Today's Obama Press Conference (The Benghazi/Petraeus Questions)

"You gotta go talk to the FBI about their protocols."

I am taking notes as I watch the Obama press conference today. The topic is supposed to be the economy, but questions will also deal with Benghazi and the Petraeus affair. I am skipping the questions and answers on the economy and other issues. Obviously, I am paraphrasing.

First question.

"Are you confident no national security secrets have been compromised and should the FBI have notified you earlier about the Petraeus affair?"

Answer

"I see no evidence before me that national security has been compromised."

 "The FBI has its own protocols, and I don't want to comment while it is under investigation." (Non answer.)

Follow up question (inaudible)

"You are going to have to talk to the FBI as to their protocols. We are not supposed to meddle in criminal investigations. Innocent until proven guilty." We don't  prejudge these situations. (Non answer.)

Next question (on Benghazi/Petraeus)

Chuck Todd NBC- following up on the first question and the later economic question. 

"Do you believe you should have known sooner about Petraeus?"

Answer

"I am withholding judgement as to the entire process regarding Petraeus came up. We don't have all the information yet. I have confidence in the FBI. I am going to wait and see. It is also possible had we been been told, you would be asking why we were interfering in a criminal investigation."

(Obama is spending a whole lot of time answering the non-Petraeus questions.)

Question

"Senators McCain and Graham want to have Watergate type hearings on Benghazi, and they do not trust Susan Rice if she is nominated as Secretary of  State".

Answer

"Nominations are still being discussed. Rice has done exemplary work. She has represented the US at the UN with toughness, skill and grace. She made appearances in which she gave her best understanding of intelligence that had been provided to her. They should go after me not the UN ambassador, and that is a discussion I am glad to have.....but to besmirch her reputation is outrageous."

"I think it is important to find out what happened in Benghazi. We are disclosing all the information we have. There needs to be accountability. Those who carried out the attack will be brought to justice. I have not made the determination whether to nominate her."

Next question.

Ed Henry-Fox News

"Sean Smith's father said they called out for help and didn't get it. What is your message to the families? On 9-11, did you issue any orders to protect their lives."

Answer: "We will provide all the information as to what happened that day. That's what the investigation is for. If people think we didn't do all we could to protect them, they don't know the DOS, CIA etc.

"Immediately upon finding out our people were in danger, I gave the order to the military to do whatever they could to see that they were safe."