CNN’s Candy Crowley: Mitt Romney ‘right in the main’ about Libya
The most dramatic moment in Tuesday night’s debate between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney came during a heated discussion of Libya, when moderator Candy Crowley of CNN intervened and became a third voice in the contest.
Here’s the transcript, courtesy of Politico.com:
ROMNEY: I — I think interesting the president just said something which — which is that on the day after the attack he went into the Rose Garden and said that this was an act of terror.
OBAMA: That’s what I said.
ROMNEY: You said in the Rose Garden the day after the attack, it was an act of terror.
It was not a spontaneous demonstration, is that what you’re saying?
OBAMA: Please proceed governor.
ROMNEY: I want to make sure we get that for the record because it took the president 14 days before he called the attack in Benghazi an act of terror.
OBAMA: Get the transcript.
CROWLEY: It — it — it — he did in fact, sir. So let me — let me call it an act of terror…
OBAMA: Can you say that a little louder, Candy?
CROWLEY: He — he did call it an act of terror. It did as well take — it did as well take two weeks or so for the whole idea there being a riot out there about this tape to come out. You are correct about that.
Soon after the debate was over, Crowley’s colleagues at CNN questioned her about the exchange:
Said Crowley:
”I knew the president had said ‘These acts of terror won’t stand,’ or whatever the whole quote was. Right after that, I did turn around and said [to Romney], ‘But you were totally correct that they spent two weeks telling us that this was about a tape, and that there was a riot outside the Benghazi complex, which there wasn’t.’
“So [Romney] was right in the main. I just think he picked the wrong word.”
Republicans this morning are pointing to these paragraphs from a Sept. 20 report on the CNN website:
The White House, for the first time Thursday, declared the attack that killed Stevens and three other people a terrorist attack.
“It is, I think, self-evident that what happened in Benghazi was a terrorist attack,” said White House spokesman Jay Carney, speaking to reporters on Air Force One.
Here’s what Obama said in the Rose Garden the day after he learned that J. Christopher Stevens, the U.S. ambassador to Libya, and three other diplomatic personnel had been killed:
“Our country is only as strong as the character of our people and the service of those both civilian and military who represent us around the globe. No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation, alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for.
“Today we mourn four more Americans who represent the very best of the United States of America. We will not waver in our commitment to see that justice is done for this terrible act. And make no mistake, justice will be done.”
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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536 comments Add your comment
ANGRY AS HELL
October 17th, 2012
4:42 pm
HUH???? is a coward because he let’s others fight wars instead of getting his own hands dirty. Isn’t that true, HUH????
TEAM OBAMA
October 17th, 2012
4:48 pm
The Rebulicans are sooo upset bc their MAN was found out to be one BIG LIAR….What was his record in massachusetts? His own state ain’t voting for him. TEAM OBAMA!!!! YAH!!!!!!
ANGRY AS HELL
October 17th, 2012
4:53 pm
You got it TEAM OBAMA !!!! Michigan’s not voting for him either. Hey, HUH????, how come neither Massachusetts nor Michigan is going to vote to elect Mitt POTUS? Any wisdom you’d like to share with us on that? HUH?????
3d
October 17th, 2012
4:55 pm
Doesn’t matter who you vote for.
Both are gonna get in your pocket.
The question is; Do you want a government run economy or do you want private business to drive it?
Who do you trust? Remember, they’re both gonna get in your pocket.
Obama gonna get paid dog. Romney already been paid. Obama a millionaire too who fooling all the black folks into thinking he’s one of you. Know what I’m sayin!!
The ATLER
October 17th, 2012
5:04 pm
Obama 2012 Moving Forward!!!! Get with the change redneck Georgians and stop the hating and help with the progress we’re making.
