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?
Romney’s answer to Stenographer#6......send in the Marines.
Mark Halperin tweeted this: “Unless Mitt has gamed crisis out in some manner completely invisible to Gang of 500, doubling down=most craven + ill-advised move of ‘12.”
The lib media knows Obama looks like a disaster here (along with the bounce fading fast), so here comes the attacks from the media on Romney again (to distract).
The media is corrupt.
They’ll do anything to protect and sanctify their “god.” Nuff said
you can tell by the squeals of the liberals that Romney scored a direct hit
>> REPORTER #6: How specifically, Governor Romney, would a President Romney have handled the situation differently than President Obama?
That’s a fair question, although of course it was intended as a trap.
All the rest of the “reporters’” questions were transparent attacks. The media isn’t even attempting to hide their raw bias anymore.
Actually, I thought Mitt did okay, and head and shoulders better than Barry. At least he took questions! Who were those reporters? They were attacking like sharks in bloody water.
Hahahahahaha....
MITTENS TAKES THE GLOVES OFF ... PRESS PEES ITSELF.
I think it’s a good headline. They really don’t like seeing an agressive candidate. They were hoping they could intimidate him and get another McCain style defeat on their hands.
Don’t back down Mr. Romney.
Can anyone clarify what the Guy Fawkes masks symbolize?
Will anyone have the nards to mention that this was another attack on the US on 9.11? Following, of course 9.11.2001. Following, of course, the Siege of Vienna, when the Winged Hussars et al. beat the snot out of the Muslims on 9.11.1683.
1. The statement Romney criticized last evening was the State Dept. response to the attack on the Egyptian embassy. Clinton has since doubled-down on that statement.
2. The administration also claimed that statement wasn’t approved by them.
3. It was not known the ambassador to Libya had been killed at the time.
4. Obama made no public remarks regarding the Libyan situation until this morning.
5. Obama has yet to remark on the Egyptian situation.
6. Obama is on his way to Las Vegas to campaign.
MSM, go to Hell!
I listened to part of this on KPBS this am. Had to stop because I was laughing so hard and I thought I might drive off the road. I think it was the one woman”reporter” with the fake British accent who pretended not to know about all the bowing that Urkel had done to everyone and anything except our flag.
I just watched a few minutes of MSNBC. They couldn’t scream long enough or loud enough about Romney’s “inappropriate” comments.
When is a republican ever going to learn how to respond to “Some people say”.....even Palin wouldn’t do it. All they have to say is “Some people say? Who said it? When you tell me who said that, then I’ll explain. Because my response may be different depending on WHO said it.”
Bet not one of these vermin will ask Urkel if sending in the Marines was forced because of Romney’s stance.
inappropriate, irresponsible, reckless, naive, dangerous, again and again and again.
They must know how damaging this is to the messiah, they are truly freaking out!!!
MSNBC is all DNC talking points, all the time.
This will have morphed into a “gaffe” by the end of business today.
Romney should have attacked the main problem namely Obama helping to force the revolution in Egypt and Libya just like that idiot Carter did in Iran back in the 70s
Kerry in a snit saying this is no time to pull political punches.
Stand tall Romney, you got Lurch upset !
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????
Indeed.
“Kerry in a snit saying this is no time to pull political punches.”
Like Kerry held his during the Iraq war??
That way?
The msm are assured of hell as well as sparky.
LLS
You know that. I know that. Don’t ask me to pass up the fun of saying it. I’ll say it any damned time I want. Sparky.
In November 2012, their pledge and commitment is that nothing will stand in the path - nothing - of President Obama's re-election.
LLS
Look, Guys & Gals, I am so infuriated, I cannot post because because my cursing rants would be prohibited herein!!! I will state that, I now, will work ten times as hard as I have, to defeat and politically destroy POTUS Barack Hussein “Muslim Brotherhood Lackey” Obama his wife and the entire “traitor” Democrat Party!!!
I hate to say this about a USA POTUS, but....Obama is one them (The Killers), he is not one of us. Never was and never will be!!! I only hope and pray that fellow Americans and all Freepers do everything they can to work day and night to defeat this anti-American, Obama, and his entire disgusting ilk of America haters.
We have been purposely attacked on 9/11/2012 in a carefully planned assault by Muslim terrorists on our own USA soil, once again. Obama is to blame. Why??? Our killed innocent Ambassdor & staff was set up for murder by Obama’s, Libyan, Muslim Brothers!!! That Arab Spring that Obama hailed so loudly has now borne the fruit of Obama’s inner desires, the destruction of these United States of America. Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, do let let up for one second, rip Obama apart for the turncoat, traitor he really is!!!
And......screw the Obamabot media!!!
Pricks and sluts. Pricks and sluts. Move along, there’s no journalism here.
>> What makes you think I didn’t?
My bad; I know you’re thorough.
Did you also tell them to perform a physically impossible act with themselves, a la Clint Eastwood vs “the chair”? :-)
I completely misunderstood you. Sorry.
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