Sources: Key task force not convened during Benghazi consulate attack

In the days after the assault, counterterrorism officials expressed dismay over what they interpreted as the Obama Administration's unwillingness to acknowledge that the attack was terrorism; and their opinion that resources which could have helped were excluded.

Counterterrorism officials from two agencies said they concluded almost immediately that the attack was by terrorists and was not spontaneous. "I came to this conclusion as soon as I heard the mortar rounds were impacting on top of the building our people were occupying," says one. "The position of the mortar must be plotted on a map, the target would have to be plotted, computations would be calculated that would result in the proper mortar tube elevation and the correct number of powder bags to be attached to the rounds."

A White House official says President Obama immediately acknowledged the assault was a terrorist attack. However, there was confusion as White House spokesman Jay Carney said three days later, "We have no information to suggest that it was a preplanned attack."

On Sept.16, U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice told CBS' "Face the Nation" and other talk shows that the assault appeared to have grown from a spontaneous protest over an anti-Islam video.

CBS' Bob Schieffer asked Rice whether she thought "that this was something that had been plotted out several months ago?" Rice answered, "We do not have information at present that leads us to conclude that this was premeditated or preplanned."

In an interview last week, President Obama said "the minute" he became aware of the Benghazi attack, he directed his staff to "make sure that we are securing our personnel and doing whatever we need to do."

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[mkelley12000]

I bet Attkisson is a pariah within CBS for daring to criticize the Obama administration. She better watch her back.

[jelink]

Sharyl Attkisson gets props for being the only reporter on CBS who actually tries to report.

She did really great work on "Fast and Furious", alone among "the Majors" and (of course) the CNN/MSNBC knee-padded Rumpswabs and Peg Boys for the Obamanoids and King Putt himself.

[guntrc]

Why didn't the administration call upon the CSG; Not a hard question for those that are not actively supporting the Obama narrative....CBS congratulations you've decided to start reporting real news stories to compliment all of the Pro Obama stuff that you've been feeding the American public for so long. First question is, where were you 8 months ago, when the parents of these guys were going through anguish being lied to by our public servants; second is will this story actually make it to the morning show.....doubt it.

[John_in_SD]

What was it 10 days after the attack the President before the United Nations and lied about the video. I can live with some messed up but to carry on lies for a week plus really hurts.

[tamlock]

It's very clear and obvious that Obama withheld the fact that Al Quida extremist Terrorist still exist and attacked us on September 11, the one day when our Security should be at its highest. He withheld this information for political reasons because he was worried about the election and not being re-elected. Whats funny is that supposedly the information was classified not to tempt extremist groups and I guess now its not classified anymore because General Proteaous had an affair...So I guess we didn't need to know until the investigation which only happened because the Republicans wouldnt let it go. I mean,what are the odds of a anti-muslim video being played a week earlier? I read that Obama denounced the video or somebody from the White House did. How can he always have all these "outs"? So far he knew about Patreaous and didnt tell us and he knew about Al Quida being involved and he didnt tell us. He didnt tell us until he had too. I guess Al Quida isn't classified anymore, when did he decide that? He didn't, the General told us, not him. Just like the General decided when to quit. Patreaus quit on the eve of the election, Al Quida comes out when Patreaus tells us what he knew. Obama doesn't tell us nothing and never would if he didnt have too. The guys got too many secrets and his major two so far are about our Head of our countrys defense and about our biggest evil enemy, Al Quida...What a coincidence. whats next????? the truth will come out.....

[LynnainTx]

This was public knowledge weeks ago on FOX news, Twitter and Facebook. Why is it CBS took so long to post this information and who so minimal coverage. Seems CBS was trying to suppress information that could have affected the election. Like a Commander in chief who told our military to 'stand down' while he watched our people die under enemy fire. Thats a shame and your place in journalism credibility will forever be questioned since you with held the truth on this critical topic until now. You can not expect us to believe CBS JUST NOW learned about this.

[marekallens]

We need another Journalistic Woodward and Bernstein moment in the mainstream media, as no one else at CBS seems to put journalism before politics it looks like you are the one to do it Sharyl. Without the trust that real journalism generates it is no wonder the big 3 networks have been plunging in the ratings. As you can see from the number of comments, when real journalists do their job and report...people will come. If you get canned for it so be it, the people that really want to know will follow you where ever you go.

[jerrytollison]

So where has CBS been for the last month? This story has been reported by FOX news for the last 4 weeks. Your news network is complicit in the Obama coverup. Shame on CBS news and the rest of your cohorts on NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC. Did you finally realize your appointed one is going to lose and you are trying to regain any credibility that you have lost over the last 20 years? Sorry guys, I have lost all faith in your ability to report what is going on here and around the world.

[kevwells1]

The new SEAL TEAM SIX movie and the Benghazi story have a lot in common. They are both about the President, both about SEALs, both about terrorists killing Americans, and both have had significant edits. Where they differ is that one had to be rushed to your TV screens and one has had to be delayed as much as possible.

[bringinit2ya]

I couldn't agree more.

[sabniz]

the Obama admin's incompetence in handling Banghazi embassy attack caused 4 American lives. he assumed the responsibility and therefore he has the 4 people's blood in his hand.

it's just so sick to listen to Obama, Hillary and other top officials talking about the video over and over immediately after the attack. what's their problem not to protect those 4 people there, and to divert the attention to a stupid video instead?

[buckeybb]

This just makes me sick and now after 8 weeks the Media is just now following it i'm discussed. if this President is reelected everyone that votes for him will have blood on their hands as well