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
RCB
October 17th, 2012
12:09 pm
I enjoy reading everyone’s comments, but maybe Huh? and Partisay should take it outside.
Mark
October 17th, 2012
12:10 pm
“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.” -Obama the day after the attack.
“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.” -Romney
Romney lied and got caught. Deal with it and move on sheep.
Partisay
October 17th, 2012
12:12 pm
Sorry RCB…just not fond of liars.
RCB
October 17th, 2012
12:14 pm
No one is fond of liars, Partisay, but these posts have become rather tedious. Maybe another subject would help
Fred Ziffle
October 17th, 2012
12:17 pm
Whoever HUH???? is, get a life.
Partisay
October 17th, 2012
12:20 pm
RCB…good advice.
CrowleySupportsObama
October 17th, 2012
12:23 pm
Everyone needs to just listen to Crowley in her post-interviews. She is backtracking on her support for Obama on the Libya point and strongly emphasizing when she turned to Romney and said that he was absolutely right about his point on the president not calling the Libya incident an act of terror until a couple of weeks after. That one point should not have decided the debate, but it certainly helped in cementing the feeling that Obama “won” the debate, since the audience clapped twice when Crowley stopped being moderate and sided with Obama on the issue, in effect “putting Romney in his place.” No one seems to remember that she said to Romney just after she had agreed with Obama that Romney was absolutely right on his point about Libya.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
12:23 pm
“Whoever HUH???? is, get a life.”
Ah yes, I love it when people come on blogs, don’t say one single thing about the blog topic, and then tell someone to get a life.
Priceless.
DocDawg
October 17th, 2012
12:23 pm
Thought the UGA blog with the Fl and SC fans was fun with inane banter, but some of you folks have your heads wedged so deep you can`t hear what`s being said in the debates. Obama despite all the spindoctors got beat simply because he can`t refute the facts about his atrocious record over the last 4 years. If he could, his camp would give him the facts to fight it. They can`t so he smiles and takes it on the chin every time. Press is liberal in this country and worldwide, especially CNN. For anybody listening to these debates with a clear mind, Obama continually throws around the same rhetoric and empty promises he did 4 years ago with a bit less zeal because some people actually look at the record instead of follow the rhetoric sheep into lahlah land. Gas is $4 a gallon, people are increasingly out of work, there are no tabled changes with any substance that represent solutions to the problems, deficit going into a tailspin and proposed increases part of the Dems package. Socialistic countries have never been successful because handouts like foodstamps and payouts for babies rob people`s self esteem and create laziness and a something for nothing mentality. I`m personally non partisan, and vote for who appears more rational based on the facts. Noone`s perfect but Romney has been highly successful in business and governing Mass, which wasn`t easy with as a republican there. That he was so successful in initiating reforms that noone can deny have made Mass a model state regarding economy, healthcare and education means he knows how to set intelligent gameplans, manage people and create synergy regardless of partisan lines. That`s what successful businessmen do, and that leadership is necessary to get the country going in the right direction to dig out of this mess. There may have been better people to run the country but of the 2 candidates still standing, track record speaks loud and clear. The Dem vs Repub game is largely emotion- based judging from what I hear after the debates and blogs of viewers. Politics is never in the best interest of the country, never has been. For those of us with a brain not looking for handouts and concerned about where we are now and are going in the future that affects our families, Vote based upon the Facts. Don`t think Greece can`t happen here, we`re closer than you may think. In the immortal words of Obama`s Chicago “preacher”and spiritual confidant, GD America!! You want 4 more years of “leadership” with mentors like that behind the scenes, you`re an idiot!
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
12:24 pm
“just not fond of liars.”
Which is why I keep calling out your lies.
BTW, you never answered one single question that I asked you. I wonder why?
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
12:25 pm
“Romney lied and got caught. Deal with it and move on sheep.”
Not meant to be a factual statement.
cc
October 17th, 2012
12:25 pm
Tim@10:38 am:
Tim, give it a rest! You weren’t the only person to serve in Vietnam. That war has been over for some time now, ended by a dimocrat who tried to micromanage the war from the White House and who allowed Walter Cronkite and a bunch of leftists to pressure him to end the war. Another dimocrat president named Bill got a deferment and did not serve. The only military Obama recognizes is that of communist and muslim countries.
You go ahead and cast your vote for Obama. You planned to all along but your shilling for Obama has no effect on me.
Gov't Dole
October 17th, 2012
12:31 pm
Jan,
I’m on gov’t dole, but not dumb enough to vote for a party that are racist liars like you. I bet you voted for Nathan Deal… Apprrently you care nothing about womens right or you are husband’s 10th wife.
Nothing is worse than the weapons of mass destruction lies and deaths cause by it.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
12:34 pm
“I’m on gov’t dole, but not dumb enough to vote for a party that are racist liars like you. ”
Oh the irony.
cc
October 17th, 2012
12:37 pm
Gov’t Dole@12:31 pm:
I’ve been waiting for a “Thank You” card from you all my life, but apparently I’m not paying enough taxes so that you can buy lottery tickets AND a “Thank You” card.
ajc blogger
October 17th, 2012
12:37 pm
In all seriousness, can one person explain HOW any of the points in the 5 point plan will be implemented and what are the propose results?
