Is the Democratic dam about to burst? Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), in most times one of the Obama administration’s staunches allies in Congress, is now seeking answers as to what happened in the administration in the hours and days after the attack that left four Americans dead.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., circulated a bipartisan letter addressed to Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides, asking for an “accounting of the attacks against U.S. missions in Egypt, Libya and Yemen,” according to a copy obtained by The Washington Examiner.
The lawmakers are also demanding to know whether the administration had any advance warnings of the Libyan attack and, if so, whether it had shared that information with U.S. personnel on the ground.
The letter marks the first time congressional Democrats have so directly expressed their dissatisfaction with the administration’s response to inquiries about the attacks, which resulted in the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others and raised questions about U.S. security throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa.
A Kerry aide confirmed that the committee intended to enlist the support of Republicans and Democrats and said the letter would likely be sent Friday. Another aide told The Examiner that the panel’s 10 Democrats and nine Republicans plan to sign it.
It’s not clear yet whether Kerry et al are serious about getting answers or are moving just enough to give themselves some cover. But the fact that they’re moving at all is significant. If Benghazi-gate gets truly bipartisan, it can quickly become a cancer on the Obama presidency.
Update: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s letter demands answers — by November 13.
My bet is this is CYA – Kerry thinks he will be the next Sec. of State in the Obama second term, so he’s polishing his credentials while looking like a team player.
Expect a lot of slow progress and a report to be issued after the election that will put the blame on the Libyan security detail or even Ambassador Stevens for “failure to report the threat accurately”.
Agreed, this is mere showboating. The Senate will most likely be in recess for most of October. Kerry has given Democratic candidates something to point to if constituents ask them about Benghazi attacks. It will all be forgotten by Thanksgiving.
Pat, I think you are 100% correct.
Let’s send a letter late on a Friday afternoon. That way, if any of our candidates are asked a question while back home campaigning, they can point to the letter.
Heaven forbid that they get actual answers.
Hopefully Kerry being Sec State will be anon issue before Thanksgiving.
It’s about time they at least pretended to hold this administration accountable for something. I’m surprised they haven’t come up with some scenario as to why this is Bush’s fault.
It’s a “control the timing of the flow of information” thing.
It slows down all the questions being answered until after the election. If Obama wins, they will bury it…and call for executive privilege to stop it.
If Obama loses, it won’t matter…and it will look like piling on.
It’s all about the flow of information, coverup, throwing a blocade up that looks like a legitimate inquiry. They won’t demand answers in a timely fashion. They will stall, hinder and delay. Fast n’ Furious’ ugly twin…Slow and Spurious.
I read that Obama went to sleep after being told that the consulate in Benghazi was under attack. Of course, after Stevens murder, Obama skipped a security briefing and then went to a money-maker in Vegas.
Who would want to work for this guy?