Obama, Romney trade tough words over attacks

CHARLES BABINGTON and KEN THOMAS, Associated Press

Thursday, September 13, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama are trading tough words over the handling of foreign attacks on U.S. diplomatic missions in the Middle East, injecting foreign policy into a presidential campaign that has focused on a sour economy.

Romney accused the Obama administration of showing weakness in the attack that killed the U.S. ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, and three American members of his staff. Romney blasted the initial statement from the U.S. Embassy in Cairo as disgraceful and "akin to apology," adding later, "It's never too early for the United States government to condemn attacks on Americans and to defend our values."

However, the embassy statement came before the protesters had breached the embassy's walls and was not an apology but an affirmation of the American policy of religious tolerance and respect. A statement by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton minutes before Romney's was released condemned the attack in Libya and said there was no justification for such violent acts.

Obama made a somber statement in the Rose Garden condemning the attacks and announcing plans to deploy additional Marines at diplomatic posts overseas. In an interview with CBS News' "60 Minutes" later in the day, Obama said the episode showed Romney's penchant for having "a tendency to shoot first and aim later."

"It appears that Gov. Romney didn't have his facts right," Obama said. That night, during a rally in Las Vegas, the president said he had a message for the rest of the world: "No act of terror will dim the light of the values that we proudly shine on the rest of the world, and no act of violence will shake the resolve of the United States of America."

The four diplomats were killed Tuesday as protesters overran and burned the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. In a separate incident, the American Embassy in Cairo was breached by protesters, and the nation's flag was ripped down, although no deaths were reported. And on Thursday, protesters stormed the U.S. Embassy compound in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, tearing down and burning the U.S. flag.

U.S. officials are investigating whether the attack in Libya was a terrorist strike planned to mark the 11th anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Initial reports were that both the Libya and Egypt events had been motivated by anger over an anti-Muslim film made in the United States.

Obama made separate calls Tuesday evening to the presidents of Libya and Egypt, urging them to work with the U.S. to ensure the safety of diplomatic personnel. Obama and Libyan President Mohamed Magariaf vowed to work together to identify the Benghazi attackers and "bring them to justice," the White House said in a press release.

Obama told Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi "he rejects efforts to denigrate Islam, but underscored that there is never any justification for violence against innocents and acts that endanger American personnel and facilities," the White House said.

The Obama and Romney exchange came with less than eight weeks remaining in the tight presidential race, a campaign that has remained close for months and is being fiercely waged in fewer than 10 battleground states.

Economic concerns could play a more prominent role Thursday, when Romney appears at a rally in the Virginia suburbs outside Washington, D.C., and Obama holds an event in Colorado's Denver suburbs. Obama carried both states in 2008, but they remain up for grabs and heavily contested by both campaigns.

The Federal Reserve was expected to announce Thursday whether it plans to take new steps to jumpstart the U.S. economy. Many anticipate that the Fed will release a third round of bond purchases aimed at easing long-term interest rates and spurring borrowing and spending.

The economy has been the top issue throughout the race, with recent surveys showing Romney with a narrow advantage over the president when it comes to plans for reducing the nation's unemployment rate of 8.1 percent. On foreign policy, Obama has held an edge on which candidate is better suited to handle international affairs.

Romney, on Wednesday, defended his decision to issue his criticism Tuesday night, at a time it was not yet known that Stevens had been killed. Asked if he would have done so had he known about the deaths, he said, "I'm not going to take hypotheticals about what would have been known and so forth."

Some Republicans with experience in national security matters questioned the GOP candidate's handling of the events and top Republican leaders in Congress did not echo Romney's remarks. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Obama "correctly tightened the security overseas." Asked about Romney's remarks, he declined to answer and walked toward his office in the Capitol.

Romney's account didn't mesh completely with events in Cairo.

The statement that he referred to as akin to apology was issued by the embassy in Cairo at midday Tuesday at a time the staff was aware of still-peaceful demonstrations in the area nearby. The mob breached the compound's walls and tried to burn a U.S. flag about four or five hours later.

The embassy statement condemned "the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims — as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions," and noted that religious freedom is a cornerstone of American democracy.

Romney added that the White House later "distanced itself" from the statement, saying it hadn't been cleared by senior officials in Washington. "That reflects the mixed signals they're sending to the world," he said.

Obama said in the "60 Minutes" interview that the embassy was trying to "cool the situation down" and it was released "from folks on the ground who are potentially in danger."

