Revelations from Benghazi are damning for Obama
This election’s “October surprise” may turn out to be the truth about something that happened in September.
Remember the rush by the Obama administration to blame the deadly attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on a reaction to a movie trailer offensive to Muslims? Well, like everything else in the Obama administration, that story had an expiration date. Here’s ABC News’ Jonathan Karl explaining:
For those who can’t/won’t watch the video, here’s the relevant section from Karl, citing a “senior State Department official”:
At the time [of the Benghazi killings], as you recall, we were told it was a protest that went bad and became an attack. Now we are told there was no protest going on outside that embassy. The first indication that they heard anything outside the walls of the … consulate compound was an explosion from gunfire.
Read that again: “There was no protest going on outside that embassy.” It’s not that the protest isn’t what led to the murders of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans; it’s long been suspected that the alleged protest was used as a diversion, created or merely convenient, by the terrorists who wanted to kill Stevens. Rather, there was no protest to begin with.
This is a damning revelation for Obama, who repeatedly invoked the video in his public remarks about the attack. It’s all the more so because Obama’s response to Mitt Romney’s statement about the attack in Benghazi and same-day protest in Cairo, Egypt, was that the Republican has “a tendency to shoot first and aim later.”
Kind of like blaming a non-existent protest based on an obscure movie for sparking the death of our ambassador, Mr. President?
Combine this news with another story reported this week for the first time:
A U.S. security officer twice asked his State Department superiors for more security agents for the American mission in Benghazi months before an attack that killed the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans, but he got no response.
The officer, Eric Nordstrom, who was based in Tripoli until about two months before the September attack, said a State Department official, Charlene Lamb, wanted to keep the number of U.S. security personnel in Benghazi “artificially low,” according to a memo summarizing his comments to a congressional committee that was obtained by Reuters.
The consequences of this action, quite obviously, were most grave and tragic for Stevens, the other three Americans killed, and their families.
But these stories also ought to have serious ramifications in the presidential election. A president who is touting his competence and foreign-policy success has a lot of explaining to do about incompetence and a tragedy overseas.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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176 comments Add your comment
getalife
October 10th, 2012
12:50 pm
The FBI report Kyle?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 10th, 2012
12:52 pm
a security failure that happened on his watch
LOL, the right ants to call out THIS President on this topic?
Lessee. Let’s do the math 5 military/political appointment personnel dead vs. 5,000 American CIVILIANS dead.
You Cons are such hypocrits. Make up excuses all day long and push blame to the 4 corners of the earth as long as it’s off your imbecile President.
getalife
October 10th, 2012
12:52 pm
Funny, cnn is reporting all the details are not known yet.
Why is that Kyle?
Shame on you and your failed party for playing politics with this.
Where is your patriotism?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 10th, 2012
12:54 pm
Why does the AJC refuse to report on the Benghazi cover-up?
Cause it’s only a cover-up in the right wing bubble. It needs more legs before any substantial news agency will pick up on it.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 10th, 2012
12:55 pm
Kyle’s already made up his mind. Guilty until proven innocent. Same thing with the Mexican gun non-starter.
Bruno
October 10th, 2012
12:56 pm
There really has to be a non partisan moderator for a debate to have significance.
nelson–I saw some criticism from the Lefties following the last debate that Romney bulldozed Jim Lehrer, even though later accounting showed that Obama spoke longer. Personally, I liked the format of the last debate in allowing the candidates to go head to head in a less structured way. Otherwise, you end up with simultaneous political infomercials in which the candidates simply regurgitate talking points.
getalife
October 10th, 2012
12:58 pm
They should be holding hearings on Turkey vs Syria war and what to do to help our ally Turkey.
Bruno
October 10th, 2012
1:01 pm
getalife–PB and I were just a stone’s throw from you Monday and Tuesday, spending a couple of days in Biloxi. We had a great time as always. She hung out at the spa at the Beau while I played in a poker tourney.
