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Special Report Online: 10/10/12

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    Weighing the facts of attack in Libya

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-- -- to another edition special report on line I'm Bret -- if you haven't had been here before welcome aboard.

This is a place where you type your comments questions whatever we in Iraq it's much more relaxed.

For example -- in Oklahoma says please show my posts.

Jeanne we are showing your posts.

I don't know if we will read another post from -- but we have here on.

We did show that.

And -- do answer questions and we have the panel Steve Morrow Charles.

And we will talk about a bunch of things we have a lot of people already on here if you don't see your posts on here don't fret.

Like -- Thousands are coming in and producers are putting in the middle ear area as fast as we can.

We'll also have polls throughout that you can vote on right here under the screen.

And we'll bring them up throughout okay first let's talk about Libya we moved all that sounds down right guys from that we didn't run before.

Let's -- -- bump in -- we didn't run.

This is the we got.

Yeah I -- Kennedy some of the sound some of the interaction between.

The lawmakers and some of the people testifying.

During this hearing today and it was really understand it was about four hours long this is we'll just Nicholas.

Contrary to early.

Assertions by the administration.

Let's understand there was no protest.

No one in the administration has claimed a note for certain all the answers.

We always made clear -- we're giving the best information we have at the time and that information has involved.

Given the information that you saw on TV.

And your knowledge of the situation in Libya.

-- you come to a conclusion as to whether this was a terrorist act.

Or whether it was based on some film that was on the Internet lieutenant colonel what.

It was instantly recognizable to me has a terrorist attack instantly recognizable.

This.

Steve you watch it's from a dollar yet dad -- and and half of it watch the second half.

And you were struck by I mean it just was I thought it was incredible basically what you had was to.

-- security.

-- -- members of the security detail who had left Libya shortly before.

The attacks and then to State Department officials the two.

Security personnel were had been in Libya served in Libya one for six months the other for I think ten.

And the two State Department officials were making the decisions about security had not -- which I thought was sort of an interest in contrast.

But what what you heard -- repeatedly throughout this process was I think.

The two administration officials really struggling.

To reconcile what they were.

Trying to say here.

What's been publicly reported and what the administration's original line was.

-- and that their biggest problem is that the administration did not as they suggested here and as others have others defending the administration has suggested all along.

The administration didn't sort of wait and say we don't wanna tell an inaccurate story so we're just not gonna get out in front of it instead what they did was they sold aggressively a very.

Inaccurate story one that we now know it was virtually an accurate in every single one of its particulars.

The end when confronted with that neither Patrick Kennedy nor shall -- -- Had any good answers and at times you listen to their answers -- or watch them then speak and thought.

What what what planet are you living up -- -- at one point was asked about the security.

Who leading up to and on September 11 of 2012 and she said we have don't have the exact quotes and what we have.

The -- the correct number of.

Assets in place -- -- how in the world could anybody possibly believe that and is it -- for her make that claim.

-- in the heartland right senate hearing today thanks for showing highlights.

Jan says -- and Gaza report needs to be replayed often so all can -- Jan.

We are going to put that timeline on the web site.

On foxnews.com slash special report usually takes an hour to put -- it should be on about.

730 -- -- -- -- also tweeted out had Brett bear and on our face on my FaceBook page.

Soon once we get off here.

Another highlight the regional security director Eric Nordstrom.

Was asked about security ahead of time and just to Steve's point about.

Whether they had the right assets on the ground he asked for.

More security.

And he tells a story about a phone call he made about.

Having more assets on the ground I listen -- this.

Rector in a telephone call and -- Ghazi after.

He contacted me when I asked for twelve agents.

His response to that was you're asking for the sun moon and the stars.

Right response to him his name's Jim my -- Jim you know what makes.

Most frustrating about this assignment is not the hardships.

Not the gunfire is not the threats.

It's dealing and fighting against the people.

Programs.

And personnel who were supposed to be supporting me and I -- it by saying for me the -- bonds on the inside of the building.

I missed that -- -- on the inside of the building that's harsh -- That really is I wasn't quite sure what he meant by that last season they were you know it's actually among lesbians that he works well.

Now I'm in that then when he couldn't get I had this State Department an immediate impact to -- -- sense that there I'm gonna get killed or rather because they can't get the security -- inside the chain of the Iraq yes well that's extremely hard.

And you know this is really tough I mean this is.

This is what happens after an attack I mean there's going to be an investigation.

Why was a vulnerable.

