More Benghazi...

[thomashenry]

Interesting,

Newly Released Emails Reveal Obama Admin’s Reaction to Benghazi

April 29, 2014 By Greg Campbell


obama-benghazi



Emails obtained by Judicial Watch have revealed that the top priority after the Benghazi terrorist attack was not national security nor was it ensuring a proper investigation into who orchestrated an attack on our consulate that left four Americans dead.


No, the priority of top advisors in the earliest days after the Benghazi attack was ensuring that President Obama “looked good” prior the 2012 election.



As part of a Freedom of Information Lawsuit, the Obama Administration released nearly 100 pages of documents to Judicial Watch, the government watchdog group, that shows that then-Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice was prompted to lie to the American people repeatedly during her round of appearances on morning talk shows where she pushed the narrative that a YouTube video was responsible for an impromptu protest in Benghazi that simply got out of hand.



In reality, the terrorist attack on the consulate in Benghazi was an orchestrated attack- a fact that had been denied by the Obama Administration for weeks following the attack and Rice’s appearances.



Among the pages of documents was an email from Ben Rhodes, assistant to the president and deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, dated September 14th, 2012. The email was sent to around a dozen members of the president’s top advisors and assistants with the subject: “RE: PREP Call with Susan: Saturday at 4:00 pm ET.”



The email enumerates the top priorities of these media appearances as being:


“To underscore that these protests are rooted in an Internet video, and not a broader failure of policy.”



and



“To reinforce the President and Administration’s strength and steadiness in dealing with difficult challenges.”

Rhodes also wrote,


“I think that people have come to trust that President Obama provides leadership that is steady and statesmanlike. There are always going to be challenges that emerge around the world, and time and again, he has shown that we can meet them.”

Payton Knopf, the former deputy spokesman at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations also communicated in the released emails that the Benghazi attack was “complex,” but Rice still maintained her narrative that the Benghazi attack was “spontaneous.”



Then-CIA Deputy Director Mike Morell is credited in the emails as being the person chiefly responsible for altering the talking points. An email notes,


“The first draft apparently seemed unsuitable … because they seemed to encourage the reader to infer incorrectly that the CIA had warned about a specific attack on our embassy. Morell noted that these points were not good and he had taken a heavy hand to editing them. He noted that he would be happy to work with [then deputy chief of staff to Hillary Clinton] Jake Sullivan and Rhodes to develop appropriate talking points.”

Judicial Watch’s President Tom Fitton expressed outrage over the emails, noting that the emails appeared more in-line with a public relations strategy dedicated to damage control rather than dealing with the terrorist attack that killed Americans.


“Now we know the Obama White House’s chief concern about the Benghazi attack was making sure that President Obama looked good,” Fitton said in a statement. “And these documents undermine the Obama administration’s narrative that it thought the Benghazi attack had something to do with protests or an Internet video.”



“Given the explosive material in these documents, it is no surprise that we had to go to federal court to pry them loose from the Obama State Department,” Fitton said.

The Benghazi terrorist attack occurred as President Obama maintained a tight presidential race with Mitt Romney. By refocusing the narrative, the Obama Administration was able to largely downplay the significant impact of his administration’s weak foreign policy on American security abroad.



The released emails appear to confirm what many people have long believed, that the Obama Administration has been infinitely more concerned with avoiding blame than ensuring this kind of tragedy doesn’t happen again or finding justice for the families of those ruthlessly murdered.

[KevinintheUSA]

Nobody cares outside the families and friends. Let's move on. Both parties do this **** to distract from the real problems America is facing.

[KevinintheUSA]

They were not "killed", they were murdered! By our governments lack of response and action. Boots on the ground request support... You send it. Period.

They were murdered by foreign terrorists. Can we get over this nonsense and move along? This impeach Obama crap and impeach Bush crap in the previous years has got to stop.

[KevinintheUSA]

The calls to impeach Obama are as an sure as the calls to impeach Bush. I was in favor of going in to Iraq BTW.

[Phattso]

Nobody cares outside the families and friends. Let's move on. Both parties do this **** to distract from the real problems America is facing.

I care, you ass. 4 people were killed and people like you think no one should be held accountable.

