HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton

by Jonathan Allen

  15 Chinese and American officials “Joint Statement on the U.S.–China Strategic and Economic Dialogue Outcomes of the Strategic Track,” media note, May 4, 2012, U.S. Department of State.

  16 November 2011 NATO air strike John H. Cushman Jr., “Obama Offers ‘Condolences’ in Deaths of Pakistanis,” New York Times, December 4, 2011.

  17 “We are sorry for the losses” Hillary Clinton, “Statement by Secretary Clinton on Her Call with Pakistani Foreign Minister Khar,” July 3, 2012, U.S. Department of State.

  FOURTEEN: THE BILL COMES DUE

  1 more than five hundred donors Bobbi Bowman, “President Obama, Former President Clinton Wow McLean Fundraiser,” McLean Patch, April 30, 2012.

  2 Obama “deserves to be reelected” Bill Clinton, “Remarks by President Obama and Former President Clinton at a Campaign Event,” April 29, 2012, White House.

  3 Shortly before Bill delivered Nicholas Confessore, “Obama Donors Entreated to Retire Clinton’s Debt,” New York Times, April 28, 2012.

  4 to help Kathleen Kane, a Hillary supporter Borys Krawczeniuk, “Clinton Backs Kane, but AFL-CIO Goes for Murphy,” Scranton Times-Tribune, March 27, 2012.

  5 “I am proud to endorse Mark Critz” Chris Good, “Bill Clinton Endorses Critz in Pennsylvania Democratic House Primary,” ABCNews.com, April 12, 2012.

  6 edged Altmire by 1,489 “2012 General Primary: Official Returns,” Pennsylvania Department of State, April 24, 2012, http://bit.ly/189Bzq8.

  7 Kane beat Murphy Ibid.

  8 “invited me to the Oval Office” John C. Ensslin and Herb Jackson, “Rothman Visits Obama as Clinton Endorses Pascrell for 9th Congressional District Seat,” North Jersey, June 1, 2012, http://bit.ly/15hxRs7.

  9 Pascrell coasted Alex Isenstadt, “Bill Pascrell Trounces Steve Rothman in Primary,” Politico, June 6, 2012.

  10 by letting Berman ride Jonah Lowenfeld, “What’s a Congressman to Do: Vote in D.C. or Ride with the President to George Clooney’s House?” Jewish Journal, May 10, 2012.

  11 wisdom of letting tax cuts Melissa Jeltsen, “Bill Clinton: Bush Tax Cuts Should Be Extended Temporarily,” Huffington Post, June 5, 2012.

  12 had come to the defense of Romney John Hudson, “Bill Clinton Joins the List of Bain Defenders,” Atlantic Wire, June 1, 2012.

  13 the economy rebounded Vicki Needham, “Experts Say Economy Should Grow Despite Who Wins White House in November,” The Hill, September 2, 2012.

  14 “a one-word answer: Arithmetic” Bill Clinton, speech to the Democratic National Convention, New York Times, September 5, 2012.

  15 “It takes some brass” Ibid.

  16 she settled into a chair “Photo: Hillary Clinton Watches Husband Deliver Convention Speech,” CNN.com, September 6, 2012.

  FIFTEEN: BENGHAZI

  Note: In this and subsequent chapters, the abbreviation ARB refers to the State Department’s Accountability Review Board report on Benghazi, which was prepared by a semi-independent panel picked by Hillary Clinton and released on December 19, 2012; it is online at http://1.usa.gov/TYkdAW. The abbreviation IPR refers to the Interim Progress Report for the Members of the House Republican Conference, a document containing the findings of GOP committees that was released on April 23, 2013; it is online at http://1.usa.gov/10xGqik.

  1 delivered blunt assessments of Qaddafi’s State Department cable, August 29, 2008, accessed from New York Times online database of WikiLeaks documents on November 7, 2013.

