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UPDATED 3:35 PM ET: This could make for very interesting Secretary of State confirmation hearings.
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) tells the foreign policy blog The Cable at the Manama Security Dialogue that he is going to be joining the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the same committee that will be holding the confirmation hearings for whomever President Obama nominates to replace Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.
After months of criticism for her response to the September 11 Benghazi attacks, Susan Rice is under new scrutiny – this time from Human Rights organizations and colleagues at the U.N. who are questioning her ties to controversial African leaders. Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institute discusses
McCain's office confirms to NBC News that the story is accurate, as are the quotes in it. Communications Director Brian Rogers notes, however, that the Arizona Republican has "expressed interest" but the decision is not yet final.
"Senator McCain has expressed interest in joining the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but no final decisions on committee assignments have been made," Rogers said.
Two aides to the Foreign Relations Committee also tell NBC News that they are unaware of McCain's intention to join the committee -- so far.
"We have not heard anything of the sort," a Republican aide said. But the aide couldn't rule it out only saying, "We haven't had committee elections yet."
U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice is reportedly a finalist for Secretary of State. McCain has been a main critic of Rice's, stemming from her appearances on Sunday shows following the attacks in Benghazi that killed four Americans, including an ambassador.
But McCain's move may not be all about Rice. Because of Republican Conference rules, he is term-limited as ranking member of the Armed Services Committee. Foreign Relations is up his alley.
McCain last week told NBC's Kelly O'Donnell that he was interested in joining Foreign Relations now that his six-year term as the ranking member of Armed Services was up.
That said, despite McCain's seniority, he has no intention of challenging Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) for the top minority leadership spot on Foreign Relations. And he has never served on Foreign Relations since winning election to the Senate in 1986. He served just two years (one Congress) on Foreign Affairs while a member of the House before that.
Of Rice, McCain told The Cable: "I'll wait and see if she's nominated and we'll move on from there. She has the right to have hearings. We'll see what happens in the hearings."
Leave a Comment:
McCain is just chomping at the bit to be the man that takes Susan Rice down.
McCain: You have entered the irrelevant stage. STFU.
Maybe McCain will tell stories about the time he met with Quaddhafi (or however it is spelled). I am so sad that this man who I once admired has turned into a bitter, angry old man.
yeah, I find this whole thing strange. what exactly is McCain afraid of with Susan?
Michelle, he is not afraid of Susan Rice. He is a vengeful and vindictive man. Anything that has president Obama's hand on it is cause for McCain to strike out against it. He lost the presidency to Obama and he has never gotten over it.
Could be AG... still find it very strange, almost like STALKER strange!
Maybe she reminds him of Condi Rice and he does not want any memories of how horrible Bush was.
McCain has had a "little blue pill" thingie for Susan Rice ever since she put him in his place when she was a surrogate for Barack Obama in 2008...he NEVER got over that.
McCain is just another in a long line of "monkey wrenches" that will be history in 2014...if the GOP is ever going to "evolve", this guy must be sent packing.
It's past time that this "relic" of a once good man just go away... far, far away.
AG -
Couldn't agree more! Love the new avatar!
The Manchurian candidate was not who we were led to believe. He is now being abandoned by friends. He has become a Dorian Grey of the political world.
He's doing all this to keep his name in the news. Election coming up in 2 years!
That's exactly what I was thinking? What does McCain and certain other GOP congressmen hope to gain from all this?
They tried to make the Libya story into something during the election and it fell flat on it's face. What's the deal here folks?
Ms. Rice wouldn't be the first woman or even the first black woman in this post. She's a highly respected, career member of the foreign service. Why do these old fart have they depends in a wad over her?
This makes no sense. She would be an excellent Secretary of State.
Thanks, Layton! I was going to go with a pic of a model, as some seem to be doing lately(very lame), but in the spirit of the season I thought this was much more fun, besides I've never figured out why people use avatar's that are obviously not them. Maybe trying to drum up more reader votes? Anyway, just some useless rantings!
Totally agree, Skip, with your opinion that Ms. Rice would make an excellent SOS. I really hope that the president appoints her for three reasons. 1. She's qualified; 2. To keep John Kerry's seat filled with John Kerry's behind; 3. To piss off John McCain
An angry man, looking to spew his hate anywhere he can. He is willing to take whatever steps he can to "get even" with Obama for having the nerve to get elected and then, the nerve of the man, to get re-elected. Wonder if he'll try to get his puppet/weapon, Lindsey Graham, on the committee too?
Maybe this is a good idea. If he were on the Foreign Relations Committee perhaps Senator McCain would be a little more reluctant about grabbing the nearest microphone and spouting irresponsible, unsupported statements about every international news event that in any way affects the United States. Perhaps he would be less eager to attack the President at every opportunity.
Why doesn't that old fart just go away? As a person, he's a disappointment on SO MANY levels.
I used to like John McCain, until the Alzheimers started setting in.
TO: don97524 who wrote:
Nah. The last thing they should do is put a senile old fart like John McCain in a plum Foreign Relations Committee position where he can stalk Susan Rice all over the world if he wanted to.
