CNBC host and admittedly staunch Democrat Donny Deutsch said Thursday it was "inarguable" that the Obama administration had adjusted Benghazi talking points in the heat of an election campaign, so as not to appear weak on terrorism.
DEUTSCH: Hey guys, I'm a staunch Democrat and a communications expert. I think it's almost indisputable, your point, Joe. Of course, if he does not want to seem vulnerable at the time, as weak on terrorism, that's what you do. It doesn't make him evil. It makes him a president running for office. So you start to get the words cover-up, conspiracy, it takes on different ... versus, 'Let's get this out this way.' I don't think -- it's inarguable at this point, frankly.
At Thursday's House hearing, foreign service officer Gregory Hicks testified he was stunned and embarrassed when Susan Rice initially went on Sunday talk shows and said the attack arose from a spontaneous demonstration outside the consulate.
Reporting shows the talking points were changed to deliberately obscure the notion that al-Qaeda terrorists were involved and to downplay the significance of the attack itself. Critics charge this was done in order not to undermine Obama's oft-repeated campaign refrain of having al-Qaeda on the run.