Advisers to Mitt Romney on Thursday defended his sharp criticism of President Obama and said that the deadly protests sweeping the Middle East would not have happened if the Republican nominee were president.
“There’s a pretty compelling story that if you had a President Romney, you’d be in a different situation,” Richard Williamson, a top Romney foreign policy adviser, said in an interview. “For the first time since Jimmy Carter, we’ve had an American ambassador assassinated.”
Williamson added, “In Egypt and Libya and Yemen, again demonstrations — the respect for America has gone down, there’s not a sense of American resolve and we can’t even protect sovereign American property.”
I’m sorry: That has to be one of the more ridiculous statements I have seen in a long time. Who’s running this campaign, Honey Boo-Boo?
So we are to believe that Mitt Romney, by the sheer Mitt-normity of his Mitt-strength, would square his Mitt-jaw and single-handedly suppress not just decades, not just centuries, but millenia of seething anger and frustration among hundreds of millions of people in the Islamic world. Their anger and insecurities would all vanish, and the roiling seas would be made calm?
It’s a feat that Ronald Reagan couldn’t perform — the death of 241 Marines in their barracks in Lebanon and the bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, with another 63 killed, bear clear testimony to his inadequacy. George W. Bush, the hard-bitten Texan, was such a wimp that Islamic terrorists dared to murder thousands of our fellow Americans here on our own soil and launch a dozen attacks against our embassies.
And Barack Obama? As Rush Limbaugh suggested yesterday, Obama is so weak that al Qaida offered up Osama bin Laden as a sacrifice to us, just to ensure that Obama would be re-elected.
Oh, but under the fearsome glare and resolve of the Mitt-y One, all would quake. Because all would know that if they dared to cross the line, His RomniPOTUS would … do what exactly? Smite them with a simple arch of his eyebrow?
P.T. Barnum once claimed that no one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people. The Romney campaign is putting that observation to a very stern test.
– Jay Bookman
708 comments Add your comment
curious
September 14th, 2012
8:35 am
The leadership (puppet masters) of the Republican party have only ONE motive: PROFIT for themselves.
Just as the KKK gained its power by manipulating the uneducated whites, the leaders of the Republicans are capitalizing on the ignorance of their followers, who will be just as screwed as the rest of us.
Stephenson Billings
September 14th, 2012
8:35 am
“Former President Jimmy Carter spoke to students at Drake University in Des Moines today and was asked if he agreed with what Obama said about Egypt:
Carter: “Egypt is an ally of the US, we know Egypt well.” ”
http://nation.foxnews.com/jimmy-carter/2012/09/13/jimmy-carter-corrects-obama
Quagmire
September 14th, 2012
8:36 am
Cons are crazy and they have a short memory. What happen was unacceptable and will be address by the President and the United States. But calling the President weak on Foreign policy is crazy. Did republicans address the crazy christian groups that produced this film that started this mess. Better yet, do cons remember the attack in Beirut that killed over 220 servicemen while reagan was in office. According to mitt, the middle-east was vacation hotspot for everyone before President Obama.
Fred ™
September 14th, 2012
8:36 am
Funny thing the subconscious mind. I typed John scary instead of John Kerry. Sorry.
Verbal Kint
September 14th, 2012
8:36 am
Taxpayer- I have provided you with support for my claim. Why don’t you sign off the blog for 15 minutes and read it?
ByteMe - Got ilk?
September 14th, 2012
8:36 am
Patrick, that was awesome, thanks.
Mary Elizabeth
September 14th, 2012
8:36 am
We do not need a president who believes spinning lies will be effective, who believes dominating will gather “respect,” and who has limited awareness but unlimited ambition. Romney would be a disaster as president. He lacks insight, courage, and wisdom.
skydog
September 14th, 2012
8:36 am
Bibi?
I didn`t know either. I know Ray Ray, Bay Bay, and Say Hey, but not Bibi.
skipper
September 14th, 2012
8:36 am
The middle east, religeously, culturally is far different than anywhere else in the world. They hate us, and for the most part always will. We just have to deal with it. Obama, Romney, nor anyone else has the answer. Everytime you condemn the Muslims, someone points out a McVeigh or Rudolph or somebody. Yep, there are radicals in every religion, but get real folks. The embassys in Sweeden, Germany, here, etc. are not under siege because of some assumed disrespect to Jesus. These people operate under a whole different set of parameters. Hard to deal with stupid. Women in burquas? Women not driving? Acid in the face of assumed dishonor? We all have cultural differences, but folks who think the Muslims don’t have a more agressive agenda better wake up!
Doggone/GA
September 14th, 2012
8:37 am
“we learn that the State Dept and Intelligence had advance warning of these attacks on the consulates ”
As we were discussing yesterday…a little learning is a dangerous thing
TiredOfIt
September 14th, 2012
8:38 am
All politicians stretch the truth from time to time, but I can’t recall one running for president who just blatantly lies and continues lying when he is presented with the facts. How can you or any foreign government trust anything this guys says?
JDW
September 14th, 2012
8:38 am
@Verbal Kint…”I have no clue why Obama would do that. It makes the US look indecisive for the whole world to see…for starters.”
