Rep. Jerrold Nadler told reporters on a DNC conference call this morning that Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s criticism of the Obama administration over its handling of the Libya embassy attack was “half-cocked” and irresponsible.

Nadler, who along with Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs, held the call in the lead up to Romney’s appearance at a fundraiser in New York City later today.

The script of the call stuck plainly to criticism that Romney had not clearly articulated his tax plan during the campaign until a reporter asked a question about the situation in the Middle East.

“I think I would echo the president: he went off half cocked. He didn’t have his facts right,” Nadler said.

Romney has been criticized by both Republicans and Democrats for knocking the Obama administration’s response to the crisis. The situation erupted after a bizarre movie critical of Islam enraged protesters in both Libya and Egypt. At the Egyptian consulate, a message was released condemning the movie, which Romney has claimed amounted to an apology from the president himself.

The message was later disavowed, but was seen at the time as a way to cool down the angry crowd. Later, a rocket attack at the American embassy in Libya killed four, including the U.S. ambassador.

“Later to double down instead of saying gee, I didn’t speak right, it’s just the most irresponsible politicization of a deadly situation when we ought to be caring about the lives of people at stake instead of worrying about cheap political stunts,” Nadler said.

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