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Sen. Ayotte: We didn't get satisfactory answers on Benghazi

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    New Hampshire senator on meeting with Amb. Susan Rice

  • Duration 11:03
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Fox News alert big news out of Washington today where UN ambassador Susan Rice met with three top Republicans whose votes could be critical.

If she is nominated as secretary of state Senator John McCain Lindsey Graham and Kelly a -- saying they are now even more troubled than they were before.

About ms.

-- initial explanation when it comes to the deadly attack on our consulate in Libya on 9/11 of this year.

That's -- we begin his brand new hour of America live welcome everyone I'm Megyn Kelly.

Ambassador rice making the rounds on Capitol Hill this afternoon hoping to mend some fences.

And possibly gain support for her possible nomination as nation's top diplomat.

But so far that meeting seems to have left.

More questions than answers was in here.

The information that she gave the American people what's incorrect.

When she said that it was a spontaneous.

Demonstration triggered by it's.

Rules not to.

And there was compelling evidence at the time.

That that was -- Case bottom line on more disturbed now than I was before that the F 16 September.

An explanation about half four Americans died in the Gaza -- -- ambassador rise.

I think does not do justice to the reality.

At that time.

And in hindsight clearly was completely wrong and here's the -- In real time.

It was a statement disconnected.

From reality I'm more troubled today.

Up knowing having met would be acting director of the CIA.

-- ambassador rice.

Because it's certainly it's clear from the beginning.

That's.

Good news that those with ties to al-Qaeda -- involved in the attack on the embassy.

And clearly the impression that was given the information given to the American people was wrong in fact ambassador rice said today.

Absolutely it was wrong.

Joining us now Kelly a a Republican senator from New Hampshire was part of those meetings today who -- you just heard senator welcome back to the program.

Thank you -- -- explain for us with you do if you would why are you more trouble to -- you were before you met with ambassador rice.

Well first of all I appreciated.

That we had the meeting today.

But I will say that out front.

The acting director of the CIA and ambassador rice.

Said.

That this story about the video and the protest was wrong.

In fact the acting director of the CIA said by the 22 of September they had absolutely confirmed that that was strong.

And so I think the first issue is having gone on every major news network and represented that story.

That she now admits -- strong.

Why didn't she come forward sooner to say that first of all.

In addition to that -- also troubled me was that we have heard.

That she relied on the unclassified.

Talking points.

In terms of what she said on each of the Sunday shows.

But what was important to understand is that in her capacity as the UN ambassador he also.

Reviewed the daily intelligence briefings.

We know from party reported information that the classified.

Talking points said clearly that al-Qaeda.

Individuals associated with al-Qaeda.

Or with ties to Al -- Were involved in the attacks.

That was then omitted from the unclassified talking points.

But she had reviewed the classified talking points and nevertheless.

When you look at what she said.

On CBS face the nation.

Also on Meet the Press not only did was that he's omitted.

But also she said that al-Qaeda was decimated.

In both of those interviews so.

That of course was a misleading impression to the American people about what happened at the consulate.

Obviously the American people would've taken a very different impression had the information about individuals with -- well Qaeda.

Up from -- involved in the attack been presented from the beginning what's your explanation for that.

I was unsatisfied with the explanation.

Basically.

As I understand it the explanation is that that was being withheld.

The al-Qaeda involvement was that point of the talking points that being withheld for classified.

Reasons but I also.

Explored didn't you question that because that left if -- admit that portion of the talking points -- -- a very different impressions the American people.

And frankly I didn't get a satisfactory answer to that or an explanation -- that I felt.

Really warranted and think about you know obviously she is a very important position.

In the United Nations.

She made it very clear that she was not.

Just -- The talking points that she had obviously done her own homework and part of her responsibilities.

Is to receive the daily.

Intelligence briefing that includes the classified -- for.

Remains writes that she knew -- -- -- more than that she was telling us I see your point it's not that she just withheld the information about al-Qaeda she made statements that -- To suggest al-Qaeda was decimated and yet she had information in hand that suggested they were behind this attack I wanna I wanna ask you specifically.

She she of course in a written statement she provided today to the public which I wanna tell our viewers we have and then in her meetings with you as -- came and I did say.

The talking points provided by the intelligence community.