You know whose fault -- -- and this is coming at a terrible time for the administration I mean they don't need this just as.

They pattern had a very abrupt change in momentum in the presidential election.

-- from Pennsylvania says the mainstream media will continue to bury this story.

I -- -- and I and I would put an entire line that that one.

Panel held up to New York Times and I don't mean to single out the New York Times but I will again.

Here's your -- of it last night the State Department held -- this conference call.

In which they essentially dropped this bomb that that there was no protest.

And they officially come out and chewed a hole through what.

Six the UN ambassador sent the stories on -- And it's this little story here that says before hearings on Libya attack.

Charges of playing the politics that's the story charges of playing politics not State Department concedes no protests before Ben Ghazi.

-- Rice's story falls apart in.

Flaming.

What ever -- I mean.

Isn't that crazy week.

We should have a viewers contest.

Right the real headline for the I guess the winner gets this isn't on this.

What -- and second -- as you sit in on two shows events.

Look it is staggering I mean that's -- -- scandal was effective immediately and covering it up the first three days -- all this with a Middle -- was a flame.

The only story whereas Romney's you know suppose -- they -- when he said exactly the right thing.

Because these in criticizing America Ireland -- -- statement.

White House in the State Department essentially that this founded as well so they.

They vindicated -- Romney -- have been that was the obsession of the press.

They clear and and and in fact it is not only did they miss the story story -- it should have been I would direct the and I and its entire.

Obama administration the narrative on Libya exposed as a complete and -- Fabrication.

I think that would fit.

Got enough adjectives in it too.

That's exactly what happened yesterday.

And I think this quote that you read -- it Nordstrom.

I mean you run that is a 32 -- My problem in defending Americans abroad is in the gunfire.

It's not the threats it's the people in your building meaning people who supposed to be helping me in this administration.

In the statement.

And the enemies and said -- obviously.

He's exaggerating he's been playing -- a traitor but was implying is they are so clueless.

And they are so cautious that they are killing.

They'll caution his interest in what I -- -- and -- in the regular show.

Why did they pull all the people out.

Made no sense whatsoever.

And it wasn't a lack of money I mean twelve nations Q can you break that's.

It's a weekend the conference in the in Vegas for the GAO.

-- GSA it is do what's in the money it's their theory that Cairo theory of Obama we don't want to be seen as intruders you don't want to buy a black.

You don't want the fences and I'm sure that the ambassador himself was sympathetic with that but once he looked around.

He saw that every other western embassy and consulate had closure everybody had left.

And we were the last ones standing not to put me in the bottom -- And to bolster their support and to have a plane waiting for evacuation that is a terrible scandal and Americans.

Guys you know it has -- said too that he even in this hearing today it came out that repeatedly the ambassador both the previous ambassador crafts.

The charged admission in between.

An ambassador -- all signed off on these security requests and that was what.

Nordstrom.

And I think -- was would testified to today so they have the backing of the diplomatic corps and and this was something that they all want and they were aware of the threats.

They said that ambassador Stevens in particular was responsive to every suggestion that he got.

About how to protect himself how to protect the facility and how to present the diplomats who were there so when they advised that he stopped running or run in different -- she was an avid jogger.

He did that he -- and the other thing it has to be -- -- the conference call last night and I can't remember whether this was in particular was in the New York Times story but.

The a State Department official was asked about making the film that of the -- in protest to the film.

And the subsequent attacks and -- and this is the sentence that that person used that was not our conclusion.

The State Department.

What you know we -- we -- in that video it in that narrative timeline we watched.

What 1015.

Different examples including President Obama on David Letterman.

More than a week later directly linking Deepak -- -- the attack on the in the compound there.

With the film the State Department is saying that from the very beginning.

That was not our conclusion quote on quote and it.

How do you possibly reconcile it and if -- the New York Times how is that not an above the fold.

You know several column headline -- State Department at war with the White House State Department directly contradicts what everybody from the White House.

Has said for two weeks that's a big story.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- When it's like this.

Okay bill thanks for coming thanks for being here and there -- I think there are other online shows going on that they -- maybe surf.

-- games you can check us some good baseball games.

Certainly -- was bill could do right now.

And maybe go take a hike eBay and -- -- -- however -- -- first time viewer and apparently likes the unconscious so.

We like -- Iran.

Now all let me see this Kim in Virginia says this debacle puts all of our embassies.

That threat.

The all have to weigh in on bill let's give -- worry it's OK everybody's typing.

Mara.

You talked about.

The politics of this you know we heard in this speech -- Romney addressed this.

