The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
The four officials supposedly out of jobs because of their blunders in the run-up to the deadly Benghazi terror attack remain on the State Department payroll — and will all be back to work soon, The Post has learned.
The highest-ranking official caught up in the scandal, Assistant Secretary of State Eric Boswell, has not “resigned” from government service, as officials said last week. He is just switching desks. And the other three are simply on administrative leave and are expected back.
The problem seems to be due to an earlier a "Clintonian" statement from the State Department. (By "Clintonian" I'm referring to Bill Clinton, who specialized in making statements that could be interpreted as technically true yet were highly misleading).
This time it's Hillary. Several days ago, the State Department released a statement noting that “[Secretary Clinton] has accepted Eric Boswell’s decision to resign as Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic security, effective immediately.” The statement failed to note that Boswell gave up only the presidential appointment as assistant secretary, not his other portfolios.
So far, neither the New York Times nor the Washington Post have reported the non-resignations. However, I suspect that they will be forced to. Foxnews.com has reported the story, and the Drudge Report has posted a headline and a link to the New York Post story.
Hillary Clinton is sure to be asked questions about this when she appears for congressional hearings.
This is big news. The New York Times, Washington Post, and other mainstream outlets will soon come to the realization, I predict, that they look foolish and biased if they don't report it.
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May '10
Re: The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
They won't care.
Jan '11
Re: The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
It gives Jay Carney enough intellectual cover to say that the Obama Administration has held people "accountable."
The shockingly flimsy story might be enough to give intellectual cover, and that's the real tragedy here.
Mar '12
Re: The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
The White House says that if a petition on their website gets 25,000 supporters they will reply. How about one demanding the Mrs. C testify?
P.S. How about another one demanding that Mrs. C release her medical records for the past three weeks? (Or President Obama do the same, in general. He and Mr. C are the only two candidates for President since Kennedy who have not done so, if memory serves).
P.P.S. Spoke with a friend at a major newspaper recently (in management). He's perfectly happy banning guns in private hands, including for private security. That would be a fun law to introduce.
Mar '12
Re: The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
If memory serves, after the Waco tragedy, Janet Reno "took responsibility," meaning she said "I'm responsible." She became more popular. President Clinton then said the same. Neither actuall suffered consequences for the errors that caused the tragedy.
May '11
Re: The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
Let's see if I have this right.
In a Republican administration, a non-involved person can go to jail (Scooter Libby) for not participating in a non-crime like "outing" Valerie Plame. (And not get a pardon.)
In a Democrat administration, low level hacks get to "resign" to another position thereby taking the "blame" for the misdeeds of the high-level heads-of-state that managed to get good people killed.
Got it!
Jul '11
Re: The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
I'm glad to know our "leaders" have their priorities straight. Ambassador killed? OK. Couple of other dudes, too? Alright.
Butts covered? Yep, that's the outcome we're looking for here. Zero accountability for policies that directly contributed to the deaths of 4 people, including a US ambassador.
And they have it. The Barry Administration has zero responsibility for what happened, with the American people. No protests, no serious questioning from the press on misstatements and responses. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilcho.
Nothing to see here, America. Just continue your abject worship, and the half of you that don't pay income taxes will continue to get your checks.
We. Are. Doomed.
Jul '10
Re: The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
Where did anyone get the idea that looking foolish or biased would bother the legacy media? If they were capable of that we would have seen the evidence long, long ago.
May '12
Re: The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
I'm Shocked, Shocked, by this news .. not.
Under Clinton, every debacle that ended badly: Waco, Blackhawk Down, and Ruby Ridge, there was never any accountability. Accountability is for suckers, and Republicans.
Expect a cricket chirping competition from the media.
Edited on December 26, 2012 at 9:11pmFeb '11
Re: The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
Did someone think it would be otherwise?
When Obama announces he is staying for a third term, will that surprise the same people?
Feb '11
Re: The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
Those four should be allowed back as soon as Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods are back on their jobs.
Re: The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
Lots of Ricocheters are predicting that the mainstream media will ignore this. Normally I'd agree. But I've got a hunch that this story is different. It feels like the Marc Rich pardon - that a few honest liberal journalists will think "this smells at least a little like corruption." I can see a few honest liberals reporting it, and then things snowball.
Maybe I wrong, but this story seems important enough that the mainstream media can't ignore it. We'll see.
If they do report it, I think Drudge will deserve lots of the credit.
Aug '11
Re: The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
Israel P.: Did someone think it would be otherwise?
When Obama announces he is staying for a third term, will that surprise the same people? · 46 minutes ago
Honestly, I thought it would have been otherwise. At the very least, low to mid-level staffers who were following orders-- either written or conveyed take the heat. It isn't optimal, but that's the way we've always done things. This is just crazy.
Tim Groseclose: Lots of Ricocheters are predicting that the mainstream media will ignore this. Normally I'd agree. But I've got a hunch that this story is different. It feels like the Marc Rich pardon - that a few honest liberal journalists will think "this smells at least a little like corruption." I can see a few honest liberals reporting it, and then things snowball.
Maybe I wrong, but this story seems important enough that the mainstream media can't ignore it. We'll see.
.... · 1 minute ago
I hope you are right. But we've been saying that for a while regarding Benghazi. There is a higher probability that the story will be "old news" before it's "corruption."
Apr '12
Re: The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
The political theatre is getting out to a wider audience.
May '12
Re: The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
This is big news. The New York Times, Washington Post, and other mainstream outlets will soon come to the realization, I predict, that they look foolish and biased if they don't report it.
There's nothing like a good joke.
And that was nothing like a good joke.
Mar '11
Re: The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
"I am shocked, shocked, I tell you."
Re: The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
Wow. Lie by omission. This really should be big news.
The administration is actually getting away with the "mistakes were made but by no one" story.
Very frustrating.
Jun '10
Re: The State Department Officials Who Resigned Because of Benghazi Didn't Really Resign
If Mrs. Clinton testifies before the House, they will have had ample time to focus-test every possible response to every conceivable question.
Add a little righteous indignation at the implications of various questions, and you will end up with no more real information than was gleaned about Fast and Furious - that is, bupkis.