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
12:39 pm
ajc blogger
Can you explain what Obamas plan is?
Oh wait, he doesnt/hasnt had one his entire time in office.
ajc blogger
October 17th, 2012
12:41 pm
http://www.barackobama.com/economy?source=primary-nav
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
12:42 pm
ajc blogger
I’ve been there. No specifics.
Ray Artis
October 17th, 2012
12:43 pm
Wow, Mr. or Ms. Huh!!! Must be nice to live in that bubble where facts dont matter. You can just keep repeating whatever pops into your head, and it becomes the truth.
And the only network that airs on TV is Fox News.
What a wonderful world!
Ray Artis
October 17th, 2012
12:43 pm
Wow, Mr. or Ms. Huh!!! Must be nice to live in that bubble where facts dont matter. You can just keep repeating whatever pops into your head, and it becomes the truth.
And the only network that airs on TV is Fox News.
What a wonderful world!
bb
October 17th, 2012
12:43 pm
Candy showed what the liberal media bias is all about. She should be fired and ashamed that she corroborated Obama’s lie to the American people.
bb
October 17th, 2012
12:43 pm
Candy showed what the liberal media bias is all about. She should be fired and ashamed that she corroborated Obama’s lie to the American people.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
12:44 pm
“President Obama is fighting to grow the economy from the middle class out, not the top down.”
That’s a talking point not a plan.
SPECIFICS PLEASE
Mark
October 17th, 2012
12:46 pm
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
12:34 pm
Racist liars??? Are you serious??? If you want to find racism just look deeper inside the GOP!
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
12:48 pm
“Racist liars??? Are you serious??? If you want to find racism just look deeper inside the GOP!”
Like who?
Last time I checked, the democrats had a grand wizard on their team.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
12:49 pm
Mark
Biden is a racist. He made racist remarks against Indians. Are you gonna argue that? Nope, you’ll just ignore it and continue to spew crap.
Georgia
October 17th, 2012
12:50 pm
Lets vote: All those for Romney……crickets chirping….birdies cheeping……frogs croaking…..
All those for Obozo……..(the silence of the lambs)……
It’s a Romney win.
Ackshun
October 17th, 2012
12:51 pm
HUH???? – your guy is going to lose. It’s harsh but it’s real. More than that I think some GOPrs want him to lose so they can get Chris Christie in 4 years. Here’s another thing politicians lie…, that’s just what they do. Romney lies, Obama lies. So do everyone a favor and lighten up Francis.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
12:52 pm
“your guy is going to lose.”
What do you have to back that up with?
Partisay
October 17th, 2012
12:53 pm
Which is why I keep calling out your lies.
BTW, you never answered one single question that I asked you. I wonder why?
___________________________________________________________________________
What lies have I stated? Name one? And what “questions” have you ask me that I have not answered?
Oh, I forgot. You can’t go back and look at prior posts.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
12:55 pm
“More than that I think some GOPrs want him to lose so they can get Chris Christie in 4 years. ”
I’m sure you have something to back that up with.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
12:56 pm
Can anyone please explain Obama’s economic position?
So far NO ONE has even attempted to answer the question.
Ray the Man
October 17th, 2012
12:56 pm
Obama won the second debate hands down. Romney did not lose he just didn’t win. Obama was presidential, authoritative and strong where he needed to be. Romney does not mind lying and looking you in the face. I do not understand how anyone can believe anything that comes out of his mouth ( as New Gingrich said in the Republican primary debates). Obama also took full credit or blame for Libya and did not, in the process, throw Hillary under the bus. The race is not over ( except in Georgia) but Obama telling his story and pointing out the absolute fiction that is Romney will prevail with people who have open minds and care about the integrity of government in this country.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
12:56 pm
UH OH!!!!!!
Presidential debate: Libya questioner says Obama didn’t answer
Q: It’s Kerry, Kerry Ladka.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Great to see you here.
Q: This question actually comes from a brain trust of my friends at Global Telecom Supply in Mineola yesterday. We were sitting around talking about Libya, and we were reading and became aware of reports that the State Department refused extra security for our embassy in Benghazi, Libya, prior to the attacks that killed four Americans. Who was it that denied enhanced security and why?
Was Ladka satisfied with how the president responded? Simply no. “I really didn’t think he totally answered the question satisfactorily as far as I was concerned,” Ladka tells the Erik Wemple Blog.
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
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
12:57 pm
“Obama also took full credit or blame for Libya and did not, in the process, throw Hillary under the bus.”
Was this before or after he blamed the video, the GOP, Romney, Ryan, Hilary, state dept…?
End is Near
October 17th, 2012
12:58 pm
None of this matters anyway. There will be a ground swell on election day that will sweep Obama out of office. You can take that to the bank.
Chill Out
October 17th, 2012
1:01 pm
To HUH???
Are you supporting Romney because he’s a GOP’er or the best candidate for our country? As an undecided I’m really concern that he is loosing terribly to the POTUS in his own state of MA. Do you suspect the people of MA know something you don’t?
