Watching a 'scandal' evaporate before our very eyes

[ProSense]

Watching a 'scandal' evaporate before our very eyes

By Steve Benen

Rachel noted on the show last night that the controversy surrounding Benghazi effectively "went away" yesterday, and given the latest information, it's hard to imagine how any serious person could disagree.

The White House yesterday afternoon released the inter-agency communications that went into crafting the "talking points" requested by Congress last September. Lawmakers already saw these materials months ago -- they found nothing controversial at the time -- but Republicans and the media decided it was time to see them again...we learned what we already knew: there was no cover-up; State and the CIA engaged in a predictable bureaucratic "tug of war"; and this:

The internal debate did not include political interference from the White House, according to the e-mails, which were provided to congressional intelligence committees several months ago.

And with that, everything Republican conspiracy theorists desperately wanted Americans to believe -- there's a scandal; there's a cover-up; there's evidence the White House manipulated and lied about a crisis for political ends -- suddenly evaporated before our very eyes...note that most sensible people realized the right's conspiracy theories were wrong, which is why the so-called "controversy" was relegated to Republican media, until last Friday's report from ABC News pushed the story into the mainstream. That ABC News report, we now know, was wrong.

There's just nothing left. Trying to characterize this as a genuine political story worthy of attention has been a misguided partisan exercise for months, but now, it's reached the point of ridiculousness. Every reporter saying the White House is engulfed in "three scandals" is misleading the public -- there was a deadly attack against a U.S. diplomatic outpost last year, which left four Americans dead. It was a tragedy; it was not a political controversy.

Put a fork in the Benghazi story; it's done.

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/16/18295499-watching-a-scandal-evaporate-before-our-very-eyes

"Every reporter saying the White House is engulfed in 'three scandals' is misleading the public"

That's our GOP shill media.

[graham4anything]

1. all 3 now proven as dirty tricks. And the public saw through it all.Obama roped the dopes again.

a complete knockout.

And the people are the beneficiary, come 2016, Hillary will win 115 million popular votes and maybe 500 electoral votes.
Can we hope for 538-0?

[Chipper Chat]

17. 531-7

"Inhoffoklahoma"

[MNBrewer]

30. Oh BROTHER!!

[Cirque du So-What]

2. "Every reporter saying the White House is engulfed in 'three scandals' is misleading the public"

Absolutely GD right. Despite backpedalin' & crawfishin' on the part of *some* so-called journalists & pundits, those who continue to flagellate the deceased equine are a prime example of the partisanship and hypocrisy inherent to corporate media.

[tavalon]

25. Deceased Equine

I love that!

[tblue37]

29. Even the ones on our side keep referring to the "Benghazi scandal," as if there were actually

something "scandalous" involved--other than the scandalous behavior of the Republicans, I mean. That woman who was on O'Donnell's most recent show kept saying "the Benghazi scandal," even though she clearly is on our side and was criticizing the Republicans for whipping up a fake scandal!

Dems have no sense about how to use language effectively!

[Ilsa]

42. Yeah, earlier on Brashir's program

The reporter from The Grio (SP?) finally got the Republican to say outpost that "the previous administration" brought aboard the head of the IRS. I wanted them to say "Bush Administration" so there would be no confusion that it could have been the first Obama Administration.

[BlueCaliDem]

39. "Flagellate the deceased equine". I love it! eom

[Rosa Luxemburg]

41. They want voters to think that Big Government is bad

GOP wants you to think that Big Government is abusing powers, obtrusive and intimidating. it was far worse under the Bushes and the lawmakers for the House of Reps today are non other that the Republicans ie. the government.

[monmouth3]

3. Down the road when another potential "scandal" is unearthed, I'm sure it will be ignored..n/t

[randome]

4. It should NOT be over!

An investigation into the forged emails is definitely warranted!

[hr]
[font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font]
[hr]

[Berlum]

7. +1 - why did republicans forge the emails about Benghazi?

Don't republicans have any honesty or integrity?

[randome]

11. Sarcasm?

Kidding!

[hr]
[font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font]
[hr]

[NewJeffCT]

13. I'm sure Rep. Issa will be all over that

[libodem]

15. true dat

[uponit7771]

22. +1

[Enrique]

5. it evaporated several months ago

Hillary's testimony was the last chapter of the story.

[efhmc]

20. I thought so too but here it is AGAIN!!!

[zeemike]

23. That's because it is not over till THEY say it is over;.

And sense they have the vast majority of the media on their payroll they can keep it going as long as they like.
I think we are naive to think that just because the truth is reveled they will suddenly stop repeating the talking points...it never happened in the past and it will not happen this time ether....and no one in the MSM will hold them accountable for it.

