Thursday, October 22, 2015

Hillary Clinton's appearance between this latest House Benghazi Committee is about to begin. Get your popcorn ready folks. Update!

Courtesy of ABC News:  

Democratic Presidential frontrunner and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is set to spar this morning with Republican members of the House Select Committee investigating the 2012 Benghazi attack that killed U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. 

Washington observers and political junkies have been fixated on this testimony -- beginning at 10 a.m. -- for months, waiting in anticipation to see what impact it may have on her campaign. 

The pressure is on Committee Chairman Rep. Trey Gowdy to produce results or information that differs from Clinton's full day of Congressional testimony on the attack nearly 3 years ago. 

The lead-up to today's testimony has seen vicious political sniping from Democrats on the committee, who have seized on remarks in recent days from two Republican congressman and one former committee staffer, each of whom suggested publicly that the committee has disproportionately focused its attention on attacking Clinton.

The Hillary folks have said that this testimony is even more important than the last Democratic debate, and I would tend to agree with that.

If Hillary does well here this could effectively be the end of the Republican's ability to use Benghazi to damage her in the 2016 election, and it would essentially mean smooth sailing ahead for her nomination.

I am going to be working from home all day today so I will leave this as an open thread.

Here is my Twitter feed for those who are interested and here on IM I will be periodically updating as events unfold.

There is talk that this might last as long as six to eight hours, which means there will likely be a lot to talk today.

Update:

Hillary started off strong.

Update: "Psst. The Benghazi committee's only interested in taking down Hillary Clinton."

Update: Thank god this thing is not political.

"Look at us making fools of ourselves while attempting to smear Hillary Clinton. And then give us money!"

102 comments:

  1. During Trey Gowdy's opening remarks, largely trying to justify the existence of his committee, Hillary looks like a mother patiently listening while her child spins some yarn as to why he only has one shoe on his feet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:12 AM

      Well, Gowdy does sound like a complete moron when he talks.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous9:56 AM

      Trey Gowdy = Howdy Doody.

      Delete
    3. More like Mortimer Snerd.

      Delete
  2. Virginia6:16 AM

    Oh good lord. Will he just stop with his self serving blather?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous6:20 AM

    Had to crack open the Budweiser.......

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rep. Cummings is throwing down a little truth up in here.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I LOVE Elijah Cummings.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous6:27 AM

    I can't watch it since I might be inclined to throw something at my TV.

    It's good to know your own limitations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:46 AM

      I won't watch it either - will get all my information on the hearing right here! I'm sure watching the hearing would create even higher blood pressure than I already have!

      I wish Hillary Clinton the best! Plus, don't forget that she has Cummings, a Democrat, sitting on that Committee that will help her as needed.

      Delete
  7. Hillary's opening remarks are measured and informative about the men who were lost that day in Benghazi.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hillary talks about all of the other attacks on embassies over the years.

    Yeah, where are THOSE investigations?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good for her! Get it in the record.

      Delete
  9. Trey Gowdy just promised not to cut Hilary off while she is talking.

    Gee, what a guy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:50 AM

      Did she promise not to cut off his testicles?

      Delete
    2. How long will it take for him to break that promise?

      Drinking game?

      Delete
  10. I'm watching, but busy here at home. Only thing I can say is Clinton WILL be the next president.

    Elijah Cummings is my hero :D

    ReplyDelete
  11. Whats with the piles of props argument? Not only are we spending millions of taxpayer dollars, trees gotta die too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:25 AM

      Print on thicker paper- Get MOAR evidunce!

      Delete
  12. Rep. Susan Brooks has two differing piles of e-mails and dammit that means something!

    Or not.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:26 AM

      Using the NEW! technology of PRINTING!!! the emails makes for better tv!

      Whether or not they read them.

      Delete
  13. Hillary just said that most of her work involving Benghazi did NOT involve e-mail.

    Well how is THAT supposed to help the Republicans destroy her?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:37 AM

      Oh they'll find a way. It will be lame, but that won't stop them.

