Romney is waiting for Obama to respond to his recklessness.

[Avalux]

He wants Obama to acknowledge what he's done so he can 'create' a fight between the two of them over this bullshit.

Talking points released by Romney's campaign hint of what to say when Obama responds.

Obama should ingore him as if he doesn't even exist; he has more important things to think about right now. PRESIDENTIAL things.

I hope Romney goes to his grave waiting for that response.

[get the red out]

1. Romney is not that important

President Obama has a job to do right now, Romney thinks he's running for Homecoming King or something.

[Curtland1015]

2. I don't know. Ignoring stupidity doesn't always work out so well.

Like the swift boat attacks.

I love the idea of ignoring him. But in practice it may bite us in the ass.

[Ikonoklast]

8. Mitt is currently twisting in the wind, slowly, gently, swinging back and forth.

From a noose he put around his own neck.

He'll get cut down, but...not too soon.

Mitt is going to be left up there a while, for all the world to see.

[BlueStreak]

17. And remember, this will still be relatively fresh when the debates happen.

Obama is disciplined. He's got the high ground and he will not give that up.

Remember, Obama plays 3D chess while his opponents play checkers. He will not fall for this transparent little trick.

[leftynyc]

14. I understand your point but they really are

very different. Swiftboat was he said/he said. Here we have the President doing his thing and a rabid dog nipping at his heals. Let the surrogates put the dog down.

[Whisp]

3. that is so pathetic it reminds me of a Palinesque tactic

look at me! me! look! look!

[onenote]

4. No need for the President to respond

Pretty much everyone else, including some repubs and media types, are making it clear that Romney stepped in it big time.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

12. Exactly

It's not like in 2004 where the idiots in the GOP MSM were falling over themselves to help the Bush campaign-financed swifties smear John Kerry. Romney is getting pilloried by just about everybody at the moment. Obama stepping in at this point would almost seem gratuitous IMHO.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

5. I agree. Let the press and surrogates call out Romney's recklessness.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

6. I'd like to see an Obama spokesperson bring out a fly swatter

When a reporter asks him to respond to Romney's drivel he swats the swatter at an imaginary fly at the podium and merely says "there."

[Avalux]

10. Clever - I like it. n/t

[BlueStreak]

18. Funny. But you don't even give him that much respect.

What Romney did was deplorable.

Obama won't bring it up, perhaps until the debates.

If the press people or surrogates are asked about it, they should simply say "It was a reprehensible statement that recklessly added to the dangers faced by Americans serving in difficult circumstances." and say nothing more.

If Obama is asked, he will say something like, "These are difficult challenges. It is a complex world. Our administration is hard at work trying to stabilize the situation. I can't take time to comment on those engaging in political gamesmanship where American lives are at stake. I think many others have already said all that needs to be said."

[JustAnotherGen]

7. Debates

Foreign Policy will come up - Obama is biding his time I'm sure.

[Lucy Goosey]

9. He's not accounting for the fact that Obama is a better man and a better politician than him

The President not acknowledging Romney on this is the right thing to do, and it's the right move from a political/campaign point of view, too. Maybe if Romney weren't running against a sitting President some of this might make sense, but it's not going to work against President Obama.

I really don't understand how his campaign can be this incompetent. It's hard to believe it's not satirical performance art at this point. When does Romney rip off a mask to reveal he is really Colbert?

[hifiguy]

11. He will be ignored by the Administration

in an obvious and magisterial way. Romney stepped on his own d*ck and there's no reason not to let him flop around like a beached fish.

[magical thyme]

13. The President won't respond. He has far more important things on his plate

than worrying about asshole Romney shooting off his foolish, ignorant mouth.

The media and others have made clear to anybody who couldn't figure out for themselves that Romney's statements and behavior have been beyond the pale.

Barring the topic arising in the upcoming debates, I expect you will have your hope fulfilled.

[phleshdef]

15. If I were Obama, I would put myself in a position to be asked about it by the media.

Then I'd be like "Mitt who? Look, I'm the commander in chief. My job right now is to focus on 2 things. The culprits behind the attacks and the consolation of the families that have lost loved ones. I'm not about to exploit their losses for political purposes. If thats what the Romney campaign wants to do, then thats their sin that they'll have to answer for. Me, I have important things to worry about right now and Mitt Romney is not one of them".

[spanone]

16. romney will never understand it. he deals in appearances. Obama, reality.

[madokie]

19. Obama is good about holding his horses

so to speak. If he responds at all it won't be good for the rr ticket thats for sure.

[Avalux]

20. Well, Obama responded... "Shoot first and aim later".

I must say, good move on his part. I would probably make a lousy politician.