[cheapdate]

35. I share your expectation. The Whitehouse email release means nothing to these people.

They'll see this thing through to the bitter end. They'll want more and more emails and documents until they eventually create a "showdown" with the administration.

[hog]

6. truth

Keep in mind that no Republican has won the White House in a fair election since 1988. That should make us all feel good.

[cui bono]

43. I don't feel very good that 2 elections were stolen and there were no repercussions. n/t

[southernyankeebelle]

8. Lthat et's see now where O where is that "lamestream" media? I'm sick of hearing

the media is left leaning when it isn't close to the case.

[ucrdem]

9. There's nothing left, true,

but when has that ever stopped the swiftboaters? But this is still good news. K/R.

[efhmc]

21. Absolutely correct. The truth just makes them angrier and more determined.

[lastlib]

10. The "smoking gun" was only a bong................

[Cha]

28. Touche, lastlib! n/m

[Hekate]

32. Snap!

[NewJeffCT]

12. Has this gone beyond the Maddow Blog

and hit the mainstream media yet?

[denverbill]

14. Yes, and it will 'reappear' in 2016. 'Remember the Bengazi scandal?' they'll say about Hillary.

Despite the fact that there was no scandal and no crime and no proof of any wrong-doing whatsoever.

And a few low-information voters will 'remember' it well.

[Laurian]

16. The time and money spent on this bogus investigation is

what pisses me off. Both the time and money could have been used to address real problems that need attention....sequestration, jobs, gun violence prevention, etc., etc., etc.

[xtraxritical]

18. Or 35 votes in Congress to abolish the Affordable Care Act...

[jeff47]

37. 37 votes. (nt)

[librechik]

19. besides they have a new voodoo doll--the IRS!

what fun! Let's make a harmless doll into a huge evil monster! BOO!

[Rex]

24. Bengazi - STRIKE ONE! AP - STRIKE TWO! IRS - STRIKE THREE!

HEY GOP...YOU ARE OUTTA HERE!!! Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out now!

[louis-t]

26. Any reporter who says IRS was "auditing" teabaggers

is also lying.

[Cha]

27. "GOP shill media" so wanted the ratings.. sucks to be them. Tweet from Joy Reid..

Joy Reid @TheReidReport

You know what's messed up? When CNN is correcting your reporting... #whoopsABC #whoopsWeeklyStandard #BenghaziShambles

http://theobamadiary.com/

Thanks for Steve Benen, ProSense..

[Hekate]

31. KnR and thanks a bunch for this

[DCBob]

34. I think the testimony by Pickering, if allowed by Issa-the-Assa, will completely finish it off.

He will make them look even more foolish and partisan than they already are.

[Roland99]

36. The Weekly Standard begs to differ

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022854571


they just won't let it go.

Apparently, Carney is guilty of lying (which, in the rwingnut mindset, means Obama should be impeached)

[Douglas Carpenter]

38. well I always thought the Benghazi "scandal" was a bunch of B.S. except to the extent that there was

usual bureaucratic ruffle and fog that always happens.

The IRS business is not good - but in terms of it being pinned on the White House - there is no evidence to support that.

The AP - Telephone record business is the one area that there could be a very legitimate cause for alarm. that. Sure the ACLU, the entire civil liberties and press freedom community, libertarians and left-wingers and a number of media people will be quite upset and justifiably so. But neither the Republican Party or the public at large are going to jump all over that. The Republicans will want to keep that option for themselves and the public will believe that some sacrifice of constitutional rights are necessary in order to protect the public against terrorism.

[Tx4obama]

40. And the IRS one will fade away pretty soon too, see links below

GOP Rep Claims Responsibility For AP Surveillance

Here: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/05/16/no-choice-gop-congressman-cites-national-security-defends-doj-investigation-of-ap-video/

and

GOP Congressman Defends DOJ Surveillance: ‘They Are Doing What We Asked Them To Do’

Here: http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/05/15/2013511/gop-congressman-defends-doj-surveillance-they-are-doing-what-we-asked-them-to-do/

[Scurrilous]

44. K & R

[Rex]

45. And new ones, real ones blooming turds for the GOP!

They are going to get CAUGHT in Congress lying their ASSESS OFF! HAHAHAHAHA!!!

The GOP is going to get some real scandals against them, that they caused by creating the bullshit scandals they created out of cloth!

OH MAN, I am in a good mood now!

[dotymed]

46. That's okay.

The Wonderwall" just informed us that Taylor Smith purchased another mansion.
$17 million ...in cash.
That should make us ALL feel bright and shiny 8)

[truth2power]

47. Just because the Republicans are shilling this, (and they are) doesn't mean there isn't

more to be said.