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
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 17th, 2012
2:39 pm
Butter Butt
Several people have asked that question and they can’t answer it.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 17th, 2012
2:40 pm
“DONNAN tells another poster to STHU, then tells them to “Grow Up””
Yep, you’re point?
Jed Clampet
October 17th, 2012
2:40 pm
Obama 2012 = Depression and the end of the US ecomony. fraud fake fool
Butter Butt
October 17th, 2012
2:40 pm
Did Candy eat the economy and fart?
cc
October 17th, 2012
2:41 pm
Nick:
“He is more for women’s rights.”
That is a solid reason to vote for Hussein: women will be able to enter poverty with all “rights” intact.
Doubtless a MENSA member . . .
Partisay
October 17th, 2012
2:41 pm
Just as I thought.
Can’t tell me what lies I have told nor what questions I have not answered. Or even been asked.
Once a liar………..
joja boi
October 17th, 2012
2:41 pm
I am not so sure why this is such a major sticking point, whatever he called it doesn’t matter, what does matter is Mr. Romney jumping at the opportunity to gain political points essentially moments after the event took place. Whatever Romney’s goal is (to become President) he still has a duty as a civil servant, to respect the AUTHORITY of the President, and the sensitivity of what happened, and not tried to politicize such a topic, until enough action/investigation had taken place. The undermining of the President during other previous administration would be considered by many to be treasonous. It’s not like Obama supplied arms to the individuals that attacked/assassinated the ambassador…He allowed Reagan to put arms in the hands of enemies!
Dupa
October 17th, 2012
2:42 pm
Candy Crowley went way past the line and should be fired.
smallmouth6
October 17th, 2012
2:45 pm
He called it an act of terror and so did Hillary Clinton the day of or the day after in an extremely powerful response to the killings. Obama has done a fantastic job chasing down Middle East murderers much to the chagrin, apparently, of Romney supporters.
Partisay
October 17th, 2012
2:45 pm
My point? Kinda childish to tell another poster to STHU, don’t you think? Then you tell someone to grow up?
Irony…that’s my point.
BTW…thought you would surely take my advice and ignore my posts. Please do.
tex OBMA SUPPORTER
October 17th, 2012
2:45 pm
HUH????? If Romney is elected you are right Social Security won’t be around when you get 65. Rebublicns have opposed SS since its incepction. You conservative ideologs didn’t complain when the moderator in first debate allowed Romney to bulley his way through the debate.
Get Real
October 17th, 2012
2:45 pm
joja boi
And covering up the fact the it was a terror attack because it did not fit the slogan “GM is alive and Bin Laden is dead” was not political….pleeez give me a friggin break…come up with some more excuses for this president
ItsGumbyD**nIt
October 17th, 2012
2:46 pm
Ladies…do you believe that there are bigger issues with this country than wether or not a woman gets a condom or not? Because it seems that Obama believes that’s all that matters to you. Just would like to know.
Realist
October 17th, 2012
2:46 pm
I would suggest people to read the fact on Romney. If someone could explain his policies and how they would work mathmatically. Check the fact checker on this same article and see how much Romney lies. Im not a democratic, I am a realist. If people dont see that the economy is doing better than when bush destroyed America, you are blind. Who cares if Obama said it is a terriost attack or not. How the economy have improved and the unemployment rate have dropped. Those are important issues. The same people that are pulling for Romney, voted for Bush and America was headed to a great depression.
smallmouth6
October 17th, 2012
2:46 pm
Oh yes, and way to go Candy. About time someone called him on his never ending doublespeak.
DJ
October 17th, 2012
2:47 pm
I can’t believe that people got this caught up over the semantics of a phrase used. And at that, be upset with the moderator who informed both candidates that what happened was correct. She did verify that the phrase itself was made by the president, and then also included the two week time lapse about the tape. The only person who was wrong was Romney, but it’s ok. He misstated a timing fact but people are playing on semantics because the bigger picture was/is how the “terror” was being explained to the people. And I’m an independent.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 17th, 2012
2:47 pm
“Rebublicns have opposed SS since its incepction.”
It’s a scam plain and simple. Most of the money a person puts into SS will never see that money. Politicians have spent that money on pet projects for decades. People should put their own money into their own investments.
I’m so sorry you have to rely on the government to spend your money for you.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 17th, 2012
2:49 pm
“My point? Kinda childish to tell another poster to STHU, don’t you think? Then you tell someone to grow up?”
No, not really. All you do is ramble and rant because someone else made you look stupid. From reading your posts its not surprising that that happened.
joja boi
October 17th, 2012
2:49 pm
Actually what’s even more important is what the president plans on doing about the attack, not any of the rhetoric or what the act is called….Terrorism can be loosely applied to any of a number of acts so whether or not he called it a terrorist attack or not is moot..The young man that shot up an Aurora movie theater in my opinion was a terrorist act, because it made me think twice about going to see the movie…No one called that an act of terror because the melanin deficiency held by the perpetrator. He even had bombs and explosive ready for people that would eventually investigate home..All in all semantics and an attempt to find any little thing to beat Obama up over, while ignoring the plethora of lies spewed by Mr. Romney.