And that is why you aren’t in foreign policy. He did it very clearly and very specifically to move Egypt off the fence and into supporting the concept that speech, however objectionable, should not be a cause for violence. …
“Egyptian President Mohammed Morsy initially focused his criticism on the film as an unacceptable insult to Islam.”
“But after speaking with President Barack Obama in what the White House described as a review of the “strategic partnership between the United States and Egypt,” Morsy directly criticized the attacks for the first time Thursday.”
“The Egyptian leader’s modified statement came a day after Obama hinted at where things stand between the countries. “I don’t think we would consider Egypt an ally, but we don’t consider them an enemy,” Obama said. ”
http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/13/world/arab-leaders-reactions/index.html?hpt=hp_c1
Makes all the sense in the world, unless viewed through the lens of Right Wing angst.
Verbal Kint
September 14th, 2012
8:38 am
Obama’s choice of words were shocking….even to NBC’s news director,
“That evening, in an interview with Jose Diaz-Balart, of the Spanish-language network Telemundo, Obama was asked whether Egypt was an ally of the United States. “I don’t think that we would consider them an ally, but we don’t consider them an enemy,” Obama responded.
This comment was so incredible that NBC foreign correspondent Richard Engel later commented that he “almost had to sit down” when he heard it. Egypt, the 16th largest nation on Earth and by far the largest in the Arab world, was designated a non-NATO ally by Congress in 1989, along with other important countries like Israel, Japan and Australia. Not at any point during the Arab Spring did the U.S. government hint at any change in that status. And Obama has strenuously resisted the idea, promoted by some Republicans, of canceling the $1.5 billion foreign aid package that the U.S. furnishes to Egypt annually. No wonder jaws dropped when Obama dropped this bombshell in a casual news interview on Spanish-language television.
Was Obama sending a major diplomatic message the day after rioters took over the U.S. Embassy in Cairo on Tuesday night? As it turns out, no. Obama was just “shooting first and aiming later.” Foreign Policy magazine reporter Josh Rogin followed up with the White House and learned that the comment, although clearly not a simple misstatement, was an Obama blunder, not a change in policy.”
Stephenson Billings
September 14th, 2012
8:38 am
Egypt intelligence warns of attacks on Israel, US embassies
http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=284684
Fred ™
September 14th, 2012
8:39 am
Keep @ 8:34: A ShamWOW?
Just damn.
I could completely see that commercial, (picturing a 2 dimensional cut out of Ryan).
Jm
September 14th, 2012
8:39 am
Obama is like the snuggie. Warm, fuzzy, but no value add and a rip off.
Proud American
September 14th, 2012
8:40 am
Leave it up to Romney and next we will be fighting, according to Romney, I’ll number one enemy, Russia. Are you kidding me?
Jay
September 14th, 2012
8:40 am
you have yet to even attempt an explanation of why it was a blunder, Verbal.
Goldie
September 14th, 2012
8:41 am
“He waits for something to happen and then either takes credit”
Wow — Our President was waiting for something to happen when he gave the orders to dispense with Bin Laden? Really??? And what was your guy W doing for 8 years? Other than his version of “spreading democracy”, of course…
Your chosen blogging moniker is half correct — the “incorrect” part!
TN_Realist
September 14th, 2012
8:41 am
“There’s a pretty compelling story that if you had a President Romney, you’d be in a different situation,” Richard Williamson, a top Romney foreign policy adviser, said in an interview.
I read this statement and just went WOW. Okay, Mr. Williamson please explain how the situation would be different? It’s one thing to throw something out there, it’s another to be to back it up with factual assessments?
Would Mr. Romney going to send troops into Egypt and Libya? Would he ask for declaration of war against either or both countries? How would he identify those responsible? Or would simoly puts booth on the ground with an unclear, undefinded mission. I, for one, have way too much of that kind of thinking in the past.
The Middle East was, is and will always be anti America. If this country decides it must maintain a presence and its influence just accept the fact that our personnel will be targets. No one who serves in the State Department or Diplomatic Services is in the dark about that risk. I would expect our President to have the intelligence community to do their best to identify those responsible and then have the Military/Special Forces community to target those persons and do what they do best, eliminate the threat.
The rhetoric about bombing or invading or other silly nonsense is just assinine!
Verbal Kint
September 14th, 2012
8:42 am
Work calls. I’ll miss getalife’s parrot responses though. They are always riveting.
Stephenson Billings
September 14th, 2012
8:43 am
Why won’t Obama stop inciting all this violence against us?
“Senior officials are increasingly convinced, however, that the ferocious nature of the Benghazi attack, in which rocket-propelled grenades were used, indicated it was not the result of spontaneous anger due to the video, called Innocence of Muslims. Patrick Kennedy, Under-Secretary at the State Department, said he was convinced the assault was planned due to its extensive nature and the proliferation of weapons.
There is growing belief that the attack was in revenge for the killing in a drone strike in Pakistan of Mohammed Hassan Qaed, an al-Qa’ida operative who was, as his nom-de-guerre Abu Yahya al-Libi suggests, from Libya, and timed for the anniversary of the 11 September attacks.”
