World

Hillary Clinton Fakes Responsibility on Benghazi

Jan. 24, 2013 10:30am

- National Security Editor

Before joining the Blaze, Buck served as an officer in the Central Intelligence Agency, assigned to the Counterterrorism Center and Office of Iraq Analysis. He also served as an analyst for the NYPD Intelligence Division. He has field experience in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa.

Buck has a B.A. in Political Science from Amherst College. He is a native of New York City, where he currently resides.

Sexton: Hillary Clinton Fakes Responsibility on Benghazi

Heated Questioning and Response Between Sen. Ron Johnson and Sec. of State Hillary Clinton on Benghazi 1/23 (CSPAN) 

Nobody will be held accountable for the September 11th Benghazi attack. That’s the abbreviated conclusion to the expansive testimony Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday. Indeed, in claiming to take personal responsibility, Clinton has apparently redefined what “responsibility” means.

The level of responsibility taken is simple enough to tally. Not a single senior official was fired for the Benghazi tragedy nor did the Secretary of State resign. On the contrary, Clinton goaded the Republicans in the Senate with a tour-de-force political performance of obfuscation, misdirection, and convenient lapses in memory and judgment. Senate Democrats, on the other hand, practically waved Hillary 2016 placards.

This was entirely predictable. Anyone who has worked for a large federal institution knows there are endless ways to evade accountability in the flabby folds of bureaucracy as long as the political winds are on your side.

Clinton knows this as well as anyone. She held up the ponderous processes of the organization she runs as a shield. Oh no, of course she couldn’t talk to the Benghazi survivors in the aftermath of the assault—that would interfere with the FBI. Why that is true, and why the FBI would care, the Secretary of State never explained.

When is doubt, the Secretary hid behind processes and procedures that a member of the White House cabinet could cut through with a phone call. Clinton spoke of the supposedly non-partisan Accountability Review Board (ARB) as though it were the sacrosanct judgment of the Almighty. Why should we believe they were not affected by the intense politics surrounding this debacle?  Who picked them again?

Clinton even had the gall to mention budget constraints for leaving an Ambassador and three other Americans with completely inadequate security in a warzone.

The State Department, by Clinton’s own admission, has nearly 70,000 employees. That’s a lot of salaries, but apparently not enough to give an Ambassador and the immediate cadre around him decent protection in a country teeming with terrorist militias.

Of course, the most punitive measures were handed to officials lower than Clinton on the chain of command. She let America know these officials were placed on administrative leave – and that the ARB mavens set the level of failure at assistant secretary level and below (one can almost hear the bleating of scapegoats).

In case any Americans sitting at home still had any confusion about what “responsibility” means in the State Department, Clinton explained exactly where the bar is set. “Unsatisfactory leadership” is not grounds for breech of duty, according to the ARB. What that means in this case is that no matter how bad certain civil servants were at their jobs they won’t get fired. You have to willfully break rules and probably the law for that to happen. Administrative leave is the worst you face.

A few GOP Senators tried to pry away new information from the Secretary. But Clinton came ready for battle and parried most of the more probing questions. Despite her histrionics, however, there were a few worthwhile moments that reminded the American people of the answer to answer Hillary’s own question– what difference does it make? An enormous one.

How could cables from a U.S. Ambassador requesting additional security go unanswered? How could Libya not receive special State Department attention? Why didn’t the administration have any military assets available for seven hours? Why did senior Obama officials blame an obscure video for days after the attack?

We did not get answers to these questions, and we aren’t going to. There was perhaps some small measure of satisfaction seeing Clinton dodge these difficult questions. But Democrats will renew the push to put Benghazi behind us.  And Clinton’s testimony will likely appear as part of a reflective, self-gratifying chapter in the inevitable autobiography she will write between now and her run for the presidency.

Now that Clinton is on the way out from Foggy Bottom, we must face a bitter truth. The Obama administration lied about the circumstances surrounding the murder of four Americans during the height of an election season, and they got away with it. The American people had a chance to hold Obama accountable at the ballot box, and they failed to do so. There will likely be no real accountability on Benghazi.

Perhaps the next time the American people have a chance to vote, they will decide that failures of leadership and duty that result in the deaths of Americans serving their country must have consequences beyond the rhetorical.

