Mitt Romney shared a remarkable story at a campaign rally in Iowa today, his voice wavering and cracking slightly as he described the tragic death of a former Navy SEAL he'd met years earlier. The young man was from Massachusetts; he died in Benghazi during the September 11 terrorist attack against the American consulate that claimed the life of US Ambassador Chris Stevens. Here is Mitt's stirring and moving tribute:
Romney isn't generally known for forging emotional connections with audiences, but this was a notable exception. The opening to his grave anecdote was actually quite funny, as the candidate described a Christmas party miscommunication that led to the chance encounter. But when Romney reached the point where the story turned somber, he cast his eyes down at the ground and fought to steady his voice. The GOP ticket has recently stepped up its criticism of the Obama administration over their disastrous mishandling of security in Benghazi and their subsequent flurry of lies and misdirection. Only recently was the Republican nominee informed that the ex-SEAL who perished was indeed the man he'd met those many years ago. This realization appeared to affect and galvanize Romney; Benghazi just got personal.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member