WASHINGTON — Think back. Have we not experienced all this
before, say in the 1990s?
Ever since October we have known that the defense measures at
our Benghazi diplomatic installation were inadequate. There was the
controversy over whether or not the assault on our diplomatic
compound was caused by a peaceful demonstration that went haywire.
It turned out there was no peaceful demonstration, contrary to the
State Department’s early account. But that was lost in the next
controversy. That was the controversy about whether there was
sufficient security at the installation. Officials from State
appeared before Congress. Some testified there was sufficient
security. Some said there was not sufficient security. Some State
Department officials contradicted themselves. Ultimately the entire
question was wrapped in chaos as still other questions became
incomprehensible. Let us move on.
We have experienced this chaos before. Think back to the late
Vince Foster. Think about the chaos of Whitewater. Think about, for
that matter, the whole Clinton Administration, including their
harum-scarum departure from the White House.
What do all these chaotic incidents have in common? They have
the Clintons, of course, the most chaotic married couple in recent
American history. Now Hillary Rodham Clinton, the secretary of
state, is not going to testify before Congress — again chaos. At
first she was, and she took “full responsibility” for the Benghazi
tragedy. No, make that the Benghazi chaos. Then she was not. She
had to travel. No, then she got sick and would neither travel nor
testify. No wait a second! Things get worse. She fell at her home
owing to dehydration and suffered a concussion and she absolutely
will not travel nor testify nor go to the hospital. It is
that serious, and she probably will not be watching the
NFL on Sunday. Just to be sure.
Once again, there is chaos surrounding the Clintons, though I do
not know what Bill is doing about all this. We do know that Martin
Scorsese is filming a documentary about his life or at least his
expurgated life.
The former first lady suffered a concussion. She became
dehydrated and fainted. She never went to a hospital. So all we
have is her word for that concussion. She is taking a week off and
will be back in the office eventually. That is the official word
from the Associated Press. There is no promise to appear before
Congress on the Benghazi debacle, but there was a report in the
New York Times December 9 that spoke of her limitless
opportunities in the years ahead, among them a run for the
presidency in 2016. There was no mention of Benghazi in the
Times story.
“The former first lady,” the AP report tells us, “is known for
her grueling travel schedule and is the most traveled secretary of
state, having visited 112 countries while in the job.” The AP does
not mention it, but while she was visiting 112 countries relations
with Moscow, Beijing, and assorted hot spots have worsened.
All this chaos frankly troubles me and ought to trouble
Congress. To begin with there is the chaos over Benghazi, not just
about what started it and how well defended the installation was,
but what were our diplomats and CIA doing there? That would be a
good start. Then there is again the chaos over Mrs. Clinton. How is
she doing health wise?
Why does she have no plans to appear before Congress? Does that
mean ever? Will her health permit it? There are all sorts of rumors
running through Washington. Some are absurd. Others are quite
plausible. For instance, does she drink? Some say she does. Do you
remember the picture of a sloshed Hillary balancing herself on her
campaign plane during her primary race back in 2008? It was Hillary
at her most convivial, but in light of more recent events it is
cause for concern.
Those of us who have studied the Clintons realize that after
every scandal — or call them controversies — the Clintons have
followed a pattern of overreacting. This could be part of the
pattern. She and her entourage at State orchestrated a cover-up
around the Benghazi blunders. Then they panicked as the details
came out. It would not be for Hillary the first time. It stressed
her out. She went too far, thinking her concussion would be
helpful. No one would question it. Yet now they do.
