Leader McCarthy: 'Off to a rough start,' 'under fire'

Speakers are typically experienced and crafty with their words.  Speaker-in-waiting Kevin McCarthy, however, is clearly neither.  His inexperience and speaking struggles are causing an uproar after his blunt and disturbing confession about the Benghazi Committee's true intent.

Washington Post – Kevin McCarthy's comments about Benghazi should trouble Republicans

New York Times – Kevin McCarthy, House Speaker Favorite, UnderFire for Benghazi Comment

Salon – Kevin McCarthy lets GOP's Benghazi mask slip: It's all about derailing Hillary Clinton

SF Gate – Kevin McCarthy off to a rough start

MSNBC notes:

It's almost as if the House Majority Leader assumed he was among friends, dropped his guard momentarily, and admitted out loud what Republicans are only supposed to say in private.

There was no real reason to create this committee, and the panel itself no longer serves any legitimate purpose.  McCarthy's unexpected candor was welcome – it was, to be sure, surprising to see him make such a concession on national television – but it served as a timely reminder that the Benghazi investigation that no longer focuses on Benghazi is now little more than a taxpayer-financed farce.

House Democrats are not tolerating Mr. McCarthy's shameless and distressing admission:

Congressman Elijah Cummings:  "It is shameful that Republicans have used this tragedy and the deaths of our fellow Americans for political gain."

Congressman Adam Schiff:  "In boasting of how the Select Committee had driven down the poll numbers of Secretary Hillary Clinton, McCarthy laid bare the abusive purpose of this taxpayer funded committee."

Congresswoman Linda Sanchez:  "This stunning admission shows a gross misuse of millions in tax payer dollars for a purely political purpose."

Congressman Eliot Engel:  "The circus needs to pack up and leave town."

Speaker Boehner said last year that the so-called Benghazi Committee was "about getting to the truth," and not about political objectives.  Well, Americans know the real truth now.