  2 He arrived in Benghazi ARB, p. 13.

  3 “go out and meet as many members” Greg Myre, “Slain U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens Thrived on Tough Assignments,” National Public Radio, September 12, 2012.

  4 “as we expand U.S. expeditionary capacity” Leading Through Civilian Power: The First Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review, 2010, U.S. Department of State.

  5 “famous for always maintaining” Hillary Clinton, “Secretary Clinton Remarks at Swearing-in Ceremony for Chris Stevens, Ambassador to Libya,” May 14, 2012, U.S. Department of State.

  6 “normalized security operations” IPR, p. 7.

  7 in a March 28 cable State Department cable, March 28, 2012, “Request for DS TDY and FTE support,” accessed from House Oversight and Government Reform Committee website on November 7, 2013.

  8 Before Cretz could get a reply Eli Lake, “U.S. Consulate in Benghazi Bombed Twice in Run-up to 9/11 Anniversary,” Daily Beast, October 2, 2012.

  9 in a separate incident ARB, p. 15.

  10 the original plan would remain IPR, p. 11.

  11 When Stevens arrived to replace Cretz Ibid.

  12 an IED had blown Lake, “U.S. Consulate in Benghazi Bombed.”

  13 “NO, I do not [repeat] not” IPR, p. 12.

  14 expressing concern about a planned reduction State Department cable, July 9, 2012, “Tripoli—Request for extension of TDY security personnel,” accessed from House Oversight and Government Reform Committee website on November 7, 2013.

  15 In addition to attacking ARB, pp. 15–16.

  16 Stevens traveled from Tripoli Eli Lake, “Who Outed the CIA Annex in Benghazi?” Daily Beast, May 24, 2013.

  17 “At least one of the reasons” “The Latest on the Benghazi Hearing,” Political Ticker, CNN, May 8, 2013, http://bit.ly/18PSV7O.

  18 Hillary personally conveyed Ibid.

  19 someone was spotted taking pictures Nancy A. Youssef, “In Talking Points Controversy, an Unanswered Question: Why Did CIA Say a Protest Preceded Benghazi Attack?” McClatchy, May 13, 2013.

  20 That morning Stevens sent a memo State Department cable, September 11, 2012, “Benghazi weekly report,” accessed from House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on November 8, 2013.

  21 asking whether Stevens had heard “Transcript: Whistle-blower’s Account of September 11 Libya Terror Attack,” Fox News, May 8, 2013, http://fxn.ws/12VVSPQ.

  22 “the continuing efforts” “What They Said, Before and After the Attack in Libya,” New York Times, September 12, 2012.

  23 failed to quell the outrage “Protesters Attack U.S. Diplomatic Compounds in Egypt, Libya,” CNN, September 12, 2012.

  24 State Department was consumed Chris McGreal and Tom McCarthy, “Benghazi Hearings: Hillary Clinton Issues Forceful Defence,” The Guardian, January 24, 2013.

  25 met with a Turkish official “Benghazi Timeline: How the Attack Unfolded,” CBS News, November 2, 2012.

  26 a local police car left its post Julian E. Barnes, “Timeline: Military Response to Benghazi Attacks,” Wall Street Journal, May 8, 2013.

  27 a low of 20 State Department Operations Center, e-mail during Benghazi attack, September 11, 2012, ABC News, http://abcn.ws/TzmGGE.

  28 as many as 125 Nancy A. Youssef and Suliman Ali Zway, “No Protest Before Benghazi Attack, Wounded Libyan Guard Says,” McClatchy, September 13, 2012.

  29 “FUCK,” Smith wrote Sarah Tory, “We Were Friends in Real Life and in Internet Spaceships,” Slate, September 12, 2012.

  30 heard around Benghazi ARB, p. 23.

  31 The attackers set fires Greg Hicks, former deputy chief of mission in Libya, testimony, May 8, 2013, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, http://1.usa.gov/103sFBL.

