LYING FROM BEHIND

"Leading from Behind," quoted by the New Yorker writer Ryan Lizza, became a God-sent epitaph for the Obama foreign policy for Republicans.  After the May 8th Congressional hearing regarding the events which led to the death of four Americans in Benghazi, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, one might be tempted to elaborate on the latter statement and qualify the Administration's handling of the follow-up as "lying from behind."

It would be premature to mix both avenues or to rush to conclusions. The three witnesses gave a harrowing account of the events and their mismanagement by various officials in Washington during and after the tragedy. The testimony was a "J'accuse," pointing the finger at officials who were unable to keep up with events and who tried to cover up afterwards. All echelons of decision-making were criticized for their hapless response. Ambassador Susan Rice's assault on the media thereafter, stating that the event resulted from a spontaneous manifestation that went out of hand, was trashed. The witnesses' and the second-in-command Gregory Hicks in particular' asserted that they linked the events to a premeditated terrorist attack instead. They more or less implicitly laid the blame on the State Department, and right to the top:  the Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton.

This investigation is damaging for the President and for the Democrats as a whole.  It might lead to an unpleasant partisan spectacle, which gives the Republicans ammunition against the "indispensable" Democratic runner for the presidency, Mrs. Clinton.

It should also be remembered that the testimonies of civil or security persons who feel demoted have to be considered with caution. Nevertheless, the account of Gregory Hicks was both emotional and scathing for all officials he had on the line that infamous night. The Obama administration's narrative does not stand. Congressional Republicans might as well subpoena officials, including Ambassador Rice and the former secretary of state. The subject is now politicized and a U-turn has become hard to phantom after this first hearing.

If indeed the envoy were to have been demoted for reason of a cover-up, it might become a major reason for concern. If so many high ranking respected officials (Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering and the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen) were involved, the repercussions might become even more toxic.

During a press conference the President was asked if he still has "the juice."  This sub-title tells all.  Belatedly Obama is more often than not seen as an aloof president who confuses oratory virtuosity with resolve, watching the effect his words might have on others rather than monitoring their therapeutic or political added value. The dilettante takes over from the politician.  There is a Narcissus there, waiting on the sidelines. His charm offensive worked after the hubris of the Neo-Cons, his intellect still mesmerizes but he should use it to connect rather than to distance himself from the sycophantic ordinariness. For a politician, reticence might be seen as a capitulation.