Stephenson Billings
September 14th, 2012
8:44 am
POLL: ROMNEY 48% OBAMA 45%
Jay
September 14th, 2012
8:44 am
Really, Stephenson?
You want Obama to stop killing AQ leaders? You believe that’s a bad thing?
Fred ™
September 14th, 2012
8:44 am
Jm
September 14th, 2012
8:39 am
Obama is like the snuggie. Warm, fuzzy, but no value add and a rip off.
++++++++++++++++++++++
You obviously have never had a snuggie. You should try one before quoting some cute little right wing bumper sticker phrase.
I know you really hate the truth and look down upon knowledge and research, but read this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeved_blanket
TaxPayer
September 14th, 2012
8:45 am
Verbal Kint,
Your link does not prove your claim. Sign off for however long it takes you to figure that out.
bob
September 14th, 2012
8:47 am
Jay, your’e right, Romney won’t get the kooks to like us. Obama was supposed to be able to get the kooks to like us, that was supposed to be a plus in Obo’s column but it turned out that Obama can’t make nutjobs like us and he can’t really stop the rising sea levels.
Fred ™
September 14th, 2012
8:49 am
We ARE talking about the same super foreign policy expert Mitt Romney aren’t we? The one who doesn’t know an Embassy from a Consulate?
http://www.americablog.com/2012/09/romney-gets-capital-of-libya-wrong-in.html
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
September 14th, 2012
8:50 am
sources said….Ok…what sources?
I see the state department issued a denial. That statment had a visible
verifiable source.
uncloudyday
September 14th, 2012
8:51 am
jay”" the water boy” spews the typical hate of democrats against those that dont agree with their point of view. that is a right and privilage that you have under the constitution. but that right also falls to every citizen of this country. and last check mr romney is an american citizen. your point of view is askewed by your inability to talk without name calling. why dont you grow up and be more civil in your writing. you remind me of the child on the play ground that didnt get his way or was bullied by others because you didnt fit in with the crowd. the truth is that no president (democrat or republican) know what the future brings and that we can only hope that when the moment comes that they are prepared to take the action most appropriate for the situation. the fact that mr obama chose to go to las vegas for a fund raiser doesnt speak well of his judgement. mrs clinton showed she was more presidental than the man she works for. the bottom line: mr romney has all the right to speak out regardless if he dosent agree with your point of view. that is what makes this country so unique. we dont surpresses the individual right to speak something you folks on the left fail to understand.
skydog
September 14th, 2012
8:51 am
Let me ask a question.
Should my friends, who are working in Afghanistan building roads, bridges, and barracks, be held in the same high esteem as our troups? They too are risking their lives for the cause. Does it matter that they are making $200,000 a year?
Fred ™
September 14th, 2012
8:52 am
JDW and TN_Realist: Well said. Good posts, both of you. (except your last line JDW lol, you could have left that part off. But it WAS still true).
GT
September 14th, 2012
8:53 am
The path we have followed got us where we are. We have used the John Wayne approach but unlike the movies big John gets knocked down a few times and actually has to develop a personality. It takes brains to have a respectable personality, to learn to live with people, if you do not have brains you do not see the use in all of this.
I never understand the short sighted strategy of Republicans on everything. The world is changing yet their solutions are the same, my way or the highway. That worked when the white male was a majority, but now a higher IQ will serve us better dividends than deteriorating muscle. On a higher vision I can’t see where this stubbornness is leading this world. When you keep saying you are right with no margin of mistake and then you are wrong and think just not admitting it fools everybody, you are double wrong.
Stephenson Billings
September 14th, 2012
8:54 am
“You want Obama to stop killing AQ leaders? You believe that’s a bad thing?”
He’s obviously creating terrorists and terrorism against us and our allies….
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
September 14th, 2012
8:54 am
JAY,
So you are defending President Spineless by suggesting the presumption about how Romney would have approached our foreign policy?
Diversion for the fact that the entire ME is about to be engulfed in anti-American flames and BO sits in Las Vegas raising money to be relected to oversee the carnage?
Leading from behind…we are kinda like that average lobbyist..we throw money to all and expect them to become us…worst foreign policy since CARTER..you gotta admit the symbolism of flag burning on the air is reminiscient of CARTER…all we are missing is the lines at the gas station…who knows, maybe we will get that shortly as the traders anticipate reduced supply..time to get the VW Rabbitt..
Stephenson Billings
September 14th, 2012
8:56 am
Oh wait, I’m sorry, only Bush’s ME policies did that (insert rolleyes here)
TaxPayer
September 14th, 2012
8:56 am
Perhaps Mitt’s secret plan to calm the mideast is to burn billions of tons of marijuana all around them and set up huge fans to blow the smoke all over them. If that is his plan, I hope I find out about it soon enough to buy up all the munchie manufacturers. I’ll be RICH! And then Mitt will eliminate all my taxes and I’ll be RICHER! It’s a win-win. Yippeeeee!
