My understanding is that Candy interviewed Axelrod on CNN a couple of days previously and he tried out this line on her at that time. She probably got the transcript then to see what was said. So it is possible that it is not a coincidence.
It is very nice of you to give them the benefit of the doubt but of ALL the Libya statements made by ALL the people in the administration she just happened to have the one in question (in her hand)?
The "interpretation" by Axelrod of the President's Rose Garden statement was new. The administration changed their story and it it happened just before the debate, so it was fresh in her mind.