Washington - Republican challenger Mitt Romney accused President Barack Obama's administration on Wednesday of showing weakness in the face of tumultuous events that left four U.S. diplomats dead in the Middle East and jolted the race for the White House. Obama retorted that his rival "seems to have a tendency to shoot first and aim later."

Even some Republicans questioned Romney's handling of the issue, calling it hasty. Top GOP leaders in Congress pointedly declined to endorse his criticism of the president.

Said Obama: "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."

Obama-the-political-candidate's unusually personal criticism, which came in an interview with CBS, stood in contrast to his appearance outside the White House earlier in the day. Then, he somberly mourned the deaths and announced the deployment of additional Marines at diplomatic posts overseas in his capacity as commander in chief.

"And make no mistake. Justice will be done" he declared, referring to those responsible for the murders of Chris Stevens, U.S. ambassador to Libya, and three others.

The four diplomats were killed on Tuesday as protesters overran and burned the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi. In a separate incident, the American Embassy in Cairo was breached by protesters, and the nation's flag was ripped down, although no deaths were reported there.

The political fallout came as U.S. officials investigated whether the attack in Libya was a terrorist strike planned to mark the 11th anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Initial reports were that both the Libya and Egypt events had been motivated by anger over an amateur film made in the United States that ridiculed Islam's Prophet Muhammad.

Either way, some Republicans joined Democrats in questioning Romney's decision to inject himself into the situation thousands of miles away with his critical statement Tuesday night.

Some Republicans joined Democrats in questioning Romney's decision to inject himself into the situation thousands of miles away with his critical statement Tuesday night.

He followed up with morning remarks in which he blasted the administration's initial statement from Cairo as disgraceful and "akin to apology."

He added, "It's never too early for the United States government to condemn attacks on Americans and to defend our values."

While Obama initially chose not to respond to Romney, he shed his reluctance later in the day and compared Romney's reaction unfavorably to the way many other Republicans responded.

"And so I think if you look at how most Republicans have reacted, most elected officials, they reacted responsibly," Obama said. "Waiting to find out the facts before they talked, making sure that our No. 1 priority is the safety, the security of American personnel. It appears that Gov. Romney didn't have his facts right."

Top Republican leaders in Congress did not come to Romney's defense as they - like the GOP challenger and the president - mourned the deaths of the fallen diplomats.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Obama "correctly tightened the security overseas." Asked about Romney's remarks, he declined to answer and walked toward his office in the Capitol.

House Speaker John Boehner issued a brief statement condemning the violence against the U.S., as did Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia, but neither included any reference to the president.

Romney's account didn't mesh completely with events in Cairo.

The embassy statement that he referred to as akin to apology was issued by the embassy in Cairo at midday on Tuesday at a time the staff was aware of still-peaceful demonstrations in the area nearby. It was four or five hours later when the mob breached the compound's walls and tried to burn a U.S. flag.

The embassy statement condemned "the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims - as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions," and noted that religious freedom is a cornerstone of American democracy.

Romney added that the White House later "distanced itself" from the statement, saying it hadn't been cleared by senior officials in Washington. "That reflects the mixed signals they're sending to the world."

Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan, in an interview later in the day, also said the initial statement had come as the embassy was under attack. "I disagree with the original statements that the embassy put out - that the administration put out in Cairo sympathizing with the people who were storming the embassy. We should stand up for our values," he said.

While top Republican leaders in Congress avoided criticism of Obama, other GOP lawmakers were not as reluctant.

Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., noted the timing of the events and said, "America has suffered as a result of President Obama's failure to lead and his failed foreign policy of appeasement and apology."

Rep. Howard P. (Buck) McKeon of California said: "Again and again under President Obama we have met threats and thugs with apologies and concessions. Unsurprisingly, these mobs aren't satisfied with apologies any more. They have clearly been escalating the offensive in the war of ideas for some time."

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Associated Press writers Ben Feller in Florida, Steve Peoples in Boston and Philip Elliott, Kasie Hunt, Donna Cassata, Jim Kuhnhenn, Matthew Lee, Ken Thomas and Deputy Director of Polling Jennifer Agiesta in Washington contributed to this story.