Romney heckled in Virginia for 'politicizing' U.S. ambassador's death

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney on Thursday was confronted by an angry heckler who accused him of "politicizing" the death of the top U.S. diplomat in Libya to gain an advantage over President Barack Obama.

On Tuesday, U.S. ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and at least three members of his staff had been killed during protests over a film that mocked that the Prophet Muhammad and was promoted by Terry Jones, a U.S. pastor who had previously sparked deadly riots threatening to burn Qurans.

Romney on Wednesday had used the death of Stevens to score political points by accusing Obama of “sympathizing” with the enemy after the U.S. embassy in Libya released a statement condemning the anti-Muslim film.

“It’s disgraceful that the Obama administration’s first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks,” Romney said.

That initial statement from the former Massachusetts governor and his press conference later in the day were both panned as “irresponsible” and “craven.”

Although Romney toned down his criticism of the president the next day at a campaign stop in Fairfax, Virginia, one heckler refused to forgive the candidate.

"Why are you politicizing Libya?" the man screamed. "Why are you politicizing Libya?"

At that point, Romney supporters in the crowd began to chant "U-S-A!" and "Mitt! Mitt!"

The Associated Press reported that supporters also attempted to cover the man's face with a Romney-Ryan campaign sign, but he ripped it up and left the event.

In an interview with CBS News on Wednesday, Obama explained that Romney "seems to have a tendency to shoot first and aim later."

"And as president, one of the things I've learned is you can't do that. That, you know, it's important for you to make sure that the statements that you make are backed up by the facts. And that you've thought through the ramifications before you make 'em."

Watch this video from ABC News, broadcast Sept. 13, 2012.

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