U.S. Edition
(CNN) – Mitt Romney's harsh chiding of President Barack Obama's response to attacks in Libya and Egypt spurred a firestorm of backlash Wednesday from Democrats, who claim the GOP candidate is politicizing a tragedy that killed four, including the United States ambassador, in U.S. offices in Benghazi, Libya.
Following reports of the violence Tuesday, Romney's campaign released a statement calling the U.S. response "disgraceful." Romney delivered remarks Wednesday in Florida continuing his criticism.
– Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
– Check out the CNN Electoral Map and Calculator and game out your own strategy for November.
Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, said Wednesday while departing an intelligence briefing that Romney's comments were "about as inappropriate as anything I've ever seen at this kind of moment" calling on the GOP candidate to apologize.
"They are flat wrong. They demonstrate an insensitivity and a lack of judgment about what is happening now," said Kerry. "To make those kinds of statements before you even know the facts, before families have even been notified, before things have played out, is really not just inexperienced, it's irresponsible, it's callous, it's reckless. And I think he ought to apologize and I don't think he knows what he's talking about frankly. It's that simple."
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois called the comments "entirely inappropriate" adding "we should put the campaign aside" and support the men and women in harm's way.
"I'm sorry that the decision was made in the Romney campaign to make this a political issue. It's not. It is a tragic human issue and we should be together as a nation in condemning this terrible violence against our ambassador and those who work in the Libya embassy," said Durbin, adding that it is time for the Romney campaign to "tone down" their rhetoric.
Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey said he stands with the Obama administration in condemning the attacks and offering condolences to the affected families, but pointed to Romney's comments as undermining the country on an international stage.
"At a time when we should be standing together against these senseless acts of violence, Mitt Romney offered an atrocious political response that undermines our unity in the face of threats to Americans around the world," said Lautenberg in a statement about the attacks.
CNN's Ted Barrett and Paul Courson contributed to this report.
Romney & Ryan are morons. Where is country first? Send them to Libya!!!
Well – that's the best Romney has to offer – what did you expect? Excellence?
Pehaps Gov Romney's slip of the tongue is a good omen...Washington Leaders should pay more and care more for the Country's affairs than put so much money, time and effort to freign countries affairs..."Home-Policy Fuirst.....
One would hope that Republicans are outraged as well. Last I heard, we are still the United States of America and not some broken up mess FOX News (and others) keep insisting we should become.
"Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey said he stands with the Obama administration in condemning the attacks and offering condolences to the affected families, but pointed to Romney's comments as undermining the country on an international stage." Obama has been undermining this country on the international stage for nearly the last four years; now that is something that we should all be ashamed about!
While most civilized American condemned Bush's "Cowboy Diplomacy," I think they are beginning to gain insight into Mittens' "Yosemite Sam's Rootin' Tootin Foreign Policy."
Mittens is a joke.
I Wish that the Media Would Honor the People that were Horrifically Killed in the Middle East INSTEAD of Playing POLITICS of HE SAID, SHE SAID.
This man has NO Foreign Policy experience. He made the U.S. look bad overseas this summer during the Summer Olympics. He is the typical Republican, Shoot first, shoot some more then ask questions later. He shot off his mouth before knowing all the facts of the situation and now he looks like an idiot once again!
Murder is Murder no matter which way you look at...To the Media, STOP ALREADY......
Romney is only thinking of himself and the election. The more that he opens his mouth the less that I like him.
Democrats can get as outraged as they want, Mitt stated the truth. Our President is a Lilly livered, non Christian, American hating piece of crap!
weren't these some democrats jumping all over george bush for similar events in iraq? yes, of course they did. hypocrites.
Are these the same democrats that used Russian worships as the back drop in their salute to American Veterns?
Mitt the Twit!
All people should be outraged that this CANDIDATE is criticizing our President without know all the facts. This is UNACCEPTABLE!. We have one leader at a time and this does not help us or our goals for the region in the slightest bit.
Pat, you called Romney self centered. Do you have blinders on when it comes to Obama? Obama is so in love with himself and power, that he will say and do anything to keep his power. But truth is Obama is not a leader, he is weak!
@George Cook. Learn to spell 1st, moron! What "Truth" are you talking about in midst of LIES issued by Twitt Romney?
Unbelievable. Is Romney totally asleep at the wheel or what?
Well.. remember he did not mention our men and women sitll at war during their meaningless racial tensed convention. This quitter just doesnt get it.... Well, here we go.. I see another Dobya!!!!
Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will shoot there mouth off be for they know all the fact , These Idiot are not fit to run this Country. The more Mitt Romney talk the bigger Fool he look.
this coming from a man with girly boys who are being shadowed by their wanna be president dad?
Mittens is a lying lily livered tax evading, money laundering, jobs outsourcing, elitist Mormon member of the American Taliban.
As usual democrats ignoring the fact they screwed up and blaming everyone else.
This is beyond getting old.
The liberals comments on Romney are so sad their comical. You guys will defend Obama right off a cliff. This is just a sample of the future. Obama and NATO took Kaddafi out because he started a new currency called the Gold Dinar. The Western Media has been lying to us during the entire episode. We bombed Libya into the Stone Age for banking reasons and helped Al Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood take over these countries. Obama and the Western Media are lying to us about Syria too. Soon Obama’s friends in Al Queda will be running Syria next. What could this lead too...? I can see all of these countries starting a war with Israel. Obama is literally pushing the World into WW3!!!!