  32 Within minutes ARB, p. 23.

  33 Stevens began dialing Hicks testimony.

  34 In the safe area ARB, p. 22.

  35 Billowing smoke Ibid.

  36 the other three Ibid.

  37 set out for the compound Eric Schmitt, “C.I.A. Played Major Role in Fighting Militants in Libya Attack,” New York Times, November 1, 2012.

  38 4:05 p.m. in Washington State Department Operations Center, e-mail during Benghazi attack, September 11, 2012, at ABCNews.com, http://abcn.ws/TzmGGE.

  39 The security officers ARB, p. 24.

  40 The five diplomatic security officers Ibid.

  41 Leon Panetta “Pentagon Releases Official Timeline of Benghazi Attack,” CNN, January 23, 2013, http://bit.ly/V4uOya.

  42 Panetta would later Donna Cassata a
nd Richard Lardner, “Panetta Defends Military Response in Libya,” Associated Press, February 7, 2013.

  43 instruct special forces teams “Pentagon Releases Official Timeline.”

  44 By eleven-thirty p.m. in Benghazi ARB, p. 25.

  45 Around two a.m. in Libya “Transcript: Whistle-blower’s Account of September 11 Libya Terror Attack,” Fox News, May 8, 2013, http://fxn.ws/12VVSPQ.

  46 Hicks received a call Hicks testimony.

  47 Meanwhile the CIA team ARB, p. 27.

  48 After the mortar attacks Ibid.

  49 “This is the first time” Hicks testimony.

  50 Around seven-thirty a.m. local ARB, p. 27.

  51 America’s Ramstein Air Base “Hillary Clinton Senate Hearing on Benghazi,” Transcripts, CNN, January 23, 2013, http://bit.ly/1fWxX9Z.

  52 “We will wipe away our tears” Hillary Clinton, “Remarks at the Transfer of Remains Ceremony to Honor Those Lost in Attacks in Benghazi, Libya,” September 14, 2012, U.S. Department of State.

  53 “ ‘Greater love hath no man than this’ ” Barack Obama, “Remarks by the President at Transfer of Remains Ceremony for Benghazi Victims,” September 14, 2012, White House.

  54 “The people of Egypt” Ibid.

  55 The original draft John Dickerson, “Susan Rice and Her Attacks,” CBS News, June 6, 2013.

  56 militants with ties Josh Rogin, “Benghazi Talking Points Could Scuttle Top Diplomat Nominee,” Daily Beast, June 5, 2013.

  57 the easy availability of weapons “The White House’s Benghazi E-mails,” New York Times, May 15, 2013, http://nyti.ms/1eekOgI.

  58 unhappy with the draft Ibid.

  59 Toria Nuland Ibid.

  60 “The penultimate point” Ibid.

  61 Republicans would later use Dylan Byers, “ABC’s Jon Karl: ‘No Evidence Hillary Clinton Was Aware’ of Benghazi Revisions,” Politico, May 10, 2013.

  62 But Sullivan “White House’s Benghazi E-mails.”

  63 The language that had Ibid.

  64 “No mention of Cairo cable” Ibid.

  65 “Putting together the best” Louis Jacobson, “Jay Carney Says Susan Rice Didn’t Play Down Terrorist Involvement in Benghazi,” PolitiFact, May 13, 2013.

  66 no demonstration in Benghazi Oren Dorell, “White House Releases Benghazi Emails,” USA Today, May 16, 2013.

  67 slightly varying versions Jacobson, “Jay Carney Says.”

  SIXTEEN: “ROAD WARRIOR”

  1 He had cut a video Stephanie Condon, “Bill Clinton: Romney Thinks We’re Dumb,” CBS News, October 18, 2012.

  2 “a heck of a secretary of state” Mark Leibovich, “Bill Clinton Presses On in Campaign for Barack Obama,” New York Times, November 4, 2012.

  3 she had more cash on hand October 2012 quarterly report of Hillary Clinton for President, Federal Election Commission, http://bit.ly/14D3Y74.

