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What Was Learned from Sec. Clinton’s Benghazi Testimony?
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Sen. John Barrasso, (R-Wyo.), on Secretary Hillary Clinton’s testimony on the Benghazi attack.
- Duration 6:09
- Date Jan 23, 2013
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Sen. John Barrasso, (R-Wyo.), on Secretary Hillary Clinton’s testimony on the Benghazi attack.
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Joining us now is senator John -- -- Republican member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Senator -- in the you're assessment as to just how forthcoming if you will the secretary was.
And and I'd like them to explores some of the back and forth -- put.
Yeah it it's my impression -- thanks for having me is that she had answers prepared and she was gonna give those answers -- of regardless of the way that the questions were.
We're -- but.
Clearly there was not adequate security in spite of that of the talking points and what people have been saying afterwards or.
Chris -- should have never been put into that situation he was desperately asking.
Four additional security the security was not strong was not adequate and it proved -- case that night.
But but clearly -- -- -- other questions specifically about has justice been done the president today after.
The attacks and we will bring those who did this to justice there's been no justice for -- to the terrorist who did this and I don't believe there's been justice yet.
For the State Department officials who oversaw this.
And may be moved from one office to another but are still working for the people of the United States -- we haven't seen justice overseas or here.
Additionally when you see what is happening now.
In northern Africa.
My concern is that those who got away with these terrorist attacks in these murders of Americans now the ambassador and the others.
That they have now been emboldened.
And that's why we're seeing what we're seeing in -- in northern Africa as recently as this week.
-- accountability review board as you.
If you took off with the secretary today.
Made it absolutely clear that the security was grossly inadequate there is no.
Debate about that theories you know and anyway any equivocation.
That it isn't -- -- Our conclusion.
Whereas there is a certain amount of ambiguity and other aspect.
But then leave real -- that Secretary Clinton never talked with the DS the the diplomatic security agents that you referred to him or her answer to you were amongst their answers -- you.
-- The accountability review board did not apparently talk with the survivors of the -- -- the attack.
And you wonder about the -- Of interest in knowing the truth.
And coming to terms with the and way in which of this country operates against our enemies your thought.
-- elevated also they also did interview Secretary Clinton.
What what we do know though is that we -- in the middle of a political campaign for the presidency.
And everything that happened in been Ghazi flew in the face of what the president of the United States had been telling the American people.
He has said that that al-Qaeda had been decimated.
They have not he said al-Qaeda is on the run there on the rise if you take a look at where al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda connected groups are are located now across the world.
Huge.
Increase.
From what the president is letting the American people -- Believe -- what he told the American people just two weeks before Election Day so what happened and been Ghazi flew in the face of the narrative.
The story being told by this administration.
After the death of Osama bin Laden.
And it.
It remains Susan -- Going out -- -- Senator McCain took note on September 15.
Appearing on five Sunday talk show talk shows.
The secretary today.
Was rather -- but I thought -- -- going on Sunday talk shows is -- her favorite thing.
As if that would be the first condition that would have to be met in order for her to address the American people.
She assume no responsibility.
No engagement in the process.
What are your thoughts did she in fact refused to do so.
And it.
How in the world do you deal with the reality that a UN ambassador lied to the American people.
My take on those Sunday shows Lou was -- that the president the White House the campaign for the president's reelection wanted to political operative.
On those talk shows to give a political message.
Not a real message it had to do with our national security and had to do what what was happening -- terrorism around the world and -- Susan Rice was.
Very willing to be that political operative that is her history that is her background that's the -- -- she wanted to continue to play with this administration -- that.
Campaign.
And as we wrap this up because it it appears that you and -- -- in complete agreement.
That nothing new was learned today in this process -- watched is and we will pick this up but we watched a process that took more than five hours.
Involving.
Sixteen or seventeen US senators.
At the foreign relations committee you among them 46 congressman for crying out loud.
And we watched the spectacle in which it was.
It was just I could all the political theater but it was more political -- What can you -- to change the effectiveness of the way in which the congress the senator the United States carries out its duties of oversight.
Obviously who -- who gets elected makes a huge difference.
And oversight is a responsibility their branches of government -- the early founders said -- men were angels we would need no laws.
But there is a series of checks and balances.
And we've not been able to accomplish that in recent years I would finally say that you know -- -- specifically the secretary about has al-Qaeda.
Been decimated which has been the talking went all the way through the campaign by the president.
And her answer was.
Core al-Qaeda has been decimated which -- the group -- it was in Afghanistan but they are now spread significantly.
It might be the.
That's if you will.
And equivalents.
-- it depends of what you mean by al-Qaeda.
Who your definition -- -- senator great to have you with us thank you some thanks senator John --