He Said, She Said.

In a new campaign ad set to roll today (Tuesday, October 6th, 2015) on national TV networks, Democratic front runner Hillary Clinton is taking advantage of a regretful comment House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) let loose last week on Fox News. The subject of the comments McCarthy made dealt with the 2012 terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya where four Americans lost their lives, including Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens. More specifically, his comments were aimed at revealing the true purpose of organizing the Benghazi Special Committee.

"Everybody thought Hillary Clinton was unbeatable, right? But we put together a Benghazi special committee, a select committee, [and] what are her numbers today? Her numbers are dropping. Why? Because she's untrustable. But no one would have known any of that had happened."

McCarthy's comments couldn't have come at a more critical time on a multitude of levels, especially considering he has his eyes on becoming the next Speaker of the House, a position that has been left void as a result of John Boehner's resignation. His main opposition for the position, fellow Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R- Utah), stated

"I think it's a total mischaracterization of the good work that's been done on the Benghazi committee."

The Benghazi Committee is paid for by taxpayer money and has been repeatedly defended by Republicans declaring that the purpose of the committee is to seek the truth about the 2012 terrorist attack. Republicans also maintain the position that the committee is nonpartisan, and their chief concern is to seek the truth, nothing more.

While McCarthy tried to backpedal with a follow up statement stating, "it was never my intention to ever imply this committee was political, because we all know it is not," Clinton had her own two cents to offer.

"Well, I have to say that now that they have admitted it's a political, partisan committee for the sole purpose of going after me -- not trying to make our diplomats who serve in dangerous areas safer -- that's up to the Congress." 

With Clinton set to testify before the Benghazi Committee on October 22nd, it appears McCarthy has given her more help than harm. While Clinton continues to hold a strong percent of the votes for the Democratic nomination (currently sitting at 41%), her reputation and campaign continues to take shots from those all around her. Bernie Sanders and Vice President Joe Biden remain in the 2/3 positions in the polls respectively, though they may continue to see an increase in their numbers as Hillary can't seem to avoid hitting media coverage potholes. Plenty remains to be resolved in the Benghazi case as well as the Democratic nomination, but if there's one point Hillary and her team want to drive home as a result of this new ad, it's that "The Republicans finally admit it."



Sources and Polls:

Kevin McCarthy And His Benghazi Gaffe Star In Hillary Clinton's New Ad

Hillary Clinton's New Ad - "Admit"

Pentagon says ISIS linked suspect in Benghazi attack killed in airstrike

Democratic Nomination Polls as of 10-6-15