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

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:03 am

“I find it astounding that Romney does not enjoy a double digit lead at this point.”

Then again, you won’t know until after the election is over with.

linda

October 17th, 2012
11:04 am

American’s – This isn’t about winning or losing a debate… It’s about the fact that today WE are losers as a country! OUR countries growing debt speaks for itself, and giving Obama the benefit of the doubt, nothing in the last year or so has been able to stop the bleeding. How in good conscience do we continue down the same path?

ANGRY AS HELL

October 17th, 2012
11:04 am

HUH???? Biden, Obama and Clinton aren’t war mongers like your boy Mitt (and you). I notice you didn’t serve either. Are you a coward or do you just like to sound tough when you write? HUH??????

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:05 am

“For anyone reading this HuH is a coward who thinks Marines are little girls.’

I think you are a little girl. The fact that you can’t read is hilarious.

“Huh is a person who likes to take things but they think its OK not to give back.Huh is a person who hides behind his internet persona and as usual is probably just some young person who hasn’t a clue about life as most folks know it.Huh probably had parents who coddled him as he grew up and always bailed him or her out whenever they got in trouble.Huh was handed the keys to the car and has never had to do real work in his life.He would never join the service as that would be against his morals.His morals being that he does nothing for anyone except himself .Greed is his monicker.”

Keep telling yourself that, tiny tim.

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:06 am

“Biden, Obama and Clinton aren’t war mongers like your boy Mitt (and you). ”

What war has Mitt started? What war have I started?

” notice you didn’t serve either.”

1: You don’t even know who I am.
2: You have NOTHING to back up your claim with.

“Are you a coward or do you just like to sound tough when you write?

I like to make fun of you and your asinine comments.

Carl

October 17th, 2012
11:07 am

Crowley proved inadequate for the job and doesn’t even admit it.

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:07 am

ANGRY AS HELL

Since you keep spreading lies about me I’ll do the same.

You are a cross-dressing eskimo who lives in a trailer park. Like you, I have nothing to back that claim up but I’ll just pretend it’s true.

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:08 am

“Biden, Obama and Clinton aren’t war mongers”

Nah, they just started wars, bombed countries with drones and illegally entered countries with troops. Nope, no war mongering there, ma’am.

Vet

October 17th, 2012
11:09 am

USA..The Moderator was out of line..she was not there to judge which she tried to do.
Check fact your facts USA…lol

ANGRY AS HELL

October 17th, 2012
11:10 am

What’s the matter, HUH???? You’re starting to sound a bit sheepish. Didn’t Mama let you sign up or did you just decide on your own to let other young people fight your wars for you.? HUH?????

Partisay

October 17th, 2012
11:11 am

HUH???? says — “all I said was unemployment was at 4.6% under Bush which it was in 2006”.

No, this is what you said at 9:43 — ““The average unemployment rate under Bush was 4.6%.”

How convenient that you left out “AVERAGE” the second time around. We are all still waiting for the actual time when you said that. It’s easy to go back and look. What time was it?

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:12 am

“Didn’t Mama let you sign up or did you just decide on your own to let other young people fight your wars for you.?”

Poor whittle baby.

ANGRY AS HELL

October 17th, 2012
11:12 am

HUH???? You’re not making fun of me. But since you like to call people names, how do you like your new name: “coward”? HUH????????

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:13 am

“How convenient that you left out “AVERAGE” the second time around.”

Not my fault if you can’t read.

Partisay

October 17th, 2012
11:14 am

When people like you state just straight out false things like his “average” rate was 4.6% (go back and look at 9:43), I don’t let that stand.

Can you just not admit you made a mistake instead of “you can’t read”?

ajc blogger

October 17th, 2012
11:14 am

Where were all you you GOP people when under the Bush Adminstration the CIA had reported that men where taking flying lessons (some right here in GA) but not learning how to land the planes? Anyone did not find it “amazing” that the Bush Administration “knew nothing” about the 9/11 attacks but was able to produce the pictures of a bunch of dead terrorist AFTER they had crashed the planes?
I guess some people are still looking for the binder with the directions of where to find the weapons of mass destruction, oh yeah, it is on the shelf beside Mittens’ “binder full of women”.

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:15 am

“You’re not making fun of me.”

Oh yes I am.

“how do you like your new name: “coward”? ”

Since I don’t know you, never met you and will never meet you, I don’t really care what you call me, ma’am.

Sticks and stones, child. Sticks and stones. What is funny is that a person who apparently served in the military is on a blog mocking others for their service or lack of service.

Most military people I know are honorable. You ma’am, are a disgrace to the flag.

