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Panetta Says Military Did Not Intervene in Libya Attack Because They Didn’t Have Any ‘Real-Time Information’

Oct. 26, 2012 11:30am Madeleine Morgenstern

FILE In this Oct. 10, 2012 file photo, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta speaks at NATO headquarters in Brussels. Credit: AP

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Thursday the U.S. military did not intervene when the U.S. Consulate in Libya was under assault last month because military leaders did not have enough information about what was happening on the ground.

Panetta told reporters at the Pentagon there was no “real-time information” on which to act, even though the military was prepared to do so, CNN reported. U.S. forces had been on heightened alert because of the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, but Panetta said the Benghazi assault was over before military leaders had a good handle on what was going on, according to the Associated Press.

“The basic principle is that you don’t deploy forces into harm’s way without knowing what’s going on, without having some real-time information about what’s taking place,” Panetta said. “And as a result of not having that kind of information…[we] felt very strongly that we could not put forces at risk in that situation.”

U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three other Americans were killed in the six-hour assault, which has since been labeled a terrorist attack.

Panetta said there has been “a lot of Monday-morning quarterbacking going on here” questioning decisions in the weeks since the attack.

“This happened within a few hours, and it was really over before we had the opportunity to really know what was happening,” Panetta said.

CBS reported last week that there was an unmanned drone dispatched over the U.S. Consulate that apparently viewed the final hours of the attack.

A Defense Department official told CNN there was a drone in the air but was not directly over the area when the attack started. The official said the drone was redirected and was able to record some of what was happening, and described it as “looking down, seeing a bunch of buildings and fires, a lot of chaos on the ground.”

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Comments (208)

DZ-015
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:44am
Methinks the Secretary is just another administration Bee-esser.

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- The_Jerk
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:13pm
  Leon Panetta, an incompetent failure.
  
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- The_Jerk
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:15pm
  Listen fool Leon Panetta, you deploy assets close to the area when there is trouble, so that you can use them if they are needed. He’s lying. They were needed, and they weren’t there.
  
  Report this comment
- HKS
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:20pm
  It was an assassination bu the administration and the military was told to stand down. Not rocket science.
  
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- joey g
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:38pm
  what a fn pos liar….
  
  Report this comment
- Marci
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:43pm
  Unbelievable. What’s appalling here is even after this has proven these idiots go on the record within hours to say “who are you going to believe? my lips or the facts?” INSANITY.
  
  Report this comment
- edcoil
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:51pm
  So last year when we bombed the place without congressional approval or discussion that is what has put us in the mess – what real time information did he have?
  
  Report this comment
- Watermain
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:55pm
  I hope these reprobates never figure out that they all need to tell the same lie if they want us poor fools to believe them.
  
  Report this comment
- Independent4233
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 1:00pm
  Old banana nose cast criticism of Obam’s failure to reinforce our people as “Monday morning quarterbacking,” as if the decisions he and Obama made were open to interpretation, instead of an open and shut case of not sending needed back up to our troops, who were engaged with the terrorists for MANY hours, far in excess of the time necessary to airlift a quick reaction force for protection.
  
  Can you imagine being on the roof for 7 hours fighting your heart out, fully expecting the US Cavalry to come to your rescue only to have as your last thought the stark and awful knowledge that you have been abandoned????
  
  Report this comment
- SocialistSlayer
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 1:10pm
  Now Leon Panetta has blood on his hands and is Guilty of Treason ! Rot in Hell Panetta Our government has been taken over by Communists ! Where’s Congress? They are supposed to be the overseers !
- PilgrimStuckInBizarroWorld
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 1:26pm
  This breaks my heart. What is wrong with these people?
  
  Report this comment
- phillycornerboy
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 1:33pm
  more lies, more treason. knowingly selling arms to al-qaeda was treason.abandoning our ambassador was treason. the two cia guys who died are heroes. i’m hung-up on the ambassador, if he was brokering the arms deal, perhaps he is guilty of treason but he died at his post…a hero. i’ll wait for the whole story on him. i’ve been saying for a month…trials, impeachment, imprisonment, before the election.
  