I thought of our own HD while traveling on Hwy 80 in Alabama, passing by “The Hillbilly Mall”. Quite a hoot:
http://blog.al.com/strange-alabama/2012/05/post_4.html
Michael
October 10th, 2012
1:03 pm
I see the “liberal media” is doing a full court attack on Obama for Romneys benifit. The Koch’s pay well I guess.
Joe The Plumber Too
October 10th, 2012
1:04 pm
poor, git and finny, all chickens are coming home to roost for their man-crush and the best they have is……..but Bush.
Mulugeta
October 10th, 2012
1:06 pm
“But these stories also ought to have serious ramifications in the presidential election.”
Agree. Unfortunately, except for a relatively small handful of us who pay attention, they won’t because most Americans go through life in ‘condition white’. Ask the average guy/gal on the street what Benghazi is and they’re apt to say it’s an imported car. What does grab and hold their attention and get votes @ election time is the promise of more government freebies.
DBCOOPER
October 10th, 2012
1:07 pm
Cause it’s only a cover-up in the right wing bubble
A LT COL is before Congress (under oath) with facts? The military as you surely know is not a Partisan organization. He is bringing facts. Not left not right just facts. Come on!!!
Not Blind
October 10th, 2012
1:08 pm
[D]= Don’t matter.
DBCOOPER
October 10th, 2012
1:09 pm
And OBTW is reading from records and emails from the embassy to the State Dept. As well as log books files etc.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 10th, 2012
1:10 pm
Kyle shoulda saved this diversion for after he next debate where the Presidential contenders will be asked questions from the public.
iggy
October 10th, 2012
1:10 pm
Its not Obamas fault he got it wrong. He was only reading from his teleprompter.
Bruno
October 10th, 2012
1:12 pm
the “liberal media”
Michael–I think most intelligent people understand that when 90% + of media members vote Democrat, their reporting will naturally be biased in one direction. Any reason you have trouble accepting the truth??
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 10th, 2012
1:13 pm
A LT COL is before Congress (under oath) with facts?
Like Ollie North – another Con hero. I believe he was charged with lying to Congress and admitted to it. What a hero!
Jack
October 10th, 2012
1:13 pm
Kyle:
I really am beginning to believe that America is going to elect Governor Romney.
For a pro-business, “Rockefeller Republican”, this turn of events is more than I could have hoped for.
Governor Romney’s declaration yesterday that he will not pursue any abortion legislation is another example of where this pro-business candidate’s priorities lie – business and not the pursuit of social legislation.
I am certain he will lead as he did in Mass – the very thing that worries many of the idelogical “pure” of the right wing is one of the things that makes me admire him – his ability and belief that to get things done, you have to compromise and work with the other side of the aisle.
“Etch a Sketch”? Of course, we all knew all along that to get the nomination he had to turn sharply to the Right and then back to where he is more comfortable in order to win the election.
I am convinced we are one month away from beginning to put the awful partisan divide behind us and the beginning of a government that will protect those who can provide for more jobs.
It is as it always has been and will be – the business of America is busniess.
Hillbilly D
October 10th, 2012
1:14 pm
Personally, I liked the format of the last debate in allowing the candidates to go head to head in a less structured way.
I didn’t watch the debate but I agree that’s the way it should be. Too often, it’s some network talking head looking to play gotcha and increase his/her own stock. I always heard that one of the first rules was that a journalist isn’t supposed to be part of the story but that went out the window years ago. It’s hard to believe that anybody in the national media can be objective when they all travel in the same circles, go to the same dinner parties, etc. Example: Ever hear anything very critical of Alan Greenspan on NBC? Guess why (if you don’t already know).
And Bruno, I got a relative who is doing well in the folk art racket.
@@
October 10th, 2012
1:15 pm
This is a damning revelation for Obama, who repeatedly invoked the video in his public remarks about the attack. It’s all the more so because Obama’s response to Mitt Romney’s statement about the attack in Benghazi and same-day protest in Cairo, Egypt, was that the Republican has “a tendency to shoot first and aim later.”