American Girl:
I used to like John McCain, until the Alzheimers started setting in.
It really is very difficult. I hope you have a good doctor. Next thing you know, you'll be considering the Soviet Union as our worst enemy, moving to Florida and wanting to vote Republican.
AlaskaGirl-759554
.......Ms. Rice would make an excellent SOS. I really hope that the president appoints her for three reasons. 1. She's qualified; 2. To keep John Kerry's seat filled with John Kerry's behind; 3. To piss off John McCain
Xactly....perfect post AG
Lil Michelle#1.4: It is rather strange, but, I think you've got it. He's after Susan Rice. If He gets on that committee He'll push for a junket on "Foreign, ahem, uh, Relations" and likely try to finangle the accompaniment of Susan. This could very well enrage Lindsey Graham. He might even file for divorce.
Thank you, VG!
Vermont Girl - Exactly. All great reasons to appoint Ms Rice. Particularly #2.
TO: dirp who wrote:
Not in this life time.
American Girl: jk... maybe the alzeheimers explains any Republican getting any votes... ;-)
Dirp,,,,,, you are amazing,,, thanks for the laughs.
.
To Alaska Girl, American Girl, redhead, pigitry, and all the steadfast Susan Rice supporters;
.
Look girls,,,,,
,,,, I also dislike McCain (and typical Republicans),,, but I was also NAUSEATED and disgusted as I watched Susan Rice make the rounds and push her phony discourse about the cover up of facts/reasons for the attack and murders in Libya. I was sickened & disgusted by her actions from the first two TV appearances BEFORE any editorials appeared.
(Add to that Rice's investment holdings in the Canadian pipeline along with other problems in her past associations, and there is just no way an aggressive brown nose like her is qualified to be Secretary Of State.)
Susan Rice will not be Secretary Of State. It won't happen, so get used to it. And do not blame it on McCain. It is her own damn fault for accepting the role of stepping on that land mine and lying to the American public.
.
Further, you may not be aware,,,,
,,,,, but the role of Rice spreading that B. S. about Benghazi SHOULD have gone to Hillary Clinton. But Hillary was too "exhausted" to go out and tow the party line.
In other words, she was too damn smart and sat aside and watch this mess explode all over the naive Susan Rice. ( Hillary may be our next president and she just side-stepped a land mine.)
.
So please, get over it with this tired support of Rice. She has no one to blame but herself and she will NOT be secretary Of State. Period.
.
Close The Fed... I couldnt agree with you more....I Believe you will not see and Lefts respond to your post... They usually run ...when they get the truth thrown at them. They will call you names but never back a thing up with facts.
Condi Rice, easy to forget. Thanks for your lousy work in National Security. She was someone who should have been put on trial.
Close the Fed - Susan Rice WILL BE Secretary of State. Your diatribe sounds suspiciously like John McCain.
mike - Pa - you little righties CAN'T HANDLE the truth - you just keep spouting FOX lies!
an old fly in the ointment, something we don't need
Close the Fed: Thanks... you may be correct, there may be enough skeletons shaking around Amb. Rice's closet that President Obama will not be considering her for Sec. of State. Does the President really want to nominate someone who has that many problems?
Part of the issues in all of this will be how much of a fight will there really be about domestic issues (fiscal cliff, debt ceiling) before the President gets into his second term.
The second issue is, will Harry Reid eliminate the "secret hold" "personal hold" "individual filibuster" and all of the other b/s that has been cloging up Senate for the last 30 years. Both sides have used the Senate rules to destroy the country. Maybe its time to let the majority rule.
"...to try *to* join..."
"try and join" makes no sense. You either try to join or you join. You can't do both because the latter eliminates the former.
Thank you JoeyJoeJoJunion. That was also my first thought.
Joey and Lois---I thought the same thing!
Lois and Steeler Fan,
We must be diligent in our crusade or else the "try and'ers" will join forces with the "should of'ers" and bring us all down. Or should it be *to* bring us all down....
It may already be too late for me. Save yourself...
As the great Philosiphizer Yoda once said:
Informative this is.
As the great Philosiphizer Yoda once said:
Oh @!$%#, now I have to go back to the beginning.
The force must be with you, the headline changed.
If we can change a headline, we can change the world.
This is really starting to sound personal. Did Susan Rice say "no?"
I'm thinking the same thing. He has it in for her, that raises the question as to why he REALLY dislikes her...
He's trying to stay relevant... in the national conversation... from what I understand the only committee he is eligible for is Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Oh, please... Haven't we done enough harm to Native Americans through the centuries -- let's not add to their pain and grief with putting McCain on that committee.
Glad the headline writers continue to dumb down America. McCain will try TO join the committee and not try AND join the committee.
Great! Just what we need; a doddering old fool who sings songs about bombing Iran pretending to be overseeing foreign relations.
Kevin ... that truly made me laugh out loud! Great post!
McCain. Still trying to be relevant...where ever he can roost.
It's time to put this old and apparently demented war horse out to pasture.
I'm hoping that he'll get the same response from the party that he and Graham received which amounted to "stop it and go away".