  Report this comment
- Detroit paperboy
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 1:41pm
  Our heroes were begging repeatedly for help,,,,,there lives depended on it……….and got an answering machine at the white house…………REMEMBER, OBAMA DID NOT ATTEND MORNING INTELLIGENCE BRIEFINGS………..THAT WAS A STORY TWO WEEKS BEFORE THIS TRAGEDY….
  
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- idarusskie
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 2:16pm
  if they did not have real time information that alone would be enough to resound to get intelligence.
  
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- GeorgeRodgersClark
  Posted on October 27, 2012 at 11:11am
  I guess talking on the phone to people on the ground did not give him a clear picture. I didn’t graduate from college, but when I call home and ask the wife what is going on, she is always able to give me a clear picture of what is going on. Secondly, I don’t think the many teams that were standing ready to go in and help cared what the situation was. The only rule is our guys are in trouble, lets go help. They will do it for others and expect others to do it for them. It’s called bravery, duty and honor, all of which are lacking in this adminstration.
  
  Report this comment
- seresmary
  Posted on October 27, 2012 at 12:38pm
  They lie, they lie, they lie, they lie, they lie and they lie…. that’s all they know how to do but remember that saying, “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive”. They are going to hang themselves on this one… marys
  
  Report this comment
- DebbeL
  Posted on October 27, 2012 at 5:26pm
  This administration is so unbievable with the lies upon lies upon more lies that just keep spewing out of their fork tongue mouths. To my understanding, Chris Stevens was asking for more security several days prior to 9-11-12 and they did nothing ..WHY? Did anyone respond to the Ambassador or did they pretend they didn’t get that plea either? What is the real reason behind letting this horrible 7 hour death scene take place? Is gun running part of an Ambassadors’ job spec? How can any of those possible 300 people watching the attack live with themselves? Gee, I have to many questions but I’ve already voted and this time I WANT CHANGE! God Help our Nation.
  
  Report this comment
- bdsconserv
  Posted on October 27, 2012 at 6:20pm
  i guess panetta is liar in chief #2. oh ,that’s wrong ’cause that’s e.holder; oh that’s wrong,’cause that’s hilary.oops,wrong again,that would be biden,or maybe jay carney,rice,lamb,etc. i give up,i’m dizzy,need an aspirin.
  
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phrogdriver
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:44am
Does anyone believe that if Leon Panetta had been in building, we would not have sent in military support?

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- 13th Imam
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:27pm
  Just remember, Barry is the one to push to Go button. Leon is just cannon fodder. Much like Vince Foster. And Hillary. Anyone.
  
  Report this comment
- CatB
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:40pm
  Panetta .. needs to go with the rest of the regime .. see the NEW STORY .. THEY KNEW and did NOTHING!
  
  http://www.theblaze.com/stories/explosive-benghazi-allegation-cia-told-to-stand-down-during-attack-3-urgent-requests-for-military-back-up-were-denied/
  
  Report this comment
- HKS
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:43pm
  Panetta as well as the rest of this administration are all part of the cover-up. Even if Obama gets elected he will probably be impeached over this assassination and cover-up. Johnson might have gotten away with it but I think this one is going to get caught.
  
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- floridareader
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:52pm
  Lying over evidence is just STUPID!
  They keep on proving the idiocy of this administration. The whole world knows the timeline of the events and the White House cannot reverse the misleading information they gave, despite different sources proving otherwise.
  But, let’s say Mr. Panetta, you didn’t know what was happening on the ground. When you hear the words “American embassy under attack”, you must react immediately. Afterwards you will have enough time to know who did it and why.
  
  Report this comment
- ezekiel22
  Posted on October 27, 2012 at 1:15pm
  In building? Have you heard of smartphones and texting? Did you know that he has a computer with access to info? Did you know that he can get in the car or have a helicopter pick him up if necessary? You are going to have to make a better excuse than that.
  
  Report this comment
- simonson
  Posted on October 28, 2012 at 6:42pm
  What proof does an anti American leftist need, even when the Kenyan lets American heroes die? What are you?
  
  Report this comment
RIGS
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:44am
Maybe he should have asked that ******* GERALDO RIVERA”CAPONES VAULT” secret agent for the answers.

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- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:23pm
  Lets just tell the enemy to put the war on hold until we can assess the situation.
  
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HotFixIt
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:44am
Well, I guess that video goes the way of the presidents transcripts… no one will EVER see it!

