PRESIDENT OBAMA: Secretary Clinton has done an extraordinary job. But she works for me. I’m the president. And I’m always responsible. And that’s why nobody is more interested in finding out exactly what happened than I did (sic).
The day after the attack, Governor, I stood in the Rose Garden, and I told the American people and the world that we are going to find out exactly what happened, that this was an act of terror. And I also said that we’re going to hunt down those who committed this crime. And then a few days later, I was there greeting the caskets coming into Andrews Air Force Base and grieving with the families.
And the suggestion that anybody in my team, whether the secretary of state, our U.N. ambassador, anybody on my team would play politics or mislead when we’ve lost four of our own, Governor, is offensive. That’s not what we do. That’s not what I do as president. That’s not what I do as commander in chief.
No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation, alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for. Today we mourn four more Americans who represent the very best of the United States of America. We will not waver in our commitment to see that justice is done for this terrible act. And make no mistake, justice will be done.Complete video and transcript of the Rose Garden speech.
Yes, "offensive", Governor Romney. Your comments were offensive. You persisted in your claim that Obama did not call the attack on the diplomatic compound an act of terror on the morning after the tragedy, despite the video. You persisted despite the fact that Ambassador Chris Stevens' father, Jan Stevens, requested that his son's death not be politicized.
Republicans and even certain of the MSM are spinning the exchange as a victory for Romney because on the morning after the attack, President Obama did not say "attack on our diplomatic post" and "act of terror" in proper sequence in his speech in the Rose Garden.
It's all word games, which don't mean anything except to people (like one woman who asked the candidates a question last night) who are still, beyond all sense and reason, "undecided voters."
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the division in the country between Dem and Rep is so nearly even, at least among people who actually bother to vote, that this election like the last will come down to those bubbleheads who just don't see the big picture. Sad.
Russ, of course, but the word games sometimes win or lose elections. Remember the Swiftboating of John Kerry, who actually served in Vietnam, as opposed to Bush who did not even serve all his time in the Air National Guard.
DeleteYes, the election will be quite close, and the country will still be divided once the voting is done, but I hope the country is divided under Obama.
Just seen a snatch of the debate on the evening news. Good to see Obama getting back some form, but how smarmy and slimy is Romney? Every time I see him appear on the screen I think he's about to announce 'Crazy Bargain Half-Price Week' at a carpet warehouse. He's no statesman, he's a salesman.
ReplyDeleteI remember a newspaper headline over here during the height of the so-called 'brain-drain' in the 1970's. "Would the last person to leave the country please turn out the lights". I've a feeling that it may be applicable over there too if America doesn't wake up to Romney pretty damn soon.
Romney is no more than a flim-flam man. I hope the people of the country wake up soon.
DeleteI'm still seething ... the totally disrespectful tone ... if the roles had been reversed and a challenger had spoken to an Rmoney sitting president the way that man spoke to PRESIDENT Obama, the people at Fox would have burst major veins howling about it ... Rmoney and his friends are running for dictator in chief, not president of an American democracy (yeah me, managed to write that without swearing).
ReplyDeleteRomney treated the president like one of "the help". Many words come to mind to describe Mittens, but I won't type them.
Delete"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant."
ReplyDeleteMartin Luther King
Amen, Elizabeth. Obama acted the gentleman, even as he stood firm and called out the untruths. I can't say the same for Romney.
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