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Lugar Backs Obama on Iran; Says ‘Hell to Pay’ With Attack

Romney Duels With Obama Over Mideast Before New York Speeches

Sept. 25 (Bloomberg) -- A day before separate appearances at a global philanthropic conference, Mitt Romney shifted his focus to criticism of Barack Obama’s foreign policy, accusing the president of dismissing violent Middle East conflicts as “bumps in the road.”

With both men scheduled to address the Clinton Global Initiative in New York today, the Republican presidential challenger sought to reverse his slide in the polls by questioning Obama’s handling of developments in the region, including the deaths of the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans in Libya earlier this month.

“These are not bumps in the road; these are human lives,” Romney said yesterday in Pueblo, Colorado. “This is time for a president who will shape events in the Middle East.”

White House press secretary Jay Carney called the attacks “desperate” and “offensive” attempts by Romney and Republicans to gain a political advantage in a race that is tilting away from them.

Trailing in polls of battleground states, Romney is seeking to reenergize his White House bid by intensifying the pace of his public campaign and the tenor of his attacks against Obama. After a week spent largely fundraising, senior adviser Ed Gillespie said the campaign intends to draw sharper contrasts between Romney’s policies and those of Obama.

Benghazi Assault

While polls show Obama leading Romney on foreign policy issues, Republicans see an opportunity to cut into that advantage, pointing to surveys showing that voters have grown less satisfied since the Sept. 11 assault in Benghazi that killed U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three colleagues.

A survey conducted by the Wall Street Journal/NBC News from Sept. 12-15 found that 49 percent approved of Obama’s job performance on international affairs, while 46 percent disapproved -- a five-point percentage drop since the month before.

Romney’s attacks were amplified by the full force of his party yesterday, with the National Republican Senatorial Committee challenging Democratic candidates in competitive races to “share their view” on Obama’s foreign-policy remarks. In a conference call with reporters, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said Obama is putting Israel “on par” with other allies in the region, a position he finds “very, very concerning.”

Carter Comparison

Speaking at a campaign stop in Lima, Ohio yesterday, vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan compared Obama’s handling of events in the Middle East to the 1979 taking of American hostages in Iran during Jimmy Carter’s presidency.

Republicans were reacting to comments made by Obama in an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes,” broadcast Sept. 23, in which the president said it was clear there would be “bumps in the road” for Arab countries transitioning to democracy.

“I was pretty certain, and continue to be pretty certain, that there are going to be bumps in the road because, in a lot of these places the one organizing principle has been Islam,” Obama said. “There are strains of extremism and anti- Americanism and anti-Western sentiments. And you know can be tapped into by demagogues.”

The fresh assault on Obama’s foreign-policy positions occurred as the president traveled to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. In his speech before world leaders this morning, Obama plans to stress his commitment to preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.

Schedule Criticized

The president will also condemn an anti-Islam video made in the U.S. that sparked protests across the Muslim world as well as the violence that followed, Carney said. While at the UN, Obama has no announced one-on-one meetings with world leaders, a schedule that’s drawn criticism from Republicans.

Obama said yesterday that the attack in Libya “wasn’t just a mob action,” while declining to call it an act of terrorism before an investigation is complete.

Romney tries to get back on economy message after rough week

Campaigning in the swing state of Colorado, Romney remained fixed on the economy, and his message grew more forceful and specific. "They don't understand small business, I do, not because I studied it, but because I lived it," Romney told supporters. "You have to be in business to understand how to create jobs."

He's looking to put last week behind him. On the campaign plane Sunday night to Denver, Romney told reporters he was buckling down, flatly rejecting suggestions the race may be slipping away.

"We just keep on battling forward with our message," he said. "I don't pay a lot of attention to the day-to-day polls. They change a great deal."

But those polls now show President Barack Obama on the rise in key battleground states. In Colorado, the latest CBS News poll shows the president has overtaken Romney and now leads by one point, 48 to 47.

Romney is launching a bus tour in another swing state, Ohio, where he'll be met with a new ad hitting him for the now notorious "47 percent" remarks from a May fundraiser.

Democrats have also seized on Romney's tax rate. In an interview on "60 Minutes," Romney commented on his tax rate. "60 Minutes" correspondent and "CBS Evening News" anchor Scott Pelley said, "Now you made, on your investments, personally, about $20 million last year. And you paid 14 percent in federal taxes. That's the capital gains rate. Is that fair to the guy who makes $50,000 and paid a higher rate than you did?"

Romney said, "It is a low rate. And one of the reasons why the capital gains tax rate is lower is because capital has already been taxed once at the corporate level, as high as 35 percent."