McCain old friend, three words: Retire. With. Dignity. Don't let desparation and irrelevance define who you are.
...too late.
He can't retire. Remember, he was brainwashed for years by extremely skilled Communists while in Viet Nam. He has to keep doing as much harm to the U.S. as possible.
McCain needs to retire. He can forgo his pension and retirement benefits because he doesn't need the money and leave the rest of America alone !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
McCain, what a disgrace you've become...
The Senator used to display some dignity; now, he's turning into the Gary Oldman character in "The Candidate": sad, pathetic and vindictive. He might as well be an old woman, but that would be an insult to old women.
McSenile?
Wow ...all of te Lefties hate McCain for having this Administration be accounted for the 4 amaericans dead in Bengazie... Thank you Senator McCain. Make sure the Administration is accounted for every Lie they told about Bengazie..
McCain supported Condi Rice after 3000 dead Americans on the original 9/11. The fact she and Bush ignored the PDB predicting the attack, McCain ignored it.
McCain then became one of the top Iraq War WMD cheerleaders. This is not a man who should be lecturing anyone on National Security or Intelligence.
I am not talking about the original 911 ..when we had very little knowledge of Al-queda..or When George Bush stood there with a Fireman with his arm around him and telling the world we will get who ever is responsible for this... Why would I compare that to a President who actually decided to Lie to the American Public who did this in Bengazie....and sent his Administration out on all TV OUTLETS ...TO LIE TO THE American Public...no I am not comparing the two as Leaders. I am not sure what Condi or George Bush has to do with Begazie....They were not in office or Power.....How are they linked to Bengazie? Ohh I see you are one off those people who still thinks that everything wrong today is George Bush's fault... Dont you know how silly you sound.... I didnt even vote for Bush...why do I care?
McCain was fifth from last in his class at the Naval Academy. He is even lower than that in his abilities in the Senate.
Kerry's GPA was lower than Bush's...Obviously that kind of thing doesnt matter to the Left.
@Mike-Pa we had very little knowledge of Al-Qaeda..
I take it you're a fox news watcher. George H W Bush was the first to start watching Al-Qaeda..
You are so misinformed on every level that it's scary. Just look at the garbage you wrote. You know if you just use you're search engine and look up facts ( you know the stuff you don't find on the nutwing web sites) you won't look so foolish. Oh yea real information is part of the conspiracy against the republicans to.
We don't hate McCain. We just want him to go away.
Ricardo - the G. A. Custer of USNA, eh?
THAT'S what was wrong with this election year! I think this was the first Republican primary in my life time that little Johnny-wannabe wasn't a candidate!! I figured the Republicans gave him the nomination in '08 out of pity - knowing that, after Bush, they were going to lose the White House anyway...and then he would retire to poop and drool on upholstery that isn't cleaned with our tax dollars.
How much of his wife's money has this loser wasted over the years?
Why... To even compare the Intel that we have on Al-queda now and the Intel we have on Al-queda when G.W. was president is down right stupid. If you want to go there I am sure you are well aware ...since you are so informed ... That Bill Clinton made the choice not to take Bin Laden out when he was given the Choice. He decided not assisnate him..Let him go... But I am sure you already knew that because you are so informed ....This should not be news to you...If you were somehat informed ...you would remember that story.
Why
BTW...as reported by the Boston Globe
John Kerry ..GPA.....76
George Bush...GPA...77
WHY....DONT YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU SPOUT OFF??
Maybe you should be more informed before you post on this forum.
Do you have anything else you would like to challenge my facts on?
How did McCain become the republican spokesman for anything? Who anointed him the "go too" person in the republican party? We have (or should I say "had") a two party system. We need a functioning and relevant republican party. How does McCain make the republican party relevant? In fact, one could make the argument that McCain's actions and words regarding Ms. Rice, the President, and the administration has played into the terrorists hands. Did we not stand together as a nation after 9/11, or any other attacks by terrorists against our country?
Is there anything McCain has said or done regarding Benghazi that has been relevant or helpful in any way? Is there anything he has said that has actually validated any wrong doing, any lies, or shown one shred of evidence that there was a cover up? What exactly has his actions provided for the betterment of this country..?
Mike-PA,
You stated: "I am not talking about the original 911.. when we had very little knowledge of Al-queda.. or George Bush stood there with a Fireman with his arm around him and telling the world we will get who ever is responsible for this..."
You do realize that the WTC was actually attacked twice, right? And yes, we had a lot of knowledge about al Qaeda. And George Bush did not get "who ever" was responsible.
I think the point JoePhilly was trying to make, with reference to Bush/Cheney and Condi Rice, giving us "misinformation" regarding WMD's in Iraq. Not to mention the fact that going into Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11.
VERNBC...To even compare the knowledge of Al-queda during PRE-911 and today is beyond rediculous. As stated above ... Clinton never would have let Bin Laden go if he had the knowledge of today. My statement on Clinton was not to knock him but to merely show the difference in what we know today versus what we knew back then. Yes ...well aware the second time of the attack on the WTC. I believe we caught those folks and convicted them. I can not remember if we let them go or not...