ItsGumbyD**nIt
October 17th, 2012
2:49 pm
smallmouth6
October 17th, 2012
2:45 pm
He called it an act of terror and so did Hillary Clinton the day of or the day after in an extremely powerful response to the killings. Obama has done a fantastic job chasing down Middle East murderers much to the chagrin, apparently, of Romney supporters.
At the funeral Hillary blamed the youtube video…that junk you spewed aint gonna cut it. Obuma went on several tv shows and was blamming the video, he also did in front of the UN in another one of his worthless speaches. Oh and let’s never forget this president bowed to the Saudi leader. Obuma a loser simply put.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
2:50 pm
“do you believe that there are bigger issues with this country than wether or not a woman gets a condom or not?”
A grown woman like Sandra Fluke can afford a 40 thousand dollar/year university yet can’t afford birth control. Something tells me that that ugly woman can’t get any anyway.
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
2:51 pm
“He called it an act of terror and so did Hillary Clinton the day of or the day after in an extremely powerful response to the killings.”
YOU LIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
2:52 pm
Partisay
Still crying about that beat down I gave you? Poor whittle baby. Do you need Obozo to change your diaper for you?
Partisay
October 17th, 2012
2:55 pm
Oh OK…I proved someone a liar on here (Bush’s AVERAGE unemployment rate was 4.6) but I’m the one that looks stupid? I guess you also believe his average unemployment rate was 4.6 also.
Or that he accuses someone of not answering the questions, when not one question was ever asked. Ever. But you think he made me look stupid.
Of course you don’t think telling someone to STHU is a bit childish either, so what do you expect.
UGAly
October 17th, 2012
2:55 pm
The Republicans should feuse these debates until a well-defind set of rules is laid out. This is two presidential debates in a row where the moderator has assisted the democrats.
Jerry
October 17th, 2012
2:55 pm
There are many many many idiots in this town. “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”. For you idiots that maybe went to elementary school and then logged out, let me translate LOL. The act of terror that was committed will shake the resolve of this great nation, alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for. How do you not read that and understand what was said? If you hate the man say you hate the man and move the heck on. Dumb donkeys.
Skipper
October 17th, 2012
2:55 pm
Once upon a time a Mars candy truck overturned in Crowley’s yard………the wreckers were immediately called to the scene, but she fought them off for three days. Thus, her name. (They left “freight-less, btw.)
joja boi
October 17th, 2012
2:58 pm
Get Real…Is Bin Laden not Dead?? The slogan never said Terrorism is Dead…Did Reagan win the War on Drugs? No President has but they have at least tried to put measure in place to prevent and stop it.
Partisay
October 17th, 2012
2:58 pm
Beatdown? Really funny stuff, Liar.
Still waiting for you to look back and tell me what questions you asked me. Oh, I forgot. You apparently don’t know how to hit those number buttons at the bottom. Or you know you never asked me any questions.
One or the other….Nice diaper comment though!! So astute.
wake up America
October 17th, 2012
2:59 pm
Candy is just another reason CNN is at the bottom in rating…also why no one believes the liberal media and their Leftist Social agenda.
@2:47..a flat out lie..what a idiot!
Partisay
October 17th, 2012
3:01 pm
The real question today though is: Why are HUH??? and DONNAN (Those all-caps in your names make you all SO MANLY!!) against gay marriage?
They make such a cute couple!!!
ItsGumbyD**nIt
October 17th, 2012
3:02 pm
HUH?????
October 17th, 2012
2:50 pm
“do you believe that there are bigger issues with this country than wether or not a woman gets a condom or not?”
A grown woman like Sandra Fluke can afford a 40 thousand dollar/year university yet can’t afford birth control. Something tells me that that ugly woman can’t get any anyway.
BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
Romney sux
October 17th, 2012
3:02 pm
The FACT is Obama called it an “act of terror,” which the EXACT definition of terrorism. THIS IS NOTHING BUT RIGHT WING SPIN. They are trying to get people to buy into this garbage Romney’s assertion was correct on that point. It wasn’t. He can parse all he wants about what was said while they were investigating, but the President CLEARLY said the incident was an “ACT OF TERROR.”
Here’s the rub: IF President Obama would have said it was a “terrorist act” directly instead of playing with the language, the right-wing would now be running off at the mouth about how the country is not safe because of terrorist attacks.
