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Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) this afternoon tried to smooth over tensions with fellow Republican Sen. John McCain after she was quoted in Politico noting his absence at a Senate Homeland Security and Government and Affairs briefing on Benghazi yesterday.
McCain was holding a press conference in the Senate gallery at the time of the private briefing that included officials from the State Department and the Intelligence Committee.
McCain's office chalked it up to a "scheduling error" and aides say he made his displeasure to Collins known this morning.
She told NBC News that she believes McCain's call for a special Congressional committee to look into the Benghazi matter is not necessary, and he would be a valuable member of the Homeland Security Committee's own investigation. Collins is the top Republican on the committee.
"All I was trying to point out is that he's a very valuable member of our committee, so he would be involved in all the briefings, the hearings and investigation," she said. "And thus, I don't think that it's necessary to create a whole new separate committee. Our committee has a history of doing independent, bipartisan, comprehensive across-the-board investigations. We've done it on Fort Hood, on Hurricane Katrina, on a host of different issues. The only point I was trying to make -- apparently inartfully -- was that he and Lindsey Graham are members of the committee, so they will be fully involved, and I'm sure will play an important role."
McCain was joined by Sens. Graham and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) at the Wednesday news conference announcing their resolution for a Select Committee during the time when the Benghazi briefing occurred.
Critics have chided McCain for demanding more answers on Benghazi while missing an opportunity to learn more from the intelligence community. McCain's office said today that he would have attended.
McCain will attend today's closed-door hearing with senior intelligence officials and tomorrow's with former CIA Director David Petraeus.
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McNasty misses a intelligence briefing because he couldn't pass up a microphone to shout from?
This bitter, petty old man surpassed his expiration date 4 years ago!
It is well past time he retire to one of his homes and yell at the kids to get off his lawn!
He has NO business in Congress, let alone a seat at the adult table!
Thanks to HIM we got a war in Iraq and Sarah Palin!!!!
McChicken is McNasty - what about bipartisanship in time of crisis and national mourning (over the ambassador)? Where is his McPatriotism?
RETIRE OLD MAN! We don't want to fight any more wars for your ego!
I don't think McCain is all there.
More and more he's acting like he's a couple of tacos short of a fiesta meal!
WTF would you know about adulthood? you sling childish insults at everyone. Interesting the abhorrence of McCain from some on the left (being old and white) and yet Nancy Pelosi, the '1%er', who is old and white herself is revered by the left.
Im thankful people like Pig, Feisty and Fuzz here DO NOT wholly represent the Democrat party. You give the democrats a bad name.
Mmmmm... guacamole!
This shows even his own party members are getting a little tired of McCain. Hopefully the citizens of AZ will come to their senses and NOT re-elect him again. He is far past his "expiration" date!
What's really sad, he could have left office with dignity years ago. However, he has stuck around long enough to become the joke of the Senate.
Hey, fuzzy44 who writes:
...wow...when did McCain had sex change procedures? I didn't know that..or didn't read in the news? Thanks for the update, fuzzy44.
In other words, Senator McCain, your colleague Senator Susan Collins is very nicely telling you to sit down, shut up, and let those that actually want to work in a bipartisan fashion do so.
It must hurt when your own party thinks you're stale . . ..
How pathetic is it that McCain's anger at losing the election has made him so bitter. Yet I don't see that same bitterness towards George Bush, whose shameful treatment of McCain cost him the nomination in 2000, when he might have had a chance to win.
What a petty man and Sen. Collins shows her true colors in backing down to him.
The Republicans are beginning to eat their own. There is a God. . . .
UHHHHM.......... And on the other hand, all Republicans strive to be like................Caesar????
if i were republican perhaps. I notice you avoid the rest of my initial post so I will go with the silence equals im right. thanks
Pelosi still has a grip on reality. McCain, not so much. That's my point Caesar.
McCain continues to live in the fact free environment he has chosen since 2008.
I can't wait for him to go....And the rest of the old people yelling at the kids to stay off of their lawn and hedges...
Soon all of the old mean people will be dead and our country can finally be what Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and others before their time envisioned...