VERNBC....What I was trying to say to Joe Philly...is that Bush and ,Rice and Chenny had nothing to do with Bengazie.........It is getting very old to keep bringing up Bush.... Bengazie was all Obama ...and he should answer to it ...not Bush. Again ...I didnt vote for Bush ...why do I care about Bush?
BTW...Bush may not have gotten Bin Laden ...but his procedures that Obama was against (Water Boarding and others) were a direct result in getting the information needed to track down Bin Laden. Again ... I applaud President Obama for making a decision ...President Clinton could not.
Mike in PA- don't you get tired of always being wrong. torture turned up no relevant or uselful information- and that was reported straight from the FBI agents that were involved. Turn off Faux news, stop drinking the kool aid and turn on your brain.
oK JXC...So now you are saying that what Bush did in office to get information from Detainees .....did not help the "All Mighty one in his capture of Bin Laden.?
Before ...I get up off the floor and quit laughing at you... Please tell me you really dont think that is true. This was a body of work of two Presidencies..
And you think Obama "The God" DECIDED TO THROW EVERYTHING OUT THAT BUSH HAD DONE TO COLLECT INTEL.... because he knows a better way......What world do you really live in? You people on the Left live in another reality. Oh JXC...You think the FBI agents that were involved were the same ones for the past 11 years . Please back up with fact where else I have been wrong.../
On jobs Obama sent over seas as reported by GMA Robbin Roberts
That Susan Rice lied.....
The Housing bubble goes back to Clinton
Obama lied about Bengazie?
What would you like to challenge on?
@Mike-PA
Bush Administration which includes Condoleezza Rice lied about Al Qaeda, the Clinton Administration did warn them. We knew about Al Qaeda before then because they were responsible for the first bombing of the World Trade Center back in the early 90's and they were responsible for the bombing of the USS Cole, and other bombing that cause the lives of Americans and American Soliders, US Embassies in Africa and that just the start even I remember all of that.
As a matter of fact after the bombing of the USS Cole President Clinton shot some rockets at them and the Republican Party started screaming wag the dog, wag the dog all he is trying to do is start a war here is a quote from a few of them:
After the 9/11/01 Condoleezza Rice was all over the networks providing missinformation to the American People and she still said they were not warn by the Clinton Administration. How is it she didn't know about Al Qaeda?
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB147/index.htm
The memo to Richard Clarke is included regarding Al Qaeda, what's even interesting is with all the missinformation she provide John McCain and Lindsey Graham defended her and those same two Jokers were huge cheerleaders for going into Iraq. There were at least 12 embassy bombings during the last Administration Condolesszza Rice was still Sec. of State, Donald Rumsfield was Sec of Defense, and people died where was all the out rage from John McCain and Lindsey Graham? Why were their lives less important?
As for Bengazi, their were other demostrations and bombings that occured at the same time, Congress was given the exact same information given to them by the intelligence community as was given to Susan Rice. If she had release classified information about that event all of you on the right would be having a hissy fit. If you want to get angry about Bengazi then you need to be asking the question(s) why did the intelligence commuity change the wording in the first place and that has been reported. Besides the Republican's need to explain why they cut funding for security in the first place.
As for John McCain he has made this personal and he wants John Kerry seat vacant so he can try to get Scott Brown back in Congress, and finally the country needs to think their lucky stars John McCain is not President he wanted to go to war with Iran. Remember he was singing Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran.
GC..Sorry to waste all your time and paper... I didnt vote for Bush nor do I really care what Bush did. In all of your reply...are you telling me that Bush had something to do with Bengazie?
Bengazie ...your little report...never existed....according to the testimony of Gen Petraeus....so what are you really talking about?
Remember ....the President mentioned in the Tea Garden the next day that it was a Terroristic attack...at least that is the lie he told during the Debate. Then he went with Hilary Clinton and made a Comercial costing the American Tax payers $70,000 ...alluding to the violence in Bengazie and other hot spots were the result of an Anti Muslim Video...then he proceeds onto the View ...Joy Behar asked him specifically the cause of the attack...and he told her it was the result of an Anti Muslim Video and spontanaeous Attack....then he proceeded down to the United Nations and gave a speech again alluding to violence in Bengazie was the result of an anti Muslim Video. and spontanaeous attack..
Now if he knew the next day like he said in the debates this was a Terroristic Act ...why did he continue to advance a Lie for the next two weeks?
Because ..you know our President ...He means what he says and says what he means.
Remember Petraeus testified that he never reported that this act was spontanaeous...so ....how can Susan Rice give a report that never existed?
The Administartion is 100 percent responsible for Susan Rice .. and Susan Rice knowingly lied. The President knowingly lied...I thought that to be clear during the debate when he said he knew it was a terroristic act.
I just read another piece of your post... How did Condi Rice not know much about Al-queda? I guess the answer would be the same as to why Bill Clinton didnt take out Bin Laden wehen he had the chance? Not much was clear about Al-queda during that time. To compare what we know today and what we knew back then is rediculous.