[KevinintheUSA]

Phattso do you even lift?

[Phattso]

What's more disgusting is that the white house says the email in question is not about Benghazi. 4 people were killed and the Prez was more concerned about his reputation than those lives.

You cannot find the story on MSNBC and you have to search to find it on CNN. Not front page.

[Phattso]

Phattso do you even lift?

More than you.

[KevinintheUSA]

I care, you ass. 4 people were killed and people like you think no one should be held accountable.

Do you care more about them than other victims of violence both domestic and abroad?

Terrorists killed them. They were in a high risk country and unless they knew it. Their jobs were extremely risky.

It's tragic that they were killed and it's just as tragic as other killings that don't even make the news.

[Phattso]

Do you care more about them than other victims of violence both domestic and abroad?

Terrorists killed them. They were in a high risk country and unless they knew it. Their jobs were extremely risky.

It's tragic that they were killed and it's just as tragic as other killings that don't even make the news.

Our people were told to stand down. Like the General said this morning: "We should have at least tried."

Shut up.

[KevinintheUSA]

More than you.

The presidency may swing republican again. Who I vote for depends on who's running. I'd take Christie over Hillary but I'd take Hillary over Santorum.

The reactions would be reversed if the president were a republican. When will people realize that Bush and Obama are very similar?

[KevinintheUSA]

Our people were told to stand down. Like the General said this morning: "We should have at least tried."

Shut up.

Bull****. The police can not be everywhere at once. Every time there's a killing in one of out cities is it the police's fault? Security can't be everywhere at once overseas either.

It's high time we blame the terrorists and no the other political party.

[poundXpound]

We blame those in charge who deny repeated requests for security. That would be Obama and Clinton.

[KevinintheUSA]

We blame those in charge who deny repeated requests for security. That would be Obama and Clinton.

There isn't the budget to have security everywhere. Hey, want to raise federal income taxes so we can have an extra thousand security personnel in every city? Silence.

You have a political agenda. Then again so does Kucinich and Jackson but from the other side.

[JediRN]

Liberals would be SCREECHING from the rooftops about the spilled blood of innocent American heroes if this screw-up and cover-up had happened under Bush. The media would have it as front page news EVERYDAY. Now? Crickets. Suddenly, liberals are silent. The media says, "Move along. Nothing to see here." Obama goes on late night talk shows and the Comedy Channel for softball questions from his boy, little jonnie stewart. HEE HEE HAA HAA, Mr. President!! What is your favorite color? What is Michelle's favorite time of day?

It happened under Reagan in 1983, Beiruit. 200+ American servicemembers were killed. I don't remember an outrage from the loyal opposition... but then again I was 13. I also don't remember Reagan doing anything about it. Imagine the conservative outrage if this would have happened under Obama?

[LiquidDrink]

It happened under Reagan in 1983, Beiruit. 200+ American servicemembers were killed. I don't remember an outrage from the loyal opposition... but then again I was 13. I also don't remember Reagan doing anything about it. Imagine the conservative outrage if this would have happened under Obama?

Reagan was a good president. I don't care what they said but the tea party types who won't let this go are nothing like Reagan.

Obama is far closer to Reagan than tea party types are to Reagan.

These tea party types are either militia members or sympathize with the militia.

[Phattso]

Reagan was a good president. I don't care what they said but the tea party types who won't let this go are nothing like Reagan.

Obama is far closer to Reagan than tea party types are to Reagan.

These tea party types are either militia members or sympathize with the militia.

Do you really believe only the Tea Party "types" are the ones who think the Obama admin is lying? Check around. NBC, ABC, CNN were a little slow at first, since they protect the president, but they are starting to get pissed. Jay Carney is lying. The press hates to be lied to and they are slowly turning on the admin. Watch the press conferences.

4 people are dead. Just let it go, huh? Says a lot about you.

[LiquidDrink]

Do you really believe only the Tea Party "types" are the ones who think the Obama admin is lying? Check around. NBC, ABC, CNN were a little slow at first, since they protect the president, but they are starting to get pissed. Jay Carney is lying. The press hates to be lied to and they are slowly turning on the admin. Watch the press conferences.