A little bit and he.

You know hands and seized on this.

It's is getting despite the New York Times -- the placement on a ten in the headlines.

It is getting more mainstream media coverage and it is getting an issue and.

And credible argument to make that he.

What had just succeeded in foreign policy Osama bin Laden was dead and there hadn't been -- terrorist attacks recently and now there is one.

And you know this a problem and like I said because of what.

Romney was able to do in Denver which is basically get a second look from American voters many of which were beginning to write him off including a lot of that.

The upper ranks of the Republican Party.

He now has more credibility and he gets to be seen through a new lands on anything he says so when he levels these attacks.

They're gonna they're gonna carry more weight.

A lot of people -- and Charles about Laura Logan did you see this story where she spoke out about terrorism and how it's being.

Under sold by the Obama administration and that the talent on -- and the threat from Afghanistan this is just being.

Under appreciated.

Apps I mean look at the president need -- as the number of troops as a result inevitably.

More Americans -- killed.

And may -- he pulls the plug on the surge in the middle of the fighting season this year.

Obviously in order to coincide with the election so he can say that we're on the way out.

And he can claim as he did in his speech to Tiger -- proceeding which is not true.

It means America is receiving the the wars are continuing -- -- look at the news look at the headline in the paper today.

The Taliban in Pakistan.

Sends an agent who brazenly gets on -- bus and shoots in the head.

A fourteen year old girl who's been given a prize of peace prize in Pakistan for standing up for girls education this is in the province that was overrun by.

The the bad guys couple years ago impose a stricter regime of the women were excluded from everything.

Was really claim by the government has -- couple years later this is impact it's not even Afghanistan.

But in Afghanistan of course it's infinitely worse because administration this president.

Launched a a -- like a surge in Iraq but he was half hearted unlike the much on the line President Bush.

Who put no time lines and wanted to win that and he did -- know way to convince everyone in Iraq and outside that he was gonna see it through.

Obama announced on day one we're gonna leave on a certain day when and it has to be for the year year and a half patches were out.

So of course it didn't succeed and we know what's going on the Taliban will not even our strategy was.

Our only remaining strategy was we negotiate with the Taliban and we transfers their -- him you know there is the authority to fight.

Two local Afghans will the second is dead because a local Afghans are shooting our guys we can't even trust in my joint patrols from the first is dead.

Because of the Taliban and see a president in retreat he's in retreat.

And why negotiate with American -- they won't even deign to negotiate.

With the alleged what a great power in the world and -- to talk to -- Romney say I'm not removed a combined for the 2014 deadline he's he's below the green he said well this.

Got a patient with generals but he has not come out and said we're gonna stay here until we finish the job that would seem to be the logical I turn.

-- they're another logical attendant which is to say.

Obama came into office for years ago the party that for eight years have been saying we spend our resources in the wrong place.

We wasted on Iraq we're -- gonna focus on Afghanistan.

We're gonna launch this road and win this war and he did it in such a half hearted way that any popular support for continuation of the war is dead.

There's no way that any president or -- town is going to be able to welcome -- Lining up freezing weather and what doesn't he have to say what he'd do differently what he's saying he's being too realistic.

About it -- president and -- party that came into office.

Saying it was gonna -- standing -- Afghanistan.

Failed utterly what I mean it's.

Yeah it's a political issue it's -- yes there's been no that happened to Romney has to say what he'd do differently what he's gonna do I think what you will do what any president do.

They will leave but by the same timeline.

Every other NATO allies in the hallway on what you're saying Romney's -- -- by the same time trying to -- knows what I'm saying is Obama lost this war.

He had time to do something about it he said it was his objective he announced a half -- -- surge and he pulled the plug.

American people will not support the continuation of the war.

We're a democracy and -- well.

One thing is clear is that the president did not give a lot of speeches about Afghanistan after that -- and at West Point when you send a gallon car.

Right and they wants the Obama campaign wants and did.

To give a speech about how -- do more and how would keep troops there for ever ever ever ever why I'm not forever never got to finish the number.

That's what they want to say -- this is forever and ever and ever.

But.

-- to say that we would win -- that we would leave with our heads held.

Hi unlike anything that's.

Yeah says he can't say because the American people don't understand their Melinda second I thought is a leader and he doesn't care about public opinion you can't run a war for the public is Mauresmo but what I think has been Romney can't.

Then what's the point I'm just saying.

Forget about American elections assumed there was no election.

Gimme a politician or we can't.

