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Subscribe to RSSSen. John McCain, R- Ariz., Thursday continued to raise questions about the Obama administration’s handling of the aftermath of the September attacks in Benghazi, Libya. In an interview on Today McCain said “it is either a cover-up or it is incompetence” for President Barack Obama to have continued to say as late as Sept. 25 that the attack on the U.S. consulate was a reaction to an inflammatory anti-Islamic video.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) discusses the Obama administration's handling of the aftermath of the Benghazi attack, accusing the president of "either a cover-up or incompetence." McCain also vowed to block any nomination of UN Ambassador Susan Rice for secretary of state to replace Hillary Clinton.
McCain told NBC’s Matt Lauer the most vital question that former CIA director David Petraeus must answer when he testifies Friday before both the House and Senate Intelligence committees is “why we were not prepared for this attack, where there was ample evidence, because of previous attacks and overwhelming intelligence information, that attacks were very likely on our consulate. There had been two (attacks) previously in April and June. On Aug. 15 they sent back a message that in the case a concerted attack they could not defend the consulate.”
McCain on Wednesday introduced a resolution to create a special eight-member select Senate committee to examine the attack on the consulate in which Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans, Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, and Sean Smith, were killed.
But McCain’s proposal got a mostly chilly reception Wednesday from his several of his fellow senators NBC News spoke with, even from some Republicans who have been his allies in the past.
Lawmakers were shown real-time film of the assault on Benghazi, where Ambassador Chris Stevens was killed. NBC's Kelly O'Donnell reports.
A State Department Accountability Review Board (ARB) is investigating the attack. That panel includes former Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Pickering and former Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, now retired from the military.
But McCain argued that the Obama administration had no credibility to carry out an investigation of its own actions or inaction.
Joining McCain in calling for the special committee was Sen. Lindsey Graham, R- S.C., who said “a segmented, stovepiped investigation – where you have three different (Senate) committees going off in three directions and not comparing notes…is going to lead to failure.”
The bipartisan opposition to McCain's idea was rooted in the prerogatives of Senate committees that are already conducting their own investigations of the attacks. Senators serving on those committees defended their ability to conduct a thorough inquiry and seemed to see McCain’s efforts as potentially encroaching on their turf.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R- Ga., senior Republican on the Intelligence Committee, said Wednesday, "I told him (McCain) today that I'd just seen his resolution and I'm not sure whether it's not just a duplication of what we're doing."
Chambliss’s committee will hear testimony from acting CIA director Michael Morell and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper about the attack in a closed session Thursday.
Another Republican on the Intelligence Committee, Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina said, "Listen, I think it's way too early to be calling for a special committee. I think you've got to allow the structure we have of oversight to function. And I think that the Intelligence Committee is more than capable of handling this."
Another opponent to McCain was the top-ranking Republican on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who said of McCain’s proposal, "I really don't view it as being necessary. The Intelligence and the Homeland Security Committees are already investigating.”
Her committee got a briefing from CIA, FBI and State Department officials Wednesday. Collins pointed out that “Sen. McCain is a valued member of the Homeland Security Committee and can play an important role in help us uncover the facts."
Another Republican, Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, who serves alongside McCain on the Armed Services Committee, reacted to McCain’s proposal by saying, "I'm listening. There's merit in the suggestion, but I'm not wedded to that."
A Democrat in the Intelligence Committee, Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, flatly rejected McCain’s proposal: "We have all the relevant committees, including the one that I sit on which is Intel. We're having a hearing on that tomorrow and he (McCain) sits on the Intel Committee as ex officio (as the senior Republican member of the Armed Services Committee)."
Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, who has been mentioned as possible replacement for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton or Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, opposed McCain’s idea Wednesday.
“What we ought to do is first let the ARB make its determinations,” Kerry told reporters. “I think everybody ought to just step back. There’s a serious process in place and Secretary Clinton has put it in place.”
He added, “I have confidence in Tom Pickering and Admiral Mullen to put facts together.”
One senator who did voice support for McCain’s idea of a special select committee was Sen. Jim Inhofe, R- Okla., who serves on the Armed Services Committee and is slated to be its ranking member in the new Congress.
Inhofe said the lack of protection at the consulate, despite Stevens’s requests for more security, was “inexcusable” and “it’s got to be investigated.” Stevens was killed in the attack. Inhofe said, “I knew Chris Stevens. He was a friend. He was in my office right before he went over there.”
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Here's what gets me about this whole Benghazi thing...
People like McCain and Graham are trying to turn this into some horrible scandal...when it really isn't. The ambassador in his staff knew that they were in a region where conflict and danger went hand in hand with the job. They asked for and recieved additional security whenever it was necessary. If there had been credible information that there was going to be an attack on the Benghazi consulate that night...the state department would certainly, in the very least, have advised them all to be move to somewhere safer. There was no credible information that specific.