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:16 am

“Where were all you you GOP people when under the Bush Adminstration the CIA had reported that men where taking flying lessons (some right here in GA) but not learning how to land the planes? ”

Where was Clinton for 8 years when we were attacked 4 times?

Vet

October 17th, 2012
11:16 am

What War did Obama serve in?

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:17 am

“Anyone did not find it “amazing” that the Bush Administration “knew nothing” about the 9/11 attacks but was able to produce the pictures of a bunch of dead terrorist AFTER they had crashed the planes?”

Yep, it’s all Bush’s fault. LOL

USA

October 17th, 2012
11:17 am

She didn’t judge, she didn’t offer an opinion. She merely said what anybody would have concluded by reading a transcript. Nothing wrong with that.

Stop making excuses for your candidate. Instead of trying to argue on material facts, he thought he would pounce on Obama o in a war of words. And he lost. Big time.

And for the larger part on the Libya question, Obama schooled Romney. Schooled him. He showed him what it looks like to act Presidential when it comes to an American tragedy, instead of trying to make it into a political football. It’s pitiful watching the GOP thrash around this point while foreign policy experts contend Romney brings nothing new or substantial to the policy table.

Instead of trolling the Internet, you’re time would be better spent actually researching the facts that matter.

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:17 am

“What War did Obama serve in?’

The war on white people. He was the general in the agitating department.

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:18 am

“Instead of trolling the Internet, you’re time would be better spent actually researching the facts that matter.”

Pot meet kettle. Man oh man is it fun calling out left wingers for their stupidity and hypocrisy.

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:19 am

“And for the larger part on the Libya question, Obama schooled Romney. ”

Obama was trying to defend his lies and it didn’t work because the facts are all out there now. Obama lied about the attacks and blamed it on a video over and over again.

Obama isn't a leader

October 17th, 2012
11:19 am

Crowley wasn’t biased. She pointed out that Obama made a general reference to ‘acts of terror’ in his speech. She also pointed out that for 2 weeks the administration said this was the result of a ‘riot gone bad’.

All of the polls reflect a slight edge for Obama last night, just because he didn’t bomb like the last debate. Romney didn’t hurt himself.

The more important numbers :

Who can handle the economy better : Romney 68% Obama 32%

Ouch! Remember “It’s the economy stupid”.

Obama is all style, no substance. Smart ass remarks like ‘Big Bird’, ‘big pensions…’. Obama has yet to lay out his economic plan other than to say we need one.

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:19 am

USA

When will Obozo close Gitmo like he said he would 4 years ago?

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:20 am

“Obama is all style”

When you have the media carrying your water, it’s easy to do that.

Partisay

October 17th, 2012
11:21 am

Just what I thought. The ol’ “Not my fault if you can’t read” response.

The sad thing for you is anybody on here can go back and look at your 9:43 post and see EXACTLY what you said. It’s not changed. It’s still there. And people can look that you DIDN’T say it was just 4.6% period, at any one time, in 2006. What would that prove anyway? Heck, it was also 4.4% at one time during 2006. Why wouldn’t you use that instead of 4.6?

It’s because you said AVERAGE. Yes, at 9:43. Still there.

You know the old saying. When someone is caught in a lie, they have to just keep telling more lies to keep covering up? Still waiting on the post where you said it was only for 2006. Again, it’s really easy. Just give us the time and it’s all cleared up. I’ve given you the time when you said “average”. Now it’s your turn.

Vet

October 17th, 2012
11:21 am

Bingo..you go that right HUH!!!!

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:27 am

Partisay

It’s not my fault if you can’t read, ma’am. Going back and forth with you is like arguing with a two year old, which you are. You can’t accept the fact that things were MUCH better under Bush in every way.

Your boy Obama is a moron and a terrible president.

Obama isn't a leader

October 17th, 2012
11:27 am

@USA “And for the larger part on the Libya question, Obama schooled Romney. ”

That would explain why funerals are occurring for 4 American’s killed under Obama’s watch. He is in charge. Then why didn’t he answer the question asked by the questioner. “Why was security not provided to the Ambassador?” Obama never addressed the question. He started acting tough, and used a lot of words to say nothing. He stating acting offended. It was really funny. He never said a mistake was made. Romney was never given the change for rebuttal. Which is how Obama was given 10% more minutes than Romney.

Partisay

October 17th, 2012
11:29 am

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
9:43 am

“He was also losing 800,000 jobs per month when he walked out of the White House.

You can think Barney and Frank.

“Low unemployment?”

The average unemployment rate under Bush was 4.6%.

“Glad you are saying that President Obama is presiding over low unemployment numbers.
You aren’t smart are you.
_______________________________________________________________________________

How ironic is that last statement of your 9:43 post! Since you don’t seem to be smart enough to go back and look at your prior posts (or you don’t want to because you know they make you out to be a liar), I have copied and pasted that whole 9:43 post…just for you!!

