Christie Strikes Back at MSNBC Hoboken Story ~ #Floodgate Update

Previous Related Posts
Hoboken Mayor Throws Christie Down on UP with Steve Kornacki MSNBC
GOP Spin on Christie - Bad Bromance and Benghazi
Christie Tries to Deflect and Dissemble on #BridgeGate
Christie's Well-Named Minion, Bridget Kelly
Christie Bridge-Splains But Holes Remain
Chris Christie and the #BridgeGate #BridgeGhazi #BridgeNado

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Governor Chris Christie isn't having a good weekend. Today he flew to Florida to talk to possible donors for his Presidential campaign but it all hit the fan anyway when MSNBC's Steve Kornacki interviewed the Mayor of Hoboken, Dawn Zimmer, who came forward with a brand-spankin' new scandal to dump on the Christie administration. Looking and sounding almost like a frightened refugee in her own state, Zimmer described a pattern of manipulation and extortion played out by everyone from Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno to David Samson, Christie's mentor and head of the Port Authority. Now we have even more players involved, and a widening net that will probably include future subpoenas as both federal and state officials seek answers. Christie is livid and blaming MSNBC for all his woes in a hissy fit of "shoot the messenger." Make popcorn and stay tuned.

From New York Daily News

A pair of bully-boy Gov. Chris Christie’s top lieutenants delivered a “Sopranos”-style shakedown message to the mayor of Hoboken, MSNBC reported Saturday.
Mayor Dawn Zimmer, in an exclusive interview with the cable channel, said Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno told her that Hurricane Sandy relief funds for Hoboken were tied to the approval of a city redevelopment plan.
In true Jersey fashion, the conversation occurred last May 13 in the parking lot of a Hoboken ShopRite, according to Zimmer.
Guadagno “pulled me aside ... And she said, ‘I know it’s not right, I know these things should not be connected, but they are. And if you tell anyone, I’ll deny it,’” Zimmer said in a Saturday interview.

Hoboken Damage from Hurricane Sandy





In a nearly 1,600-word statement issued while Christie was in Florida on a fundraising trip, spokesman Colin Reed went after multiple MSNBC hosts for reporting on the so-called “Bridgegate” scandal that has plagued the governor’s administration for weeks.
~ MSNBC

Excerpt via Huffington Post

"MSNBC is a partisan network that has been openly hostile to Governor Christie and almost gleeful in their efforts attacking him, even taking the unprecedented step of producing and airing a nearly three-minute attack ad against him this week.
Governor Christie and his entire administration have been helping Hoboken get the help they need after Sandy, with the city already having been approved for nearly $70 million dollars in federal aid and is targeted to get even more when the Obama Administration approves the next rounds of funding. The Governor and Mayor Zimmer have had a productive relationship, with Mayor Zimmer even recently saying she’s ‘very glad’ he’s been our Governor. It’s very clear partisan politics are at play here as Democratic mayors with a political axe to grind come out of the woodwork and try to get their faces on television."

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I got news for you, Governor: we are the *least* of your problems. http://t.co/WCj4YWzyqH

— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) January 18, 2014

Chris Christie saying that MSNBC is "openly hostile" to him is hilarious. How many times has he been adoringly interviewed on #MorningJoe?

— Steve Dowdy (@Steverocks35) January 18, 2014

Need name for Hoboken Sandy funds scandal. #FloodGate?

— JoanneLeon (@joanneleon) January 18, 2014

Hoboken Residents Want Answers After Mayor Zimmer's Sandy Funding Allegations; http://t.co/uD9vj0PWlZ #floodgate

— Eric Boehlert (@EricBoehlert) January 18, 2014

The lane closings were an abuse of power. These new revelations suggest a pattern of behavior by the highest-ranking members of this administration that is deeply offensive to the people of New Jersey. If true, they could be illegal. There is no place in public service for actions like this or for the people who are responsible.
~ Steve Sweeney, President of State Senate on UP with Steve Kornackie

It’s just another example of the pattern of bullying and intimidation and retribution that takes place if you don’t do what Chris Christie wants. My understanding was that 80 percent of Hoboken was underwater, that they desperately needed those recovery funds.
~ Democratic National Committee Chairman Debbie Wasserman Schultz

This one is beyond ugly. Because in the end, Zimmer did get shorted. Hoboken got $342,000, a pittance for a town that was 80 percent under water after the October 2012 storm. She had requested $127 million.
This is a credible charge. Zimmer is describing the same kind of thuggish behavior from the Christie administration that we saw during Bridgegate.
But this one cuts deeper. Leaving people stranded in horrid traffic for four days is bad enough. But denying aid to victims of Sandy as a means of leverage against an elected official is simply revolting. And surely illegal.
~ Tom Moran, New Jersey Star-Ledger

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I will not rest until there's also a Hackensackgate. #Christie

— Barracks O'Bama (@P0TUS) January 18, 2014

#Bridgegate ; #Christie admin walks like a corrupt duck, quacks like a corrupt duck, insists it's not a corrupt duck http://t.co/fHWz6JLMMt

— Balkingpoints.com (@Balkingpoints) January 18, 2014

Christie Held Hurricane Victims Hostage in Hoboken? Flood Gates Open on ‘Bridgegate’ #tcot http://t.co/Pj41FqqvC9 pic.twitter.com/KSKbcb9E91

— R Joseph (@rjoseph7777) January 19, 2014

Hoboken - $342,000 for Sandy relief. An election-time "tourism" ad showing @GovChristie's family enjoying a beach - $4 million.

— Tom Wellborn (@TLW3) January 18, 2014

Expect #Christie combo of "liberal media" [MSNBC] and "mayor didn't understand us & is now criminalizing politics" [Rove/DeLay defense]

— sfpelosi (@sfpelosi) January 18, 2014

After the "blame the media" phase comes the "hold press conference and make the Anthony Weiner face" phase. #christie

— Ian (@iboudreau) January 18, 2014

btw, it's crickets at Drudge, Breitbart, NRO today re: Christie...nobody does denial like the RW media;

— Eric Boehlert (@EricBoehlert) January 18, 2014

Fox News can't cover the Chris Christie scandals as they're devoting all their time to celebrating a year in office for President Romney.

