The Rose Garden and White House happenings: Listening to voters’ concerns

A lot of confusion over the comments by President Obama at the Rose Garden press conference just after the Benghazi murders was raised at last night's debate. If what was said regarding "acts of terror" could have also referred to the Benghazi incident. -- quite a stretch in my view -- why in the world did the president and his team persist in repeating over and over that it was the video which triggered it?

The video story was discredited hours after the killings and subsequently by those investigating it in DC.

Thinking about it today, I have come to the conclusion that it must have been a very misguided attempt by the Obama campaign to downplay the event so close to Election Day.

Or, why did the president not point to his Rose Garden remarks weeks ago?

mtierney said:


Or, why did the president not point to his Rose Garden remarks weeks ago?


What happened two weeks ago?

Well then I will avoid hackery by not posting what I believe is becoming apparent.

Jackie_Treehorn2 said:

it's revisionist history, a/k/a a blatant lie. Everyone with a brain knows they touted this phony you tube video, which may gullible saps ran with, trotted out multiple surrogates on multiple shows, and even Obama himself referenced it still again when speaking to the U.N.

Everyone smirking today will be drowning their sorrows on Election night.


So all of the protests across the Arab world around that time were coordinate but unrelated to the video?

Actually, in another thread, I'd be curious about your analysis.

There's a transcript, so anyone who wants to criticize should start with the actual words, instead of all of this paraphrasing nonsense.

Otherwise, it's just more right-wing politicizing of the deaths of four Americans in Libya.

Debate statement:

"The day after the [Libya] 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,"

Rose Garden Speech:

Remarks by the President on the Deaths of U.S. Embassy Staff in Libya

Rose Garden

10:43 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Every day, all across the world, American diplomats and civilians work tirelessly to advance the interests and values of our nation. Often, they are away from their families. Sometimes, they brave great danger.

Yesterday, four of these extraordinary Americans were killed in an attack on our diplomatic post in Benghazi. Among those killed was our Ambassador, Chris Stevens, as well as Foreign Service Officer Sean Smith. We are still notifying the families of the others who were killed. And today, the American people stand united in holding the families of the four Americans in our thoughts and in our prayers.

The United States condemns in the strongest terms this outrageous and shocking attack. We're working with the government of Libya to secure our diplomats. I've also directed my administration to increase our security at diplomatic posts around the world. And make no mistake, we will work with the Libyan government to bring to justice the killers who attacked our people.

Since our founding, the United States has been a nation that respects all faiths. We reject all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. But there is absolutely no justification to this type of senseless violence. None. The world must stand together to unequivocally reject these brutal acts.

Already, many Libyans have joined us in doing so, and this attack will not break the bonds between the United States and Libya. Libyan security personnel fought back against the attackers alongside Americans. Libyans helped some of our diplomats find safety, and they carried Ambassador Stevens’s body to the hospital, where we tragically learned that he had died.

It's especially tragic that Chris Stevens died in Benghazi because it is a city that he helped to save. At the height of the Libyan revolution, Chris led our diplomatic post in Benghazi. With characteristic skill, courage, and resolve, he built partnerships with Libyan revolutionaries, and helped them as they planned to build a new Libya. When the Qaddafi regime came to an end, Chris was there to serve as our ambassador to the new Libya, and he worked tirelessly to support this young democracy, and I think both Secretary Clinton and I relied deeply on his knowledge of the situation on the ground there. He was a role model to all who worked with him and to the young diplomats who aspire to walk in his footsteps.

Along with his colleagues, Chris died in a country that is still striving to emerge from the recent experience of war. Today, the loss of these four Americans is fresh, but our memories of them linger on. I have no doubt that their legacy will live on through the work that they did far from our shores and in the hearts of those who love them back home.

Of course, yesterday was already a painful day for our nation as we marked the solemn memory of the 9/11 attacks. We mourned with the families who were lost on that day. I visited the graves of troops who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan at the hallowed grounds of Arlington Cemetery, and had the opportunity to say thank you and visit some of our wounded warriors at Walter Reed. And then last night, we learned the news of this attack in Benghazi.

As Americans, let us never, ever forget that our freedom is only sustained because there are people who are willing to fight for it, to stand up for it, and in some cases, lay down their lives for it. Our country is only as strong as the character of our people and the service of those both civilian and military who represent us around the globe.

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.

But we also know that the lives these Americans led stand in stark contrast to those of their attackers. These four Americans stood up for freedom and human dignity. They should give every American great pride in the country that they served, and the hope that our flag represents to people around the globe who also yearn to live in freedom and with dignity.

We grieve with their families, but let us carry on their memory, and let us continue their work of seeking a stronger America and a better world for all of our children.

Thank you. May God bless the memory of those we lost and may God bless the United States of America.

END


Treehorn, they won't take away what Obama said vs what they hoped/wished/spin what he said.


This is an interesting read:

Clearing the Record About Benghazi
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/18/us/politics/questions-and-answers-on-the-benghazi-attack.html


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.

