Did Obama Call Benghazi Attack An Act Of Terror?

During the presidential debate last night there was a flare up between the two candidates. President Obama asserted that he called the attack on the consulate in Libya a terrorist attack the day after the event. Mitt Romney asserted he did not. The verbal dispute escalated quickly when debate moderator, Candy Crowley, felt it necessary to assume the role of fact-checker and stated Romney was wrong — Obama had in fact called the Benghazi attack a terror attack.

Clearly, her comment was out of line. Her role is not to confirm or deny statements but to facilitate discussion, monitor candidate’s speaking time and provide transitions to move the debate forward. Rather than allow Romney to explore his perceptions, clarify his statement and perhaps build it into a larger idea, she felt the need to insert herself into the debate and cut him off at the knees. Many citizens believe Obama has mismanaged and miss-represented the events in Libya and Crowley’s behavior seemed as if she was stepping in the protect the president.

Additionally, there’s a legitimate question as to whether she was actually correct.

Below is the actually prepared remarks made by Obama — shortened for space considerations. A link to the entire text is provided at the end of the post. Here is his what he said September 12, 2012.

10:43 AM:  Good morning.  Every day, all across the world, American diplomats and civilians work tirelessly to advance the interests and values of our nation.  Often, they are away from their families.  Sometimes, they brave great danger.

Yesterday, four of these extraordinary Americans were killed in an attack on our diplomatic post in Benghazi.  Among those killed was our Ambassador, Chris Stevens, as well as Foreign Service Officer Sean Smith.  We are still notifying the families of the others who were killed.  And today, the American people stand united in holding the families of the four Americans in our thoughts and in our prayers…

Since our founding, the United States has been a nation that respects all faiths.  We reject all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others.  But there is absolutely no justification to this type of senseless violence.  None.  The world must stand together to unequivocally reject these brutal acts…

Of course, yesterday was already a painful day for our nation as we marked the solemn memory of the 9/11 attacks.  We mourned with the families who were lost on that day.  I visited the graves of troops who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan at the hallowed grounds of Arlington Cemetery, and had the opportunity to say thank you and visit some of our wounded warriors at Walter Reed.  And then last night, we learned the news of this attack in Benghazi.

As Americans, let us never, ever forget that our freedom is only sustained because there are people who are willing to fight for it, to stand up for it, and in some cases, lay down their lives for it.  Our country is only as strong as the character of our people and the service of those both civilian and military who represent us around the globe.

No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation, alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for.  Today we mourn four more Americans who represent the very best of the United States of America.  We will not waver in our commitment to see that justice is done for this terrible act.  And make no mistake, justice will be done…

We grieve with their families, but let us carry on their memory, and let us continue their work of seeking a stronger America and a better world for all of our children.

Thank you.  May God bless the memory of those we lost and may God bless the United States of America. END – 10:48 A.M. EDT

Do you see the problem? You can conclude that Obama did call the attack an act of terror because the words “no act of terror” are in the text. Or you can say that “no acts of terror” was used in reference to the original New York 9/11 terror attack that Obama had just previously mentioned.

The reference is probably intentionally vague given Obama’s revulsion to call anything a “terror” related act. What do you think?

Complete text of remarks HERE

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