Politics

‘Possibly he’s sucking up to her’: John Bolton blasts Gen. Petraeus’ endorsement of Hillary

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Brendan Bordelon Contributor
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Former United Nations ambassador John Bolton questioned General David Petraeus’ seeming endorsement of Hillary Clinton in a new book, saying “everyone makes mistakes” and wondering if “possibly he’s sucking up to her.”

Bolton made the remarks during an interview with Fox News’ Alisyn Camerota about the new book “HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton.” As the CIA director during Clinton’s tenure as Secretary of State, Petraeus praised her leadership and poise under pressure.

“In the wake of the Benghazi attacks, she was extraordinary resolute, determined and controlled,” the Republican-leaning military leader reportedly claimed, later adding “she would make a tremendous president.”

“Not to parse his words too closely,” Bolton began, “but he does say in the WAKE of the Benghazi attack, i.e. after it was over, where she was basically engaged in covering her posterior. So I bet she was resolute and controlled in that activity. I think the real problem occurred before and during the Benghazi attack when our people were vulnerable.”

Camerota asked why, if Clinton’s handling of the Benghazi attacks was so bad, General Petraeus felt comfortable praising the former secretary on-the-record. “Everybody makes mistakes,” Bolton deadpanned. And when the Fox host noted that, “for political purposes, it does sound like he’s endorsing her [for president],” Bolton agreed. “Well, you could be right. That would be mistake number two.”

“Possibly he’s sucking up to her,” the ambassador continued. “I don’t know what’s on his mind. I think his assessment of Benghazi, though, is badly flawed, if that’s what he believes. I think the Secretary of State and the entire administration mishandled it before, during and after the attack.”

Bolton also briefly responded to criticisms from a State Department official of his earlier remarks on Hillary Clinton’s concussion and blood clot, which prevented her from testifying before Congress on Benghazi in late 2012.

“The basic point I was trying to make — and I think it remains valid — is that Secretary Clinton was not transparent about this heath problem,” he explained. “If it was serious enough not to testify — and assuming it was — was it serious enough to raise questions about her capacity for higher office?”

Once floated as a possible Republican presidential candidate, General Petraeus resigned in late 2012 after admitting to an extra-marital affair. If Bolton is to be believed, perhaps the general hopes to revive his political career by attaching himself to the likely 2016 Democratic nominee.

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