White House Knew Christian Video Wasn't the Cause of Attacks w/in 2 Hours

Officials at the White House and State Department were advised two hours after attackers assaulted the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11 that an Islamic militant group had claimed credit for the attack, official emails show.

One of the emails, obtained by Reuters from government sources not connected with U.S. spy agencies or the State Department and who requested anonymity, specifically mentions that the Libyan group called Ansar al-Sharia had asserted responsibility for the attacks.

White House officials went out of their way to blame the attacks on a Christian video maker, who has since been jailed for a parole violation (posting videos on the internet) and is not expected to be released until three days after the election. 
The brief emails also show how U.S. diplomats described the attack, even as it was still under way, to Washington.

U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans were killed in the Benghazi assault, which President Barack Obama and other U.S. officials ultimately acknowledged was a "terrorist" attack carried out by militants with suspected links to al Qaeda affiliates or sympathizers.

Administration spokesmen, including White House spokesman Jay Carney, citing an unclassified assessment prepared by the CIA, maintained for days that the attacks likely were a spontaneous protest against an anti-Muslim film.

While officials did mention the possible involvement of "extremists," they did not lay blame on any specific militant groups or possible links to al Qaeda or its affiliates until intelligence officials publicly alleged that on Sept. 28.

There were indications that extremists with possible al Qaeda connections were involved, but also evidence that the attacks could have erupted spontaneously, they said, adding that government experts wanted to be cautious about pointing fingers prematurely.

U.S. intelligence officials have emphasized since shortly after the attack that early intelligence reporting about the attack was mixed.

A spokesman for the White House had no comment. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the emails and the reports that followed "are simply further indication of the fluidity in reporting that night and in the days that followed."

"An independent board is conducting a thorough review of the assault on our post in Benghazi," Toner said in an emailed statement. "Once we have the board's comprehensive account of what happened, findings and recommendations, we can fully address these matters."

Although this scandal couldn't have come at a worst time for the White House (on the eve an the elections), many in the mainstream media are not giving it much attention. Requests for copies of the emails from the White House have not been provided and the President has said he is "offended" by accusations he is playing politics by dragging his feet on the matter. See Chick's BUSTED.