I think there's no election and the whole reason we're having this debate is conventional -- -- -- have the debate if there were no elections what do you do in Afghanistan.

You give me the name of any politician or the military commander who will give you -- winning Warren Anderson -- name one.

To me not in our testing Olympia real fun we never have a public debate because the president simply refuse to make case in this.

This was our war but it was his war and he was the one who argue desist throwback to the debates 2000 -- this back -- -- -- all of us -- go back to it took to Barack Obama in 2002.

When he blasted the bush administration for considering a war in Iraq.

And -- -- not against all wars Afghanistan as the good war it's the right -- it's important that we went and go back to the speech he gave in December.

Where he announced the surge and he talked about how crucial.

Afghanistan was to securing not only the region but somewhere else.

He said again and again and again but then he failed to make any kind of sustained case.

About what he was doing there why it was important to win because he didn't want to be involvement that look I support the war I think we should win and I think it's important.

I but I will say that there is -- large even inside the Republican Party libertarian streak that wants to get out of it yeah.

The libertarian but I mean it's it's a Republican.

This wave of they don't I supported the war I I think it's crucial that we went -- it scares the heck out of me to think about.

What's going to happen there when we pull out in 2014 what's Pakistan unity what's Afghanistan and we've been we've been to holding that off.

What is gonna happen there -- -- the harshest just if I -- in an election.

To be a leader to explain that 27 days before an election.

To be a leader and say what you're going to do different than the person who's in there who is as you say created this vacuum and has not talked about winning the warn us.

Afghanistan.

Good options.

Right now there are none.

I don't think -- Romney has got -- himself on a plan that the American people -- support inside or outside the leader -- commander anybody.

Because of the ways they handle for -- term for four years that's the problem and it's not a failure of leadership it's realism.

And it's so that Romney has to be the one -- -- Where's the president talking about tennis yeah.

Same thing on me.

He can for.

No I agree with that on the specifics that we are the specifics that we're -- -- of Mitt Romney on his tax plan that nobody has asked for.

From President Obama on hasn't had a reform plans we didn't want me Jay Carney said I don't reform plan that.

Don't let him pretty good about it he's president the first thing.

I think that was a good choice because elections are about the future not just a referendum on the on the last four years.

And I don't see what the damage to him would be to get up and say.

I think the president's done a terrible job in Afghanistan I would not have a day.

Looks -- -- damaged you do you really don't I mean.

We seen the public opinion polls on -- And it's completely upside down I know what the but he's not gonna turn around public opinion into -- -- senator's aides say that's the right thing that I wouldn't even dry here.

All I'm saying is if you're going to -- -- criticized the president for bundling something.

Doesn't it behoove -- to offer an alternate.

Yes I think it I think it does an outing in almost every other case it makes a lot of sense to the realities he's not gonna turn around the country public opinion on 27 days.

When the president hadn't even made it is sad to think they didn't even be talking about it.

Foreign policy disaster that's a problem and that's what I think Steve Stephens is is sorely mistaken review by the Politico article that.

That.

And -- and tag Romney stepped in and today intervention of the campaign and to talk more personally about himself attitude.

To do what he wants to do.

Yeah I am I think there's some truth to it I think it was may.

Be a little bit overplayed.

-- I just at one point -- -- -- -- -- what students did enjoy that Obama can't turn public opinion around on election.

He can't turn it around after he wins if he -- -- elect.

There's a point at which -- country says we don't want to fight the war Lincoln understood that if he lost certain battles like Gettysburg.

It would have been catastrophic and he might have had to settle.

He understood public opinion is important and that's why some of the ballots were politically -- he had -- to maintain support he would allow -- the election 64.

So he understood all it isn't as if -- you can disconnect.

Calculations about war and he was committed to winning the war for the union and for everything you mention -- -- -- for an address he was utterly committed that he understood that you can't run and democracy if you lost the people.

And that's what's happened in the four years it's over.

Bob Brett since someone may have -- -- this point but if this is involved.

If this involved.

A Republican present the Libya's situation.

Running for reelection with three weeks left this hearing today would have been on every channel nonstop.

Wall to wall covered in every detail by -- we often talk about that through the prism.

Of that very thing on this -- -- And I think you're exactly right.

And I know and I I only saw part of Diane Sawyer's interview today the transcript.

I didn't see anything about Libya now and I I just I saw about abortion I saw about debate.

It may there may be in a may be in there and I hope it is but I didn't say anything.

About them I got an -- that one of the Big Three networks I don't know what the other two lead with this quote -- controversy about -- an abortion.

