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McCain on Benghazi: Yeah, I Got a Pretty Good Idea Why Obama Would Mislead the American Public
Townhall.com ^ | November 18, 2012 | Daniel Doherty

Posted on 11/19/2012 12:12:50 AM PST by Kaslin

On CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday morning Arizona Senator John McCain made an astute if obvious observation about why the Obama administration would feel inclined to mislead Americans about the deadly raid (read: terrorist attack) on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya last September: It interferes with their erroneous “al Qaeda is on the run” talking point (via Mediaite):

If you look at their narrative…“I got bin laden, al Qaeda’s on the run”… al Qaeda is not on the run. Al Qaeda’s is making a strong comeback all over the Middle East. They’ve got terrorist training camps in Iraq, they’ve taken over a country -- Mali -- in North Africa, [and] they’re all over Libya.

Indeed, there is an abundance of evidence suggesting that al Qaeda is far from finished. Just read Katie Pavlich’s piece on the subject and/or watch the following clip:

In other words, there’s a reason why President Obama subtly dropped the aforesaid one-liner from his stump speech hoping no one would notice mere weeks before Election Day 2012. There was simply no evidence to support such a claim. In any case, the Obama administration still hasn’t come clean about why they sent US Ambassador Susan Rice onto five Sunday talk shows to spread (what they reportedly knew to be) factually inaccurate talking points. And it remains to be seen if they will.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: benghazi
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1 posted on 11/19/2012 12:12:55 AM PST by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

Is lord McCain planning on running for president again in 2016?


2 posted on 11/19/2012 12:16:10 AM PST by Just mythoughts
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To: Just mythoughts

You know damn well that he is right


3 posted on 11/19/2012 12:24:35 AM PST by Kaslin ( One Big Ass Mistake America (Make that Two))
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To: Kaslin
You know damn well that he is right

Actually I need to know what lord McCain's motivation is for suddenly deciding to get 'right'. I have not forgotten lord McCain was one of this nation's biggest cheerleaders for the removal of Qaddafi with total disregard as to what would fill his shoes.

4 posted on 11/19/2012 12:29:06 AM PST by Just mythoughts
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To: Just mythoughts

Yup. He supported the so called Arab Spring which replaced rulers who were anti al Qaeda. Khaddafi had thrown them all in prison, and they were all freed after Kaddafis death.


5 posted on 11/19/2012 12:34:34 AM PST by Arthurio
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To: Arthurio
Maybe the rumors of JFKerry wanting to be Secretary of State are correct and lord McCain is doing due diligence to help that cause?
6 posted on 11/19/2012 12:39:37 AM PST by Just mythoughts
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To: Just mythoughts

McCain got this one right—but the next question is what can the Republicans do about it? Zip! With the Media on their side and the Senate Obama can rule as a King. If any American still has guts to say something—all that need be done is call them a racist and they fold like Dracula being presented with a hot cross bun. America is a nation of wimps—and noting will stop the looting of the nation until it goes bust and the starvation time comes. Obama will give them bread and they will make him President for Life.


7 posted on 11/19/2012 12:56:22 AM PST by Forward the Light Brigade (Into the Jaws of H*ll)
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To: Kaslin
I wish the GOP-e and Fox would stop pushing this line and finally, finally get to the truth.

A child could see through their nicey-nice pulling of punches.

Trying to make conservatives think they are "attacking" the admin while avoiding bringing up the real truth.

A) The big scary thing the admin is not wanting to talk about is absolutely NOT the "al qaeda is not on the run". How can we deduce that ? Simple. It does not explain WHY a POTUS would not IMMEDIATELY give a Cross Border Authorization, which would have allowed all U.S. forces to make whatever efforts they chose to attempt to save the Ambassador and as many others as they could. Even if the "bad narrative" about al qaeda being alive and well was politically costly - leaving the Ambassador and the others to die was the option most politically costly to the POTUS himself.

B) The POTUS hurt himself politically, sacrificing his own "political capital", in order to make sure the military was held back by him so the Amassador and the others would have no chance at all to be rescued. Why would POTUS do something so politically costly to himself ?

C) Either stupidity, fear or there was some plot going on that involved the POTUS. The dainty Republicans are politely leaving the stupidity option for the POTUS to take whenever he wants to, but POTUS is not that stupid. The fear option is not true, since POTUS had no trouble pulling the trigger on oSama. That leaves us with a plot.
8 posted on 11/19/2012 1:03:34 AM PST by PieterCasparzen (We have to fix things ourselves.)
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To: Arthurio

mccain and obama. Good cop. Bad cop. Don’t trust either one of them.