Fred ™
September 14th, 2012
8:56 am
uncloudyday
September 14th, 2012
8:51 am
+++++++++++++++++++++
Wow. what a laugh. He starts off his post with: jay”” the water boy”
and then writes:your point of view is askewed by your inability to talk without name calling
Really? He starts of by calling jay a name and then piously states that? The right wing fanatical nutcase hypocrites never fail to amaze me. It’s humorous their double standards. What’s even more funny is the fact that they fail to see and acknowledge that. No wonder they are so easily mind controlled by talk radio hosts…….
TN_Realist
September 14th, 2012
8:57 am
@ Fred, thanks. I just with a little sanity and recognition of the real issues would break out from time to time. This should go beyond partisan politics but, sadly, I guess it doesn’t to some folks.
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
September 14th, 2012
8:57 am
Stevie ray
” ME is about to be engulfed in anti-American flames”
Like thats new or even news….
DUH
East Lake Ira
September 14th, 2012
8:58 am
skydog – No and no.
Tell ‘em to join the Peace Corps then we can talk.
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
September 14th, 2012
8:58 am
GT,
So you are blaming the GOP and Bush and simultaneously suggesting the collective DEM IQ is superior? I don’t care for either but at least the GOP are trying to at least do something about issues today…unlike your genius’ who live off pixiedust and an energy policy that is 20 years before its time..forgetting a completely failed foreign policy by any measure….oh and we are broke..
Marty Huggins'
September 14th, 2012
8:59 am
Can anyone confirm some of the rumors that are out?
Was live ammunition not allowed by those at the Egyptian embassy?
Did the administration have warning of these attacks 48 hours prior to the attacks and chose not to make strategic adjustments?
Is the information about classified documents being taken from the attack in Libya?
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/revealed-inside-story-of-us-envoys-assassination-8135797.html
Atlanta 1
September 14th, 2012
9:01 am
Don’t you love politics. What seems to be not mentioned or lost was that part of the strategy of bringing Democracy to Iraq, would be that it would encourage arabs in other countries to begin to push for freedom. This, in essence was the Bush Doctrine. Their thinking was that this would eventually stabilize the region, where clear thinking Arabs would embrace their new freedom and credit the United States for getting it started.
I never understood this rationale (see Iran 1980). Unless you were going to park tanks in every country until each country could work through a ‘fair’ process, then you risked the radicals (the most organized ‘by far’) of taking control of said country (see Egypt 2012).
In short, neither man will be capable of stablizing the region. They will hate Romney, just as they have learned to hate Obama.
What we REALLY need to focus on is an energy policy that makes the United States ‘energy independant’ – which means ‘everything’ is on the table. Up production of oil, convert truck lines to natural gas, look to convert some cars – especially larger vehicles (SUV’S and Trucks) to Natural Gas.
Continue to invest into wind and solar and while everyone laughs at the algea concept – if you ever crack that code – it is ‘hands down’ the best substainable resource we could hope for.
As we become less dependant on the region, we can have a more ‘honest’ policy that will best serve the people in that part of the world. This means less influence by the U.S. – which makes is tougher for the radicals to use the U.S. as the ‘vehicle’ that serves their purpose – which is a radical region.
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
September 14th, 2012
9:02 am
GRANNY,
You are flagged for shallow dismissal:-)
I don’t recall a time when 6-7 middle eastern or northern african countries are simultaneously burning flags and hanging suspiciously close to our embassies….at least most other material countries think BO is aloof and arrogant…great job..very disappointing..
Defend him and divert blame all you want but we are less liked now more than ever…we aren’t better off in that regard either..
lynnie gal
September 14th, 2012
9:03 am
What we’re witnessing is a major political party in the throes of death. It is painful to watch as the Republican party writhes in anguish as light shineson their ignorance; spits on those who stand for truth, compassion and wisdom; shouts bold-faced lies while eschewing fact checking; bites and snipes at the reasonable and honest among us; and snarls at women, minorities, the poor, students, the educated and the middle class. A major political party can’t conduct itself like this and win. This election cycle is their last stand unless they do some soul searching and manage to change.
Fred ™
September 14th, 2012
9:03 am
skydog
September 14th, 2012
8:51 am
Let me ask a question.
Should my friends, who are working in Afghanistan building roads, bridges, and barracks, be held in the same high esteem as our troups? They too are risking their lives for the cause. Does it matter that they are making $200,000 a year?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I say no. They are there for profit. They have made a conscious decision as to much their life is worth to them. They weighed the money earned against the perceived risks of kidnapping and attack. They are no heroes.
Soldiers however are over there because they were sent there under arms by their Gov’t. Their “mission” is totally different. Their motivation is totally different. They daily put themselves in harms way. It’s a soldiers job to put himself between your friends and an enemy bullet if need be. Sorry, but that’s the way it is.
Fly-On-The-Wall
September 14th, 2012
9:05 am
That ‘Fire & Rain’ parody by Fallen was really funny. Great way to start a Friday.
skydog
September 14th, 2012
9:05 am
East Lake Ira – skydog – No and no.
Tell ‘em to join the Peace Corps then we can talk.
+++++++++++++++++++
They don`t have to join anything. There are 16,000 people in my company in Afghanistan now and $200,000 a year is the low man.