I love your cut funding question....So that is your answer...Everybody fend for yourself we didnt have enough money... That was the response they gave Amb Stevens family along with the other 3 families of dead Americans ?......Sorry the Republicans cut funds your son and husbands are dead ...take it up with the Republican Party....do you people know how silly you sound? The Intelligence Community is General Patraeus and he testified they never called it a Spontanarous Act nor did they ever say that the attack had anything to do with Anti Muslim Video...Patraeus is ahead of the Intelligence Community correct? He is responsible for the Intelligence
@Mike-Pa
I never asked you if you voted for Bush I just clarified how another Sec of State provided misinformation and those very same people defended her you acted as though that never happen. And there were other attacks and demonstration that day which happen at the same time which was a result of that video but I guess we are suppose to ignore that.
The President stood in the Rose Garden the next morning and said "No acts of terror will go unpunished" and the Republicans tried to say he never said it was a terrorist attack. Since you know so much about that report please enlighten us on what was classified and what wasn't. Others have come out and said Congress was given the exact same report as Susan Rice, since you dispute that what was different in her talking points compared to Congress? Further more not everything should be reveal during an investigation nor should inform your suspects. Your local law enforcement will even tell you that.
Since by your words you said the President knowingly lied please explain how the President should have known exactly what happen the very next day without any sort of a complete investigation.
As you said President Clinton didn't take Bin Laden neither did President Bush however that doesn't excuse the fact he and Condi Rice had intelligence prior to 9/11 so she should have known and President Bush said he didn't know where Bin Laden was nor was he worried about him. Excuse me, what do you mean you are not worried about him after 3,000 people lost their lives on 9/11 as well as spending 10yrs and the lives of 5000 American soldiers later and you still let him walk away. What kind of Sugar Honey Ice Tea Is That?
Funding question shouldn't be taken as a joke the Republican Party did cut security funding and their reasoning they had to prioritize. You can't cut security funding and then point fingers when something happens. So they are just as responsible if not more.
Gc ...I dont care about other Sec of State Condi Rice...Really I dont....How does that have anything to do with Bengazie?
Gc...what was classified..nobody ever testified that there was classified information. ...and who were others in Congress?
Local Law enforcement ? what?...I dont care about Condi Rice... I care about Susan Rice lying to the American Public..Your remarks about funding are disgusting at best...Sec Stae Hilary Clinton clearly said that was not at issue .here.. quit trying to blame this disaster on Republicans. When it was this President..This Administration.. ...lack of leadership, Incompetance that caused this trgedy! Nobody else ..not George Bush..not Condi Rice ..not John McCain...not the Republican party. This President needs to answer for lying to the American Public...
BTW...if General Patraeus knew in Real Time what happened. Hilary Clinton knew with in hours what happened...How did the President ..the most powerful man in the world not know for 14 days? Really? Wait you said he knew in the Tea Garden...or he didnt ..or no he advanced a lie...wait ..he is a liar..and he was caught lying and so was Susan Rice.
@Mike-Pa
Tell us exactly what was in the talking points release and approved by the Intelligence Community given to her and Congress in which she lied about. Tell us exactly what she said that was a deviation from what was approved by the Intelligence Community. What exactly was a lie? Be specific. And the Republicans DID cut funding go check that for yourself and why are you giving them a pass on that? Why are you not holding them accountable for cutting security funding?
@Mike-Pa
To add to my point General Patreaus also said and also see what Mr. King said as well regarding spontaneous protests from an earlier meeting - See Below:
Gen Petraeus told the committee the CIA was aware the attack was planned by terrorists from an early stage, New York Congressman Peter King said after the first session.
But Mr King said the general's evidence on Friday conflicted with what he said at a hearing on 14 September.
Mr King said he had a "very different recollection" of the earlier hearing, at which lawmakers had been told the attack grew out of spontaneous protests over an anti-Islamic film.
He added that despite Gen Petraeus' testimony on Friday it was still not clear who approved the message that the attack was linked to the protests.
Gen Petraeus told the lawmakers that references to terror groups were removed from the final version of the administration's "talking points" on Benghazi, although he was not sure which federal agency deleted it.
Democrats said the former CIA director made clear the change was made for intelligence, not political reasons.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20362941
And that wasn't the only news organization reporting the same thing.
So again what exactly did Susan Rice say that was a lie? What was different in the talking points given to her by the Ingelligence Community did she say differently?
Needed to add this article regarding security funding being cut - See below:
After I wrote a piece earlier this week about the political gain being sought from the deaths of Stevens and three other Americans in Benghazi, a number of diplomatic acquaintances of mine emailed to say I should have looked at the State Department's security budget. Two of them had unprintable things to say about Congress.
Who can be blamed for that? Well, Chaffetz and Issa among others.
Since retaking control in 2010, House Republicans have aggressively cut spending at the State Department in general and embassy security in particular. Chaffetz and Issa and their colleagues voted to pay for far less security than the State Department requested in 2011 and again this year.