4 people are dead. Just let it go, huh? Says a lot about you.

Why not tax us all more and spend a hundred million to investigate every time 4 people tragically die?

Terrorists killed them. Nothing left to investigate.

[LiquidDrink]

The investigations are a sham anyway and the won't stop until Obama admits to doing the killings himself. They are not after the truth.

[Phattso]

Why not tax us all more and spend a hundred million to investigate every time 4 people tragically die?

Terrorists killed them. Nothing left to investigate.

You are very dense. There was a cover-up. The President and his admin lied to the American people.

Only twits like you and Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Reid believe it's ok.

[LiquidDrink]

It does say a lot about me. It says that I support using tax dollars wisely. By the way the democrats are just as guilty as the republicans at wasting tax dollars.

[LiquidDrink]

You are very dense. There was a cover-up. The President and his admin lied to the American people.

Only twits like you and Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Reid believe it's ok.

First off I despise Pelosi.

What cover up? Obama was really the trigger man and not the terrorists? The investigation is where there's a coverup. Taking a hundred million of our tax dollars and burning them for a political game.

[LiquidDrink]

If you want to talk coverups why not the biggest coverup ever? The most repeated lies ever were Jesus rosing from the dead and that he was the son of god and his mother was a virgin. Anyone who believes that **** should be sent to an insane asylum.

[LiquidDrink]

I doubt Reagan would have wasted money investigating this. Terrorists did this. Spend a hundred million dollars trying to change this won't change the fact that terrorists did it.

[Fishman15]

If you want to talk coverups why not the biggest coverup ever? The most repeated lies ever were Jesus rosing from the dead and that he was the son of god and his mother was a virgin. Anyone who believes that **** should be sent to an insane asylum.

What does this statement have to do with Benghazi? This might be a good day to change your underwear and take a shower...

[LiquidDrink]

What does this statement have to do with Benghazi? This might be a good day to change your underwear and take a shower...

Everything.

Most of the people who support this stupid Benghazi investigation believe the hoax that jesus rose from the dead.

[JediRN]

Reagan was a good president. I don't care what they said but the tea party types who won't let this go are nothing like Reagan.

Obama is far closer to Reagan than tea party types are to Reagan.

These tea party types are either militia members or sympathize with the militia.

I'm like one of the few liberal Democrats that thinks Ronald Reagan was a great POTUS and I support State militias

If you want to talk coverups why not the biggest coverup ever? The most repeated lies ever were Jesus rosing from the dead and that he was the son of god and his mother was a virgin. Anyone who believes that **** should be sent to an insane asylum.

... and I'm a pro-hristian Atheist.


But the Bengahzi story is stupid... move on. Just like we did in 1983 when Reagan moved on after the Beiruit bombing.

[Corbi]

But the Bengahzi story is stupid... move on. Just like we did in 1983 when Reagan moved on after the Beiruit bombing.

I don't feel it's stupid and neither do a lot of others. The people in danger called for help/backup which was available and could have gotten there in time. From all reports to date that help was ordered to "stand down" and effectively allowed those 4 to be executed. The ones in charge who made/authorized that call should be charged with both murder as well as treason. This is the USA, we don't turn our back on our citizens ever or at least we aren't supposed to.

[DaddyJax]

Liberals would be SCREECHING from the rooftops about the spilled blood of innocent American heroes if this screw-up and cover-up had happened under Bush. The media would have it as front page news EVERYDAY. Now? Crickets.

Hmm, interesting...
January 22, 2002. Calcutta, India. Gunmen associated with Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami attack the U.S. Consulate. Five people are killed.

June 14, 2002. Karachi, Pakistan. Suicide bomber connected with al Qaeda attacks the U.S. Consulate, killing 12 and injuring 51.

October 12, 2002. Denpasar, Indonesia. U.S. diplomatic offices bombed as part of a string of "Bali Bombings." No fatalities.

February 28, 2003. Islamabad, Pakistan. Several gunmen fire upon the U.S. Embassy. Two people are killed.

May 12, 2003. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Armed al Qaeda terrorists storm the diplomatic compound, killing 36 people including nine Americans. The assailants committed suicide by detonating a truck bomb.

