Poll: Majority back new Benghazi probe
Washington (CNN) - Around half the public says they support another congressional investigation into the Benghazi attack, according to a new national poll.
The reason?
The ABC News/Washington Post survey indicates that nearly six in ten say the Obama administration has tried to cover up the facts on the September 11, 2012 attack, which left U.S. ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three other Americans dead.
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As for Hillary Clinton, half of those questioned in the poll, which was released Tuesday, say they disapprove of how then-secretary of state handled the attack.
What's behind stepped up Republican attacks on Clinton
Steven's death was the first time a U.S. ambassador had been killed on duty in more than 30 years. The Benghazi attack has become a partisan flashpoint around the Obama administration's conduct of foreign policy. Republicans have sharply criticized the administration's handling of the matter from security preparations beforehand, to its response during the attack, and its slow-to-evolve public explanation after-the-fact.
And they have targeted the State Department, and especially Clinton, who is seriously considering a second run for the White House. If Clinton decides to launch a campaign, she'd instantly become the overwhelming front runner for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination.
According to the poll, 51% say they support another congressional investigation, with 42% saying the incident's been investigated enough already. As you can imagine, the survey indicates a wide partisan divide. Seventy-two percent of Republicans questioned say they back the new investigation, but that number drops to 52% among independents and just 31% among Democrats.
Fifty-eight percent say the Obama administration has tried to cover up the facts, with 32% saying it has honestly disclosed what it knows about what happened in Benghazi. Again there's a large partisan gap, with 84% of Republicans, 65% of independents, but only 30% of Democrats saying the administration has tried to cover things up.
Half of those questioned say they disapprove of how Clinton handled the attack, with 37% saying the approve. Once again, there's a partisan divide, with 78% of Republicans, 58% of independents, but only 22% of Democrats giving the former secretary of state a thumbs down on how she handled the incident.
Clinton testified about the attack last year in front of House and Senate hearings. But Republicans say there are still questions left unanswered.
Clinton said earlier this year that Benghazi was her biggest regret during the four years she served as America's top diplomat.
"It was a terrible tragedy losing four Americans, two diplomats and now it is public so I can say two CIA operatives," Clinton said at a speech in New Orleans.
With the much anticipated release of "Hard Choices," Clinton's memoir of her years as American's top diplomat, just a week away, GOP attacks on her have increased.
Last week the chapter of the book that deals with Benghazi was leaked. As reported by Politico, the chapter highlights Clinton's defense of how she responded to the attack, as well as criticism of Republicans who Clinton says play politics with the deadly assault.
In the chapter, Clinton writes, "As Secretary I was the one ultimately responsible for my people's safety, and I never felt that responsibility more deeply than I did that day."
Clinton, writing in "Hard Choices," also appeared to suggest that she won't take part in the investigation or any of the committee's hearings.
"I will not be a part of a political slugfest on the backs of dead Americans," Clinton writes. "It's just plain wrong, and it's unworthy of our great country. Those who insist on politicizing the tragedy will have to do so without me," wrote Clinton.
CNN Senior Congressional Producer Deirdre Walsh contributed to this story
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trading five high level terrorists/taliban leaders for one low level deserter was insane. just another day on the funny farm called the obama adminstration. so are we now going to see him court martial and thrown in jail here? if he is a deserter, that is exactly what should happen.
Wake Up People! Many Rivers to cross.....
Unfortunately the American populace is dumb as dirt these days. With unreality TV being so popular no wonder so many people just listen for soundbites. Hillary says what difference does it make what the cause of the attack was and Fox turns it into what difference does it make Ambassador Stevens is dead. And the MSM runs with it.
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Thank you for identifying how Obama won 2 terms. It all makes sense.
Sorry c-lo but if you check the uneducated tend to vote GOP.
Tommy G
The ABC News/Washington Post survey indicates that nearly six in ten say the Obama administration has tried to cover up the facts on the September 11, 2012 attack, which left U.S. ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three other Americans dead.
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Well, well, well, it appears a majority of the American people aren't as brain dead as the leftist whackjob gang in here would have us all believe! I guess the fact that the Obama administration has consistently lied about everything is finally sinking in with the American people. And they do NOT like being lied to.
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It appears that the majority of those polled have been bamboozled into this manufactured scandal. If the administration initially called the attack a response to a video, and then later changed to a terrorist attack.... ... so what. The truth came out within days of the attack.
What's left that has not been revealed? The facts about what happened on the ground during the attack. Amb. Stevens was missing, lost inside of a burning building, and presumed dead within the first hour of the eight hour event. Help was hours away, and so the order was given to evacuate the compound. End of story.
There's something else that the right wing doesn't want you to know about. While the U.S. is responsible for protecting its' own embassies, that protection is limited to embassy property. It is the responsibility of the host country to provide security near and around the embassy property, something which the Libyans had failed to provide. Why?
" Fox turns it into what difference does it make Ambassador Stevens is dead
These are the same people who just today have started comparing Bergdahl's father to the Taliban and saying he looks like one.
dave
but only 30% of Democrats saying the administration has tried to cover things up.
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it is called protecting the heir apparent to the throne at all costs, even denying reality and lying endlessly. what ever it takes. the ends justifies the means.
Tommy G
The ABC News/Washington Post survey indicates that nearly six in ten say the Obama administration has tried to cover up the facts on the September 11, 2012 attack, which left U.S. ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three other Americans dead.
-–
Well, well, well, it appears a majority of the American people aren't as brain dead as the leftist whackjob gang in here would have us all believe! I guess the fact that the Obama administration has consistently lied about everything is finally sinking in with the American people. And they do NOT like being lied to.
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This very same poll asked who do you trust overall to handle the nation's problems going forward...
