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Local News Confronts Eric Cantor: If You Knew of Petraeus Affair Before the Election…Why Didn’t You Go Public?

Nov. 13, 2012 3:51pm Erica Ritz

Eric Cantor on Why He Didnt Say Anything of Petraus Affair Before Election

(Photo: AP)

One of the biggest concerns throughout the General Petraeus scandal has been why congressional leadership was seemingly kept in the dark of Petraus’ affair. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) took to the national media on Sunday to criticize the fact that the FBI withheld the information, saying it struck them “like a lightning bolt.”

And the implications of withholding that information are far-reaching– many are wondering if it was strategically held until after the election to either remove Petraeus from the spotlight on the Benghazi hearings, or discredit him.

But on Sunday, it was revealed that House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) knew of the affair for nearly two weeks before the matter became public knowledge.

CBS6/WTVR relates:

Rep. Cantor said a credible source contacted his office with the information.

“I had some information that I felt was information that raised some concerns for our nation’s security and that is why I acted as I did,” Cantor said at an event in Midlothian on Monday. “The FBI director’s office was appropriate place to go with this information.”

According to Cantor’s office, the Congressman learned of the incident on October 27. Cantor took the information to FBI Director Robert Mueller’s office on October 31.

So why did Cantor and congressional Republicans “sit” on the information?

WTVR has what little Cantor has said of the matter:

“I don’t want to comment, I don’t think it’s something we want to politicize — I think this is a national security concern,” Cantor said.

Dr. Bob Holsworth, political analyst for CBS 6, agreed with Cantor’s decision. He said if the information had come from Republican leader, it would have looked like a political stunt.

“I don’t think we know how this would have affected the elections, particularly coming from the House majority leader,” Holsworth said.

“I think it’s very important we have an investigation,” Cantor reportedly concluded. “We will leave it to our committee to properly go over the oversight investigation and what needs to happen.”

Watch the interview below:

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Comments (68)

DadRocked
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:52pm
C’mon… You’re in D.C. – You have NEVER leaked something? C’mon and get real… We’re tired of the political crapola.

“I don’t think we know how this would have affected the elections, particularly coming from the House majority leader,”

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- Jaycen
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:31pm
  Never could understand why Cantor was considered Tea Party. A national security issue is something you DON’T want to politicize?
  
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- Gold Coin & Economic News
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 6:02pm
  Funny how Cantor weasels out and didn’t say anything on what may have had quite an effect on the election. It is what it is thought and we got Obama for 4 more sucky years:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0E7HhCsMl4
  
  Report this comment
- rickc34
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 6:19pm
  Wussed out Eric….why don’t you go home and grow a pair.
  
  Report this comment
- johnpaulkuchtajr
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 8:30pm
  I can make a suggestion why Cantor did not pick-up the phone and call Romney with the info.
  
  If all the accusations about Cantor made by Frank Gaffney at his site are correct, Cantor may be far too “sold out” to make the correct decision. Go to http://www.muslimbrotherhoodinamerica.com and click forward to Section Six. In section Six, Frank details some VA politicians who love that Saudi campaign cash. Yep, let Bob McDonnell, Ken Cuccinelli and Eric Cantor alone to count their MB campaign cash and they’ll likely turn the lights very low, put on soft music and argue who will lead while they slow dance. It will all make more sense once you’ve watched the video.
  
  That’s how pervasive Saudi cash has become in our political culture. If Obama can reject the Keystone Pipeline and allow imports of Saudi oil go up 20% in 2011, Cantor figures that he can sit on time sensitive information about the Obama administration and not think a thing about it. It’s called corruption and we have a worse case than a ****** on a pier in Rotterdam.
  
  Wait! That treatment is probably too harsh on hookers in Rotterdam.
  
  Report this comment
- 2B
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 10:06pm
  Cantor should have said something. He should join Chris Christie, Colin Powell and Bohner as Democrat moles.
  
