Kerry Calls Out GOP Senator For Missing Benghazi Briefing (VIDEO)

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM


DAVID TAINTOR 12:21 PM EST, THURSDAY JANUARY 24, 2013

At his secretary of state confirmation hearing Thursday, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) called out Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) for missing a briefing on the deadly attacks in Benghazi, Libya. Johnson pressed Kerry to commit to finding out what, exactly, happened on Sept. 11, 2012 at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.

"Well, there was a briefing with tapes, which we all saw, those of us who went to it, which made it crystal clear," Kerry said. "We sat for several hours with our intel folks, who described to us precisely what we were seeing. We saw the events unfold. We had a very complete and detailed description."

Johnson on Wednesday got into a heated exchange with outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over the details of the attacks. Clinton asked Johson what difference it makes, at this point, whether the attacks came out of a spontaneous protest or were organized. Johnson asked Kerry for his opinion on the matter.

"Senator, if you're trying to get some daylight between me and Secretary Clinton, that's not going to happen here today on that score," Kerry said. "I think you're talking past each other. I don't think that was the question. I think that, if your question is, 'Should the American people get the truth and does it matter?' Hillary Clinton would say yes, and I say yes. But that's not what I think she was referring to." Clinton was referring to the sequence and timing of the events, and when the intelligence information came to light, Kerry said.

Watch:

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Read more: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/kerry-calls-out-gop-senator-out-for-missing

[PDJane]

1. Johnson should engage his brain before he opens his mouth.

But, since he hasn't, perhaps we should be grateful that the dems seem to have all the brains.

[Ed Suspicious]

2. RoJo. You make me hoho with laughter.

[alp227]

3. K&R, broader report from washington post also here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014379302

[dbackjon]

4. I still can't believe this moron beat Russ Feingold

[Jack Rabbit]

7. It's amazing what money can buy these days, isn't it?

[Cali_Democrat]

8. That one still has me scratching my head

I don't think the people of Wisconsin will make that mistake again. Or at least I hope not.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

5. Thank you! n/t

[samsingh]

6. calling out repugs is the best way to demonstrate their utter stupidity and waste of space

[avaistheone1]

9. K&R

[bitly21]

10. I still can't believe this moron beat Russ Feingold

I still can't believe this moron beat Russ Feingold

[AgingAmerican]

11. They are stuck on this stupid 'we initially thought there were protests' meme

Stupid

[judesedit]

12. Johnson is just another GOP mouthpiece loser. Period. Go John.

[CBHagman]

13. Kerry did a really fine job.

I heard parts of the Johnson exchange, plus Kerry's tutorial to Barrasso about climate change and renewable energy. I don't know if J.K. dragged either of them kicking and screaming into the 21st century, but he certainly drew some battle lines.