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
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter, or connect with me on Facebook.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
536 comments Add your comment
Buckhead voter
October 17th, 2012
9:47 am
Romney why would you ask Obama about his pension…Romney look like he was about to cry at the end of the debate.
Antiobama
October 17th, 2012
9:48 am
Candy gave Obama 44 minute talk vs. Romney 40 minutes. She backed up wrongly about Garden Rose terror’s stuff.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
9:50 am
“Romney why would you ask Obama about his pension
Because Obozo has stock in companies in China, that’s why.
ATLJacket
October 17th, 2012
9:51 am
Obama beat Romney handily last night. Romney was outmatched and unable to defend his principles nor his flip-flopping. How do I know who won? One, I watched it. Two, these comments by GOP supporters tell the tale. Confidence in a victory would play out differently than lashing out at the moderator. That one question did not decide the debate and Romney, frankly, messed it up.
na
October 17th, 2012
9:52 am
Clinton first said the attack was over the film
Then Obama said it and he also said it was not a terroist attack
Then his press secretary repeated this mulitiple times.
Then they blamed their own intelligence for the problem
Guess he could not blame George Bush for this.
Then the head of his intellignece (General Petraus) did not speak or confirm or deny anything………. ( i wonder why)
then Obama and Clinton kept saying it was the film,, the film they stated it was not an act of terrorism even though many newsreports and internet postings stated it was a terriost attack.
then 2 weeks later they said it was a terrorist attack only after the whole world new………….. slow on that intel it seems.
Now they have Clinton fly to Peru so she can say nevermind it was her fault.
Obama has to blame somebody
The CNN moderator was out of line and not capable of doing her job fairly
Don
October 17th, 2012
9:52 am
I can see it’s no use pointing out the obvious to you HUH???. None of those Presidents had a very good run as President. Their business experience didn’t lend itself to being a good President
If you are thinking that Bush was a good President, God help us!
Buckhead voter
October 17th, 2012
9:53 am
Crowley told Romney to sit down because he was so arrogrant and very disrespectful to the president. Romney was saying the hispanic woman name more then 3 time wrong.
Romney was wrong about the Lybia attack. Romney I dont want you my president.
Cal Naughton, Jr.
October 17th, 2012
9:55 am
I have a pretty good memory. When this initially happened, it was being reported that the video caused the protesting across the middle east, and based on the initial information they were receiving, the protest in Benghazi was hijacked by militants who used it as an excuse to raid the consulate. At this point, no one knew there was video footage that showed no protesters were there. I am sick of everyone on all sides speaking before the investigation is completed. When there is a crime committed locally, the authorities release very little information because of the ongoing investigation and idea that releasing too much will compromise the case when the time comes to prosecute someone. Mitt Romney jumped the gun in an attempt to get his gotcha moment and said a bunch of misinformed (I’m being nice here) things. The president fell into the trap and felt the need to defend himself instead of just saying we are investigating. If this was not an election year, this would have been investigated accordingly and we would have gotten the info once the investigation was complete. Yes, I am going to go there. Bush started a war based on faulty information that just concluded after 10 YEARS PEOPLE!! I wish politicians would just shut up until they actually know what they are talking about. We would have a lot less noise if they did!
Glenn
October 17th, 2012
9:56 am
Good grief . Its a technicality . Its clear what Obama meant . Yeah the fat jokes are funny . I bet Ms Crowley couldn’t fit in a binder : )
Obama is a LIAR!!!
October 17th, 2012
10:01 am
Obama Lied and Americans Died
Obama is a LIAR!!!
October 17th, 2012
10:04 am
Obama gas to be the biggest liar of any president in American History….Obama loses yet again… Can’t wait to rub it in the libs faces when Obama gets crushed on Election Day!
Mari
October 17th, 2012
10:08 am
The Pres. and Susan Rice and Hillary Clinton and others said that Benghazi Massacre “was a protest over a U TUBE vide”. The President went to the United Nations and said it 6 times! Then he went to the View and discussed it for all people that they were determining what happened…
“Joe Biden said in VP debate “they” didn’t know they needed extra security in Libya”.. “They” are all a bunch of liars.. and by the way.. Candy Crowley proved her true colors last night by helping out the President in her efforts to cover up the truth. shame on all of them…
Puerile Pedant
October 17th, 2012
10:10 am
“We can do better. We should do better. We deserve better.”