Yet..these these are the same men who supported Bush declaring war on Iraq despite the CIA and Ambassador Joe Wilson saying that intelligence that Iraq was trying to import weapons grade plutonium from countries in Africa was not credible...and UN Inspectors in Iraq could not find any evidence of WMDs being built.
The costs of the Iraq was is one of the biggest factors that pushed our economy into a recession.
McCain and Graham...are grandstanding partisan idiots...but the people who vote for them...are beyond stupid.
You ungrateful little children should be thanking Senator McCain for his service; he spent 5 years in a Vietnamese prison being tortured so that YOU and your keyboard buddies can rant and rave about all of the free stuff the government should give you It is people like you that are dragging this country down. Get a job, get out of your mom's basement, and STFU !
I thank McCain for his service but he is CURRENTLY acting like a dumbass. How's that Trouble?
trouble1954 - Please read your last sentence while looking in the mirror as you sit there at your keyboard.
Theo, your post is hilarious!!! LMFAO!!!!!
Trouble...have you ever bothered to read ANYTHING about McCain's military service?
He graduated 894th out of a class of 899 students at the US Naval Academy. He has acknowledged that he often came into conflict with authorities and disobeyed rules. The only reason he even got into this esteemed academy is because his father and grandfather were both admirals. Some guy who actually earned a spot into the USNA with his grades got rejected so that McCain could go in on legacy.
After completing flight school, during which he earned a reputation as a hard partier, he crashed 2 planes and flew another into power lines. His records from that time mark him as a "sub-par flier who was often reckless and careless".
After he was freed from being a POW and was physically rehabilitated, he became commander of a flight training squadron in Florida.
It was during this time that he also began engaging in numerous extramartial affairs - including some with women who were subordinates to him in the military. In fact, he was cheating on his first wife for quite awhile with his now current wife, Cindy.
So, yes...I thank John McCain for serving his country. My oldest brother served in that war, too, but without having his paths to success paved for him.
But I won't be putting an adulterous, self-serving, partisan hypocrite on a pedastal that he no longer deserves.
Sen. McCain and Sen. Graham used to be well respected members of the Senate and Republican party. Why have they decided to join the wing nuts and conspiracy theory crowd? Has the whole party gone nuts?
Bill, Who is advocating a conspiracy theory? The White House and State Department have not provided plausable answers as to what when on there. Get the facts and then determine whether more needs to be done. Certainly having Obama saying in the debate that he called it a terrorist attack on 9/12 and then have Rice go on national television on Sunday after and say the attack was due to a film points to some questionalbe issues.
CKSM....
Actually, they have provided "plausible answers" and Condoleeze Rice, among others, has backed them up.
The first thing the Intel committee should investigate is all the members that voted to cut the budget for embassy security. Then make them all famous.
It's sad that a once proud and inspirational war hero would descend into a bitter old man whose personal agenda of vindictiveness outweighs his once impeccable sense of patriotism. C'mon Senator McCain, show us the dedication to the people and the common sense and decency fow which you have been known... before it becomes too late to resurrect your legacy for future generations.
Watergate style hearings?! The only ones you have fooled are yourself and Lindsey. Get real and get to work!
Once Petraeus testifies and the Congress hears first-hand how The White House let these 4 men die, there will be a special hearing....This is WAY worse than Watergate, Obama is going to have to answer for his treachery
You would like it to be WAY worse than Watergate but once testimony confirms that the worst that happened was the CIA may not have been updating the White House in real time then people like YOU will move on to the next MADE UP conspiracy to focus on. Comprendez?
so where were you on the thousand of our young who died in Iraq ? that was a made up war - with no WMD's .. yet you remained silent? .. shame on you now .....
People die in terrorist countries.. it is the risk of the job .. period ... and sadly.
It is already worse than Watergate; and the scenario is unfolding exactly the way that did....denial first, then throw a couple of subordinates to the wolves (Hillary, Petraeus, Rice), then righteous indignation (along with more denials)....he is such a WEAK President, just horrible. Hiding under women's skirts is certainly going to be perceived by the power-brokers of the world for what it is; a WEAK, effeminate President who doesn't know how to lead.
trouble, please provide PROOF that Obama has thrown ANY of the people you mentioned under the bus? Good luck with that.
salsaforever, What do you call it when Obama says that he called it a terrorist attack on September 12th and then have his spokesperson, Rice, go on national television on Sunday following and say it was due to a film? I call that throwing her under the bus.
trouble1954 - Bitter a little that this "WEAK, effeminate President" just thoroughly KICKED YOUR COLLECTIVE ASSES?
