6:10 PM: Clinton tries to explain/spin that “there is no contradiction” regarding the administration’s spin that there was “no pre-planned attack” and the experts in Libya finding that there was a “well-planned attack.” She says that when the video footage of the attack arrived on September 18, “we needed to revisit our analysis” and the “CIA changed its assessment” of the attacks.
6:05 PM: Clinton: “I believe to this day the video played a role” in the Benghazi attacks.
Jordan tells her the experts do not.
5:58 PM:
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH)
94%
to Clinton: “You Raised the Video”
In response to Clinton’s comments about some Members of Congress having raised the YouTube video, Jordan points out that Clinton raised the video in her initial statement at 10:08 PM EST on the night of the attacks about an “inflammatory video posted on the Internet.”Jordan notes that Clinton said that an inflammatory video “caused vicious behavior” that led to the death of four Americans.
Clinton then reads her initial statement in full and claims there was “no cause” and “no motive” presented in her statement.
Jordan again emphasizes that “what bothers us” is that Clinton told friends and other foreign leaders that the attacks were terrorism while leading the American public to believe it was a “spontaneous” attack in response to a YouTube video.
“Privately your story was much different than it was publicly,” Jordan tells her. “Your story privately is much different that what you were telling the American people…. That’s what bothers us.”
Here’s the State Department’s initial statement on the Benghazi attacks that Jordan was referencing:
I condemn in the strongest terms the attack on our mission in Benghazi today. As we work to secure our personnel and facilities, we have confirmed that one of our State Department officers was killed. We are heartbroken by this terrible loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and those who have suffered in this attack.
This evening, I called Libyan President Magariaf to coordinate additional support to protect Americans in Libya. President Magariaf expressed his condemnation and condolences and pledged his government’s full cooperation.
Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet. The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. Our commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation. But let me be clear: There is never any justification for violent acts of this kind.
In light of the events of today, the United States government is working with partner countries around the world to protect our personnel, our missions, and American citizens worldwide.
5:48 PM:
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA)
14%
tries to paint Blumenthal, who reportedly was the last person Clinton spoke to before her first national television interviews during the Monica Lewinsky affair, was just an annoying acquaintance who sent her unsolicited advice regarding Libya. Clinton, though, encouraged Blumenthal to send her the “unsolicited emails.” He says the Benghazi Committee called Clinton to testify because she is running for president and has “high poll numbers.”