 

Buck Sexton is a regular panelist on ‘Real News’ on TheBlaze TV weekdays 6-7pm EST

Comments (36)

  • RamonPreston
    Jan. 25, 2013 at 10:19am

    Did the administration threaten to harm Chelsea again?

    Report this comment

    RamonPreston  
  • Elliesr
    Jan. 25, 2013 at 12:15am

    It seemed to me like Hillary is having a “Mental” breakdown. Time to put her in a straightjacket and fill her up with Prozac.

    Report this comment

    Elliesr  
  • joecaff2
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 8:48pm

    Wait just one minute folks; first, how dare ANYONE demand Secretary Clinton testify to a panel of Senators let alone to a panel of Representatives of the House! Don’t you people realize who she is and what great things that she has done for our country? You obviously don’t appreciate her sacrifice or the FACT that she is “THE SMARTEST WOMAN IN POLITICS” (according to DEMOCRATS & the PROPOGANDISTS IN THE MEDIA)! Let’s take a minute to review her most relevant accomplishments;

    1. SHE MARRIED BILL CLINTON.
    2. She stayed with BILL throughout ALL of his “INDESCREATIONS” (WHORING AROUND).
    3. SHE LIED SO BILL COULD REMAIN PRESIDENT.
    4. Shopped states to run for the Senate & won NY seat (never really lived in NY)
    5. Did NOTHING as a Senator.
    6. Ran for Presidential nomination but LOST TO A YOUNG BLACK GUY WITH EVEN LESS EXPERIENCE. (He was an accomplished liar)!
    7. Became Secretary of State without ANY FOREIGN POLICY EXPERIENCE. (She did go to STATE DINNERS AS FIRST LADY)!
    8. She LIED so that the IMPERIAL PRESIDENT (OBAMA) could keep his job.

    So, if you want to succeed as a woman in the DEMOCRAT PARTY you MUST BECOME A TOTAL LIAR and be willing to STAND BY YOUR MAN! (It helps if he is also a LIAR & a CHEATER TOO)! This is basically a summary of
    Hillary Clinton’s accomplishments and a description of her path to success. Funny how her success is determined by her willingness to prop up a DISHONEST MAN & LIE FOR THEM SO THAT THE CAN STAY IN POWER!

    Report this comment

    joecaff2  
    • mewnani
      Jan. 25, 2013 at 12:32am

      Um dude I think you could say that for any prominent member of the Democratic Party, not just for a woman.

      Report this comment

      mewnani  
    • Mil Mom
      Jan. 25, 2013 at 1:43am

      For her service to her (?) she won the title of “Partier in Chief) at the place euphemistically called “Foggy Bottom” but properly called “Soggy Bottom”. (The emotional level of those who run our foreign power. Proves the adage, (I believe from Franklin) “Governments like underwear, should be changed often.” ) If in doubt consider recent pictures of her in Africa and South America.

      Report this comment

      Mil Mom  
    • wowjustwow
      Jan. 25, 2013 at 8:31pm

      Just letting the guy who is misspelling “indiscretion” know 3 things that Hilary did that most people have never done and could not do.

      1. Wellesley College grad
      2. Yale Law School grad
      3. First female at major lawfirm in 1979 and twice named 1 of the 100 most influential lawyers in America.
      None of the above had anything to do with Bill Clinton.

      Report this comment

      wowjustwow  
  • Charles Curtis
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 8:29pm

    This is a planned exit – It plays into the hand of resisting the investigation into the activity that this administration is engaged in – the FUNDAMENTAL TRANSFORMATION OF AMERICA.
    All Hillary did was:

    Minimize harm
    Minimize information
    Conceal
    Distract
    Delay
    Erect barriers
    Distort
    Negotiate

    RESISTANCE IS FUTILE…

    Wake up Americans, it is time to ask ‘What can I do for my country?’ jfk was right about that.

    Report this comment

    Charles Curtis  
  • dbrockjohnson
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 8:21pm

    I swear, anyone who voted for for this administration should be smacked in the face! We are going down fast folks, there WILL be more corruption and cover ups with this crooked president. If you have any since what so ever though, you saw this coming. Coke head, pot smoking , black musslim, america hating , racist SOB. LOOK at who he was before these idiots voted for him. NO ONE should be surprised at whats happening.