  4 helped a handful of House candidates Michelle Breidenbach, “Former President Bill Clinton Campaigns for Slaughter, Hochul in Rochester,” Post-Standard, October 19, 2012, http://bit.ly/QE1zfL.

  5 jammed in a series of robocalls Alexandra Jaffe, “Clinton Cuts Robocalls for 45 Dem House Candidates,” The Hill, November 5, 2012.

  6 his own set of side trips and political tasks Caitlin Huey-Burns, “In Senate Races, Bill Clinton Takes on a Supporting Role,” Real Clear Politics, October 31, 2012.

  7 Bill would offer his support Glen Johnson, “Bill Clinton Cites Senate Balance in Email Appeal to Warren Supporters,” Boston Globe, October 3, 2012.

  8 “I take responsibility” Elise Labott, “Clinton: I’m Responsible for Diplomats’ Security,” CNN, October 16, 2012.

  9 a forty-two-second video Ian Schwartz, “Unaired RNC Ad from 2012 Rips Obama for Benghazi: 3AM Call Was Ignored,” Real Clear Politics, May 10, 2013.

  10 even with unemployment at 7.9 Julie-Hirschfeld Davis, “Obama First Since FDR Re-Elected with 7.9 Percent Joblessness,” Bloomberg, November 7, 2012.

  11 Then he called Bill Clinton Ed Henry, “After Winning Re-Election, Obama Thanked Romney, Then Called Bill Clinton,” Fox News, November 7, 2012.

  SEVENTEEN: PLEASE DON’T GO

  1 reminisced like longtime friends Kristen A. Lee, “Obama, Clinton Reminisce on Their Long History During Final Trip,” New York Daily News, November 20, 2012.

  2 “No, Hillary,” Panetta fired back Mark Mazzetti, “How a Single Spy Helped Turn Pakistan Against the United States,” New York Times Magazine, April 9, 2013.

  3 “the path we’ve taken” Tim Johnson, “Governments Seek New Burma Strategy,” Financial Times, April 21, 2009.

  4 Hillary visited both Suu Kyi Jason Burke and Sara Olsen, “Clinton Encouraged by Burma Reforms as She Meets Aung San Suu Kyi,” The Guardian, December 1, 2011.

  5 Suu Kyi traveled Ashley Fantz, “Aung San Suu Kyi Begins U.S. Tour,” CNN, September 18, 2012.

  6 “I could not be more grateful” Peter Baker, “For Obama and Clinton, a Partnership’s Final Roadshow,” New York Times, November 19, 2012.

  EIGHTEEN: FOUR DEAD AMERICANS

  1 the president might have known Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), interview by David Gregory, Meet the Press, NBC, November 18, 2012.

  2 the formation of a “special committee” Seung Min Kim, “Wolf Calls for Special Benghazi Committee,” Politico, November 13, 2012.

  3 spent 401 days on the road Megan Garber, “Hillary Clinton Traveled 956,733 Miles During Her Time as Secretary of State,” The Atlantic, January 29, 2013.

  4 an inn for visiting dignitaries Blair House: The President’s Guest House, www.blairhouse.org.

  5 both sides of the Thanksgiving break “Secretary Clinton: Travel to Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Burma and Cambodia,” November 11–20, 2012; and “Secretary Clinton: Travel to the Czech Republic, Belgium, Ireland and Northern Ireland,” December 3–7, 2012, U.S. State Department.

  6 pushed back a planned trip Matthew Lee, “Illness Forces Clinton to Delay Trip to Morocco,” Associated Press, December 9, 2012.

  7 Friends of the Syrian People Robert Ourlian, “Timeline: Hillary Clinton’s Health Woes,” Wall Street Journal, December 31, 2012.

  8 arming the Syrian rebels Michael R. Gordon and Mark Landler, “Backstage Glances of Clinton as Dogged Diplomat, Win or Lose,” New York Times, February 2, 2013.

