The most memorable moment of the debate came in the form of
a question on Benghazi. After a series of questions that Obama had an advantage
on, this should have been one in which Romney steamed ahead! It’s been a major
talking point for the right when the issue of foreign policy comes up; they
speak of the anger at how slow Obama was to react and they were furious when he
apologised for the American video whilst American embassies were being attacked
(the last point is a complete fallacy). This can no longer be a right-wing
talking point. This is how the exchange took place:
Romney – I… I think it’s interesting the president just said
something which is that on the day after the attack, he went to the Rose Garden
and said that this was an act of terror. [looks at Obama] You said in the Rose
Garden the day after the attack it was an act of terror. [Looks at Obama for an
answer, Obama nods]. It was not a spontaneous demonstration.
Obama: Please proceed.
Romney: Is that what
you’re saying?
Obama: Please proceed governor.
Romney: I… I… I want
to make sure we get that for the record, because it took the president 14 days
before he called the attack in Benghazi an act of terror.
Obama: Get the
transcript.
Crowley: It… He did in
fact, sir… call it an act of terrorism.
Obama: Can you say
that a little louder Candy? [Laughter and applause]
Crowley: He did call
it an act of terror. It did as well take… it did as well take two weeks or so
for the whole idea of there being a riot out there about this tape to come out.
You are correct about that.
Romney: This… the administration…
the administration… indicated that this was a… reaction to a… to a video and
was a spontaneous reaction.
Crowley: They did.
Romney: It took them a
long time to say this was a terrorist act by a terrorist group and… and to
suggest… am I correct in that regard? On Sunday your… your secretary or…
As you can see Romney royally messed this talking point up,
in completely botching the question on live, national TV Romney has turned a
very successful Republican talking point into a Democratic one. Even those on
the right have admitted that Romney messed that question up.
In polls of uncommitted voters, most believed that Obama won
the debate, which is exactly what the Democrats needed to lift their spirits. Although
Romney’s defeat in this debate was not as sizeable as Obama’s defeat in the last
one it certainly puts a stop to the momentum of Romney. So currently Obama and
Romney have both taken one debate, whoever wins the third debate may will win
the presidency. Good news for Obama: the third debate is on foreign policy.
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