July 30, 2004. Tashkent, Uzbekistan. A suicide bomber from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan attacks the U.S. Embassy, killing two people.

December 6, 2004. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Al Qaeda terrorists storm the U.S. Consulate and occupy the perimeter wall. Nine people are killed.

March 2, 2006. Karachi, Pakistan again. Suicide bomber attacks the U.S. Consulate killing four people, including U.S. diplomat David Foy who was directly targeted by the attackers. (I wonder if Lindsey Graham or Fox News would even recognize the name "David Foy." This is the third Karachi terrorist attack in four years on what's considered American soil.)

September 12, 2006. Damascus, Syria. Four armed gunmen shouting "Allahu akbar" storm the U.S. Embassy using grenades, automatic weapons, a car bomb and a truck bomb. Four people are killed, 13 are wounded.

January 12, 2007. Athens, Greece. Members of a Greek terrorist group called the Revolutionary Struggle fire a rocket-propelled grenade at the U.S. Embassy. No fatalities.

March 18, 2008. Sana'a, Yemen. Members of the al-Qaeda-linked Islamic Jihad of Yemen fire a mortar at the U.S. Embassy. The shot misses the embassy, but hits nearby school killing two.

July 9, 2008. Istanbul, Turkey. Four armed terrorists attack the U.S. Consulate. Six people are killed.

September 17, 2008. Sana'a, Yemen. Terrorists dressed as military officials attack the U.S. Embassy with an arsenal of weapons including RPGs and detonate two car bombs. Sixteen people are killed, including an American student and her husband (they had been married for three weeks when the attack occurred). This is the second attack on this embassy in seven months.



Not a single Conservative **** was given.

Both sides play the same game.

[Fishman15]

Hmm, interesting...
January 22, 2002. Calcutta, India. Gunmen associated with Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami attack the U.S. Consulate. Five people are killed.

June 14, 2002. Karachi, Pakistan. Suicide bomber connected with al Qaeda attacks the U.S. Consulate, killing 12 and injuring 51.

October 12, 2002. Denpasar, Indonesia. U.S. diplomatic offices bombed as part of a string of "Bali Bombings." No fatalities.

February 28, 2003. Islamabad, Pakistan. Several gunmen fire upon the U.S. Embassy. Two people are killed.

May 12, 2003. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Armed al Qaeda terrorists storm the diplomatic compound, killing 36 people including nine Americans. The assailants committed suicide by detonating a truck bomb.

July 30, 2004. Tashkent, Uzbekistan. A suicide bomber from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan attacks the U.S. Embassy, killing two people.

December 6, 2004. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Al Qaeda terrorists storm the U.S. Consulate and occupy the perimeter wall. Nine people are killed.

March 2, 2006. Karachi, Pakistan again. Suicide bomber attacks the U.S. Consulate killing four people, including U.S. diplomat David Foy who was directly targeted by the attackers. (I wonder if Lindsey Graham or Fox News would even recognize the name "David Foy." This is the third Karachi terrorist attack in four years on what's considered American soil.)

September 12, 2006. Damascus, Syria. Four armed gunmen shouting "Allahu akbar" storm the U.S. Embassy using grenades, automatic weapons, a car bomb and a truck bomb. Four people are killed, 13 are wounded.

January 12, 2007. Athens, Greece. Members of a Greek terrorist group called the Revolutionary Struggle fire a rocket-propelled grenade at the U.S. Embassy. No fatalities.

March 18, 2008. Sana'a, Yemen. Members of the al-Qaeda-linked Islamic Jihad of Yemen fire a mortar at the U.S. Embassy. The shot misses the embassy, but hits nearby school killing two.

July 9, 2008. Istanbul, Turkey. Four armed terrorists attack the U.S. Consulate. Six people are killed.

September 17, 2008. Sana'a, Yemen. Terrorists dressed as military officials attack the U.S. Embassy with an arsenal of weapons including RPGs and detonate two car bombs. Sixteen people are killed, including an American student and her husband (they had been married for three weeks when the attack occurred). This is the second attack on this embassy in seven months.



Not a single Conservative **** was given.

Both sides play the same game.

In any of those incidents, were Americans within helping distance told to stand down by their superiors while the attack was going on?