"My tendency is to cut folks a little bit of slack when they're in that circumstance, rather than try to question their judgment from the comfort of a campaign office," Obama said.

He added that as president, "it's important for you to make sure that the statements you make are backed up by the facts, and that you've thought through the ramifications before you make them."

Babington reported from Denver. AP White House correspondent Ben Feller in Dulles, Va., contributed to this report.

More like this story

MO4LIFE 8 months, 1 week ago

No comments on this Romney Screw up from the Refuglican peanut gallery!. When your own Party starts to speak negatively about you then you know its over!!!! OBAMA 2012

newone 8 months, 1 week ago

So I guess Obama should have ordered troops to go over and bomb them, start another war we can't afford, oh wait we have been there done that..that is the Republican's way of dealing with stuff...react first, think later.

JCLifer 8 months, 1 week ago

It worked 25 years ago in Libya. Taught the a lesson that lasted 25 years not to mess with us.

Obama is weak.

jcguy25 8 months, 1 week ago

At the time of Romney's first comment, protesters hadn't even breached the wall. The other issue is they have to figure out exactly who attacked. There is speculation it was an Al Qaeda attack which used the cover of the protesters. Obama got it right waiting to get all the facts before making any comments or accusations of something of this magnitude that the entire world will be taking notice.

wyriontair 8 months, 1 week ago

Sorry, Romney got it right and the reporters should lose their jobs. Why weren't these reporters asking questions of the president? They still haven't asked tough questions. So far, once again, Obama is apoligizing for freedom and the rights of all citizens.

asb 8 months, 1 week ago

Romoney got it embarrasingly wrong. I've yet to read or hear the President apologize for anything, you're passing on lies and political ammunition, just as Al Queada wants you to.

spelchek 8 months, 1 week ago

"Romoney" -- That's deep.....ankle deep.

jcguy25 8 months, 1 week ago

Obama didn't even make the comment that Romney referred to. It was made directly from the people at the Embassy and it was before the attack even happened. Even high ranking Republicans didn't agree with Romney. That speaks volumes right there.

John 8 months, 1 week ago

embassy employees speak with the power of the presidency. If he didn't trust them to do so, then they should not work there. If he is going to take the credit he has to take the blame.

clingingredneck 8 months, 1 week ago

You are really panicked yourself aren't you. Your boy showed his true colors. Yellow! He has apologized for the US existing and now he is making sure that we are defeated in these Arab countries that he so sympathizes with. Romney Ryan 2012!

cimarron 8 months, 1 week ago

Touche'...

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 1 week ago

Romeny should keep his mouth shut at times like these, and I wonder what he has to say today! I am not running for President so I can say that a missle from a Drone in Yemen, placed into the Gate of our embassy is well deserved, and if they came back another. We should never be placed into another 444 days. Never. Rob

clingingredneck 8 months, 1 week ago

So what do you have to say now that the truth has come out about Obama? He knew about this for four days before the attack and DID NOTHING!! Hillary received a phone call two days before and ordered that the marines not have live AMMO! What are they supposed to use? Harsh Language? You libs are so limp it's no wonder the rest of the world sees that the US is weak and vulnerable right now.

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 1 week ago

4 days? live Ammo? What article did you get that from, love to read it, your a little late with that last post. Romeny has already flipped on his original tough words. Rob

JMO 8 months, 1 week ago

I saw this on Facebook. Yeah...didn't believe it then either.

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 1 week ago

Think I will get another DOSE of Fox this morning! Rob

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 1 week ago

Cannot find anything on 4 days notice, or do not use live ammo? One head line I did find was Romeny softens tone after critique sparks backlash, or another was Fox news, wrong about Unemployment rates on graph? I dont know what digests you are reading but it must not be main stream? Rob

asb 8 months, 1 week ago

Embassy marines always have live ammo, you're eating a big chunk of lie pie there Redneck. And the State Department, FBI, CIA and the White House were indeed aware of the threat and warned all embassies about a possibe 9/11 anniversary attack. Embassies are usually protected by the armed forces of their host nations with a small gaurd unit on hand. It was handled well, yet the FRight continues to push lies about it, and even Romoney fell for them.

JMO 8 months, 1 week ago

I'm still trying to figure out how that statement (made by the embassy in an attempt to calm things down and NOT by the president or the white house) was in any way akin to an apology.

