"The world needs American leadership. The Middle East needs American leadership," Romney continued. "And I intend to be a President that provides the leadership that America respects and will keep us admired throughout the world.” Romney's words, a day after a coordinated assault on a diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya left America's ambassador to that country, Christopher Stephens, and three other Americans dead, represent a downshift in rhetoric from Wednesday. Related: Romney ratchets up criticism of Obama on initial response to embassy attacks Yesterday, Romney followed a harshly written statement criticizing the administration -- released as events were still unfolding at an American consulate under attack in Libya -- with a press conference doubling down on what he called a weak response by the Obama White House. Today, Romney's only overt mention of Libya and the death of the US ambassador and four others there, was a statement of mourning and an attempted moment of silence which was disrupted by a protester. "I also recognize that right now were in mourning, we've lost four of our diplomats across the world. We're thinking about their families and those that they've left behind," Romney said as a protester ripped a Romney sign in half and began shouting at Romney for politicizing the attacks in Libya. "I would offer a moment of silence but one gentleman doesn't want to be silent so were going to keep on going."