    Report this comment

    dbrockjohnson  
  • txblaze
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 6:32pm

    This has been the trend for this administration – probably for government in general. All they have to do is say the magic words “I take responsibility for ……” or “the buck stops with me”, and they are free from any level of punishment. It’s a joke. The fact that these phrases are said and nothing is done about it is what frustrates Americans. In the real world, if you take responsibility for something you take the fall out from it. Ugh!

    Report this comment

    txblaze  
  • labec
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 6:25pm

    Moral Turpitude. Legal term.

    Report this comment

    labec  
  • labec
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 6:23pm

    She warrants a “Mental Health Evaluation” under ObamaCare and could not possibably pass
    a background check any longer. She’s TRANSPARENT NOW.

    Report this comment

    labec  
  • Patriot760
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 5:20pm

    This should have been Obumber’s Bay of Pigs, refusing to send help. I don’t understand why ANY ambassador would stay at their post after this treasonous episode.

    Report this comment

    Patriot760  
  • eagle908
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 4:02pm

    When are we going to git rid of all,these fake people.Obama is a fake, he knows it and I know it .Most of our leaders are fakes.They have no clue what Americans really think.Let’s vote them all out,and start 1776 all over again.

    Report this comment

    eagle908  
  • Smug
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 2:50pm

    After much consideration (about five minutes ago) I decided my allegiance would be better served by going with the Democrat party. Yes today have become a liberal. And because of this I’m already ten times smarter than you. Not to mention all the perks. I don’t have to be held accountable for anything. I have the DOJ, the NAACP, NOW, Every Union under the sun. Every news media outlet except for Fox (or should I say Faux News, HAHAHA), The Freedom Socialist Party, The Communist Party of the USA, (opps I don’t think I was supposed to mention those last two). And a bunch of organizations with a whole lot of initials. Not to mention I have great minds like Al Sharpton, Ed Shultz, and Jessie Jackson speaking on my behalf. Yes life is going to be sweeeeet. So quit your Bitc#en all you whiny gun toten, Bible thumpin ya hoos. You just aint smart enough to know what‘s good for you. So go milk a cow or something, Sheesh.………..MSSMUG

    Report this comment

    Smug  
    • Ivabig1
      Jan. 24, 2013 at 3:22pm

      Becoming a liberal is simple. Start with a conservative, then remove all reason and accountability.

      Report this comment

      Ivabig1  
    • Ivabig1
      Jan. 24, 2013 at 3:38pm

      Hey let us know when you start getting your “Talking Points” memo’s.

      Report this comment

      Ivabig1  
  • Jim in Houston
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 2:48pm

    Shillary lied her @ss off and that’s a lot of @ss!

    Report this comment

    Jim in Houston  
    • Chinishque
      Jan. 24, 2013 at 3:31pm

      Are there no MEN left in DC? Why dont they call her what she is?!!! A lying sack of ****!!!! TO HER FACE…RIGHT IN HER LYING FACE!!!!

      Report this comment

      Chinishque  
    • wowjustwow
      Jan. 25, 2013 at 9:33pm

      Hey chin…is that how “men” in your world behave? Sad…

      Report this comment

      wowjustwow  
  • pooterskooter
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 1:48pm

    George Wallace (1960′s Presidential Candidate) was RIGHT ON TARGET, when he said: “There isn’t a dime’s worth of differences between a STREET THUG, and a POLITICIAN”. They both Lie, Cheat, Steal and do under-handed things for their own gain. Having been a Democrat, he (WALLACE) KNEW from being around them so much because he was one of them! At least he had the balls to admit the truth about the Democrats. ANY person that can “believe” Hillary, Obama, Polosi, Reed, and all the other Current administration officials ARE absolutely BRAIN-DEAD. That is “why” Ignorant people should NOT be allowed to vote! Democrats know how to manipulate these STUCK ON STUPID people….for the purpose of maintaining their power in Government. The whole establishment of Washington is nothing but a cesspool of corruption and the Democrats need to be weeded out like the destructive parasites they are. Yesterday’s performance was just a carnival because ANY Intelligent person knew before-hand that Hillary had over two months to be rehearse her story of lies and deceipt, and get coached for her effectiveness.and that regardless of reality…she would come out smelling like a rose like she has on other unethical matters while in the Washington political sphere. Like her husband Billary….the Liberal News Media protect their reputations because this the caliber of individuals the Democratic Party seeks for office. When ever they open their mouths, expect nothing but lies to come o

    Report this comment

    pooterskooter  
  • strawberry411a
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 12:50pm

    She’ right: American’s died……who cares? No one in the government that’s for sure.

