Growing up in the 1960‘s, one of my favorite television programs was “To Tell the Truth.” There would be a real public figure and two impostors and a panel of four experts who asked questions to try to determine who the real person was. I always enjoyed guessing along with the panel trying to figure out who the celebrity was among the three guests. Two programs I distinctly remember were when they had Hunter S. Thompson and blues harmonica player Paul Butterfield on the program as featured guests and I guessed correctly who they were.
Now as I look at Washington D.C, and the possible selection of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nominee in the 2016 presidential election, I find myself wishing that we had “To Tell the Truth” on again, with a congressional twist. Among the questions on this version of “To Tell the Truth” might be those that still remain about Benghazi.
Some of the unanswered questions about Benghazi include the lack of security before the attack, the lack of any real response during the attack, the promotion of the talking points blaming an anti-Islamic video and the lack of justice for these four brave Americans over a year after the attack. Mrs. Clinton may be able to shed some light on these questions. The problem with any mistake is not usually the mistake itself as much as the attempts to hide the truth. It is time for some real truth and accountability about Benghazi. The possibility exists here for a real moment of clarity for the State Department and the Obama Administration. As a family member of Sean Smith who was a Benghazi murder victim, truth and accountability are overdue. The administration owes the nation answers.
It is necessary to move on from the questions of Benghazi to the wisdom that comes from truly acknowledging one’s mistakes. Sometimes the spotlight that comes from the truth may seem harsh, but it is the real road to growth. That is why I am asking for Hillary Clinton to come forward and testify about what happened in Benghazi. Don’t wait for a subpoena, Mrs. Clinton. Step outside of the Clinton Global Initiative, the backers, the lobbyists, the Doug Bands of the world, and listen to the rest of America.
If Hillary Clinton wants to look presidential she should consider the examples of previous presidents like John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. When John F. Kennedy faced failure after the Bay of Pigs fiasco he stated in an April 1961 press conference,”Victory has 100 fathers and defeat is an orphan.” He truly acknowledged his mistakes. In March 1987, Ronald Reagan stated after the failure that was Iran-Contra, “A few months ago, I told the American people I did not trade arms for hostages. My heart and best intentions still tell me that’s true, but the facts and evidence tell me it is not.”
So I ask Hillary Clinton to stand and deliver the truth about Benghazi. History has shown that the acknowledgment of mistakes is the backbone of truly great leaders. So to answer Hillary Clinton’s question, “What difference does it make?” The truth always makes a difference.
To paraphrase Bud Collyer, “Will the real Hillary Clinton please stand up?”