Benghazi took place more than three years ago. Here are five takeaways from Hillary Clinton's testimony before the House committee.
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Hunter hearings seem familiar?
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After the hearing, even Gowdy told a gaggle of reporters that not much new was discovered.
"I don't know that she testified that much differently today than previous testimonies," he said.
One thing to note, however, is that Clinton was more explicit than she had been before in denying any responsibility for security requests in Benghazi as the security situation deteriorated there. She said Stevens asked "security professional experts" for security requests, not the State Department.
Clinton said she was responsible for a lot relating to Benghazi, "but I was not responsible for specific security requests," she said.
In The GOP Attempt To Look Apolitical, Clinton Won
Gowdy said in his opening statement that the hearing is not about Clinton but about the four Americans who lost their lives in Benghazi.
People say “this investigation is about you. Let me assure you it is not,” Gowdy said to Clinton.
But the line of questioning revolved around issues that only pertain to Clinton, attempting to feed the caricature Republicans have of Clinton: untrustworthy and self-serving. But Clinton refused to snatch the bait.
So the questions that ranged from why Ambassador Stevens didn’t have Clinton’s personal email address, fax number and home address to questions about the quality of her lawyers overseeing the release of her emails, Clinton answered the questions and gave the committee no red meat and many reasons for Democrats to rally behind her.
The Biggest Fireworks Did Not Involve Clinton
Clinton never raised her voice or entered into a shouting match with Republican committee members. But that wasn't the case for the Democrats on the committee. Ranking Member Elijah Cummings sparred with Gowdy multiple times, most notably just before the lunch break.
“I move we put into the record the entire transcript of Sidney Blumenthal,” Cumming said.
“We’re not going to take that up at a hearing,” Gowdy retorted.
"You asked for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!" Cummings exclaimed.
Clinton sat in silence, looking like she is capable of rising above the fray.
