The President of the United States Barack Obama slams GOP criticism of UN Ambassador Rice over Benghazi attack as 'outrageous'

President Obama defends U.N. ambassador Susan Rice against criticism from Sen. John McCain and Sen. Lindsey Graham over the Benghazi attacks in Libya.

Story by  NBC News

Written by James Eng

President Barack Obama on Wednesday spiritedly defended U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice over her response to the September attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, that left four Americans dead, assailing Republican criticism of her as "outrageous."

At his first news conference since winning re-election, the president said Rice has done “exemplary work” and accused GOP critics of trying to “besmirch” her reputation.

“I don’t think there’s any debate in this country that when you have four Americans killed, that’s a problem, and we’ve got to get to the bottom of it and there needs to be accountability. We’ve got to bring those who carried it out to justice. They won’t get any debate from me on that,” Obama said sternly.

U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice speaks during a meeting on Syria in the United Nations Security Council, Aug. 30. (AP photo)

“But when they go after the U.N. ambassador, apparently because they think she’s an easy target, then they’ve got a problem with me.”
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/14/15167694-obama-slams-gop-criticism-of-un-ambassador-rice-over-benghazi-attack-as-outrageous?lite