JCLifer 8 months, 1 week ago

These people are like irrational animals if they get upset over a little film or magazine article criticising their religion. No wonder we cannot negotiate with them if they pull stunts like this. Our religion gets attacked all the time and we don't riot and tear stuff up and murder people.

asb 8 months, 1 week ago

Yes, these extremists are jerks - always - of every stripe and cause. Don't Christians have even a teeny history of slaughter of not only unbelievers but of just different versions of believers? The answer, while you're scratching yourself like an irrational animal, is yes. Even today, in Great Britan., in eastern Europe, in the deep South of the US not too long ago. Religious and political extremists are the worst enemies of our time..

GrumpyGus 8 months, 1 week ago

I would disagree wholeheartedly. I would contend that religious wars are the only wars that should be fought. Otherwise we are fighting for petty things like land, or gold, or oil. There is enough of that to go around. Religion is an all or none proposition, someone is right and someone is wrong, you can't parse it or have half-measures. That is the Mohammedan way, I just hope the other world religions wake up to the threat.

liberalboycotter 8 months, 1 week ago

Romney, did the right thing he showed strength, while Barry, shows who he is, an apologist. The people in this embassy, represent Barry, and his regime. Apology is what this regime is all about. As you can see in any photo all you ever see is Barry's backside when he is greeting any foreign official. If you think this was not terrorists that infiltrated the embassy and killed these people then I have a bridge to sell you. This was a planned attack and this is going to get worse as the terrorist know Barry, isn't going to do anything.

Go see 2016 and if you will open your minds you will see who the real Barry, is and why he is compelled to destroy this great nation.

TickledPink 8 months, 1 week ago

Romney is a fool who will bring us to war within his first 2 years.

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 1 week ago

2016, lets worry about 2012! I think you are going to see a big responce. You need to have something to shoot at, don't you? Have you watched the latest from Hollywood? There is also a new working man movie out staring the 82 year old Clint Eastwood. Rob

wow 8 months, 1 week ago

Romney is real tough now he's runnng for President, so he's spoutin that America has gotta lead the fighting, nobody better mess with America casue we're gonna send the troops warrior talk. Well Mitt which one of your son's is goona join the war effort? Which one of your son's has spent a day in uniform fighting for the American cause? The answer is none. When Romney had a chance to suit up for Vietnam he choose going to France. Now I agree France is a much nicer place than the jungles, but my point is this.

Sure Obama never lifted a rifle, but he isnt the one that is so qucik to promote getting into a war either. In fact he was against the Iraq war...so he shut that down and now he is shutting down Afghanastan. Pres. Obama understands that asking people to fight and die IABFD! On the other hand...ole Mitt ducked Viet-Nam...he nor any of his 5 sons shed a drop of sweat or blood in any of America's conflict's which occurrerd after Viet Nam ended. Yet Romney is so quick to rattle the sabre's, so quick to deploy the troops into harms way. So quick to have other's do the dieing, so that he and his cronnies can get richer!!!! Mitt makes me sick with that tough talk, when it's so obvious he's a FP, who has no idea what it means to struggle or put in a hard day's work for a hard day's pay. Romney has no idea nor does he care, that military member's and their families suffer greatly and are not paid properly for what America ask's of them. Mitt PSTFU, go back to you mansion and count your millions. Leave the leadership stuff to other's who are much more qualified.

Obama ain't the almighty, but compared to Mitt, he certainly is a much better choice for President of the United States anytime. Obama and anyone else but not Mitt!!!

asb 8 months, 1 week ago

Wrong on every point there Grace . . . and, uh, check the keyboard, it seems to be twitchin' again . . .

BubbaD 8 months, 1 week ago

“It's disgraceful that the Obama Administration's first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks.”

Mitt's statement was a patchwork of lies. First off, the statement came from an embassy staffer, not from the President. Second, the statement was not a response to the attacks but preceded them. Finally, the embassy statement was not an apology but rather a condemnation of the film and a reminder that the US is a nation of religious tolerance. Today, Mitt has come around to condemn the film himself. So his entire basis for the statement has evaporated. Is Mitt now apologizing? heh heh heh

The predictable chorus of excuse makers, who do so in reactionary fashion, would be humorous if it wasn't so dangerous for our Nation.

BubbaD 8 months, 1 week ago

The only thing you make clear is your own ignorance...by repeating the same dogma over and over. Making such pronouncements and empty assertions is not persuasive. Offer a reasoned argument for once, will you?

Had anyone behaved as Romney did during WWII they would have been ostracized by the vast majority of Americans. The principle is the same, we should stand united. Romney passed three lies on and you rebut one of them. Pale and amateurish.

wow 8 months, 1 week ago

Graceful...which America are you talking about? Cause the one I'm living in know's quite clearly that Obama...doesn't talk a lot War talk, but he ain't afraid to send the "people who make things go boom" when it's called for, but before he does so...President Obama makes sure everything is in order. Unlike Rommey.

