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Subscribe to RSSPresident Barack Obama calls the attacks on U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice "politically motivated" and says they are unacceptable.
President Barack Obama on Sunday called security issues that led to the deaths of four Americans in the Benghazi consulate attack "a huge problem," although he continued to defend U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice as a victim of political scapegoating by Republicans who have suggested an administration coverup of the situation.
"We're not going to be defensive about it," Obama said of the State Department review of the attacks during an exclusive interview on NBC's Meet the Press. "We're not going to pretend that this was not a problem. This was a huge problem. And we're going to implement every single recommendation that's been put forward."
Saying that some State Department officials "have been held accountable," Obama said that the review of the September 11 attack showed there was "sloppiness" in terms of security measures but that mistakes were not intentional.
In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, President Barack Obama tells David Gregory he's optimistic the fiscal cliff can be averted, lays out the goals for his second term, and also discusses the Benghazi attack and how it was handled by the administration and those on Capitol Hill.
But he defended U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, who withdrew from consideration to succeed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after Republicans vigorously opposed her for her role in discussing the attacks after the raid.
"She appeared on a number of television shows reporting what she and we understood to be the best information at the time," Obama said. "This was a politically motivated attack on her. I mean, of all the people in my national security team, she probably had the least to do with anything that happened in Benghazi."
Obama indicated that intelligence officials have "good leads" as to who carried out the attack.
"With respect to who carried it out, that's an ongoing investigation," he said. "The F.B.I. has sent individuals to Libya repeatedly. We have some very good leads, but this is not something that I'm going to be at liberty to talk about right now."
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"This was a politically motivated attack on her. I mean, of all the people in my national security team, she probably had the least to do with anything that happened in Benghazi."
This pathetic loser still won't accept full responsibility for HIS administration's total failure. He just had to bring up 9/11. Always passing the buck, always someone else's fault. He's just hoping this whole thing washes away and everyone forgets. The best way for this to end is in impeachment. He lied and covered up based on what is already out there and for those of us who do know the military/intelligence business due to and based on actual experience, there is not enough sunshine this loser or anyone of HIS losers can blow up any True American's backside.
Read between the lines: Obama is incompetent.
was a problem?? it still is a problem mainly because the ppl responsible are still in their jobs
Wow, he is right for once! Rice was a victim of scapegoating. Just not of the GOP. They would have been much happier if the blame ended up where it belonged. At the top.
one thing about obama though, he's a smart son of a gun, he managed to turn the tables on romney in the debate ,made romney look like the bad guy when in fact he himself knew who was really responsible.
With a little help from his gushing girlfriend Candy Crowley.
Oh, NOW it's a huge problem. Let's see...how long did it take you to realize what the murdered officials in Benghazi knew for the 5 HOURS they suffered while you sat in silence.
Hello People of American, The Government doesn't run the United States of America. We the People do. Please Stop the Bull @!$%#. This Government wouldn't have a one dollar without US... If everyone stopped working in America and United as Republic this Government wouldn't have a job. We the people Don't never the Government. They need US to pay for them.. WE has America work hard to have everything we want but the Government steals are money for there Greediest. I think must Americas are tired of this Government wasting money & power. We as Americas need to start seeing the truth. Its all the Government in DC. Hurting the People of this Great Nation.
We the PEOPLE are Slave's to the GOVERNMENT. WE are paying for this GOVERNMENT. Please STOP and think what are Government leaders are getting FREE. MONEY, Benefit's and the list is endless. I'm working hard to have my stuff in life. Me and the rest of the HARD WORKING CLASS is PAYING for the GOVERNMENT to live FREE in DC. WE the People generate all the money for this great leaders in DC who wants to sale us out..
I Pray We the People of the United State get United and TEACH the GOVERNMENT a BIG lesson in LIFE.
AMEN..
My family has fault for freedom along time in this world. I will fight for freedom if I have too. All the people that die for freedom would want me to do the same.. I'm honored this people die for me and all the other in the world for freedom. I hope that the Government is reading this POST. I know im not the only person who is tired of the BULL @!$%# in DC..
God Bless
Bengazi was a "huge problem" for the Ambassador and the other heroic Americans killed there --- but from what I've seen so far not much of a problem for our President or his staff. Not much accountability in Washington these days ----
Stinkfeet - You hit the nail on the head. Now we need to hit this admin upside the head and take back our country.
Obama should order more security.... for his cell in Leavenworth.
So true. He always does blab that he has some type of law degree. He can practice all he wants to four walls and bubba. I'm sure bubba will show him that holding on to the bars won't save him.
Pig
This was another major Obama administration failure, from Hillary to Obama himself. Yes we should hold him directly accountable for this failure. Yes Clinton should be man enough and resign immediately rather than trying to keep on delaying her testimony before congress.
