Will the Benghazi Attacks Tarnish Hillary Clinton's Legacy as Secretary of State?
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified in front of the House and Senate Committees on Foreign Relations regarding the terrorist assault on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi that left four dead, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens. Clinton faced tough questioning on whether the department could have prevented their deaths and why, in their immediate wake, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice mischaracterized the attacks to the press as spontaneous rather than premeditated.
In congressional questioning, assessment of Clinton's performance at State in regards to the Benghazi attack was split by party line. Democrats praised Clinton for service. Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky told her that he would have fired her if he had been the president. Many—both Democrats and Republicans—made allusions to 2016, as Clinton is reportedly weighing presidential run. If she does run for president, the attack will certainly be an issue her campaign will have to address.
Will the Benghazi attacks tarnish Hillary Clinton's legacy as secretary of state? Here's the Debate Club's take:
The Arguments
Yes — There are still many questions Clinton has not answered on Benghazi
FORD O'CONNELL,
Republican Strategist, Conservative Activist, and Political Analyst
Comment
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No — Clinton's overall legacy will not be tarnished by Benghazi, though it does suggest weaknesses in her management skills
JAMIE CHANDLER,
Political Scientist at Hunter College
Comment
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Yes — Someone was asleep at the switch protecting Ambassador Stevens in Benghazi
BRAD BANNON,
President of Bannon Communications Research
Comment
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