Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul sent a strong signal Tuesday to 2016-watchers that Benghazi isn't dead as a presidential campaign issue, slamming former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for failing to prevent the 2012 terror attack in the Libyan port city that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other American personnel. 'We have to defend ourselves,' he told a conservative audience at a summit hosted by Heritage Action for America. 'We also have to defend our diplomatic missions around the world.' 'I put a lot of blame at the feet of Hillary Clinton for not defending the embassy – or the consulate – in Benghazi. I think she did a terrible job. And I think that it's inexcusable, basically, when you're asked for security that you not provide it.'
@highlight
Libertarian firebrand starts pummelling the presumptive Democratic frontrunner a day before barnstorming through New Hampshire
@highlight
I put a lot of blame at the feet of Hillary Clinton for not defending the consulate in Benghazi,' Sen. Paul told a conservative audience; 'I think she did a terrible job'
@highlight
Complains that secular dictators deposed by the US are 'replaced by chaos and the rise of radical Islam – and that would be in Hillary's war in Libya'
@highlight
Islamist radicals stormed the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2012, creating a rallying point for the GOP's right wing
@highlight
Paul will likely need to compete with Sen. Ted Cruz in 2016 for the hearts and minds of conservatives in the GOP's base
He staked out less emotional territory, however, by outlining what he said was 'a war going on between what I call civilized Islam and barbaric @placeholder.'