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countrygirl56
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:44am
Really…really??? That’s not what’s just been reported from the Pentagon!
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/10/26/cia-operators-were-denied-request-for-help-during-benghazi-attack-sources-say/

LIARS!!! The blood of 4 Americans is on Barry, Hillary, Joe, and many, many others… Someday, they WILL be held accountable!

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- Prosecute_Constitutional_Treason_In_Washington
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:50am
  Yea, and how can C130 gunship assets standing by reading to strike be an “arms way” issue. These flying killers would have silenced the streets in one pass.
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:21pm
  Specter could create a cordon of lead to get our people out. Pinpoint accuracy and the major target were already lit. Sickening all around.
  
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ResistSocialism
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:44am
This guy can’t be for real. 7 hours they knew. Scary to think these clowns are in charge of protecting the USA homeland from attack.

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kat747
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:44am
All of those lying pieces of garbage should resign before they are tried for
murder and treason.

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- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:58am
  They never resign they just transfer to another department.
  
  Report this comment
- edcoil
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:53pm
  Why not do both?
  
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GreekGinger
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:43am
This is how its going to go until the election….One Lie to the next keeping the people busy sorting through them…Its hard but I’m starting to believe AFRICOM knew what was going on an decided to obey the their orders and not intervene….never leave a man behind right…….

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UNALIEN
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:43am
Panetta has Communist ties,, anyone surprised…

http://www.trevorloudon.com/2011/06/kincaid-and-loudon-discuss-panettas-communist-ties/

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Carrie3570
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:43am
Liar!!!!!! I am so angry about this. I don’t know how these people sleep at night. I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep since this story broke.

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- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:56am
  When you grow up in the hood of Chicago or gangster politics you become desensitized at a killing it’s just a bump in the road.
  
  Report this comment
- airportengineer
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:03pm
  Obama’s “Brother Keeper” BS means the exact opposite to them. They don’t care about people, they care about the collective and their cause!
  
  Just like Fast & Furious, the ATF agents were told that “You have to break a few eggs to make an omlet”
  
  It’s so ironic how he wants our children to be required to serve in his civilian army BS, but you know his daughters wouldn’t be required. He doesn’t believe in the “No man left Behind” thinking that those in the military live by. Everything that he does and the way he thinks is such opposite to the way true Americans think, and I can’t believe that more American’s don’t look at Obama with disgust.
  
  Report this comment
- Watermain
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:58pm
  They sleep using Michael Jackson’s method-heavily medicated.
  
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bdandsl
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:42am
LIES!!! Everyone of these lying bastards MUST be brought up on charges of TREASON!

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airportengineer
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:42am
Does everyone in the Obama Admin. really think WE are THAT Stupid!!

Hillary was discussing how she was getting information from the “Operations Center”, which is satellites and drones! This idiot knew, and to say that to us is such an insult to our intelligence!

It would have took just 10 minutes to send a jet, probably a helicopter!!!!

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- kat747
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:29pm
  The handwriting is on the wall,
  THE WHITE HOUSE AND ST DEPT
  DID NOT WANT
  TO PROTECT THEM.
  
  Report this comment
CMDR6
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:42am
You don’t send assets when you don’t know what is going on???? Combat commanders NEVER exactly know what is going on but have to make decisions. These people need to be fired, convicted of negiligent homocide and then sent to Guantanamo!!! This Admin sucks……

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environmentalandawake
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:40am
Plausable Deniability at it’s best! Glenn is uncovering the fact that they were told to ‘Stand Down!’ Something is very, very , very wrong! They hoped no one would be left to tell the story. True Evil

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- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:49am
  Perhaps the new Don’t ask Don’t tell Army were undecided on what dress to wear or which hand bag goes best with their M16.
  
  Report this comment
- ccfonten
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:51am
  Very wrong is mild compared to what I think is going on here! These people are not only lying and covering up what oblamo and hillar-**** have done, but are in effect condoning the murder of our own American citizens by muslim terrorists.
  Was oblamo actually laughing his arse off as he watched the attack?
  How in the heL# can he have just gone to bed that night, slept, and then got up the next day to smile and campaign/raise money for HIM? This shows such a grave lack of moral character, that I am absolutely stunned with the amount of anger I feel for this crowd of liar, thugs, and yes……..murderers!
  
