FLASHBACK: Romney condemned Obama Administration during tense diplomatic talks with China
A 'Lehman moment'
By Steve Benen
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Wed Sep 12, 2012 12:42 PM EDT
It's been largely forgotten, but
in the spring, there was a difficult diplomatic incident involving Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng. While delicate negotiations were underway, Mitt Romney jumped in, condemned U.S. officials during their tense diplomatic talks with China, and blasted the "day of shame for the Obama administration."
Soon after, the criticisms looked ridiculous, and even Bill Kristol said Romney appeared "foolish." The Republican candidate, unconcerned with the international implications, thought it'd be smarter to attack first, then get the facts, and then think it through.
Sound familiar?
When a campaign is struggling and starts to feel as if defeat is likely, the candidate and his or her aides start getting antsy, wondering how to shake things up. It's a dangerous dynamic -- the desperation starts clouding judgments, leading to unnecessary risks that do far more harm than good.
Read more:
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2012/09/12/13830415-a-lehman-moment
The Obama Administration successfully negotiated Chen Guangcheng's release, but Romney stuck his nose where it didn't belong and nearly ruined the whole thing. Read the whole article by Steve Benen.
