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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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McCain is Irrelevant and he knows it. He has become a nasty old man. I cannot believe that Arizona keeps electing this has-been. McCain is angry because he was none and done, now his super hero Romney is NONE and DONE. If the Republicans keep up there Rhetoric, we will finish them off in twenty fourteen. Republicans are DONE.
Our Nation deserves the truth and we know already that the Administration is Covering Up incompetence that led to the deaths of our Ambassador and the Navy Seals. Calling McCain names won't make this scandal go away. The families of the dead deserve to know what happened any who Covered it Up.
mrs Z stfu and drown yourself jack fk
Senator McCain, it seems, has evolved into a petty, spiteful and vindictive old man. His once favorable reputation as a moderate and a man of reason has given way to one who simply cannot be taken seriously when he opens his mouth. Was it the loss to President Obama? Was it the loss to President Bush during the race to the Whitehouse? Or was it when he moved far to the right in trying to hold onto his senate seat following his bid for the presidency? Regardless, he is a sad, sad sight today.
Yeah McCain is about ready to have a nervous breakdown, did you notice the twitch in his left eyelid, Hanoi Hilton memories coming back
Is suppressing the truth so important that McCain must be smeared to protect the incompetent idiots that left our people to die in Libya?
It appears that some people are so dedicated to their Ideology that even the truth must be suppressed to protect the guilty. McCain was tortured as a POW, for years, he was beaten, deprived of food, medical care and other basic rights. He is rightly outraged that Gross Incompetence led to the torture and death of our Ambassador to Libya, his staff and Navy Seals. UN Ambassador Rice, Obama and Hillary Clinton tried desperately to Cover Up this scandal by stories of Mythical Mobs and evil videos. In the end, Petreaus, and testimony from the Hearings etc., revealed some of the truth which discredited the Administrations story. Don't hate McCain, hate those who NEEDLESSLY left our people to be tortured and die alone in Libya.
Wait!!!! I think I can see Bengazzi from my house.
Its about time either Collins or Snowe lived up to Maine's independant history and said something. They both have kept silent for so long, betraying Margarette Chase Smith, William Cohen, Ed Muskie and George Mithchell as they silently watched the nuts in the GOP over the last decade be hate filled and obstructionists. Finally a little courage from Collins, even though Snowe waited to say something after she resigned....spinelessness does not match up to Maine's heritage. Its time they had their own version of the "Declaration of Concience."
Sen. McLame is just another bitter, venal, flip-flopping old man who helped W start and continue two wars and competely bring the economy to its knees. But maybe he can join Donald Trump, Ted Nighent and Mitt Romney in starting a new reality show: "The Sorest Loser".
Lets hope that the voters in Arizona have the good sense retire this Keating 5 crook for good next election.
OOPS! I meant Ted Nugent. I must be getting terminal Romnesia, or maybe I'm turning into a McLame-brain.
John, where was your outrage when LIES where used to fill up 6,000 U S body bags from personal wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. John, resign and go to one of your homes; and think back when Honor was more than a word to you.
Yeah. McCain threatened to have her arrested for abuse of the elderly.