CKSM, please please please reaffirm my hope that this is not a Nation of idiots! Please? Obama did not tell Susan Rice to declare that the attack was due to a film. If you look at her actual footage, she said, "we do not yet know the full story." That is why we are still investigating. Hello? Your transparent witch-hunt idiocy is really wearing down the rest of us Americans who are excited to help rebuild this country with a bright principled lucid President.
Seems fairly simple to me. If there's nothing to hide, let as many reviews take place as necessary. If nothing corrupt or incompetent is uncovered, it will only make the inquiry look wasteful and will backfire. If something corrupt or incompetent is uncovered, then there's some explaining to be done.
It's not that simple Wayne. Multiple investigation take time and resources of both military and civilian staff that should be focusing on other important issues as well. Hamas and Israel? Fiscal Cliff? Immigration reform?
It also wastes money.
if mccain is attempting to rouse the american people with his rhetoric he's wasting his time. he has become irrelevant -no credibility at all. his antics are just politically motivated and so typical of why the republicans are nothing but background noise in any political debate. fade away mccain-you no longer matter.
Terrorist attack or spontaneous attack? SO WHAT? Why is this question, and the presidents statement either way, of such national importance to McCain? The perpatrators being brought to justice sshould be the ONLY consideration
Terrorist attack is something planned, plotted, and executed with the possibility of far greater actions and continuance. Spontaneous attack is based on a single issue and will die with the issue.
All this from the man who brought us Sarah Palin? Time to move on John . . .
Look, even a broken clock is correst twice a day. Maybe he has something here.
Time to retire Senators McCain and Graham. We have a bigger immediate task, the so called Fiscal Cliff, that needs full attention and your participation, over the Benghazi incident. There are investigations that is in progress, let those people do their job. If you cannot do or you refuse to do your job, time to retire and enjoy the nice retirement package you get courtesy of the american taxpayers.
FINALLY! The inept administration will have to answer to the murders of our Ambassador and the Navy Seals, and why their pleas for help were denied. Regardless of who wants what type of committee to get to through the lies and deception thats been shoved down the American Publics throats, it's deflection of being held accountable has begun to come to an end, and We The People deserve clear and honest answers... This Administration has blood on its hands and the wrongs will be righted and held accountable finally.
Amazing.. this is their answer to the people voting for Dems and asking Repubs to get their act together and start working to keep American on the road to recovery.
There was a time I resepected McCain ... being his age and watching him become such slime - I just pity him now - but more so I pity those who voted him in again .. he does NOT work for the citizens with these ridiculous waste of time ideas - he is living proof of why term limits MUST become law.
Obama has had a great week since his re-election, huh ?
He is SO weak....we're screwed.
Luck of the draw. I notice you didn't say much about his triumphs this past week.
trouble1954...... Now you are trying to blame Petraeus' behavior on the President.
Clueless
Yeah...okay...ha-ha...what triumphs would they be ?
Obama didn't have a great week during the first debate with Romney and we know how that turned out don't we? Your snapshot in time view is juvenile at best.
Snapshot ?.....we have enough crises going on TODAY that would be a challenge for a STRONG President; having this milque-toast in charge with such critical items as Israel, Iran, Russia, China, the deficit, the Libyan Massacre, Petraeus, and the many people trying to leave this sinking Administration ship (Hillary, Holder, Geithner, etc.) are all trying to get away from this grenade as fast as they can.....Rahm already got away, this guy is just WEAK
Trouble, you are crapping your pants again. You do recall that during Obama's re-election, he got high marks on his handling of foreign policy? Change your diaper. It stinks!!!!
Just another day at the office, being kept from doing a task by some disruptive out of focus senators.
We all have those kind of days, don't we? You are trying to do your work and your colleague will not stop of their pesky criticism instead of giving some constructive point or leave you alone and attend to their important tasks that everyone else is waiting on.
Mr. McCain is a sorry portrait of a man deeply embittered by loss to the President Obama. Where he used to sound rational he now sounds like a ignorant Archie Bunker curmudgeon. Mr. McCain who would not have gotten into Annapolis without his father's connections, and who, by the way, graduated last in his class, not to mention has involvement in the worst aircraft disaster in US Naval history and found himself captured just weeks after his enlistment, does not exactly paint the picture of competence. This is a man with a terrible love of war and deep seated hatred entirely generated from a narcissistic crushed ego. Those of us who are old enough to remember the Lebanon Embassy debacle under Regan and those of us who have more then a six-second memory and recall Secretary of State Colin Powell passing on bad information to the United Nations from our Intelligence Community, remembers no outrageous calls from Congress, particularly not from the partisan McCain, to hold hearings on why 4,700 US soldiers were killed in Iraq due to intelligence failures. His only purpose for continuing this Benghazi argument it to keep the Republican base angry and to feel certain that their blind hatred of the President is justified.