— Thanks4 Sharing Jerk (@Thx4SharingJerk) January 19, 2014

#Bridgegate ~ Hoboken Mayor Throws Christie Down on "Up"

Previous Related Posts
GOP Spin on Christie - Bad Bromance and Benghazi
Christie Tries to Deflect and Dissemble on #BridgeGate
Christie's Well-Named Minion, Bridget Kelly
Christie Bridge-Splains But Holes Remain
Chris Christie and the #BridgeGate #BridgeGhazi #BridgeNado

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I’d be more than willing to testify under oath and – and answer any questions and provide any documents, take a lie detector test. Would all of you? Would all of you be willing do that same thing, to testify under oath, to take a lie detector test?
~ Hoboken, NJ, Mayor Dawn Zimmer on UP with Steve Kornacki

From MSNBC, UP with Steve Kornacki

. . . senior members of Gov. Chris Christie’s administration warned a New Jersey mayor earlier this year that her town would be starved of hurricane relief money unless she approved a lucrative redevelopment plan favored by the governor, according to the mayor and emails and personal notes she shared with msnbc.

In an exclusive interview, Zimmer broke her silence and named Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and Richard Constable, Christie’s community affairs commissioner, as the two officials who delivered messages on behalf of a governor she had long supported.

“The bottom line is, it’s not fair for the governor to hold Sandy funds hostage for the City of Hoboken because he wants me to give back to one private developer,” she said Saturday on UP w/ Steve Kornacki. “… I know it’s very complicated for the public to really understand all of this, but I have a legal obligation to follow the law, to bring balanced development to Hoboken.”

Constable and Christie – through spokespersons – deny Zimmer’s claims.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I think we need to start calling this whole thing s/t different ----> #Christiegate

— Felicia (@shawsaluto) January 18, 2014

Question of the Day: Who will be left standing in Trenton?

— Goldie Taylor (@goldietaylor) January 18, 2014

#Hoboken only received $300,000 after asking for $100 Million From Hurricane Sandy Funds #ChrisChristie #NewJersey #Bridgegate #sandygate

— Eddie P (@OrlandoLiberal) January 18, 2014

@krystalball it is clear that Sandy Aid and the administration of funds should no longer be controlled by the governors office.

— Tom Colicchio (@tomcolicchio) January 18, 2014

Hoboken. Sandy. Christie. Iiiiiiiii'm prrrrrrrretttttttty sure that's a felony, Seth. #bridgegate #Hoboken #Sandy #PersonOfInterest

— Greg Myers PA (@gmyersPA) January 18, 2014

Flashback: Christie slams Boehner, Congress over Sandy relief #uppers. http://t.co/JMX8ZINJON

— Hesiod Theogeny (@Hesiod2k11) January 18, 2014

So #Christie cronies leaned on Democratic Mayor Zimmer of Hoboken over Rockefeller redevelopment #Sandy #bridgegate

— Jeanne K. (@SnarkAmendment) January 18, 2014

David Samson Law Firm also entangled with Hoboken and Rockefeller Project #ChrisChristie #bridgegate #uppers #NJ

— Jeanne K. (@SnarkAmendment) January 18, 2014

Lt Gov told Zimmer the #Christie Admin would deny it if she ever told anyone #Bullying #Sandy #bridgegate #uppers

— Jeanne K. (@SnarkAmendment) January 18, 2014

Kudos to @upwithsteve on his intrepid reporting unveiling the media promoted sham that is @GovChristie!

— Michele (@haymakers) January 18, 2014

Christie's probably sad again. #uppers

— Adrienne P. (@arp7088) January 18, 2014

Mayor Zimmer has beautifully painted Christie into a box. PROVE you're not withholding support for Hoboken Sandy relief! #uppers

— Hillary Kwiatek (@hillarykwiatek) January 18, 2014

Kinds feel like I should send a muffin basket over to @GovChristie He is gonna need to carbo-load for this. @upwithsteve #uppers

— UP Pastry Plate (@UPPastryPlate) January 18, 2014

#uppers She was a dem that backed @ChrisChristie though. Oy! @dawnzimmernj @upwithsteve

— Meryl Ranzer (@merylnyc) January 18, 2014

~~~

#uppers Any #Angel fans thinking that Wolf & Sampson is the real Wolfram & Hart? @upwithsteve

— Meryl Ranzer (@merylnyc) January 18, 2014

Yes, Me! I tweeted this without seeing her tweet!

Wolf and Samson is starting to sound like "Wolfram and Hart" the demonic law firm on #Angel #LOL #uppers #bridgegate

— Jeanne K. (@SnarkAmendment) January 18, 2014

~~~

Samson is the key. The entire Christie administration is corrupt. This is a shakedown! #uppers #corruption #abuse

— Art Vandalay (@soxfaneast) January 18, 2014

How in hell can David Samson pretend he was ignorant of the bridge closure? #GOPhubris #bridgegate #uppers

— RB Blair (@TuxcedoCat) January 18, 2014

#uppers Not being mentioned: This large development will make #hoboken largely unaffordable for middle class. @upwithsteve

— Meryl Ranzer (@merylnyc) January 18, 2014

Hoboken development story comports with idea #Bridgegate was about Hudson Lights Development; not small beans retaliation against Sokolich.

— Rhoda (@RhodaJA) January 18, 2014

RICO charges coming for Christie Administration: only question now is how far up the GOP food chain do the convictions go?

— UV (@UltraVerified) January 18, 2014

Steve Kornacki is going to wake up next to a severed horse head tomorrow morning.

— pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee) January 18, 2014

@upwithsteve I have learned more about NJ in the past week than I ever thought I wanted to know. But I can't stop watching! #uppers

— Ruth (@ladybigmac) January 18, 2014

#uppers Gee,wonder if #ChrisChristie is ever going to criticize President #Obama's leadership abilities ever again? #bridgegate

— Rich (@RichNj5) January 18, 2014

Chris Christie is almost damaged enough to be a Republican nominee for president.

— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) January 18, 2014

GOP Truthers ~ Obama Has a Tornado Machine

I don't know if this was a weather weapon or not, but they can with the right weather conditions, they can create and steer groups of tornadoes. People 50 miles out of storm systems see aircraft in and around the clouds spraying and doing things, if you saw that, you better bet your bottom dollar they did this. But who knows if they did, that's the thing.
~ Wingnut Radio Host Alex Jones on "Weather Weapons"



False tornado flag operation.
Cause that is the first thing the government would do with a weather weapon.
~ One Who Wanders on Wonkette

Windghazi!!!
~ Noodlesalad on Wonkette

Why does the government hate mobile homes? Why? Why? Why?
~ PurgedVoter on Wonkette

Oh my good cigar-smoking, parachute-jumping, suspender-wearing, tap-dancing Jesus, no .
This story cannot be real.
~ Bosda on AtlanticWire

WE'RE NUMBER DUMB !
WE'RE NUMBER DUMB !
WE'RE NUMBER DUMB !
~ wonderYrednow on Huff Post

Just as this caller, who’s obviously suffering from severe paranoid delusions, ended her rant, Jones launched into a paranoid rant of his own which included, as it always does, a random string of official names of organizations potentially involved. Bill Gates Weather Modification, Geo-Engineering, AP, Reuters, Department of Energy. (Other frequently blurted names include IBM, Raytheon, Bechtel, FEMA and The Illuminati.)
Then, totally unrelated to the tornado, he tossed in a bit about the U.S. Code relating to biological and chemical warfare, and the apparent ability of the government to kill us with chemicals agents under the guise of experiments and law enforcement. In fact, he named a U.S. Code title by number, chapter number, subsection number — all the way down to the paragraph letter. Because it sounds official and therefore authentic.
Word salad. You’d expect to hear this from a guy wearing a tunic made of plastic bags and used diapers while shouting at invisible enemies on the street corner. But it’s just the kind of gibberish, delivered with the slick fluidity of a televangelist, that paranoid schizophrenics eat for breakfast. Millions of them nationwide.
~ Bob Cesca on The Daily Banter

Who knows? Who knows if the US. Government uses a secret made-up weather weapon that only exists in the mind of -- yeah, that's the thing, right? Here's the other thing. Alex Jones should be disqualified from participating in Republican party politics. His crackpot theories shouldn't prompt hearings in Congress and inspire actual legislation in Congress, shouldn't do a money bomb on his show running for Congress. Do not fundraise on the theater of the absurd by showing yourself to be one with this guy, really. He says the tornado was a conspiracy, the tornado. Can we agree it is over now, Republicans, going on his show, really, can we agree, please?
~ Rachel Maddow of MSNBC, via Crooks and Liars

Surprised it took so long->Why Did Obama Make Those Tornadoes? Ask the Tornado Truthers gawker.com/why-did-obama-… RWNJ's claim Harrp #uniteblue

— Sasha (@sasha031) May 22, 2013

Weather Weapons? We're Just Asking, But Weather Weapons #FutureIssaHearings

— Oliver Willis (@owillis) May 23, 2013

Let's all remember, the guy who thinks the tornado was deployed by Obama is bff w/ @drudge huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/22/ale… …

— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) May 23, 2013

@cihuamexica Well, if Obama sends a Great Flood then I will start to get worried about weather weapons.

— Marlboro.Stan (@MarlboroStan) May 24, 2013

My favorite is when the people who think Obama has a weather machine accuse us of blaming Bush for everything.
— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) May 26, 2013

source: facebook

Chris Christie's Speech Blasting Boehner and House for Lack of Sandy Aid

From CNN Transcript

GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE (R), NEW JERSEY: . . . Homes were damaged or destroyed. Nearly 7 million New Jerseyians were without power, some for up to 14 days. Nearly 600 state roads were closed. One hundred and twenty-seven shelters housed and fed over 7,000 evacuated citizens. All regional mass transit and Hudson River crossings were closed. All New Jersey schools were closed, some for weeks. Tens of thousands of businesses were damaged or destroyed, with many still closed. Our Jersey shore was devastated with the loss of homes, public buildings, and iconic symbols of New Jersey culture and economic vitality destroyed.

Tens of thousands of our citizens entered 2013 unsure of their future as they spent the holiday season displaced from all that was familiar and comforting. Thirty-one days for Andrew victims. Seventeen days for victims of Gustav and Ike. Ten days for victims of Katrina. For the victims of Sandy in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, this was 66 days and the wait continues.

There is only one group to blame for the continued suffering of these innocent victims, the House majority and their speaker, John Boehner. This is not a Republican or Democratic issue. National disasters happen in red states and blue states and states with Democratic governors and Republican governors. We respond to innocent victims of natural disasters, not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans. Or at least we did until last night.



Last night, politics was placed before our oath to serve our citizens. For me, it was disappointing and disgusting to watch. On January 19, 2010, I took an oath to serve all the people of New Jersey, without regard to race or ethnicity, gender or political affiliation. And for the last 1,079 days, I have worked as hard as I could to be loyal to that oath. Whether under the pressure of dealing with a legislature of the opposite party, or the scrutiny of a hotly contested election, I have always put the people of New Jersey and my oath ahead of petty, personal politics. Last night, the House of Representatives failed that most basic test of public service and they did so with callous indifference to the suffering of the people of my state.

If you want an example of how nonpartisan this issue should have been, I offer this for your consideration. Near midnight last night, conservative Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California both spoke on the floor in concert with each other and in support of this aid package. It's one for the record books, I suspect.

On the equities, this should be a no brainer for the House Republicans as well. Both New York and New Jersey used the international firm of McKenzie and Company to assess and quantify the damage to our states. Our professional staffs have spent countless hours with congressional staff providing leadership and backup documentation for all of the damage claims. Governor Cuomo and I have spent hours and hours speaking to individual members of the House and Senate, to answer their questions. We worked with President Obama and his administration and satisfied them of the urgent need of this $60 billion aid package.

This was good enough for 62 United States senators of both parties to vote for this package. This was good enough for s majority of the House of Representatives. It overcame all the factual challenges, it just could not overcome the toxic internal politics of the House majority.

Finally, New Jersey and New York are perennially among the most generous states in the nation to our fellow states. We vote for disaster relief for other states in need. We are donor states, spending -- sending much more to Washington, D.C., than we ever get back in federal spending. Despite this history of unbridled generosity, in our hour of desperate need, we have been left waiting for help, six times longer than the victims of Katrina, with no end in sight.

Americans are tired of the palace intrigue and political partisanship of this Congress, which places oneupmanship ahead of the lives of the citizens who sent these people to Washington, D.C., in the first place. New Jerseyians and New Yorkers are tired of being treated like second class citizens. New York deserves better than the selfishness we saw displayed last night. New Jersey deserves better than the duplicity we saw displayed last night. America deserves better than just another example of the government that has forgotten who they are there to serve and why. Sixty-six days and counting, shame on you. Shame on Congress.