  Report this comment
- NeilChapin
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:11am
  I doubt this would have any effect on the outcome, we lost because we’ve lost the culture. Read fresh political commentary at: http://smallcraftadvisorychronicles.blogspot.com/
  
  Report this comment
- toto
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 3:28pm
  Cowards, liars and sycophants abound and truth tellers of character are an absolute rarity. Sad and tragic times we are in because the majority in this country don’t see anything wrong with it and don’t aspire to honesty, integrity and character in their own lives or in the lives public and private.
  
  Report this comment
TheBigMike
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:51pm
I live in Mr Cantor’s district. In my neighborhood, nobody votes for him in the primary when he is challenged from the right. My neighbors recognize that he is part of the problem, not the solution.

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- johnpaulkuchtajr
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 8:39pm
  Hey Mike,
  
  Check out my post right above yours.
  
  Spread the word about that web site. I heard Cantor likes to lead, Ken-doll will follow and Bob groves by himself. All second hand, of course!
  
  Report this comment
cloudsofwar
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:49pm
we are so screwed. shhhhh don’t tell don’t ask. and as boehner says Obamacare is the LAW. meanwhile obama purges the military.

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freenj
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:42pm
It’s a fixed game, politics! Republican/Democrat they’re the “ruling elite”. Unfortunately it isn’t going to end well for any of us. It’s just a matter of time before the economy collapses.
Once they are elected and get that power surge, they’ll do anything to stay in power!
Term limits would be nice, but it isn’t going to happen.

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- cloudsofwar
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:56pm
  you have to open the consitution to change term limits. do you want to open the consitution with BO in office? just think of how many other things they (progressives) want to change.
  
  Report this comment
soisay
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:41pm
These comments are incredible. Shall we now burn Cantor at the stake along with anyone only 99.9% in support? Not every breath, every thought, every issue, every breakfast lunch and dinner is a partisan issue. Sometimes its America first, and politics second.

As long as we carry a reputation for stringing up anyone that even hints at not towing a 100% line, we become a more and more marginalized party. Norquist’s 100% promise. 100% NRA promise. 100% right to life. 100% filibusters. We are a party of cookie cut candidates. Independents understand if you vote Republican you get that whole package, you don’t pick and choose your local Sen or Rep. The harder we stand, the smaller our party’s influence will reach.

A TV analyst yesterday said it well for me: this was a criminal investigation, not a political issue. If it turns out nothing, releasing names and accusations would permanently stain the reputation, credibility, and effectiveness of the people involved. Do YOU want to be the one to splash Gen Patreous’ name all over the papers, only to find out it was hokum? Did we not learn anything from the egg on our face with independents over Shirley Sherrod?

Intelligence committees should have had secret briefings for the initial notification and ongoing investigation. But it was a police investigation, not a carnival sideshow.

We need to stop looking like crackpots to independent voters or kiss the house goodbye along with the Senate and White House. We already vot

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- zapparules
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:42pm
  WOW.
  That’s the first – THE VERY FIRST voice of reason I have read on this site.
  You better watch out – you’ll be tossed under the bus too now.
  
  Report this comment
- zapparules
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 8:03pm
  WOW – A sane voice among all the crazies!
  
  Report this comment
FEMALL
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:40pm
Cantor is the only adult in this Dysfuntion Nation Chaos. The current state of affairs in our nation reflects the current state of dysfunctional behavior at all levels in our land.Welcome to Super S_ _ _Storm 2012.

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Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:37pm
WOW – This thread sure did fill up with newly named trolls. Just end the thread. This is a ploy. Silly . Learn to recognize! These are but children..

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Metallicat
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:36pm
I dont blame Cantor. He had the intelligence to report it to the proper channels to verify if it was credible. Unlike a certain POS President who likes to shoot before aiming.

