Beginning to think Comey may have won the election...

[Rosco T.]

.. for the Democrats.

Everyone I've been talking to says that this is so blatantly a 'thug stunt to dump on her, they're pissed and people that were on the fence are not firmly for Hillary, people that thought they didn't need to vote now are sure as hell going to. They're pissed about this attempt to rig things.

[Rocknrule]

1. Comey = Swift Boat Liar for Trump

So glad others can see through his partisan bullshit

[workinclasszero]

3. "Comey = Swift Boat Liar for Trump"

[olegramps]

25. The major problem is Obama's delusional thinking that he could win Republican support

He should have dumped every Republican in any appointed position. Comey is just paying this dues. I wish the bastard ill.

[SMC22307]

28. Obama appointed Comey.

I guess it remains to be seen whether it was one of those brilliant chess play moves we've heard so much about on DU.

[olegramps]

38. Right on.

Why in the hell didn't the Obama administration open up an investigation into how we were lead into a war on lies? If it had been the Republicans the investigation would be still ongoing. Don't get me wrong, Obama has done as good as he could under the circumstances in most cases but not in regard to Iraq. Why in the hell don't Dems stress the obstructionism that the Republicans have been waging against the Obama administration for nearly eight years? It baffles me.

[SMC22307]

48. I'll answer that on November 9th...

once we're out of election season.

[duffyduff]

44. And why, out of all of the people in the country, did he?

Comey was a minor player in the Whitewater non-scandal investigation. He was not nonpartisan.

[SMC22307]

46. Beats the hell out of me.

Many DUers were all over Obama's embrace of Republicans within his administration. Others, however, were "Chess! Chill the fuck out he's got this! Emoprogs!" Turns out Republicans aren't so bad after all, which is quite amusing considering this is a highly partisan website. After eight disastrous years of the Bush administration, Obama should have ruthless in cleaning house.

I'm just wondering what sort of impact this latest "revelation" will have on wishy-washy voters. Maybe those who lived through Whitewater, the never-ending -gates, Monica, etc., and not looking forward to 4-8 more years of investigations.

[BlueStateLib]

53. Ironic, Obama appointed Comey and now Comey is going to make sure Obama's legacy is voted down

[SMC22307]

55. Reagan appointed Sessions, and Clinton fired him.

Found this from Wiki interesting:

Sessions enjoyed the strongest support among liberal Democrats in Congress.[5][3] Sessions was applauded for pursuing a policy of broadening the FBI to include more women and minorities, efforts which upset the "old boys" at the Bureau. [4]

Many DUers are calling for Obama to fire Comey, but he'd be firing his own nominee. This is an interesting situation.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

60. He fired Kathleen Sebelius and Shinseki.

I think he'll fire Comey after the election.

[SMC22307]

64. Do something that partisan within the last two months...

of his eight years in office? Perhaps. Or maybe he'll just leave the position of FBI Director to his successor.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

59. He was appointed in 2013 and was the only one who could get through Congress.

Right, "everyone knows that nominating a Democrat to run the FBI would be an intolerable provocation," says Kevin Drum at Mother Jones, sarcastically. But more to the point, if Obama actually believes that "nominating Comey will be seen as some kind of bipartisan olive branch, he's crazy."

http://theweek.com/articles/463795/james-comey-why-obama-wants-republican-fbi-chief

[SMC22307]

63. Then provoke them...

more Frank Underwood and less President Cool Breeze. Especially since the GOP had been shitting all over Obama and the Democrats since Day One.

I truly don't believe Obama was boxed in a corner... he wanted Comey. Somewhere out there in this great nation of 300+ million, was a Democrat palatable to Republicans. Or at least a Republican who wasn't directly involved in the Whitewater investigation...

[semby2]

2. Data

I will wait for the data to come in on voter enthusiasm on both sides. We'll see.

Also, the media now has an excuse to run stories for ten days about how "terrible" Clinton is doing.

[sarae]

5. Media spin is the one factor I worry about most.

There's the truth, there are lies, and then there's what the media is "reporting".

[LisaL]

4. We didn't need him to win the election for the democrats.

We needed him not to mess with the election.

[LovingA2andMI]

30. This Right Here....

[CentralMass]

6. I guess we will know on November 8th.

[Silent3]

7. I sure hope you're right, but chances are the "everyone (you)'ve been talking to"...

...is mostly aligned with you politically in the first place.

It's the effect on the soft, squishy support of vacillating low-information voters that will make the most difference here.

[StevieM]

22. I am also worried that the GOP may successfully deceive people, just as they have with

this whole fake scandal all along.

[triron]

8. Where are you (what locality)?

[Rosco T.]

10. West Texas

[George II]

11. I think something similar, many of the people on the fence have been pushed....

...toward Clinton's side out of disgust for this stunt.

