September 11 2012: Islamic militants storm two US compounds in Benghazi, Libya, killing 4 men (including the US Ambassador). In the following days accounts differ over whether these attacks were pre-meditated or an offshoot of the uprising sparked by the release of the trailer for anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims. Subsequent investigations (and trust me when I say there are many) reveal that American personnel stationed in the area had repeatedly sent requests for extra security that were denied by the State Department, at the time led by Hillary Clinton.

Many questions were asked, with good reason.

As Secretary of State Clinton accepted responsibility for the incident but pointed out that security issues were handled by specific safety officials within the department and not directly by her. Unsatisfied with the results of an FBI investigation and the 6 committees already researching the incident, Congress approved the creation of the Select Committee on Benghazi, a supposedly bi-partisan panel led by Republican Trey Gowdy, to hone in on the facts. 17 months and $4.7 million later, the committee have done little to establish closure on the Benghazi incident, but a lot to undermine the Republican Party’s credibility and boost Hillary Clinton’s appeal.

So what exactly has the panel been up to? Well, their research revealed that during her time as Secretary of State Clinton had used a private server and email address to conduct government business. Although she argues that classified information was neither sent nor received on the account, it was a questionable choice and raises important issues about government transparency. Sadly the committee got a little giddy on the excitement of having unearthed a new Clinton scandal and clung to it like a dog with a bone. As Hillary embarked on her presidential campaign the group blatantly switched its focus from the facts surrounding Benghazi to vilifying Clinton.

In September an ex-staffer on the committee, Bradley Podliska (a Republican), claimed he had been fired from his role for refusing to focus his research solely on Clinton. He also revealed that due to the length of the investigation a social element had emerged within the committee: a wine club was created, with members enjoying ‘wine Wednesdays’ (I’m not kidding) and some of the Republicans set up a gun-buying club, using the conference room for meetings.

The final nail in the coffin for the already-crumbling charade of bi-partisanship came when lead contender for speaker of the house Kevin McCarthy boasted on Fox News: “Everybody thought Hillary Clinton was unbeatable right? But we put together a Benghazi Special Committee. What are her numbers today? Her numbers are dropping.” You can just picture Gowdy choking on his Cabernet Sauvignon. Needless to say the statement quickly put a cork in Kev’s speakership ambitions.

By the time Thursday’s hearing came along, Clinton and her team had already provided multiple hours of testimony and reams of data over three arduous years. For those of us who’ve been following the case, well, let’s just say the term ‘flogging a dead horse’ doesn’t really cover it. Once again questions followed the tired formula ‘Do you recall an email conversation from November 2012…?’ If she does she may actually be a robot (Quick! Permission to form the Committee on Cyborg Infiltration of the Democratic Party!) because I can’t remember my email activity from last week. The panel were suspicious when important developments were not mentioned in email exchanges on relevant days. Clinton had to admit that sometimes she would use a telephone or – gasp! – hold face-to-face meetings. Proceedings deteriorated somewhat when the panel began squabbling amongst themselves, as some of the Democrats made it clear that even they were cynical about the Committee’s agenda:

In contrast, Hillary managed to remain composed and cool-headed throughout the marathon eleven-hour hearing. Not even an eye-roll! Mine were up and down so much they risked becoming lodged in the back of my head like one of those creepy old-fashioned dolls. Her facial expressions did hint at a woman both bemused and irritated by the whole situation. But who can blame her? The Benghazi investigations have surpassed those on Watergate in length and Hillary has arguably been subjected to more public scrutiny and political trial than George W. Bush after 9/11. Even Republicans took to social media to bemoan the committee’s behaviour and its damaging effect on the Party’s image at an already fraught time.

Thursday’s hearing revealed just how many divisions exist within the GOP, just how out of touch with the public mood some of its members are, and just how far their actions can inadvertently push the country towards electing its first female president.

Header image by Marc Nozell via Flickr