John McCain missed briefing on Benghazi, blasts 'badgering' CNN producer
Arizona Senator John McCain missed a briefing on Benghazi, Libya at Capitol Hill Wednesday. Surprisingly, when a CNN producer asked him about his absence on the same day he called for a "special committee" to investigate the U.S. Consulate deaths, he became testy and angry. The exchange took a nasty turn when McCain accused the reporter of "badgering" him.
Huffington Post followed up on the sharp exchange in a Nov. 15 report on the Sept. 11 attacks in Benghazi that led to the death of Ambassador Christopher Stevens.
Senators McCain and Lindsey Graham have been the most vocal critics of the events and alleged breakdown in security at the Libyan consulate. McCain made mention of a cover up by the Obama administration and insists that a special committee convene to get to the bottom of the Benghazi attacks.
On the same day he demanded more answers from the president's administration, a closed-door meeting with top diplomats, counter-terrorism and military officials was held on Capitol Hill. Ironically, John McCain missed the briefing altogether. Obviously, this led to questions.
Then on Thursday, Ted Barrett with CNN caught up with the veteran lawmaker and asked him about his noticeable absence. However, the senator said there was no comment. And when Barrett pressed him on the matter, McCain became angry, to Barrett's surprise.
"I have no comment about my schedule and I’m not going to comment on how I spend my time to the media," McCain said.
CNN then asked him about his agitation. His response:
"Because I have the right as a senator to have no comment and who the hell are you to tell me I can or not? I'm upset that you keep badgering me."
Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a ranking GOP member on the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, echoed Senator Joe Lieberman's concern about McCain's absence.
"Both Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, who was there at briefing, and Sen. McCain, who was not, are members of our committee, and I know they would play very important roles," Senator Collins shared on the matter.
She even failed to support Senator McCain's push for a special committee to investigate the alleged Benghazi cover up by the Obama administration.