Paul Mirengoff
PowerLine
11/9/2012
General Petraeus has resigned as CIA Director, citing an extramarital affair. “Such behavior,” he says, “is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours.”
But the affair apparently took place some time ago. Petraeus says it happened “after 37 years marriage.” He has been married for more than 38 years. He became CIA director on June 30, a week before his 37th wedding anniversary.
Two weeks ago, Petraeus made it clear, in a public statement, that the Benghazi disaster was not on the CIA. Is his departure, three days after the election, related to that statement? Does it have to do with upcoming congressional hearings in which he would have testified as head of the CIA? Or does Petraeus simply not want to work any longer for a president who, quite possibly against Petraeus’ urging, declined to come to the aid of our beleaguered staff in Benghazi?
The kicker, of course, is Petraeus’ confession of the extramarital affair. Presumably, he could have resigned without the confession. So why did he offer it?
Two possible answers come to my mind…
The article continues at PowerLine.
…Paula Broadwell is the author of Petraeus’ biography, “All In.” She had extensive access to Petraeus in Afghanistan and has given numerous television interviews speaking about him.
Petraeus resigned Friday, citing an extramarital affair. The woman involved was not identified.
The law enforcement officials said they do not believe the FBI investigation will result in any criminal charges. They also stressed that Petraeus is not under investigation…
At Instapundit:
GENERAL PETRAEUS RESIGNS OVER AN AFFAIR, BUT . . . “Is the resignation really about the affair… or is it connected to Benghazi?”
Who was the affair with? That would seem to matter. He was scheduled to testify on Benghazi next week.
ANOTHER UPDATE: “If only Petraeus was president instead of head of the CIA then sleeping around wouldn’t be an issue.” That depends. Is he a Democrat?
MORE: So extramarital affairs are now “get of of testifying free” cards? Good to know.
Also: “The way to defuse every single conspiracy theory is to testify, as planned.”
White House Press Corps Chuckles When Ed Henry Mentions Benghazi
Now that David Petraeus has resigned, maybe they can’t stop laughing and bone up on Benghazi. It’s only their job, after all.
And the link to Elizabeth Warren in all this? Holly Petraeus.
Paragraph 11 Explains Petraeus Departure
Update: Petraeus To Skip Next Week’s Benghazi Hearing
Lt. Col.: Timing Of Petraeus Resignation ‘Smells’
Hillary to Step Down ‘Within Days’ of Inauguration
Update 2: CIA Analyst on Petraeus Departure: “TIMING IS TOO PERFECT… IT REALLY SMELLS” (Video)
“The timing is too perfect for the Obama administration. Just as the administration claimed it was purely coincidence that the Benghazi consulate was attacked on 9-11. Now it’s purely coincidence that this affair surfaces right after the election but before the intelligence chiefs go to capital hill to get grilled…. It really smells.“
Update 3: When Did Obama Know About Petraeus’ Affair?
Did he know about it months ago, which seems likely?
Did he tell Petraeus to resign after the election?
If Petraeus had to resign because he was compromised, he was compromised months ago.
Did Obama leave a compromised head of the CIA in place to avoid some difficult politics?
Petraeus’ testimony about this — not the affair, but Obama’s knowledge of it and offers to resign — is now required.
Special Report explains how Petraeus affair was uncovered by the FBI
Update 4: MICHAEL WALSH ON PETRAEUS: David and Bathsheba. “He needs to be called before the Intelligence Committee and to testify about the truth of what happened in Benghazi, including the real reason that ambassador Stevens was there — which, if the rumors of a gun-running operation to Syria are true (shades of both Fast and Furious and Iran-Contra) could be highly deleterious to the administration, and which might have had an effect on the election had they been publicly known. Petraeus should welcome the opportunity, and in fact insist on it. It would be his final act of patriotism — and should he be prevented by the administration and its Democratic allies in Congress from testifying, then his forced silence will speak almost as loudly and even more eloquently.” at Instapundit.
Update 5: Rep. Gowdy told Greta Van Susteren: Either Petraeus will come before Congressional Committee or he will be subpoenaed.