I'm willing to give Mitt a chance and I did so....but now as we get closer to the selection, he contiues to make me feel like it's the "Haves vs The Have Not's"....and Mitt is on the side of the Haves and could care less about anyone else. Sure Mitt may know how to make money...but so does every other White Collar Criminal. Mitt may know how to run a company, but so does Pablo Escabar. The only difference between Mitt and those type of fellas...is Mitt uses legal BS to make his millions and Crooks use illegal crime, what's the difference when it's all at the expense of the little folks. Dealing with Mitt is like dealing with the rich kid who buy's freindship only to find out one day that no body really likes him.

Say what you will.....but to me Obama needs to do and will do a better job on domestic issues and therefore has earned a grade of B; however for his foreign policy the President has earned a decisive grade of A! Can he do better yes, will he do better, yes and therefore my early vote is being cast for the incumbent. That is as long as there isn't some new unknown Voter ID requirment established by the Republicans.

connor 8 months, 1 week ago

Talk about delusional. Obama doesn't talk much of anything unless it's tax the rich, how to swing a 3 iron or picking some sports tree. He mimics a decent liberal America hating apologetic line from time to time.

No White house administration in history (with the possible exception of Carters) would ever try and blame some low budget amateur film for attacks such as these. Even if it was true what does that say about the people living in those countries? Impulsive, misled, violent, easily angered. No administration in history has also allowed our allies to swing in the breeze like Obama's. Its a disgrace pure and simple.

Both his domestic and foreign policies have done nothing but exasperate all problems. On the plus side we are now seeing all these little progressive/liberal groups beginning to turn on each other as well as the conservative right. It's just a matter of time now.

Teachers unions vs. Raum-boy and sporting anti-obummer signs, Terrorist groups long let in the US as Femocrat allies making bomb threats and shutting down universities and nuclear reactors. Liberal appointees drug out of government appeasement houses and executed

In fact keep Obama in office. The way he is going he will destroy the great liberal allied powers faster than Romney ever could.

deboldt 8 months, 1 week ago

Graceful thinks Obama will destroy the nation and I agree. Only as I mentioned in my latest LTTE Romney will destroy it sooner. One thing I hope we both can agree on is sooner or later this country must be destroyed. This Consumer Nation ruled by corporate capitalists will stuff themselves until the very earth and every living thing on it is consumed. I would vote for Romney if I were you as he has a better chance of bringing down the whole house of cards sooner when there might be a greater chance for the earth to recover..

jcguy25 8 months, 1 week ago

Don't be so arrogant as to try to speak for all of America. I am not ashamed at all, as I'm sure the millions of democrats are not. All you ever do is throw out general broad remarks about how much the President has damaged the country and how Mittens is so much better, but yet, just like Mittens, there's never any substance or detail to back it up.

cimarron 8 months, 1 week ago

Let's not forget Bush Jr.

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 1 week ago

Why don't you throw the first ROCK and see how many join in? Rob

jcguy25 8 months, 1 week ago

Again, no substance or detail, just a broad attack on a large group of people whose opinions don't agree with your own. What abysmal behavior? What evidence is there of Romney's superiority?

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 1 week ago

What color is it today here in the HomeLand? The right is so far out there. Rob

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 1 week ago

If we put Romoney in in 2012, we are guranteed a Democrat in 2016, and then we will have to start all over after Mr. FLIP FLOP, FLIP FLOP, FLIP FLOP, Rob

online_editor 8 months, 1 week ago

@Rob Please don't use continuous punctuation marks to stretch out a post. I removed them from your comment. The resulting lack of line breaks causes a page viewing problem for some. Thanks. --Rick Brown, online editor, News Tribune

RobHunterJohnson 8 months, 1 week ago

Rome's burning open the way for the Christians to come into play? The grasp of seriousness of the problem is brought forth in all the posts on Obama, and you nor RoMoney have a plan. So again please tell me how are you going to handle Social Security, and Medicare? Health care is also high on my list, and Mr Flip flop is now going to take the best parts of Obamas Health Plan an implement them. That has got to make the Tea Party types happy! News Flash Govenor Scott KOCH Walkers plan was shot down yesterday to be mired down in the courts for years. How about that for some GOOD NEWS! Worry about 2012, not 2016 it is a long way away. BUY AMERICAN Rob

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