Benghazi

Those concerned about the Benghazi affair can't seem to figure out why the administration blew it so badly.  They keep claiming "coverup" and "election politics" and similar charges.  Those charges probably have some validity, but they don't really explain why the administration hopelessly bungled an obvious situation.

How someone analyzes a situation depends in large part on his or her predispositions.  When looking at America's role in the world, this administration starts from an attitude that we've been the bad guys, and we need to atone.  So when there are demonstrations against a video made in America, the people in the administration quickly conclude that it's another example of American bullying that - whether they publicly admit it or not - justifies the anti-American response.  Then when the initial intelligence coming out of Benghazi is murky, it's easy to jump to the conclusion that what's going on there is just another response to the video.  Having publicly taken that position, it's difficult to admit error.  And when error finally is admitted, the admission can't include a confession that the predisposition was what led to it.   That would bring into question the underlying premise, which someone in government - including the President - can't do without threatening his or her political future.   Only a true statesman will do that, realizing the risk it entails.  This President has yet to exhibit much statesmanship.  Now that he's been re-elected, he could admit - to himself and to the public - the whole true story.  Do you think he will?

War on Women

Yesterday's news events say volumes about attitudes towards women.  Note:

1.  Three Republican senators expressed criticism of Susan Rice.  They included Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, in part to blunt any charges from the Democrats or the press that the Republicans were attacking women.

2.  President Obama then attacked Senators McCain and Graham, but never mentioned Ayotte.  Who is being sexist?

3.  President Obama then defended Rice as if she were a little girl - not a senior administration spokesperson - who needed his protection against the big bad Republican men.  Who is being sexist?

4.  NPR reported this morning that McCain and Graham - not mentioning Ayotte - had criticized Rice, echoing Obama's charges.  Is this objective reporting?

5.  Nancy Pelosi announced her candidacy to be minority leader in the House surrounded only by women.  Can you imagine the outcry from the press and Democrats if Boehner announce his candidacy surrounded only by men?  What a double standard, and how hypocritical.

And it's the Democrats who claim the Republicans have a war on women?