Asked if he thinks it's fair, Romney said, "Yeah, I think it's the right way to encourage economic growth, to get people to invest, to start businesses, to put people to work."

Democrats have continued their attempts to make an issue out of Romney's tax rate. For his part, Romney said on the campaign plane Sunday that he thinks some of those personal attacks have been effective.

Venture Runway - Season 8, Episode 12 Recap

It was down to your final five on "Project Runway" and somehow Michael C. has pretty much made it to Fashion Week. The 5 met Heidi on the runway and she informed them she had a surprise for them. They thought new michael kors handbags had been a trick, however they acquired to shell out the night inside the presidential suite and get pleasure from champagne.

The final challenge, announced by Mayor Bloomberg, was to locate inspiration in a New York City landmark. The designers could pick any location they wished and had a spending budget of $500.

Gretchen chose the Lower East Side, Mondo and April chose the Brooklyn Bridge, Michael C. chose the Statue of Liberty, and Andy selected Central Park. Tim informed April she should test to shock the judges. Gretchen talked trash about Michael C., saying her reminded her of exactly where she was 5 years ago as being a designer by only generating dresses and replicating appears. Michael C. was concerned his appear was as well risk-free so he lower out one other a single just in case. Mondo was so exhausted, he took a long nap, putting him far behind during the challenge. Gretchen thought Andy's seem was slutty and Andy agreed, saying he "gave birth to a Chinese prostitute."

Mondo couldn't get the job done with his sequined material, which manufactured Tim delighted. Tim told April to step back and edit her seem, which Mondo considered was near to currently being costumey. Tim advised Michael C. to seem throughout the area and see what another designers had been performing, but not to eliminate his voice while in the garment. Tim also cautioned Andy about his seem staying too slutty, however it wasn't as lousy when his model put it on.

At least Andy's model had something to test on. Mondo was running thus far behind, his model did not have an outfit to put on, just pieces. Gretchen didn't care for Michael C.'s seem saying he was "either an idiot savant or just and idiot" to Andy. She also considered April's seem was witchy, but I had to agree.

The guest judge was Season four winner Christian Siriano. I believed Michael C. took his Statue of Liberty drapped search too literally and frankly, I thought it was a little boring. But, the judges raved about this. Michael Kors said "You wished a showstopper and also you got 1." Nina was impressed together with the back and Christian named it "effortless outdated Hollywood."

Mondo's outfit was cute, if not a little understated for him. Michael Kors stated he proved that color was not his crutch, considering the fact that the outfit was black and white. Nina imagined it was phenomenal, but Heidi wished to see a little something unique from him.

The judges had grown somewhat weary of Andy's "warrior" look. Though Michael Kors didn't get Central Park in any respect, but he explained it was beautifully crafted. Heidi liked the lines and Nina said it was the right black dress for that edgy woman.

The one which actually acquired slammed was Gretchen. Michael Kors stated he was baffled by her search. Nina asked "What occurred?" and Gretchen admitted she had lost her steam and started out tearing up. Christian produced elements a bit greater by saying it was wearable, but I considered it had been an ugly outfit.

April as well received slammed, with Michael Kors saying the sameness of her outfits was so numbing and said the model looked like a "pregnant witch." He followed that up by telling her there was no joy in her clothing. Nina said she was not certain April had any assortment and April also teared up.

Once the judges asked the designers who need to visit Fashion Week with them, only Mondo chose Michael C. and Michael C. was the initial one to learn he will be from the final four. Mondo was identified as out next, followed by Andy. That left Gretchen and April and despite the fact that she served up a horrible outfit, Gretchen will get to create a collection and April was sent house. Even so, only three of the designers will visit Style Week.

Police Open Fire on Protesters in Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan—Three people were killed and dozens injured Friday when protests by tens of thousands of Pakistanis infuriated by an anti-Islam film descended into deadly violence.

Police fired tear gas and live ammunition in an attempt to subdue rioters who hurled rocks and set fire to buildings in some cities on a holiday declared by Pakistan's government so people could rally against the video, which has sparked protests across the Muslim world.

Thousands of Muslims protested in at least half a dozen other countries, some burning American flags and effigies of President Barack Obama.

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Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

A Pakistani policeman fires an automatic weapon in the direction of demonstrators during a protest in Islamabad on Friday.

In the Pakistani city of Peshawar, police fired on rioters who were torching a cinema. Mohammad Amir, a driver for a Pakistani television station, was killed when police bullets hit his vehicle at the scene, said Kashif Mahmood, a reporter for ARY TV who was also sitting in the car at the time. The TV channel showed footage of Mr. Amir at the hospital as doctors tried to save him.

