People react hastily and emotionally in moments of drama and stress. In the last hour I have had a number of friends and acquaintances tell me they’re glad I’m thinking more clearly about the Comey matter or revised my views since yesterday. Others have pointed out that I’m now critical of Comey whereas in the past I defended his reputation for non-partisan work.
Let me share a few thoughts on the latest on the emails front.
We have two contending points of view on the case. One group says Comey flagrantly violated longstanding DOJ policy (through multiple administrations) by sending this letter to the Hill. Indeed, we now have multiple reports that Attorney General Lynch told Comey he was acting outside of DOJ policy. In this view, whatever his motivations, he recklessly interfered in a national election based on little more than an effort inoculate himself from future Republican criticism. This view seems backed up by numerous former federal prosecutors from both parties.
Here is one of many truly astounding revelations or rather non-revelations about today’s news. This from the Post ….
Officials familiar with the inquiry said it was too early to assess the significance of the newly discovered emails. It is possible, they said, that some or all of the correspondence is duplicative of the emails that were already turned over and examined by the FBI.
Comey made a similar point in his letter, sent to congressional committee chairmen, saying that the FBI “cannot yet assess whether or not this material may be significant.”
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Here’s Episode #8 of my new podcast, The Josh Marshall Show. This week, I answer your questions. I hope you like it.
I have always had a great deal of respect for James Comey, going back to decisions he made and actions he took during the Bush administration where he he made principled and correct decisions in opposition to other political appointees. I am not ready to revise my take on him based on today’s announcement or his scathing and unprecedented comments about Secretary Clinton in July.
A few thoughts on the breaking news about the Clinton emails investigation.
We found at least six times when Trump claimed he would spend at least $100 million dollars of his own money on his campaign. Thursday night’s FEC report showed Trump is $44 million short of that number. And in an interview scheduled to run tonight on Fox Trump refuses to commit to the $100 million figure. Sad!
It’s October 28 and the PollTracker Average stands at Clinton 47.3 percent, Trump 44.3 percent, a 3 percentage-point spread.
The TPM Electoral Scoreboard stands at Clinton 288, Trump 182. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Utah, and Nevada are in the Toss Up category.
As you’ve seen people on board Mike Pence’s campaign plane had a few scary moments last night when the plane skidded off the runway at La Guardia airport – a notorious short runway. But is there something more going on here?