We must keep as many in the younger generations as we can from following in Sarah Palin's footsteps of hate and division...
NH Sen. Kelly Ayotte had better enjoy her Ride as the Other 3rd Amigo(now that leibermens no longer gonna be there) for the next 4 years, because she's gonna need HELP when running for reelection!
John McCain picking Bat$hit Crazy Sarah Palin for VP & then calling ANYONE Incompetent is close to the:
SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD !
6 Years & counting, America's Politcal Environment has been in TURMOIL & John MCCain is Da Point Man for it ALL!
You Betcha!
Occupy SoggyBottom!
LOL, well proven too
McNasty is trying to stay relevant in a congress that's getting younger and more progressive every term. He used to be a moderating voice, now he is just a bloviating, divisive, attention craving, grumpy old man.
This just sounds like a classic bit of Sen. McCain, talking to reporters: "We need to have a Special Select Senate Committee to investigate this. " Meanwhile:
I guess the scheduling of getting in front of the camera to yell about the young black man who defeated him prevented him from actually being part of the investigation he was yelling about. Time for this old white guy to retire. And take McConnell, Graham, and a few other useless old fools with him.
I'm glad someone has the BALLZ to play in the game McCain,Lindsey,and Romney,thank you for being Man enough to get the answers that the Family's and America deserve! Just ignore all the Petty comments made by some of those on the left,for whatever reason they don't want the truth,but the other half of America does,and I bet a good bunch of the left do to,I know their not all blindly following Obama And our Government.You see, we have all been tired of the lying.cheating,scandals,waisting,fakeness ect.And the thing is we don't really care at all what party they belong to,they work for the American People,the one's that Pay them,now some of us disagree on how these money's should be used but we all want to raise our family's in safe,happy environment's....were alike in some and differ in others,but we should be United in holding all of our employees that we give Power,and Our Money to Accountable for their actions ALL of them.
John McCain is a man for whom I used to have great respect. However his unrelenting personal need to avenge his loss in 2008 -- and his nearly hysterical hatred of Mr Obama has turned him into a pathetic, shrill and unreasoning demagogue. He had everything: respect, position, reputation. He is throwing it all away for spite.
@Caesar
McCain is old and white, but that isn't the reason people, even in his own party are turning against him, myself included. The reason McCain is being pilloried is because of his nonsense and partisanship. It is clearly evident that this is nothing more than sour grapes. His biggest transgression in my opinion is his selective memory and resultant hypocrisy. In his answer to Matt Lauer question about his defense of Condolezza Rice for her false statements with respect to WMD's in Iraq he claimed that every intelligence agency in the world agreed that Saddam had WMD....that is PATENTLY FALSE, and ANYONE that was around at the time knows that is completely false, for christ's sake the UN wasn't even behind that war. McCain is a hypocrite, a liar and and azzhole and anyone defending him should be considered the same.
@Ster2
Bullsh*t mountain closed today and that's why you're here spewing your trash? Of course you are aware that Ambassador Steven's mother has even asked that his death not be politicalized. Before you start blathering about what the families and other Americans deserve, maybe you should first respect their wishes. Fool!
Mcnugget has lost his fkn mind!! This man is a disgrace to all Americans and I have no respect for his service and his disservice to all of America cancels out his service to this country, so he is a big fkn ZERO fk off Mcnugget.
McCain is a sore loser who lost to Pres. O (08) and wants vengence.
p.s. - it's McVengeance
Piggy,
Had McCain been elected we would have went back to war with the "little people" (Vietnam). He holds a grudge there for sure. His time in the Senate should have been over long ago.
yeah...give thanks to McCain for his heroic service in Vietnam..but boo him for his McCareer in politics.
He is not a hero remember he sold out under pressure and spoke against the USA, he is a very sad sore losser he got his @&& kicked in 2008 then he lost all over again in 2012 along with his buddy paul & mitt, yes lower case I have no respect for either of them.
I loved it when the reporter asked him why he was complaining about not receiving information while he was missing a classified briefing about said information and he responded with "I have no comment about my schedule and I'm not going to comment on how I spend my time to the media." What a baby.