A protester who was shot during a demonstration in the city also died, police officer Rohhullah Khan said.

In Karachi, armed protesters among a group of 15,000 fired on police, killing one and wounding another, said police officer Ahmad Hassan. The crowd also burned two cinemas and a bank, he said.

The controversial film denigrating the Prophet Muhammad, called "Innocence of Muslims," has sparked unrest in many parts of the Muslim world over the past 10 days. The deaths of more than 30 people, including the U.S. ambassador to Libya, have been linked to the violence. Much of the anger has been directed at the U.S. government even though the film was privately produced in the U.S. and American officials have criticized it for insulting Muslims.

The publication by French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo of cartoons making fun of Muhammad has also angered protesters.

As well as in Pakistan there were protests Friday in Indian-controlled Kashmir, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia.

In Kashmir's main city of Srinagar, police fired tear gas to disperse nearly 30 women who were marching Friday under the banner of the radical Islamic women's group Dukhtaran-e-Millat chanting "Down with the U.S."

In Iraq, about 3,000 protesters condemned the film and caricatures of the prophet in a French satirical weekly. The protest in the southern city of Basra was organized by Iranian-backed Shiite groups.

In the Sri Lanka capital of Colombo, about 2,000 Muslims burned effigies of President Barack Obama and American flags at a protest after Friday prayers, while in Bangladesh, over 2,000 people marched through the streets of the capital, Dhaka, to protest the film.

In Malaysia, thousands of Muslims demonstrated noisily outside the U.S. Embassy, burning U.S. and Israeli flags. Police estimated that 2,800 to 3,000 people took part in the protest. They chanted, "Long live Islam'' and "Destroy America.'' Officers formed a cordon in front of the embassy, which was closed. There were no clashes and no arrests.

"Our message to the U.S. is very clear—stop it!'' said Nasruddin Hassan Tantawi, youth chief of the Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party, which played a large role in organizing the protest. "You cannot allow Americans to insult our Prophet, to insult Islam." Mr. Nasruddin said that the Islamic party didn't condone the burning of the U. S. and Israeli flags.

U.S. diplomatic missions in neighboring Indonesia were also closed. Several hundred protesters demonstrated without violence in the capital Jakarta as well as in Surabaja. Officials had expressed concern over potential violence after a clash Monday in Jakarta between police and demonstrators ended with thrown rocks and Molotov cocktails.

In response to the protests at the film, France has closed its diplomatic missions in Indonesia, Malaysia and in several other countries as a precaution.

The riots in Pakistan come after nearly a week of violent rallies against the film in which three people have died. The government declared Friday to be a national holiday and encouraged people to protest peacefully.

Police could not immediately be reached for comment about the death of Mr. Amir.

The cinema where police opened fire was one of two in Peshawar that several hundred protesters ransacked and set ablaze. Police beat back demonstrators with batons and firing tear gas and bullets. At least 11 people were wounded in the clashes, including four who were shot, said police officer Imtiaz Khan. They included eight protesters and three policemen.

On Thursday, the government was forced to call in army troops to protect the capital, Islamabad, after more than 2,000 stone-throwing demonstrators tried to reach the U.S. Embassy inside a guarded enclave that houses foreign missions and government offices. Security was tight in Islamabad again Friday, as police set up scores of shipping containers to prevent protesters from reaching the diplomatic enclave.

The government also blocked cellphone service in 15 major cities, including Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, to prevent militants from using phones to detonate bombs during the protests, said an Interior Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to talk to the media.

U.S. officials have struggled to explain to the Muslim world how they strongly disagree with the anti-Islam film but have no ability to block it because of the freedom of speech in the country.

Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf called on the international community Friday to pass laws to prevent people from insulting the Prophet Muhammad, saying "an attack on the holy Prophet is an attack on the core belief of 1.5 billion Muslims."

He added that if denying the Holocaust could be a crime, as it is in Germany, insulting Islam could also be made illegal.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also lashed out at the West over the film and the publication of caricatures of the prophet by a French satirical weekly.

"In return for [allowing] the ugliest insults to the divine messenger, they—the West—raise the slogan of respect for freedom of speech," said Mr. Ahmadinejad during a speech at a military parade in the capital, Tehran.

He said this explanation was "clearly a deception."

The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, in a bid to tamp down public rage over the film, is spending $70,000 to air an ad on Pakistani television that features President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton denouncing the video. Their comments, which are from previous public events in Washington, are in English but subtitled in Urdu, the main Pakistani language.

In Germany, which is home to an estimated 4 million Muslims, the Interior Ministry said it was postponing a poster campaign aimed at countering radical Islam among young people because of heightened tensions caused by the online video insulting Islam.