Despite my anger and disappointment, my hope is that the good people in Congress, and there are good people in Congress, will prevail upon their colleagues to finally, finally put aside the politics and help our people now. That's the only hope we have left, is for the good people to prevail upon the others.

One thing I can assure the people of this region is this, Governor Cuomo and I will not stop fighting together to see that justice is done, and that our citizens suffering is finally addressed by this Congress.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Christie’s presser today was like a death-metal cover of Obama’s 2004 speech at the Democratic National Convention. vnty.fr/VjknnL

— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) January 2, 2013

I'll say this for Chris Christie. If he ever becomes president, he won't need an anger translator. #keyandpeele

— David Carroll (@DAVIDCARROLL3) January 3, 2013

Chris Christie's Howard Beale moment wapo.st/THRvWX

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) January 2, 2013

wow, chris christie. someone got told.

— Cath (@kakalinadunucks) January 3, 2013

Unless you're a working class union member or a poor person in need of health care, how can you not love Chris Christie?

— Frank Conniff (@FrankConniff) January 3, 2013

Chris Christie needs to shut his fat pie hole.If he wanted Republicans to be in the mood to help him maybe he shouldn't have helped Obama

— Brian Skinner (@Rushlimbang) January 3, 2013

Chris Christie just keeps proving more and more that he works FOR the people. Not afraid to cross party lines and not afraid to call out BS!

— Just Jordyn (@just_jordykins) January 3, 2013

Chris Christie is a bamf. Friend speaks my mind!

— Justin Lukasewicz (@jlukasewicz) January 3, 2013

Things like "you tell 'em!" And "heck yes!" going through my mind listening to Chris Christie today. Then feeling my liberal guilt emerge...

— Jonathan Russell (@PkJon1) January 3, 2013

If Chris Christie runs as an Independent in 2016, the Republicans as we know it are over. I guarantee it.

— Eddie Cox(@SirEddieC) January 3, 2013

"Shame on you. Shame on Congress. "-Gov Christie

— mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) January 2, 2013

Happy Apocalypse Eve

BREAKING: Scientists discover the the other half of the Mayan Calendar, It Was On The Back

— Anthony (@iSpeakComedy) December 20, 2012

And now The Mayan Channel forecast. Thursday: cloudy, chance of showers, high 39. Friday: volcanoes, asteroid strikes, apocalypse.
~ David Letterman

What do you get for the Mayan who has everything?New calendar.

— mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) December 21, 2012

According to the Mayan calendar tomorrow is doomsday, that's coming from the people who also thought white people were gods

— Mike Schism (@MikeSchism) December 20, 2012

Anxiously awaiting the announcement of "It's the Mayan Apocalypse, Charlie Brown."

— The Dark Lord (@Lord_Voldemort7) December 19, 2012

If it turns out that the Mayans are right and the world is going to end, you know what this means? Lindsay Lohan is a genius. She’s been partying her brains out. She owes taxes. She’s crashing cars. She’s a genius!
~ Jay Leno

I was about to buy a pound of coffee at Starbucks and a Mayan guy tapped me on the shoulder and said that I probably shouldn't.

— Chris Franjola (@ChrisFranjola) December 20, 2012

Mayan Guy: Hey wanna beer? Other Mayan Guy: I'm working on this calendar, but I guess if I don't finish it won't be the end of the world.

— Funny Tweets (@FunnyOrTruth) December 20, 2012

Christmas is on Tuesday, provided that the world doesn't end on Friday, which is the end of the Mayan calendar. Some believe there will be massive earthquakes and floods. Others think a planet will collide with the earth. I believe the end of the world will come about in a much stupider way, like Joe Biden spilling a Mountain Dew on the nuclear launch panel.
~ Jimmy Kimmel

Only the Maya knew we'd suffer slow mass extinction due to Mayan jokes.

— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) December 20, 2012

Look at us all making end of the world jokes like there's no tomorrow.

— Girrl Genius (@GirrlGenius) December 20, 2012

Chris Christie is Obama's New BFF - and GOP Freaks Out - UPDATED

“I have no idea, nor am I the least bit concerned or interested. I’ve got a job to do here in New Jersey that’s much bigger than Presidential politics and I could care less about any of that stuff… if you think right now I give a damn about presidential politics then you don’t know me.”
~ Gov. Chris Christie on Fox and Friends

“I spoke to the president three time yesterday. He called me for the last time at midnight last night, asking what he could do. I said if he could expedite designating New Jersey as a major disaster area that that would help us get federal money and resources in here as quickly as possible to clean up the damage here. President was great last night. He said he would get it done. At 2 a.m., I got a call from FEMA to answer a couple final questions and then he signed the declaration this morning. So I have to give president great credit. He has been on the phone with three times in the last 24 hours. He has been attentive and anything I have asked for, he has gotten to me. So I thank the president publicly for that, he has done, as far as I am concerned, a great job for Jersey.”
~ Gov. Chris Christie also on Fox



Crisp Crispy does NOT need this Failure in Chief coming to NJ.....just a stupid photo op to create a narrative for Obummer.
~ comment by Blue Turtle on Free Republic

After I saw Christie pucker up and plant his lips firmly on 0bama's butt this morning, they're like siamese twins.
~ comment by Sons of Liberty on Free Republic

You saw that too? While kissing Obama’s behind, Christie was able to kick Romney in the face at the same time. I am still fuming.
~ comment by arbee4bush on Free Republic

Two narcissists walking side by side.
~ comment by stephenjohnbanker on Free Republic

I wish I could find a reason to defend him. I suppose it has to do with money for NJ. But when he praised Hussein to high heaven this morning I wanted to scream (and cry).
~ comment by Enquiring Mind on Free Republic

If the media decides to go all-out turning Obama into a majestic hurricane hero (regardless of any concrete actions or facts) in these next few pre-election days, Christie handing them this wildly “over-the-top” praise to springboard their pro-Obama propaganda isn’t going to wear too well. If the election is close, this kind of unwarranted lifeline can tilt things Obama’s way.
~ comment by greene66 on Free Republic

I think Christie is in the process of “John Roberts-ing” us.
We’ll know for sure tomorrow after the cameras follow him and the Kenyan around the damage sites and then he is asked to comment on it.
~ comment by comebacknewt on Free Republic

Other states getting federal storm relief without kissing Obama's rear.Does Christie not know RINO's are an endangered species?
— TheFoundersKeeper (@TCOTvideos) October 31, 2012

