Benghazi Mon Amour

++So besides the fact that Jon Karl got summaries of the Benghazi e-mails from a Republican staffer,the Miami Herald printed today an article that Ambassador Stevens personally turned down additional security for the embassy and the Benghazi consulate twice before his death. The embassy in mid-August had met and discussed the deteriorating embassy situation and was going to ask for security reinforcements. The military even got on the phone and asked Ambassador Stevens directly whether he wanted reinforcements to which he declined. Then later while Ambassador Stevens was in Hamburg he was directly asked by the responsible General about obtaining additional security and he declined again. Thomas Pickering and Admiral Mullens have agreed to testify before the Issa Committee to discuss their findings. The GOP can seem to figure out where to go with this. The RNC has out an ad out blaming Hillary Clinton for the debacle.

++Lawrence O'Donnell on the Last Word reminded everyone about the IRS law in 1959 about 501-C-4 status, which is now subject to controversy. The law said the groups had to be exclusively involved in social welfare. However, the internal regulations that evolved said primarily. The IRS has interpreted this arbitrarily ever since. For instance, the word "Party" would automatically flag the Tea Party applicants because of the nature of political parties. However, other categories in this case were arbitrary. The scandal is that none of these groups were turned down but their approval was delayed. We do to know if any were audited and the practice apparently ended last year. But the real story is that none of those involved in political campaigning should have been approved. But, naturally this will not be the issue in the surrounding controversy. All 45 GOP Senators have demanded President Obama cooperate with them in investigating the IRS, the big bugaboo for conservatives and the wealthy. John Boehner asks who will be jailed because of this. So far there is no evidence that the Obama Administration had anything to do with it. One of the reasons is because post-Watergate laws made it almost virtually impossible for a sitting President to target his enemies like Nixon.

++Washington Monthly has another interesting take on this. The application for this status is voluntary and doesn't have to be invoked until an organization's tax return is filed. With  the Citizens United case, the floodgates have opened with the IRS receiving 1,000s of applications for the status. In my opinion inappropriately. 

++The political effect of the IRS controversy is to draw the Tea Party conservatives back together with the establishment Republicans. The GOP wants to drag these issues out until the 2014 elections.

++For all the Beltway talk of a "game changer", the effect on the 2014 election is probably neutral since the polarization of the electorate is almost complete. The only element left up in the air is the turnout in 2014 and that usually favors the Republicans but as observers have pointed out the President usually doesn't lose two by-elections with large amounts. Gerrymandering has assured the GOP of the House ,in my opinion, until the next census. The Senate will come down to two-three seats.

++The net effect of these controversies is that Obama's range for maneuverability is narrowed. The GOP will continue to make efforts to repeal Obamacare and the immigration reform, however, jerks forward.

++The AP case is one that should concerned people. But, according to the post-9-11 laws, it looks totally legal but the zeal of the Administration to go after government sources is disturbing. Truthout has a sharp response to AP, criticizing it for neglecting the alternative press who have complained about these restrictions for years.

++CORRECTION: Last night I wrote that 39% of Republicans believe Benghazi was the worst cover-up in American history. Actually, it is 74% and 39% do not know where Benghazi is. But that should tell you how influential FOX news is.