[riversedge]

47. I hope you are right.

[lillypaddle]

12. K&R nt

[world wide wally]

14. He should have been fired back in June

He could have had a job with Russia by now

[LiberalFighter]

20. Problem is that he can't be fired.

He was appointed in 2013 and could serve until 2023. Seven more stinking years unless he can be forced out.

[LenaBaby61]

27. You mean to tell me ....

That if Comey continues to be horrible at his job as FBI director he CAN'T be fired if there's a Clinton/Kaine administration?

Can someone confirm or deny if this is correct? Thanks in advance if someone has the answer.

[SMC22307]

34. In 2013, Obama appointed the Republican Comey to 10-year term.

Guess I need to start Googling "firing an FBI director," cuz I'm curious as well.

[Skittles]

56. THANKS OBAMA

WHAT A BLUNDER

[SMC22307]

57. Blunder?

Brilliant chess move! Rope-a-dope!

[Skittles]

58. I hear you

I am surprised someone hasn't called it a chess move yet

[tblue37]

31. He could be pressured to resign, or his blatant insubordination could be a good

enough excuse for firing him.

[Coyotl]

49. Can FBI Director James Comey be Fired? 5 Fast Facts You Need To Know

http://heavy.com/news/2016/10/james-comey-fired-fbi-director-hillary-clinton-email-private-server-influence-election/

1. Under the Law, Presidents May Fire FBI Directors
2. Only One FBI Director has Ever Been Fired

.... Clinton repeatedly asked Sessions to resign his post. But Sessions refused to step down.

So in July of 1993, saying that he had been advised by then-attorney general Janet Reno that Sessions “can no longer effectively lead the bureau and law enforcement community,” Clinton fired the FBI director — eventually appointing Freeh in his place.

3. Comey Defied Justice Department Rules
4. Comey Himself Appeared to Question his own Actions
5. The Clinton Campaign was Furious at Comey Over the Vague Letter

I expect President Obama to fire Comey after the election and designate the new director before Clinton's term begins.

[awoke_in_2003]

51. "He was appointed in 2013"

That is what really pisses me off. By that point, everybody who wasn't living under a rock should have known that the GOP wouldn't work with the opposition, no matter what bones they were tossed.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

61. Yeah he can. He has a term limit of 10 years not a mandatory term.

Clinton fired an FBI director after 5 years in office.

[LovingA2andMI]

32. He Should Have Been Fired....

After downplaying the tragedies of Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown, Tamir Rice and many more young African-American men killed by law enforcement or someone posing as law enforcement.

[Sunny05]

15. Allllright!!!

[WiffenPoof]

16. I hope to God you're right.....NT

[Martin Eden]

18. Have you been talking to people who usually vote Republican?

This latest "revelation" really is much ado about nothing, but that didn't stop Clinton emails again draw FBI's eye from being the front page headline in the Chicago Tribune.

Hopefully Comey suffers fallout from this more than Clinton.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

19. Proofread much? "are not firmly for Hillary" -- Do you mean "now"?

[Laser102]

21. If you were voting for Hillary you probably still are. These emails are baked in already. Comey

didn't accomplish much except to politicize the FBI. I'm sure they are loving the backlash.

[anneboleyn]

45. I agree but I worry about the last minute "undecideds" in close states.

That seems to be exactly what this ridiculous STUNT, and this is clearly a stunt as Comey's pathetic memo to his staff made even more obvious, is designed to do -- discourage last minute undecideds with the republicans favorite nonsense and Trump "lock her up" antics.

I am absolutely appalled that the FBI (Comey) would pull a stunt like this -- it is scary. They have inserted themselves into the election in an extremely obvious and blatant partisan manner.

[Moonwalk]

24. It will get Dems who might have stayed home to vote...

I agree that those who have decided have decided and this won't change minds. Those who were leaning to Hillary won't be swayed toward Trump because "maybe" emails have surfaced (as the Media suggests given the way Comey so ineptly put it). As for those on the fence...who knows. They're such a small sliver of voters at this point they hardly matter. BUT...but there are some who, seeing that Hillary is likely to win in their state may have thought about staying home. I *think* this might motivate them to go to the polls.

Why? Well, It's taken 20+ years, but many who didn't trust, like or have any interest in Hillary are finally realizing how unfairly persecuted she's been by the GOP (and by male bias), and how amazing it is that she's never gone down under. They've seen her determination and resilience demonstrated in the eleven-hour interrogation over Bengazi, in this eternal email fiasco, and very viscerally in the debates. And they've seen how Hillary stays loyal to friends, keeps on going, learns, adapts, and carries on.

So. I do think this incident has got voters saying "WTF? Are you kidding me?" And I do think it can make one small difference in Hillary's favor: It can get those who may have thought "I don't need to vote, she's gonna win anyway..." To say, "Enough is enough! I'm going to vote just to show them how I feel about this!"