TEAM OBAMA
October 17th, 2012
5:07 pm
3d
Everyone is already aware President has bank…..he has stated that himself. I guess you weren’t listening. AND he doesn’t mind planning more taxes
MSU Grad
October 17th, 2012
5:12 pm
It is amazing that a man who was born with a golden spoon in his mouth to wonderful parents who were so unlike him (his father was governor of Michigan when I was in high school and we all supported him); has made more millions by buying U.S. companies, desecrating them, closing them down resulting in people losing their jobs while he & his Bain Capitol reaped the benefits; has manipulated to avoid paying his fair share of taxes by hiding money in Swiss bank accounts and creating companies in the Cayman Islands and won’t provide the normal history of tax returns because he’s obviously afraid of what we will find; and finally saying to his big money contributors in a video recording that the 47% of people who support Obama are “victims” who depend on the government for support and will never vote for him. This is the TRUE Romney who doesn’t really relate to what the rest of the 99% deal with day-to-day. Yet all of you right wingers support him because he’s a Republican yet I would venture to say most of you are NOT in the top 1%. I am one of those 47% who support what Obama has been trying to do despite roadblocks placed in front of him every step, every proposal of the way. I am insulted that Romney groups me in his statement. I have both a bachelors degree & masters degree from 2 Big Ten universities, have worked hard all my life at good paying jobs and been successful. Yet I support the Democratic view that there are times when we all need help. Republicans have shown very well who they most care about through the legislation they pass and it’s NOT the average person. But you all drink their Kool aid and believe the lies they tell you because you don’t pay attention the rest of the time OR you only listen to the lies on Fox News. Unfortunately you at some point will feel the ramifications of your ignorance but it may be too late, whether it’s when you need quality, reasonably priced Medicare, or Social Security to live on when you are old and neither are there, or when you need healthcare for yourself or your loved ones and you are turned down or can’t afford it. Or maybe it won’t be you that will suffer but your children and grandchildren.
Fonzie
October 17th, 2012
5:12 pm
Who’s Candy Crowley? I thought MeatLoaf was the moderator.
atticus_thomas
October 17th, 2012
5:23 pm
Crowley was a miserable choice and everyone knew it, she should publicly apologize for stupidly interjecting herself into the debate and for shilling for obama.
Mama Says
October 17th, 2012
5:26 pm
You libs, upset about Romney flip flopping yet perfectly fine with out right Obama lies.
How do you folks square all the crap Obama says as truthful but complain about Romney ?
Any person who follows politics at all knows canidates moderate their positions after their nomination. That’s all Romney did. Anyone who has followed Romney should know he is a moderate republican and no real threat to any of the liberal mainstays like abortion, women’s rights and gay rights. Yet you ignore Obamas lies that truly could harm all of us. Gays, women, black and white can die from a lack of proper tactics c,once running terror. Yet you libs get upset about a republican from the right wing bastion of New Hamphire. Really New Hamphire ? Since when did anybody from New Hampshire pose a threat to the liberal way of life ?
Mike
October 17th, 2012
5:28 pm
I hate to tell everyone in this state of Georgia Mitt is going to win. Both sides lost last night in my opinion. They both lie, both of them make money out of the united states, there are things both parties can do so much better, but Mr. Obama, just doesn’t by his track record and no one knows anything about Romeny because the man hasn’t been in Presidents seat. Lets face it folks I don’t want another four years of what we have. That’s what it comes down to in my book.
Mama Says
October 17th, 2012
5:36 pm
Oh yeah one more thing.
You libs hate rich people and right them off as living high on the hog as we struggle.
What do you think about Obama owning stock in Chineese companies ? Is that a poor mans way of life ?
Hypocrites all of you !
joja boi
October 17th, 2012
5:45 pm
Mama Says, if Obama does own stock in Chinese companies it’s probably part of a diversified 401k (mutual fund) which many people have and are not 100% sure where those interest lie. Romney on the other hand not only owns stock in those companies he owns companies that outsource American Jobs to the Chinese…Who is more of a villain… I suspect you probably don’t even have a 401k and btw, its not a marathon.
Thomas
October 17th, 2012
6:17 pm
This Election is a JOKE!
Franciscan
October 17th, 2012
6:44 pm
Candy Crowley’s explanation about what she did during the Benghazi segment of the debate was factually false. In regard to her decision to step in and support Obama as Romney was addressing the Benghazi scandal, Crowley claimed the following on CNN this morning: “There was this point where they both kind of looked at me, you know, and then, you know, Romney’s looking at me, the president’s looking at me, and what I wanted to do was move this along.”
