The State Department and the Obama Administration have lied to Americans about what happened in Benghazi for weeks now. Why should the hearings yesterday be any different?
In the opening statements at the Oversight Committee’s hearing on Benghazi yesterday, the tone was set by Democrat Elijah Cummings, who could not remember the correct name of the Ambassador that was assassinated:
“We grieve the loss of Ambassador Christopher Smith.” – Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD)
Shades of Fast and Furious there; Carney forgot Brian Terry’s name too. The same stonewalling is now being put into place as well.:
This fumbling of Stevens’ name added injury to insult, as Cummings attempted to redirect testimony to place blame on Republicans for the actions and inactions of the State Department. The theme being that it was cut funding that was to blame for the lack of security for Ambassador Stevens and his staff.
State Dept’s Charlene Lamb, asked if budget cuts had anything to do with security decisions, said “No, sir.”
The question was asked and the answer was given – budget was not the reason, yet Cummings went down that path anyway. Despicable.:
First a movie is to blame, now it’s funding? No, plain and simple it was a willful ignorance of the facts and refusal to act by the State Department that is to blame. This State Department and administration cut security and military presence in the area to the bone all on their own, despite the rise in activity there and despite the pleading for more security by Stevens in the weeks leading up to 9/11.
Jake Tapper didn’t drop the ball and came at Carney after the hearing, asking whether or not it was Obama who shot first and aimed later. Carney rebuffed and tried to throw blame on Mitt Romney for the White House’s statements that this wasn’t terrorism but was a movie protest instead. For a full picture of what went down in the White House briefing, including video, read: Tapper to WH on Benghazi: So, wouldn’t it be President Obama who shot first and aimed later? « Hot Air
Here are some video highlights from yesterday’s hearing, related reading at the bottom:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FW6Y6l099GE http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YP2axws-xR8Related Reading:
DNC Chair: Wrong Statements About Libya Attack Doesn’t Mean False Statements About Libya
State Department: We didn’t say all that stuff we said about Benghazi
Someone Finally Threw Obama Under The Bus And Her Name Is Hillary Clinton
“FOR ME, THE TALIBAN IS ON THE INSIDE OF THE BUILDING:”
Susan Rice’s 9/11 tweet: ‘Today we pledge to never make excuses’ for terrorism