Wednesday, Hillary Clinton testified on Capitol Hill, answering questions about the September 11 Benghazi attacks. Her testimony, which was delayed due to health reasons,focused on two things: The Benghazi attacks that killed U.S. Ambassador Chris Steven and the three other Americans as well as the spread of Al Qaeda and terrorism in Africa.
“I stood next to President Obama as the Marines carried those flag-draped caskets off the plane at Andrews. I put my arms around the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters. and the wives left alone to raise their children.. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to lead the men and women of the State Department and USAID,” Clinton said when discussing the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.
Secretary Clinton insisted that the State Department is moving aggressively and quickly to strengthen security at U.S. installations at missions worldwide.
During a heated exchange with Senator Ron Johnson, R—Wis., over the post Benghazi attack talking points, Secretary Clinton fired at a Republican talking point that the American people were misled immediately following the incident.
With all due respect the fact is we had four dead was it because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night and decided they’d go kill some Americans… what difference at this point does it make it is our job to do figure out what happened and do everything we can do whatever we can to prevent it from ever happening again.
In responding forcefully to Johnson, Clinton showed that she is still in control.
According to an ABC News/Washington Post poll, Clinton’s approval rating stands at 69%, which is higher than any outgoing secretary of state measured since 1948, with the exception of Colin Powell in 2004.
With a secretary of state who is more popular by 19 points than the vice president what does this say for her political future? Do you think she will run in 2016? And if so would you vote for her over Joe Biden in the 2016 Democratic primaries? We asked this question on our Facebook page today and want to hear from you.
Former Ambassador Marc Ginsberg joins the conversation today to discuss what is happening with Hillary Clinton as she continues to be on the Hill’s hot seat today. She starts her testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee at 2pm et. See you at 3 p.m. for what is sure to be an interesting conversation.
Abby Borovitz