A big problem? Is that all? How about ordering the task force in place not to take action? Think that might be a big problem Obummer! Liberal left, you are so far in the soup your brains are soggy. Impeach his traitorous ass and hold Clinton criminally responsible, of course you won't because we all know how you deal with traitors and criminals, Holder is still AG. You think buying people cell phones and winning the election, makes you right? More states are against this bastard than for his government, thank god for that. Looking forward to the "New USA" without freeloaders, illegals and dumbacrats!
LOL -1. Could be true if only Democrats are allowed to write them. NOT going to happen.
2. was simply an unhonorable tactic. -"Unhonorable" - Really? Do you mean dishonorable? You lose all credibility if you can't master proper grammer.
LOL-I can picture Rocky the Roustabout in his 69 volkswagon van making his weekly trips to HSDS for his food stamps, power vouchers, welfare payment and Obamaphone.
One thing in life I will look forward to is on Jan 20,2017 Obama ass will be gone, until then we will be in chains to the tax man.
not necessassarily, he will be paid at taxpayers expense and go to kenya to live like a king, and be laughing at us stupid american citizens, cause his real citizenship will come out, but by then it will be to late, for this great country and nation will be so tubed that this country will no longer resemble what it once did, and we will no longer have a United States of America constitution.
Wow, that was really enlightening and statesman-like. Next, lets get down the nitty-gritty on Fast and Furious how bout? Or, even more in depth, what is Obama's favorite color? And while we are at it, how about Obama get a Nobel prize for Benghazzi and his handling of it, especially the trip to Vegas to shine with the celebrities and campaign immediately after they dragged Ambassador Stephen's body through the streets.
so instead of sending rice out to go on national tv and say what she did, why didn't he obama or h. clinton go on in her place. This definetly sounds like they obama and clinton used rice as a patsy to cover their own asses. But not to worry, rice will still be given a coushiony job inthe w.h., and clinton, when she does decide to testify, will tell all the lies and still make money when she is no longer sec of state, and when she decides to run for president in 2016, just like obama, all her misgivings and lies will be forgotten and the main stream media will hide and not report anything that can or could harm her campaign. This is our elections at there best, just ask obama, look at all lies he has told and the people who re-elected him hid their heads in the sand like an osterich. and our government has the audacity to question voters fraud when other countrys have elections
"She knew the least", okay, then why put her out there?
It was a "huge problem". What an understatement!
There is an on-going investigation. There was sloppiness but nothing intentional. How offensive is that to the memory of those that died? Patriotic men and women that serve this country deserve far better than this. What if this was your father, brother, mother, sister....? This speaks volumes about how he views those that serve - in all capacities. They stand in harms way every day. For him, there is an on-going investigation. They deserve better. We deserve better.
What happened to "we will not rest...". I guess Hawaii got in the way.
Arrogant, inexperienced, incompetent, partisan and CYA.
This is not leadership, it is deplorable self interest.
Obam,a m,ay not be "defensive" about this issue, but he is hiding something and should be impeached!
just like when a president lied and got over 4000 of our troops killed this benghazi thing where 4 people died will be a THING OF THE PAST. or like they say "IT TOO SHALL PAST".
It's encouraging to know that the next time we have an ambassador murdered and dragged through the streets that we may be more adept at getting the leads about who did in a more acceptable time frame.
The death of four Americans was a "huge problem". That is the way a true leader views the death of those that serve? How about unforgivable, inexcusable, or as Commander in Chief I will do everything in my power to make sure it does not happen again.
Look at the news, even those that blindly support him, how many times has he commented on these tragic deaths versus commented that he needs to tax the rich? Where does his focus lie? His lack of comment and lack of focus on the matter shows he does not care.
all you republican knuckle-Dragging voters has those 4 people's blood on your hands for voting for republican congressmen who voted to cut funding for our embassies security and...............THE BLOOD DOESNT COME OFF.
Bossanova10, isn't the President a knuckle dragging Democrat, and isn't the Secretary of State a knuckle dragging Democrat. Sorry, even with budget cuts REAL LEADERS do everything they can take care of their people!!!
That is correct, Obammy NEVER accepts the blsame even when itr is clearly HIS (and only his) responsibility. And there are enough stooges like you to toot his horn!
there's no such thing as a knuckle-dragging democrat. you republicans keep losing on issues, because you knuckle-draggers are always on the wrong side of issues. history has taught us that.
I m sure that Ambassador Stevens and the other 3 americans will appreciate the steps to improve security. OH WAIT , THEY ARE F***N DEAD. A little late to have the Pres and State Dept do their job
Notice how Obammy make an error and gets people KILLED and whoops it was someone elses error - this clown shloudl be impeached and hung as a traitor!!!!
There are enough suspicions now that these allegations can no longer be dismissed without further inquiries," said Rep. Robert G. Torricelli (D-N.J.), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "The only question now is the scope of the investigation and the form it will take.
if you cut 300 plus millions from embassy security. who the f— _k is going to guard the place. the easter bunny !