A controversial former aide to Hillary Clinton fired off a series of memos to the secretary of state in late 2012 blaming Republicans for bringing down Gen. David Petraeus as a covert way to damage the Obama administration.
Sidney Blumenthal, a divisive political operative who was barred from working in the State Department, told Clinton then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor had acted as the catalyst for the former CIA director’s downfall in emails made public by the State Department early Friday morning.
“My operative theory on Petraeus scandal is that it became an October Surprise that failed,” Blumenthal wrote in a Nov. 2012 memo.
“Forcing the scandal public and his resignation would have been the trifecta — leaks, Benghazi, then Petraeus — allowing Romney to argue that Obama had created a national security collapse. It would have overtaken the end of the campaign,” he argued.
In another email, Blumenthal shared press clippings that indicated Cantor had contacted then-FBI Director Robert Mueller to inform him that an unhappy FBI agent had reached out to share his frustration that agents had declined to pursue criminal charges against Petraeus for his mishandling of classified information.
“The FBI director hardly need to be informed that the FBI had conducted an investigation that was already over and exonerated Petraeus,” Blumenthal said. “The reason Cantor was informed was that the FBI agent was outraged that Petraeus was exonerated or being exonerated.”
“Cantor informed Mueller to put him on notice and pressure him — creating the series of events that in fact occurred — informing [Director of National Intelligence James] Clapper and forcing Petraeus out,” he added.
Clinton responded with confusion to Blumenthal’s theory, reminding Blumenthal that the retired general was “beloved” by Republicans.
“Why would Cantor want to hurt [Petraeus]?” she said.
Blumenthal blamed Petraeus’ ouster on Republicans who he said had invented a conspiracy theory about Benghazi that was “a projection of Iran-contra and Watergate rolled into one.”
The longtime Clinton ally apparently had advance knowledge of the New York Times story breaking the news of Cantor’s involvement in the episode, informing Clinton the story was coming out hours early because he had heard it from a friend at the paper.
“Omigod — there’s a new twist,” Blumenthal wrote. “You won’t believe who tipped off the FBI — you are so right that it has the stench of dirty tricks.”
Petraeus’ role in the fallout from Benghazi was back in the spotlight this week when the former CIA director appeared before the House Select Committee on Benghazi for a closed-door interview.
He was forced to step down from his position after sharing sensitive materials with his biographer and mistress.
