Libyan attack turns political ahead of Obama's Vegas visit - FOX5 Vegas - KVVU
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President Barack Obama discussed the attack and killing of four Americans in Libya during his campaign stop in Las Vegas Wednesday. Both political parties, however, took jabs at each other over the handling of the issue.
Some who had tickets to the president's speech at Cashman Center wondered if he would cancel or postpone his plans.
"I want to begin tonight by just saying a few words," said Obama as he addressed the crowd of an estimated 8,000 people.
He reflected on Tuesday night's attack and murder of four Americans in Libya, which included the ambassador to the United States.
"They were serving overseas on our behalf - despite the dangers, despite the risks," he said.
The comments came at the end of a day filled with political slams from both sides. Republican candidate Mitt Romney canceled a rally and held a news conference in Florida. He went after Obama's handling of the incident.
"The statement that came from the administration was a statement which is akin to apology and I think was a severe miscalculation," Romney told reporters.
The Obama campaign in Chicago responded by saying: "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, Gov. Romney would choose to launch a political attack."
Romney supporters who protested outside the Cashman Center Wednesday said the president should have stayed in Washington and handled the incident there rather than fly to Las Vegas.
"I don't know. Maybe (Obama) thinks he's got it all under control," said Lynn Thornhill. "He certainly shouldn't be politicking when he's supposed to be ‘presidenting,' I would think."
Janie Garza, meanwhile, supports Obama. She was happy he kept his plans to speak in Southern Nevada.
"It's a tragedy that people have to suffer for something that's really not their fault," Garza said, referring to the Americans killed.
FOX5 political analyst Mitch Fox added that with Nevada being a key swing state in this election cycle, Obama's presence in Las Vegas has never been more important.
"There's so many things that have to come into play in order for a president to visit anywhere," said Fox. "They probably just thought it's best to keep the schedule."
The president did push back his plans about 30 minutes. Obama also said that "no act of violence will shake the resolve of the United States."
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