The Obama re-election team was well aware that Al-Qaeda was not "on the run," or nearly eliminated prior to the November Presidential elections.  By all accounts, there had been concerns voiced by US personnel about Al-Qaeda and their affiliates in the weeks leading up to Benghazi.  Quite simply put, our "commander- in - chief" chose not to do his job.  The outrage and political fall-out were nothing more than an inconvenience.  In order to avoid this potential distraction and another Benghazi, the Obama Administration did the right thing for once.  I guess in the eyes of those in the Administration, it gives credence to what agencies like the NSA have been doing.  After all, Obama does not need to worry about his  re-election.