Posted on 09/12/2012 9:12:16 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Journalists Freak Out as Romney Condemns Obama's Handling of Libya By Scott Whitlock Created 09/12/2012 - 11:43am
Angry journalists repeatedly lashed out at a defiant Mitt Romney, Wednesday, pushing the Republican to renounce his criticism of Barack Obama's handling of the crisis developing in Libya. In a statement on Tuesday, the presidential candidate slammed the administration's "disgraceful" response to the attacks on the U.S. embassy in Libya, which ended with the murder of embassador Chris Stevens.
An unidentified reporter complained, "The statement from the President was a very toughly worded statement last night. Do you regret the tone at all, given what we know now?" Another asked, given how quickly events were unfolding, was it "appropriate to be weighing in as this as this crisis is unfolding in real time? " The same question came again and again, a total of seven times. [See a video montage below. MP3 audio here.]
An off-camera journalist loudly attacked, "Governor, some people have said that you jumped the gun a little in putting that statement out last night and that you should have waited until more details were available. Um, do you regret having that statement come out so early before we learned about all of the things that were happening?"
[Note: all reporters were off-camera and unidentified.]
The Washington Post described the original document put out by the U.S. embassy in Egypt:
During the protest in Cairo but hours before the attacks in Libya, the U.S. Embassy in Cairo issued a statement saying that it condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions.
Romney refused to back down, insisting, "It's their administration. Their administration spoke. The President takes responsibility not just for the words that come from his mouth, but also the words that come from his ambassadors."
Still, the same question came again: "If you had known last night that the ambassador died, and, obviously, I'm gathering you did not know- If you had known that the ambassador had died, would you have issued such a strongly issued statement?"
Romney defended his condemnation of the President's handling, asserting that "having that embassy effectively apologizing for the right of free speech is not the right course of an administration."
A transcript of the questions from Romney's September 12 press conference, which aired live on MSNBC:
10:19
REPORTER #1 (male): The statement from the President was very toughly worded statement last night. Do you regret the tone at all, given what we know now?
REPORTER # 2 (female): Governor Romney, do you think, though, coming so soon after the events, really, had unfolded overnight was appropriate to be weighing in as this as this crisis is unfolding in real time?
...
REPORTER #3 (female): So what did the White House do wrong then, Governor, Romney, if they put out a statement-
MITT ROMNEY: It's their administration. Their administration spoke. The President takes responsibility not just for the words that come from his mouth, but also the words that come from his ambassadors, from his administration, from his embassy, from his State Department. They clearly sent mixed messages to the world.
...
REPORTER (male) #3: You talk about mixed signals. The world is watching. Isn't this itself a mixed signal when you criticize the administration at a time when Americans are being killed? Shouldn't politics stop- [garbled]
...
REPORTER (female) #4: Governor, some people have said that you jumped the gun a little in putting that statement out last night and that you should have waited until more details were available. Um, do you regret having that statement come out so early before we learned about all of the things that were happening?
ROMNEY: I don't think we ever hesitate when we see something which is a violation of our principles...Having that embassy effectively apologizing for the right of free speech is not the right course of an administration.
REPORTER #5 (male): If you had known last night that the ambassador died, and, obviously, I'm gathering you did not know- If you had known that the ambassador had died, would you have issued such a strongly issued statement?
REPORTER #6: How specifically, Governor Romney, would a President Romney have handled the situation differently than President Obama?
The very second Romney backs down (ie., runs like a coward from the Democrat newsrooms) on anything is the very second his campaign is over.
I wonder if he realizes that?
“disgraceful” ??? LOL
I like it. Go for the nerve.
oh no no no ....this was colossally stupid by Mitt...sort of like that horrible Clint Eastwood speech that we still can’t stop hearing about......(sarc)
I think occupy = anaracy/paganism...like the black and red flag in Chicago similar to Michelle and families black and red color scheme at the Greek Column paganistic seclection of the emptychair.
“Stand tall Romney, you got Lurch upset !”
I thought he had a long face. Best indication you are on the right track, disapproval by Old Yellowstain.
No way Obama comes out looking good here. Jimmy Carter, November 4, 1979, Tehran, Iran. Jimmy ended up getting drubbed a year later in the election.
These are not a militant few. It was a widely supported and had popular approval by the general public.
And with insiders that betrayed the ambassadors and their staff.
Obama and his media cohorts have misunderestimated Mitt Romney.
They expect a Bob Dole, John McCain response that would demure to the President during foreign crisis.
Good on Romney for showing what leadership looks like.
So, as good trained courtiers and servants of the throne, they go on the attack against Romney or anyone who dares to criticize the disgusting crypto-Muslim in the Oval Office. Witness Juan “Whine” Williams on Fox last night trying to run interference for Zero as Krauthammer said the appropriate response would have been to tell the koranimals to “go to hell.”
They’re angry at Romney, but they’re not angry at the mob that killed four American embassy staff. These “journalists” should know that we are not going to be cowed by their lousy opinions or their support for Obama.
You can bet the Mediot Blackberry’s are burning up from trial talking points from the WH.
Prayo for America
I guarantee you if Romney had said nothing as these corrupt journalists had “suggested”, the spin would have been that Mitt is disconnected and not ready for foreign affairs “prime time”. The DNC talking points parroted by the willing media would be “Mitt Romney silence is an indication that he would be in way over his head in complicated foreign affairs”. Jerks.
>> MSM, go to Hell!
There’s strong evidence that Hell is where they were spawned. Might as well just tell them to go home.
Strong words & strong actions! The media has purposely mislead the American public about the actions in Libya & Egypt.
Muslims are the most thin skinned religious zealots. As a military member we were required to abide by every muslim
nuance (don’t wave with your left hand..example). We have to respect the muslims without reciprocation.
What makes you think I didn't?
MSM??? How about “MWM”? (Morons With Microphones)
The first reply needs to be, "some people, like who?"
Agreed about answering questions premised on the reporter's own personal opinion.
” If you had known that the ambassador had died, would you have issued such a strongly issued statement?
Well, wouldn’t that be the EXACT RIGHT time to issue a strong statement ?
“Governor, some people have said that you jumped the gun”
..... I remember when the ‘press’ made a BIG ISSUE out of using INFLAMMATORY WORDS like ‘jump the GUN’.
Did they change their little minds?
Journalists Freak Out when the truth is out.They don’t report the news they rewrite it,see Obama.
I’m liking Romney more and more folks! I don’t know about you, but I am outraged, not only by the attack on Romney but most especially the attack on our embassies and the murder of our ambassador! Where is the outrage by the people of this country? Gosh knows!!! I’m hearing crickets except for attacks on Romney????
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