I mean it's slick stuff stunning.

That that is the same it's the same thing that informs -- New York Times not covering the the day that the administration finally has to admit it's a terrorist attack.

-- Well.

I what I say I can't wait till the smartest thing the headlines and they covered this for our hearing or not.

Having your former doctor I'd like to see -- for journalistic malpractice.

Yeah you could sue people I -- did you think about what the president -- -- that al-Qaeda is is on its heels so.

He he that was on -- you get to Diageo was so so you have everything that we've seen in Libya.

I mean you know that that would have been picked apart on the front page of the New York Times.

You have a story in the AP that has gotten virtually no attention I would just -- -- emailed to me how al-Qaeda in Iraq is rising.

And that's from their own people that's from that's from their own people and then you have general then you have.

And -- you know all this talk about what al-Qaeda is doing it to build itself back up.

In Afghanistan I mean what the president -- is plainly false on its face it's not heels -- -- Dick Cheney said.

The insurgency in Iraq is in its last throws and we spent.

Three weeks talking about the specific meaning of throws because it was on the front page every single day.

That and now he can say this it's just people just ignore it.

He's the president.

I get tired of the media story but it's just if you possible to avoid incidents were -- did all right since bill is still watching I think let's play one more clip from this hearing that maybe you didn't see.

Dana -- roar backer we have that clip.

Talking about this controversy as compared did.

When he was in the Reagan in the -- I worked in the Reagan administration.

And I can tell you and not once when all of these Americans were being killed by terrorists -- the administration in anyway.

Try how to excuse.

Or are -- if he -- these murderous attacks.

As some sort of spontaneous outrage and don't -- something that the administration had done or an American citizen -- done.

Big difference.

We're talking about and we're talking about a mindset.

That may encourage evil forces of the world to kill Americans.

So you know what we're gonna wrap it up there Doug executive producer just put on the link of that peace and by the way thanks to our producer -- -- and -- do with the editor who got it done in time that's a lot of stuff put together it's like eleven minutes and thirty seconds.

And it's a lot of work actually was last seconds.

The panel came generally just in case we can get the last shot and but we did so.

Thanks to them for finishing final thoughts as we head into vice presidential debate tomorrow.

Sworn to debate which I I think there's no way to predict.

He could swing one way the united could be huge successful -- the the bar I think -- low for Biden fairly high for Ryan.

And who knows it's all going to be expectations.

Impossible to and I I don't have any insiders -- will turn out but I have a lot to say afterwards how inevitable lowlands.

-- -- Look at -- vice president and based on usually affect the outcome but I think this one is different there's tremendous pressure on Joseph Biden to make up for some of the damage that President Obama did to himself in Denver.

So I think that he has the bigger task Paul Ryan just has to be credible and introduce himself to America and I don't think there's much you can do to -- Romney -- I think -- good -- very little for Joseph Biden because he gets this automatic discount factor I mean the big news out of the debate tomorrow night won't be that Joseph Biden.

Made -- gaffe and it's just that that would be again that would be but even if indeed if he made eight of them.

It has a sort of dog bites man quality to it that it would just won't get that much attention Paul Ryan has to prove that he's faced -- and I'm most interested to see though.

How Martha Raddatz he's an experienced.

Reporter on foreign policy and national security issues.

Handles that stuff handles -- stuff I mean you can't possibly imagine getting through a debate.

If that's your specialty and -- Joseph Biden is on the -- without asking very specific and detailed questions about what happened not a prediction.

Is that she leads with foreign policy and -- -- us.

And -- and you know it catches a national security correspondent.

I mean and guys are -- -- but -- -- guy who was charged with negotiating our exit from Iraq.

Which he bungled because it ended up being complete speculation he want to dispel the industry.

Well and beyond that under the Obama administration his job is to.

We're got to step I remember him telling me a party a few months before I guarantee you -- gonna get an agreement.

He didn't and now -- and the headline did you just read from making our own people are saying al-Qaeda is rising in Iraq that's a huge foreign policy -- I can I make one last point.

Not only that not only did they fail to do that but the president is now hitting Mitt Romney.

Saying that he would have troops in Iraq to this day if he were president when if the president and Joseph Biden had succeeded in doing what they intended to do diplomatically.

So -- there.

OK panel thank you as always thanks for tuning into the online show if you have been here before.

Welcome aboard.

We'll see you back here next week even bill tomorrow 6 PM for special report from Danville Kentucky control room.

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