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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRomney Camp Triples Down On Libya Lying -- Talking Points Issued To Republican Leaders and Minions
Posted by CNN Political Reporter Peter Hamby: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/12/romney-camp-tries-to-manage-fallout-from-libya-response/comment-page-2/De Pere, Wisconsin (CNN) - Facing criticism for its aggressive and politically-charged response to Tuesday's violent attacks on the American embassies in Egypt and Libya, Mitt Romney's presidential campaign is quietly advising Republicans how to respond to questions about the campaign's handling of the episode.
In talking points currently being pushed to Republican leaders and top surrogates, the Romney campaign recommends attacking President's Obama "foreign policy of weakness" and dismissing questions about how the campaign responded to the crisis last night.
A sample response, as proposed by the Romney campaign officials in Boston:
"Did Governor Romney 'jump the gun' last night in releasing his statement?"
"No. It is never too soon to stand up for American values and interests."
article and full list of message points from the Romney campaign, provided to CNN by a GOP source: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/12/romney-camp-tries-to-manage-fallout-from-libya-response/comment-page-2/
mfcorey1
(11,001 posts)hifiguy
(33,688 posts)to the Bastille!
The dumb SOB has been brutally curb-stomped for this idiocy even by the likes of Schmuck Toad and he triples-down on it? When the punditocracy turns on you this completely and viciously you are well and truly screwn. Willard is politically dead, and all that's left is the funeral on Election Day.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)is deperate damage control.
He and his allies will try to give the impression that he's not a despicable bastard who is unfit for the Presidency.
Case in point: Bill Kristol who called out Mitt for not mentioning Afghanistan in his RNC speech just issued a vague statement trying to salvage Mitt's campaign.
The Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol said Wednesday Mitt Romney is handling the situation in Libya and Egypt in the right way, just less than eloquently. In an essay published on The Weekly Standard website, Kristol wrote that Romney's response was "So, so far, I believe, pretty much so good."
One can question the timing and tone of Mitt Romneys statement last night. One can note he wasn't as fluent and clear as he might have been at his press conference this morning. Still, the fact remains that the events of September 11, 2012, represent a big moment for the country. Romney is right to sense this, and to seize on this moment as an occasion to explain the difference between his foreign policy and President Obamas. Hes right to reject the counsel of the mainstream media, which is to keep quiet and give President Obama a pass.
Read the rest here.
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/bill-kristol-on-romneys-mid-east-response-so
That's an utterly ridiculous backhanded compliment that ignores that Mitt is being slammed by damn near everyone.
bigtree
(86,020 posts). . . .trying to blow past the lies and trumpet the virtues of Romney's opportunism. Stunning.
hifiguy
(33,688 posts)He's the genius who leaned on Grampy to pick Princess Dumbass.
He's never been right about anything in his life.
Supersedeas
(20,630 posts)The President had no more control over that statement, than Mittens would if he were in the position.
It is damage control based on a completely false assumption that there is real foreign policy position taken by the Administration.
Webster Green
(13,905 posts)Huh?
get the red out
(13,468 posts)And Romney foreign policy =
C_U_L8R
(45,040 posts)Where are your damn taxes Romney ???
pampango
(24,692 posts)Predictably, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney tried to make political hay of the tiny demonstrations in Cairo and Benghazi by Muslim militants. The Benghazi mob turned violent in clashes with police and the consulate ended up being burned and an embassy staffer is said to have been the US ambassador and three staffers were killed.
Romney seized on the frantic tweets of the Cairo embassy issued *before the attacks*, which condemned the sleazy Youtube videos by American Islamophobes that had provoked the ire of the crowds, as evidence that the Obama administration was siding with the attacking mobs. First of all, really? Romney is trying to get elected on the back of a dead US diplomat? Second of all, really? He thinks the State Department thought the attack on themselves was justified? Third of all, really? Romney is selective. When it comes to Christianity, Romney decries a war on religion. But apparently he thinks there *should* be a war on Islamic religion.
The victory in the Libyan elections of nationalist rather than fundamentalist forces, and the rise to power in Egypt of the relatively moderate Muslim Brotherhood has marginalized the militant strain of Muslim activism, known coloquially as jihadis because of their emphasis on vigilante violence. ... The vigilante fundamentalists typically reject elections and democracy, as inauthentic Western imports, and they are headline whores, plotting out attention-grabbing mob actions. These jihadis are tiny groups in Egypt and Libya, though sometimes well-armed and well-trained.
You could make an analogy to the Ku Klux Klan in the United States, which just has perhaps 5,000 active members. But people like Wade Michael Page, who had applied for Klan membership, can make a media splash by simply shooting down people at e.g. a Sikh Temple.
http://www.juancole.com/2012/09/romney-poses-as-militants-burn-benghazi-consulate-killing-one-demonstrate-in-cairo-over-islamophobic-film.html
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)elections and pushing Voter ID.
beac
(9,992 posts)Somebody does NOT like their candidate!
muriel_volestrangler
(101,414 posts)Hell, you can be a cynical SOB about foreign policy and know that there are times you don't make your whole statement "America, fuck yeah!". Romney appears to be channelling John Bolton - and he was unpopular with some parts of the Bush regime.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)frylock
(34,825 posts)rsweets
(307 posts)this was going to happen...
mgarr
(41 posts)I keep thinking about that 3:00am call at the White House.
I don't want it to be Mr. Romney who answers.
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)Initech
(100,149 posts)In a massive diplomatic crises you don't side with the instigators - even if he happens to be one of the biggest assholes in America. The more it piles on the more it looks like they're intentionally throwing this election.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)frylock
(34,825 posts)scoreboard.