jack tapper recorded the same statement on abc news. they said romney's political faux pas was to hurt the pundit class without thinking seriously about the problems for american in the world. do you believe that? >> no. this is all more rum -- war room bluster. you have to attack. something happens and you attack right away. it's mindless. i do not think it will stick. >> earlier in the week, you said you would have told him to go and help. any second thoughts? >> no second thoughts. i believe the time when you gave completely vindicates what romney did. you said the statement was issued in the afternoon. they were silent about it. now with the drop, nothing, until romney said it was a disgrace, which it was. then all of a sudden the state department said it was not authorized. that was the only statement coming out of this administration. the u.s. embassy speaks on behalf of the u.s. government. the administration said nothing. it was entirely vindicated. >> colby, your thoughts on this? >> my first reaction is to say protection of th