When Press-titutes Attack - Mitt Romney Gets Hit Unfairly On Embassy Assaults

Last night, Governor Romney released a statement on the violation of our embassy in Egypt:

“America will not tolerate attacks against our citizens and against our embassies. We will defend also our constitutional rights of speech and assembly and religion. We have confidence in our cause in America. We respect our Constitution. We stand for the principles our Constitution protects. We encourage other nations to understand and respect the principles of our Constitution because we recognize that these principles are the ultimate source of freedom for individuals around the world.

“I also believe the Administration was wrong to stand by a statement sympathizing with those who had breached our embassy in Egypt instead of condemning their actions. It's never too early for the United States Government to condemn attacks on Americans, and to defend our values. The White House distanced itself last night from the statement, saying it wasn't ‘cleared by Washington.’ That reflects the mixed signals they’re sending to the world.

The attacks in Libya and Egypt underscore that the world remains a dangerous place and that American leadership is still sorely needed. In the face of this violence, America cannot shrink from the responsibility to lead. American leadership is necessary to ensure that events in the region don’t spin out of control. We cannot hesitate to use our influence in the region to support those who share our values and our interests. Over the last several years, we have stood witness to an Arab Spring that presents an opportunity for a more peaceful and prosperous region, but also poses the potential for peril, if the forces of extremism and violence are allowed to control the course of events.

“We must strive to ensure that the Arab Spring does not become an Arab Winter.”

Again, keep in mind that the Governor was only reacting to the events in Egypt, as the assault and murder of our diplomats in Libya was not news yet.

There are only two things wrong with this statement.

First, I was disappointed to see Governor Romney refer to the Arab Spring as 'an opportunity for a more peaceful and prosperous region'. Even a casual observer ought to realize by now that it's anything but.

And second, Governor Romney, in my opinion, failed to clarify this point adequately:

“I also believe the Administration was wrong to stand by a statement sympathizing with those who had breached our embassy in Egypt instead of condemning their actions. It's never too early for the United States Government to condemn attacks on Americans, and to defend our values. The White House distanced itself last night from the statement, saying it wasn't ‘cleared by Washington.’ That reflects the mixed signals they’re sending to the world."

The Administration did distance itself from the groveling apology the embassy personnel issued in Egypt. But it took nine hours, an dthe Administr4artiononly did it in rsponse to th eoutrage of the American people. What Governor Romney failed to do was to remind the American people of the whole policy of appeasement of Islam that made the tripe that came out of the Egyptian embassy a perfect product of that policy - the fawning speech in Cairo, the empowerment of the Muslim Brotherhood, the numerous apologies for America's supposed sins around the world,the 'daylight' the president has sought to create with Israel, the failure to act decisively on Iran...the list is substantial.

Other than that, Governor Romney's statement was not only entirely correct but sorely needed.

Based on the press reaction, you would think Mitt Romney had come out publicly against motherhood and the Flag.

The Governor gave a press conference this morning, and the hostile tone of the assembled reporters compared to the normal softballs they give President Obama needs to be heard to be believed.Almost all of them were attacks on the timing of his statement last night, to the point that he had to repeat several times that it addressed the events in Egypt only, not today's news from Libya:



An open mic even caught some of these jackals colluding in advance to coordinate their questions so that 'no matter who he calls on' the attack point they wanted would be aired.

Yes, these people think of themselves as journalists rather than simply Barack Obama's volunteer campaign staffers.

Here's a transcript of Governor Romney's statement this morning:

Good morning. Americans woke up this morning with -- with tragic news and felt heavy hearts as they considered that individuals who have served in our diplomatic corps were brutally murdered across the world.

This attack on American individuals and embassies is outrageous, it’s disgusting, it -- it breaks the hearts of all of us who think of these people who have served during their lives the cause of freedom and justice and honor.

We -- we mourn their loss and join together in prayer that the spirit of the Almighty might comfort the families of those who have been so brutally slain.

Four diplomats lost their life, including the U.S. ambassador, J. Christopher Stevens, in the attack on our embassy at Benghazi, Libya. And of course with these words I extend my condolences to the grieving loved ones who have left behind, as a result of these who have lost their lives in the service of our nation.

And I know that the people across America are grateful for their service. And we mourn their sacrifice.

America will not tolerate attacks against our citizens and against our embassies. We’ll defend also our constitutional rights of speech and assembly and religion.

We have confidence in our cause in America. We respect our Constitution. We stand for the principles our Constitution protects. We encourage other nations to understand and respect the principles of our Constitution, because we recognize that these principles are the ultimate source of freedom for individuals around the world.

I also believe the administration was wrong to stand by a statement sympathizing with those who had breached our embassy in Egypt, instead of condemning their actions. It’s never too early for the United States government to condemn attacks on Americans and to defend our values.

The White House distanced itself last night from the statement, saying it wasn’t cleared by Washington. That reflects the mixed signals they’re sending to the world.

The attacks in Libya and Egypt underscore that the world remains a dangerous place and that American leadership is still sorely needed. In the face of this violence, American cannot shrink from the responsibility to lead. American leadership is necessary to ensure that events in the region don’t spin out of control. We cannot hesitate to use our influence in the region to support those who share our values and our interests.

Over the last several years, we’ve stood witness to an Arab spring that presents an opportunity for a more peaceful and prosperous, but also poses the potential for peril if the forces of extremism and violence are allowed to control the course of events. We must strive to ensure that the Arab spring does not become an Arab winter. With that, I’m happy to take any questions you may have.

Although I note that some members of what has been termed the Republican Establishment chose to pile on Governor Romney and essentially aid President Obama's re-election efforts, I find nothing wrong at all with the above statement.

Far from showing someone without a grasp of foreign policy, it shows a man who has thought deeply about these issues and is ready to lead.

We could use some of that in the White House for a change.