Why the fuss? I guess McCain's Arizona isn't getting anymore Highway money so he can go ahead and buy the land with prior knowledge of where the Highway is going to pass through. No more real estate deals for you John!
How about if we stop this debate about this non issue and find out how Mitt Romney gets away with laundering billions of unreported income in the Caymans through a bank owned by his church?
Wikipedia said that essentially until I started posting it and then "The Only True Church" edited wikipedia. No kidding, Mormon owned Zions Bancorp who got $700M in TARP bought Amegy Bank of Houston and they have a bank in the Caymans.
How does Mitt Romney get away with laundering billions of unreported income in the Caymans through a bank owned by his church?
Hey! McCain himself chose Palin over Romney!
With all due respect to Mr. John McCain for his years of service to our country both as a serviceman and public servant: You're an angry old man. You lost the election in 2008, you don't get to be president. Get over it and retire. There are plenty of shows on CBS you could be watching instead of further dividing the country for your petty vengeance.
I've always been ambivalent about John McCain, certainly as a presidential candidate, but he's clearly out of his element at the moment. For the good of the country he professes to love, he should stop grandstanding and just step down in favor of some more rational, less ideological Republican.
This is a terrible event that happened and we need more answers but to see McCain and Graham along with Fox "news" politicize this is disgusting. Where was the outrage from these same people when we were sold a bill of good based on "faulty intel" to justify invading Iraq under the Bush admin. Virtually every attempt to find out what happend was blocked while thousands of our valued service men/women were maimed or killed. This by the way didn't stop them from getting Miss Rice confirmed either. I thank Mr. McCain for his service but it is long time he retired.
I trust that the three bipartisan committee's already working on this crime against our embassy in Benghazi have the resources, will power, and motivation to answer all questions regarding the murder of our four Americans. Further politicking and grandstanding will only serve to obfuscate the truth and waste resources. Please Sen. McCain and Sen. Graham, let these committees work, and focus your energies on ending this non- stop quarreling that has led to the horrifying stalemate in Washington!
I used to respect McCain even in my youth when I was a raging liberal. I started losing respect for him when I witnessed him shove a female reporter out of the way after he lost a tough primary to Bush II and then he refused to distance himself from the policies of Bush II when he ran for President. Also, the whole Palin nomination not only ruined him for me but also ruined him for my moderate republican husband. I wonder why McCain did not ask for Watergate style hearings when a whole bunch of military people were killed in a terrorist attack in lebanon back in the 1980s? Oh wait a minute, a republican was president so that was OK.
What is this weakling going to do for Israel ?...he is so devoid of strength, and the only women left he can hide behind are Valerie Jarrett, Moochelle, and the Feisty Redhead....
The fact that republicans are caving on taxes for the wealthy and immigration reform looks like Obama has plenty of strength. Your post is not reality based.
Haha....strength ?
Politics 101 trouble. Obama does not get republicans to cave on those issues unless he is bargaining from STRENGTH. You crapped your pants again.
"Sen. John McCain, R- Ariz., Thursday continued to raise questions about the Obama administration’s handling of the aftermath of the September attacks in Benghazi, Libya. In an interview on Today McCain said “it is either a cover-up or it is incompetence.
This comes from a guy from Arizona who's buddies years ago celebrated J.F.K.'s assassination. The real cover up in Arizona is when I'd stayed at the Arizona Grand Resort last month and ordered a cheeseburger. They asked what kind of cheese and I, of course, ordered American cheese. Well, Arizona has to be the only place with a fancy resort that does not stockpile American Cheese. I was offered every other cheese but no, no American. To me, that is the real coverup and I hope McCain "introduces a resolution to create a special eight-member select Senate committee to examine the attack on the,"American Cheese Association."
Hurricane Alum?
Sounds like a Monty Python skit. They made you eat semi-soft cheese?
So - if the consulate had been attacked in the months prior to the 9/11/12 attack and the Libyans already told us that they could not defend it in the event of another attack, why did the Ambassador and embassy staff go there to begin with? I'm not trying to blame the victims here - I'm wondering if the staff on the ground there had enough confidence in the situation in country to decide to make that trip, then what makes McCain and company think there was better information to be had in DC? Diplomatic service in unstable countries and war zones is as dangerous as military service.
People forget what was going on in Cairo at the time so it is not irrational to think that terrorists took advantage of a simple demonstration to create cover for the beginning of the attack. That probably wasn't what happened but as an initial supposition it is not and was not irrational.
You left out that the Senate Homeland Security Committee, which McCain is a member of, received a classified, closed-door briefing for nearly two hours yesterday, receiving up-to-date information. What did McCain learn from the briefing? Nothing -- according to the Republican ranking member on the committee, McCain failed to show up.