I haven’t commented about the recent flack over Romney’s attack against the Obama Administration, but Kevin Drum’s post prompts me to add some thoughts.

This was no late-night, one-person screwup that Romney then felt he had to stand behind. It was a carefully calculated statement drafted by Romneys entire team and then signed off on by Romney himself. Even with his whole staff beavering away on this, apparently not a single person pointed out that a they didnt have their facts straight, b it might be appropriate to wait a little while before scoring cheap political points, and c accusing the president of the United States of “sympathizing” with embassy attackers was beyond the pale.Alternatively, someone did point this stuff out and got voted down. Im not sure which is worse.

I get that his campaign staff wanted to get as much campaigning mileage out of this as possible, but at what cost? I am amazed that no one stopped to question how whatever Romney said would display Romney. They only thought about if they could harm Obama.

It reminds me of their screw ups in Europe over the Summer, but more dangerously, it reminds me of the story of George Bush continuing to read a children’s book even after he heard about the attack on 911. His reaction was so totally off the mark, it boggles the mind.

It is in these extremely complex moments when the decision to act or say something is so critically important. A failure to adequately consider what the ramifications are and then take an action that in terms of common sense makes no sense at all- it is these moments where we need a real leader and a real presidentially worthy candidate. That person is NOT Mitt Romney.

On the other hand, the President’s actual remarks, and the official statements by the Administration ( Clinton) were exactly what they ought to be. Obama and most importantly, his team around him demonstrated real leadership. This is something a Romney team seems incapable of doing.

via Obama Smear Was a Team Effort, Says Romney Team | Mother Jones.