9 posted on 11/19/2012 1:05:23 AM PST by MestaMachine (TREASON!!!!)
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To: All
Could it be that neither Repubs nor Dems want the public to be told that jihadi fronts are becoming buddy buddy with our high-level military, the Democrats (controlled by their Dem Shadow Party), as well as the GOP-e ?

And that the U.S. govt, NGOs and jihadis work together ?

Benghazi - your tax dollars at work.

Gaza - your tax dollars at work.

Egypt - same.

Muslim Brohood is U.S. gov't partner ?

During Clinton, Bush, Obama.

Maybe they're afraid to run with that story.

From http://www.state.gov/s/d/met/releases/198354.htm (emphasis mine below regarding NGOs. See my other posts on NGOs. WHERE is the BUDGET detail regarding WHICH NGOs received HOW MUCH ? Dollars to doughnuts money is going to Soros-related NGOs, but we do not know. Also - with $170 million spent mentioned here - we could have afforded security teams).

U.S. Government Assistance to Libya

August 14, 2012

The United States has a strategic interest in a stable and prosperous Libya, and is supporting Libya’s democratic transition in cooperation with the UN and other international partners. Recognizing Libya’s own substantial resources, the United States has focused on building Libyan institutions and increasing its capacity to govern effectively, hold free and fair elections, and manage public finances transparently and responsibly. We have also provided targeted assistance to support the development of Libyan civil society and its security forces. Investing modestly in Libya’s future will help further advance Libya’s democratic transition, promote stability, and strengthen the U.S.-Libya partnership.

Since February 2011, the United States has provided $170 million in assistance, mostly in response to urgent humanitarian and security challenges in the immediate aftermath of the beginning of the conflict. We have also focused on supporting capacity building efforts within government institutions, developing civil society, and facilitating free and fair elections. All programs advance key U.S. interests by filling critical capacity gaps within U.S.-Libya identified transition priorities. All projects are being coordinated with the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

The United States has also resumed a full range of people-to-people programming and exchanges, to include scholarships, fellowships, English-language education, educational advising, cultural preservation, and short term visits and training in the United States.

Democracy, Governance, Rule of Law, Human Rights

Constitutional Development: The United States, in coordination with the UN, is working with civil society, government, and the media to ensure the process of constitutional development is transparent and participatory to ensure broad public support for the final document. A particular focus will be ensuring the constitution guarantees rights for minorities and women.

Election Management and Administration: The United States provided technical assistance and support for election management and administration, including developing legal electoral frameworks, creating a voter registry, and strengthening the election management body, all in close cooperation with the Government of Libya, the European Union and the UN.

Independent Media: The United States is working to strengthen local and independent media, and to provide training that improves journalistic standards and enhances the ability of Libyan media to report on the activities of government.

Elections Monitoring: The United States contributed support to an international elections observation mission to help ensure electoral transparency and credibility during Libya’s first national elections. The U.S. also provided technical assistance to a network of Libyan partners to organize nationwide domestic elections monitoring efforts.

Political Party Development and Voter Outreach: The United States is providing technical assistance to new political parties as they work to develop the platforms, messages, and core skills needed to effectively participate in public discussion and debate. The United States is also supporting civil society efforts to launch country-wide civic and voter education initiatives.

Supporting New Representative Bodies: The United States is developing programming to support representative bodies at the national and local level, including on developing outreach mechanisms for engaging the public..

Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration: The United States is assisting the Government of Libya in navigating the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of militia members. Together, the civilian and military elements of the U.S. government are working with the Government of Libya to help them formulate this critical area of programming.

Justice and Security Sector: The United States is working with Libyan authorities to develop ways to support the delivery of justice and security in a manner that promotes democratic values now and as constitutionally determined structures build themselves.

Transitional Justice: The United States is working with government, civil society, and other informal community leaders to build transparent systems for justice and reconciliation in the wake of the revolution. This includes working with the UN Commission of Inquiry's ability to catalogue its documentation of human rights abuses .

NGO Development: The United States is providing technical assistance to NGOs throughout Libya to bolster their administrative, financial, and programmatic capacities. This includes bolstering the ability of local bar associations and advocacy groups to advocate for rule of law reform during the democratic transition.

Forensics and Mass Graves: The United States is providing forensic technical assistance, including mapping human rights and international humanitarian law abuses and preserving evidence by: mapping the number and extent of mass graves; providing technical expertise on forensic-based exhumations; providing training and capacity building to civil society organizations on human rights documentation practices and the use of forensic evidence; and engaging and empowering victims’ groups and families of the missing to ensure that they are a supportive part of the transitional justice process.