Governor Christie has always sucked and has ALWAYS been a RINO--he talks a good talk whereas supported anti-conservative agendas-GUN CONTROL
— Don't Tread on Me(@TexasFirestorm) October 31, 2012

Chris Christie needs to take the wax out of his ears get some sleep. Obama is being attentive for one purpose RE ELECTION #RINO #Nobama
— MichelleAnn (@HolzMAS) October 31, 2012

Why is Chris Christie lavishing praise on Obama for his "handling" of the hurricane?Christie, you are a big, fat rino. GET OUT OF THE WAY!
— Spencer Wolfe (@SpencerWolfePtL) October 31, 2012

Christie: "I was on the phone at midnight..with the president personally.The president has been outstanding in this" huff.to/Sdv8qs
— Huffington Post (@HuffingtonPost) October 30, 2012

I have had it with RINO's who say 1 thing at the party's convention,like fatso Christie,then seek photo ops holding Barry's hand on a beach.
— Steve Czaja (@madpolok) October 31, 2012

Hey Christie! If you don't have anything negative to say about the illegal Kenyan crack-head, don't say anything at all. RINO!
— Martin (@Politix_Junkie) October 30, 2012

UPDATE: Limbaugh Kicks In

Limbaugh Transcript October 31, 2012

RUSH: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has decided to play the role of a Greek column today for President Obama. Obama and Chris Christie will tour the Jersey shore. Who lives on the shoreline, Snerdley? That's exactly right. The one percent live on the beach. It isn't cheap, Rachel. I don't know if you know this or not. It isn't cheap to live on the beach anywhere. Well, there are a couple places, but, I mean, for the most part.

President Obama and the Greek column, Chris Christie, will be walking the coastline, viewing properties owned by the one-percenters, to whom Barack Obama has said, "You didn't build that. You didn't make that happen."



. . . The election isn't gonna be moved. It's gonna happen Tuesday. Of course, the opposite theory is, “What the hell is Christie doing? He's giving Obama a chance to look presidential, clean up a state, look competent, look like he cares and so forth. What's a Republican doing propping up Obama?” That's the other take on this. (interruption) How long before who gets fed up? (interruption) Well, Snerdley's asking how long before New Yorkers get fed up with how long it's gonna take to restore things.

. . . RUSH: The Drive-By Media. The Drive-By Media got some love for Chris Christie. They are loving them some Chris Christie today. Chris Christie is saving Obama. Now, one thing: We know that Obama called Bloomberg, the mayor of New York. And Doomberg said, “No, don't come.” Now, therefore we know that Obama was making phone calls. So is it possible...” I'm just throwing it out there.

Is it possible that Obama called Christie and said, “You want some money? You want some? You better let me come. Doomberg already said, I can't come.” So what if Obama called and wants to come, and made money contingent on it? Christie wouldn't reveal that. I’m trying to be charitable here, folks. I’m trying to be charitable.

There are obvious other explanations. Christie doesn't want to wait 'til 2020 to run for president. There are any number of things that could be going on here. Let's listen to what the Drive-Bys think. This is yesterday, last night, and this morning. It’s a montage of various Drive-Byers grasping at straws, suggesting here that The Messiah needs Chris Christie to save his bacon...

Sandy Hits Coast and Moves Inland

#Sandy Is the biggest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin: bit.ly/Sm81vN

— Mother Jones (@MotherJones) October 30, 2012

Con Ed : + 3 million customers without power now in CT, NY, + NJ.It's the largest power outage in Con Ed history. @takeactionnews #TAN

— David Shuster (@DavidShuster) October 30, 2012

Mayor: Right now, 911 is receiving 10,000 calls per half hour. Please, please, please only call 911 for life-threatening emergencies. #Sandy

— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) October 30, 2012

Mayor Bloomberg's tireless sign language interpreter now has her own tumblr signlanguagelady.tumblr.com

— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) October 30, 2012

SHE's GREAT @nytjim: NYMagazine compares Bloomberg's sign language interpreter to "guitarist during a blistering solo." bit.ly/SpWV9N

— John Dean (@JohnWDean) October 30, 2012

One person New Yorkers will miss when #Sandy is over: Bloomberg's superstar sign language translator.

— HuffPost Media (@HuffPostMedia) October 30, 2012

via mikerugnetta.tumblr.com

REPORT: Heavy volumes of water on West St + Washington St. Cars floating down West St. Little water at #WTC so far #Sandy

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) October 30, 2012

OMG. Just took this photo of cars floating in the submerged parking garage at the South end of Stone Street. twitter.com/raywert/status…

— Ray Wert (@raywert) October 30, 2012

We can confirm that there has been water infiltration into the New York City Subway tunnels under the East River. We cannot confirm a depth.

— MTA (@MTAInsider) October 30, 2012

Just photographed Gov Cuomo inspecting Ground Zero and Lower Manhattan. Ground Zero is Niagara Falls right now. #Sandy

— C.S. Muncy (@CSMuncyPhoto) October 30, 2012

By John Minchillo, AP

Trying to get back from Battery Park City to hotel.No Power throughout City.Strong diesel smell.Unbelievably dark.Gee thanks #Sandy

— Jim Cantore (@JimCantore) October 30, 2012

Jim Cantore is kind of going stream of consciousness right now. Interrupts in-studio anchor to talk about smell of burning. #Sandy

— Alex Hanna (@alexhanna) October 30, 2012

Walking around Brooklyn Heights, which held up very well in the storm. Definitely a faint smell of burning leaves/rubber though.

— Nate Silver (@fivethirtyeight) October 30, 2012

New York City is all sirens and the smell of burning electrical right now. It is mayhem. #sad #sandy #nyc

— NYC ARECS (@nycarecs) October 30, 2012

Cuomo, looking like hell, on WCBS: "that electric smell is water hitting the subways..." #eek

— Heidi N. Moore (@moorehn) October 30, 2012

Ali Velshi in Atlantic City on CNN



Rumors of Fires

Heartbreaking listening to the scanner. Responders can't get to Coney Island Hospital. Dispatcher sounds shocked, asks them to repeat that.

— Matt Novak (@paleofuture) October 30, 2012

#FDNY units are on scene at Coney Island Hospital. No confirmed fire or reports of injuries at this time.