Yes we do. Unfortunately Romney is not better. This was the GOP’s election to lose, and Romney is losing it. An empty GOP Suit could beat Obama this year, but Romney is a waffler and is less than an empty suit.
Obama does not deserve re-election; but Romney doesn’t deserve election either.
Its a fine mess we are in.
Double Zero Eight
October 17th, 2012
10:12 am
Romney won round one. Obama won round two.
Many on this blog have been listening to FOX and
have memorized their talking points. Let it go,
and just go ahead and admit that Romney lost round 2.
Stop whining and complaining about the moderator.
Many had no problem when Romney ran roughshod over
Lehrer.
Lee
October 17th, 2012
10:13 am
Let me start by saying its fitting for the person with the screen name of DUH????? to be defending Obummer. That being said I ask DUH????? did you even watch or read the transcript of Obummer’s speech at the UN? He mentioned the Libya and Stevens early in his speeech and related it to a video. It was not until the end of his speech that he used the word terrorist as a general statement saying we would not tolerate acts of terrorism. You should actually read or watch the video before you try to reference it, but with that screen name I guess we can’t expect much.
smc
October 17th, 2012
10:14 am
Candy Crowley, who is the Fourth Estate? Is the press supposed to be a crutch to the executive branch?
We need a free press not a Ministry of Enlightenment and Propaganda.
Pandora
October 17th, 2012
10:15 am
It goes to show that Romney has absolutely NO IDEA as to what he is talking about…OBAMA 2012!!!
Pandora
October 17th, 2012
10:16 am
Actually President Obama won round 1 and 2. Romney has YET to answer any questions..enough said… OBAMA 2012!
He will be re-elected…Praise God!!! 
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
10:18 am
“I can see it’s no use pointing out the obvious to you HUH???. None of those Presidents had a very good run as President. ”
Stop lying.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
10:19 am
“Crowley told Romney to sit down”
And that is illegal.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
10:19 am
“This was the GOP’s election to lose, and Romney is losing it. ”
So please explain how Romney is up in the polls over Obozo?
Dirty Dawg
October 17th, 2012
10:20 am
We ‘left-wingers’ may be stupid, but we know lies, deceit and intransigence from you guys when we see and hear it…and will continue to under a second Obama term. The question ‘you people’, to borrow a label from Rmoney’s Mrs., will have to answer is will you continue to block any Obama/Democratic effort to help the economy (so as to make him a ‘one termer’), or will you say enough is enough when it comes to making the people suffer and the economy stagnate and engage in a little bipartisan cooperation for a change, and take your chances with another ‘Bush’ in ‘16?
John
October 17th, 2012
10:20 am
Candy Crowley was in the wrong–no ifs, ands or buts–and I voted for President Obama.
Partisay
October 17th, 2012
10:21 am
Refute any of your comments? You mean the astute one like “You can think Barney and Frank”? So profound!!
Or how about “Grow up child”. or “You aren’t smart are you?” or “Please take remedial english.” It’s kinda hard to refute just plain smarta$$ comments.
I know one I can refute.
Average unemployment rate under Bush was 4.6%???
The unemployment rate when Bush took office was 4.2% (how convienent!) It was never that low from that point on. A year later it was 5.7%. Hmmmm. Oh wait. Are you going to say that wasn’t his fault? That’s right. It’s Barney and Franks!
From Sept ‘01 to Aug ‘05, it never got below 5.0 and from Dec ‘01 until March ‘04 it ranged from 5.7 to 6.3. The last 10 months of his presidency, it went from 5.0 to 7.8.
For 20 months of his presidency, it was between 4.2 and 4.6. For 77 months it was between 4.7 and 7.8. That uncludes 63 months of between 5.0 and 7.8
And you say his AVERAGE unemployment rate under Bush was 4.6%??? So, so easy to refute and to just call you out the liar you are. Please, that was too easy. Oh that’s right. You probably don’t believe that statistics from BLS.
Sorry that I can’t refute any of your name calling and smarta$$ comments. But I’ll work on that. In the meantime, please send the link of our amazing “4.6% average unemployment under Bush”
I’ll be waiting on it. Bet the only response I get is my past statements italicized and then a smart comment after.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
10:21 am
“Actually President Obama won round 1 and 2.”
