Banter Voices

House GOP Describes Fox News As “We” During Benghazi Hearing

By Oliver Willis · October 10,2012

A funny thing happened in the middle of the House GOP’s big show hearing on Wednesday about security lapses in Benghazi. No, not the revelation earlier in the day that the GOP was against security enhancements in Egypt before they were against them, but a slip of the tongue from Tea Party heartthrob Jason Chaffetz while he was in the middle of huffing and puffing. Watch the video here:

Mysteriously the state department decided to give a press briefing last night. We weren’t invited — certain news outlets weren’t invited.

What’s he talking about? Well, last night Fox News’ Special Report complained that they were not invited to a conference call from the State Department about the Benghazi attacks. Nothing super-secret happened — you can read the transcript of the briefing here for yourself.

But it was a media availability, not a congressional one. Kind of odd for one of the Republicans who has been orchestrating this whole thing (and an official Romney surrogate from Utah who got a speaking spot at the RNC convention) to refer to Fox as “we” and be miffed about not getting an invite.

M2

Dennis was laying ground for this drivel hours ago. Lulz.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/261623-conservatives-say-debate-moderator-letting-biden-steamroll-ryan
oi ly

It’s gonna be bum rush on Limbaugh tomorrow. Should be a hoot.
M2

The CBS flash poll has Biden creaming Ryan. CNN has Ryan winning by 4. Fox News has butthurt.
- M2
  
  And CNN oversampled Republicans.
  
  Notice no wingnuts breathlessly running in with poll numbers. Gosh, I wonder why?
  - Plunket
    
    No wingnuts post here.
    
    Steelers were on, and so were two ALDS baseball games. Plus the Super Bowl of debates was last week. I’m just glad Joe didn’t get completely demolished like Obama did, because you guys have been despondent for a solid week now. Hopefully you can get back in the ring now at least. Oily and Wilbur practically went into hiding.
    - oi ly
      
      Actually, I went on a small holiday!
oi ly

“With all due respect that’s a load of malarkey … not a single thing he said was accurate … .”
M2

Aw, the GOP thinks Joe was too rough. Waaaah!
M2

Bill Maher: Hello 911? There’s an old man beating a child on my tv.
- oi ly
  
  Kids these days – you gotta smack them around once in a while.
oi ly

I missed the Rayn Pause on Choice. Hopefully it will be posted somewhere. Sounded like a doozy.
Plunket

<a href="http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/10/dnc_fires_employee_james_okeefe_video.php"TPM: DNC Fires Employee Featured In James O’Keefe Video

“Come up with like if anyone checks say ‘I don’t know.”

Gawd. Early and often.

“Huh? Wha? Who? Me? DId I do THAT?”,/i>

This is who they are.

This is what they do.
- Zython
  
  Calling it here. It will be revealed in December or January that O’Keefe doctored the video. People will be shocked for some reason. Nothing will happen to O’Keefe (since conservatives are above the law). Lather, rinse, repeat.
  - Plunket
    
    Calling it here. That DNC worker willingly aiding and abetting voter fraud will still be fired in December or January.
    - M2
      
      What about the GOP’s actual voter fraud right now, Dennis?
      - Zython
        
        Nope, voter fraud is a serious issue, which the Republicans are fixing with no ulterior motives whatsoever.
    - Zython
      
      O’Keefe was caught lying in regards to all of his previous videos, what the hell makes you think that one is being truthful?
      - Plunket
        
        Because whatever it is MMfA has convinced you of, ACORN was de-funded by the House by both Republicans and Democrats, Zython, based largely as a result of his and Hannah Giles’ video.
        
        The House 345-75, and the Senate 85-11.
        
        And the DNC wasted no time in firing the DNC worker conspiring to get someone to vote in two different states.
      - db
        
        Z,
        
        Dennis talks about using a fraudulent story to rush the defunding of ACORN as if he’s proud of it.
        
        Thanks for pointing out that Dennis is changing the subject when he discovers that we know the Republicans cut State Department Security funding.
        
        Needless to say there was much more interesting stuff to pay attention to over the last 4 hours. Not that Dennis ranks ever high on the list.
      - Zython
        
        I see. James O’Keefe should be trusted because he successfully fooled people before.
        
        I guess it’s from the same school of thought that states that anything is OK if you don’t get caught.
      - Plunket
        
        Your issue should be with your Democratic Senators and Congressmen who saw well enough on those tapes to be convinced that it was obvious the corruption at ACORN ran deep and was not worthy of taxpayer funds, Zython.
        
        Evidence was presented. Evidence was disputed, unconvincingly. A decision was rendered. Join in the appeal if it makes you feel better, but whining to me isn’t going to do you much good.
      - Zython
        
        Your issue should be with your Democratic Senators and Congressmen who saw well enough on those tapes to be convinced that it was obvious the corruption at ACORN ran deep and was not worthy of taxpayer funds, Zython.
        