The day after Benghazi, the words "acts of terror" most likely referred to the numerous outbreaks in several countries over the video.

The president, Joe Carney, et al, talked about the video for two weeks from talk show venues to the United Nations! The president had ample opportunities to clarify the mounting criticisms being made in the media. Even after investigations were under way in Washington which said Benghazi was the work of well armed, coordinated terrorists who planned it around the anniversary of 9/11, Obama still talked about the video!

It appears that the Obama campaign team has a lot of spinning to do.

Now we have a failed terror plot in NYC today!

mtierney said:


The day after Benghazi, the words "acts of terror" most likely referred to the numerous outbreaks in several countries over the video.


Do you realize how little sense this makes?

And my guess is that the sane part of America views the foiling of a terror plot a plus, not a negative.


mtierney said:



The day after Benghazi, the words "acts of terror" most likely referred to the numerous outbreaks in several countries over the video.



What outbreaks? The protests? Protests are now terrorist acts?

Oh get over it. You righties are twisting the truth into a pretzel. Obama made an eloquent statement about terrorism. He called a spade a spade. Cope with it.

Obama made a strong statement that any intelligent and patriotic American could support. The lack of these in the Republican party is a serious nuisance.

This post sucks... what's the matter with you righties? The talking point memo sent out today is to focus on Candy, not the use of the word terror.

jerseyjack said:

This post sucks... what's the matter with you righties? The talking point memo sent out today is to focus on Candy, not the use of the word terror.


I think this idiotic thread needs this…

mtierney said:



Now we have a failed terror plot in NYC today!


I thought this was an FBI set-up. Besides, wouldn't a failed attempt be a good thing?



It was an FBI sting. Some people only read headlines.

mtierney said:

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.

The day after Benghazi, the words "acts of terror" most likely referred to the numerous outbreaks in several countries over the video.

When you're done standing on your head, maybe you can explain this. You seem to be saying that Obama incorrectly referred to the video-related demonstrations in Cairo etc. as terrorist attacks; and also incorrectly referred to the terrorist attack in Libya as video-related.

That's quite a spin to put on the actual words of the text.


mtierney said:

Now we have a failed terror plot in NYC today!


Yeah, and?

Tom_Reingold said:

mtierney said:

Now we have a failed terror plot in NYC today!


Yeah, and?


I guess the implication is that it is Obama's fault.

I'm unable to connect the dots, but in mtierny's head, I'm sure it makes perfect sense.

Face it, he spoke about terror attacks in the Rose Garden speech in general terms, not about Benghazi. And sending out Rice days later on 5 or 6 tv shows to continue the farce about the video proves this.

The question is, why?

We should know Monday in the foreign affairs debate-if Obama will answer the question honestly, and the moderator doesn't pander to him like Candy Crowley.

Why do you think did he held that press conference?

dave said:

Why do you think did he held that press conference?


Because of an attack on our underprotected consulate, the place where our Ambassador had requested more security and where he feared for his safety. The one that didn't have a riot outside protesting a Youtube video. The one the State Department had real time intel saying it was being attacked by rpg's and mortars. The consulate that was quiet as a church mouse before the terrorist attack.

That's why.

I sincerely hope Willard continues to make this point a major part of his campaign. A race which is now close will become a text
book lesson in how not to run a campaign. In what comic book store did he find his advisers?

johnlockedema said:

Face it, he spoke about terror attacks in the Rose Garden speech in general terms, not about Benghazi.


And in the post-game interview the other night, Jim Leyland was just talking about pitching performances in general and it had nothing to do with the game that night.

ProgressivePatriot said:

johnlockedema said:

Face it, he spoke about terror attacks in the Rose Garden speech in general terms, not about Benghazi.


And in the post-game interview the other night, Jim Leyland was just talking about pitching performances in general and it had nothing to do with the game that night.


Jim Leyland has been a terrific manager. Big difference!

author said:

I sincerely hope Willard continues to make this point a major part of his campaign. A race which is now close will become a text
book lesson in how not to run a campaign. In what comic book store did he find his advisers?


Right. A bigger issue for Barack Hussein Obama is Big Bird and binders than the security of our State Department employees.

johnlockedema said:

author said:

I sincerely hope Willard continues to make this point a major part of his campaign. A race which is now close will become a text
book lesson in how not to run a campaign. In what comic book store did he find his advisers?


Right. A bigger issue for Barack Hussein Obama is Big Bird and binders than the security of our State Department employees.


I did enjoy Romney setting himself for embarrassment on national tv though. Loved when Obama told Romney, "proceed Governor" knowing good and well Romney was wrong in his statement and watch attentively as Mittens put his foot in his mouth. Wrong again with his facts.

I agree with author, who are his comic book advisers? SNL will have a good laugh with this one and the "binders of women."


johnlockedema said:


Right. A bigger issue for Barack Hussein Obama is Big Bird and binders than the security of our State Department employees.


It's statements like this that put you in slime territory and make 90% of your readers think you're an ass.

In case you were wondering.


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