There is A SIMPLE DEVESTATING ANSWER Obama should give to shut down Romney about Libya

[Armstead]

Sometimes the forest gets lost for the trees.

Romney and the GOP are trying to make political hay out of the tragedy in Libya...Why wasn't there more security? Why did the administration's stories change?....Blah, blah. Trying to whip up a witch hunt in truew GOP fashion.

And Obama and his surrogates are bobbing and weaving, trying to deflect this criticism. They're not looking good.

But there is ONE SIMPLE RESPONSE that Obama and his surrogates can whip out of they want to shut down the disgusting display by Romney and the GOP.

"Mr. Romney. That was a tragedy, but it happened because we have been successful in Libya."

Why did the attacks on the consulate happen? BECAUSE OBAMA led a global action that allowed the Libyan people to overthrow an evil and entrenched dictator --- WITHOUT getting American troops bogged down in a long war.

Compare that to the foreign policy and military failures of the GOP over the years.

(I realize that some on the left feel Obama may be too hawkish in general, but that's a discussion for another day.)

I would love to see Obama pull that one out of his pocket in the debate the second Romney tries to use that in the debates.

[Buddaman]

1. might mention this also

House Republicans cut the administration's request for embassy security funding by $128 million in fiscal 2011 and $331 million in fiscal 2012

[mnmoderatedem]

21. that's it right there

and republicans now want to have it both ways.

easy to call them out on their own hyprocisy. Easy win.

[lonestarnot]

25. That right there should do it.

[dipsydoodle]

2. because we have been successful in Libya ?

Yes - by using a hooky UN resolution the bi product of which is Russia and China ceasing to play ball on current and no doubt future similar events.

[randome]

16. It's better than before. We can't always get things perfect the first time.

The 'Arab Spring' is, in general terms, a good thing, I'd say. By not over-reacting or trying co-opt it, I think Obama is playing it well.

[greytdemocrat]

3. That is a "Simple" answer all right.

An answer that gives the election to Rmoney.

[Armstead]

5. Please explain

I realize that opinions on the left vary regarding foreign policy...Those are always fodder for discussion

However, in general political terms, tell me what has been a failure that could give the election to Romney?

[sweetapogee]

18. for starters

from the OP "And Obama and his surrogates are bobbing and weaving, trying to deflect this criticism."

All you need to know is right there in the OP.

[Armstead]

30. From the OP Poster -- What the hell are you talking about?

[sweetapogee]

35. personally

I'm not saying anything. The OP, that would be you, states that the administration is, and I quote "bobbing and weaving". And you further state that "it doesn't look good". Those are your words, not mine.

[Armstead]

37. Well,it's a weak response when a stronger one is available

That's my only point...Agree or disagree, I don't care....But there are no hidden agendas there.

[sweetapogee]

39. I don't care either my friend

but you are the one stating in a public forum that the administration is ducking for cover on this. Your words, not mine.

Not to be mean but I don't care what you think either, I'm only responding to what you wrote, which has me scratching my head BTW.

[reformist2]

4. I think Obama should just say Libya is an extremely dangerous, chaotic place right now.

It just makes sense that we can't stop every bad thing from happening to all our people stationed in dangerous places all over the world. People instinctively know this.

[Armstead]

6. That's true.....But inm political terms the answer should compare what is now to before

[bigbrother05]

7. It's a tragedy, but 4 US lives to liberate Libya, how many in Iraq and Afghanistan?

Know it's a cold calculation, but the RW likes to express their tough minded resolution unless they can make a partisan point.

They cut $300M from the State budget and then complain about concrete results. Did they think the money only went for embassy parties and fancy table ware?

[Justice]

19. that is tragic but true. American Deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are every bit as tragic as these

4 deaths. The overriding mission (peace, democracy) is deemed more important than the individual casualties. None of these people died in vain. We ask could we have done better in Iraq and in Afghanistan and in Libya to avoid deaths, reduce casualties - yes, but the mission is democracy.

Romney, don't devalue the deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan by focusing at nauseum and with a singular obsessed focus on these 4 deaths in Libya - particularly when you (Romney) don't really care about those 4 deaths or the 4 men - you care only about what those 4 deaths might get you - the presidency (if you think about Romney's statements in the 47% video).

[Proud Liberal Dem]

8. Here's something even simpler:

"Cuts have consequences"



If Republicans want to sit around and play the blame game on this, they need to at least assume partial responsibility for their cuts to the security budget (which is slightly ironic given how they're freaking out over the sequestration cuts). Of course, we know just how difficult it is for them to accept any kind of personal responsibility for anything.

[Armstead]

9. That's absolutely true too....But my thought was a broader more direct one to the specific situation

You make an important point that I also hope Obama hammers home.

But we need to respond to the GOP's simplistic charges with simple answers.