Dumbest comment of the day…so far.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
10:23 am
“he unemployment rate when Bush took office was 4.2% (how convienent!) It was never that low from that point on. A year later it was 5.7%. Hmmmm’
Yep, that was AFTER 9-11 and a recession. You left that part out. Also, if you can do simple math then you’d know that 5.7% unemployment is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay lower than 8%.
“From Sept ‘01 to Aug ‘05, it never got below 5.0 and from Dec ‘01 until March ‘04 it ranged from 5.7 to 6.3. The last 10 months of his presidency, it went from 5.0 to 7.8.”
It was 4.6% in 2006. You left that part out.
In fact, I really want to know what site you copied and pasted this info from.
Come on, show a link.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
10:24 am
“Sorry that I can’t refute any of your name calling and smarta$$ comments. But I’ll work on that. In the meantime, please send the link of our amazing “4.6% average unemployment under Bush””
1: You didn’t refute any of my comments.
2: I’ll be glad to post a link since you can’t post a link to where you found your info.
http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000
See: 2006
Partisay
October 17th, 2012
10:25 am
http://data.bls.gov/pdq/SurveyOutputServlet
Anything else? Now tell me how you get 4.6 average?
cc
October 17th, 2012
10:25 am
Bob Loblaw@8:46 am:
It must have beena long night for you! Have a cup of coffee and try improving your attitude!
ByteMe@8:50 am:
“Could it be because SHE WAS THERE when Obama said it?”
Try watching the video . . .
DUH!!!!!!!!!@8:52 am:
You want to try living in the “here and now” for a while? Bush is no longer the president, and I am far more concerned about the next four years than about a past that neither you nor I can change.
Fred Talor@9:05 am:
“I think it is a sad day in America when the moderator tries to sway the debate on way or another and that is exactly what happened.”
Crowley was not plowing virgin ground in doing so as Obama has been “helped” through other debates by the leftist media so-called moderators. It was just more of the same . . .
Don@9:20 am:
“Of course for some he is neither a Republican nor white”
Dang! There it is, the race card has finally been played! What took you so long?
Candy was Dandy@9:22 am:
“she merely pointed out something that she personally, clearly knew was not true because she was in the Rose Garden when President Obama made his statement.”
On which planet do you reside? You obviously missed the fact that she corrected herself AFTER the debate? As far as her “timekeeper” duties, she made sure that Obama got three more minutes than Governor Romney, and allowed Obama two minutes at the conclusion with NO REBUTTAL.
Don@9:35 am:
“You may be correct on that one thing, HUH???. That qualifies him to be a businessman, not the President.”
In that case, Obama is qualified to be a community organizer and I’m going to help him return to the only job he is qualified to hold.
linda
October 17th, 2012
10:26 am
If Obama is telling the truth about Libya- How do you explain arresting the guy who made the movie on “unrelated charges”?? Can anyone truly say they believe our President? Four Americans are dead — END of story! Obama simply can’t admit failure on his part and on part of his administration. There is absolutely NO transparency or accountability in our current administration. If you lose faith in an individual because of their integrity, how in good conscience can you continue to put all your trust in them?
Tina McCormick
October 17th, 2012
10:27 am
Candy Crowley, shame on you for trying to assist Oban with his lies last night. You cut off Romney unneccessilary, and gave Obama 3 1/2 minutes more time. You did NOT do your job, who h was to moderate, not be an active participant. I now know why I do not watch CNN. I found you to be most offensive.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
10:27 am
“We ‘left-wingers’ may be stupid”
No argument from me on that one.
“will you continue to block any Obama/Democratic effort to help the economy”
Obozo had control of the House and Senate for two years. Obozo’s democrats have control of the Senate right now. Please explain how the GOP could “block” efforts to help the economy.
Remember dawg, Obama’s own budget was voted down 97-0 by Democrats.
Nuff said, ma’am.
Tim
October 17th, 2012
10:27 am
Mittens is a liar and a draft dodger and thats all this Marine needs to know.
ajc blogger
October 17th, 2012
10:28 am
I guess ignorance is bliss after reading some of these comments.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
10:28 am
“Anything else? Now tell me how you get 4.6 average?”