If they catch a bullet to the forehead the only difference is about $150,000?
the cat
September 14th, 2012
9:06 am
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2012/09/14/obama-birth-certificate-kansas-ballot/70000327/1
So a top Romney advisor is a birther. Why am I not suprised?
gm
September 14th, 2012
9:06 am
Of course we would be safe under Mitt after he sends all middle class, poor conservative, and liberals kids to die while all his 5 sons take vacations in the islands.
Mitt the war hawk accusing the President of siding with Muslim terrorist, I wonder would have happen if Obama had came out and said after 911 GW sided with our attackers? lets see, we lost 4 Americans in another country to 3500 in America, these idiots are reaching for anything, Mitt showed the world he is not ready””””’
TN_Realist
September 14th, 2012
9:07 am
@ Atlanta 1, I so agree with your post! For the last 30 years we’ve allowed a gun to be pointet at our collective heads by a region that depises who and what the U.S. is. If we were independent of the oil that is under their lands does anyone here think that the ME would mean two hoots to the U.S. It is oil and only oil that gives them any leverage. Yet the notion of of developing alternative energy is lambasted and rediculed by so many on here!
East Lake Ira
September 14th, 2012
9:08 am
Marines in Cairo had live ammo:
The Ambassador did not impose restrictions on weapons or weapons status on the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG) detachment. The MCESG Marines in Cairo were allowed to have live ammunition in their weapons. The Ambassador and Regional Security Officer have been completely and appropriately engaged with the security situation. Reports of Marines not being able to have their weapons loaded per direction from the Ambassador are not accurate.
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
September 14th, 2012
9:09 am
ATLANTA
Awesome…someone else has a clue. Typical policians although it is extremely discouraging how the incumbent guy does nothing notable in either area except run that big gob housed in an Alfred E Newman head. Romney will not fare any better either.
BO plays up his “energy policy” on the shoulders of energy sources that cost 5 times what we pay now..great for science fiction but bad for us today…I like the idea that we focus on any or all, natural gas, oil, fracking, etcetera with low but gradually growing investment in future technologies…
We definitely need to elimnate our “interest” in ME so we can simply vanish and stop peddling our democracy to them…they aren’t ready and need to have their own civil wars to determine what’s best for them…we can only kick that ball down the road with our cash..
Jay
September 14th, 2012
9:10 am
“President Spineless”, huh?
Perhaps you would be willing to offer substantive policy differences that would differentiate President Spineless from The Mitt-y One. I can think of several: Obama committed to tracking down bin Laden; Romney said it wasn’t important. Obama committed to no-fly zone and getting Gaddafi; Romney opposed both, until of course he supported them.
But please, maybe I’m missing something. What substantive policy differences make Romney the tough guy before whom all must quake, while Obama is President Spineless?
Unless, of course, you’re just regurgitating blind hatred with no real thought or consideration.
weetamoe
September 14th, 2012
9:11 am
Well maybe Mitt would not have slept through the attacks in Benghazi and maybe under Mitt’s watch the marines would have been armed and maybe under Mitt the safe houses for consulate and embassy personnel would have been kept secret and maybe under Mitt the fact that the attacks had been planned since July or August would have prompted a few contingency plans—but as Ben LaBolt and the Obama apologists in much of the media splutter, *but but the timing,* and *look, look over there at Mitt!*
Aquagirl
September 14th, 2012
9:11 am
I don’t recall a time when 6-7 middle eastern or northern african countries are simultaneously burning flags and hanging suspiciously close to our embassies…
Really? How old are you? Or maybe you miss the good ‘ol days when when those p*ssed off people didn’t get media coverage until they overthrew our puppet dictators and took over the country.
“I don’t remember” is a statement on your memory, not the history of the region.
East Lake Ira
September 14th, 2012
9:11 am
skydog
September 14th, 2012
9:05 am
So what? Am I supposed to be impressed or something?
It was their choice, ain’t America great?
They are not heros or whatever sort of hyper-Americans you imagine them to be. They, you, and your company get paid – that’s your thanks.
td
September 14th, 2012
9:13 am
“Obama is so weak that al Qaida offered up Osama bin Laden as a sacrifice to us, just to ensure that Obama would be re-elected”
Right off the daily kos. Very nice Jay.
Adam
September 14th, 2012
9:14 am
I say let them keep thinking that Mitt is somehow really strong and Obama isn’t. Let them keep pushing it. Some things are just so ridiculous that even the Republicans who would have reluctantly held their nose and press the button for Romney are starting to reconsider it.
Marty Huggins'
September 14th, 2012
9:14 am
East Lake Ira
September 14th, 2012
9:08 am
That is another opinion piece. I have seen many opinion pieces and people with partial information but has the State Department or the Administration given an answer to this yet?
Jay
September 14th, 2012
9:16 am
No, td. Right off Limbaugh’s transcript. What on earth does Daily Kos have to do with it?
TaxPayer
September 14th, 2012
9:16 am
Unless, of course, you’re just regurgitating blind hatred with no real thought or consideration.
Well. There is that.
