The Day Romney Lost the Race...Again

TIMELINE OF A CRISIS

First of all, my heartfelt sympathies are offered to the families of Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Foreign Service Officer Sean Smith, two other as-yet unidentified American embassy officers, and ten Libyan security personnel who lost their lives in the attack by terrorists in Benghazi. The contributions of these fine men, and their ultimate sacrifice for duty and the cause they believe in, is to be unequivocably honored.

The following facts and information are offered to better understand the political response related to this tragedy.

Shortly prior to Noon EDT, 9/11/2012, more than 6 hours before the US Embassy compound perimeter was breached, the US Embassy in Cairo issued the following statement:

The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims -- as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others.

Around 6 PM EDT, 9/11/2012, the US Embassy in Cairo tweeted the following:

This morning's condemnation (issued before the protest began) still stands. As does our condemnation of the breach of the Embassy.

10:09 PM EDT, 9/11/2012, Romney issued the following statement which was released at 10:25 PM EDT:

I'm outraged by the attacks on American diplomatic missions in Libya and Egypt and by the death of an American consulate worker in Benghazi. 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.

10:10 PM EDT, 9/11/2012, an Obama administration official stated:

The statement by Embassy Cairo was not cleared by Washington and does not reflect the views of the United States government.

10:14 PM EDT, 9/11/2012, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued the following statement:

I condemn in the strongest terms the attack on our mission in Benghazi today. As we work to secure our personnel and facilities, we have confirmed that one of our State Department officers was killed. We are heartbroken by this terrible loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and those who have suffered in this attack. This evening, I called Libyan President Magariaf to coordinate additional support to protect Americans in Libya. President Magariaf expressed his condemnation and condolences and pledged his government's full cooperation. Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet. The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. Our commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation. But let me be clear: There is never any justification for violent acts of this kind. In light of the events of today, the United States government is working with partner countries around the world to protect our personnel, our missions, and American citizens worldwide.

12:01 AM EDT, 9/12/2012, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Preibus tweeted:

Obama sympathizes with attackers in Egypt. Sad and pathetic.

12:09 AM EDT, 9/12/2012, Obama campaign press secretary Ben LaBolt stated:

We are shocked that, at a time when the United States of America is confronting the tragic death of one of our diplomatic officers in Libya, Governor Romney would choose to launch a political attack.

6:06 AM EDT, 9/12/2012, The Associated Press reported:

Libyan officials say U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other embassy staffers were killed at the Benghazi (Libya) consulate, which was under attack by a mob with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.

10:20 AM EDT, 9/12/2012, Romney said, in part, the following at a televised press conference:

It's their administration (referring to the embassy in Cairo), their administration spoke. The president takes responsibility not just for the words that come from his mouth but also from the words of his ambassadors, from his administration, from his embassies, from his State Department. They clearly sent mixed messages to the world. The statement that came from the administration -- and the embassy is the administration -- the statement that came from the administration (referring to the original Cairo Embassy statement issued before the attacks occurred)was a statement which is akin to apology. And I think was a severe miscalculation.I think it’s a terrible course for America to stand in apology for our values.

At the press conference Romney was asked whether his criticism of the administration was "too soon." Romney responded:

I don't think that we ever hesitate when we see something which is a violation of our principles.

10:35 AM EDT, 9/12/2012, President Obama held a televised press conference during which:

He offered sympathy and praise for the slain foreign services officers, and did not refer to anything Romney, or anyone else, previously said on the issue.

6:07 PM EDT, 9/12/2012, during an interview at the White House with correspondent Steve Kroft of 60 Minutes, President Obama said:

There's a broader lesson to be learned here. And I -- you know, Governor Romney seems to have a tendency to shoot first and aim later. And as president, one of the things I've learned is you can't do that. That, you know, it's important for you to make sure that the statements that you make are backed up by the facts. And that you've thought through the ramifications before you make 'em.>

Asked if Romney's attacks were irresponsible, the president replied, "I'll let the American people judge that."



These are the facts...you may decide who reacted to these events in a Presidential manner.