McCain needs to go back to the depends factory and find some that can carry a bigger load of crap. Since he is so full of it.
Collins: "You realize the committee you are demanding already exists, right? And that you missed a meeting of it while you were demanding they create it?"
McCain: "GET OFF MY LAWN!!"
McCain certainly isn't the brighest bulb in the box!!! He thinks Sarah Palin is qualified for the Presidency yet Susan Rice is not qualified for Secretary of State. What an a$$!
Those who knew him best in the Senate, said McCain didn't have the temperment to be President. And those were Republicans. It's pretty obvious McCain is thin-skinned and has a temper.
the man has P.T.S.D.
During the 2008 election campaign, it was hinted that McCain could not write and send an e-mail.
yes Phil his is PTSD alright Post Traumatic STUPID Dipstick
I am still waiting for Obama's Benghazi critics to tell us what they should of done. Are they advocating that the US launch air strikes or send in ground forces in a city of 1 million people in a country we are not at war with? A country with a fledgling pro-US government and the citizens of Benghazi proved their pro-US leanings by demonstraing in the tens of thousands against the extremists and then by driving the extremists out of town. How would what they wanted to do would have made the situation any better?
Clearly, they wanted President Obama to sit down for about 10 minutes and read "The Pet Goat" before doing anything about it.
RonB. DUDE! I went and got my wife so we could read your post together. That was awesome....... Go Raiders!!
Mabe when we get some straight answers we can give strategy out lol,I bet you could come up with a few pointers for them too,After All,It couldn't have gone much worse.
And RonB,that's implying that Obama actually did something after reading "the Pet Goat" and we all are left with the impression he did nothing....Oh wait he did goto Vegas and Partied with JayZ.
McCain will be an interesting topic for biographers and historians...One of the few "heroes" to emerge from a divisive war, he was once the most bipartisan member of the Senate...
...but the past decade has seen him 'evolve" into an entirely different divisive persona.
Johnny, we hardly knew ye...
dangerfield - your post is sadly true. There was a time I had a great deal of respect for John McCain. His selection of Palin as a running mate, then his attitude after losing to President Obama erased that respect. Now he only comes across as an angry old man.
... leaving out the squeamish lines are ye?
His career is both elliptical and parenthetical...(Don't you think?)
Squeamish is my cousin...
-------------------------------------------------------------
The difference between a moral man and a man of honor is that the latter regrets a discreditable act, even when it has worked and he has not been caught.
H.L. Mencken
I agree John McCain needs to step away and enjoy the golden years however I find it mind boggling how he has become so demonized by the left for being old and white (and he is, see the first three posts) and yet Nancy Pelosi, again Old and White(angry) and DIVISIVE (and a nasty 1%er) is so revered.
Dangerfield you are right, he has changed and not necessarily for the better. I think some of the old guard should move on and that i believe will happen sooner than later.
Old age makes people do strange things. McCain is bitter, resentful, and cranky. He seems to be going through mid-life crises for the third time. Lashing out at other people including the president is symptomatic of this disposition. McCain chose the diva, Sarah Palin, as his running mate. I am sure he is still castigating himself for that foolery.
@dangerfield: (Quite) Inciteful, as usual. Perhaps chastened at the prospect of having no claim to relevance once his Committee Chair expires, he was an obvious choice to take the chore of Republican attack dog. Perhaps the offer to curl up in another Committee (without being required to actually attend) will placate him...especially since his growling does seem rather toothless.
Re: Mencken, yes, the discreditable act is a regret for the man of honor either way - but why would this not also be so of the moral man? What was the defining difference do you think between 'honor' and 'moral'?
"He is one of the few heroes to emerge from a devastating war" Not so fast, I believe there are 56+ thousand names on a Black Granite Wall that says otherwise.
John McCain, Lindsay Graham's Attacks on Susan Rice smacks of Racism to me. You notice the way John McCain uses every opportunity to say something Negative about the President's Intelligence.
WHY is it that they did not Say anything about Sec. Clinton's COMPETENT and Intelligence, She is the Direct Head of the Diplomatic Corp. Was she not responsible Directly for Bengazi?