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
September 14th, 2012
9:17 am
MARTY,
Could it be that BO’s folks had consistent information that is now being suggested that Bush had advanced notice of 911? Bizzare. BO is gonna set back 10 years of rebuilding intelligence network in Libya by release of our trusted moles…
Obama only cares about himself…anyone who doubts that should read Bob Woodwards new book which collaborates much that was already written my Miniter in Leading From Behind
If you libs have the cujones to be openminded instead of protecting BO like his is your mother, take a look at another view of his non-existent leadership skills…he is a complete phoney but is like the pied piper with his command of the teleprompter…
Ben
September 14th, 2012
9:18 am
We do know one thing. People had the attitude that everything would be perfect and everyone would love us if we just voted for Obama in 2008. That was an even more ridiculous sentiment than this one, yet Jay signed up for it 100%. Will he ever admit he was wrong? No, but he’ll hypocritically attack Romney supporters for it.
Donovan
September 14th, 2012
9:18 am
Just listen to Bookman’s rhetoric this morning. Just listen to Bookman’s myrmidons this fine day. He’s really fired up and his little sharks are going crazy.
Sure does sound like damage control and the smell of fear to me. They all know that their case in defending this inept community organizer is a nightmare. First it was the sour economy. Then it was the unemployment. Then it was the down grading of this country’s credit rating. Then it was the trillions of debt created by Obama’s administration. And now……..it is his foreign policy.
As I have said over and over again…what you see is what you’ve get. A true bonified loser. In over his head and totally out of his league. Someone that no one in his right mind can defend other than fools following the fool. Those fools belong to the liberal left and the lunatic ideas that they put forth. What you see is what you get.
Your bumbling president has sat on his hands during the Georgian conflict, the Iranian nuclear build up, the Arab Spring disgrace, the Syrian civil war, and now the embassy overruns and murders. He has also “led from behind” in the economic fight, the Afghan fight, and the congressional fight. Even Nancy Pelosi puts this fool on mute.
Sorry, Bookman & Friends. You ain’t got nothing to crow about and you look ridiculous defending your empty suit choice.
We have a foreign policy crisis and what does Bookman’s choice do? He gets on his big ride and heads out to Vegas for a fund raiser, stops by Golden, CO for more money and lets his wacky staff back home handle the mess.
Leading from the rear again. Keep up the pretense, Bookman. You look as zany as the man you defend.
td
September 14th, 2012
9:18 am
Jay
September 14th, 2012
9:16 am
No, td. Right off Limbaugh’s transcript. What on earth does Daily Kos have to do with it?
So you are telling us that you read Rush Limbaugh’s transcript’s? Thanks for the laugh this morning and I am called BS on that one.
ragnar danneskjold
September 14th, 2012
9:18 am
Time for a lesson in reading comprehension: Mr. Williamson’s statement does not say the “middle east would be calm.” It says that the cowards in the middle east do not attack forbidding targets, or targets that are likely to counterattack. Mr. Williamson merely says the Obama policy – appeasement for middle east loonies – is a manifest failure, and almost anything else would have produced a different result.
Leftists never bother to explain why Iran held captives during the administration of Obama-like Carter, and then released them the minute a perceived crazy war-monger became president. That was rational behavior by a perceived irrational culture.
Fred ™
September 14th, 2012
9:18 am
Fly-On-The-Wall
September 14th, 2012
9:05 am
That ‘Fire & Rain’ parody by Fallen was really funny. Great way to start a Friday.
++++++++++++++++++++
Thanks Fly. I had missed Byte Me’s post linking it the first time. That WAS hilarious.
DownInAlbany
September 14th, 2012
9:19 am
Maybe he should just stick his head up his own arse and go to Vegas for a fund raiser? Seems to work for the present administration. Point is, Carter and now Obama have weak, if not, nonexistent foreign policies that make us appear weak to our enemies. Hell, Obama can’t make up his mind whether Libya is an ally or not! Bush got this one right…”either you are for us or you are against us.” There is no middle ground on this one! Our embassy got caught with our pants down because Hillary and Barack ignored reports of an impending attack and now 4 Americans are dead! They both have blood on their hands. Say whatever you like…
Aquagirl
September 14th, 2012
9:19 am
has the State Department or the Administration given an answer to this yet?
Marty, at the bottom of that link you’ll find the full link from the Marine Liaison, Major Cross.
The reports that Marines were unarmed were attributed to…what? Why are you arguing the Marines WEREN’T armed? Where did you get that info?
td
September 14th, 2012
9:20 am
Jay,
BTW: The Daily Kos is a hack machine for the left. They are worse the Brietbart.
Jay
September 14th, 2012
9:20 am
If Limbaugh says it, and if Daily Kos reports it, does that mean that Limbaugh didn’t really say it? Help me out here, I’m having trouble with your trail of logic.
Marty Huggins'
September 14th, 2012
9:21 am
Jay
September 14th, 2012
9:10 am
Why do you feel the need to lie?
You are much smarter than that and able to make your point without lying.
You wrote…. “Obama committed to tracking down bin Laden; Romney said it wasn’t important”
He said nothing of the sort, but you know that. So why lie when it’s not needed?
Here is the full quote
”
LIZ SIDOTI: “Why haven’t we caught bin Laden in your opinion?”
GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: “I think, I wouldn’t want to over-concentrate on Bin Laden. He’s one of many, many people who are involved in this global Jihadist effort. He’s by no means the only leader. It’s a very diverse group – Hamas, Hezbollah, al-Qaeda, Muslim Brotherhood and of course different names throughout the world. It’s not worth moving heaven and earth and spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person. It is worth fashioning and executing an effective strategy to defeat global, violent Jihad and I have a plan for doing that.”
In other words, Governor Romney suggested that a lot more strategic effort was needed to defeat the global jihad rather than just wasting time and money chasing one man. Here’s a bit more:
SIDOTI: “But would the world be safer if bin laden were caught?”
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: “Yes, but by a small percentage increase – a very insignificant increase in safety by virtue of replacing bin Laden with someone else. Zarqawi – we celebrated the killing of Zarqawi, but he was quickly replaced. Global Jihad is not an effort that is being populated by a handful or even a football stadium full of people. It is – it involves millions of people and is going to require a far more comprehensive strategy than a targeted approach for bin laden or a few of his associates.”
SIDOTI: “Do you fault the administration for not catching him though? I mean, they’ve had quite a few years going after him.”
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: “There are many things that have not been done perfectly in any conduct of war. In the Second World War, we paratroopered in our troops further than they were supposed to be from the beaches. We landed in places on the beaches that weren’t anticipated. Do I fault Eisenhower? No, he won. And I’m nowhere near as consumed with bin Laden as I am concerned about global Jihadist efforts.”
I’ll conclude with another quote, this time from President Barack Obama in a CBS interview right after our Navy SEALS assassinated Osama bin-Laden: “You know, we don’t trot out this stuff as trophies. Americans and people around the world are glad that he’s gone. But we don’t need to spike the football.”
And to think Jay you wrote an entire piece about how the you didn’t build that being taken out of context.
Why do you not hold yourself to the same standards?
b-troll
September 14th, 2012
9:21 am
“The direction he chooses could very well determine whether Lew lands at Treasury. There are some people close to Obama who would like Treasury to go to Erskine Bowles, the co-author of the deficit-reduction plan that will be central to the debate in the first 100 days. He is widely respected for his intellect, but many around the president are deeply suspicious of his loyalty.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0912/81199.html#ixzz26RxPl5dX
This is too bad. If Bowles was picked for Treasury, that would be a game changer for me. As it is, I have to continue to write Obama off without a doubt.
JP
September 14th, 2012
9:21 am
“…no one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people…”
You’re right, it worked for Obama in 2004! Freshman senator with not much experience, other than the nebulous title of “Community Organizer,” gets the highest position in the U.S. without any vetting whatsoever. I hope the American people are smarter now after four years of incompetent domestic and foreign policies from this narcissistic despot.
Fred ™
September 14th, 2012
9:21 am
“I don’t remember” is a statement on your memory, not the history of the region.
BOOM BABY!!!!!!!!! Aquagirl with the smack down. Nicely done. AG.
East Lake Ira
September 14th, 2012
9:21 am
Marty Huggins’
September 14th, 2012
9:14 am
Try reading the linked article.
That memo was from the Marine Corps.
Are you calling them liars?
weetamoe
September 14th, 2012
9:22 am
All of those who are apparently concerned with the *ignorance* of republican *followers* have available a simple solution. Demand literacy testing as a requirement for voting. Deal?
ragnar danneskjold
September 14th, 2012
9:22 am
Dear Jay @ 9:10, do you not realize that the “targeting” policy of Obama is the reason that the loonies attack. They think that Obama will only get one selected nut at a time, that he is too cowardly to bring massive force against a large group. That is the reason all of the vaunted “accomplishments” of sharp-shooter Barack have proven flaccid against the larger problem.
Jay
September 14th, 2012
9:22 am
“We do know one thing. People had the attitude that everything would be perfect and everyone would love us if we just voted for Obama in 2008. “
We can file that with all of the other things that you claim to “know.”
Whatever
September 14th, 2012
9:23 am
Jay,
The only logic here is that Romney’s campaign has stepped in it and can’t get it off their shoes.
I know I keep beating my own little drum over here but, for me, both parties have lost my vote. I think they are all just interested in getting re-elected instead of really solving our huge debt problem(s).
Welcome to the Occupation
September 14th, 2012
9:24 am
Verbal Kint, what’s your problem with the Egypt statement? What do you want the president to say? Obama’s statement was a cold-eyed statement of truth.
Fact is that we no longer have a puppet there to do our bidding, even thought the military aid continues to flow in the hope that our friends in the military will continue to be friendly. But now we really do have to take into account the Egyptian street in ways we did not before. Which means, taking into account the mess that is Egyptian society after decades of IMF-imposed, neoliberal erosion of the state.
straitroad
September 14th, 2012
9:25 am
Jay, if I read some of your posts without knowing who wrote them I would think they were written by a 7th grade girl. Your intentional misspelling of Romney’s name is juvenile. You guys go nuts when someone uses Obama’s full name but you have no problem taking the rhetoric a notch lower. Any time Obama demostrates poor decision making, you default to criticizing ex-presidents. It’s getting difficult to maintain interest.