A bit rich
Is that responsible for the tragedy in Benghazi? Probably not, at least not entirely. Usually when security goes wrong, it's down to a cascade of small failures piling up. But it's a bit rich to complain about a lack of US security personnel at diplomatic missions on the one hand, while actively working to cut the budget to pay for US security personnel at diplomatic missions on the other.
It would have been Ambassador Stevens' call as to whether he made that visit from Tripoli, with advice from his regional security adviser. If they thought there was a high likelihood of an attack, they wouldn't have gone. They sadly got it wrong. A glaring intelligence failure? A cavalier attitude towards security? Or simply bad luck, in a dangerous country that the US is eager to see stabilized?
To be sure, the embassy security budget has been under the knife for years. “During both the latter years of the Bush presidency and throughout the Obama presidency, the administration has recommended boosting spending on foreign aid and [State Department] foreign operations, including security, and Congress has always cut it back,” Philip Crowley, a former State Department spokesman under President Obama, told the Washington Times in late September.
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Backchannels/2012/1005/Libya-attack-Congressmen-casting-blame-voted-to-cut-diplomatic-security-budget
One more thing CNN's Soledad O'Brien confronted Rep Jason Chaffetz about cutting security funding and he did admit to it there is video regarding it (Google for it):
Later in the interview, CNN Anchor Soledad O’Brien asks, “Is it true that you voted to cut the funding for embassy security?”
Chaffetz answers, “Absolutely. Look we have to make priorities and choices in this country. We have… 15,0000 contractors in Iraq. We have more than 6,000 contractors, a private army there, for President Obama, in Baghdad. And we’re talking about can we get two dozen or so people into Libya to help protect our forces. When you’re in touch economic times, you have to make difficult choices. You have to prioritize things.”
O’Brien responds, “Okay, so you’re prioritizing. So, when there are complaints that, in fact, that there was not enough security, you just said, ‘absolutely,’ that you cut, you were the one to vote against to increase security for the State Department, which would lead directly to Benghazi. That seems like you’re saying you have a hand in the responsibility to this. The funding of the security? How am I wrong?”
Rep. Chaffetz says, “When you’re in Libya, after a revolution… you [have to] prioritize things. And what clearly didn’t happen is Libya was not a priority. I believe what I heard is that it’s because they wanted the appearance of normalization. That’s what they wanted. And that fit with Obama narrative moving forward.”
http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/10/rep-chaffetz-says-he-absolutely-cut-funding-for-embassy-security/
John McCain has made this personal he doesn't need to be on ANY Foreign Relations Committee as a matter of fact its time for him to step down.
Again... Hilary Clinton made it clear the lack of funding was not cause of lack of defense in the Attack... In all of your material that you wrote... Nobody has stood up and claimed the talking points the Administration put out.(That is what hasppens in a cover up...and why they have Hearings).. Wait you said..the President knew it was a Terror Attack the next day?...Explain One thing ..... ON ALL YOUR RESEARCH....why did the President say it was a Spontanaoeus Attack.. Why Did Hilary Clinton make a Tax paid Comercial with the Prresident alluding to the violence in Bengazie was caused by a spontanaeous attack? General Patraeus under Testimony ...never approved of the Talking Points memo...nobody has apparently....So again ..how can a report be made from one that never ever existed. Then Jay Carney came out and said it was an organized Terror attack...and the President still proceeded down to the United Nations and alluded the violence was due to an antii Muslim Video......
Wait are you saying there is so much utter Chaos and ineptness that the President of the United States is the last to know important world Intel......Is this Administrtion that Incompetant.
You see GC.... I am unemployed Union Insulator.. I normally have voted Democrat in the past. This President and his Administration has been nothing but AWFUL and deceiptful..I am sure you dont care but my venom is strictly at this Administration
There is no doubt the President has said two vastly different stories during this affair... That is called a bold face Lie
Susan Rice when meeting with Senator McCain admitted she knew the information she was putting out was wrong...that is why the Senators were still deeply troubled after speaking with her...That again was reported by George Stephanopolis on GMA A DAY AFTER THE MEETING TOOK PLACE... iF YOU CAN GOOGLE IT ..PLEASE DO.
Talking points and telling the truth...You want to muddle the story with people who are friendly to the Administration blaming them for the Talking points... Well nobody has stepped up and taken one for Susan Rice... Hilary did not even want to do the shows on Sunday for what she was asked to do...she claims Exhaustion?... Nobody has yet to prove any your points under testimony(and Petraeus changed his accounts under testimony). Susan Rice Lied... Obama did his best to advance it....everybody witnessed it...and the media(especially MSNBC) DID NOT REPORT ON IT. This is where my agravation comes from on this issue. I really was not going after this Administration for lack of protection...That part will come out of the Investigation...I am 100 percent sure the fault will not be on lack of funding the Republicans cut.
I dont care who the President is...whether I voted for him or not ....HE LIED ...or he is far more inept and out of touch than i thought he truly was.
I believe he lied...it is not very hard to connect the dots....he did it for us publicly.