Economic Revitalization

Public Financial Management: The United States is providing targeted technical assistance to the Government of Libya to promote financial transparency and improve governance of Libya’s financial and economic resources.

Economic Growth and Trade Facilitation: The United States is providing technical advice to the Government of Libya on public infrastructure-related projects and facilitating meetings with US businesses who can source services and equipment for reconstruction.

Africa Diaspora Marketplace: The United States added Libya to the 2012 African Diaspora Marketplace (ADM) initiative. This public-private partnership encourages sustainable economic growth and employment by supporting U.S.-based diaspora entrepreneurs with startups and established businesses on the African continent.

Women’s Economic Empowerment: The United States is developing an assistance program to bolster economic empowerment opportunities for women by providing business skills training activities to women and key actors in the business community.

Security Assistance

Presidential Drawdown Authority for Non-Lethal Equipment: The United States has provided non-lethal assistance, including personnel protective gear, uniforms, and halal Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), to Government security forces through the Presidential drawdown authority.

Conventional Weapons Destruction: The United States is supporting international mine action NGOs to clear unexploded ordnance and destroy unsecured conventional weapons, including man-portable air defense systems (MANPADs).

Weapons Abatement: The U.S. committed significant assistance for conventional weapons mitigation efforts, including the survey, inventory and disposal of known weapons and ammunition storage sites in Libya.

Border Security Training: The Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) program is resuming engagement with the Government of Libya (GOL) with targeted technical assistance focused on land border security. As part of an overall U.S. Government effort, EXBS developed an approved list of immediate deliverables for near term border security assistance.

Ministry of Defense Advisory Support: The Department of Defense is providing advisory support through the Defense Institution Reform Initiative (DIRI) to the Libyan Ministry of Defense to assist in the process of establishing defense institutions and armed forces that are unified, capable, and subject to civilian control and the rule of law. This effort supports other USG and international initiatives aimed at broader security sector reform.

Chemical weapons security and destruction: The United States has provided support for improving the near-term security of Libya’s chemical weapons and is working closely with the Libyan authorities to facilitate the eventual destruction of these weapons with the oversight of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons..

Health

Support for the War Wounded: The United States facilitated collaboration between the Government of Libya and U.S. hospitals to provide advanced medical treatment to warriors who were severely injured in combat. Currently, the U.S. is assisting the Ministries of Health and Social Affairs in improving the management and technical capacity of the Libyan health care system to care for the war wounded. This assistance includes the development of pairing relationships with U.S. based institutions.

Humanitarian Assistance

Refugee and IDP Relief: In the immediate aftermath of the revolution, the United States provided humanitarian assistance to international organizations and NGOs aiding internally displaced persons, refugees, and migrants in Libya and neighboring countries through health, humanitarian protection, logistics, water, sanitation, and hygiene activities, as well as the distribution of emergency relief supplies and food assistance.

People-to-People Exchanges

Higher Education Task Force: In May 2012, the United States and Libya launched the U.S.-Libya Higher Education Task Force to expand educational exchanges and cooperation.

Fulbright: Libyan students who were scheduled to participate in the Fulbright program prior to the revolution have had their candidacies restored. In the 2012-2013 academic year, Libya will send 14 Fulbright students to the United States—double the size of the previous cohort. Approximately 1,700 Libyans submitted applications for the 14 grants.

Educational Advising: EducationUSA is expanding its virtual and on-the-ground presence to provide educational advising to Libyan students interested in studying in the United States.

English Language: The English Access Microscholarship Program has three active programs in Libya—one in Tripoli and two in Benghazi—with a total of 80 Libyan students ages 14-18. Embassy Tripoli is currently exploring partnerships to further expand the Access Program, as well as other means of meeting the substantial nationwide demand for classes in English as a Second Language.

Cultural Preservation: The United States is providing resources toward a partnership between Oberlin College and the Libyan Department of Antiquities to document and preserve endangered archaeological sites.

International Visitor Leadership Programs (IVLP): Approximately 30 Libyan government officials, youth and civil society representatives, women leaders, and journalists will participate in three-week professional development IVLPs during the FY 2012 fiscal year.

Youth Leadership Program: Libyan high school students will join participants from Egypt and Tunisia for a three-week leadership and cross-cultural exchange in the United States in August 2012.
10 posted on 11/19/2012 1:31:46 AM PST by PieterCasparzen (We have to fix things ourselves.)
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To: Kaslin
1. WHY was AMb. STevens in Benghazi on 9-11....WHO SENT HIM THERE WITH NO SECURITY????

