Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
Whatever the case, Hillary Clinton's attempt to take a political hit for President Obama ought to satisfy no one. Not that Clinton doesn't bear some responsibility for the safety and security of diplomatic personnel; of course she does and indeed, any Secretary of State ought to assume some responsibility if something bad happens to our embassy or consular staff anywhere in the world. But last I checked, Harry Truman never lent out his “The Buck Stops Here” sign to either George Marshall or to Dean Acheson. He kept it in the Oval Office.
If President Obama finds it too painful or politically difficult to accept responsibility for the disaster in Benghazi, then perhaps he ought to give way to a new president–one less likely to sell out a Cabinet member for the sake of political expediency, and more likely to personally take charge of any investigation in order to make sure that what happened in Benghazi never again happens anywhere else.
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May '10
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
She set Obama up. Perfect attack for Romney tonight if you ask me. "You'll hide behind your Secretary of State?"
Jul '11
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
Wouldn't it have been great to hear the negotiations between them about this. Narcissists never apologize, for themselves that is.
Aug '10
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
The security issues are grave and demand further investigation. The obvious cover-up is another matter, was politically motivated and went beyond the State Department. It is entirely appropriate that it be part of the per-election discourse- do Americans want to re-elect a Presidentvwho took them for fools who wouldn't see through the propaganda until long after Election Day?
Feb '12
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
First, this should have happened on September 12. This is not some heroic act of civil service. This is a month late. I realize that she didn't personally attack the consulate, but there are a few big issues that involve the Secretary's purview: denial of additional security requests and the ridiculous story about the film. For the record, I'd like to know what the ambassador was doing away from the embassy on the 9/11 anniversary in light of his security concerns.
Secondly, Clinton was never going to be the second term Secretary of State. She was a short timer who was going to spend the next four years gearing up her 2016 campaign. I am pretty sure the whole problem with being a responsible adult at the right time is that it would be viewed as a dismissal by Obama in retrospect, even though she intended to resign right after the election.
Clinton's behavior here leaves the door open for speculation that Obama was personally involved with the denial of additional security or video story and Hill was not about to take the hit for the administration's response.
May '11
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
I like the way you think.
Jan '11
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
A counter to this administration - I recall years ago, 2005/6? that when a portion of the Big Dig tunnel ceiling became detached and killed a women motorist. I remember being impressed with Gov. Romney taking respomsibility of investigating & correcting the work, though it was not a state project and he wasn't 'responsible' in the least.
I recall being struck by how odd that was for any politician. He wasn't my dream candidate, but I think he's a really good man & leader. We could do a whole lot worse.
May '10
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
So why the video narrative for weeks until even her underlings at State couldn't say it with a straight face?
Dec '10
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
Better put a lift kit on that bus. I'll bet it's going to get crowded under there in the next few weeks.
Mar '11
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
I've often wondered what Obama and Clinton have on each other. I know there's been no love lost between them, sort of an alliance made in Hell. Obama must have something pretty big on the Clintons though, something to keep them under control.
I'm guessing after this, though, we might see a real October bombshell leak, and though we'll never know for sure, it will come from the Clintons.
Aug '12
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
In general one of the uses of Cabinet Secretaries is that they can take the political bullet for the president. However, some issues are so important and indicate such a level of incompetence and/or disconnectedness that the Cabinet member cannot shield the president from their own administration.
Sep '10
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
With an opposition party like the GOP O. has little to fear. Our consulate was attacked by terrorists in June of 2012 and it was covered up. Are we to believe the WH was not informed of this attack? I understand why the Dems are treating this as an everyday occurrence, but other than the usual incompetence why is the GOP. Could it be that Congress was briefed and the GOP decided to remain silent? Could it be the ambassadors blood is on both parties hands? I would hope not, but something stinks here.
Jun '10
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
Hillary has lots of experience taking one for the team. That's story of her marriage.
Jan '11
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
During the primaries, didn't Clinton run some ads about who was better prepared to answer that 3:00am phone call?
It turns out neither Obama or Clinton are ready for that call.
We now know how the story would have unfolded if the IkilledOsama mission failed.
Jul '10
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
What does "take responsibilty" even mean? "Nothing," is the short answer. Nixon said he took the responsibility but not the blame over Watergate, upping hair-splitting to a level not achieved since. In some cases taking the responsibility is asserted instead of what really should be done, humbly apologizing for serious and preventable error. Cabinet officials in this country don't resign because of disgrace, otherwise Eric Holder would be defending purse-snatchers in municipal court. The White House wanted so badly to believe that our too-generous First Amendment freedoms were behind the consulate attack that they stayed with that story for a fatally long time. Perhaps the wily Clintons, playing a deeper game, encouraged them in this belief. It will all come out, probably in a book written by Bob Woodward. He's the go-to guy when Washington insiders want their story told without getting in dutch.
Jan '11
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
If the White House didn't know what really happened, but rushed out to assure everyone that they did (and offered sanctimonious speeches at the UN against "intolerance"), then they have zero credibility. What else are they saying they know, but really don't?
If the White House did know what happened, and offered an excuse that they knew to be false - then they're liars.
Either way, they have no credibility.
Nov '10
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
But she didn't fall on her sword, not at all. She said:
On the issue of who's ultimately responsible for the lack of security, she took the blame that was already there, it's part of being Sec of State. Taking THAT responsibility helps her look like a leader.
What she said about "everyone" having "the same intelligence," though, is a clear jab at the White House. It's "absolutely fair" to say that the White House had all the same intelligence about what happened as the State Department.
So, she's talking about two different things, the original decision to not have sufficient security, and then the cover-up afterwards (blaming the video). She said, in effect, "Yeah, State screwed up, but the White House is who lied about it." People forgive mistakes a great deal, lies, well, not so much.
Jun '10
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
Bin Laden:
Stevens:
May '12
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
Exactly what did she take responsibility for?
Certainly it wasn't a failure to make facilities more secure as she blames underlings. So, then, what is she taking responsibility for? That is became a political hot potato just before the election?
I just don't get it.
Sep '12
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
Back in the olden days, taking responsibility meant resigning in disgrace. Now it seems that accepting responsibility carries no consequences whatsoever. In fact, people admire the courage and integrity of someone who "accepts responsibility." What a load of malarky!
May '11
Re: Did Hillary Clinton Get Thrown Under the Bus, Or Did She Voluntarily Dive Under It?
Taking responsibility is an act, not a declaration.