You have yet to explain his 14 days of advancing an issue he knew to be untrue...The Adnministration was directly responsible for what Susan Rice said....she was speaking for Hilary... Again the funding ....has nothing to do with not reacting ..and not responding... Quit trying to blame everything on somebody else... This is the Obama Administrtion's mess.....They need to answer for it.
Again ...you have not proved...at any parts of your discussion that the President did not lie... All that you gave me was a muddled question as to who was behind the deceiptful talking points.....So.. Somebody was behind the Talking points in The Administration and Susan Rice knowingly went out and told the American Public a lie....and the President continued to advance it
Let me know where you disagree
The President claimed the next day in the Rose Garden he knew this to be a Terroristic attack...then proceeded to make comercial condemning the Anti miuslim Video and alluding to it being a cause of the violence in Bengazie and other places.... That happened and that is a fact
The President after the Rose Garden went on the View(approx 10 days after the fact)and directly said the cause of the attack was Spontanaeous caused by an Ant Muslim Video...That is a fact..that is fact that he lied...where do you disagree?
Jay Carney now claims approx 10 days (give or take a few days ) that this attack was Terrorist related and organized)
The president after Jay Carney statement...goes to the United Nations and alludes to the Violence in Bengazie was brought on by an Anti Muslim Video and was spontanaeous.... Again ..The President continued to knowingly Advance this lie... This is a fact...Where do you disagree?
I am really tired of hearing the left...just not being able to tell the truth on the Talking POINTS AND WHERE THEY CAME FROM...The bottom line the Administration is responsible for getting them right especially when Petraeus and others gave the correct report.I guess if you are distorting Intel that the President should hear purposely...you should go to jail for that. That is affecting our National Security... The only thing you proved to me ...that there is definitly somebody with in the Administration theatening National Security....
@Mike-Pa
And you still haven't said what exactly what the President Obama said that was a Da* lie, please tell us verbatim what he said that was a lie.
". ON ALL YOUR RESEARCH....why did the President say it was a Spontaneous Attack.. Why Did Hilary Clinton make a Tax paid Comercial with the Prresident alluding to the violence in Bengazie was caused by a spontanaeous attack?"
Read the Flipping article I posted regarding that:
To add to my point General Patraeus also said and also see what Mr. King said as well regarding spontaneous protests from an earlier meeting - See Below:
Gen Patraeus told the committee the CIA was aware the attack was planned by terrorists from an early stage, New York Congressman Peter King said after the first session.
But Mr King said the general's evidence on Friday conflicted with what he said at a hearing on 14 September.
Apparently YOU made the decision not to read the article which answered your own question(s) regarding Rep. King stating General Patraeus testimony conflicted with his Sept 14 hearing. According to Rep King he said in that hearing Gen Patraeus himself said it was a spontaneous attack. Why did Gen Patraeus lead not only the President but Congress and the country with that in the beginning? Can you explain that?
What Susan Rice may have been wrong it doesn't negate the fact the wrong information started with the Intelligence Community they are at fault. Furthermore why don't you explain this part of the testimony:
Gen Patraeus told the lawmakers that references to terror groups were removed from the final version of the administration's "talking points" on Benghazi, although he was not sure which federal agency deleted it.
Democrats said the former CIA director made clear the change was made for intelligence, not political reasons.
Cutting the funding has a cause and an effect but apparently you do not understand that because it goes into your reaction and responding. Cut the funding for your local police and fire department and see just what will happen when comes to reaction and responding in your neighborhood.
This mess again started with the Intelligence Community and what they initially authorized to be release, again please tell us what was in the classified and the unclassified documents given to Susan Rice and Congress. Also please tell us what exactly did the Intelligence Community authorized to be release tell the public since you are determine to say they lied. Also explain why their was spontaneous attacks at US Embassies and by the way Benghazi is a Consult not and Embassy.
"The coordinated attacks of U.S. embassies on 9/11/12 was successful and the agitated angry followers of Islam took to the streets in 20+ Islamic countries causing mischief, death and mayhem.
US EMBASSY - KHARTOUM, SUDAN
Walid Shoebat uncovered in the Egyptian Arabic website Salafi Nour Party an al-Qaeda sympathizer group was linked to the riots. Mr. Shoebat concludes, “With video of Egyptians removing the American flag while carrying the black al-Qaeda flags reminding Americans “we are all al-Qaeda” and on 9/11 inside the Embassy compound is a clear message to remind Americans that 9/11 is not over.”
As the black flag of Al-Qaeda flies over the U.S. embassies in Egypt and Tunisia President Obama’s Islamic friends are desecrating our American flag. The black flag of Jihad sitting on top of our Egyptian and Tunisian embassies translates from Arabic to English, “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger” signifying an Islamic conquest over the infidel or non believer."
http://www.floridapoliticalpress.com/2012/09/17/the-91112-embassy-attacks-president-obama-built-that
This article blames President Obama and Sec of State Clinton that's fine if they want to do that it still doesn't negate the fact Republicans are equally responsible. You don't cut funding and then point the finger when something happens, they help that to happen.
