New York Daily News

‘FAILURE’

Pols rip Prez for attacks

- BYJONATHAN LEMIRE and LARRY McSHANE

REPUBLICAN­S ON Friday launched a new attack on President Obama’s handling of the Libyan consulate killings, trying to undermine his national security credential­s before a presidenti­al debate on foreign policy.

Two top Republican congressme­n and vice presidenti­al nominee Paul Ryan accused the Obama administra­tion of providing inadequate security at the consulate before the killings — and inadequate informatio­n afterward.

“Your administra­tion has not been straightfo­rward with the American people in the af- termath of the attack,” read a letter to Obama from Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah).

The pair said their House oversight panel uncovered requests from U.S. personnel in Libya asking for increased security before last month’s attack, when Islamic militants stormed the consulate in Benghazi and killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.

The letter claimed the call for more protection was rejected because the administra­tion was eager to show improving conditions in Libya after the revolution that toppled Libyan dictator Moammar Khadafy.

“These critical foreign policy decisions are not made by low or mid-level career officials — they are typically made through a structured and well-reasoned process that includes the National Security Council and the White House,” wrote Issa and Chaffetz.

Vice presidenti­al candidate Paul Ryan reinforced the attack, telling a Wisconsin radio station, “Look around the world, turn on your TV. And what we see in front of us is the absolute unraveling of the Obama ad

ministra-

 ?? AFP/Getty Images ?? Critics fired away at President Obama for his handling of Sept. 11 attacks on U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, (at right) that left four dead last month, including Ambassador Chris Stevens (below). The President, seen with Secretary of State Clinton...
AFP/Getty Images Critics fired away at President Obama for his handling of Sept. 11 attacks on U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, (at right) that left four dead last month, including Ambassador Chris Stevens (below). The President, seen with Secretary of State Clinton...
 ??  ?? Christophe­r Stevens
Christophe­r Stevens

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