Her claim is false and that is easily verifiable on the tape. They did not “both” look at her for help before she stepped in. There was only **one** debater who was looking at her at all when she stepped in: President Obama. Governor Romney only looked at her **after** she began to support President Obama – and understandably so. She’s supposed to be a moderator, not another debater.
http://video.foxnews.com/v/1905472640001/otr-panel-obama-and-the-truth-about-libya/
Additionally, on CNN with Anderson Cooper, Candy gave the following rationale for her “correction” of Governor Romney: “Romney was right in the main, I just think he picked the wrong word.”
First, that certainly sounds a lot more uncertain than what she said on national television during the debate, doesn’t it? Did she say “I think” or anything like that? No, she stated it, **as a fact**. Second, if her correction of Romney was about precision in language, then she and president Obama are the ones who are incorrect, not Romney. In fact, President Obama **did not** say during his Rose Garden press conference “that this was an act of terror.” He studiously avoided labeling the Benghazi attack as an act of terrorism and the perpetrators as terrorists and instead used several other phrases at the beginning of his Rose Garden press conference. And then, at the end of the conference, in a more ambiguous context that included a reference to the 9-11 attacks, President Obama spoke more broadly about, “acts of terror”.
And as the person who asked the question at the debate pointed out, Obama didn’t answer the question. Why didn’t Candy ask a follow up and direct Obama to actually answer the question as she did at other times?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/post/presidential-debate-libya-questioner-says-obama-didnt-answer/2012/10/17/7109898e-1867-11e2-a55c-39408fbe6a4b_blog.html
Deborah Thacker
October 17th, 2012
7:08 pm
It is completely unprofessional for the “moderator” to interject anything into the discussions betweet the two candidated. Her or His job is to keep the debate moving along in a timely and professional manner. That is it! I agree Ms. Crowley owes Governor Romney a hugh apology and she should be removed from her postion with CNN.
cc
October 17th, 2012
7:19 pm
Has anyone tried getting a job from a poor person?
That being said, this election isn’t going to be as close as many think. Too many people have had nearly four years of Obama’s “Hope” and “Change” and are now hoping for a real change. They will be voting that way, too. The defeat of Obama will be decisive and welcomed by the majority.
I’m sure it will be damaging to that huge ego Obama has, and Michelle will have to forego all the taxpayer funded vacations, but they will survive. America will survive, too, as a result of Obama’s defeat.
There are several who regularly blog here, though, who may require immediate medical attention once they learn of Obama’s defeat. Don’t worry, I won’t name any names such as gm, honested, Kris, Cherokee or Bernie, getalife and others.
Phil
October 17th, 2012
7:45 pm
To get respect in your job you have to earn it. She showed she is no reporter or journalist therefore no respect for her ability. She is a talking bobble head who needs to fact check herself. Reread or listen to the speech in the Rose Garden. Once again Obama and his groupies are trying to rewrite history….
tom
October 17th, 2012
8:51 pm
Crowley should be fired. She injected herself into the debate and she was factually wrong in what she said. She showed her partisan side. She should be embarrassed and apologize to Romney.
kw
October 17th, 2012
9:25 pm
It is far out of line for a moderator to be commenting on the debater’s remarks. As were others, I was shocked that she would voice her opinion about what was true or not.
blackirishblonde
October 17th, 2012
9:54 pm
Listened to CNN last night (while holding my nose) and Wolf was struggling because his poll showed Romney won the debate. This morning I listened to MSNBC (while trying not to gag) and they were all over the place because Obama was “closely tied” and Libya was a problem. So I am going to sit back and watch this Administration implode. Just two questions ~~How did Candy Crowley just happen to have a “transcript” of what President Obama said in the Rose Garden???President Obama said to her “You have the transcipt” (as he just sat there–pre-planned?) How is this President going explain away that “he talked to Intel” during the attack on Benghazi in real time and still blamed a video and riots in the streets??.
makemyday
October 17th, 2012
9:55 pm
Listen, just another example of leading from behind. Why didnt he say inthe first sentence in the Rose Garden speech, this was a Terrorist Attack instead of meadnering around the world and then at the very end mention the word Terrorisist!!! This man is weak!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!the Send him back to teach College philosphy somewhere!!! Maybe even Auburn!!! PLUS—- fire that damn Secretary of State!!!
makemyday
October 17th, 2012
10:00 pm
This is another example of Obama leading from behind. Why did he not say in Rose Garden to begin with, This Was A TERRORIST ATTACK!! I would hav!!!!. We need to send this guy back to College to teach some type of class. And also——– fire that Sec of State!!!