  9 sustained the concussion Matthew Lee, “Hillary Clinton Hospitalized with Blood Clot,” Associated Press, December 31, 2012.

  10 a “head fake” “Hillary Clinton’s Head Fake,” editorial, New York Post, December 18, 2012.

  11 a “diplomatic illness” Nick Wing, “John Bolton: Hillary Clinton Came Up with ‘Diplomatic Illness’ to Avoid Benghazi Testimony,” Huffington Post, December 18, 2012.

  12 “Benghazi flu” Katie Glueck, “Allen West: Hillary Clinton Caught ‘Benghazi Flu,’ ” Politico, December 20, 2012.

  13 had accused Huma Abedin Representatives Michele Bachmann et al. to Ambassador Harold W. Geisel, State Department deputy inspector general, June 13, 2012, http://bit.ly/NildkP.

  14 State had released the ARB report William Burns, “Briefing on the Accountability Review Board Report, December 19, 2012, U.S. State Department, http://1.usa.gov/WpyFEl.

  15 “Systemic failures” ARB, p. 29.

  16 put on leave in response to the ARB Michael R. Gordon and Eric Schmitt, “4 Are Out at State Dept. After Scathing Report on Benghazi Attack,” New York Times, December 19, 2012.

  17 “no involvement to any degree” Josh Rogin, “Exclusive: Hillary’s Benghazi ‘Scapegoat’ Speaks Out,” Daily Beast, May 20, 2013.

  18 “through the assistant secretary level” “Under Rubio Questioning, State Dept. Admits Senior Leadership Failed to Resolve Benghazi Security Concerns,” Office of Senator Marco Rubio, December 20, 2012, http://1.usa.gov/R7e4p0.

  19 a blood clot in her head Jay Solomon and Ron Winslow, “Hillary Clinton in Hospital After Blood Clot Found,” Wall Street Journal, December 30, 2012.

  20 The QDDR had articulated Lead
ing Through Civilian Power: The First Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review, U.S. Department of State, 2010.

  21 “She was unhappy” Greg Hicks, former deputy chief of mission in Libya, testimony, May 8, 2013, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, http://1.usa.gov/103sFBL.

  22 “got away with murder” Lindsey Graham, interview by Greta Van Susteren, On the Record with Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, January 28, 2013.

  NINETEEN: “OUT OF POLITICS”—FOR NOW

  1 “non-stop flying around” Hillary Clinton, Living History (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2003).

  2 “in the pink” Victoria Nuland, State Department spokeswoman, daily press briefing, January 7, 2013, U.S. Department of State.

  3 “Washington is a contact sport” Tom Nides, quoted by Ashley Southall, “A Gag Gift for Clinton as She Returns to State Dept.,” New York Times, January 7, 2013.

  4 “few big problems were solved” Michael O’Hanlon, quoted by Paul Richter, “Hillary Clinton’s Legacy at State: Splendid but Not Spectacular,” Los Angeles Times, January 28, 2013.

  5 “Clinton looks awful” Michael Kinsley, “Hillary Clinton’s Ego Trips,” Bloomberg View, January 8, 2013.

  6 “one of the most important advisers” Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, interview by Steve Croft, 60 Minutes, CBS, January 27, 2013.

  7 “I was literally inaugurated” Ibid.

  8 “I’m out of politics” Ibid.

  9 “I won’t lie” Hillary Clinton, interview by Kim Ghattas of BBC, June 14, 2011, U.S. Department of State.

  10 “I’m proud of the work” Hillary Clinton, farewell remarks to State Department employees, February 1, 2013, U.S. Department of State.

  11 63 percent of Americans approved Andrew Dugan, “Hillary Clinton Is Still Popular, More So Than Obama, Biden,” Gallup, April 23, 2013.

  TWENTY: READY FOR HILLARY

  1 donor list was packed Parkhomenko for Delegate, campaign finance records, Virginia Public Access Project, http://bit.ly/18bYNvM.