Republicans like McCain, Graham and Daryl Issa are trying to make the African Americans, in my Opinion, in important rolls in the Obama Administration look as if None have the Competence to be in the Jobs they hold, especially, Eric Holder, and now Susan Rice.
Did Democrats Filibuster Condi Rice and she did not even know who or what AlQueda was! She was National Security Adviser to Bush!
The more I hear from John McCain, the more I believe his POW Days, are creeping in on his HEALTH, especially his mental state as a U. S. Senator to make such Ugly Statements as one of our Elder Statesmen. It is time for him to Quit. Lindsay Graham is just a "Me Too" LIGHTWEIGHT.
Here we have two U. S. Senators, who are SORE LOSERS of 2 Presidential Campaigns and CONTINUE TO ACT CHILDREN in a Playpen. We expect our U. S. Senators to show Leadership. Not 2 Nasty Senators trying to Damage Susan Rice's Career and Reputation or anyone's Career, plus McCain and Graham are LYING ABOUT WHAT Rice ACTUALLY SAID. They are TOTAL OBSTRUCTIONISTS ON LIES AND DISOTRTIONS OF THE TRUTH to do whatever they can to hit back at the Obama Administration.
For McCain is being a Total Loser in 2 Elections. Graham, is just a Total Lighweight.
Susan Collins needs to join Olympia Snowe and Retire ALSO.
What about the $300 MILLION THE House cut out of the Security Budget for Embassy's, and Sec. Clinton pleaded with them not to do it.
JUMP ON that Mainstream Media."
The Republican Version Of Romper Room Continues!
Intelligence -- A Lack There Of -- More Like It!
McCain Your Still Grinding The Axe From When You Were Beaten By Obama In 2008 I'd Say!
McCain was holding a press conference in the Senate gallery at the time of the private briefing that included officials from the State Department and the Intelligence Committee -- What Intelligence?
McCain's office chalked it up to a "scheduling error" and aides say he made his displeasure to Collins known this morning. I Sure!
Give Me A Break Mr. McCain. If Your Considered A Valued Member I'd Hate To See What The Less Valued Members Are All About!
One Minute Your Ripping Up Rice And Obama And At The Sametime You Missed A Key Briefing On The Same Matter -- Now That Was Real Intelligent On Your Part!
The Man And His Side Kick Graham With All The Details -- Yup!
Time For Some R&R Please Retire John & Take Graham With You!
These Guys Need To Get Their Priorities Inorder -- Like Fixing Our Economy!
McCain was at the window yelling at kids to get off his lawn. Collins pointed out that the lawn wasn't even the one at his house.
Readers Digest version: "John McCain was too busy politicizing this to deal with knowing the facts at the committee hearing that is a part of his actual job." Time to retire, Maverick.
I'm not interested in calling McCain names, that doesn't do anyone any good. That being said, this story seems to re-emphasize what seems to be McCain's recent behavior: shooting his mouth off before he has all the facts. In this case, it appears that he was busy shooting his mouth off instead of getting the facts. After his 2008 loss, I hoped that McCain went back to his pre-campaign grace, but now it appears that his loss has been festering for four years, and Obama's reelection has pushed him over the edge, allowing his famous intemperate temper to get the best of him. I don't know any thinking person who does not believe that an investigation into the Benghazi tragedy is necessary, but McCain's and Graham's insistence on petulant bombasticism rather than a careful investigation and analysis makes them appear to be as shallow as a mud puddle.
Teeaitch
What facts did McCain not have wrong?All he is asking is to know the how,where,when,why and whynots, the ones most of us want to know and he is trying to find out,And is being Bullied for wanting to get to the bottom of this endless pit of miss information,McCain and the others are just as sick and tired of this BS as Most Americans,What's wrong with knowing the truth? And to consider putting Rice in Clintions place is just not a good choice ,at least for now...she went on talk shows lying about Benghazi,whether or not she was givin the info and by whom and when is one of the questions,And most involved at the top seem to be leaving their jobs or have made themselves unavailable,and we need to know why,and if Rice is such a great pic then why was the un-qualified Clinton put there to begin with?Because it is such a sore spot right now,a compromise is what this calls for.