At the moment we're unfortunately dealing with gut-level stuff.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

11. Right

I do think that the basic argument that "stuff happens" (more artfully worded) is a pretty reasonable/understandable argument for most people. It's a chaotic part of the world right now- though not through any fault of President Obama's- and Libya, in particular, just got rid of a dictator, so things are equally treacherous out there right now. Perhaps Republicans will reconsider their cuts to security in places like Libya. I'm still not entirely clear how or why Republicans are making this into some kind of scandal (well, I know the "why" but I'm confused about what it is about this that the average person on the street needs to be upset/concerned about in regards to this). It was a tragedy, it is being investigated, and the Administration will take action when appropriate, so..........what's the "scandal" here (or, like with Fast & Furious, is there even one to speak of?)

[Armstead]

14. The GOP has only one motivation -- unpatriotic opportunism

It is absolutely disgusting, but they simply see an opportunity to use their old "Democrats are weak on defense" sales pitch, and are using this tragedy for their own purposes.

Even Booosh got a pass for a long time after 9-11 from criticism because the Democrat had the decency to support national unity in a crisis.

But the contemporary GOP are just like sharks -- circling around and eating anything in their path, no matter the consequences.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

20. Pretty much the only answer I can fathom

and says everything anybody needs to know about how the two parties operate.

[ecstatic]

24. I REALLY like that response nt

[Rosa Luxemburg]

10. Obama needs to remind voters about all the US consulate attacks under Bush

not much fuss about the US diplomate killed in Pakistan under Bush huh?


June 14, 2002, U.S. consulate in Karachi, Pakistan
Suicide bomber kills 12 and injures 51.
February 20, 2003, international diplomatic compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Truck bomb kills 17.

February 28, 2003, U.S. consulate in Karachi, Pakistan
Gunmen on motorcycles killed two consulate guards.

July 30, 2004, U.S. embassy in Taskkent, Uzbekistan
Suicide bomber kills two.

December 6, 2004, U.S. consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Militants stormed and occupied perimeter wall. Five killed, 10 wounded.

March 2, 2006, U.S. consulate in Karachi, Pakistan
Suicide car bomber killed four, including a U.S. diplomate directly targeted by the assailants.

September 12, 2006, U.S. embassy in Damascus, Syria
Gunmen attacked embassy with grenades, automatic weapons, and a car bomb (though second truck bomb failed to detonate). One killed and 13 wounded.

January 12, 2007, U.S. embassy in Athens, Greece
A rocket-propelled grenade was fired at the embassy building. No one was injured.

July 9, 2008, U.S. consulate in Istanbul, Turkey
Armed men attacked consulate with pistols and shotguns. Three policemen killed.

March 18, 2008, U.S. embassy in Sana'a, Yemen
Mortar attack misses embassy, hits nearby girls' school instead.

September 17, 2008, U.S. embassy in Sana'a, Yemen
Militants dressed as policemen attacked the embassy with RPGs, rifles, grenades and car bombs. Six Yemeni soldiers and seven civilians were killed. Sixteen more were injured.

[Armstead]

12. Good point

[BlueCaliDem]

26. I believe the president will take this route. eom

[lunatica]

13. I don't think that's a good response at all

It has nothing to do with overthrowing Qadaffi. It was a terrorist strike, probably Al Qaeda who have a foothold in Libya.

[Armstead]

15. It is a consequence of a very bad and dangerous dictator being overthrown

In political terms, the GOP is using theirt old trick of turning an opponents strength into a weakness. (i.e. Kerry's Vietnam experience.)

The only way to respond is to focus on the positive and hit back.

[lunatica]

22. What positive? You're making stuff up to be positive about

How about focusing on the truth? On facts? On real history?

[Rosa Luxemburg]

29. Bush was weak when he didn't see the possibility that terrorists would kill our people on 911

he ignored warnings and there was any decent defense against the terrorists. How come Bush isn't described as weak?

[Armstead]

31. Why isn't Bush called weak? GOP hypocricy and opportunism.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

33. Bush didn't even go after Bin Ladin - he said he was not concerned

let's not forget this

[kelliekat44]

17. GOP was not concerned about embassy security when it cut positions and dollars for their security.

The GOP has stooped to a new low in their attacks on this administration. The stench of the hypocrisy is unbearable.

[BlueCaliDem]

27. They can do it because corporate media have given Congress a complete pass

on everything from the variables that were put in place before the economic collapse ( Republican-led deregulations) to our soaring deficits (tax cuts for the wealthy, two wars put on the nation's credit card, etc) to defunding important programs.

As long as corporate media does that, the president will go from being the president of one branch of our government to becoming the all-powerful de facto dictator of the United States.

[ecstatic]

23. A "you can't handle the truth!!" moment? nt

[Armstead]

32. It is the truth...And the GPOP can't handle it so they lie about it

[DinahMoeHum]

34. "Bin Laden is Dead. Khadaffi is Dead. General Motors is Alive."

Slam dunk.

[dkf]

36. Libya is a mess. There is no security, they are relying on militias, like how we relied on militia

To protect the Ambassador.

But Obama needs to take responsibility and say the buck stops with him.

[reformist2]

38. Obama should express *outrage* at Republicans for blaming Americans for this and not the terrorists!

Using the word "outrage" is key. The press will run with the idea that the Repugs have no shame.

[hughee99]

40. Perhaps Obama would do better not to take credit for the current state of Libya.

I'm not sure that position is a "winner" for him.