# How will the weird administration spin on Libya affect the election? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 18, 2012, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067 "2012-09-18T13:54:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067/41 "2012-10-03T16:29:35Z")
It all comes down to whether some wrongdoing was done on the part of the administration, of course. I can’t imagine what it would be that it would rise to the level of a scandal that could harm them. What sort of nefarious plot would they have had time to dream up in such a short time period? This story is off the front pages, the shock of a murdered ambassador is fading in people’s minds, and Darrell Issa will be looking into it. With his track record, I don’t think Obama has anything to worry about. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067/42 "2012-10-03T16:33:42Z")
The beauty of a conspiracy theory is that the facts can be described as a cover-up and fit into your worldview. ---
**Author:** ![km\_lotusflower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3d9bf3/32.png) [@km\_lotusflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/km_lotusflower)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067/43 "2012-10-10T19:39:18Z")
This question matters to me. That’s all. Just like to spread the appreciation around for quality questions during a crazy election year. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067/44 "2012-10-10T20:58:04Z")
> [@km\_lotusflower](#): > > This question matters to me. That’s all. Just like to spread the appreciation around for quality questions during a crazy election year. Thank you. How about this one: Did Romney actually know beforehand about the planned attack, but covered up the information that he’d been sent? I’m not saying that he actually conspired to get Americans killed, but people are asking questions. Why was Romney so quick off the mark to jump on the Libyan situation? How much advance notice was he given by his moles within the Al Quaida organization? And why does he refuse to answer questions about his relationships with terrorist cells within Libya? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067/45 "2012-10-10T21:30:40Z")
Mormons. Mohammedans. Both start with M O. Which means _modus operandi_, the method by which a crime is committed. A coincidence? Perhaps… ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067/46 "2012-10-10T21:47:39Z")
Yeah, we Mormons just finished up our super-secret “General Conference” on Sunday afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067/47 "2012-10-11T16:46:16Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > How about this one: > > Did Romney actually know beforehand about the planned attack, but covered up the information that he’d been sent? I’m not saying that he actually conspired to get Americans killed, but people are asking questions. > > Why was Romney so quick off the mark to jump on the Libyan situation? How much advance notice was he given by his moles within the Al Quaida organization? And why does he refuse to answer questions about his relationships with terrorist cells within Libya? Were Republicans that voted to cut funding for embassy security a part of the conspiracy? > **[Jason Chaffetz Admits House GOP Cut Funding For Embassy Security: 'You Have...](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jason-chaffetz-embassy_n_1954912)** > > Jason Chaffetz Admits House GOP Cut Funding For Embassy Security: 'You Have To Prioritize Things' (My bold) > [@](#): > > Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) acknowledged on Wednesday that House Republicans had \*\*consciously voted to reduce the funds allocated to the State Department for embassy security \*\*since winning the majority in 2010. Ever sensitive to pressure of any kind, Mitt agrees to stop using Seal story. [http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/boston/12008755850115/mother-of-navy-seal-killed-in-libya-speaks-out/#ixzz28vw3RBeM](http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/boston/12008755850115/mother-of-navy-seal-killed-in-libya-speaks-out/#ixzz28vw3RBeM) > [@](#): > > BOSTON (WHDH) – Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has agreed to stop sharing a story about his encounter with Winchester Navy SEAL Glen Doherty who was killed in the attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya > > _ **snip** _ > > "I don’t trust Romney. He shouldn’t make my son’s death part of his political agenda. It’s wrong to use these brave young men, who wanted freedom for all, to degrade Obama,” said Barbara Doherty, Glen’s mother. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2012, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067/48 "2012-10-11T17:05:04Z")
I saw Romney telling his story about Glen Doherty and just kept thinking as he went on, so what? What does his life and death have to do with you? What possible connection could you have to him that would be of any importance to anyone? It was a ridiculous, cynical spectacle. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067/49 "2012-10-16T10:54:06Z")
[AP: Drones, forces set for possible Libya strike](http://www.usatoday.com/story/ondeadline/2012/10/15/libya-drones-special-forces-al-qaeda/1635181/) GOP: Pain meds, neck braces set for whiplash injuries in the transition from OMG OBAMA IS ASLEEP AT THE SWITCH! to OMG OBAMA IS WAGGING THE DOG! ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067/50 "2012-10-16T15:53:28Z")
Perhaps the idea of the attack on the mission being a response to the youtube video isn’t so far-fetched after all. From the [New York Times](http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/16/world/africa/election-year-stakes-overshadow-nuances-of-benghazi-investigation.html?hp). In other words, maybe the idea isn’t so “absurd” after all. > [@](#): > > To Libyans who witnessed the assault and know the attackers, there is little doubt what occurred: a well-known group of local Islamist militants struck without any warning or protest, and they did it in retaliation for the video. That is what the fighters said at the time, speaking emotionally of their anger at the video without mentioning Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden or the terrorist strikes of 11 years earlier. And it is an explanation that tracks with their history as a local militant group determined to protect Libya from Western influence. Also up for question is Al Qaeda’s involvement or lack thereof in the attacks. > [@](#): > > United States intelligence officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have said they intercepted boastful phone calls after the fact from attackers at the mission to individuals affiliated with Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. But they have also said that so far they had found no evidence of planning or instigation by the group. James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, described the participation of individuals “linked to groups affiliated with or sympathetic with Al Qaeda” — acknowledging, at best, a tenuous or indirect link. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067/51 "2012-10-16T16:58:46Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Yeah, we Mormons just finished up our super-secret “General Conference” on Sunday afternoon. Did you reconsider the whole drinking thing? Any missionary will tell you it’s holding you back. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067/52 "2012-10-16T21:20:31Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > Perhaps the idea of the attack on the mission being a response to the youtube video isn’t so far-fetched after all. And still more [reporting](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/15/reuters-libya-attack_n_1967494.html), from Reuters via the Huffington Post, suggesting that the video may have played an important role in the attacks. > [@](#): > > On Sept. 12, Reuters reported that there were protesters present when the U.S. consulate in Benghazi was attacked and described the assailants as “part of a mob blaming America for a film they said insulted the Prophet Mohammad.” > … > The New York Times, which had two journalists on the ground the night of the attack, also reported on demonstrators on the scene who were motivated by the anti-Islam film. > … > Times foreign editor Joseph Kahn, in an email to The Huffington Post, said the paper stands by that early reporting. > > Kahn said that the Libyan journalist under contract for the Times “observed unarmed as well as armed people at the scene, and it was clear that at least some of the people involved in the incident were informed and motivated by the video.” Kahn said the Times has “no reason to suspect in those subsequent contacts that our initial reporting was wrong, and we have had several stories that filled out the timeline of events more thoroughly than was possible in the immediate aftermath.” These stories should illustrate the folly of drawing conclusions about events like these, carried out half way around the world, before a complete review of all the facts is done. ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067/53 "2012-10-16T21:47:33Z")
amen ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067/54 "2012-10-16T22:22:49Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > These stories should illustrate the folly of drawing conclusions about events like these, carried out half way around the world, before a complete review of all the facts is done. QFT. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067.md?page=2)