Politics

Rendell: Obama administration ‘should explain’ mixed messaging on Libya crisis [VIDEO]

Nicholas Ballasy Senior Video Reporter
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Former Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell told The Daily Caller on Wednesday that top administration officials “should explain” why they sent mixed signals to the American people in the days following the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya.

“The president said the next day that it was an act of terror, he couldn’t have been more clear,” Rednell told TheDC at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. “He said that no act of terror is going to deter the United States, so I think he didn’t give a mixed message. I think maybe some of the people in the administration who did for the first couple of days, maybe they should explain.” (RELATED: Emails show White House knew of possible terror link within hours of attack)

In his speech at the U.N. on Sept. 25, Obama mentioned an anti-Islam YouTube video when addressing the attack in Benghazi, which claimed the lives of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three American staffers.

“That is what we saw play out the last two weeks, as a crude and disgusting video sparked outrage throughout the Muslim world. I have made it clear that the United States government had nothing to do with this video, and I believe its message must be rejected by all who respect our common humanity,” Obama said.

TheDC also asked Rendell if the Obama administration should have provided additional security at the embassy, which was requested by State Department officials prior to the attack.

“I don’t know enough of the facts to make a judgment on that,” Rendell responded.

“As I recall, the ambassador was out of Benghazi and he chose to come back to Benghazi. … I think that is true, so who knows? Maybe had he stayed in Benghazi they would have supplied more security, but he left Benghazi and went back to Tripoli. Again, I don’t know enough of the facts to comment.”

Rendell told TheDC that the Obama administration’s handling of the situation will not hurt the president’s re-election chances.

“I think the president’s foreign policy, he’s been a hawk all of the way. …I think he’s been a brilliant leader when it came to protecting Americans security,” Rendell said.

Rendell added that the presidential race is “too close to call” and “anybody who tells you that they can predict the election right now is either crazy or lying.”

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Nicholas Ballasy