Ster - Who said McCain got any facts wrong? What most people are saying is that he was too busy making an azz of himself at his own press conference to go to the committee meeting that was being held to discuss the facts he was asking for. If he had gone to the committee meeting like he was supposed to, he would have gotten the opportunity to get some facts, discuss the facts presented, and ask for more facts if he wasn't satisfied. Instead, he decided to call a press conference and act like a grumpy old man, demanding facts that he could have been getting at the committee meeting.
With regard to Susan Rice - How can you say that someone stating what they were told was the truth is lying? She was repeating the intelligence reports that were given to her. Are you saying that she ignored what she was told to say and made up some lies on her own? And the only reason she is being considered is because Hillary Clinton is retiring from office, not because Rice is more qualified or Clinton is unqualified. Keep up on the news, please.
And by the way, it's misinformation, not miss information. Miss Information was obviously a teacher of yours at some point. Try learning some spelling and grammar before making all these posts...
Makes perfect sense. Lambast the Obama administration, as if you know all the facts, but avoid a meeting where facts can be learned and discussed. Add to this Romney's recent comments to his donors. The republicans have learned nothing from past mistakes and seem likely to continue learning nothing and stepping in their own dung piles as time progresses.
Romnesia is not a viral epidemic in the Republican party.
Proves the GOP is 3 generations out of step
The old white man club slapped Collins back into reality - never question their God-given right and status to control everything even though they are wrong. This is their main problem with President Obama (uppity) and will not do as they say. Maybe 5 generations out of touch. Women beware and only follow their lead or you will be sorry.
There ya go with the Old white guys going to take your rights away propaganda again,Yes it worked,at least for awhile but as more and more of the truth keeps seeping out and sooner or later most will wake up to the BS they got served from the left,you can only cry wolf so many times...
Collins is setting herself up for a primary battle in 2 years with some RNC picked teanic. That would be good news for any democrat that would run against her replacement.
Wow.. This is what you call making a mountain out of the molehill. As I have said before. And as all these GOP knows - I will shout now:
US CAN NOT DEFEND AGAINST THE KIND OF ATTACK THAT TOOK PLACE IN BENGHAZI BECAUSE THE SECURITY OF ANY LAND BEYOND THE EMBASSY LAND IS A FOREIGN LAND AND THEREFORE THE SECURITY RESPONSIBILITY OF THAT FOREIGN LAND IS THE JOB OF THAT FOREIGN LAND. ONLY US EMBASSY LAND IN ANY COUNTRY OUTSIDE US IS OWN BY US AND CAN BE SECURED BY US.
Ah and by the way that is the International law.
Remember Equadorian Embassy in the city of London and wikileak leader versus our UK government. Probably 50 of our policemen can only stand outside to arrest Assange who was inside., none can go in. Why because the Embassy in London is an extension of the Republic of Equador.
Now imagine if there was a lunatic intending to blow up that embassy in London, no matter what intelligence you get, Ecuadorean military can not operate in London or on British soil. They can only operate INSIDE their Embassy period (which will not prevent what happened in Benghazi)
Equador's ONLY option in this imaginary example is to seek British Government help. Then don't forget red tape of bureaucracy before decision can be made and how long the link chain might be. Then our galant British Security will kick in to safe the Embassy.
Now if you have anyone in the Senate or Congress saying otherwise, they are wrong, but the can probably add that if the host nation is not capable to protect then the host nation on that foreign land can then give the guest permission to defend them selves BUT not in guest uniform on the host nation's street.
And why not in guest uniform on the host nation's soil.. Well .. Host nation's government might fall over that.
As much as I love you guys in the US, I will HATE to see you Police and military uniforms outside areas specifically allocated to in my country because it will affect my pride and patriotic feeling towards my country UK
Someone should have told Libya, the country that we are sending foreign aid$$ to, while hosting terrorist groups . .We will protect our people at all costs, any and all attacks on them will be considered an act of war, and we will immediatly do what needs to be done to get our personnell out. Ooops, Oh that's right Al-Queda is decimated .. (forgot the party line.)
