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Subscribe to RSSJust-resigned CIA Director David Petraeus says he will testify this week at congressional hearings looking into the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, as new details emerge about the emails that helped end his career. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
Updated at 4:44 p.m. ET: President Barack Obama on Wednesday spiritedly defended U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice over her response to the September attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, that left four Americans dead, assailing Republican criticism of her as "outrageous."
At his first news conference since winning re-election, the president said Rice has done “exemplary work” and accused GOP critics of trying to “besmirch” her reputation.
President Obama defends U.N. ambassador Susan Rice against criticism from Sen. John McCain and Sen. Lindsey Graham over the Benghazi attacks in Libya.
“I don’t think there’s any debate in this country that when you have four Americans killed, that’s a problem, and we’ve got to get to the bottom of it and there needs to be accountability. We’ve got to bring those who carried it out to justice. They won’t get any debate from me on that,” Obama said sternly.
“But when they go after the U.N. ambassador, apparently because they think she’s an easy target, then they’ve got a problem with me.”
Two of Rice’s main GOP critics refused to back down.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) discusses the Obama administration's handling of the aftermath of the Benghazi attack, accusing the president of "either a cover-up or incompetence." McCain also vowed to block any nomination of UN Ambassador Susan Rice for secretary of state to replace Hillary Clinton.
Sen. Lindsey Graham said shortly after Obama’s news conference that he had “no intention of promoting anyone who is up to their eyeballs in the Benghazi debacle.” Sen. John McCain added: "We owe the American people and the families of the murdered Americans a full and complete explanation, which for two months the President has failed to deliver.”
Bebeto Matthews / AP file
U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice speaks during a meeting on Syria in the United Nations Security Council, Aug. 30.
Rice has been mentioned as a possible successor to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who has said she will not continue to serve in Obama's second term beginning in January.
Senior Republican senators vowed earlier on Wednesday to block any future promotion of Rice, questioning her initial description of the Sept. 11 violence on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi as a spontaneous outburst rather than a planned attack as unfathomable. Killed in the violence were U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other American officials.
“My judgment at this time is that four Americans were killed, and the information that our U.N. ambassador conveyed was clearly false," McCain, R-Ariz., the top GOP senator on the Armed Services Committee, told reporters at a Capitol Hill news conference. "There was overwhelming evidence that it was completely false. And she should have known what the situation and circumstances were and not tell the world on all Sunday morning talk shows.”
Graham, of South Carolina, supported that stance at the same news conference, saying of Rice, "I don't trust her. And the reason I don't trust her is because I think she knew better, and if she didn't know better, she shouldn't be the voice of America.”
The two lawmakers along with Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire are pressing for a special, Watergate-style select Senate committee to investigate the Benghazi attack. They complained that separate inquiries by various Senate panels will fail to get to the bottom of the deadly incident.
Sen. John McCain took to the Senate floor to protest the potential appointment of U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice. At issue are Rice's comments that Benghazi was triggered by a video maligning the Prophet Mohammad. NBC's Kelly O'Donnell reports.
Rice has been the focal point of accusations that the Obama administration misled the public about the nature of the Benghazi attack. Five days after the attack, she appeared on several news talk programs and said the attack stemmed from outrage in the Arab world over an anti-Muslim video, not an act of terrorism. The White House later corrected that claim.
Obama wouldn’t comment on whether he’d nominate Rice to replace Clinton on his Cabinet. But he said of Rice: “She has done exemplary work.”
“She made an appearance at the request of the White House in which she gave her best understanding of the intelligence (on Benghazi) that had been provided to her. If Sen. McCain and Sen. Graham and others want to go after somebody, they should go after me – and I’m happy to have that discussion with them," he said animatedly.
“But for them to go after the U.N. ambassador, who had nothing to do with Benghazi and was simply making a presentation based on intelligence that she had received, and to besmirch her reputation, is outrageous.”
Shortly after the president’s remarks, Graham issued the following statement:
“Mr. President, don’t think for one minute I don’t hold you ultimately responsible for Benghazi. I think you failed as Commander in Chief before, during, and after the attack.
We owe it to the American people and the victims of this attack to have full, fair hearings and accountability be assigned where appropriate. Given what I know now, I have no intention of promoting anyone who is up to their eyeballs in the Benghazi debacle.”
McCain said initial Obama administration statements the the Benghazi attack was triggered by a spontaneous demonstration and a hateful video “clearly did not comport with the facts on the ground.“
In a statement issued after Obama’s news conference, McCain repeated his call for a select committee to be appointed “to obtain a full and complete accounting which would be credible with the American people."
Not all Republican senators agree with the the need for a special select committee.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she did not “see the benefit” of such an approach, noting the Homeland Security Committee has governmentwide jurisdiction and “a history of producing comprehensive bipartisan reports.”
Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn, said assigning the matter to a select committee at this point would be “premature.”
David Petraeus, who stepped down as CIA director last week after acknowledging an extramarital affair, has agreed to testify before Congress on the Benghazi attack. He'll go before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday and the House committee on Friday.
Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md., the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, said Wednesday that he would like to hear from Petraeus but has yet to formally request a meeting with him.
NBC News Capitol Hill Correspondent Kelly O’Donnell and NBC News Associate Producer Catherine Chomiak contributed to this report.
More from the news conference:
- Obama: 'No evidence' of national security harm in Petraeus scandal
- Obama: 'Seize the moment' on immigration
- Obama claims mandate on taxes
President Barack Obama holds his first press conference at the White House since being re-elected to a second term.
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How amusing. Lindsey Graham is all fired up at Obama's "failure" and Rice's comments base on the intelligence that had been provided to her. I seem to remember that misleading intelligence provided to Graham led him to vote in favor of a war in Iraq that left tens of THOUSANDS dead and countless more injured. How quickly they forget (or at least they hope everyone else does). By all means Lindsey, stand on your shaky soapbox and keep on yelling.
Good one Erisha--finally someone points this out!
President Odumbo has not changed. Same BS and he cannot take any responsibility for his actions. He purposely gave that info to Rice and now he acts like he really cares about her. What a POS PERSON he is.
Grow Up JR!
You should be directing your comment to your Pres. He neither can take criticizm nor take responsibility........great attributes for someone in charge!!
This administration is the biggest "Keystone Cops" I have ever seen.
Bin Laden would disagree
Obviously u have no memory Floyd. No Administration Failed like W's. His admin was EPIC FAILURE!
OK, Barry happened to be in office when Bin Laden was killed so he gets a pass on everything else. I get it now. BTW, I do have a memory, unemployment was a little over 5% and gasoline was $1.85. Terrible times wasn't it.
Floyd your entire post and figures are way off
Speaking about doing your job- House Republicans- get urself together and do the JOB u were elected 2. Your not just their 2 represent ur party's insane policies and the few constituents who support them- U r Their 2 Guide & Protect America. Get 2 Work!
I guess you don't remember 2010 and Nov 6. They are doing what they were sent there to do. STOP OBAMA.
When Conservitives lose, America Loses
When Liberalism Wins, America Loses
Right- And the Tea Baggers couldn't even get that Right!
The last time I checked....the Republicans were still in the majority after the election from last week. So I guess they are doing the job they were elected to do....why not ask your senate leader to pass a budget sometime this decade?
Rice was part of the attempted video coverup.....let her suffer the consequences now for that lie.
What coverup? They got it wrong, and then they admitted they got it wrong. I don't see the problem.
jock59801, they like picker335 r just Republican Trolls. Truth and Reality is Not 2 be found with any of the current Conservatives now that they've alienated their Moderates. Wasting America's time and Money has been the Tea Baggers Specialty.
Hypocrites!
Where were Graham and McCain when another Administration official names Rice - Condoleeza Rice - was blatantly lying to the entire country, not about an ongoing investigation of a single incident, but about a reason to commit the country to a decade long unnecessary war?
They were snuggling up as close to Condoleeza as a bedbug and just as trusting. So on what basis can you lend ANY credence to the judgment of these two purely partisan clowns? And add to that, McCain chose Palin as a potential Vice President, so his ability to judge character and qualifications is deeply suspect.
Bla, Bla, Bla. It was Bush that made Obama make Rice lie.
Floyd- you've obviously forgotten 2 take ur Meds
Good one Underground Sanity 2....Keep writing...
4 Americans are dead they knew the truth the night it happened, Obama is just a liar. Bengahzi is not going away,just like fast ans furious, The buck stops with Obama . He is responsible for the american lives that were lost. This is not about sex or video tapes, but there sure is a lot of lies
Rice was part of Obama's attempt at the video lie. Let all involved now pay the price for their attempted deception.
What hypocrites u Republicans r! W, Cheney and Rice lied abt WMD's and Thousands of Americans died because of it.The unholy war against Iraq inflamed the Middle Eastand this Bengahzi Incidentis Blood is on your HANDS
Hey Truth...put a sock in it regarding the WMD issue....your boy Bubba (William Jefferson Clinton) also fed us the same "lie".
We have resources in the area that could have been there with in an hour. supposedly the fight went on for 4 Hours. Obama said the buck stops with him. We should have held him to it. He and his administration are responsible for the deaths of those Americans. Americans had to watch on TV our embassies attacked around the world and this President did nothing. He is still sending the aid checks, he has done nothing to defend America. Tell me why he did nothing?
He's a closet islamist
The GOP is likely to scream about anything that THEY cannot control.
If we had control no one would have died. At least it wouldn't be lied about.
Ever hear of the Twin Towers? or Iraq? Your post is a lie bugmetoo
Obama's so called "Most transparent administration ever" has more secrets than any other.
Wow. What a misleading story. Did the President tell NBC to lie like
he did Susan Rice?
We have an illigit salesman in the WH who is defending a women who he is very likely banging. We should tell the UN to move to socialist Europe where they are safe and with the rest of their corrupt member governments. This is what we get for not vetting our politicians.
