Hillary Clinton’s Achilles Heel

(Stephen Allott) – It is almost a year to the day since then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in a fit of pique, angrily asked ‘What difference at this point does it make?’ This was her response to a question from Senator Johnson during her testimony to the Senate committee regarding the circumstances that led to the murders of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and his colleagues, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods at our embassy in Benghazi.

It mattered then – and it matters now.

Secretary Clinton, to her credit, at the time, took responsibility for her actions – or lack thereof.

But, it is not enough.

Besides, Hillary Clinton suffered no personal consequences for the incompetence of the department over which she presided. The adage ‘the buck stops here’ certainly did not apply to our Secretary of State.

There was a four and one half months time span between the attack on our Embassy and Mrs. Clinton’s testimony. This was more than sufficient time to delve into the breakdown of communications and misinformation within her department, and for her to suggest recommendations for avoiding a potential similar disaster in the future. Would that she had demonstrated then, the same aggressive and combative manner with which she routinely confronts her detractors now.

Both Senate and House hearings have dragged on, seemingly interminably. Neither investigation has concluded. The New York Times recently published a lengthy article containing more holes than a sieve. Yet, one indisputable fact which has emerged though is that the incredibly fatuous story fed to the American public in the aftermath of the attack on Benghazi bears not even a smidgeon of truth. The tragedy was not even remotely associated with an impromptu attack resulting from the release of an inflammatory video, as claimed by the administration and presumably with Mrs. Clinton’s concurrence.

The American public deserve better. Moreover, and more importantly, the families and loved ones of Ambassador Stevens, Sean Smith and navy seals Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods deserve believable and truthful answers which are now long overdue.

Had Mrs Clinton been more diligent, vigilant, and had she provided effective leadership in obtaining answers, there may not be the state of bewilderment and confusion in which the country – and the families of those brutally murdered – still finds itself.

The time frame between the attack on Benghazi and the Senate hearing at which Mrs Clinton testified was a clear opportunity for her to demonstrate any leadership skills she possessed. She failed miserably.

Instead of witnessing leadership, we witnessed a petulant outburst during the Secretary’s testimony. It was not a stellar performance for someone who aspires to be our next commander-in-chief. One can only hope the Republican Party will remind the voters of this at the next election.

“What difference at this point does it make?”

Since it was not obvious to Hillary Clinton then, maybe the difference it will make will become apparent to the Secretary in November 2016.