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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsElizabeth Warren on Benghazi
Earlier this week, Speaker John Boehner announced the formation of a new select committee to investigate Benghazi led by Rep. Trey Gowdy.
All three of my brothers served in the military, and I know firsthand how much Americans serving abroad -- and their families -- sacrifice. What happened in Benghazi on Sept. 11, 2012 was a tragedy. Four Americans died putting themselves in harm's way in service to peace, diplomacy, and their country. I look at what happened in Benghazi with sadness, with seriousness, and as yet another call to honor the men and women who keep us safe.
So let me be blunt: that kind of seriousness is sorely missing from the no-holds-barred political theater of the House Republicans.
I know a little bit about the way Trey Gowdy pursues oversight. I was on the other end of it when I was setting up the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and I was called to testify before the House. As the Huffington Post reported at the time, Gowdy's interrogation of me "seemed to lack the basic facts" about the agency he was attempting to oversee. I'd like you to read their reporting on one of these exchanges just so you know what this Benghazi "investigation" is likely to look like:
Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) grilled Warren on whether the bureau would make public the complaints it gets. She answered that the complaint issue was a work in progress, but that at the very least, there was progress in creating a system for large credit card companies.
"Are any of the complaints public?" Gowdy demanded.
"Congressman, we don't have any complaints yet," Warren said of the still-nascent agency. "What we're trying to do is build the system."
Gowdy also seemed to think that Warren had written the Dodd-Frank law, and he was determined to know what Warren meant by defining "abusive" practices as something that "materially interferes" with the ability of a consumer to understand a term or a condition.
"That suggests to me that some interferences are immaterial. Is that what you meant by that?" he asked a momentarily perplexed-looking Warren.
"Congressman, I believe the language you are quoting is out of the Dodd-Frank act," she said. "This is the language that Congress has adopted."
Still, Gowdy insisted on her answer, although the definitions and regulations required by the law are still being written.
As a Senator, I take oversight seriously because it is powerfully important. But Trey Gowdy gives oversight a bad name. The House GOP is on a waste-of-time-and-resources witch hunt and fundraising sideshow, shamefully grasping for any straw to make President Obama, former Secretary Clinton, or Secretary Kerry look bad. This stunt does a disservice to those who serve our country abroad, and it distracts us from issues we should be taking up on behalf of the American people.
With millions of people still out of work and millions more working full time yet still living below the poverty line, with students drowning in debt, with roads and bridges crumbling, is this really what the House Republicans are choosing to spend their time on? Even for guys who have so few solutions to offer that they have voted 54 times to repeal Obamacare, this is a new low.
House Republicans are doing whatever they can to distract the American people from what's really going on in Washington a rigged system that works great for those who have armies of lobbyists and lawyers but that leaves everyone else behind. A system in which Republicans protect tax breaks for billionaires while they block increases in the minimum wage for millions of people who work full time and live in poverty. A system in which Republicans give away billions of dollars in subsidies to Big Oil while making billions in profits off of our kids' student loans.
It's wrong, and it's shameful.
Thank you,
Elizabeth
randys1
(16,286 posts)such hateful, stupid, ignorant, assholes...
Cha
(297,180 posts)hateful, stupid, ignorant, assholes... imho.
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)No bullshit, straight to the point. She could have the presidency if she wants it, even with the "Democrats" throwing full body blocks against her.
K & R
oneofthe99
(712 posts)unlike a female ex- senator that has been bought and paid for by corporations.
Plucketeer
(12,882 posts)You sure won't hear such straightforward and definitive talk from the other female contender. She's deftly traversing a field of billionaires herself! Hard to sound off for "alligator control" when you're in the swamp and trying to NOT draw their attentions.
demigoddess
(6,640 posts)after Senator Warren has some time in the Senate I would be happy to vote for her in 2020 or so. Who says that we can have only one female, democratic president! the more the merrier, especially when they keep the WH from the hands of male chauvinist republicans.
malaise
(268,962 posts)Rec
azureblue
(2,146 posts)to questions about this ginned up "scandal"? "Sirs, then, if you are so concerned, then please explain why you cut embassy security spending not once, but twice? Your cuts are directly responsible for the deaths at the embassy. We demand an answer, right now,before any other questions are asked. Start at the basic failure, and that is the lack of a full security team at Benghazi. The GOP cut the funding, and people died because of it"
No matter what questions the GOP will ask, this should be the only response.
wildbilln864
(13,382 posts)Scuba
(53,475 posts)Spazito
(50,325 posts)Why would you want someone you think is disingenuous to be President? I think she is a very honest, direct person for whom I have great respect. She has said she is not going to run to become the Democratic candidate for the Presidency in 2016, said it many times in fact, and I take her at her word.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)Also, changing one's mind doesn't equate to disingenuousity, but good try.
