Chaffetz Elected House Oversight Chairman

Chaffetz The New Chairman Of The House Oversight Committee. Chaffetz won a four-way race to replace term-limited chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA), who oversaw controversial and partisan investigations into the Benghazi terrorist attacks and Operation Fast and Furious. Chaffetz will take over the chairmanship in January 2015. [The Hill, 11/18/14]

Daily Caller: “Chaffetz Is Seen As Being An Administration Critic That Can Effectively Appeal To The Media” On Benghazi. The conservative publication reported that Chaffetz “is seen as being an administration critic that can effectively appeal to the media, which gives him the ability to promote issues with the IRS scandal and Benghazi before President Barack Obama leaves office.” [The Daily Caller, 11/18/14]

Chaffetz Is A Right-Wing Media Darling

National Review Editors: “Chaffetz for Oversight Chairman.” A National Review editorial wrote of Chaffetz: “Given the rate at which the current administration produces scandals, a robust Oversight Committee, headed by a chairman willing to use its investigatory powers to hold the executive branch accountable, is a necessity for President Obama's final two years. The Steering Committee's choice should be Utah's Jason Chaffetz ... He is a regular guest on radio and television, including the major Sunday-morning shows, and he has reliably made his arguments, not himself, the issue.” [National Review, 9/3/14]

Sean Hannity To Chaffetz: “I Want More Conservatives Like You In Washington ... You'd Be A Great Oversight Chair.” While interviewing the congressman in October on his radio show, Sean Hannity suggested Chaffetz would make a “great Oversight chair.” Hannity also offered “to lobby” Republican Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) on behalf of Chaffetz, while acknowledging the plan might backfire since Boehner allegedly doesn't like Hannity. [Premiere Radio Networks, The Sean Hannity Show, 10/22/14]

Glenn Beck: Chaffetz Is “One Guy Who Gets It And Is Always On The Front Line Fighting For The Right Things.” Beck praised Chaffetz on his radio program in a 2010 interview, and concluded that “There are good guys in Washington and Jason Chaffetz is one of them.” Beck also said on his now-cancelled Fox News program: “Now, there are good Republicans out there. Obviously, [Sen. Jim] DeMint is one. I think Michele Bachmann of Minnesota is one -- Jason Chaffetz of Utah, Ted Poe and John Culberson of Texas. I'm sorry -- and the more I name, the more I keep thinking, I'm sorry guys for calling you out like this because -- now there is just a hate on you.” [GlennBeck.com, 6/15/10; Fox News, Glenn Beck, 10/25/10, via Media Matters]

Beck Devoted A Full Episode Of His Fox News Program To Pushing Chaffetz And Other Republicans For Reelection. Beck spent his entire October 26, 2010, Fox News program advocating for Republicans who were then running for reelection, including guest Chaffetz. [Media Matters, 10/26/10]

Chaffetz: “I Have The Greatest Respect For Glenn Beck. I Think He's A True Patriot And Somebody I Admire And Enjoy Interacting With.” Chaffetz added of Beck in an interview, “I've called him 'the Great Educator' because he reflects a lot on history to learn about where we're going in the future.” Chaffetz has also appeared at events for Beck. [Desert News, 4/6/11; Politico, 7/17/10]

Hugh Hewitt: Chaffetz “Deserves Thanks And Support For [Pursuing Benghazi Campaign] In The Face Of Bitter Atacks [sic] From Lefties Afraid It Might Hurt Hillary's Campaign.” Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt announced an interview with Chaffetz by applauding Chaffetz's work helping out Issa on Benghazi. [HughHewitt.com, 9/23/13]

Allen West Endorsed Chaffetz For Benghazi Select Committee. Before the House Select Committee on Benghazi was formed, Fox News Contributor Allen West wrote: “We don't need a committee of pontificators who will not get to the bottom of this. I recommend you select from House GOP Representatives Jim Jordan, Jason Chaffetz, and Trey Gowdy as head of the Select Committee.” Trey Gowdy (R-SC) was ultimately chosen as chair. [AllenBWest.com, 2/5/14]

Chaffetz Was Fox's Favorite House Guest On Benghazi

Benghazi-Obsessed Fox News Interviewed Chaffetz 25 Times On The Topic. A Media Matters study of Fox News' evening lineup found that Fox News conducted 25 total interviews with Chaffetz that included discussion of Benghazi from September 11, 2012, to May 2, 2014. Chaffetz was second in number of interviews to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who was interviewed 27 times. [Media Matters, 9/16/14]

Official House Biography Says Chaffetz “Consistently Appears In Local And National Media Outlets To Communicate The Conservative Message.” [Chaffetz.House.gov, accessed 11/19/14]

Breitbart: “Throughout The Benghazi Scandal, Chaffetz Has Been Producing A Steady Stream Of Headlines And Dramatic Hearing Showdowns, Boosting His Profile.” [Breitbart.com, 7/6/14]

Chaffetz Propagated Fox's False Benghazi Stand Down Claim. Chaffetz claimed on Fox News in 2013 that “somebody” told the U.S. military “to stand down” from saving lives in Benghazi. While Fox has repeatedly pushed the claim, it is false: as multiple investigations showed, no stand down order was given. [Media Matters, 9/16/14; PolitiFact, 5/14/13; Associated Press, 7/10/14]

Bloomberg Politics: As Oversight Chair Chaffetz “Has Pledged To Carry On The Committee's Investigations Of Benghazi.” [Bloomberg Politics, 11/10/14]