It's already started~the LEFT is minimizing #BENGHAZI, blaming Republicans for politicizing tragedy and criticizing whistle-blowers! #tcot — Mary Jo (@MJLovesTx) May 6, 2013

Sadly, this is exactly what we’ve come to expect. As the Benghazi whistleblowers prepare to testify this week before the House Oversight Committee, they must also brave a backlash from the hostile White House and the media.

Of course, I'm glad the whistle blowers lawyered up. You know they're going to get dragged thru the mud, slandered and defamed. #benghazi — Kate Unfettered (@fatekisminy) May 6, 2013

So, which Obama-friendly media entity will attack the credibility of the Benghazi whistleblowers first? — jimgeraghty (@jimgeraghty) May 6, 2013

At this afternoon’s press briefing, Jay “Benghazi Happened a Long Time Ago” Carney didn’t seem to think much of the Benghazi bombshells:

Carney won't answer Ed Henry's question about new Benghazi charge of rescue team told to stand down. — Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) May 6, 2013

Carney answered @edhenryTV question about Hicks' Benghazi charge about rescue team told to stand down by referring to a DoD statement. — Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) May 6, 2013

Carney now trying to discredit Benghazi whistleblowers at White House briefing. — Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) May 6, 2013

Shorter Carney: Benghazi whistleblowers are more than welcome to speak but….what they say is wrong — Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) May 6, 2013

Smear, slime, squelch, repeat. RT @KatiePavlich Carney now trying to discredit Benghazi whistleblowers at White House briefing. — Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) May 6, 2013

And this is just a taste of what’s to come. According to Fox News’ James Rosen:

Fox's Rosen: Aren't the Benghazi whistleblowers credible, w/distinguished careers? State: Not going to assess individual bios, work history — Hannah Allam (@HannahAllam) May 6, 2013

Colleague James Rosen reports a senior State Dept official believes Benghazi hearing witnesses Hicks & Thompson both have “axes to grind.” — Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) May 6, 2013

“Axes to grind”? Could this “senior State Department official” possibly be any more dismissive or condescending?

"I have an axe to grind!" – guy who barely got out of #Benghazi with his skin. — Cuffy (@CuffyMeh) May 6, 2013

@stephenkruiser @RBPundit Uh, yeah: if four of my colleagues were dead on the altar of political expediency, I'd "have an axe to grind" too. — #NeverTrump Angela (@angelaisms) May 6, 2013

Uh, yeah the #Benghazi whistleblowers have an "axe to grind." You would too if your bosses lied their faces off about the attack. — RBe (@RBPundit) May 6, 2013

Yes, I'm sure the Benghazi whistle-blowers do have axes to grind. The government left their colleagues for dead and lied about it. — #NeverTrump (@OrwellForks) May 6, 2013

If I was left to die in #Benghazi, I'd have an ax to grind. @RBPundit — Travesham (@Travesham) May 6, 2013

@OrwellForce isn't that the exact definition of a whistle blower? They have an ax to grind, that's why they're speaking out. — Got 'em (@DCHokiefan) May 6, 2013

@ChadPergram And senior State Dept officials have an ax to grind, if by "ax" you mean "butt" and by "grind" you mean "cover." @JamesRosenFNC — Razor (@hale_razor) May 6, 2013

#Fact: we'll know after #Benghazi whistleblowers' testimony how much it hurt obama by extent to which the Promedia tries to destroy them. — Vile Koch Myrmidon (@heatpacker) May 6, 2013

It’s already underway:

Utah congressman insists "there are people" who were intimidated over Benghazi but can't name a single example http://t.co/SNYT4LNWbI — ThinkProgress (@thinkprogress) May 5, 2013

fox news right now: here's bush's press secretary to promote the benghazi conspiracy — Oliver Willis (@owillis) May 6, 2013

Priceless. @michellemalkin now claiming Benghazi whistleblowers' lives are in danger!!!! cover-up story just keeps getting better and better — Eric Boehlert (@EricBoehlert) May 6, 2013

And we have no doubt that it will only escalate in the coming days.

[email protected]: On #Benghazi, Media acted as Obama's college buddies who tossed out his incriminating backpack — Everyone's Famous (@AceofSpadesHQ) May 6, 2013

These so-called Benghazi "whistleblowers" obviously have a petty political vendetta against Hillary just because she left them to die. — David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 6, 2013

Prediction: the media will spend 10x more resources investigating the Benghazi whistleblowers than they spent investigating Benghazi. — David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 6, 2013

Based on the media’s behavior over the past eight months, that sounds like a pretty safe bet.

All I know is these #Benghazi whistle blowers had better not make a shitty YouTube video. — Cuffy (@CuffyMeh) May 6, 2013

Heaven forbid.

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Related:

Darrell Issa says there was ‘clearly a political decision’ regarding Benghazi talking points

Democrat Rep. Stephen Lynch admits Obama Administration’s Benghazi talking points were bogus