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Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:26pm
Cantor acted the only way he could. He should have told the FBI guy to leak it to the press. Possibly ask Feinstein what she might know about it. At least that way Feinstein would be in a position where she couldn’t claim “I heard nothing of it?
Aside this, the scenario would have further distracted from Romney’s message which was already sidetracked by the hurricane. This would have been “october surprise” and called politization’ pointing right at Romney anyway.; A distraction and more demonizing.
Don’t fall for this BS. Cantor was in no position to slander what may have been an innocent man on such shaky ground. THIS ONES ALL OBAMA AS USUAL — Don’t be so easily distracted!

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- zapparules
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 8:05pm
  Brilliant!
  And Cantor could have also mentioned this to the President himself. And then Obama wouldn’t have been able to deny he only heard of it a couple days after the election.
  
  Report this comment
Jon Andrew
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:26pm
If Romney had won the election, then House Republicans would have to prove their commitment to tea party and conservative values, and the Rhinos in power feared losing elections in their moderate districts in 2014 like what happened in 2002. There is precedence that shows that the House of Representatives often gets recycled after a presidential election where the same party claims both the house and white house, like 1994, 2002, and 2010.

A congressman, particularly those in the leadership position, can gain more money and political power by being apart of the opposing party in Congress, because personal concessions and pork have to be promised in order to pass bills. The stuff that goes on behind closed doors.

This is why I advocate for longer terms in office with one term limits. It should be illegal to campaign for office while in office. Its a waste of money and resources.

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- Ghandi was a Republican
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:33pm
  Not so.. With A Republican/Conservative Congress/White House the economy would turn around quickly. Stop falling fro alinsky tactics from the loony left.n This election, if not stolen would have eviscerated the commie left, possibly for all time- And they KNOW IT. That’s why they went all in foot on the gas fraud.
  
  Report this comment
Chromo200
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:21pm
Cantor can say what he wants, Many will no longer will listen.. but he will be on Greta (Fox) like McCain speaking for the Republican Party.

The Rep Party better read the comments on the Blaze .. They are now a Minority Party and I hope the Tea Party gives them a lot of trouble.

Let the Tea Party stick together and vote Pass on issues that require increase in taxes, “improving” Obamacare, Strengthening the EPA laws.

Not one penny RNC and RINOs.

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- Ghandi was a Republican
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:29pm
  You have become trollbait. Please don’t get caught up in their daily memos that seek to divide all opposition to the nefarious agenda of the progressive Communist party! Seriously.. It sounds as if you too may be in the backroom over at seiu..
  
  Report this comment
- soisay
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:51pm
  Ghandi, you have an Obama / Hitler icon. That does more to move Independent voters OUT of our tent than any policy, speech, or platform plank can draw them in.
  
  I agree that we must not get sucked into getting wacked out over daily press briefings, by analyzing the political impact of each word. Otherwise we leave our world and end up right inside the beltway with the rest of the out-of-touch Pols.
  
  It is cynical, and delusional, to read into the dems “Communists”, “Marxists” any more than them to say we want “Fascism” and “Chinese style Prison labor”. Either of these pushes indepent voters away.
  
  Both our parties have vets, police, firemen, teachers, clergy, volunteers, wealthy, laborers, young, minorities, and so on. To imply those that made phone calls and knocked on doors and passed out leaflets wanted to harm america, or were stupid misguided dupes, will not help our cause (or theirs, if they do it).
  
  If we can PROVE something, lets DO it! But no more endless investigations and failed impeachments.
  
  Report this comment
republic2011
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:13pm
They are all in this together. The American people are being played. Don’t listen to the rhetoric. Our government has been infected with progressives, communists, and revolutionaries that want to gain control over our lives and overthrow our Constitution. If this doesn’t open your eyes, I don’t know what will. I don’t trust the lot of them. And, btw, Boehner is not spineless, he is in on it. I am sure him and Barry have a lot of fun laughing about this when they are golfing and smoking cigarettes.

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RightUnite
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:12pm
Oh the sudden concern from the MSM??? F off.

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justangry
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:07pm
Get bent Cantor. They most likely kept it quiet because they thought they would be able to get something for it.

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blanco5
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:05pm
Do you ever get the feeling that the rep and dems were together in making sure prez islama remained dictator?