      Mildred

      Delete
    2. Anonymous8:23 AM

      That's almost as bad as if she had said it involved email!

      Delete
    3. LOL. Just another nail in the Clown Car tires.

      Delete
  14. By the way Rep. Cummings mentioned that there have been 8 investigations into Benghazi.

    I think the Jack the Ripper mystery received less scrutiny.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:39 AM

      Only at 8!! Well, they will go till they find her guilty, of course!

      Mildred
      (thank you for watching Gryphen, I'm buffering myself from it by reading your updates)

      Delete
    2. GOP. The party of insanity.

      Delete
  15. 70,000 employees and she can't speak to what 2 employees discussed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:51 AM

      At least Hillary does know who the father of her grandchild is.

      Delete
  16. Roby is ridiculous. What an amateur.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh. Since he talks slow he wants only yes/no answers. Not gonna work there, Wes.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous8:07 AM

    When will Sarah request a Congressional investigation to help her find out who the baby daddy is?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:41 AM

      Holy crap! You have a one track mind.

      Delete
    2. Unlike the GOP, right 8:41am?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:02 PM

      8:07 AM

      Who is Trig Palin's baby daddy? Who is Trig Palin's baby mama?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous1:18 PM

      Who is Track Palins baby daddy?

      Delete
  19. Anonymous8:09 AM

    Just got a chance to turn it on, and I can see by tone of Westmoreland, that this is just one big drama/witch hunt.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hillary just shut Mike Pompeo right the hell down!

    And now they are playing video of Andrea Mitchell doing the same.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous8:28 AM

    Wow. They are doing everything to try to catch Hillary in a web. The last questionner suggested a 'team' had met with Libyan officials to discuss security, and he couldn't 'name' him, which is rather shaky. Hillary is standing her ground.


    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous8:33 AM

    Rep. Sanchez was a breath of fresh air.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous8:35 AM

    It's a god damned disgrace what the republicans are doing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:49 AM

      The disgrace is that their party see no problem in what they are doing & believes what they are doing is right. Shame on the whole lot of them, from presidential candidates down to their supporters.

      Delete
  24. Angry young man is angry.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous8:41 AM

    I'm in Hillary's corner on this! She's so damned sharp and good! Hope she kicks the committee on their asses!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous8:43 AM

    Right now I feel sad and mad watching Ms. Sanchez speak to facts that have been conveniently dismissed to paint Clinton as negligent.

    When I recall how Romney was on this unbelievably fast I would not be surprised if the Republicans orchestrated the attack to win the election in light of their persecution of Clinton.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cracklin Charlie11:37 AM

      Blaming Hillary as a way to distract from the real perpetrators? Not an unlikely scenario.

      Delete
  27. Anonymous8:48 AM

    "I am sorry this does not fit your narrative Congressman"

    ReplyDelete
  28. Adam Schiff doing a great job summing up round 1.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:46 AM

      Very proud of Schiff here in Pasadena. One of the good guys.

      Delete
  29. Why is Trey Gowdy yelling?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:16 AM

      Could it be that he's getting his ass handed to him?

      Delete
  30. Anonymous9:01 AM

    I'm sorry Jim Jordan is an Ohio congressman. He is an ass!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I am not a violent person, but these jackass Republicans...
    Oh! For a sack of tomatoes and a good throwing arm!
    Perhaps we should hire a squad of cream pie-laden clowns to ambush these ogres.
    M from MD

    ReplyDelete
  32. So whether or not Hillary asked Sydney Blumenthal for information or not, does that in some way make her responsible for Benghazi?

    ReplyDelete
  33. OH WOW. Fight! Fight! and Hillary laughing. lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:47 AM

      It was so very satisfying to see Hillary smile while Elijah Cummings put the hurt on Trey Gowdy.

      I was wondering if Gowdy was going to explode and lose it all right on TV. Probably good for him that it was break time.

      Delete
    2. Is that between Gowdy and Cummings?

      They should be on Jerry Springer.