Spazito
(50,325 posts)"I'm not running for president and I plan to serve out my term," Warren said at a news conference for Boston mayor-elect Marty Walsh, the Herald reported. Pressed further, Warren said she would "pledge to serve out my term."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/12/04/elizabeth-warren-i-am-not-running-for-president/
"Im not running for president, Warren said.
So theres no way youre going to run in 2016?
Im not running for president. You can ask it lots of different ways. But I wrote this book because we cant wait longer. Its written out of gratitude for my start and the opportunities that America built for me, and how I think thats what weve got to do again. Im committed to that."
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/04/21/elizabeth-warren-flatly-states-that-she-is-not-running-for-president-in-2016.html
(CBS News video of Ms. Warren stating "I'm not running for president" is also on the above link.
There are more examples I could include but I think these should satisfy your request for citations.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)... between "I'm not running" and "I'm not going to run".
I have yet to see reports where she definately ruled it out.
Spazito
(50,325 posts)"I'm not running" isn't definitive enough for you, wow.
ChisolmTrailDem
(9,463 posts)lack of political knowledge on your part. You've been here a long time. Are you seriously saying that Warren's statement is definitive for someone as intelligent and thoughtful as she is? Do you not think she is incapable of holding her cards until the time is right?
The plain simple fact of the matter is that right at this moment, no she isn't running for president. And I take her at her word. One year from now, who knows. She probably doesn't know. But I will find you the quote, if you need me to, where she was asked (paraphrasing) "Are you going to run for president?" Her answer: "I am not running for president." I don't know how you can get "definitive" from that.
Spazito
(50,325 posts)"Are you seriously saying that Warren's statement is definitive for someone as intelligent and thoughtful as she is?"
Ms. Warren is a straight talker, a person of integrity and not one to play games. She has stated numerous times she is NOT running for President. She has stated her intent to carry through on her pledge to serve out her term and NOT run for the Presidency.
I find it quite fascinating that some seem to want her to be disingenuous, a trait they abhor in other politicians, and refuse to take her at her word. On the one hand, her honest, straight-forward manner and refusal to play political games are why some want her to run yet refuse to accept those same traits as genuine when she states she is NOT running.
Fascinating.
ChisolmTrailDem
(9,463 posts)Spazito
(50,325 posts)an old English proverb that seems to be appropriate to use as a response to your post.
ChisolmTrailDem
(9,463 posts)Spazito
(50,325 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)strongly suggest to her, not to run. If she bucks the system she may have a hard time in the future.
As you can see the Blue Dogs dont want her to run. They will claim that if circumstances change and she does, then she is a no good liar. These same posters seem to forgive Pres Obama for all the promises he forgot.
Draft Sen Warren in 2016. Vote no to a Clinton/Bush contest.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Scuba
(53,475 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)davidpdx
(22,000 posts)I'm close to being on board. It won't happen overnight, but I am very interested.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Seeing as she told those of us who campaigned so hard for her, who worked our asses off to get her elected in a tough campaign, that she PLEDGED to us that she would finish out her term?
If she doesn't do that, finish out the six year term to which she was elected, she's lying to someone....and I don't think she is a liar.
Progressive dog
(6,900 posts)allow for misunderstanding.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)claiming that situations change.
Remember, if you want to give Jeb a chance, nominate Clinton. And of course, if he wins blame Nader or the Left.
Progressive dog
(6,900 posts)because you want Elizabeth Warren to break hers.
I don't care if Jeb gets a chance, I expect the Republicans will have a candidate in 2016 even if Jeb doesn't get it. I also believe that my
party will pick one, and it might not be Warren or Hillary.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)is fine because you want Elizabeth Warren to break hers." I was pointing out the hypocrisy of holding Sen Warren to a pledge when Pres Obama is given a pass. And I expect that it is most likely that the Party will choose a corporatist with close ties to Wall Street if for no other reason than Citizens United money. The oligarchs dont have all their eggs in the REpublican basket.
As a self-described "progressive" maybe you can shed some light on something. There seems to be a normally very vocal group that is apparently boycotting subjects like net neutrality. I find it very odd that not one of this group that claim to be liberal are interested in discussing, either pro or con, a subject as important as net neutrality.
Progressive dog
(6,900 posts)I'm sure I got it right. You said that it's okay for Warren to break pledges because Obama did.
Then you ran out of argument and decided that I can't be a Progressive because I have not weighed echoing whatever your important view is on net neutrality. You should first state what you think "net neutrality" means.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)a certain desperation. And "You should first state what you think "net neutrality" means." No, you are the one that is silent about the subject. Your whole Group seems to be boycotting net neutrality threads. Hmmm.