2. WHY did Sean SMith think they would DIE THAT NIGHT???

3. Stevens met with a Turkish guy...WHO WAS IT??

4. WHY DIDNT THEY COME TO THEIR RESCUE?????

5. WHO ORDERED THEM TO STAND DOWN???

11 posted on 11/19/2012 2:13:25 AM PST by Ann Archy (ABORTION....the HUMAN sacrifice to the god of CONVENIENCE.)
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To: Kaslin

They have to come out with a better strategy. McCain and the others have to be strong on this/don’t let up. They could not bring him down on the economy. Now, this..the death of our citizens. They have to get something to stick politically. They have to keep pounding this story; don’t cross the aisle of lies. The House is our last and only firewall of Obama going full throttle.


12 posted on 11/19/2012 2:21:51 AM PST by Christie at the beach (I like Newt. As another FR member says..Obamas are living in gangster paradise.)
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To: Kaslin
John McCain, John Kerry introduce Libya resolution
[SOURCE & LINK: POLITICO]
By SCOTT WONG | 6/21/11 11:49 AM EDT Updated: 6/21/11 7:33 PM EDT

Sens. John McCain] and John Kerry introduced a resolution Tuesday that would give President Barack Obama the green light to continue limited military operations in Libya.

The language of the proposal has more teeth than the “sense of the Senate” resolution McCain and Kerry rolled out last month, which was merely a symbolic gesture backing the Libya effort. The latest plan would authorize U.S. operations in Libya but expires after one year and would make clear that the Senate agrees there is no need or desire to put boots on the ground in the North African nation.
...

The joint resolution comes amid a fierce debate on Capitol Hill over whether Obama needs congressional approval to continue support operations for the NATO-led campaign against the Libyan dictator’s regime.


13 posted on 11/19/2012 3:17:45 AM PST by arasina (Communism is EVIL. So there.)
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To: Just mythoughts

Republican party bigs may just be stupid enough to do just that.
If not than another very old rino white guy.


14 posted on 11/19/2012 3:23:16 AM PST by Joe Boucher ((FUBO))
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To: Kaslin

McCain is right on. When I first heard this claim from the zero administration, I thought - right, in your dreams. Only the dipshit in the WH would think that killing OBL (and I still find that hard to believe, considering how quickly he was disposed) would obliterate AQ.


15 posted on 11/19/2012 3:34:51 AM PST by fivecatsandadog (Don't let reality ruin your day.)
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To: MestaMachine
“mccain and obama. Good cop. Bad cop. Don’t trust either one of them.”

Absolutely agree.

16 posted on 11/19/2012 3:39:11 AM PST by pieceofthepuzzle
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To: Kaslin

RINO McCain was behind al Qaeda in Libya ... with Obama.
They are both guilty of treason.


17 posted on 11/19/2012 3:44:27 AM PST by Diogenesis (Vi veri veniversum vivus vici)
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To: PieterCasparzen; All

You too are afraid to say the obvious answer.

Americans will not and cannot think for themselves. The MSM frames the arguments and Obama does whatever he wants to.

Obama said he would side with the Muslim. He has.

Obama lied about Libya for an obvious reason and McCain got it right. Al Qaeda is alive and well. Al Qaeda has American weapons and used them to kill Americans in Libya. Obama is hiding that fact and the MSM circled the wagons to protect him.

WHY?

The answer is obvious. Obama is working for the Muslims. The MSM are useful idiots.

If you want to understand what fools the MSM reporters really are, look at the biggest lie in history. It has an easy answer just like this story has a trivially obvious answer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nhqq1UzONIE


18 posted on 11/19/2012 3:52:07 AM PST by politicianslie (Most Americans can't even recognize massive election fraud. Our first Muslim President laughs at you)
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To: Kaslin

Why is Hillary allowed to be roaming the planet while this was clearly also happening under her watch?

The last time I heard her about this was at that Ceremony in Dover. Hillary knows what is going on and she must be placed under oath.

It is obscene how they all get away with this.


19 posted on 11/19/2012 3:56:08 AM PST by bergmeid (FUBO)
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To: Christie at the beach
“They have to come out with a better strategy. McCain and the others have to be strong on this/don’t let up. They could not bring him down on the economy. Now, this..the death of our citizens. They have to get something to stick politically. They have to keep pounding this story; don’t cross the aisle of lies. The House is our last and only firewall of Obama going full throttle.”

I don't think it matters at this point. As many folks as there are who care about this issue, there are many more who couldn't care less. Attacking Obama won't go anywhere. What needs to be done is to change the thinking of much of the electorate, if that is even possible.

20 posted on 11/19/2012 3:56:57 AM PST by MRadtke (Light a candle or curse the darkness?)
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