My God you people are just sick. What world do you live in?
Susan Rice is incompetent and misled the American people on what happened in Benghazi. She has a history of caving in at the world forum and is not the type of person we need representing the U.S. President Obama has participated in a coverup along with Rice and Secretary of State Clinton. Their shameful conduct in order to further their election cause is inexcusable. Any mention of Susan Rice as Secretary of State is ludicrous. We owe those diplomats killed in Benghazi better than what this cowardly administration has done that caused their deaths. Now, the scumbags try to cover it up. Thanks America for re-electing such a corrupt administration. Note that Texas said NO to Obamaism, better known as socialism.
Obama set Rice up for this and acted outraged during his press conference to make it look like he cared. He wants to pay her back for her trouble now with a higher position.
If you do not want this ding dong in as president then let him know by joining the petition to get him out at :
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/we-request-obama-be-impeached-following-reasons/cpk4V6zK
Fact: For anyone who was paying attention, Obama changed the curtains behind his podium from the muslim tapestry that he had installed shortly after his first election to royal blue but immediately after his re-election changed back to the muslim tapestry curtains. These curtains are the exact same curtains that are in the Saudi royal palace.
Fact: The inscription (this is verifiable) woven into the curtains reads: "There is no other god but Allah."
Fact: The inscription on the outside of his wedding ring (again, verifiable) reads the same thing.
Fact: Within hours of his re-election, he signed the UN gun control treaty in an effort to disarm the population so they could not rise up and fight against his tyranny.
Fact: In less than a week since his re-election, the two highest ranking generals (one retired, one active duty) have suddenly been faced with scandal, forcing one to resign, the other will most likely resign or be relieved of duty within the week.
Fact: Buried in a small foot note in today's paper was a very small article indicating that the White House has reached out to Vladimir Putin, strong man of Russia, expressing President Obama's desire for a meeting with Putin in Russia.
Unfortunately, those of you who voted for him in this last election refuse to acknowledge the facts and accept that he is making a power play to sieze complete control of this country. Within months you will see soldiers marching down the street in your neighborhood and you will be crying "What have we done!". By re-electing him you have sealed our country's fate and now we will all have to suffer the consequences. Thanks a lot!
Please tell me you are not really that stupid.
Unbelievable based on what we do know that some of you turn a blind eye. We know:
1) A Video Was Emphasized Everywhere Including the UN for causing the political unrest in Benghazi
2) Someone, somewhere over there asked for support, personnel or equipment or whatever because of surrounding allied intelligence.
3) Egypt was targeted as a hotspot and place of potential insurgency from recon and 9/11 was a date which we were attacked and therefore we knew could be a date of violence here or whereever americans are
4) We know the President knows everything that goes on which involves national security..... U.S. Embassy is one (duh).
Therefore it is safe to assume either the president was not told by the people he appointed to his administration or he knew but did nothing to avoid damage to his re-election chances. Its that simple. He's either unfit to be leader because he appoints incompetent people or because he sacrifices national security, like the 4 dead americans, when he it conflicts with him getting reelected!!!
Sounds like the same criticism the Dems voiced towards John Bolton when he was UN Amdassador under Bush!
Same partisian bickering. What comes around, goes around.
Get used to it!
The haters are still hating, President Obama has every right to be pi$$ed off at these two clowns speaking out of their a$$'s.
Great post's here like:
Ian Emdee # 143!
Anyone notice the stock market? Has lost 5% since the election.
obama lied, people died. Fast and Furious. Benghazi. When obama lies, people always die! obama lied, people died.
The consulate had been attacked in june and again in aug, the ambassador wrote on aug 15th the last time after multple attempts for more security. this was not a guessing game about inteligence, they knew what was happening they watched it in real time live, they did nothing 4 americans are dead
Don't believe everything you read.
If OBAMA is upset? Updet at the GOP? He should not ask his "Minions" to lie for
him! They were all saying it was the U-Tube video. Did anyone see it???????
Just say? I did not know about the attack!! I heard it was a U-Tube video that I
did not see and nobody else has either!
For all the liberals out there ripping the guy who typed looser as an idiot should understand an IQ is not everything. Working to ones potential is the true measure of a person's worth. That said, Rice is an idiot! Lied in front of the cameras not once but at least five times. Obama will come to her defense because she delivered a message he was too gutless to deliver himself. By the way, I think "looser" was to emphasis the "O" in loser. LOOOOOSER! Get it?
They are not attacking Rice. She only said what The Prez told her to say... Just throw her under the bus, Barry. Theme of the Obama Administration: The Buck stops ANYWHERE but my desk. Harry Truman is rolling in his grave....
This comment is precious, “But when they go after the U.N. ambassador, apparently because they think she’s an easy target, then they’ve got a problem with me.”
Too bad he didn’t feel the same way about his ambassador to Libya.
Too bad the GOP didnt feel that way about all the troops killed in Iraq for a big fat lie. Led by Foxnews. They are all murderers and accomplices.
Paul try to remember what decade you're in. LOL. You're an ass.