As tensions in the Middle East escalate, I stand behind President Obama in the long American tradition that political leaders, and citizens of all parties unite and support our President at times of international political crisis, especially when it involves violence and bloodshed. International leaders, allies, enemies, and others who seek to harm our nation need to know that when it comes to defending our national security and global security we act as one in a crisis, and the President of the United States is the Commander in Chief of all Americans.
This is an evolving crisis. Mitt Romney's and Reince Preibus' premature attempts to exploit this crisis for political purposes should wait until this episode is over. I join Senator John Kerry, Chairmen of the Foreign Relations Committee in his call for Mitt Romney to apologize and declare that he also stands behind our President as he leads our Nation through this complicated and dangerous situation. Senator Kerry said that for Romney to make these statement before he know the facts is irresponsible, and shows his lack of foreign policy competence. On the camera we could see how disgusted he was.
I am transcribing President Obama latest statement to the best of my ability he says "we will not waiver in our efforts to bring justice to the perpetrators, and make no mistake about it, justice will be done."
CNN announced that evidence has emerged that the heavily armed attacks on the embassy in Benghazi, leading to the deaths of our Ambassador, and three others, were planned. A contingent US Marines are rushing to Benghazi, and the US is sending reconassence drones to Libya, and hopes to coordinate any retaliatory response and attempts to bring the perpetrators to justice, in coordination with the Libyan government and tribal leader where they are thought to be based. Our goal seems to be to provide information to the Libyan government and tribal leaders and let them lead and carry out the response.
Hamad Karzai has warned that further American, and other lives could be lost as more of the worlds 1.4 billion Muslims see the offensive video that provokes this violence. Abbas Barzegar, a professor of Islamic studies, suggests, on CNN, that this inflammatory film appears to be done with the deliberate attempt to mock Mohammed, and provoke those of the Muslim faith, since it was dubbed into Arabic. The Muslim Brotherhood has called for a protest march on Friday.
International crisis of this sort are so complicated we can not afford to let short-sighted political opportunism during elections, further complicated an already dangerous situation. Showing division in America resolve could be like pouring gasoline on a fire, which is just one reason for this long standing tradition of standing behind our President in times of global crisis.
The public will need time to sort out the who, what, when, where, and whys, and exact timelines of the inflammatory video, the protests, the original statement of caution and religions tolerance by the State Department in Cairo, the eruption of violence, and inflammatory and would appear now, to be distorted, and opportunistic comments by Mitt Romney and Reince Preibus that appear to be like pouring gasoline on a fire.
This is the official end of this post. Because so much of my remarks depend on statements I've seen on CNN, I wanted to provide written documentation for as much of the information contained, which I have done below the squiggle. But, it is so lengthy, I hope it does not distract from the main point that all Americans, and others who support our national security interest, and the global peace and the security interest of the whole world should rally behind our President. Please let me apologize in advance if any details are in error, or more importantly if I have inappropriately mixed political and patriotic themes. I'm am just a citizen blogger trying to add timely, fact based perspective in this tragic ongoing event.
If you already agree with the main point above, you can skip the supporting details below.
Several late breaking stories provide documentation of political reaction, that I have not had time yet to organize into more concise descriptions, as I only just got up, after staying up very late night writing the posts about this that were the rec board this morning. Thanks to the many here who contributed links, opinion, advice, an reactions when the story of Mitt's Romney's disgraceful opportunism broke.
Jim Wilson, of the New York Times, summarizes the more sober reactions of many other Republicans who, thankfully do not appear to be falling in line behind Mitt Romney. Embassy Attacks Fuel Escalation in U.S. Presidential Race
Jim Wilson notes that this crisis, and the deaths of ambassador, J. Christopher Stevens, has also "rapidly emerged as a test of Mr. Romney’s handling of a fast-breaking international situation." A test most seem to think he has failed, and needs to apologize for.
“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,” Ben LaBolt, a spokesman for the Obama campaign, said in an e-mail statement.
And, Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, makes it clear this episode is no where near over, “Make no mistake, we will work with the Libyan government to bring to justice the killers who attacked our people."
But Mr. Obama implicitly rebutted the notion that his administration had apologized for American values. ... “We reject all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others,” he said. “But there is absolutely no justification to this kind of senseless violence. None. The world must stand together to unequivocally reject these brutal attacks.”
Joe Biden said that “Americans must be steadfast, resolved and committed” in response to the violence. “We will not be run off, period,” he said. “That’s not who we are.”
In stark contrast to Mr. Romney, several Republican leaders did not join the criticism of the Obama administration.
Mitch McConnel says “today we are reminded that brave Americans serve us every day at the risk of their own lives. We honor the Americans we lost in Libya, and we will stand united in our response.”
And, John Boehner ordered flags in the capital to be flown at half-mast.
Senator John Kerry said, “This is one of those moments when Americans must unite as Americans,” he said. “It is exactly the wrong time to throw political punches.”
Even, conservative commentator, Peggy Noonan, said "Mr. Romney might have done better to pull his punches."
