Obama yet to confirm ‘terrorist’ act in Libya
Despite numerous public events including a speech at the United Nations and two presidential debates, President Obama still hasn’t publicly and plainly acknowledged to Americans that terrorists killed Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans in Libya on Sept. 11.
Others in his administration have said it, belatedly. But in the five weeks since the attack, Mr. Obama has skirted the issue, seemingly determined to avoid talking publicly about the nature of the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.
Others in his administration have said it, belatedly. But in the five weeks since the attack, Mr. Obama has skirted the issue, seemingly determined to avoid talking publicly about the nature of the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.
When Republican nominee Mitt Romney tried to pin down Mr. Obama in their second debate Tuesday on whether he publicly acknowledged the terrorism, the president said he had and told Mr. Romney to “get the transcript,” a reference to his comments on Sept. 12 at the White House about the attack. Moderator Candy Crowley of CNN intervened on the president’s behalf and declared that Mr. Obama had indeed called the attack “an act of terror” on Sept. 12.
But Ms. Crowley’s fact-checking was tilted toward the president. What he actually said on Sept. 12 was: “No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation” — a generic declaration, rather than a specific explanation for what happened in Benghazi.
He also said at the time that the U.S. would “reject all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others,” a reference to the Internet anti-Islam video that the administration was blaming at the time for Arab protests against America, including the violence in Libya.
“By just saying ‘go to the transcript,’ the president could leave the impression that he has been consistent in addressing the attack on Benghazi all along,” said James Carafano, director of foreign policy studies at the conservative Heritage Foundation.
He also said at the time that the U.S. would “reject all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others,” a reference to the Internet anti-Islam video that the administration was blaming at the time for Arab protests against America, including the violence in Libya.
“By just saying ‘go to the transcript,’ the president could leave the impression that he has been consistent in addressing the attack on Benghazi all along,” said James Carafano, director of foreign policy studies at the conservative Heritage Foundation.
“The responses from the administration have been mixed and muddled. The question is, is this because they can’t properly manage the flow of information, or are they just dodging and tacking to put the president in the best light for re-election? That is the core issue because it brings in question his credibility as commander in chief.”
The president now is pointing to his comments of Sept. 12 as proof that he and his administration didn’t mislead the public about the nature of the Libya attack.
White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters Wednesday that the president believed it was a terrorist attack even though, at the time, intelligence officials were telling him that the attack appeared to stem from protests of the video. He also said that whether it was a spontaneous protest or an organized attack, it should be considered a terrorist act when four Americans are killed.
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http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...edged-terrori/
The president now is pointing to his comments of Sept. 12 as proof that he and his administration didn’t mislead the public about the nature of the Libya attack.
White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters Wednesday that the president believed it was a terrorist attack even though, at the time, intelligence officials were telling him that the attack appeared to stem from protests of the video. He also said that whether it was a spontaneous protest or an organized attack, it should be considered a terrorist act when four Americans are killed.
Continued:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...edged-terrori/
