Applying lessons learned from Fast and Furious investigation to Benghazi-gate

Attorney General Eric Holder recently told a class of law students that he may not be back for a second term. To say Holder's first term was scandal-ridden would be an understatement. Right out of the gate, after the Justice Department dropped charges against members of the New Black Panther Party (NBPP) related to voter intimidation, Holder was dogged by an investigation that just wouldn't go away for his first two years.

In November of 2010, the Civil Rights Commission found that Holder's Justice Department had created and implemented a policy that favored blacks over whites when it came to voting rights.

Approximately one month later, U.S. Border agent Brian Terry was gunned down in Arizona. Guns found at the scene were traced back to an ATF operation known as Fast and Furious. Whistleblowers came forward and informed the public through House Oversight Committee chairman Darrell Issa and Senate Judiciary ranking member Charles Grassley, that they were being told to let guns 'walk' into Mexico. What ensued was a nearly two year battle that ensnared the Justice Department. To this point, that investigation culminated with the Attorney General being found in both criminal and civil contempt of Congress for not honoring a subpoena for documents.

If not for the dogged pursuit of justice over Fast and Furious by a significant contingent of engaged Americans, conservative bloggers, and certain Republican members of Congress (particularly on Issa's committee), the scandal likely wouldn't have gotten as far as it did and Holder might not be mulling retirement right now.

To the extent that the Fast and Furious investigation was successful, it was hamstrung by a complicit media, a corrupt and hyper-partisan Democratic party, and Republican leadership that seemed disinterested in fighting the good fight. Speaker John Boehner rarely spoke about the scandal and when he did, his words were brief, measured, and virtually inconsequential. Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee, rarely broached the subject when it would have been most effective; the third debate comes to mind.

Had Mitt Romney asked the president to explain why he asserted Executive Privilege to prevent the subpoenaed documents from being released to Congress, the mainstream media would have been forced to cover the story. Ditto if Boehner would have been more outspoken about the scandal. Any hopes that a Romney win would have given Republican leadership the opportunity to take the path of least resistance were dashed on November 6th.

Now that same Republican leadership has something much bigger and much more significant to deal with - an Obama second term and Benghazi-gate.

We're already seeing a willingness on the part of the mainstream media and the Democratic party to follow the same formula that either prevented or delayed justice in Fast and Furious. What we cannot afford is for Republican leadership to do the same. Benghazi is far worse than Fast and Furious. While Committee hearings appear to be in the offing - to include Issa's Oversight Committee - House leadership, to include John Boehner (assuming he's re-elected as Speaker), is more likely than not to attempt to avoid fighting that good fight again.

Some will say that Benghazi-gate will be dealt a blow as a direct result of the President's reelection. Again, however, had there been a responsible media to report on the scandal before the election, Obama likely would have lost.

Those of us who understand that 2+2=4 know that socialist, liberal economic policies are always doomed to fail. To the extent that they're implemented in Obama's second term, they will again. The United States is going to hit a very rough patch in the coming months / years. That, coupled with a very public, forceful, and united front from House Republicans and leadership on Benghazi-gate could lead to justice being done.

Getting to the bottom of Benghazi-gate will require much of what got us so close to getting to the bottom of Fast and Furious - whistleblowers, an informed and engaged public that demands answers, and committed Republicans on House Committees with fearless Republican chairmen. It will also require something we didn't have during the Fast and Furious investigation...

...a fearless Speaker.

Preventing John Boehner from becoming the Neville Chamberlain of Obama's second term

Barack Obama has obviously been strengthened with re-election. He can now pursue his left wing agenda unfettered by the concerns of another political campaign. The Democrats' power in the Senate was strengthened as well; they inexplicably gained seats when they had far more to protect than did Republicans. In at least two cases, they chose radical leftists in both Massachusetts and Wisconsin over moderates.

Conversely, the Republicans gained seats in the House, thereby (theoretically) making Speaker John Boehner's position stronger than before. He retains his position as the most powerful Republican in elected office. However, with the aforementioned realities, there will be even more pressure on him to lead. Democrats will try to push him around more than before and conservatives will demand now more than ever that he hold the line.

Unfortunately, based on Boehner's history, the prospects for the former seem to be far more likely than the latter. He will be pulled in two very different directions but early indications - the day after the election - are that Boehner is sending signals that he could be more conciliatory during the first half of Obama's second term than he was in the second half of the president's first term.

Less than twenty-four hours after the election, Boehner was offering to put tax hikes on the table (new sources of revenue) and suggested that the election was a mandate for both parties to work together. This is very troubling talk from the Speaker. When the Constitution is under assault, working together with those perpetrating that assault is not an acceptable form of compromise.

Via CNBC:

House Speaker John Boehner offered Wednesday to pursue a deal with a victorious President Barack Obama that will include higher taxes "under the right conditions" to help reduce the nation's staggering debt and put its finances in order.

"Mr. President, this is your moment," Boehner told reporters, speaking about the "fiscal cliff" that will hit in January. "We want you to lead."

Boehner said House Republicans are asking Obama "to make good on a balanced approach" that would including spending cuts and address government social benefit programs.

"Let's find the common ground that has eluded us," Boehner said while congratulating the president on winning a second term.

This is not the time for compromise; it's time for leadership and solidarity with the Constitution. Boehner could have done more to lead on things like the Fast and Furious investigation, for example. Doing so likely would have put it front and center, making it a top issue. He didn't (in much the same way that Romney punted on Benghazi in debate #3). In fact, Boehner's relative silence on Fast and Furious seemed to indicate that he wanted it to go away. He even scheduled Eric Holder's contempt hearing on the same day as the Obamacare ruling at the Supreme Court.

The Speaker was likely banking on a Romney win, which would have been the path of least resistance on things like Fast and Furious. As it is now, the path of least resistance is even less desirable but, based on Boehner's history - and his words yesterday - probably more likely for him to take.

Conservatives will have their work cut out for them when it comes to holding Boehner accountable but that task is shaping up to be a top priority if they are to prevent the Speaker from coming down with Neville Chamberlainism.

Chris Christie hugs Springsteen; goes home and cries

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was allegedly a finalist for being selected as Mitt Romney's running mate. It's becoming more apparent by the day that Christie was not the right choice. First, a hug and a stroll on the beach with Barack Obama. Next, he hugged Bruce Springsteen and proceeded to cry when he got home.

Via CBS News:

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie hasn't been shy about his passion for Bruce Springsteen.

He's been to countless shows (more than 100, he says), has quoted lyrics in speeches and speaks openly about his love for The Boss. But Springsteen hasn't really acknowledged Christie - until now.

The Republican governor had a couple of interactions with Springsteen this past week in the wake of superstorm Sandy. Christie says he was so moved by their conversation that he cried when he got home; it was a high point in a long and tough week.

Chris Christie has some serious issues.

Do you think he has this Springsteen song in his iPad?