“In times of great drama and heightened crisis and in times when something violent has happened to your people, I always think that discretion is the better way to go,” she said on Fox News. “When you step forward in the midst of a political environment and start giving statements on something dramatic and violent that has happened, you’re always leaving yourself open to accusations that you’re trying to exploit things politically.”
And, Teresa Welsh, of The U.S. News asks,
Did Mitt Romney Botch His Response to the Diplomatic Murders in Libya?
In saying that the administration sympathizes with the attackers rather than condemning them, Romney is referencing a statement put out by the U.S. embassy in Cairo, Egypt, which was also attacked by protestors angered by the same video. The statement, saying that the embassy condemns "the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims—as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions," was not approved by anyone in Washington before its release, which happened hours before the attacks in Libya.
Romney Wednesday held a press conference where he stood by his original comments, saying that although the statement from the embassy in Cairo that "sympathized" with the attackers didn't come directly from Obama, he is still responsible for it. He also said, "The first response from the U.S. must be outrage."
Foreign policy, a topic largely absent from the presidential election amidst a slow economic recovery, has recently come to the forefront of the campaign. Romney was criticized for failing to mention the war in Afghanistan and the troops in his convention speech, and does not have any practical foreign policy experience. Poll show voters trust Obama, who authorized the mission which killed Osama bin Laden, more on foreign policy than they do Romney.
US News has a poll asking "What do you think? Did Mitt Romney botch his response to the diplomatic murders in Libya? Click here to take the poll and comment below."
It has taken me several hours to research and write this, but when I did the first research their poll had just started and stood at 6 to 2 agreeing that Romney botched his response. You will need to set up a quick account at US News if you wish to take this poll. I'll post results in an update once I finish this article. (I'd check now, but I had doing this much work on a post to find someone else has already covered it, so please forgive me for plunging forward.)
The New York Times reports Afghan Leader Condemns Anti-Islam Film
KABUL, Afghanistan — President Hamid Karzai condemned an American-made anti-Islam film that has been backed by the American pastor Terry Jones, issuing a statement on Wednesday that said his office “strongly and resolutely denounces this desecrating act and declares its serious abhorrence in the face of such an insult.” ...
“This heinous act has created outrage and anxiety for all peace-loving humans who support the idea of peaceful coexistence,” Mr. Karzai’s statement said. “Desecration is not part of freedom of expression but a criminal act that has now greatly hurt the righteous sentiments of 1.5 billion Muslims all over the globe.”
And, as we might expect the Taliban is trying to exploit Islamic anger for political purposes, in much the same manner that Mitt Romney and Reince Preibus have.
A spokesman for the Taliban, Zabiullah Mujahid, e-mailed a statement blaming the American government for the film, claiming it was shown in a cinema “with the permission of the United States government.”
“This disgusting act is not the act of one person, indeed this heinous act has been done with the consent, even direct support, of the government,” the Taliban statement said. The statement called on religious mullahs to publicly denounce the movie; such condemnations in the past have led to violent riots, particularly after Friday Prayer.
“Mujahedeen must take revenge here in the battleground in Afghanistan,” Mr. Mujahid said in the statement.
In a time of crisis like this it becomes vividly clear which leaders act from reason, principles, character, knowledge, diplomacy, resolve, intelligence, and a calm and steady focus on our national security interests, and with a primary goal of global stability and peace, and which leaders, like the Taliban, who seek to exploit a crisis for their own advantage without regard to the loss of lives and violence that might ensue.
I stand solidly behind President Obama in this matter, and his proven skills and commitment to keeping America, Americans, and all people around the world safe from terrorists attacks. Let's hope all American, and other political leaders join him in standing up to protect our country and the world.
1:18 PM PT: At 4;15 EST, CNN has just provided more information about the Fast Reaction Force on their way to Benghazi, Libya. It consists of 50 Marines who will provide additional security to investigators in the embassy compound.
US Drones are now flying over Libya to obtain surveillance to provide information that will be provided to the Libyan government, and tribal leaders who would carry out any retaliatory attacks.
The best information we have indicates these are not armed predators drones intended to launch counter-attacks at this time.
However, CNN does say security at all foreign US embassies, and bases has been increased, and some analysts believe there may be some attempt by opposition forces to take down the Libyan forces. Other US military naval assets are being deployed to the region.
1:39 PM PT: CNN just ran a video of President Obama saying that Mitt Romney has a tendency to "shot first, and then aim later!"
Holy cow folks this is big time stuff. Mitt Romney may have committed political suicide with his stupid remarks.
1:52 PM PT: Let me reiterate my sympathies to the families and loved one of the four who died in the embassy fire in Benghazi. I believe so far we only know the name of Christopher Stevens.
Brian Montopoli reports an additional reaction from President Obama Obama: Romney shoots first, aims later
(CBS News) In response to Mitt Romney's criticism of the Obama administration for its handling of recent violence in Egypt and Libya, President Obama told CBS News on Wednesday that Romney "seems to have a tendency to shoot first and aim later."
"There's a broader lesson to be learned here," Mr. Obama told "60 Minutes" correspondent Steve Kroft. "And I think -- 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."