Ever since it happened, Fox News has tried to turn the tragic events that occurred at Benghazi in September 2012 into a massive scandal that will destroy the Obama presidency. The ‘news’ channel has gone out of its way to display tins of fake outrage over the supposed cover up by the White House when it comes to talking points given by then-UN Ambassador Susan Rice on the Sunday talk shows after the protests that happened in the Middle East and the attack that occurred at Benghazi. Fox News has also done its best to push the idea that the White House and State Department are perhaps directly responsible for the deaths of four Americans by shouting from the rooftops that Hillary Clinton and/or President Obama gave a ‘stand-down’ order. Of course, nothing like that remotely happened.
Anyway, Fox News just cannot let this story go. Despite four investigations completed by Congress and numerous hearings that have revealed no actual scandal but have provided Republicans ample opportunity to grandstand incessantly, the ‘Fair and Balanced’ network has insisted on pushing the narrative that there was some foul and dastardly dealings going on within the White House when it comes to Benghazi. With the recent release of more emails from the White House, the network, along with other conservatives, feel they have a ‘smoking gun’ that finally reveals the White House did…uhhh, something, I guess. Whatever it is, this is a VERY IMPORTANT STORY. It MUST be covered!
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It is with that mindset where we now see Fox News anchors pull away from press conferences from the White House and tell the audience that they will not go back unless somebody mentions Benghazi. This happened last week when German Chancellor Angela Merkel was visiting with President Obama and they held a joint press conference. It didn’t seem to matter that both world leaders may touch on many pressing and important matters. Fox News was only concerned with this press conference if POTUS brought up Benghazi or a reporter asked him a question about it.
On Monday, we saw this happen again, with the addition of snark from Fox News anchor Jon Scott. During the White House press briefing, White House counselor John Podesta stepped up to the podium to discuss energy policy. Scott, showing his complete lack of knowledge on who Podesta is, acted as if Podesta is one of White House Spokesman Jay Carney’s “understudies.” Podesta was a Chief of Staff under President Bill Clinton and has joined the current White House staff as a special counselor. He is not one of Carney’s helpers.
Below is video of Scott courtesy of Talking Points Memo:
Did you catch how dismissive Scott was on the point of that part of the press briefing? He basically turned his nose up at the idea that the White House would use their time today to talk about energy policy.
“Talking about energy efficiency, of all things, right now. But if they get to some questions about this House select committee, how it will work, we will take you back there live.”
Yeah, how dare the White House think about discussing actual policy matters when the only thing that should be talked about right now, and forever more, is Benghazi? Who cares if taxpayers have spent $14 million on the numerous investigations on this matter and the attack happened 20 months ago? Fox News, and desperate Republicans, have moved all in on Benghazi and they’ve decided that they don’t want to talk about anything else. They are only interested in finding some way to get this story to stick with average Americans, despite not even really knowing what the outrage is supposed to be about anymore.
Justin Baragona is the Managing Editor at Politicus Sports as well as Senior Editor at PoliticusUSA. He was a political writer for 411Mania.com before joining PoliticusUSA. Politically, Justin considers himself a liberal but also a realist and pragmatist. Currently, Justin lives in St. Louis, MO and is married. Besides writing, he also runs his own business after spending a number of years in the corporate world. You can follow Justin on Twitter either with his personal handle (@justinbaragona) or the Sports site’s (@PoliticusSports).