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- momrules
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:13pm
  Yep.
  
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- nofearmongeringhere
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:15pm
  My initial thought is that Eric went to the entity that should have known about it. THEY held it, because it was THEIR job to take it to the President, NOT Eric Cantor’s. Stop and think about it…if he had come out with it the week before the election, the POTUS would have turned it around on the Republicans in his usual twisted and evil way to make himself look good and make the Republicans look like they were trying to sabotage poor, little him. I believe that if Cantor was protecting anybody it was OUR candidate.
  
  Report this comment
- AZRogue
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:39pm
  They almost all know each other and are, some of them, friends. Regardless of party affiliation. It’s their job. Just as players on opposite teams will fight fiercely during a game but hang out together after, so it is in Washington because, while they may disagree over which policies are best for America, they know that the other side are not “enemies” by any means. They just have different political philosophies. The fact that some sections of their base, both sides, want them to hate each other causes them all kinds of chagrin. Especially the polite ones like Boehner. They know that the majority of America want them to compromise and find a way to work together. It’s only the vocal minority that wish otherwise.
  
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- Plan B
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:50pm
  Blanco, I have that feeling also. Maybe the Republicans know how bad things to come are going to be…….
  
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- blanco5
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 6:31pm
  AZROGUE—-I vehemently disagree. I voted for my person to fight for MY beliefs and not compromise.
  
  Report this comment
Micmac
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:05pm
Why not politicize it? Who you batting for? I now see Cantor as a shill.

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Small World
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:05pm
All Progressives ! I am so finished with the so called Rep Party.

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SocialistSlayer
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:04pm
Cantor was a big supporter for the Bailouts and the failed Communist obama Stimulus package. He is nothing more than a Venomous Snake trying to pretend to be Conservative. He is in fact a Commie Liberal ! He is a Traitor to the American People – He should resign now the lying B’Tard !

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rs9
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:04pm
we’re fighting with a rock and a stick against these anti american communist’s in the current administration. Cantor needs to have the courage to fight or get the hell out of the way of someone who will

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- Shasta
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:08pm
  I am now convinced that there is no fixing this, we need to start over
  
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biohazard23
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:03pm
Soooooo, if Cantor knew about it in October, so did Dear Leader and the rest of the regime.

They didn’t know if/how the info would have affected the election? So it IS all about them, isn’t it? They don’t want to look bad so they just sit there with a thumb up their rears and let things happen without doing something radical like, oh, I don’t know, SPEAKING UP??

Meanwhile, Glen Doherty, Ty Woods, Chris Stevens, and Sean Smith are still unavailable for comment regarding Benghazi.

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:37pm
  BIOHAZARD, You can bet that 0bama was briefed about this shortly after Holder caught wind of it. I just can’t imagine any president of either party being tiptoed around by cabinet members and staff in the know of such details. I’ve been thinking though, and put yourself in Cantor’s position. If he was told this info in confidence, just who would he tell, and why? Does he trust his source too. But regardless, one would think that he would have informed the Speaker of the House, or even discussed it with members of the appropriate committee, or at least select members. I can see though, that just blurting it out in late October would appear to be seen as a political stunt. I’ll admit to being a bit stymied on this one. I’ve already said that I lost all respect for Petraeus for what he did. And, it disgusts me to think that during his career as a commanding officer on a number of occasions he is likely to have brought others up on charges of a similar nature. While I can appreciate what he accomplished in both the Iraq, and Afghanistan surges, I have to think back to an old saying we had while I was in the service. It only takes ONE “awe sh/t” to wipe out a thousand “atta boys.”
  
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- biohazard23
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:20pm
  RJ, my Daddy used to say that, too. It only takes that one time then BAM! It all gets “blown” to Hades (pun intended).
  
  But what bothers me is that right after SEAL Team 6 did their job and took out the bad guy, we were told all about it almost immediately. “Potentially sensitive information” wasn’t just leaked out, the spigot was turned on full blast. How could this possibly be more sensitive than the raid on bin Laden? Some info is just more desirable to release than others when it’s convenient or beneficial as a shiny distraction from the real scandal.
  