      Delete
  34. Trey Gowdy is starting to froth at the mouth.

    Elijah Cummings is slapping the snot out of him right now,

    And Hillary is smiling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Her poll numbers are so going up after this.

      So much for the GOP plan. Backfired.

      Can you shoot yourself in the foot while it is in your mouth?

      Delete
  35. Atta boy, Cummings! Let him have it!!!@

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous9:23 AM

    Wow.

    This has not damaged Hillary at all. Gowdy has melted down to a blathering fool, as he's called out for his inconsistency. Yes, release all the e-mails. He knows there's nothing to charge if the public see them all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trey looks sweaty and panicked; the countenance of a man without truth on his side.

      Delete
    2. And Hillary: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CR8AL_PVAAA4C_f.png

      Delete
    3. I said same thing to my husband while watching Gowdy cross examine her. He's sweating and slimy and red-faced and she is calm, cool, and collected. She is a better woman than me (as well she should be as presidential material). I'd be out of my seat with my hands around his throat before very much of his of BS.

      Delete
  37. Anonymous9:27 AM

    Hillary Clinton Is Trouncing House Republicans In Early Benghazi Testimony

    Hillary Clinton has been unflappable in dominating House Republicans during the early stages of her testimony in front of the House Select Committee on Benghazi.

    http://www.politicususa.com/2015/10/22/hillary-clinton-trouncing-house-republicans-early-benghazi-testimony.html

    72 Percent Of Americans Say Benghazi Investigation Is A Political Sham

    A CNN/ORC poll released on October 22nd finds that 72 percent of Americans believe the House Select Committee on Benghazi is mostly using the Benghazi investigation to achieve political gain. Only 23 percent of Americans think that the committee is conducting an objective investigation to find out what happened during the Benghazi attack.

    The poll of 1,028 adult Americans, conducted from October 14th to the 17th, found widespread agreement that the Benghazi investigation has been a partisan sham. Americans recognize that the investigation was primarily aimed at politically damaging Hillary Clinton, rather than conducted as an honest inquiry into what happened in the 2012 Benghazi attack.

    http://www.politicususa.com/2015/10/22/72-percent-of-americans-say-benghazi-investigation-is-a-political-sham.html

    ReplyDelete
  38. Anonymous9:36 AM

    The Benghazi Committee's Out of Control Effort to Destroy Hillary Clinton at All Costs

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-brock/remarks-to-the-world-affa_b_8357048.html

    Unpacking The Partisan Spin On Benghazi

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/benghazi-partisan_5628edc6e4b0ec0a389356f1

    ReplyDelete
  39. Okay so here we are at a break which I imagine will be used to hose Trey Gowdy off a little and reapply the hair gel to get his rooster ridge back in fighting shape.

    So far all we have learned is that Elijah Cummings is a bad ass, Sidney Blumenthal is enemy number one, and the only reason not to call this a farce is because of my deep and abiding love for a good farce.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:57 AM

      Trey Gowdy's 'rooster ridge' I'm wiping the coffee off my screen now!

      I would add that Hillary is calm, confident and winning hands down and that Adam Schiff has her back. Carry on!

      Sheesh

      Delete
    2. The only thing that can top this is if Aaron Sorkin decided to write a movie about it.

      Helen Mirren as Hillary?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:39 PM

      ". . . Elijah Cummings is a bad ass . . ."

      AMEN!!!

      Every time he opens his mouth, he kicks ass and takes names and the GOP members of the committee cower in fear of him.

      Delete
  40. Anonymous9:59 AM

    Read this:The historical significance of this moment can hardly be overstated, and it seems many Republicans, Democrats and members of the media don’t fully understand the magnitude of what is taking place."
    http://www.newsweek.com/benghazi-biopsy-comprehensive-guide-one-americas-worst-political-outrages-385853

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I read that article earlier this morning. It is fantastic.

      Delete
  41. Anonymous10:09 AM

    House Democrat Annihilates Republican Clinton Benghazi Hearing With Facts

    Benghazi Committee Member Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) used his time to level Republicans with some facts about their Benghazi investigation.