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Gonzo
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:40am
B.S. , it was a political calculation not a military calculation. The regime thought the death of four men was a better political outcome (and easier to cover) than the possibility of higher military casualties before an election. These men were scarificed on the altar of Obama’s reelection.

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- dublinthewagons
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:50am
  Stevens brokered the arms deal with the Turkish ambasitor and was set up to die by our own administration. Chicago rules ” dead men don’t testify.”
  Panetta, joint chiefs of staff, Rice, Clinton, Obama need to be tried for treason and first degree murder.
  
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- hidden_lion
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:52am
  It is more than that, it was to cover up the stinger missiles the Obama admin allowed to be transferred to Syrian rebels. This was intentional.
  
  Report this comment
- Gonzo
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:00pm
  Even worse.
  
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- sttngduck
  Posted on October 28, 2012 at 11:55am
  They meant to sacrifice over 30 people. The staffers at the consulate would have died as well if it weren’t for the former Navy SEALS who gave up their lives to get them out.
  
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RJJinGadsden
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:39am
If the ambassador had received the additional security that he requested prior considering that all in the loop knew of heightened tensions before the 9-11 anniversary. The murders were essentially given the administration’s backing well in advance. Even Hillary had requested more security. Can’t blame the Clintons for hiring attorneys over this mess. Stephens and the other four were nothing more than dead men walking that day.

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- Prosecute_Constitutional_Treason_In_Washington
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:48am
  How can sending C130′s that were armed and standing by be an “arms way” issue? These flying killers would have silenced the streets in one pass.
  
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hoff
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:39am
hey now if the obama administration says they are saying the truth then it has too be.

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airportengineer
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:38am
SUCH BS!

Hillary was talking about the “Operations Center” relaying information to them! So, don’t keep this lie up moron! They had satellites watching everything, and Hillary knew what was going on! You could have sent a Jet, Helicopter, anything you freaking liar!

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IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:37am
We do not have any leaders involved in this disaster. What we have are procrastinators that did nothing for our good men in danger and then comes the lies. God will judge and not make excuses,

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phrogdriver
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:37am
“In the aftermath of the attack, Panetta reminded reporters that the Pentagon deployed a Marine fleet anti-terrorist security team to Tripoli and had Navy ships off the coast.

“And we were prepared to respond to any contingency. And certainly had forces in place to do that,” he said.” – Yahoo news

Clearly we were NOT prepared to respond to “any contingency”. In fact, we were clearly NOT prepared for even the MOST LIKELY contingency.

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UNALIEN
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:36am
Bullsh***er

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- kat747
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:45am
  That’s absolutely correct…..NOW who is the lying BULLSH**ER ?
  
  Report this comment
AmericanStrega
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:36am
Now wait a minute! Didn’t it come out in testimony to congress that there WAS real-time viewing? Has this admin, once again, change their story? We have 4 murdered Americans and not one private American Citizen will ever know the real truth. Kinda like JFK and MLK’s assassinations.

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:40am
  Yes, Charlene Lamb has admitted that.
  
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- hidden_lion
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:40am
  Hang the traitors. Umm “we are under attack…” what more real time information do they need. How is this issue not bigger than it is? This is pure treason. More impeachable by far than the weak crap they went after Clinton for. If Hillary wants to except blame, she needs to be arrested. I will bet she starts telling the truth soon as that happens. Criminal negligence at the very least. They didn’t do anything, because they decided not to do anything.
  
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- Prosecute_Constitutional_Treason_In_Washington
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:46am
  I don’t know about “real time”, but what was clear is there were C130 gunships available, ready, and waiting to intervene. Is there any risk to sending these flying killers into “arms way”? A couple of passes and the streets would be quite. They could have sent apache helicopters. “Arms way” another lie from this bunch of criminal liers. Beck has most likely uncovered 99% of the truth. This tragic victim in America is not four deaths but truth.
  
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Gary_K
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:35am
Panetta, you lyer, crawl back to media matters where you belong.

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- Gary_K
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:48am
  oops lier…geesh
  
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kaydeebeau
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:34am
LIARS all…shame

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dylan
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 11:34am
Panetta LIES! Real time info was going into situation room at WH while Obama and Panetta ‘chatted in the upper room-probably the oval ‘O’.

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