        And I shouldn’t also have issue with the person who doctored the footage in the first place, why?
- Zython
  
  It’s like I said, some people like being lied to. The only other explanation is that Dennis has no pattern-recognition. In which case, it’s a miracle he’s lived as long as he has.
Zython

Alright. What would Romney have done differently?
- db
  
  Z,
  
  Remember the Republicans in Congress cut the budget for State Department Security.
  - Plunket
    
    Good boy, db, repeat the talking points fed to you and pretend Obama, Carney, Cutter, Rice and Hillary have just done a masterful job both in protecting our interests and in getting the American people the truth all along the way.
    
    You know what an adoring media and droid-like following of folks too afraid to ask this administration tough questions and hold them accountable like they did with the previous administrations? Last Thursday night’s debate performance.
    
    It’s quite apparent you’d like that to continue.
    - Zython
      
      Good boy, db, repeat the talking points fed to you
      
      Are you claiming the Republicans didn’t cut the budget for State Department Security?
      
      Obama, Carney, Cutter, Rice and Hillary have just done a masterful job both in protecting our interests and in getting the American people the truth all along the way.
      
      Or maybe the situation was a lot more complicated than we previously thought, and needs to be handled with more finesse? Issa’s committee sure didn’t, and now CIA operations have been compromised.
      - Plunket
        
        Finesse, Zython. When everyone knew they were spinning right off the bat? What kind of finesse is it when everyone knows they sounded like campaign advisors right after a debate telling everyone everything is ok?
        
        You can go back to the threads here, even you brainwashed guys weren’t buying the ‘spontaneous grassroots uprising as a result of a video’ story.
        
        That was nothing resembling finesse at all, not unless Obama, Hillary and Rice all thought they were dealing with a bunch of idiots all around the world.
      - Zython
        
        More finess than Issa’s committee, that’s for sure.
M2

Arguing by linking to the Washington Free Beacon (lulz) and calling it #winning.

When will it ever stop?

No, Mitt isn’t politicizing “9/11 II” at all. It’s something librul bloggers dreamt up.
- Zython
  
  No, Mitt isn’t politicizing “9/11 II” at all. It’s something librul bloggers dreamt up.
  - M2
    
    HA! Nice.
Plunket

Stephanie Cutter” ‘Benghazi Is Only an Issue ‘Because of Romney and Ryan’

Cutter is an embarrassment.

Update (4:13 p.m.): The Romney campaign responded to Cutter’s remark in a statement Thursday afternoon:

“President Obama’s campaign today said that Libya is only an issue because of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. They’re wrong. The reason it is an issue is because, for the first time since 1979, an American ambassador was assassinated and President Obama’s foreign policy strategy of ‘leading from behind’ is failing. This administration has continually misled the American public about what happened in Benghazi and, rather than be truthful about the sequence of events, has instead skirted responsibility and dodged questions. The American people deserve straight answers about this tragic event and a president who can provide leadership, not excuses.”

This.
- Christopher Foxx
  
  The American people deserve straight answers about this tragic event and a president who can provide leadership, not excuses.”
  
  Well, that rules Romney out.
M2

No, they’d never compromise American safety for political reasons. At least, that’s what I’ve been hearing for the last 3 days from our board wingnuts.

Issa is an embarrassment.
Zython

Oh, more info from the hearing. Apparently, the GOP blew the cover of CIA operatives. Go figure.
M2

More liberal conspiracies -

http://mediamatters.org/video/2012/10/11/foxs-varney-flat-out-embraces-jobs-numbers-cons/190543

When will it ever stop?
- Plunket
  
  Arguing by linking to MMfA and calling it #winning.
  
  When will it ever stop?
  - M2
    
    Yes, Dennis. I can’t quite compete with you. I mean, your devastating claim that I am a part of a conspiracy I never floated here is devastating. It takes a republican to talk straight out of his ass like that and not own up to it.
    
    But since you again have no response to MMFA, as per usual, I take it you and Varney are on the same page.
    
    Conspiracies abound!! Is Martha Radditz Obama’s lover?
    
    I am sure it’s coming.
    - Plunket
      
      Is Martha Radditz Obama’s lover?
      
      Most transparent president ever? Remember when he told you that?
      Remember when you swooned? Cried right there in Grant Park on his election night.
      
      Just flat-out lied to you.
      
      “Like it? They love it.”
      - M2
        
        Yeah the POTUS should have released a certified “trust me” letter – for transparency’s sake.
    - Zython
      
      BTW, it’s Raddatz.
      