Ashley
October 17th, 2012
1:01 pm
Crowley’s career is OVER. She proved to be nothing but an untalented hack. To pretend to be impartial and then do something low and dirty like this showed no character.
honested
October 17th, 2012
1:02 pm
romney lies start to finish through TWO debates and the best you can do is torture a phrase?
The truth just ain’t in romney and luckily, enough people can see that.
I look FORWARD to the second term!
Obama-Biden 2012!!
cc
October 17th, 2012
1:03 pm
Ray the Man@12:56 pm:
“The race is not over”
This race is SO “over with”! It will be President Romney, and it won’t even be close! You can say “good-bye” to Hussein now and avoid the rush!
Give me back some Change so I can move Forward
October 17th, 2012
1:04 pm
The day after the event Secretary Clinton held a press conference where she spent the first five minutes denouncing the attack and expressing Americas love and support for religious freedom and Islam. Not one mention of an organized, well planned terrorist attack, rather, an angry mob acting on behalf of a you tube video that had been posted for months, along with 1000’s of other anti muslim vidoes that have been on youtube for years. It came across as the smae type of apology the President gave on his first international tour. The administration was wrong. Both times.
honested
October 17th, 2012
1:05 pm
The only important question was ‘How are you different from g.w. bush, and how would your policies provide a different result’.
If the man was honest, he would have answered, ‘No difference, and equally dismal results’.
We’ve already slid off that cliff and clawed back up. We know how bad it can get.
Obama 2012!
Spring
October 17th, 2012
1:05 pm
They need to quite putting in the BIAS moderators……
Does everyone NOT remember that Obama said that if he couldn’t get all of this “mess” (which he says he inherited) in 4 years, then this would be a 1 term presidency??
Our country has become weak…..If he gets reelected we will be at war again overseas. More troops getting killed, etc…
Also, Obama is giving welfare and food stamps to EVERYONE – There are WAY too many people on this who are CAPABLE of working………….and are just to dang lazy to do so.
If Obama is reelected, all of these small businesses, like daycares, are going to go under. They cannot afford to provide Health Insurance to everyone. Why not just give them all medicaid, like you do everyone else???
I work my ASS off 40 hrs per week and I pay for health insurance through my company for me, my husband and kids and my dang Co-pay for meds (like ADHD) meds is $140 per month for just 1 months supply….AND I DO NOT GET NO DAMN HELP FROM THE GOVENRMENT……Everyone on gvmnt assistance gets it for near NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am sick and tired of this race becoming a RACIAL issue…..If you voted for him and will vote for him again just because he is Black – YOU HAVE A PROBLEM!!
I don’t care if the canidate is Black, White, Green, Yellow or Purple…..THIS COUNTRY IS IN NEED OF A FIX AND QUICK!!!
#wishhermancainewouldhavebehaved – so he could have been in this race!
Georgia
October 17th, 2012
1:07 pm
Obozo has challenged the result of the vote and demands a recount. FIne. Lets vote again.
All those for Romney…….undecideds tweeting….absentee voters texting…..focus groups facebooking….
All those for Obozo……Frogs Chirping….Birds Croaking…..Crickets rubbing hind legs together……lambs still silent……
It’s a Romney win, dadnabbit.
honested
October 17th, 2012
1:07 pm
Just think, it the wrong-wing had paid as much attention to shrub’s dereliction of duty leading up to 9/11, the economic disaster might have been averted by sending him back to Texas in 2004.
Instead, we have to tolerate rant radio’s over-amplification of this detail.
Grow up!
Obama-Biden 2012!!!
Yo mama's pro life
October 17th, 2012
1:07 pm
Maybe a little Change will let the economy move Forward. No more Obama, Dems out of the Senate, and MSNBC becomes 24 hour infomercials….. I have a dream too.
AMERICAN Grandmother
October 17th, 2012
1:07 pm
Americans DON’T appreciate BIAS in a debate!!! There’s NO integrity in television journalism!!
Candy Crowley’s OBVIOUS BIAS in favor of OBAMA brings shame!
Candy’s behaviour was REPREHENSIBLE ! She obviously didn’t get the Job Description!
A “MODERATOR” job means Timekeeper so EACH candidate gets EQUAL amount of time overall!!
Candy gave Obama 3 more minutes total time than Romney — she did NOT allow Romney to talk past time–BUT SHE repeatedly DID allow Obama! FIRE sorry INEPT and biased Candy!
May our country survive this lying Manufactured Muslim Socialist out to DESTROY US!!
Backed by MUSLIM $$$$$$$. He’s a front. Very scary. Scary that ignorant poor folks vote only for race.
May the best man win…. And that would be Romney !! AMEN!!
billy shears
October 17th, 2012
1:11 pm
HUH????? might be dumber than larry the cable guy. this guy really makes the case for abortion.
Dr. Lefty
October 17th, 2012
1:13 pm
It is truly fascinating to observe the ethos and pathos of the feeble right-wing reactionary. Alas, the struggle between intellectuals and conservatives rages on, and is as old and worn out as ignorance itself. Joyfully I have cast my vote for the POTUS and never for that “worthless piece of Mitt.”