Let's separate out the protests...and the attack on the embassy.

[CJCRANE]

It seems to be that they are two different things.

The protests started in Cairo and were about the anti-muslim youtube video. The US Embassy there issued a statement condemning the video. Romney and Priebus jumped on that statement by saying it was apologetic etc. That's a standard Repub talking point. They're on solid ground there protecting freedom of speech (the video) against fanatics on one side and perceived liberal cultural sensitivities. In fact this is the discussion that has occupied many of us on DU.

Put perhaps it's actually irrelevent to what happened.

New information indicates that the attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi may have just used the protests as a distraction. The attack was a pre-planned military-style assault. It had nothing to do with the video. The video is a red herring. (Although it'll be interesting to look into who made and promoted the video).

So, the attack should be condemned on its own terms (as the President did and many DUers have done). The conflation of the two issues seems to have been caused by Romney and Priebus prematurely jumping to conclusions while the situation was still evolving.

[BumRushDaShow]

1. "They're on solid ground there protecting freedom of speech"

Their "ground" has given way.

Their inflammatory rhetoric had nothing to do with the "freedom of speech" and everything to do with electioneering.

And yes, it's apparent that the 2 incidents were mostly unrelated but are essentially an artifact of 2 societies who have had 30 - 40 years of hardline dictators controlling them and that are now trying to come to grips with how to govern themselves in the aftermath of the overthrow of their respective governments... and that is going to take a long time.

When the U.S. declared independence from England in 1776, it took 11 years before we settled on our current Constitution after replacing the Articles of Confederation.

[DinahMoeHum]

2. Also, Libya is NOT Egypt, in terms of changing governments.

The forces which drove out Mubarak out of office in Egypt were, for the most part, peaceful; and the majority of folks who wanted him out in favor of someone else were mostly united.

In contrast, Qadaffi was forced out by war in Libya, and met a violent end at the hands of rebels (ie. rival tribes). Libyans have been tribal for generations, with no real unity; and there have been deadly political power plays going on by various tribes/factions in the vacuum left by Qadaffi.

Obama and Clinton can deal with the Egyptians on a more diplomatic basis; but with Libya, they really have to tread more carefully. With the latter, Obama may well have to tell government officials: find out whoever did this, or else we will.

Just my 2 cents.