Now…tell me how I can’t read.

Do you see the word “average” anywhere? I thought so.

Do you see the date “2006″ anywhere? I didn’t think so.

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:30 am

Partisay

Can you do simple math? If so, you’ll know that unemployment was MUCH lower under Bush and the economy was in fantastic shape until democrats came into office in 2006. Bush became a lame duck because he lost both the House and Senate. The housing crisis, which was all on Frank and Dodd, ushered in Obozo who to this day, has no idea how the economy works.

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:32 am

“How ironic is that last statement of your 9:43 post! Since you don’t seem to be smart enough to go back and look at your prior posts (or you don’t want to because you know they make you out to be a liar), I have copied and pasted that whole 9:43 post…just for you!!”

You assumed that I meant that unemployment was 4.6% under Bushs entire 2 terms which shows how dumb you are. Unemployment was 4.6% in 2006.

You’re welcome.

Obama isn't a leader

October 17th, 2012
11:32 am

@USA “foreign policy experts contend Romney brings nothing new or substantial to the policy table.”

You mean the foreign policy experts in the Obama administration. The ones who have see the ME blow up in their faces? You clown.

Vet

October 17th, 2012
11:33 am

46 million on Food Stamps
6 trillion debt in 4 years
42 months with unemplyment over 8%
Yes Obama is doing a great job…playing golf and flying around the country making speeches. Great job “O” give him 4 more year..

Jan

October 17th, 2012
11:33 am

Pandora drank the koolaid or she’s on the govt dole

Jan

October 17th, 2012
11:33 am

Pandora drank the koolaid or she’s on the govt dole

Jan

October 17th, 2012
11:33 am

Pandora drank the koolaid or she’s on the govt dole

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:33 am

“Do you see the word “average” anywhere? I thought so.”

So what was the overall average under Bush’s two terms.

HINT: MUCH LOWER THAN OBAMA.

Unemployment never got above 8% under Bush. EVER.

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:34 am

Partisay

You can’t even defend Obozo. You have NOTHING to defend him with.

NOT

ONE

THING.

counter

October 17th, 2012
11:39 am

As of 11:34 am 10/17/12, an entity known as “HUH?????” has posted 103 of the 241 comments.

Vet

October 17th, 2012
11:41 am

At least he has been right..counter

Partisay

October 17th, 2012
11:41 am

Oh I see.

Now it’s just “Can you do simple math? If so, you’ll know that unemployment was MUCH lower under Bush”. Yes it was. Then why didn’t you just say that.

“You assumed that I meant that unemployment was 4.6% under Bushs entire 2 terms which shows how dumb you are.”

When someone states – in writing – “The average unemployment rate under Bush was 4.6%”, what was I, and everyone else, supposed to assume? We were supposed to just assume you were talking about at one time in 2006 it was 4.6%?

Now…how dumb are YOU??

Partisay

October 17th, 2012
11:45 am

SO MUCH FUN busting liars…and watching them squirm and call others names.

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:49 am

“As of 11:34 am 10/17/12, an entity known as “HUH?????” has posted 103 of the 241 comments.”

So?

HUH?????

October 17th, 2012
11:50 am

“Now…how dumb are YOU??”

I see you can not answer the questions.

“SO MUCH FUN busting liars…and watching them squirm and call others names.

Yes, I do like mocking you for being a liar. It’s so much fun.

joe

October 17th, 2012
12:04 pm

The Prez said it was Terror, but meant Terror. see the difference??? neither do I.

Partisay

October 17th, 2012
12:05 pm

When HUH????? speaks of 2 yr olds, he knows what he is talking about. Let’s look at some of his juvenile comments this morning…..

Grow up, child
Maybe he was rude because fatty was protecting Obozo.
Please take remedial english.
You aren’t smart are you
Ok, you really are a dumb human being.
I did and you can’t read.
Not my fault if you have reading comprehension issues.
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! You aren’t smart are you?
I like to make fun of you and your asinine comments
Poor whittle baby
Not my fault if you can’t read

But here’s some of my personal favorites – since he was BUSTED for lying at 9:43….

Stop lying.
I don’t and never said that. You should take remedial English
How about you stop making stuff up, ma’am.

Take your pick…any of the 3 above are priceless since HUH????? said “The average unemployment rate under Bush was 4.6%.” at 9:43 this morning. But it’s me that can’t read.

Funny Stuff!!

RGB

October 17th, 2012
12:06 pm

Word is that Obama is going to try to blame the economy on the video during the next debate. If it works once….