Namely: "I'M WITH HER!" (Check out this thread to see what I mean: http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512556901)

[INdemo]

26. On November 9th this bastard Comey should be fired if not before

[tblue37]

29. Do you mean "now firmly for Hillary" rather than "not firmly for Hillary"? nt

[IronLionZion]

33. Dude was a Bush appointee

http://reverbpress.com/news/5-facts-killed-new-hillary-email-scandal-less-afternoon/

And this story is a big ball of fluff. It's not even from Hillary's or from her server. It's from the Weiner that Huma Abedin foolishly married and wisely separated from.

[SMC22307]

36. Obama nominated Republican Comey as the successor to Robert Mueller. (n/t)

2013. Ten-year term.

[IronLionZion]

37. He was Bush's Deputy Attorney General

and served as a US attorney before that. He's a Republican.

But you're right, his appointment to FBI Director was Obama.

[SMC22307]

41. Have any idea what it takes to can an FBI director appointed to a 10-year term...

other than "pressure"? If Hillary wins, what are her options? Maybe Comey will step down... on to bigger and better thing$.

[Dworkin]

35. Political

Hi,

This stunt is totally political. I wonder who paid him?

D.

[voteragain]

39. hmmmmm emails

well me and my wife already voted for Hillary and we don't understand why some people are sooooooo upset that the bad guys keep bringing them up. if the email thing upsets ya....hang in there. when they have to say madam Pres Hillary ewwwww are the bad guys gonna diggggggg lol and still they will have what they always have....bad breath. ohhhh as far as the MSM thing that's going on...hay did it bring more people out to vote? that's how I look at it more votes is more for Hillary.

[Akamai]

40. I was just listening to AM Joy and a very important and reassuring point was made--

That when Comey announced this summer that he would not be filing charges but that Hillary showed "extreme carelessness", Hillary very temporarily lost about 2% or 3% of the votes but Trump never picked them up. The votes came back to Hillary soon after that.

That history is very reassuring and indicates that, as Hillary said yesterday, that her supporters have already "baked into the cake" the history of emails.

Good for her!

[duffyduff]

42. Is Comey comfy with Putin?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[eggplant]

43. *now

[reasonabletexan]

50. I agree

Everyone I know is calling foul then getting to work to GOTV

[brett_jv]

52. Comey was legally obliged by oath to report this ... and if he hadn't ...

... which is what I suspect the GOP operatives in the FBI who dumped this load on his desk 11 days before the election were ACTUALLY hoping for ... it likely would've been FAR, FAR worse of an outcome. Can you imagine if it came out on November 7th that Comey 'hid' information about her supposed 'emails' from Congress for 9 days, in contravention of his oath? F*** man, it would've been a 1000X worse.

After all these years, I know a f***ing Rovian dirty trick when I see one.

Way I figure it, whoever did this was trying to set him up ... but he didn't take the bait, and reported to Congress as he was legally bound to do.

At THIS point (though that may change) I don't blame Comey one bit, he did what he HAD to do based on his oath before Congress. And it's better for Hillary that he did. No ... I blame the dirty tricksters who waited until 11 days before the election to bring whatever it is they supposedly 'found' (likely it's simply the presence of Hillary's email address in the header or text of some messages on the phone) ... to Comey's attention.

[riversedge]

54. Comey Letter Backfires As Email Scandal Revival Energizes Hillary Clinton Supporters

This would confirm your OP.


Comey Letter Backfires As Email Scandal Revival Energizes Hillary Clinton Supporters

http://www.politicususa.com/2016/10/29/comey-letter-backfires-email-scandal-revival-energizes-hillary-clinton-supporters.html

By Jason Easley on Sat, Oct 29th, 2016 at 12:55 pm


In a conference call with reporters, Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager said that FBI Director Comey’s letter is backfiring and energizing Clinton’s volunteers to work harder and her supporters are voting in even bigger numbers.
................

Clinton campaign manager Robbie Mook said that the Comey letter is motivating Clinton volunteers and supporters:

Based on the anecdotes I am hearing from out team on the ground, this situation has created an urgency and intensity among our volunteers and activists that was already high because we are so close to the election. Our volunteers are rallying around Hillary They know what a fighter she is.

….

They are turning out, not only to have her back but to rally our supporters to turn out and vote, as early voting goes into full swing. We’re not just seeing this in our offices, on the ground, but also in our online, in the online space as well. I think this is; we already had momentum and wind behind our back going into yesterday. I think that this has only increased the momentum that we’re feeling among our activists on the ground.

Later Mook suggested that the Comey letter is helping the Clinton campaign by adding fuel to their early voting fire........................

With one written paragraph, James Comey may have destroyed Democratic complacency.