John McCain is the LAST person to point the finger at someone regarding misinformation after what he said leading up to the Iraq war. He needs to shut the H E Double Sticks up and sit his narrow behind down somewhere. Especially after he defended the lies Condolezza Rice told there is no comparison non what so ever.
Gc... I appreciate the debate ..I know we are both putting out long winded Posts...but if you look at the last part of my posts ...it points out the lies "Black and White"...
You keep going back to funding and that was never used as a reason for the attack annd the response...
What Democrats made these statements.....
Yes Patraeus ...does not know who deleted his Report...The General and nobody in the military would ever accuse the White House of lying ...
He was responsible only for his correct report...not his speculation.
What again are you talking about Classified and not classified. The only person that ever spoke of those was Susan Rice.
Answer my questions and show me whwere you disagree that he lied...
Again answer my questions in my ...Do you agree ...? Quit going after talking points....They still do not fit his timeline of lies.....
I read your article ... As i read it... It was clear when he was under Oath he gave the testimony and truth.
When he was at the hearings he was not under Oath. I would think he purgered himself if he was under Oath at the Hearings...dont you.? Again...in his report..in his sworn testimony he did not speak of spontanaeous attacks....that part was very clear.
I guess when you lie...there are consequences! Great job MSNBC....way to to suppress the news,
Amb Rice does not accept nomination to Sec State because of inaccurate stattements! ...AND THAT WAS NOT A STORY ...during an election.
Oh how the mighty have fallen, trying to keep respect for you McCain but what they did to you in 2000, and then your failed run for President with Cariboo barbie, has made you a bitter and frankly nut's, and your anger is displaced, don't take it out on the President and democrat's look to your own party...
Please retire McCain, maybe you could get Megan too run in your place! :-(
John McCain's philosophy on foreign relations: "Arm the rebels! Bomb Iran! More troops! Indefinite engagements! Boom-Bam-Kapow! Explosions are awesome!"
It's pretty much the same philosophy Michael Bay brings to his films. 12 year old boys eat this stuff up like candy.
I think his Depends adult diaper is on to tight. Yeah, that must be it.
He's pissed because of his time served in war and feels that everyone should suffer because he did. How many planes did he crash, again???
Crashed 2, in-flight incident on another; in one that exploded on a carrier; shot down (the last 3 don't count as "crashes" since in the "incident" he didn't "crash", next to last was before flight; and getting shot down isn't a "crash")
I thought he hired one of the Palins to handle that for him...they like to wallow in feces...
"McCain and the USS Forrestal" will tell the story of the hot-dogging pilot who caused a fire where a lot of Nany men died. The captain had to call for a helicopter to evac McCain off the ship before the crew killed him! His daddy and grand-daddy were admirals so that helped save his stupid butt. Whatta flake.
Get him outa the Senate and off Susan Rice. He's got some kind of fetish about her.
Sorry Suzq... When you blatantly lie on behalf of the Administration...you have to answer for it. That is why they are having Hearings about Bengazie on Capital Hill.
Susan Rice Lied!
I'm not lying on behalf of ANYONE!
SUZQ...I was talking about Susan Rice ...you dont speak for the Administration...LOL..
sorry to confuse you.
Screw McCain and all other republican't members of congress and the senate. They're all racist bigots full of hate and will attempt do anything to block a black person from being elected to any position.
What amazes me is the people of Arizona re-elected this POS. Like Sherif Joe, all he wants is attention. Do us all a favor McCain and just go die somewhere.
Foreign relation is right up his alley?
Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran. Actually, since McCain has been wrong on everything for the past 30 years, he could be an asset. Just find out what he thinks and do the opposite.
McCain on Foreign Relations? Really? All he wants to do is send young men and women to war. He's bitter, angry, and old. Get him out of there.
He has done so much for foreign relations. REMEMBER BOMB BOMB BOMB IRAN?
He has as many gaffs as Nitwit.
Would somebody 'retire' this senile obstructionist fart once and for all!? PLEASE??????
Can you imagine trigger-happy, America-should-be-the-world's-cop fanatic on the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee. It would be like appointing JIm Inhofe to take over the leadershipo of the EPA.
Do we ever get tired of this man's obsession for publicity? Can't he just go to FOX and stay there?
I think McCain needs checked for alzhiemers, His career has become
irrelevent and his brain has become,,,,,,,befuddled?? He has started
a one man vendetta against this woman.
Great and give that old FART Arizona as his Foriegn Country to Stay in .Make him ambassador ,King,or better yet the TOWN CLOWN. This Turkey has turned into the Countries Biggest Buffoon ever to get elected to a position Of everything and knowing Nothing.
Arizona isn't a foreign country even if they DO ACT LIKE IT IS AT TIMES
MEMO TO THE DEMS: Keep this guy off the committee. He is old, not in touch with reality and downright ugly to the various cabinet members with whom he would have to work. We do not need someone like this mucking up the little progress Congress makes each year. We certainly do not need his outdated opinions about Foreign Policy. God help us! We'd be at War with every country the planet if he had his way.
Unfortunately, the decision for Republican Senate committee assignments is not up to the Democratic party (would be funny if it were.)