Obama: No evidence classified info compromised in Petraeus scandal

President Obama speaks during a press conference November 14, 2012 in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C.

/ Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Updated at 2:42 p.m. ET

President Obama said today that he's seen no evidence to suggest that classified information was compromised because of the scandal that led to former CIA Director David Petraeus' resignation last week.

"I have no evidence at this point from what I've seen that classified information was disclosed in any way that would've had a negative impact on our national security," Mr. Obama said in his first White House news conference since winning re-election.

Petraeus abruptly resigned on Friday after admitting to an extramarital affair. Mr. Obama said that Petraeus did not meet his own standards to serve as CIA director because of his improper relationship with his biographer, Paula Broadwell.

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"It's on that basis that he tendered his resignation, and it's on that basis that I accepted" his resignation, Mr. Obama said.

Members of Congress have questioned why the White House only learned of the FBI investigation into Petraeus after the Nov. 6 presidential election. Mr. Obama declined to criticize the FBI's handling of the matter, citing its protocols for criminal investigations.

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Obama: No evidence Petraeus scandal hurt national security

"I am withholding judgment with respect to how the entire process surrounding Gen. Petraeus came up. We don't have all the information yet," the president said. "But I want to say I have a lot of confidence generally in the FBI, and they've got a difficult job."

Mr. Obama stressed his respect for Petraeus, saying,"From my perspective, at least, he has provided this country with an extraordinary service. We are safer because of the work David Petraeus has done."

He noted that investigation began as a criminal investigation and "one of the challenges here is we're not supposed to meddle, and that's been our practice... That's traditionally how we do things in part because people are innocent until proven guilty and we don't want to prejudge."

Mr. Obama also stressed his respect for Petraeus, saying,"From my perspective, at least, he has provided this country with an extraordinary service. We are safer because of the work David Petraeus has done."

Today's news conference is Mr. Obama's 20th White House news conference in which he took questions from the press, according to CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller. His last news conference was on March 6.

In addition to addressing the Petraeus scandal, Mr. Obama used the opportunity broach a far more expected crisis -- the looming "fiscal cliff." He stressed that unless Congress acts to avert the "fiscal cliff" all Americans could see their taxes could go up and the economy could fall back into a recession.

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[sbob850]

I thought this Monkey's As didn't know anything?? What a freak show he's running. And the country reelected this turd. Unbelievable.

[Ulgnud]

Now how would he know whether there was damage? Remember this was the guy who was apologizing and pandering to Muslims and blaming the video for the attack. This while everyone else knew it was a terror attack. We should wait for an assessment from qualified intelligence experts. We have not even addressed the Embassy personnel who were repeatedly asking for help. Help that never came.

[Rafterman11]

PMAC13 replies: Hey Rafterman11 - Please, please explain to me how a political party benefits from this. Seriously?

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Hey, PMC11, Please please explain what the crime committed here was. I hear "coverup", but no one can seem to tell me what the alleged "crime" that Obama committed was.

[olyboy]

This is the same guy that stands up and says he and his administration do everything possible to protect civilians serving overseas while ignoring the FACT that he and his administration DID NOTHING to protect four americans who died on his watch. Why would any sane human being believe anything he says when he can completely ignore the facts and make such a ridiculous and obviously incorrect statement? I am amazed that the press is able to dress themselves in the morning if they are willing to accept a statement like that in a press conference.

[proffessrG]

The national press corp is a national disgrace. It would less embarrassing for themselves to walk around in urine-soaked pants than it is for them to open their mouths of cavernous stupidity. Not one of them has any ability to ask a salient question that will lead to any factual information. Who? What? Why? When? Where? All they do is spin liberal narrative. If you know a journalist, please read this comment to them very slowly, using small words and crayons if necessary.

[Rafterman11]

I'm sorry that the media does not attack Obama 24/7 like you want them to do, but the job of the press isn't to serve the right wing agenda.

[eroteme2]

Although 'they' claim their affair did not begin until he became CIA Director, marriage breaker Paula was 'embedded' with Petraeus in Afghanistan. One might suspect there was a 'close' relationship while they were together in Afghanistan. Adultery is a court martial offense to those in the military although seldom used as a charge by itself. Leaving Paula aside it seems a bit unlikely he did not pussyfoot around while serving in the military, one does not normally begin adultery activity when nearing 60. I believe Petraeus has fooled a lot of people in the past, perhaps including his wife. And then Paula has the audacity to warn that Jill Kelley uses her charms to seduce high ranking military officers. Paula went to the top.

[littlebuddyd]

House of cards falling down as America ducks it's head!

[littlebuddyd]

It's George W.'s fault.

[cntrygirl3]

I don't really care about Mr. Patreaus' love life. But I do very much care that the President stand his ground on these tax cuts. If the republican house keeps passing extending all the tax cuts and if for some ridiculous reason the senate passes it too he must veto it if he doesn't we will just have a repeat of this year. The only thing that is going to change anything is to get rid of the tax cuts. This will give the Republicans a nudge to actually reform the tax code.

[Ulgnud]

Yuo cannot Tax n Spend your way to prosperity. Sooner or later people will wake up to that fact. If anyone wants real and meaningful tax reform, the answer has been there all along. A simple flat tax that applies to everyone with no deductions for anyone for any reason.

[tjk43219]

President Obama is right for calling out the Rethuglicans. They are trying to play hardball by blocking Susan Rice's nomination. Republicans are still angry that they lost the election and cannot go on.

[cbaustintx]

Susan Rice should not be nominated for anything until the Benghazi mess is cleared up. She went on five different news shows and said the same thing, it was the video. Who gave her that information? Who directed her to go on those shows? She works in the UN.

[PMac13]

You are a moron. Pay attention to what is going on and get off of your bi-party-san name calling. WOW!

[douloscross]

So, by White House accounts the communications were not working fully during the Benghazi attacks. This was occurring in the midst of the affair(S). Yet there is no connection between these events? This has as much credibility as the Administration saying because this MAY have been a law enforcement investigation it was appropriate for the president to be "told" only as the election winding up? My how convenient.