Following the remarks by Speaker- in- waiting Rep. Kevin "I'm Not A Pod Person!" McCarthy (R-Dimwit) admitting what anyone with a pulse already knew, that the Benghazi!!! House committee was a political witch- hunt to bring down Hillary Clinton, Democrats are signaling they may no longer take part in Rep. Trey "Deuce" Gowdy's (R-Conehead) costly, long- running charade. Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) indicated as much on MSNBC:
“[T]he committee is a joke and I think Democrats ought to call it what it is and say we`re not going to participate in this anymore.
“And that’s my initial reaction – I`ll listen to my leadership on this and perhaps they will again have greater wisdom – but it just has been an embarrassment.”
It’s no idle threat. In light of Kevin McCarthy, the likely next Speaker of the House, admitting what Democrats have long feared, there’s a very real possibility that Dems on the panel may decide to simply walk away from a process that’s been corrupted. If the committee is now nothing more than a taxpayer-funded election tool, some Democrats no longer see the point in participating in a farce.
Democrats should find a way to avoid being at the committee'sIndeed, Smith isn’t the only one with these concerns. Yesterday, other Democratic committee members, including Reps. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), called on the Benghazi panel to disband, though they have not yet indicated whether they’re prepared to resign in protest. (our emphasis)
UPDATE: Apparently, Dems aren't boycotting -- yet. Here's Rep. Cummings' statement:
“As Rep. McCarthy’s statement made crystal clear this week, Republicans created the Benghazi Select Committee from the very beginning to wage a taxpayer-funded political campaign against Hillary Clinton’s bid for president. Obviously, this is an unethical abuse of millions of taxpayer dollars and a crass assault on the memories of the four Americans who died, and I believe it should be halted immediately. However, I am not naïve in thinking Republicans will cease their political attacks on Secretary Clinton, which is why I will be in that room defending the truth.”(Photo: Benghazi!!! House committee coneheaded inquisitor Rep. Trey "Deuce" Gowdy - photo not retouched.)