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GOP presidential nominee addresses deaths in Libya, criticizes Obama administration's 'mixed signals to the world'
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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 -- think of these people who have served during their lives because of freedom.
And justice.
And honor.
We.
We mourn their loss.
And joined together in prayer.
That the spirit of the almighty might comfort the families.
Of those who have been so brutally slide.
For diplomats.
Lost their life including the US ambassador.
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 mourned.
-- sacrifice.
America will not tolerate attacks.
Against our citizens and against our embassies.
Will defend also our constitutional rights.
Speech.
And assembly.
And religion.
We have confidence in our clause.
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 of the ultimate source of freedom for individuals around the world.
-- -- the administration was wrong to stand by -- statement sympathize with those who had breached our embassy in Egypt instead of condemning.
Their actions.
It's never too early for United States government.
Condemn attacks on Americans.
And to defend our values.
The White House distance itself last night from the statement saying it was cleared by Washington.
That reflects the mixed signals they're sending the world.
The attacks in Libya and Egypt underscore that the world remains a dangerous place.
And that American leadership is still sorely need it.
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 -- 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 stood witness to an Arab Spring that presents an opportunity for a more peaceful and prosperous region.
But also poses the potential for apparel.
-- that forces forces of extremism and violence are allowed to control the course of events.
We must strive to ensure that the air of spring does not become an Arab -- With that I'm happy to take any questions you may have Steve.
Wounds that won't last.
Do you regret the tone at all given what we know now.
-- the embassy and in Cairo.
Put in a statement after there grounds had been breached protesters were inside the grounds they reiterated that statement after the breach.
I think it's a -- A terrible course too for America to.
To stand an apology for our values that instead when.
Our grounds are being attacked and being breached.
That the first response -- United States must be outrage.
At the a breach of the sovereignty of our nation.
An apology for America's values is never the right course.
You think they have coming says stand.
After the events really had unfolded overnight was appropriate to be weighing in on this -- this crisis is unfolding in real time.
The White House also.
Issued a statement saying it tried to distance itself from those comments and said they were not reflecting of their views.
I had the exact same reaction these views were inappropriate they were.
The wrong course to take.
When our embassy is has been breached by protesters.
The first response should not be to say yes we stand by our comments that that.
Suggest that there's something wrong with the right of free speech.
What in the White House do wrong then governor Romney if they have -- they put out a statement saying they disagree with -- -- administration.
Spoke.
The president takes responsibility not just for the words come from his mouth but also from the words that come from his ambassadors.
From his administration from his embassies from a State Department they clearly they clearly sent mixed messages to the world.
And and the statement that came from the administration and the embassy is the administration the statement that came from him and administration.
Was was it a statement which is akin to apology and I think was -- a -- severe miscalculation.
Well it's a mixed signal.
When you criticize even.
We haven't really campaign for presidency that -- states that are speaking about.
The different courses we would -- each take with regards to the challenges that the world faces the president and I French's have different differences of opinion.
With regards to Israel and our policies there with regards to Iran with regards to Afghanistan.
With regards to Syria we have many places of distinction and differences.
We joined together in the condemnation of the attacks on American embassies and the loss of American life and join in the symptoms that sympathy for these people.
But it's also important -- important for me just as it was for the White House last night by the way.
To say that the statements.
Were inappropriate.
And -- in my in my view a a disgraceful.
A statement on the part of our administration.
To apologize for American values.
Jumping got a little in the next statement out last night and should have waited in towards children available -- do you regret.
Having eating fast -- of what we learned about all the things that perhaps.
I don't think -- we.
We ever hesitate when we see something which is a violation of our principles we express immediately.
When we feel that the president and his administration.
Have done something which is inconsistent.
With the principles of America simply put having an embassy.
Which is has been breached and has protesters out it's grounds having violated the sovereignty that states having that embassy.
Reiterated statement.
Effectively apologizing for the right of free speech is not the right course for an administration.
Don't you know you -- known last night.
Do not know what that came speculate right if you -- -- That the investor who -- -- -- -- -- -- take hypotheticals about what would have been known laden and and so forth I we responded last night to the events that happened agent.
And -- country has been running his economic know how independent sector experience but now this foreign policy in this situation you know he's thrust into the potential.
And he can you talk about why specifically we -- better Paul items.
I think President Obama has.
Has demonstrated a a lack of clarity as to -- foreign policy.
My foreign policy has three fundamental branches first confidence in our cause.
A recognition that the principles America was based upon are not something we shrink from -- apologize for.
We stand for those principles to second this clarity in our purpose.
Which is that when we have a foreign policy objective we describe it honestly and clearly to the American people to congress and -- the people the world.
And number three.
Is resolved in -- might.
That in those rare circumstances.
Those rare circumstances where we decide it's essential for us to apply military might.
That we do so was overwhelming force that we do so in the clarity of a mission.
Understanding the nature of the US.
Interest involved understanding when the mission would be complete.
We'll be left when it is what will be left behind us when that mission as has been has been terminated.
The these elements I believe are essential to our foreign policy and I haven't seen them from the -- As I've watched as I've watched over the past.
Three and a half years the president has had some successes he's had some failures it's a hit -- miss.
Approach but it -- not been based upon sound foreign policy.
Specifically governor Romney -- president Romney have handled this situation differently.
And President Obama have you spoken out before midnight and all that.
I spoke out when the key fact that I referred to us now.
Which was that the embassy of the United States issued what appeared to be an apology for American principles that was a mistake.
And I believe that when a mistake is made of that significance you speak out I wouldn't want to.