    Report this comment

    strawberry411a  
  • chaos175
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 12:44pm

    “What difference does it make” is what clinton had to say as to who perpetrated the attack. It makes all the difference! We owe it to the four americans to figure out who went through the process of organizing and conducting the attack. Why? Because there is a differece between a bored militant group trying to make a statement and an attack by Al-Queada. Al-Queada will take advantage of any situation to make an example out of the US and Europe. Once you know its Al-Queada, then you have to track down as much information you can to figure out how strong they are getting in the region. We need to be fully aware of the threat Al Queada poses to our intrests in North Africa. Take the hostage crisis in Algeria. I believe this, along with the Benghazi attack, is an example of Al-Queada getting strong and opening a new front in the war. The difference Mrs Clinton needs to understand is that the Benghazi attack will be seen as the opening move, and those four men will permanently be in every history book when it comes to the subject on the war on terror in North Africa.
    Somebody in DC needs to officially label her as having “dropped the ball”, instead of trying to support her for 2016, to carry on the progressive agenda. The families of the four Americans killed in Benghazi deserve to know that know one is above being removed from power for having failed utterly to do their job. All American citiczens need to start demanding that Mrs Clinton be held accountable!

    Report this comment

    chaos175  
  • jessieH
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 12:22pm

    Clinton needs to be made the Ambassador to Lybia. With no security. Maybe that will stop her lies.

    Report this comment

    jessieH  
  • wrightbobo
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 12:08pm

    It is not surprising we cannot find a cure for so many wrongs in our world when we won’t even protect our children from predators, let alone protect our Ambassadors!

    “The difficulty we have in accepting responsibility for our behavior lies in the desire to avoid the pain of the consequences of that behavior. “Whenever we seek to avoid the responsibility for our own behavior, we do so by attempting to give that responsibility to some other individual or organization or entity. But this means we then give away our power to that entity. ”

    This means, when we transfer our power, we are not competent to be a parent, manager or leader.

    Report this comment

    wrightbobo  
  • OniKaze
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 12:07pm

    Man, and here I was hoping that I could see the red marks on her wrists from the slapping they got from congress for her failure to properly do her job and costing numerous people their lives… And I don’t even get that thanks to our spineless politicians that care more about “optics” than doing their job and being held responsible…

    I mean what are the GOP reps afraid of.??? When they do this, that they will be held accountable???

    This is beyond upsetting, and I have no skin in the game considering my only relation to the dead in this case is the fact that they were fellow Americans….

    I knew this whole thing would amount to nothing… After all, everyone in D.C. is so afraid not to be invited to the next cocktail party that they will say nothing that reaks of truth…

    Our whole system needs to be brought down and re-built from the ground up strictly by the Constitution… All this bureaucracy crap has GOT to go….

    Report this comment

    OniKaze  
  • WyoSagebrush
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 11:35am

    Ms. Clinton is just following the pattern of most Liberals/Progressives in that they never accept any responsibility for any of their actions or inactions. It’s always someone else’s fault, someone else’s responsibility, I was never told, etc.

    Report this comment

    WyoSagebrush  
  • e.galle
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 11:24am

    MSM is only caring about the hillarious Hillary’ s rant and rave. Never do they consider the show she is pulling off.

    Report this comment

    e.galle  
    • CathyvanDyke
      Jan. 24, 2013 at 12:02pm

      The following is the only truth that spew forth from Hillary Clinton’s lips during the Benghazi hearing yesterday. I think it is huge when you consider the Islamic appeasing Barack Obama.

      CNN NEWSROOM
      Clinton Testifies on Libya Attack: Senators Menendez, Corker, Boxer and Risch Questioning Hillary Clinton
      Aired January 23, 2013 – 09:30 ET

      SEN. BOB CORKER (R), TENNESSEE: ….

