[Steely Tom]

There was certainly no direct order such as “Go kill the enemy and save the ambassador.” There was definitely no strong words “stand Down” . Obama is incapable of making any such non lawyerly unambiguous statement.

Another possibility: Obama made his rambling speech about "do whatever we need to do," just as he said... but that he's leaving out what he said next: "just don't screw up the reelection campaign."

Or maybe "whatever you decide to do, run it past the political desk before you pull the trigger."

[bert]

I can accept that.

[Travis McGee]

Please read #17. It all boils down to granting or withholding Cross-Border Authority. Obama mumbling about “do all you can to secure the folks in Benghazi” has a clear acid-test question.

DID YOU GRANT OR WITHHOLD CROSS-BORDER AUTHORITY?

Did the rescue forces have to go to Sigonella and wait, because Obama did not grant CBA?

Simple. He did, or he didn’t. Simple. And a clear record will exist. No obfuscation possible. Clear as ice. CBA given, or not given. Please read 17.