Appearing on NBC's Chris Matthews Show on Sunday, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius initially dismissed the Benghazi terrorist attack as being "Fox News's super-story," with left-wing host Matthews agreeing: "This is a big Fox story." Fellow Post columnist Kathleen Parker called out Ignatius: "I know Fox has been covering it, but, you know, that doesn't mean it's wrong." Ignatius acknowledged: "It doesn't mean it's wrong." [Listen to the audio or watch the video after the jump]
Parker, who prompted discussion of the topic, told Matthews: "I knew you were going to roll your eyes on this, but I think it makes you look good to at least mention it on your show." Matthews replied: "David's also rolling his eyes." Ignatius denied the charge, declaring: "No, I think this is, Benghazi is a serious story." Parker prodded him: "Could you say that a little louder, please?" Ignatius reiterated: "Benghazi is a serious story."
Here is a full transcript of the May 5 panel discussion:
10:21AM ET
KATHLEEN PARKER [COLUMNIST, WASHINGTON POST]: As you do know, Benghazi hearings start on Wednesday. And I'm assured the Oversight Committee is looking into claims by certain witnesses that, A, things are different then they seem, and B, that they've been blocked by the State Department in some ways, intimidated.
CHRIS MATTHEWS: What is – what are they trying to get out? What is the message of the so-called whistle-blowers?
PARKER: Well, what happened in terms of whether they did request extra security, what happened on the day of, and what happened afterward?
MATTHEWS: Well, what is – what is the message?
PARKER: I can't tell you that because no one will tell me. All I can tell you is that they assure me, they assure me that whatever comes out on Wednesday and in ensuing meetings, that will contradict the official line.
MATTHEWS: Okay, we'll see.
DAVID IGNATIUS [COLUMNIST, WASHINGTON POST]: This is Fox News's super-story.
PARKER: I know Fox has been covering it...
MATTHEWS: This is a big Fox story.
PARKER: ...but, you know, that doesn't mean it's wrong.
IGNATIUS: It doesn't mean it's wrong.
MATTHEWS: Now just if these whistle-blowers have something to do, why don't they whistle it on background, so we'd know what they're talking about?
PARKER: Well, I'm talking to lawyers, and lawyers are maintaining confidence with their – I knew you were going to roll your eyes on this, but I think it makes you look good to at least mention it on your show.
MATTHEWS: Let's go, we've got David. David's also rolling his eyes.
IGNATIUS: We – no, I think this is, Benghazi is a serious story. We talked about Syria-
PARKER: Could you say that a little louder, please?
IGNATIUS: Benghazi is a serious story.
PARKER: Okay.
(...)