Were incorrect in -- key respect there was no protest -- demonstration in Ben Ghazi OK so she's admitting now that what -- -- night but -- blaming it on the intelligence community.

Did she tell you specifically.

Who told her to go on the Sunday talk shows and -- specifically gave her this information.

Well she was asked which I think is already been talked about early she was asked to go on the Sunday talk shows by the White House.

And be -- talking points were given to her.

By the intelligence community let me just be clear.

The information that was given by the intelligence community.

About the protests of the video that was wrong and we have to get to the bottom of why the intelligence community got that so wrong because frankly.

The evidence from the beginning appears to be.

Would -- key component being that individuals with ties to al-Qaeda were involved in the attack.

What was submitted obviously from an unclassified talking points that was you know we we're already been reported has been in the classified so I think that.

Out where we where we are where this is that there is an intelligence failure but that also.

But let me -- on that point because we RD know now that's the James clapper the Director of National Intelligence his office.

After the fact acted as the lawmakers on capitol -- pressed and pressed and pressed.

He went up to Capitol Hill according to the centers who received a briefing and neck and then congressman.

And said.

I don't know who changed the talking points to take out al-Qaeda that's what Peter King told us when he came on our show among others and Mike Rogers.

Attested to that.

And then a couple days later his office came -- said.

It was just -- -- want to change the talking points to take al-Qaeda.

And then Mike Rogers who the chairman of the house -- said mr.

-- could you come back here and explain to us if that's case white -- white just told us it wasn't union had no idea who did it.

So that's why -- ask if there's a name we know was the Intel community itching that that changes did -- give you -- name of who briefed her no we have not been getting a name.

But I would say -- in that I still think that there needs to be more.

Sufficient answers as to it.

What agency changed the talking points and who did that and those are some of the questions we have answers.

We expect answers to and also why they did that it's absurd to me to think that you would omit the reference of al-Qaeda -- that we didn't want to let that.

Al-Qaeda all.

And particularly since it's very important that the American people not be left -- misleading impression which is what was half what happened here.

And in not only did it happen if the intelligence community knew by the 22 that this was wrong how come we weren't told sooner.

That it was wrong and why didn't ambassador rice come forward and say what she said was wrong sooner than.

Saturday after rescue because the Washington Post piled onto some allegations we had heard.

From the some lawmakers in particular couple of members Congressional Black Caucus earlier in the week.

Suggesting that the attacks on ms.

rice are based on her gender and her race.

And that that's what's really driving your objections to her among.

Others and they don't focus so much and you -- woman but they focus on.

The gender of Senator McCain in the race of those who are taking issue with ms.

-- like to -- I don't.

-- that I got this out of that.

But I think that it's absolutely false.

This is very important that if someone is going to number one -- now currently in -- incredibly important position as ambassador to the United Nations.

Or be nominated to be the top diplomat.

In service to our country as a secretary of state.

That we get answers to this question I mean.

The fact that she would -- on each -- these shows what did you -- and what does she do her homework.

And why didn't she ask questions about.

Why is this key piece of information being -- and and really question that rather than leave the misleading impression to the American people.

Particularly -- statement that al-Qaeda was decimated so I think these are incredibly important questions about.

Anyone that would serve in that position and those claims are completely baseless -- New quick answer but do you believe now that -- -- confirmable as secretary of state.

I think that there are still incredibly serious questions that need to be answered about.

The entire circumstances surrounding that got you let's not forget meg in.

Before the attacks on the consulate why it wasn't -- -- In addition.

Why not -- writes I agree but I think that we should get to the bottom that we're gonna confirm a new secretary of state we should know everything about what happened and went right went wrong there because whoever's.

Asked to serve in that position is gonna happen make sure.

That in that capacity it doesn't happen again I would respect to Susan Rice I think there are still several important questions including about the talking points.

Including about the questions that -- raised about why shouldn't come out correct this sooner and why would you leave a misleading impression.

You know if the information you have reviewed was different you and why wouldn't she questioned why is the -- the unclassified.

Talking points different in the course of statement that al-Qaeda was decimated these are incredibly important questions.

That I think anyone would ask with regard before they would consider confirming her for that position.

Senator thanks so much.

Thank you.

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