By Hamed Aleaziz
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) today issued a statement essentially conceding that he was wrong in accusing the White House of changing U.N. Ambassador Susan Rices talking points on Benghazi for political purposes.
Former CIA Director David Petraeus told lawmakers last week that the CIAs assessment that al Qaeda was responsible for the Sept. 11 attack that killed four Americans in Benghazi was taken out of Rices talking points after an interagency review. McCain and his allies then claimed the White House took out the talking points because it supposedly undercut the Obama administrations narrative that it had severely weakened al Qaeda.
But Intelligence officials told CNN yesterday that the intelligence community was responsible for the changes made to Rices talking points. The Director of National Intelligence spokesperson said that the White House did not make any substantive changes.
McCain responded today and instead of taking issue with the substance of the report, the Arizona Republican wondered why administration and intelligence officials didnt offer this information in closed door sessions:
More: McCain Backs Away From Benghazi Conspiracies | ThinkProgress
GOP's Benghazi Conspiracy Falls Apart: White House Didn't Change Susan Rice's Talking Points | ThinkProgress
Official: Changes to Benghazi talking points made by intel community CNN Security Clearance - CNN.com Blogs