It’s all BS. Romney stands up there an lies through is teeth, but you’re not hearing a peep about it on Faux “news” while they are trying to force this story on everyone else as they complain about “media bias.”
joja boi
October 17th, 2012
3:03 pm
Get Real- your usage of the word cover-up implies that he was trying to hide something, when in my opinion its that he didn’t want to jump to conclusions or make any assumptions. If JFK jumped to conclusions during the Cuban Missle crisis this country (and world for that matter) would be much different. As Commander and Chief, its not always the moves you make, its the ones you don’t!
Wes Hightower
October 17th, 2012
3:03 pm
Why hasn’t Obama been grilled on the fact that he is the only President in U.S. history to have our Triple A credit downgraded due to the skyrocketing debt under his watch?
cc
October 17th, 2012
3:03 pm
Realist@2:46 pm:
You’re not a realist but merely another Obama voter. You can at least be truthful if nothing else.
atl
October 17th, 2012
3:03 pm
Why would a Republican allow CNN to host anything? CNN is the voice of the Democratic party.
This is a joke!
October 17th, 2012
3:04 pm
Is the everyone brain dead in Washington and media? Obama, on Sept 12 in the rose garden referred to the attack on consulate as an “acts of terror”. Not an act terrorism or a terrorist attack. There is a big difference between these statements. Anyone can commit an act of terror but only terrorist can commit a terrorist attack. The whole debate on this issue is why the White House (Obama) took so long to acknowledge this as a terrorist attack. Everyone can see that it was an act of terror but what we needed to know was that is was terrorists who carried it out.
Jerome Richardson
October 17th, 2012
3:04 pm
For those actually paying attention instead of accepting the nonsense of a number of right wingnuts, the President asked Candy Crowley to get the transcript, and she complied with the request. If you are among the 47%ers that Romney was addressing in his private conversation, your life will not get better under a President Romney. Maybe you think that you don’t belong in that group but wishing don’t make it so. Thinking that you are middle class and earning less then 50K is..just wishful thinking.
OBAMACARE
October 17th, 2012
3:05 pm
OBAMA WIN GEORGIA ANDTHE PRESIDENCY!
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 17th, 2012
3:06 pm
“Why hasn’t Obama been grilled on the fact that he is the only President in U.S. history to have our Triple A credit downgraded due to the skyrocketing debt under his watch?”
Fantastic question. Probably because there’s so much to grill Obama on. You’d need a very long debate to get through all of Obama’s failed policies.
OBAMACARE
October 17th, 2012
3:06 pm
OBAMA ROCKS!!!!
jataga5000
October 17th, 2012
3:06 pm
Anyone who thinks Romney will step in and magically fix the economy needs to put the crack pipe down. When he left Massachusetts as governor they were 47th in the nation in employment and had a $1.2 billion deficit. I’m betting outsourcing with tax breaks for companies who do it will accelerate. If you are calling a minimum wage job with no benefits job creation go for it. Dislike Obama if you want. Thats your right, but why support someone who blatantly lies at every turn. By the way Romney didn’t win the debate but was exposed for the liar he is.
Judge Judy
October 17th, 2012
3:06 pm
So @ Mark after drinking another cup of Kool Aid can you cite specific instances where Romney lied last night, and back it up with facts -links? UH HUH didn’t think so
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 17th, 2012
3:06 pm
“your life will not get better under a President Romney.”
Couldn’t be any worse than what it is under Obama.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 17th, 2012
3:07 pm
“When he left Massachusetts”
Unemployment was under 5% when he was governor.
“had a $1.2 billion deficit.”
And that debt was there looooooooooooong before Romney ever took office.
sara wright
October 17th, 2012
3:08 pm
Candy Crowley should be fired for her complete lack of professionalism in conducting the debate between obama and romney last night. I won’t watch CNN again as long as she is in your employment.
CNN is a joke
October 17th, 2012
3:08 pm
My non political wife last night jumped in and asked what the hell that Candy woman was doing. It amazes me and so many struggling now that the morons who bought Barry’s BS in ‘08 still believe. He’s had 4 years and we are worse off now and he has the audacity to ask for 4 more??? Really?? Gas has more than doubled since he took office. You know what that impacts??? I’m in the automotive sector, specifically collision repair. In ‘08, most everyone who had an accident repaired their car. Now, only 30% do if the vehicle is driveable, the other 70% either do not have the deductable or cash the insurance check because they need the money. This is being monitored by the insurance companies, trust me. And the 7 technicians I’ve been forced to lay off of which 3 lost their homes really feel it. Also with fuel prices where they are, people drive less, hence, tires, oil changes, basic maintenance is put off or simply not needed as often,, The automotive sector touches the lives of 1 out of every 5 Americans. Yes you idiots, bring him back for 4 more. He’s been doing an outstanding job!!
cc
October 17th, 2012
3:08 pm
OBAMACARE@3:05 pm:
Whatever you say . . . have you got your Obamaphone?
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 17th, 2012
3:09 pm
“CNN is the voice of the Democratic party.”
CNN is dead last in ratings. Until last night, NO ONE even knew who Candy was.