Brosephus™
September 14th, 2012
9:25 am
Fred @ 8:32
I see it as vote for Obama because Mitt Romney is a totally clueless
asshatrectal derby with no goals other than to increase his wealth and the wealth of his super rich *peers* while continuing to weaken our Country while strengthening the Chinese.Gotta make sure you don’t get red carded for verboten words…
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
September 14th, 2012
9:25 am
JAY,
I’m in no way shape or form defending Romney or guessing like you and your blue sheep, how things would be different under his adminstration…that’s conjecture….read Woodwards or Miniter’s book if you have the courage and open mind, and tell me this guy has a spine..
Whoopey! He called for no-fly zone and got OBL (with benefit from the intell network rebuilt over 10 years….his predecessors deserve credit as well…) His only claim to fame it ‘getting” OBL..a great diversion to his collosal failures on ALL other fronts…
I guess you will keep defending him like he is your mother..
Whatever
September 14th, 2012
9:25 am
“People had the attitude that everything would be perfect and everyone would love us if we just voted for Obama in 2008. “
Like it or not that was the attitude back then. A mass of voters thought Obama was going to solve it all. He even won the Peace Prize before he had done squat. I think the whole world saw him as something that he could never be. He didn’t have what it takes to do the job and it caught up with him.
Jay
September 14th, 2012
9:25 am
Wow Ragnar.
Do you ever actually read the things you post? Are you incapable of comprehending just how bizarre such statements come off to those with a rational mind?
joe
September 14th, 2012
9:25 am
Since Mitt is not President (yet), let’s take the focus off the hypothetical and focus on what is. Obozo has turned our economy, and now foreign policy into a train wreck. The 3 major networks spent a combined 9+ minutes Wednesday on covering Mitt’s comments on the terrorist assassinations. Know how much they spent talking about our marxist’s action, or lack thereof? 25 seconds.
Those who say there is no media bias are high. If you don’t vote to get this total embarrassment out of office, you are truly pathetic.
b-troll
September 14th, 2012
9:26 am
” If Elizabeth Warren were to lose her Senate race in Massachusetts or Tim Kaine were to lose his in Virginia, Obama might offer a Cabinet slot as a consolation prize.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0912/81199_Page2.html#ixzz26Ryx30Uj
vomit.
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
September 14th, 2012
9:26 am
Stevie Ray,
We havn’t been liked in the Middle east since…
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/jefferson_papers/mtjprece.html
Jay
September 14th, 2012
9:26 am
Thanks Stevie. That’s just the response I expected.
imjustsayin
September 14th, 2012
9:27 am
I think the Romney advisors had it absolutely right. The recent attacks in Lybia & Egypt would not have occured in a Romney administration. They would have occured here in our own country and Mitt would blame Obama.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
September 14th, 2012
9:28 am
Well its simple to get all them AQ people at once even though they intentionally don’t group up because they know they are targeted….. we just invite them for a BBQ and group photo shoot. Heck they won’t want to miss the party of their lifetime. It will end with a bang.
skydog
September 14th, 2012
9:28 am
Fred – I say no. They are there for profit. They have made a conscious decision as to much their life is worth to them. They weighed the money earned against the perceived risks of kidnapping and attack. They are no heroes.
Soldiers however are over there because they were sent there under arms by their Gov’t. Their “mission” is totally different. Their motivation is totally different. They daily put themselves in harms way. It’s a soldiers job to put himself between your friends and an enemy bullet if need be. Sorry, but that’s the way it is.
++++++++++++++++++
I don`t know if there is a difference Fred.
Everybody there, is there for profit.
My company is doing close to what the C-Bees do. With the military stretched thin, the Gov. hired BRK to supplement. My company took over for BRK when quality, 3 electrified showers killed people.
I guess you are right? I can`t see any of my friends playing Audi Murphy and jumping in front of a bullet, if that really happens?
All the footage I ever see is of guys holding their guns over their heads, spraying bullets over a wall. Not much jumping going on.
JP
September 14th, 2012
9:28 am
Meant 2008, not 2004…guess it just like his presidency has gone on so much longer than a mere four years…dog years, they are.
Fred ™
September 14th, 2012
9:28 am
Jay
September 14th, 2012
9:25 am
Wow Ragnar.
Do you ever actually read the things you post? Are you incapable of comprehending just how bizarre such statements come off to those with a rational mind?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I keep on saying that exact same thing. Welcome to the Boomtown Jay.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYzPz4glEO0
JPS
September 14th, 2012
9:28 am
Under Romney we’ll be at war with Iran, is that what everyone wants?
Road Scholar
September 14th, 2012
9:28 am
Truthometer @ 7:47: That about sums it up!
GT @ 8:13: Also good and to the point. We need adults in the room!
Fred @ 8:24: Good summation!
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
September 14th, 2012
9:28 am
JAY,
I do recall President Trillions promising to :
Improve our image abroad
End the days of lobbyist controlling the DC agenda
Cutting the deficit in half
Meeting one-on-one with IRAN
At least he can actually blame the actual leader of this crap HC bill if it doesn’t work out on the true leader of that debacle..Pelosi….he had zero to offer on this “signature” piece of cheese.