I’ve posted it twice. SEE 2006 SEE 2006 SEE 2006 SEE 2006 SEE 2006 SEE 2006 SEE 2006
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
10:29 am
“Mittens is a liar and a draft dodger”
Clinton dodged the draft but you had no problem voting for him.
Partisay
October 17th, 2012
10:30 am
Your link showed nothing about a 4.6% average for Bush’s 8 years. You think it’s that easy to just post such a lie and then conviently change the subject when called out on it? Tell us all – how do you get 4.6% for his 8 years in office? Waiting….
JL
October 17th, 2012
10:31 am
First off, the President did call it an act of terror in the Rose Garden. Parse it anyway you want, but he said it. His speech was about the attacks in Benghazi and the men who died. He, at no time in that speech, mentioned the video. So, once again, in a speech about the Benghazi attack he called in an act of terror.
Secondly, for those who hapr on the request for security that was denied prior to the attack, those requests were for extra security at the American embassy in Tripoli, NOT for the consulate in Benghazi. Putting extra security in Tripoli would have accomplished nothing, since the threat was elsewhere. But don’t let the facts get in the way of your spin.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
10:32 am
“Your link showed nothing about a 4.6% average for Bush’s 8 years.”
And you obviously can’t read, ma’am. I NEVER said it was 4.6% for 8 years. Are you really that stupid?
“how do you get 4.6% for his 8 years in office? ”
I don’t and never said that. You should take remedial english. All I said was unemployment was at 4.6% under Bush which it was in 2006. If you can read and do simple math then you’d know that that is lower than 8%.
Tim
October 17th, 2012
10:33 am
the republican clown bus is about to run off the road and good riddance.All the stupid republicans and their rich friends will just have to suffer thru economic resurgence as soon as the dems beat the crap out of the liar party.We will have social security and medicare rejuvenated and we will no longer have to worry about the conservative taliban trying to destroy the country.It kills me that the republican party has turned into a force that wants to destroy everything that made this country great.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
10:33 am
“First off, the President did call it an act of terror in the Rose Garden. ”
No he didn’t and the fact that Clinton, Biden and Obozo said it was a video that caused riots proves it. Obozo’s own advisors said it wasn’t an act of terror.
Liberal BS
October 17th, 2012
10:33 am
Why would CNN advertise on Fox to watch the debate on CNN? Because they don’t have anyone watching there Liberal lie station..Lowest rating next to MNNBC which both rank last.
Candy was the third debater on stage last night…giving Oblamer more time, cut Romney off three time without letting him reply when he should have, then the Liberal Candy jumped in to cover O’s a@@ on another lie about terrorist call. Read what he said…What do you expect from Liberal media..
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
10:33 am
“It kills me that the republican party has turned into a force that wants to destroy everything that made this country great.”
Looks like someone has smoked way too much weed.
Georgia
October 17th, 2012
10:34 am
We’ve got to neutralize the moderator. It isn’t fair to either party. Maybe we could use one of those apes that knows sign language.
Partisay
October 17th, 2012
10:34 am
What does 2006 numbers have to do with what you said. You didn’t say Bush’s average unemployment rate in 2006 was 4.6%. Tell us how. Still wa
Tim
October 17th, 2012
10:34 am
Ask republican congress why they decided that it was OK to cut funding for security at the embassys
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
10:35 am
“We’ve got to neutralize the moderator. It isn’t fair to either party.”
If the moderator would play moderator instead of protector of Obozo it would be fine. The purpose of the moderator is to ask questions and let the candidates debate/argue. It is not the moderators job to carry the water for either candidate.
Glenn
October 17th, 2012
10:35 am
@ HUH ???
Yes your boy , Mitt Romney , is so indecisive , unprincipled , & wishy washy that he is going to lose to the black sheriff from Blazing Saddles .
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
10:36 am
“What does 2006 numbers have to do with what you said.”
Ok, you really are a dumb human being.
“You didn’t say Bush’s average unemployment rate in 2006 was 4.6%.
I did and you can’t read.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
10:36 am
“Ask republican congress why they decided that it was OK to cut funding for security at the embassys”
Sure, when you can show a link to a column that states how/when they did that, I’ll ask them.