Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) reiterated his call that House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) apologize for comments suggesting a political motivation behind the congressional Benghazi Committee.
“Those statements are just absolutely inappropriate. They should be withdrawn. Mr. McCarthy should apologize. I think it was absolutely wrong,” Chaffetz said on MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Reports Thursday. As chairman of of the House Oversight Committee, Chaffetz led an investigation into the attack, which has also been scrutinized by a select community chaired by Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC).
“To suggest that there was any sort of political motivation, it’s not fair to Mr. Gowdy, it’s not fair to myself and most importantly it’s not fair to those four families who lost their loved ones. That’s not why we’re doing this,” Chaffetz said.
Earlier this week, McCarthy, who is the leading contender in the race for House Speakership, bragged to Fox News’ Sean Hannity that the Benghazi Committee had taken a toll on Hillary Clinton’s poll numbers.
“I think he should withdraw that statement, that’s how wrong it was. It was never the intention. It’s not what we’re doing and I think that this statement is totally wrong,” Chaffetz said.
McCarthy and McConnell–the Micky D-ification of American government. Fast and cheap, but not good.
So Chaffetz is waffling on his vote for McCarthy? Or no?
“To suggest that there was any sort of political motivation, it’s not fair to Mr. Gowdy, it’s not fair to myself and most importantly it’s not fair to those four families who lost their loved ones. That’s not why we’re doing this,” Chaffetz said.
Chaffetz went on to say that the above is, “The operative statement. McCarthy’s is now inoperative”.(with thanks to Ron Zielgler, Nixon’s press secretary)