While Obama has a tendency to shoot blind AND…..with blanks.
I was gonna say something about falling into a manhole.
Not gonna do it, wouldn’t be prudent.
The book I’m waiting to read? The one written by cabinet members who served under Obama. It’ll be a page burner fo’ sho.
Damning can’t begin to describe….
From the Center
October 10th, 2012
1:16 pm
“The capital of Libya is Tripoli cons and you candidate has no freaking clue”
This from a person use candidate thinks there are 57 states, you have to laugh at that for sure.
Joe The Plumber Too
October 10th, 2012
1:18 pm
oops, finny’s wittle wheels are coming off…….hey getalife, do you think finny is unpatriotic for questioning the honesty of a active serving member of our armed forces?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 10th, 2012
1:21 pm
I guess tomorrow we will get Kyle’s blog regarding his outrage at the improbability of the jobs numbers.
sigh….. keep throwing stuff at the wall – maybe something will stick.
DBCOOPER
October 10th, 2012
1:24 pm
Finn
He’s reading emails from the security detail in Benghazi!!!!!!!! Not a lie ? How can it be? He’s reading someone elses email and logs. Come on man!!! Some people just refuse to see. Goddnight and goodluck. You’re a sheep.
@@
October 10th, 2012
1:26 pm
….keep throwing stuff at the wall – maybe something will stick.
That’s kinda what Obama did. Kept throwing the same limp noodle out there until the starch wore off.
The DAMNING truth is out!
His noodle’s on the floor.
Halftrack
October 10th, 2012
1:28 pm
Obummer is only reporting “present” for his duties and responsibilities of President. The world and the U.S. can wait on a “celebrity”. Our enemies are embolden as he sits on his “hands” and wonders what is going on. Do you feel better off today or you what is better?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 10th, 2012
1:30 pm
The DAMNING truth is out!
Is this one call “Fast and…Stuff happens”?
iggy
October 10th, 2012
1:30 pm
Just more lies from Obama and his “State Dept.”
iggy
October 10th, 2012
1:33 pm
“As Congress holds hearings on the deadly Sept. 11 attack on the US Consulate in Libya, Hillary Clinton’s State Department offers a surprise denial of its own on-the-record comments — including those of UN Ambassador Susan Rice.”
Beautiful!!
Gimme Gimme Gimme
October 10th, 2012
1:33 pm
Kyle,
Do Chinese people say “Let’s eat American tonight”?
JamVet
October 10th, 2012
1:34 pm
Had Mitt “I Was Dead Wrong” Romney (like that admission is any more believable that the rest of his endless flip flops!) not botched this from the get go with that moronic and disgusting statement, it could have been a political “win” for him.
But nope, Mr Foot in Mouth Disease had to screw it up.
No matter.
He is unfit to lead.
And won’t get the chance.
Better luck in 2016…
@@
October 10th, 2012
1:37 pm
Finn:
Big Bird has a shovel and pail for you and Obama
Scoop away!
You’re gonna need a bigger pail. Lotsa “stuff”.
Joe The Plumber Too
October 10th, 2012
1:37 pm
and jammy rides in on his blind steed to try and rescue finny and git………..from themselves.
Priceless
curious
October 10th, 2012
1:37 pm
All comments either blast Obama/Democrats or Bush/Romney/Republicans.
Why not cut out the extra verbage and just write ________ is a jerk?
Gimme Gimme Gimme
October 10th, 2012
1:39 pm
Will Obama and Clinton stand united or will one throw the other one under the bus.
Isn’t this where a normal SOS would take one for the team?
JamVet
October 10th, 2012
1:41 pm
Sewer pumper, are Finn and getalife posting here this afternoon?
I didn’t look at any of the previous posts.
But thanks for thinking of me!