ReasoningMind: that is the problem, this is not about logic, laws, or reality. This is about politics, pure and simple. The GOP love nothing more than to find a reason, any reason to reduce the positive waive that President Obama has right now.
They actually really believed what the Carl Rove's and other Fox News types were telling them. They actually thought the American public believed in their line of bs and Romney would be elected. When President Obama proved them wrong, they just can't accept it and still want to fight the election.
That is why Congress currently enjoys a 9% approval rating.
ReasoningMind, if the terrorist attacks on the Benghazi consulate was indefensilble no matter what why was our Ambassador of his staff even put there. Who's incompetent idea was it to put them there without assessing the area and its dangers.
No matter how you may try to deflect blame, it still points to the State Dept and higher carrying the burden of responsibility.
McCain, yes that guy who lost to Obama in 2008. It is about time he stops crying over a 4-year loss. It is not the end of the world. You lost, so go away and let the president do his job.
I doubt it but will still ask.
Can MSNBC give us more time please to tidy and correct typography mistakes?
If you can't.. No Problem. Thanks anyway for freedom given to readers to express our views.
McCain is like grouchy old Uncle Charlie from "My Three Sons." Just a curmudgeon who holds a grudge for 12 years and always looks for a camera and a mic to spew his bitterness over lost causes. He really needs to retire to Arizona and let the lucid, even-tempered people do their jobs.
But Uncle Charlie had a big heart, underneath it all. McCain has sawdust.
The Republicans lost because the people have concluded that they do not have the best interests of America in their minds. Instead, they have the best interests of the moneyed and corporate elite and keep giving Joe America the finger! In addition, their willingness to risk the country national security, financial stability and economic future by deliberately creating the debt crisis so they could force privatizing of SS and Medicare show that they're willing to do ANYTHING to attain their political goals no matter who suffers. That was certainly true when the Republicans sabotaged the economic.
The end result is that American dont trust, or believe, the Republican Party to do what is best for the country and its citizens! Until and unless this version of the GOP ( which Barry Goldwater called " a bunch of kooks") is repudiated at the polls and forces change, this will continue thru 2014 and beyond. So remember, never EVER pay attention to what any Republican says, watch what they DO, what they've DONE and what they PLAN TO DO!
Extremism in the pursuit of mere political power and goals is indeed a vice!
McCain, by his own actions, demonstrates that he has no interest in the truth, but rather is trying to make more of this tragic event for his own political gain. He is the one that is derelict in his duty. He would rather grandstand in front of a microphone than do his JOB by attending the briefing.
Shame on McCain. Shame on Graham. Shame on Ayotte.
ang. He and his collleagues need to pander to people like my wifes cousin who posted a picture of Obama getting off of the Presidential helicopter carrying a book. Her 'Facebook" post(which I am sure originated from some ignorant conservative pundit) claimed that the book he was carrying proved that he supported radical islamists...... Yes, we zoomed in on the picture located on the jacket of the book and of course it was written by that bastion of radical islam...Fareed Zakaria!
Collins is just sad because she has been forced to witness McCain becoming a dottering old and bitter person. His hypocrisy knows no limits. He defended Condoleeza Rice yet agitates against Susan Rice...better he retires now before he makes a bigger fool of himself than he already has.
2014 will see a huge change in the house and senate as the people send the tea party idiots back to their trailer park, Mitch McConnell will be gone, his brain is fried and he can only nourish hatred. Time for that senile fossil to seek a rocking chair. Boehner better watch his step or he will be put out to pasture as well.
Pitiful vindictive geezer, lurching to becoming totally irrelevant. I admired him for his Hanoi Hilton survival and his service, however, he just squandered all my good will and then some. So sad, poor John, nothing left but his screaming and temper tantrums.
Poor McCain is going through middle life crises for the third time. By that calculation, he may be 150 if we take 50 years as an average. The dude is old enough to retire.
"Insane McCain" put his party over his country when he picked "Puppet Palin" as his VP in 2008. It is time for him to check into the nearest Nursing Home quickly.