Shortly after the terrible news of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens’ death, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney issued a public statement denouncing President Barack Obama’s response. Romney maintained the Obama administration chose to sympathize with those who waged the attack that caused Stevens’ death.

“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’s statement said.

The catch? Romney was wrong.

Now, we understand in times of chaos it might be difficult to get information completely straight. But when it comes to public accusations of the presidential administration sympathizing with attackers, that’s a thought that Romney should have fact-checked first.

The statement Romney referred to was from the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, issued before the attacks occurred, that apologized for a film that had insulted the Prophet Muhammad.

Obama responded on an episode of “60 Minutes,” saying, “Governor 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.”

Our view is simple. We think Obama had it right. When it comes to public accusations, it’s worth the time to check the facts.

The above editorial is the consensus opinion of the Daily Kent Stater editorial board.