    Video:

    Rep. Schiff said:

    There are too many good prosecutors on this panel not to know that when a lawyer describes the metrics of the success of the investigation by the sheer number of people they talked to or the volume of documents and says nothing about the substance of what they’ve learned that there is a problem.

    And the reality is that after seventeen months, we have nothing new to tell the families. We have nothing new to tell the American people.

    ….

    Now my colleagues have been saying quite often this week that this is a fact-centric investigation, and I agree so I’d like to talk about some of the facts which are centric about this investigation. Because while the American people are entitled to truth about Benghazi, they are also entitled to the truth about our committee.

    Fact. What gave rise to your appearance today was that many months ago a group called the Stop Hillary PAC, which aired an offensive ad during the Democratic debate showing the tombstone of Ambassador Stevens among other things, delivered 264,000 signatures demanding that you appear before us.

    Fact. It was the next day the majority approached us to have you come before this committee.

    Fact. After The New York Times issued its story in March, this committee canceled all other hearings except for the hearing with a witness named Clinton.

    Fact. We abandoned our plans to bring in the Secretary of Defense and the head of the CIA.

    Fact. We haven’t had a single hearing with the Department of Defense in seventeen months.

    Fact. Of the 70,000 pages of documents obtained by the committee, the only documents the Chairman has chosen to release publicly are your emails with Sidney Blumenthal.

    Fact. Of the 32 press releases that have been issued since March of this year, 27 of them are about you or the State Department and 5 are about everything else.

    Fact. As recently as last week, the Chairman issued a 13-page letter which alleges that you risked the lives of people by sending an email that contained the name of a classified CIA source.

    Fact. CIA told us there was nothing in that email was classified nor was the name of that person who’s well known to many.

    Rep. Schiff summed up why this whole Select Committee is a sham, and added that it is unlikely that the Republicans will consult with Democrats on the final report. He said that the actions of the Committee were most damning of all because they focused on Hillary Clinton.

    Chairman Trey Gowdy interrupted Schiff to throw a tantrum by claiming that he is out to get the facts, and no judgements have been made. Gowdy tried to hide behind the families of the Benghazi victims, but he provided no answers to Rep. Schiff’s claims.

    The Benghazi Select Committee has no credibility. Rep. Schiff turned the Republican talking point about facts around and used it against the GOP to prove that the hearing is an empty partisan fishing expedition that is designed to harm Hillary Clinton’s presidential candidacy.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hillary-clinton-benghazi-hearing-stakes-high_5628d6ece4b0ec0a389342d9?cc4vlsor

    ReplyDelete
  42. Trey Gowdy is yelling again.

    ReplyDelete
  43. The Trey Gowdy III family tree must only have one branch.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Anonymous11:18 AM

    http://news.yahoo.com/whiskey-five-hotel-6-biggest-145346607.html

    calling out the bullshit!

    ReplyDelete
  45. They are really gonna ride this Sidney Blumenthal pony? It matters how? that someone does or does not have her home address.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Really wish we had a "like" button for some of these comments!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cracklin Charlie9:41 PM

      I love when Gryphen does the live blog! Thanks, G!

      I never get to watch these things.

      Delete
  47. Anonymous11:36 AM

    As Sarah Palin hides behind anything she can find, Hillary is fearless and AWESOME!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Anonymous11:38 AM

    Trey 'Draco' Gowdy is sweating like a pig. He has good reason to; Madame Secretary is handing his ass to him.

    Sheesh

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She's just the middle man.

      He's pretty much handing his own ass to himself.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:36 PM

      Thanks for the reference to Draco...I was wondering who Gowdy reminded me of!

      Delete
    3. Anonymous1:03 PM

      They had 30 minute break and Draco comes back with sweat dripping down his face. Someone give that boy a powder puff at the next break! It's getting distracting!

      Sheesh

      Delete
  49. The Huffington Post headline is Clinton VS The Clowns.

    Bwa ha ha!