      This is Radditz.
      - Plunket
        
        Backwards “B” Zython.
        
        Hahaha.
      - Zython
        
        Look, if you don’t get the joke, that’s fine. Don’t make up weird tangents to try to fit in. You’re an out-of-touch troglodyte. That’s who you are. Embrace it.
  - Zython
    
    It’s funny how conservatives dismiss MMfA, but can never give a valid reason as to why they should be dismissed. Dennis’s only beef with them seems to be that they employ young people.
    - Plunket
      
      I think they should pay taxes as a political organization who does work for the Justice Department. I would think they would want to pay taxes. You know, pay their fair share. Help out where they can to make this a better country. Health care. Help for the poor and disadvantaged.
      
      Don’t you, gamer-boi Zython?
      
      Think about that, they’re getting paid to write stories advocating other people pay more taxes, when they don’t pay any. And they’re your heroes. UFB.
      - Zython
        
        I think they should pay taxes as a political organization who does work for the Justice Department.
        
        Eh, if that becomes a problem, they can slap a crucifix in the lobby and claim they’re a church. Problem solved.
        
        Also, got any proof for you Justice Department conspiracy theories?
        
        Don’t you, gamer-boi Zython?
        
        There you go insulting people who play video games. How out-of-touch can you get?
        
        Think about that, they’re getting paid to write stories advocating other people pay more taxes, when they don’t pay any.
        
        Pretty sure the writers pay payroll and income taxes.
        
        Also, you still haven’t shown why what they write is incorrect. You’re just whining for the sake of whining.
      - M2
        
        Here’s the evidence: members of the Obama administration called Fox something along the lines of being an arm of the GOP and MMFA them the same thing.
        
        No, seriously. Also, water is wet and obvious is still a word some republicans may still recognize.
    - Christopher Foxx
      
      Dennis’s only beef with them seems to be that they employ young people.
      
      No, his beef is that they keep pointing out that reality just isn’t what Dennis desperately needs it to be.
Plunket

“Romney’s lies made Obama stupid and forget that he wants to be president. Then talk about Big Bird for a week” – The OW Five
Zython

“Liar!Liar!Liar!” wasn’t staunching the bleeding.

Well, I guess some people just like being lied to. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have the GOP. At least, not the way it is now.
- Plunket
  
  Gosh, Zython, do you remember the last time we had a Republican president and you resorted to impersonating a conservative blogger and you posted the most hatefully racist screed you could think of at the time?
  
  Just wondering, if Biden bombs tonight like Obama did last week, are you going to draw a backward ‘R” on your face and claim that some crazy white person mugged you and did that to you?
  - Zython
    
    Gosh, Zython, do you remember the last time we had a Republican president and you resorted to impersonating a conservative blogger and you posted the most hatefully racist screed you could think of at the time?
    
    Can’t say that rings a bell.
    
    Just wondering, if Biden bombs tonight like Obama did last week, are you going to draw a backward ‘R” on your face and claim that some crazy white person mugged you and did that to you?
    
    You mean there are sane white people?
    - M2
      
      You mean there are sane white people? – Zython
      
      Well, if he’s your sample, then no.
  - db
    
    Gee Phlunk,
    
    You got evidence about what you’re saying about Zython? Shooting off your mouth is one thing. Charges like this require substantiation. But watch, you’ll change the subject.
    
    Rich, white, guys are mugging us every day of the week. Polluting our air & water. Dumping cyanide in the ground water. Strip-mining our mountains. …
    - Plunket
      
      OMG, another Excitable Andy at this collective like Marco.
      
      Dude, there are three more debates, and a boatload of cash for Obama coming in from unidentified foreign sources. Chill out, will ya.
      
      Yes, as a matter of fact I do. And he’s admitted to it as well. He didn’t just impersonate someone with fictitious nym, he posted as an actual person using their legal name and he did it with the name linking back to her personal blog. At Sadly No!, a place known for nym-stealing, even the dirtbags there thought what he did went way beyond the line of what they considered sleazy (at least at the time).
      - db
        
        Are you really complaining about secret funding for campaigns? Turning against “Citizens United” are we?
        
        If you’re talking about Zython, all you’re doing is more talking. Your assertions are not facts.
      - Christopher Foxx
        
        Yeah, Dude, chill out. There are three more debates, and a boatload of cash and a second yacht full of drugged underage sex slaves coming in for Romney from unidentified foreign sources.
- M2
  
  Like it? They love it.
M2

More leftist conspiracies.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/10/darrell-issa-investigation-jobs-report.php?ref=fpnewsfeed

And this from a leftist congressman!!!
Christopher Foxx

the GOP was against security enhancements in Egypt before they were against them

Clearly I’m behind in keeping up. We’re complaining about consistency now?
Zython

It’s little things like this that show the priorities of the GOP. Like when Mike Pence let his true intentions slip out.
Plunket

The five OW.com commenters here called tin foil hat brigade by the Obama campaign for peddling lunatic conspiracy theory.

