The Republicans insisted that bringing the Benghazi issue back into the spotlight was an opportunity to have serious questions answered. The Democrats maintained that the hearing was an expensive attempt to derail the Clinton campaign. The hearing failed miserably in this regard because Clinton managed to look more presidential in eleven hours than all the other candidates put together over the whole year. Four Americans, including an ambassador, were killed in Libya in 2012, during Hillary Clinton’s time as Secretary of State. Millions of tax payer dollars and eight congressional committees later, it seems there was no major wrongdoing on anyone’s part.

During this most recent hearing, Clinton maintained her cool, answered all questions intelligently and avoided any gaffes that might have been used in future Republican attack ads, despite the leading questions and belligerent behavior of the panel. The Republicans on the other hand ended up looking petty, foolish and aggressive, especially in the face of Clinton’s composed performance. It’s unlikely that her performance at the hearing will be negatively reflected in polls. A report on the hearing is expected to be released in 2016.

Ever seen a witch hunt? Movie for your mood: The Crucible