract. ”

Bingo!

Williebkind

September 12th, 2012
2:31 pm

I need a job! Have any of you got a job for me? I want $80k a year with full benefits to include a car.

Brosephus™

September 12th, 2012
2:32 pm

Towncrier

I may run across some State Dept people over the next few days or weeks. I’ll ask them if they can give any info on your questions.

You libs

September 12th, 2012
2:33 pm

No, Willie, but I’ll give you a quarter to log off.

getalife

September 12th, 2012
2:34 pm

So far only two aq sympathizers we can vote against.

romney and west.

Where are the other cons in congress?

Did they side with America?

Williebkind

September 12th, 2012
2:34 pm

Towncrier

September 12th, 2012
2:31 pm
Palin has the right to say whatever she pleases after the way the liberals have assaulted and violated her character with lies.

Towncrier

September 12th, 2012
2:35 pm

“Well its clear the DNC doesn’t want Jay discussing foreign policy any longer.”

You are funny, Ben.

Holy Moly!

September 12th, 2012
2:37 pm

Ben Shockley

September 12th, 2012
2:20 pm
Is Obama going to take his vow for justice as seriously as he took his vow to cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term?

See: Osama bin Laden

getalife

September 12th, 2012
2:37 pm

josef,

Rice worked with the American heroes that were killed and praised their work.

I think in the end , the Libyans will memorialize them as heroes for liberating their country too.

Holy Moly!

September 12th, 2012
2:38 pm

From NBCnews,.com: Romney ups criticism of Obama over Libya crisis

He just doesn’t get it does he?

Towncrier

September 12th, 2012
2:38 pm

“Palin has the right to say whatever she pleases after the way the liberals have assaulted and violated her character with lies.”

I disagree. Two wrongs don’t make a right. I do, however, understand your anger – she was vilified in way few people have been and liberals have been largely unapologetic about that (while always running to the defense of Obama).

Towncrier

September 12th, 2012
2:39 pm

“I may run across some State Dept people over the next few days or weeks. I’ll ask them if they can give any info on your questions.”

Thanks, my friend.

the cat

September 12th, 2012
2:39 pm

Wait-Palin was assaulted and her character was violated? What on earth are you talking about?

Towncrier

September 12th, 2012
2:41 pm

“Rasmussen is to polling as FoxNews is to journalism.”

Really? It was rated as the second most accurate polling organization in the 2008 elections, according to a piece I read. And, pray tell, what is MSNBC or CBS News to journalism?

getalife

September 12th, 2012
2:42 pm

palin is not running .

The Senate and house leaders united.

demint , inhoff and another con chose aq.

Williebkind

September 12th, 2012
2:43 pm

the cat

September 12th, 2012
2:39 pm
“Wait-Palin was assaulted and her character was violated? What on earth are you talking about?”

It was in the paper last week and she is still in the hospital.

It is the economy, stupid!

September 12th, 2012
2:43 pm

You know, I think that the Republicans have a real deep foreign policy thinker in Mitt Romney. First, the British MI-6, the equivalent of our CIA, brief him on foreign policy matters, and he schedules a press conference on the topic; second, he has called for at least two “regime changes”, which translated from Republican speak, are the equivalent of wars; and today we are treated to a Romney smear campaign.

Towncrier

September 12th, 2012
2:45 pm

“From NBCnews,.com: Romney ups criticism of Obama over Libya crisis…”

If you have been paying attention the past four or so years, you will also know that Obama is not shy about publicly criticizing others for clearly political reasons. Admit it: both Romney and Obama are politicians through and through.

Brosephus™

September 12th, 2012
2:45 pm

Thanks, my friend.

No problem. As I see it, we both seek the truth irrespective of any ideological leaning.

Towncrier

September 12th, 2012
2:46 pm

“No problem. As I see it, we both seek the truth irrespective of any ideological leaning.”

“And then you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” ;-)

getalife

September 12th, 2012
2:47 pm

“It was in the paper last week and she is still in the hospital”

Link?

getalife

September 12th, 2012
2:50 pm

crier leans right and called libs commies.

getalife

September 12th, 2012
2:56 pm

Isn’t there a law against inciting violence?