Obama Campaign Calls Supporters Saying Romney Cheated In Debate The ‘Tinfoil Hat Crowd’

Baier addressed the theory and said that some in the conservative media have alleged that the story about Romney’s cheat sheet must have originated with the Obama camping itself.

Baier quoted Charles Hurt, a columnist with The Washington Times, who said “stories like that do not move on their own. Under the protection of anonymity, it was most assuredly Obama campaign operatives calling reporters and pushing them to follow that bogus story.”

“No,” LaBolt told Fox News when asked for comment on the allegation. “We’ve never casted our lot with the tinfoil hat crowd.”

Haha. As if, Ben.
- M2
  
  Really? I was in on the conspiracy? News to me.
  
  Not that being wrong ever stopped you before, and of course, as per usual, nothing to say on topic.
  
  Speaking of conspiracies, remember the evil plot libruls unfolded to photoshop teabags on tea partier heads? How’d that work out for you?
  - db
    
    Marco,
    
    It’s off topic, but do you remember Fox “News” going all balistic because the political polls were rigged by the “Liberal Media/Pollster Elite”?
    
    Not that I paid close attention but did you go down the “cheat-sheet” road?
    - M2
      
      Hey we always go off topic, but Dennis uses every thread for his personal vendettas and gets a sad when the Fox News Mothership gets called what it is. It’s the reason he gets a special shout.
      
      He loves the attention anyway.
      
      Fox has gone nutty over the poll conspiracy and the 7.8 conspiracy and Solyandra and “9/11 II.”
      
      They’re probably not mentioned the fact that the House GOP cut funds for embassy defense in 2010, but you never know.
      - Plunket
        
        Ha.
        
        When liberal bloggers start to panic and need to splash some cold water on their faces and calm down their followers by distracting them from the polls, they always summon up something obscure from Fox News.
        
        Axelrod must’ve seen some internal polling that told him that invoking Big Bird and “Liar!Liar!Liar!” wasn’t staunching the bleeding.
        
        Oliver: Let’s see, what else, what else……Oh yeah! But Fox News!!!
        
        50 kids at MMfA watching FOX all day long, including now the 3:00AM Greg Gutfield broadcast, and this is the biggest and boldest strategy item. Good lord.
      - M2
        
        When liberal bloggers start to panic and need to splash some cold water on their faces and calm down their followers by distracting them from the polls, they always summon up something obscure from Fox News. – Dennnis
        
        But we’re the conspiracy nuts.
      - Christopher Foxx
        
        Plunket: they always summon up something obscure from Fox News
        
        Yeah. Those features stories and headlines are really hard to find.
M2

Just a 24hr news network actively working against the democratically elected President of the United States.

What’s wrong with that?
- db
  
  Marco,
  
  You’re off on the “news network” part. Fox pretends to be a “news network”. It’s into entertainment. Nothing more. Nothing less. It may look like “news” but the goal isn’t “news” it’s ratings.
  - M2
    
    Yes, that is true. They should have a chyron disclaimer 24/7: “Not to be mistaken for real news.”
db

Oliver,

I think you’ve got it exactly backward. Fox “News” is not a part of the Republican Party. The Republican Party is a division of NewsCorp. The Tea Party was developed to drive Fox ratings. Republicans get their talking points from the morning Fox shows & then repeat those points to create sound bites for Fox to use in the evening. Republican Officials (elected or otherwise) exist to provide a steady cadre of “guests” for the Fox “talking heads” shows; who can be counted on to stay on script.

Certainly Fox would like the Republican division to “turn a profit” i.e. win elections; but that is secondary to driving ratings. We may debate if winning elections is really that important to the ratings game.

Ask yourself, where DID the Tea Party go? My answer? Their show was cancelled.
- Christopher Foxx
  
  db: Certainly Fox would like the Republican division to “turn a profit” i.e. win elections
  
  You sure? It’s harder to complain when you’re the folks in power. I mean, it doesn’t stop Fox fro claiming everything is the liberals fault, but it is harder.
  - db
    
    Christopher,
    
    Certainly you’re going to win some & lose some. That’s the nature of elections. No election night is entirely bad news. In charge of government the Republican Division can provide ample opportunities for programming such as, private access to Officials for interviews or other pieces. Didn’t Fox already do an hour “Inside the (Bush) White House”? Private tours by the First Lady? “Sean Hannity & the President One-on-One”. There are many possibilities.

Banter Voices

House GOP Describes Fox News As “We” During Benghazi Hearing

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