      CLINTON: … So, yes we now face a spreading jihadist threat. We have driven a lot of the AQ operatives out of the FATA, out of Afghanistan, Pakistan. Killed a lot of them, including of course, bin Laden. BUT WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THIS IS A GLOBAL MOVEMENT.

      http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1301/23/cnr.02.html

      Report this comment

      CathyvanDyke  
    • CathyvanDyke
      Jan. 24, 2013 at 12:34pm

      While acknowleging the spreading jihadist threat Clinton has a way of blaming America … not Islam … for the global jihadist threat. It America’s inability to communicate …It is America’s inability to build relationships. Maybe it is the current administration’s politically correct refusal to respond with strength … strength that would deter Islamic aggression that puts Americans at risk..

      CNN NEWSROOM
      Aired January 23, 2013 – 09:30 ET
      CLINTON: … We can kill leaders, but until we help establish strong democratic institutions, until we do a better job communicating our values and building relationships, we’re going to be faced with this level of instability.
      http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1301/23/cnr.02.html

      Report this comment

      CathyvanDyke  
    • rosegrower
      Jan. 24, 2013 at 12:56pm

      And not one of them caught the fallacy in her rant about “what difference does it make now?” Perhaps the filmmaker – whose face was plastered all over by the MSM as the “cause” of the Benghazi invasion, and who was later hauled off to prison – might think it matters. Perhaps the families of those killed might like the truth – for a change. Yes Hillary, the reason for the killings DOES matter, because there is too much evidence that it was motivated by Obama’s bragging about killing Osama bin Laden.

      Report this comment

      rosegrower  
  • e.galle
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 11:22am

    Buck: The whole “testimony” was kabuki theater at its finest. The show began with her entrance with a very large protective black man to escort her to her chair. The image projected was a meek, victim, thick wearing eye glasses. As soon as she walked in one could see the grand entrance of a show. Same old smoke and mirrors, no answers to questions that should have been followed up with one sentence questions. 4 months of preparation was on show, too bad OUR representative did not do their homework ie how to cut through the show, worst was McCain, Politicians just took their 5 minutes to lecture. UGH Now it is all history. Move on nothing here

    Report this comment

    e.galle  
  • smokey888x2
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 11:21am

    When there’s no God, evil takes His place.

    Report this comment

    smokey888x2  
    • CathyvanDyke
      Jan. 24, 2013 at 12:06pm

      2 Chronicles 7:14
      If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

      Report this comment

      CathyvanDyke  
    • RamonPreston
      Jan. 25, 2013 at 10:21am

      Kathy … do you think that is going to happen? I don’t.

      Report this comment

      RamonPreston  
  • Ldmarcht
    Jan. 24, 2013 at 11:15am

    What difference does it make????
    OK, then we might as well ask what difference does it make when;
    people die in plane crashes, subway fires, bridge collapses, elementary schools, etc?

    The difference that is made in understanding why and how a tragedy (or in this case an orchestrated terrorist action) happened is all about keeping it from HAPPENING AGAIN!!!!!!!!!

    What she is saying is that in her opinion is that no amount of accountability will bring those four dead Americans back to life so why have any accountability at all.

    How can anyone of conscience defend her words?

    Report this comment

    Ldmarcht  
    • Julinka
      Jan. 24, 2013 at 1:03pm

      I don’t think she has a conscience. If our leaders cannot protect Americans serving their country can they protect our country or will they just “stand by” when we have another terrorist attack on our soil?

      Report this comment

      Julinka  

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

TheBlaze

Channel Finder

Find TheBlaze on your TV

This zipcode is invalid, please try again

Channel Finder

TheBlaze is available on channel .

Spread the word!

If you can't find TheBlaze, please call to upgrade your package

Channel Finder

Unfortunately, TheBlaze is not available on .

But you can help! Call at or press CONTINUE to email your provider and urge them to add TheBlaze to your channel lineup.

But you can help! Press CONTINUE to email your provider and urge them to add TheBlaze to your channel lineup.

Continue

Request TheBlaze

Please complete the form

I would like to receive news and information from TheBlaze.
Skip

Thank you for supporting TheBlaze

Interested in doing more? Spread the word about TheBlaze to your friends and family.

Spread the word!

TheBlaze Magazine
Restoring Love