Gimme Gimme Gimme
October 10th, 2012
1:43 pm
Unintended consequences, Darden restaurant’s is testing cutting employee hours because of Obamacare.
Joe The Plumber Too
October 10th, 2012
1:43 pm
jammy, you shouldn’t talk with your mouth full.
resno2
October 10th, 2012
1:45 pm
Please, please, please tell me that somehow this was ALL DUE TO THE FAILED POLICIES OF THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION. I’m not sure that I can handle the truth.
JamVet
October 10th, 2012
1:46 pm
And you should go suck out some more septic tanks.
Anything to say about Mitt completely botching his response and blaming the embassy personnel themselves for “sympathizing with their attackers”? (Forget Kyle’s cover up for the time being…)
Of course not.
Now go hump elsewhere…
Gimme Gimme Gimme
October 10th, 2012
1:46 pm
Axelrod in Hilary’s left ear – “You need to resign and say the buck stops with you for the party”
Bill in Hilary’s right – “Don’t take the heat or you will never be President”
iggy
October 10th, 2012
1:49 pm
Gimme Gimme Gimme
October 10th, 2012
1:46 pm
Touche’ !!
Tee hee hee.
Li'l Aynie
October 10th, 2012
1:53 pm
Kyle’s post is utter nonsense!
First, the incident was a surprise attack launched under cover of a protest that was spreading throughout the Muslim world. The nature of the attack had to be determined by investigation after the smoke and fire subsided.
Second, the facility attacked was the US Consulate in Benghazi, not the US Embassy, which is in Tripoli. Embassies are allowed to maintain a security force within the embassy compound. Consulates must rely on the protection of the host government, and do not maintain security details.
Third, the US does not have a military presence in Libya, which is a sovereign country. The diplomatic security forces are not capable of detecting and repelling attacks from rocket-propelled weapons.
The US Ambassador to Libya was visiting the consulate in Benghazi at the time the attack took place. He was accompanied by a few people assigned to his security. There was no credible advance warning of the surprise attack in Libya. Nor was there for the surprise attack on the US homeland on 9/11. “Surprise” means without warning.
iggy
October 10th, 2012
1:56 pm
“First, the incident was a surprise attack launched under cover of a protest that was spreading throughout the Muslim world.”
Wrong and wrong on all counts.
curious
October 10th, 2012
1:59 pm
Gimme Gimme Gimme
October 10th, 2012
1:43 pm
“Unintended consequences, Darden restaurant’s is testing cutting employee hours because of Obamacare”
Isn’t this where we want to go?
Decreased costs to employers (health insurance). More profit.
Individual responsibility (don’t rely on someone else for insurance)
More jobs (even if part time). A good employee/worker will find a full time job.
Hillbilly D
October 10th, 2012
2:01 pm
When we get attacked on 9/11, is it really a surprise? It didn’t happen that day by chance.
jd
October 10th, 2012
2:03 pm
Interesting how the committee chair didn’t spend much time on the cuts the R’s made to the security budget in the state department…
Joe The Plumber Too
October 10th, 2012
2:06 pm
sorry jammy, no excaping the fact that your little boy barry looks more like a fool every day. Perhaps you should hump on over to your man crush jay and tell him how you came into a intelligent blog empty headed. He will give you a couple of obama bedtime stories and lay you down for your nap.
DawgDad
October 10th, 2012
2:08 pm
“Cause it’s only a cover-up in the right wing bubble. It needs more legs before any substantial news agency will pick up on it.”
This and the Bookman blog (and many others) reinforce the pointlessness of engaging in political conversation with leftists, especially on their turf (MSM). There is no middle ground.
Please explain Susan Rice? If you think Americans were disserved by the Colin Powell testimony on WMD, how can this Administration possibly get a pass on their incompetency, propagandizing, and outright lies related to the Benghazi raid and 9-11 protests? Ah, yes, the end justifies the means. I wonder what, specifically IS the end? Shaping up to be pretty ugly for the common citizen.