BLUE ASH, Ohio – Former Sen. Fred Thompson today said he was “totally disgusted” by the Obama administration’s handling of the Libya terrorist attack, saying that U.S. officials failed to act “while our people were being systematically slaughtered” at the Benghazi consulate.
Speaking at an event sponsored by the free-market group Americans for Prosperity, the former Republican senator from Tennessee invoked his experience nearly 40 years ago as a Watergate investigator, saying that Congress must “get to the bottom of” the administration’s failures in the Sept. 11 incident that left Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans dead in Libya.
“This is probably the biggest cover-up in American history – and you’re talking to an expert in cover-ups,” Thompson said.
“There are three scandals here – before, during and after,” Thompson told about 40 people gathered for the AFP event at the Mariner’s Inn in the Cincinnati suburb of West Chester. Citing the numerous incidents and warnings leading up to the assault on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi on the 11th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks, Thompson mockingly asked, “What was your first hint that there might be trouble in Libya?”
Thompson commented on reports that administration officials refused to approve U.S. air strikes to defend the embattled Benghazi compound because of concerns about civilian casualties.
“You’re outside our embassy while it’s being attacked? Fair game, buddy,” said Thompson, who unsuccessfully sought the GOP presidential nomination in 2008. With the latest news from CBS that the administration did not convene its Counterterrorism Security Group during the Libyan crisis, he said the scandal was “playing out as we speak.”
Thompson, who as an actor starred in film hits like the Hunt for Red October and on TV in Law & Order, said that the terrorists would have scattered “with just one shot” from the C-130 gunship that the U.S. had overhead during the Benghazi attack. “Apparently, we’re not even willing to defend our own ambassador.”
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Occam's Tool| 11.1.12 @ 8:08PM
This is the way it works: The POTUS is responsible for State and Defense. He is also responsible for the acts of his subordinates, certainly at the highest level (Panetta/Clinton).
Here's what we know: 1) They (State and Defense) knew it was a terrorist attack while the attack was going on. 2 )Military assets capable of eliminating the terrorists and saving American lives were available to use before the attack was over. 3) The assets weren't used. 4) The Ambassador was anally raped and murdered, and 3 American citizens lost their lives, two of which volunteered, of their own decision, to help protect the Embassy. 5) Assets that could have saved their lives in time were available and were not used at all.
Mr. President, it is your fault that the attack was not beaten off and Americans died until proven otherwise. the "Buck Stops Here," you sorry Piece of Ivy League Fecal Matter. You are the saddest excuse for a man I have ever seen, and I have worked with rapists, murderers, and child molesters.
Barack Obama may not be the worst American President (although he is very close, if not---still rank Buchanan as barely worse) ever, but he is definitely the biggest coward ever to hold the office.
Megi| 11.1.12 @ 8:53PM
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fmm| 11.1.12 @ 9:41PM
You might consider gaining a better command of the King's English before submitting a dissertation.
spike59| 11.2.12 @ 6:20AM
Who is better in social media engagement?
-----------------------------------------------
who gives a ratzass?
geronl| 11.2.12 @ 12:55AM
Well, yeah
PacRim Jim | 11.2.12 @ 2:43AM
Out here in California, I can already smell the smoke from furnaces burning all records of the Benghazi fiasco. I'd be surprised if anything remains after they finish erasing history. Just as no records exist of Obama before his nullity of a Presidency, none will exist of his sullying of the office.
Yephora| 11.2.12 @ 2:44AM
Nope, this is the second biggest coverup in American history.
The First is squatting in the White House.
Patrick in Michigan | 11.2.12 @ 9:04AM
I don't claim to be expert on this stuff, by a long shot. Hell, I don't even claim to be one by a short shot! But something tells me this is going to haunt Obama for a VERY long time.