    ReplyDelete
  50. The GOP needs to stop. They are embarrassing themselves.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Round two is over.

    By my count Hillary is winning on points, though to be fair some of the most vicious blows absorbed by the Republicans have been self inflicted.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Anonymous12:37 PM

    Hillary should thank the GOP for today's hearing -- the "hearing" was a day-long advertisement for why she should be President and why Republicans should be slinging fries at McDonald's.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Anonymous12:41 PM

    Rep. Schiff DESTROYS Republicans With FACTS; Exposes Fraudulent Benghazi Schemers (VIDEO)

    http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/10/22/rep-schiff-destroys-republicans-with-facts-exposes-fraudulent-benghazi-schemers-video/

    Hillary SCHOOLS Disrespectful Republicans During Benghazi Shenanigans (VIDEO)

    http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/10/22/hillary-schools-disrespectful-republicans-during-benghazi-shenanigans-video/

    Rep. Elijah Cummings CRUSHES GOP’s ‘Baseless Accusations’ In Clinton Benghazi Hearing (VIDEO)

    http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/10/22/rep-elijah-cummings-crushes-gops-baseless-accusations-in-clinton-benghazi-hearing-video/

    ReplyDelete
  54. Anonymous1:09 PM

    Elizabeth Warren on Hillary Clinton

    Very interesting contrast between how progressive Hillary was as First Lady, and how corporate she became as senator on same issues

    https://vimeo.com/105062617

    ReplyDelete
  55. Anonymous1:38 PM

    Westmoreland....landing the %#&** plane and ask your question!

    Sheesh

    ReplyDelete
  56. Adam Schiff FTW again!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Anonymous1:43 PM

    Quick!....somebody grab the kitchen sink and toss it in 'cause nothing else is working.

    Sheesh

    ReplyDelete
  58. Anonymous1:47 PM

    If Hillary only knew that Rue-21 clothes (see-thru cargo pants and shoulderless blouses) are so much more credible than a Channel suit, maybe this would have ended after the first hearing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:51 PM

      Oh, and the camo wedgies would have just silled the dill!

      Delete
    2. Don't forget the peep toe camo fuck-me pumps.

      Delete
  59. Anonymous2:18 PM

    Couple of balloons for boobs too. She needs to say TOO ALSO to get the folksy talk going.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Anonymous2:44 PM

    Trey Gowdy destroys his own hearing: The Benghazi committee chairman goes completely off the rails

    The "serious investigation" into Benghazi turned into a loud, stupid argument

    http://www.salon.com/2015/10/22/trey_gowdy_destroys_his_own_hearing_the_benghazi_committee_chairman_goes_completely_off_the_rails/

    This is why you don’t mess with Hillary Clinton: How the GOP’s Benghazi crusade just crashed and burned

    If you're trying to score a political win against an opponent as formidable as Hillary, here's what *not* to do

    http://www.salon.com/2015/10/22/this_is_why_you_dont_mess_with_hillary_clinton_how_the_gops_benghazi_crusade_just_crashed_and_burned/

    ReplyDelete
  61. Anonymous3:23 PM

    The best jokes and comments are coming by way of Pompeo's questions, i.e. Did he have your cell number, did he have your home address?
    Were you BFFs? Were you Facebook Friends? Do you like Blumenthal more?

    ReplyDelete
  62. Anonymous3:36 PM

    I'm a bit late to the discussion, though it's still going on. This is a win win for Hillary. Try as they may, they can't get her to get all emotional nor feed into their lies, at one point, she was laughing while a few in the gang of idiots went at each other.
    Elijiah Cummings is a god! Every Democrat's called the gop out on their attempt to make it look like she doesn't/didn't care.
    She's calm, cool as a cucumber, knows her stuff, and comes off very presidential.
    Would love to see Donald Trump demand equal time in front of a committee of Democrats. Anyone using this for political purposes is a scumbag.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Well, its finally over. What an amazing woman she is. And what a bunch of sniveling, nasty vermin the baggers were.

    ReplyDelete

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