We Cannot Tolerate a President Who Refuses to Accept Responsiblity for Failures in His Administration

Remember the sign that sat on Harry Truman’s desk, the famous “The buck stops here?”

Apparently, that sense of presidential accountability is completely lost on our current commander-in-chief.  While he’ll take credit for killing Osama Bin Laden, he completely disavows any knowledge that our embassies were at risk – nor does he accept any responsibility for the deficient security of them –  despite the fact that the attacks came from the same terrorist forces inspired by Bin Laden.  

Instead, he lets/forces his secretary of state – and her alone – to take the fall for what has come to be an increasingly shameless, disingenuous and disgusting attempt to deflect responsibility.  Try as he may to hide behind Hillary’s skirt (or pant suit, as the case may be), the simple fact is that the terrorist attack on the Benghazi consulate was not just a State Department matter. Yes, the security of consulates are primarily the responsibility of the secretary of state, but the assassination and the events leading up to it involve policies far broader than just the number of Marines at the front door to a consulate.  Indeed, the Benghazi assassination is a reflection of a failure in core national security issues, including intelligence and counterterrorism  --  all of which the president should have clear and direct responsibility and involvement.  On that count, there is no question that the president has failed the American people.

Perhaps if he had spent less time on  The View and more time in security briefings,  Ambassador Chris Stevens would be alive today.

In stark contrast to Obama’s "we didn't know" position stands a statement from another president who did take personal responsibility for missteps in his administration regardless of his personal knowledge.

First, let me say I take full responsibility for my own actions and for those of my Administration.

As angry as I may be about activities undertaken without my knowledge, I am still accountable for those activities.

As disappointed as I may be in some who served me, I am still the one who must answer to the American people for this behavior.

And as personally distasteful as I find secret bank accounts and diverted funds, as the Navy would say, this happened on my watch.

Ronald Reagan on release of the Iran-Contra report, March 4, 1987