— FDNY (@FDNY) October 30, 2012

More Hospital Woes

NYC officials confirm evacuation underway at NYU Langone Medical Center. Backup generators at the hospital have failed abcn.ws/XFRCEF

— ABC News (@ABC) October 30, 2012

Officials at NYC Belleview hospital, near NYU, say they have 1 hour left of generator fuel.FDNY/EMS being deployed.@takeactionnws #sandy

— David Shuster (@DavidShuster) October 30, 2012

Evacuation continues at NYU hospital.Local TV finally on it.Video shows facility dark, flashlight led gurneys being wheeled out front.

— David Shuster (@DavidShuster) October 30, 2012

NYU hospital update:patients evacuated to Sloan Kettering and Mt. Sinai hospitals.Staff/Ambulance/EMT's saved many lives. #heroes.

— David Shuster (@DavidShuster) October 30, 2012

Wall Street

#Sandy has totally occupied Wall Street.

— BD WONG (@BD_WONG) October 30, 2012

OH: "the New York Stock Exchange is flooded" "You mean we have to bail out Wall Street again?"

— Kevin Marks (@kevinmarks) October 30, 2012

While Almost Everyone Else Is Dark, The Lights Are Still Shining At Goldman Sachs read.bi/SXGuPx

— Business Insider (@businessinsider) October 30, 2012

The NYSE is not flooded, contrary to CNN's reports: journ.us/TkH73F But newsrooms are w/out power: journ.us/StiJAz

— Poynter (@Poynter) October 30, 2012

Building Collapses in Chelsea:

RT @fdny: There are no injuries or people trapped at 92 8th Ave building collapse, which involved the facade of the structure.

— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) October 29, 2012

Wow. Building facade in Zone C, few blocks from my home, just fell off. Fell OFF. businessinsider.com/major-building… #HurricaneSandy

— rosanne cash (@rosannecash) October 29, 2012

Sad that HMS The Bounty (tall ship from the Pirates of the Caribbean etc) sinks, killing two including Captain.usatoday.com/story/news/nat…

— Don Tapscott (@dtapscott) October 30, 2012

Photo of the Bounty submerged in the Atlantic Ocean during #USCG rescue #Sandy twitpic.com/b8nd39

— USCG (Official) (@USCG) October 30, 2012

Hurricane #Sandy: Rescue effort ongoing as 17 people on HMS Bounty replica off North Carolina abandon ship on lifeboats bbc.in/STrIt1

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) October 29, 2012

Photo of the Bounty submerged in the Atlantic Ocean during #USCG rescue #Sandy twitpic.com/b8nd39

— USCG (Official) (@USCG) October 30, 2012

Nuclear Alerts

Exelon declares alert at Oyster creek nuclear reactor in New Jersey due to rising water from Storm Sandy. Live updates: reut.rs/SmQgfK

— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) October 30, 2012

Atlantic City largely underwater/under curfew. In NYC Rockaways & Coney Island seem cut off from responders. Alert at Indian Point reactor.

— Mother Jones (@MotherJones) October 30, 2012

911 overload in #NYC. Non-emergency calls-dial 311. Record flooding, fires in tunnels-reports, collapsed crane swinging, airports closed

— Rick Sanchez (@RickSanchezTV) October 30, 2012

The Dangling Crane

The buckled crane has been swaying wildly in last few minutes (been watching from my office). Will surely snap off eventually. #Sandy #CNN

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 30, 2012

@piersmorgan People who work in health and safety will be having kittens over that crane! #sandy

— andy martindale (@AndyMartindale) October 30, 2012

Building with collapsed crane has had complaints regarding its cranes beforeti.me/W0ye7s

— Matt Trevithick (@M_Trevithick) October 30, 2012

NEXT!

Now up to 16 inches of snow reported in Davis, W.V. with 30 to 40 mph winds. #Sandy

— Hurricane Central (@twc_hurricane) October 30, 2012

Just saw thunder snow here in #blizzard a few miles up the mountain from Elkin, WV! ow.ly/i/14yqC@connormccrorey @seanschofertvn

— Reed Timmer (@reedtimmerTVN) October 30, 2012

Sandy update: Post-tropical storm is now 10 miles SW of Philadelphia, PA - @nhc_atlantic 1.usa.gov/Uc61DM

— Breaking News Storm (@breakingstorm) October 30, 2012

Philadelphia Mayor Nutter: We expect coastal flooding that could reach 10 feet - @nbcphiladelphia

— Breaking News Storm (@breakingstorm) October 30, 2012

Hurricane Sandy eyes DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York (PHOTOS, LIVE UPDATES) huff.to/WUZuDo

— Huffington Post (@HuffingtonPost) October 29, 2012

Romney's Desperate Grab for Attention Over Benghazi Libya ~ with Updates

Huff Post: Ambassador to Libya Killed in Protest

TRIPOLI, Libya -- The American ambassador to Libya and three other Americans were killed when a mob of protesters and gunmen overwhelmed the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, setting fire to it in outrage over a film that ridicules Islam's Prophet Muhammad. Libya's new president apologized Wednesday for the attack, which underlined the lawlessness plaguing a region trying to recover from months of upheaval.
Ambassador Chris Stevens, 52, died as he and a group of embassy employees went to the consulate to try to evacuate staff as a crowd of hundreds attacked the consulate Tuesday evening, many of them firing machine-guns and rocket-propelled grenades.

Comment by the U.S. Embassy in Cairo BEFORE the deaths at the Libyan Embassy, September 11, 2012. The protests in Libya were in response to an anti-Islamic YouTube film made by an Israeli extremist.

"The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others."

Obama sympathizes with attackers in Egypt. Sad and pathetic.
~ Republican Chairman Reince Priebus via Raw Story

Apparently President Obama can’t see Egypt and Libya from his house. It’s about time our president stood up for America and condemned these Islamic extremists. … We already know that President Obama likes to ‘speak softly’ to our enemies. If he doesn’t have a ‘big stick’ to carry, maybe it’s time for him to grow one.
~ Sarah Palin on Facebook, via Raw Story

I’m outraged by the attacks on American diplomatic missions in Libya and Egypt and by the death of an American consulate worker in Benghazi. It’s disgraceful that the Obama administration’s first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks.
~ Statement from Mitt Romney criticizing U.S. response to Libyan protest, via Washington Post

We are shocked that, at a time when the United States of America is confronting the tragic death of one of our diplomatic officers in Libya, Governor Romney would choose to launch a political attack.
~ Response to Romney's remarks from Ben LaBolt, White House Spokesman

. . . the fact is if you say something responsible and careful, it’s just going to be ignored. The only thing that will get attention is if you say something stupid, which is what they’ve managed to do.
~ MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell

“The only way to get attention is to say something a little outrageous. And I have to say, I am stunned they put out this release when they did, before we knew all the facts, before daybreak, before we know for sure whether there are going to be protests that spread around the world.
It seemed to be an irresponsible thing to do. And it’s one that I’m fascinated to see this morning that the Romney campaign, no mention. Suddenly they put out a debt statement. I have a feeling they wish they had that moment back, they wish they had that statement back. I understand where they feel like they are, they are chasing news cycles right now and they feel as if they have to be involved in every news cycle and every event if the president is involved in order to look on equal footing. But that was a bad mistake they made last night.
~ MSNBC's Chuck Todd

President Obama's Complete Statement via WSJ

I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens. Right now, the American people have the families of those we lost in our thoughts and prayers. They exemplified America’s commitment to freedom, justice, and partnership with nations and people around the globe, and stand in stark contrast to those who callously took their lives.
I have directed my Administration to provide all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe. While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants.
On a personal note, Chris was a courageous and exemplary representative of the United States. Throughout the Libyan revolution, he selflessly served our country and the Libyan people at our mission in Benghazi. As Ambassador in Tripoli, he has supported Libya’s transition to democracy. His legacy will endure wherever human beings reach for liberty and justice. I am profoundly grateful for his service to my Administration, and deeply saddened by this loss.
The brave Americans we lost represent the extraordinary service and sacrifices that our civilians make every day around the globe. As we stand united with their families, let us now redouble our own efforts to carry their work forward.

In an attempt to attach himself further to this story, Mitt Romney gave a press conference BEFORE Obama, reading his own statement including criticism of the Obama Administration handling of both Libya and Egypt. Here's an excerpt:

America will not tolerate attacks against our citizens and against our embassies. We’ll defend also our constitutional rights of speech and assembly and religion.

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. It’s never too early for the United States government to condemn attacks on Americans and to defend our values.

The White House distanced itself last night from the statement, saying it wasn’t cleared by Washington. That reflects the mixed signals they’re sending to the world.

The attacks in Libya and Egypt underscore that the world remains a dangerous place and that American leadership is still sorely needed. In the face of this violence, American cannot shrink from the responsibility to lead. American leadership is necessary to ensure that events in the region don’t spin out of control. We cannot hesitate to use our influence in the region to support those who share our values and our interests.

Here's more from the question/answer portion of Romney's press conference:

ROMNEY: I think it’s a -- a -- a terrible course to -- for America to -- to stand in apology for our values. That instead, when our grounds are being attacked and being breached, that the first response of the United States must be outrage at the breach of the sovereignty of our nation.

An apology for America’s values is never the right course.

QUESTION: Governor Romney, do you think, though, coming so soon after the event really has unfolded overnight was appropriate, to be weighing in on this as this crisis is unfolding in real time?

ROMNEY: The White House also issued a statement saying it tried to distance itself from those comments and said they were not reflective of their views. I had the exact same reaction. These views were inappropriate. They were the wrong course to take when our embassy 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.”

QUESTION: So what did the White House do wrong, then, Governor Romney, if (inaudible) put out a statement saying (inaudible).

ROMNEY: It’s their administration. Their administration spoke. The president takes responsibility not just for the words that come from his mouth, but also from the words that come from his ambassadors from his administration, from his embassies, from his State Department.

They clearly -- they clearly sent mixed messages to the world and the statement that came from the administration and the embassy is the administration. The statement that came from the administration was -- was a statement which is akin to apology and I think was a -- a severe miscalculation.

QUESTION: (inaudible) talk about mixed signals, (inaudible) mixed signal when you criticize the administration (inaudible).

ROMNEY: We are having -- we have a campaign for presidency of the United 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, for instance, have 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 join together in the condemnation of the attacks on American embassies and the loss of American life, and join in the sympathy for these people. But it’s also 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 statement on the part of our administration to apologize for American values.

Buzzfeed: GOP Foreign Policy Hands Voice Disbelief

"They were just trying to score a cheap news cycle hit based on the embassy statement and now it’s just completely blown up," said a very senior Republican foreign policy hand, who called the statement an "utter disaster" and a "Lehman moment" — a parallel to the moment when John McCain, amid the 2008 financial crisis, failed to come across as a steady leader.

He and other members of both parties cited the Romney campaign's recent dismissals of foreign policy's relevance. One adviser dismissed the subject to BuzzFeed as a "shiny object," while another told Politico that the subject was the "president's turf," drawing a rebuke from Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol.

"I guess we see now that it is because they’re incompetent at talking effectively about foreign policy," said the Republican. "This is just unbelievable — when they decide to play on it they completely bungle it."

. . . "It's bad," said a former aide to Senator John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign. "Just on a factual level that the statement was not a response but preceding, or one could make the case precipitating. And just calling it a 'disgrace' doesn't really cut it. Not ready for prime time."

A third Republican, a former Bush State Department official, told BuzzFeed, "It wasn't presidential of Romney to go political immediately — a tragedy of this magnitude should be something the nation collectively grieves before politics enters the conversation."

. . . "He did jump the gun. It revealed yet again that his foreign policy team is not ready for prime time," said David Rothkopf, a former Clinton State Department official. "It is ugly and amateurish. It also seems strangely out of character with Romney who elsewhere in the campaign seems inclined to be restrained to a fault."

.@mittromney caught smirking as he leaves podium after politicizing deaths of Americans in Libya. Chilling photo. twitter.com/Grrr_Romney/st…
— Dogs Against Romney (@Grrr_Romney) September 12, 2012

I mean, just LOOK at that Romney smirk, convinced he's scored political points off the Libya disaster. dailykos.com/story/2012/09/…
— Markos Moulitsas (@markos) September 12, 2012

Romney talking points trying to manage fallout from the Smirk That Sealed His Defeat: politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/12/rom…
— Markos Moulitsas (@markos) September 12, 2012

Romney appears to have launched a political attack even before facts of embassy violence were known. Then uses day to issue vague FP vision
— David Gregory (@davidgregory) September 12, 2012

john kerry just completely trashed mitt romney on libya/egpyt. called him irresponsible, callous, reckless and called on romney to apologize
— Dana Bash (@DanaBashCNN) September 12, 2012

Romney: "The Libya attack underscores the need for me to improve my poll numbers."
— Andy Borowitz (@BorowitzReport) September 12, 2012

