Official: Changes to Benghazi Talking Points Made by Intel Community
Official: Changes to Benghazi Talking Points Made by Intel Community
“First, the information about individuals linked to al Qaeda was derived from classified sources,” the official said. “Second, when links were so tenuous - as they still are - it makes sense to be cautious before pointing fingers so you don’t set off a chain of circular and self-reinforcing assumptions. Third, it is important to be careful not to prejudice a criminal investigation in its early stages.”
Some Republican members of Congress suggested the change came from within the Obama administration - from the White House, the Justice Department, or another government agency.
Turner, the spokesman for National Intelligence Director James Clapper, said that was not the case.
“The intelligence community made substantive, analytical changes before the talking points were sent to government agency partners for their feedback,” Turner said, referring to the White House, Justice Department, State Department, Pentagon and FBI. “There were no substantive changes made to the talking points after they left the intelligence community,” he said.
The White House on Friday said it made only one change, substituting the word “mission” for “consulate.”
The FBI requested a change in language which originally stated the U.S. “knew” Islamic extremists participated in the attack. According to a U.S. intelligence official the wording was changed to “there are indications” Islamic extremists participated.
The Republicans hounding this issue are no different from the ones who continually order Obama’s birth certificate from Hawaii and spam on and on about “questions” and “irregularities” and “serious issues”.
Nothing will satisfy them because their stated intentions have nothing to d with their actual intentions, which is to smear the President. They don’t want answers, they want ammunition, which is why McCain skips intelligence briefings to make press releases.