The man that made the stupid movie admitted it would cause violence.

Tom(Independent Viet Vet,USAF)

September 12th, 2012
2:57 pm

Hope I’m wrong, just heard on Fox News that the 4 Americans were taken to a safe house away from the mob. Later Libyan authorities alerted the mob to the safe house location. The 4 Americans were murdered there and then dragged thru the streets afterward by those animals! If it occurred that way and is reported by ALL news stations, that would hurt the President’s administration position?

getalife

September 12th, 2012
2:59 pm

Tom,

I have not heard that on other corporate media so it is probably another fox lie.

Ivan

September 12th, 2012
2:59 pm

“If it occurred that way and is reported by ALL news stations, that would hurt the President’s administration position?”

Nah. The left would just continue to blame Bush.

getalife

September 12th, 2012
3:01 pm

CNN reports they were killed at the consulate from an RPG causing a fire and died from the smoke.

getalife

September 12th, 2012
3:06 pm

So far we have five cons to vote out because they sympathized with aq.

zawahiri ( #2) of aq made a video instructing to attack.

Dekalb comments

September 12th, 2012
3:07 pm

There was a time when politics stopped at the water’s edge. Another sensible and respectful concept thrown on the dustheap of history.

These militants did not attack in Cairo or Benghazi because they perceived the U.S. is weak. They did it because they hate America and in what they heard about this movie they found justification to launch these despicable attacks. Many of these militants could in fact care less about the content of the movie. They are simply looking for any justification.

What would people have Obama do? Who is he going to bomb? The administration has denounced these cowardly acts in the clearest terms possible. The administration has taken unspecified steps to bolster security at American interests in the region.

I have no doubt the FBI/CIA will eventually determine who was responsible for the attacks in Libya. Obama said they will be held accountable. What does that mean? No one knows.

I doubt the perpetrators in Cairo will be brought to justice unless done so by the Egyptian authorities. There, based on my understanding, there was damage to American physical assets but no injuries or deaths to American diplomats.

As much as I did not support GWB, I had his back on 9-11 and the days afterwards. He was the President and needed the support of the American people. Why is this situation any different? I suggest it is because Rmoney has no respect for the office of the presidency nor understand his comments only harm American interests and place those interests at greater risk.

getalife

September 12th, 2012
3:08 pm

Kerry asked romney to apologize and said he has no idea what he is talking about.

Crushed him.

getalife

September 12th, 2012
3:09 pm

Dan Coats (R) chose America.

Holy Moly!

September 12th, 2012
3:09 pm

The Dr. that treated him said he died from smoke inhalation. He tried to revive him for about 1.5 hours but could not, he was almost dead when the Libyans took him to the hospital. Reports two of the four were marines.

Holy Moly!

September 12th, 2012
3:10 pm

And this from CNN:
A pro-al Qaeda group responsible for a previous assault on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi is the chief suspect in Tuesday’s attack that killed the U.S. ambassador, sources tracking militant Islamist groups in Libya say

Joseph

September 12th, 2012
3:10 pm

I found out what all the fuss was about. Oblama missed his tee time because he had to go out and criticize Romney for criticizing his pathetic leadership… Dang its all about golf….

getalife

September 12th, 2012
3:13 pm

Fox reports attacks happened before Cairo protests.

Williebkind

September 12th, 2012
3:15 pm

We need to solve this problem about Embassies. If it is our ground and we have the right to protect it. We dont need soft leaders who will sacrifice our citizens because of fear about world events. Put the marines in charge of security and hold them responsible. Problem solved. The marines will do the job.

getalife

September 12th, 2012
3:15 pm

Keep score on this one to find out which side congress is on.

National security is very important.

Not a joke cons.

Holy Moly!

September 12th, 2012
3:16 pm

Willie- two of the four reported killed were Marines.

Williebkind

September 12th, 2012
3:19 pm

Holy Moly!

September 12th, 2012
3:16 pm

“Willie- two of the four reported killed were Marines.”