Mitt Romney's Libya response proves just how stunningly unready he is for prime time: slate.me/ScMaTF
— Slate (@Slate) September 12, 2012

The attacks on our embassies & diplomats are a result of perceived American weakness. Mitt Romney is right to point that out.
— Donald Rumsfeld (@RumsfeldOffice) September 12, 2012

Mitt Romney is such a consummate politician that he found a way to make the death of an American diplomat all about him. Top that, Obama!
— Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) September 12, 2012

I'll give Mitt Romney credit for this: He lost the election before I even got out of bed this morning. #Libya #GOP2012
— Chris Rock (@chrisrockoz) September 12, 2012

I think Mitt Romney's remarks this morning were appropriate and spot on and I think those attacking that statement are Obama partisans.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) September 12, 2012

The fact that Mitt Romney would give press conference before the President of the United States is disgusting. #GoTalkToAnEmptyChair
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) September 12, 2012

Mitt Romney Drops His 3 a.m. Phone Call - James Fallows - The Atlantic theatlantic.com/politics/archi…
— Josh Busby (@busbyj2) September 12, 2012

Report: Mitt Romney to hold another press conference explaining his asinine statements on Libya & Cairo with a whiteboard.
— WuLfDaWg (@RaoulHunt) September 12, 2012

Lol RT @cbsnews: Mitt Romney does not currently receive national security briefings, his campaign confirmed cbsn.ws/RSlWJY
— David O (@DavidOSays) September 12, 2012

Mitt Romney really needs to fire his campaign manager/ foreign advisor Rush Limbaugh.
— Michele (@haymakers) September 12, 2012

President Obama on CBS News this afternoon

(CBS News) In response to Mitt Romney's criticism of the Obama administration for its handling of recent violence in Egypt and Libya, President Obama told CBS News on Wednesday that Romney "seems to have a tendency to shoot first and aim later."

"There's a broader lesson to be learned here," Mr. Obama told "60 Minutes" correspondent Steve Kroft. "And I think -- you know, Governor Romney seems to have a tendency to shoot first and aim later. And as president, one of the things I've learned is you can't do that. That, you know, it's important for you to make sure that the statements that you make are backed up by the facts. And that you've thought through the ramifications before you make 'em."
Asked if Romney's attacks were irresponsible, the president replied, "I'll let the American people judge that."

[Romney's] comments were a big mistake, and the decision to double down on them was an even bigger mistake.
There are legitimate criticisms to be made but you foreclose on your ability to make them when you try to score easy political points. And the American people, when the country is attacked, whether they're a Republican or Democrat or independent, want to see leaders who have measured responses, not leaders whose first instinct is to try to score political points.
~ Steve Schmidt, ex-adviser to John McCain and author of Game Change about the ill-fated run of Sarah Palin for VP, quoted by CBS News

I was thinking as he spoke, I think I belong to the old school of thinking that in times of great drama and heightened crisis, and in times when something violent has happened to your people, I always think discretion is the better way to go. When you step forward in the midst of a political environment and start giving statements on something dramatic and violent that has happened, you're always leaving yourself open to accusations that you are trying to exploit things politically.
I don't feel that Mr. Romney has been doing himself any favors, say in the past few hours, perhaps since last night. Sometimes when really bad things happen, when hot things happen, cool words or no words is the way to go.
~ Speechwriter and Columnist Peggy Noonan on Fox News

Hillary Clinton's Statement on Libya and Egypt

"Yesterday, our U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya was attacked. Heavily armed militants assaulted the compound and set fire to our buildings. American and Libyan security personnel battled the attackers together. Four Americans were killed. They included Sean Smith, a Foreign Service information management officer, and our Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens. We are still making next of kin notifications for the other two individuals.

This is an attack that should shock the conscience of people of all faiths around the world. We condemn in the strongest terms this senseless act of violence, and we send our prayers to the families, friends, and colleagues of those we’ve lost."
"All over the world, every day, America’s diplomats and development experts risk their lives in the service of our country and our values, because they believe that the United States must be a force for peace and progress in the world, that these aspirations are worth striving and sacrificing for. Alongside our men and women in uniform, they represent the best traditions of a bold and generous nation.

"In the lobby of this building, the State Department, the names of those who have fallen in the line of duty are inscribed in marble. Our hearts break over each one. And now, because of this tragedy, we have new heroes to honor and more friends to mourn.

"Chris Stevens fell in love with the Middle East as a young Peace Corps volunteer teaching English in Morocco. He joined the Foreign Service, learned languages, won friends for America in distant places, and made other people’s hopes his own.

"In the early days of the Libyan revolution, I asked Chris to be our envoy to the rebel opposition. He arrived on a cargo ship in the port of Benghazi and began building our relationships with Libya’s revolutionaries. He risked his life to stop a tyrant, than gave his life trying to help build a better Libya. The world needs more Chris Stevenses. I spoke with his sister, Ann, this morning, and told her that he will be remembered as a hero by many nations.

"Sean Smith was an Air Force veteran. He spent 10 years as an information management officer in the State Department, he was posted at The Hague, and was in Libya on a brief temporary assignment. He was a husband to his wife Heather, with whom I spoke this morning. He was a father to two young children, Samantha and Nathan. They will grow up being proud of the service their father gave to our country, service that took him from Pretoria to Baghdad, and finally to Benghazi.

Just watched an excellent and moving stmt by Sec. Clinton- just the right message and tone.
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) September 12, 2012

. . . What you had this morning was Mitt Romney's advisers literally tearing down a campaign rally to set up a more somber setting so that he could deliver this statement in a sort of drabby dark Jacksonville office. Whereas Obama, all he does is step out into the Rose Garden and by sheer fact that he's President, he looked Presidential. And you know sometimes we look too much at the optics and the setting, and I think in this case the optics and the settings are a huge part of the story.
. . . There was supposed to be a partisan detente yesterday for 9/11. They knew about the embassy being breached. They planned their statement and they actually lifted the embargo to get ahead of the news cycle. They were very much aware of what they were doing. The statement was signed off by Romney himself according to the New York Times report tonight. They knew what was happening and if it were a gaffe they would have backtracked today. Instead they went back and they said 'No, we stand by that statement in condemning what the Cairo Embassy put out.' So no, this planned from the beginning and they totally miscalculated what would happen once they decided to say that Obama was sympathizing with the protestors.
~ Sam Stein of Huffington Post on Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell

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