Eric D.
October 17th, 2012
10:19 pm
Actually. Someone needs to fact check. I wish fact checking happened throughout the dabate. Like maybe online where a biased website would fact check both candidates. And for all you who have already made up your mind about who you will vote for. Stop watching. Cause chances are your candidate will be lying in the next one about something. And Mr. Romney has back tracked and lied about what he has said so much. I find it hard to believe anything he says. As for the failures of the Obama adminstration. They face more than their policies. They still have to go through a republican congress who still ave one goal since his first day. “Get him out” and vote no for anything that can viewed as positive for the US or his admin. So heck yeah he’s got my vote. And for those out there frowning like Neil Cauvuto. Ask yourself this. Are you trully ready for “Privitization” of medicare and social security? Cause if you look back less than 6 years ago. Bush wanted to do that. If had succeeded then Older Americans would have been screwed.
Frank Long
October 17th, 2012
10:29 pm
what if he called it a “bananna” or a “Pickle”?
There is nothing in the words to change what happened.
What it is, it is; and y’all are trying to make a mountain out of a speck of dust.
Grow up you right wingers and try to figure out what Romney is about.
He has used words to describe his support of both sides of every policy so many times he does not know what he stands for, if anything.
Thanks God that OBAMA supports veterans and does not just spew empty words like the Republicans do.
No thanks to the Right Wing who killed the jobs bill for veterans in the Senate. They should all be fired and their seats turned over to us veterans. We EARNED our pay.
A Vietnam Vet for OBAMA all the way.
Tom
October 17th, 2012
10:39 pm
Why is the press not discussing Obama’s new found investments in China?
richard
October 17th, 2012
11:00 pm
Anyone wondered why Kasim Reed’s former COO Peter Aman who was the MD of Bain Capital’s Atlanta office is never mentioned ? If Bain is such a bad company that makes money why did Mayor Reed hire one
of there own to help run Atlanta and then says there CEO can’t run the USA ?
VSwift
October 18th, 2012
2:46 am
I have always respected and preferred Candy Crowley’s analysis, but after the debate I lost respect for her. She showed her bias and seemed to want to feature herself in the debate rather than the candidates. This was a defining moment which will not be a good for her in the long run. I am a Republican and trusted her to be a moderator, not a debator for the Dems.
Frankie
October 18th, 2012
10:55 am
I am sure if you dig deep enough we all have china investments….
Jessica
October 18th, 2012
11:26 am
I’m glad a moderator finally stepped in and put an end to these lies. This should happen in every debate! Lies/misuse of words shouldnt be allowed in a debate that determines who we decide to vote for as President. If you’re mad, its because Romney was caught in his tracks! #NotTrueRomney #Obama2012
Jessica
October 18th, 2012
11:28 am
I don’t think Candy wanted this to be about her AT ALL. I think she wanted Romney and Obama to follow time/guidelines for the debate and to make sure America received the correct information. We saw from the last debate that SOME candidates have a problem with respect AND guidelines.
Jessica
October 18th, 2012
11:32 am
Rambo, I hope for your sake, future and anyone who has to be around you that you can read your comment and realize how wrong it was. I asked that it be removed. It’s insensitive, completely wrong & biased. Know better so you can do better!
Jessica
October 18th, 2012
11:33 am
Frank Long, “He has used words to describe his support of both sides of every policy so many times he does not know what he stands for, if anything.
Thanks God that OBAMA supports veterans and does not just spew empty words like the Republicans do.” I couldn’t have said it better, myself!
Jessica
October 18th, 2012
11:36 am
makemyday, Unlike Romney, He chooses to know what he’s talking about first and have facts before stating something that has no truth to it. He chose to be brief and specific about his words until he knew the whole story. Obviously, you agree with Romney’s belief in spitting out any words as long as people think they sound good! And……”you would have??” that’s why you’re NOT president/candidate/educated, etc………
Jessica
October 18th, 2012
11:40 am
cc, its not an ego…that’s called determination and dedication to fix this mess that took 8 years to create and will probably take a full 8 years to clean up, if not more. After that, America will probably elect some other Bush-Romney puppet like candidate that will bring America back…You’ll have your chance…in another 4 years!
Jessica
October 18th, 2012
11:40 am
…back to destruction