Sen. Graham Responds To Obama: Don’t Think I Don’t Hold You ‘Ultimately Responsible’ For Benghazi

On Wednesday, during his first post-election press conference, President Barack Obama defended Ambassador Susan Rice (with regard to the attack in Libya) and sent a message to senators vowing to block Rice from potentially becoming Secretary of State: “Go after me.” And it was duly noted. Sen. Lindsey Graham quickly responded, noting that he absolutely holds the president accountable.

RELATED: President Obama To Senators Attacking Ambassador Susan Rice: ‘Go After Me.’

“If Senator [John] McCain and Senator Graham and others want to go after somebody,” Obama said, “they should go after me.”

In response, Graham released the following statement (via TPM):

“Mr. President, don’t think for one minute I don’t hold you ultimately responsible for Benghazi. I think you failed as Commander in Chief before, during, and after the attack.

“We owe it to the American people and the victims of this attack to have full, fair hearings and accountability be assigned where appropriate. Given what I know now, I have no intention of promoting anyone who is up to their eyeballs in the Benghazi debacle.”

Earlier today, McCain said he would do everything in his power to block Rice replacing Hillary Clinton. Obama said he wouldn’t comment on any second-term nominations yet, but lauded Rice’s work with the administration.

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