Romney Clarifies Libya Statements

Matt Vasilogambros

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney stood by his decision to step into the crisis in Libya with criticism of the U.S. embassy and the Obama administration late Tuesday.

  • “An apology for America's values is never the right course,” Romney said in a hastily called press conference in Jacksonville, Fla.

  • “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," Romney said. "It's never too early for the United States government to condemn attacks on Americans and to defend our values.”

  • Romney's decision to step into an unfolding international crisis is generating criticism from fellow Republicans. Former Sen. John Sununu of New Hampshire said on MSNBC this morning: “They probably should have waited. … You look at the way things unfolded, you look at the timing of it, they probably should have waited.”

  • The Romney campaign late Tuesday issued a statement blasting the Obama administration for what he said was an expression of sympathy for Muslims agitated by anti-Muslim activity in the United States.

  • Violent protests led to the death of U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens after a video surfaced by Gainesville, Fla., pastor Terry Jones. The video reportedly mocks Islam's founding prophet Muhammad.

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President Barack Obama, with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012.

PHOTO: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

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