After American Deaths in Libya, Ellison Defends Obama's Foreign Policy Choices

Following the deaths of four Americans killed in attacks on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya last Tuesday, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) appeared as part of a roundtable on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday morning to discuss the ongoing events in the Middle East and their impact on U.S. foreign policy.

Ellison defended President Obama's foreign policy skills after New York Republican congressman and chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Peter King, accused the president's policies of being confusing, apologetic and misguided. 

"The president has been consistent, he's been steady," Ellison said. "The last thing we need is to start making quick, emotionally-charged decisions. We need consistent steady leadership like the president has shown."

As far as presidential candidate Mitt Romney's criticism of Obama after the Benghazi attacks, Ellison referenced President Ronald Reagan to spear Romney's choice to speak while attacks were still underway.

"What about Reagan?," Ellison asked rhetorically. "Reagan said, 'You know when we have a crisis like this, we should all come together as Americans and not sort of divide up politically.'"

Last week Ellison appeared on Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor" and said the United States needs to understand not all people in the Middle East are extremists or troublemakers—a point he reitterated on Sunday.

“We need to understand that everybody’s not on the same side," he said. "You have some radicals who want to push back. Some-some loyalists from the old regime, some extremists, who want to exploit the situation, and you have people who want a Democratic society. They’re both contesting for who’s going to come out and the United States should stay on their side.”