Obama 43%
Republicans 38%
I am sure you are in complete agreement with that also. In the case, clearly, the majority are not berain dead.
c-lo
Wake Up People! Many Rivers to cross.....
Unfortunately the American populace is dumb as dirt these days. With unreality TV being so popular no wonder so many people just listen for soundbites. Hillary says what difference does it make what the cause of the attack was and Fox turns it into what difference does it make Ambassador Stevens is dead. And the MSM runs with it.
_______________________________________________________________
Thank you for identifying how Obama won 2 terms. It all makes sense.
===================================================================
Palin was a non-starter. She was simply not going to be elected to the #2 position in the government.
Romney turned himself into a non-starter on countless fronts. The final straw was the false Jeep ad, which the campaign defended despite Jeep denying that it was totally accurate. The campaign simply ignored Jeep.
c-lo
Wake Up People! Many Rivers to cross.....
Unfortunately the American populace is dumb as dirt these days. With unreality TV being so popular no wonder so many people just listen for soundbites. Hillary says what difference does it make what the cause of the attack was and Fox turns it into what difference does it make Ambassador Stevens is dead. And the MSM runs with it.
_______________________________________________________________
Thank you for identifying how Obama won 2 terms. It all makes sense.
+++++++++++++
That is why the majority trust Obama to handle the nation's problems over than the Republicans.
Read the poll.
Speaking of dumb, how else would one explain right wing radio, reality tv, soap operas and FAUX News.......laughing all the way to the bank making millions off of the stupidity of others.....
Jesus, if this one more waste of money will satisfy the non believers than go ahead but I don't think it will do anything to clarify the situation anymore than it already has. I am not really sure what the GOP is crying about,it sure is not how to prevent something like this happening again. All this crap on a sentence on talking points that were suggested by the CIA not the WH. So go ahead waste more money & time when there is nothing better to spend our tax dollars,{sic}. I guess the GOP has done a good job in instilling doubt when there should not be,typical GOP tactic, lie,lie,lie and some will stick. I just think it is sick that the GOP has politicize this tragedy. Go ahead IDIOTS vote GOP,see what that will get you!
The war in Afghanistan ends this year. Just what would you proposed the US should do with Afghan POWs? It would be highly illegal to keep them after the war ends according to the Geneva Accords- so really, is this is just your usual anti-President blather, or do you really have a beef that is ground in reality?
They had all these people sign Non disclosures along with the IRS scandal and believe it or not even soldiers in this latest prisoner release ordeal. Anything they can do to muddy the waters and keep people from knowing the truth. Its sickening charade run by the Obama administration. "The most transparent administration". Isn't that laughable. They excel at a lot of things but it sure is not transparency or ethics.
'just asking – trading five high level terrorists/taliban leaders for one low level deserter was insane. just another day on the funny farm called the obama adminstration. so are we now going to see him court martial and thrown in jail here? if he is a deserter, that is exactly what should happen.'
You do realize that you have already DECIDED (without trial) that Bergdahl IS a deserter before you came up with the 'if he is a deserter' bit of your phrase, right?
Talk about lack of objectivism! Or slip of the tongue...
"" Fox turns it into what difference does it make Ambassador Stevens is dead
These are the same people who just today have started comparing Bergdahl's father to the Taliban and saying he looks like one."
...in between their sessions of deepthroating the Taliban-bearded Duck Dynasty fakers of course....
So al the previous Benghazi investigations that sepnt millions of dollars were run by incompetents?!?! And THIS one will get to the bottom of things?!?! How? By providing different answers somehow? And what happens when it dosen't find anything new? Will there be another investigation? Aye... There is no there, there...
"These are the same people who just today have started comparing Bergdahl's father to the Taliban and saying he looks like one."
Yeah. I tried responding to your comment earlier. It's the beard. It has a "Taliban" shape to it.
@rs
The war in Afghanistan ends this year. Just what would you proposed the US should do with Afghan POWs? It would be highly illegal to keep them after the war ends according to the Geneva Accords- so really, is this is just your usual anti-President blather, or do you really have a beef that is ground in reality?
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We may be out of Afghanistan this year but the war ain't over, not by a long shot.. The theater of operations is spreading from Asia to Africa. Militant Islam is just getting warmed up.
And after the first plane struck the building, some thought it was a terrible accident. I guess they were liars. And after the second plane struck a building, some thought Saddam was behind it. They must have been liars, too...
Sheesh!
We never got the truth about wmds in Iraq,where is the outrage
This is one time Hillary won't be able to cover her ass. Kiss the presidency goodbye.
Lynda/Minnesota
Hey, Rudy NYC. I don't know if you'll see this comment or not, but here is that poll I predicted 🙂
Mr. Ben Ghazi is gaining momentum.
Rah. Rah.
Why haven't we seen any pictures of Ben Ghazi? Hillary is obviously hiding something.
More wasted time and Americans tax payers Money. Jesus H Christ, will this waste by the republicans ever stop.
Yes, it will stop if Americans vote these wasteful republicans Out Of Office now!!
I'm sure after reading your post Dean, she'll run for the hills, why is it the dumbest bloggers on here think they know it all, its almost comical.
"Why haven't we seen any pictures of Ben Ghazi? Hillary is obviously hiding something."
At this point what difference does it make if Ben Ghazi is real or not so real. The MSM has their narrative and we're being told 24/7 just how important we ought to think Ben Ghazi will be for the up and coming election.
Hides the fact that GOPerville has nothing ... absolutely nothing ... going for the betterment of America besides make believe fantasy. I'm beginning to think even our MSM are living in their own precious bubble to consistently push GOPerville talking points as gospel.
Ah, well. It's a strange new America we're living in. Patriotism and love of country pushed aside by rants of the lowest common denominator being generated by the lowest common denominator among us.