  So as for keeping quiet about things that can impact national security, it’s strange how that’s the card that’s now being played. That wasn’t the case with OBL. The regime wants all the glory when it suits them as well as the ability to play dumb when necessary.
  
  Report this comment
- zapparules
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 8:48pm
  Bio: “But what bothers me is that right after SEAL Team 6 did their job and took out the bad guy, we were told all about it almost immediately.”
  
  YEAH – Because under the DIRECT ORDER of Obama ‘we’ succeeded and got the bad guy! Game Over!
  With Petreaus AND Benghazi there are ONGOING investigations. Game On!
  Maybe – just maybe – the administration was using the inciting video story as ‘cover’ while they ordered pursuit of the attackers.
  Why – what benefit is it to (immediately) leak out to those you are hunting down that you know who they are?
  (Hint: It ISN’T!)
  
  With respect to Benghazi – If you can show… If it can ever be shown that Obama DIRECTLY ordered anything except an immediate response to protect those possibly still in harms way and the immediate subsequent hunting down of the attackers then – THEN you – actually we ALL – have something very nasty to be worked up about. But I fully believe that not to be the case.
  
  You… You go believe what you want. (Heck, you believe you KNOW just what Cantor knew AND just what Obama knew.)
  Good luck with that all-knowing ability of yours.
  
  Report this comment
vic138
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:03pm
I guarantee you if there was a republican president and Pelosi, Reed, or the bat-faced one had this info it would be front page news in the NY/LA Times the next day. And, given how much Obama hates Cantor, I suspect he was setup. Good job, but I would of cc’d the email to the president so he couldn’t be claiming he just learned about it.

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ClaudeRains
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 3:59pm
One of my favorite books is Term Limits by Vince Flynn. I’m going to read it again because it makes me feel warm all over.

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ClaudeRains
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 3:57pm
Another tool. Does everyone in DC have the letter L on their foreheads? The L is for LOSER.

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- realindependent
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:11pm
  Again for the slow learners on this web site.
  
  If an Investigation is on going, especially when it concerns national security or assets in the field, You keep your mouth shut. PERIOD
  
  You have closed door hearings with members of both committees when it has to do with sensitive information. Then you have open hearings in congress.
  
  Just shows that all of you people that hate the Government, Don’t know how it actually works. If you had a clue about how it does work, maybe just maybe you wouldn’t hate it so much.
  
  Let the flame begin……
  
  Report this comment
- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:16pm
  ClaudeRains is shocked, shocked to find that there are limits to some Republicans’ hatred of Democrats.
  
  Report this comment
hauschild
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 3:56pm
Friggin’ RINO’s.

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SocialistSlayer
Posted on November 13, 2012 at 3:54pm
Eric Cantor is a Communist and a Traitor – He needs to resign !

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- realindependent
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:20pm
  Eric Cantor i thought was the person you all wanted to run the house instead of the Rhino Boehner?
  
  So if anyone in the government whom you disagree on anything he becomes a rhino,communist,liberal,progressive, traitor? Good God people take a freakin chill pill.
  
  Oh BTW None of the fake “scandals” you clam against this President wouldn’t of helped you win the election. The American people spoke. Even after attacking him for 4 years and building this straw man spending 1 billion dollars to defeat him. The billboards here in Florida by the Koch brothers Americans for Prosperity, A lying arse Fox News, and 100′s of hours of right wing propaganda on A.M. radio. He still kicked Romney and Ryan’s butt.
  
  I still envision Karl Rove facing Sheldon Attlson and the Koch Brothers trying to blame the Media for Romney losing…. FAIL…
  
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- SocialistSlayer
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 5:18pm
  That’s what you get for trying to think with that limited pile of crap on your head there real Communist !
  Eric Cantor is a Communist – Just like you !
  
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- zapparules
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 8:32pm
  Half your brain tied behind your back – eh?
  
  Report this comment

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