Yep that sounds like a Jimmy Carter deal. Did the Ambassador tell the marines to stand down and not protect the embassy? If he did I dont feel sorry for him. He not only got himself killed he got two warriors killed for nothing.

JKL2

September 12th, 2012
3:20 pm

holy moly- My son learned first hand what it feels like to be lied to by someone you trust. He now says, never again. And he, like me, will vote for Obama. Lessons learned, never forgotten.

President Bush is a great man. Still does much more to support the troops than obama ever will. I guess we’ve had different experiences.

Tom(Independent Viet Vet,USAF)

September 12th, 2012
3:22 pm

getalife – What if it is the truth, does it matter to you? I do not think NBC or ABC reports untruths, why would you think that of Fox?

St Simons - original Georgian

September 12th, 2012
3:22 pm

Lord High Hairgel’s money has more foreign policy experience than him

getalife

September 12th, 2012
3:23 pm

willie has shown his true colors.

Ugly isn’t it?

Williebkind

September 12th, 2012
3:23 pm

Have the marines guarding the embassy reported they were ordered to stand down by the Ambassador or higher?

getalife

September 12th, 2012
3:24 pm

Tom,

I am watching all three corporate media channels.

Thanks.

Williebkind

September 12th, 2012
3:26 pm

When it comes to America getalife there are only three colors, red white and blue. If that is ugly to you, I can live with it.

JKL2

September 12th, 2012
3:27 pm

jamvet- Mr “Coalition of One” Bush – via his state sanctioned torture and other fascistic moves – destroyed our historic international standing as that shining beacon on the hill

It’s a real shame that information lead us to bin laden isn’t it?

No worries as obama doesn’t take prisoners. He just shoots people with missiles from predators. Much better than locking them up at Gitmo.

getalife

September 12th, 2012
3:28 pm

The fox idiot asked if it was an act of war.

We are at war with terror idiot.

Shep refusing to say the man’s name that made the movie.

Good for Shep.

Old Goober

September 12th, 2012
3:29 pm

Peadawg

September 12th, 2012
1:53 pm
“Hey, how are those poor, poor Chicago school teachers doing?”

I hope they are all fired and replaced as soon as they decide to return. I feel bad for the kids.

When you sign a contract providing for a 30% raise and you then tell the other contracting party that you’re not going to abide by the contract, you can expect a strike if the other contracting party is a union. The whole situation is yet another example of welching. Jimmy Carter learned the hard way when, after signing off on raises for university system personnel in Georgia, he later abrogated all the next year’s contracts by declaring them null and void. A court told him and the state to pay up. I don’t see anything different in the Chicago situation. Contract law is contract law. You can’t poor-mouth your way out of a signed contract, short of declaring bankruptcy.

But then, don’t let the law get in the way of your hatred of teachers, cons.

getalife

September 12th, 2012
3:29 pm

willie,

Get lost.

St Simons - (ab)original Georgian

September 12th, 2012
3:31 pm

they know its over, nothing left to do but fling monkeypoo

getalife

September 12th, 2012
3:34 pm

romney aid loses it on cnn.

Epic melt down.

JKL2

September 12th, 2012
3:44 pm

Thulsa- Instead of discussing how it is that we had such a glaring intelligence failure regarding the mobs and how it is that 4 Americans including the ambassador got killed we’re instead talking some nonsense about what Romney said and when

Falls right in line with all the “9/11 was Bush’s fault” BS they were foaming about yesterday.

getalife

September 12th, 2012
3:48 pm

“You are either with us or against us”.w.

JKL2

September 12th, 2012
3:51 pm

you libs- Is he weak for that?

No, he was apologizing for the attack which happened in his country. obama was apologizng to our attackers for making them angry. (IE: thanks for kicking our a$$, we really had it coming)

Maybe if we give them a couple $billion they will leave us alone?

Williebkind

September 12th, 2012
3:52 pm

getalife

September 12th, 2012
3:48 pm
That just about says it all. That does tend to hurt some peoples feelings but their feelings is not worth the life of an American.

getalife

September 12th, 2012
3:55 pm

They will be dealt with willie.

Stop blaming America,

Which side are you on?