Progressive dog
(6,900 posts)to deny saying what you keep repeating.
You should at least try to tie it in to the OP when you change the subject.
SallyAnn
(12 posts)Perhaps an open mind, along with open eyes would help you see where she HAS ruled it OUT. But don't worry, she will be staying a Senator, and she is a damn good one at that.
merrily
(45,251 posts)I am not saying Warren will run for President. I am saying that denying Presidential plans is common.
mopinko
(70,089 posts)i dont think she is going to run either, but when you run for president, you make your announcement when you make their announcement. those that dont understand this basic thing about politics strike me as not operating in the reality based universe.
merrily
(45,251 posts)Many deny or give non-commital answers, until they announce.
And until they do announce--or it's clearly too late to announce--speculation may be fun, but it doesn't really get anywhere.
Spazito
(50,325 posts)such as 'I am focused on the issues before us' (note the non-answer answer) or they say 'I haven't considered it' or 2016 is far away, I'm focused on 2014.' The answers are given without a definitive NO.
Elizabeth Warren has given the definitive NO on multiple occasions.
It is those who refuse to understand the difference in the way potential candidates answer the question and the way those who are NOT interested in running answer the question that seem to have difficulty in understanding the "reality based universe."
It is amazing to me some want her to be lying, a trait normally abhorrent to the same people.
mopinko
(70,089 posts)sheesh. the rest of us get that that is politics. you are the one stuck on it as a lie.
get over it.
Spazito
(50,325 posts)answers that are, in reality, non-answers, answers couched in away that give the respondent an 'out'. Senator Warren did not couch her answers, they are and have been a clear "I am not running for President". I understand 'politics' quite well and can understand the difference in answers given, it is unfortunate other cannot or will not accept the reality of her decision.
Hippo_Tron
(25,453 posts)UTUSN
(70,684 posts)Last edited Fri May 9, 2014, 01:08 PM - Edit history (1)
The nature of wingnut-ism is its intellectual LIMITATION. Even when they have reputations for having impressive credentials (reputations, as opposed to actually living up to the credentials), such as William F. BUCKLEY the supposed intellectual; and this GOWDY the Federal attorney, what soon becomes clear is that the bottom line reason for being a WINGNUT is that the mental capacity is LIMITED.
That is, they have a set of METAPHYSICAL beliefs: A CLOSED system of beliefs. Not open-ended, not INQUIRING. They START with BELIEFS about what Truth is, NOT performing an exercise in following OBSERVATIONS to a FINDING of a Truth.
When-oh-when will all of these clowns CRUZ, GOHMERT, and countless more whack-a-mole wingnuts face their Army-McCARTHY moment?!
*********QUOTE********
"Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!1"
napkinz
(17,199 posts)Cha
(297,180 posts)Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(107,943 posts)That can't be his real hair.
Major Hogwash
(17,656 posts)Cripes, how does a guy like that get elected?
zeemike
(18,998 posts)I admit it, I am in love with her.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)...refuse toe extend unemployment benefits.
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)50 or so repeals to Obamacare and now a bullshit clown show on Benghazi for profit.
totodeinhere
(13,058 posts)I hope that everybody caught her interview on the Diane Rehm show on NPR earlier this week. If not the interview has been archived on the show's website.
I really wish that she would reconsider and run for president. She would make a great president and we really need her.
brer cat
(24,560 posts)for always speaking truth to power.
K&R
yellowwoodII
(616 posts)Elizabeth Warren, the only Democratic candidate whom I could support wholeheartedly.
geretogo
(1,281 posts)back then . They are trying to form a Corporate Theocracy with a High Priest with authoritarian
rule over the people and any one that resists will be put on trial in the form of an Inquisition and found to be an enemy
of the Holy Corporate State with prison terms or worse . These sub human creatures need to be eliminated or they are
going to eliminate us .
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(107,943 posts)We need more like Elizabeth.
Cha
(297,180 posts)Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)tblue37
(65,340 posts)Last edited Sat May 10, 2014, 11:53 AM - Edit history (1)
on student loans, so the lenders profit more than they should for such loans.
Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)is overly emotional whole being not totally factual. That is a slippery slope I thought she would not go down.
KoKo
(84,711 posts)The Wizard
(12,542 posts)Gowdy was caught selling naked JonBenet Ramsey pictures in the public restroom where he was also soliciting handjobs.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Zipgun
(182 posts)We need more people like her.
Turbineguy
(37,322 posts)allowing this to proceed will show many more people (who may be wondering who to vote for) a chance to see these clowns in action.
BeyondGeography
(39,370 posts)Love it.
I highly recommend her book. Truth to power in a masterpiece.