The way Comey laid out the case against Clinton and then said that they would not be recommending charges seems to me as if he wanted everyone to know she was guilty, even though he couldn't press charges.

 

In a less bizarre election I imagine his statement would have been disastrous for Clinton and Comey would have been raked over the coals by the Democratic supporters instead of the Republicans. Comey more or less went through the list of the Clinton campaign's talking points about the emails and debunked them with evidence from their investigation, even going so far as to openly speculate about things the FBI could not prove. Frankly, the focus on the lack of forthcoming charges overshadows what was a fairly damning announcement. I almost wonder if he ratcheted up his statement as a brush back to the Clintons after the optics of Bill meeting with Lynch last week.

 

I know many are apoplectic he didn't recommend prosecution, but I also think keeping this ordeal squarely in the political arena, especially considering what I outlined above, is more detrimental to her than many are willing to consider. The key statement he made, in my eyes, is this:

 

In looking back at our investigations into mishandling or removal of classified information, we cannot find a case that would support bringing criminal charges on these facts. All the cases prosecuted involved some combination of: clearly intentional and willful mishandling of classified information; or vast quantities of materials exposed in such a way as to support an inference of intentional misconduct; or indications of disloyalty to the United States; or efforts to obstruct justice. We do not see those things here.

 

I've taken him at his word and haven't found any evidence of prosecutions that undermine his conclusion. So, in my estimation, had he recommended charges it would have been scathed as unprecedented, a political ploy galvanized by House Republicans to bring down a presidential candidate. Imagine the media trotting out cases of low-level bureaucrats getting administrative slaps on the wrist for similar conduct. This is not to mention some of the other legal chicanery this would have opened up, like the ubiquitous avoidance of "we do not comment on ongoing legal matters" or, very likely, her acquittal, which would have further collapsed the foundation of the thing as a political ruse.

 

Instead, the Clinton campaign is forced to openly grapple with Comey's rebuke, has to address their past defense of her actions which he undermined, and can't rely on the "this is politically motivated" defense any longer. Like I said, in a more "normal" election this would have been a broadside she wouldn't likely recover from, yet the dominate narrative has been loose conjecture that Comey is on the take (which, if you don't believe the conspiracies, implies she is innocent!) and the opposing candidate is someone I struggle to find polite adjectives to describe. What a year.

Comey had a tough call and was in a no-win situation. He shouldn't lose his job over this.

That was me meaning this isnt right. I dont know of a charge, maybe treason. It was a joke.

 

But this isnt right. Its a joke.

 

This will work to further divide the country. Wait and see. Nobody believes that anyone is fair anymore on either side. We are headed toward bigger problems.

 

Bingo .. as our country suffers there is only 1 major party left that is united in its quest to stay in power . And its the Democrat party of 2016 . They will do anything , support anything or anybody , for the chance at staying in control of the govt.

The way Comey laid out the case against Clinton and then said that they would not be recommending charges seems to me as if he wanted everyone to know she was guilty, even though he couldn't press charges.

 

Would a clandestine meeting, of past President and hubby of hopes to be future President and target of investigation by FBI, aboard private plane of Attorney General, a meeting which lasted at least one half hour of a discussion we will never know? And would not have known about at all had some reporter not seen former said President leaving Attorney General's private plane. However, to coin a comic phrase, some arm twisting could have been involved? Does this meet the definition of obstruction of justice? With a good dose of perjury and carelessness thrown in? Just wondering and sad to say cannot be proven, yet we are to trust these elected officials with our Eyes Only Intelligence? Our enemies probably already know more about us than our four star generals. Won't need to worry about security for next eight years, they already know everything. All my observations are tongue in cheek and just sayin'. :whistling:

Lynch and Comey are looking for jobs. Mrs. Clinton will lose security clearance for her snd her staff for life. I don't think she goes to jail unless it's for perjury.

Just saw on CNN that Comey has 8 years left on his term, so he will be working for a boss that is badmouthing him or a boss whose campaign his agency saved.

 

I think I know who Comey will be voting for in November...

 

Comey may "Decide" to resign before the next President takes office.

 

I don't think many on the HRC side were happy with him expounding on what they had found, which proves beyond a shadow of doubt that she lied to everyone with the statements she has made.

 

... Gary Johnson?

 

@Habib: I completely agree with your analysis of the situation. People are losing sight of the fact that the only place HRC has told the truth is in a 3 hr interview with the FBI. Trey Gowdy exposed her lies when he questioned Comey before Congress. She should have no credibility left. Yet, the focus is off of her lies and on Comey's motivation for not charging her.

 

The only statement you made that I am struggling with is when you said: "I know many are apoplectic he didn't recommend prosecution..."

 

I don't know... I could be. I'll have to search for a definition of that word but I am just too angry to do it right now. Besides, when I try to type I can't move my right hand and I'm starting to drool out that side of my mouth. My wife is asking me the name of the current President and I'm telling her Jimmy Carter but she looks worried. It didn't relieve her concern when I told her it was April Fool's Day in answer to her question about today's date. I'll get back to you...

I think I know who Comey will be voting for in November...

 

 

 

... Gary Johnson?

 

@Habib: I completely agree with your analysis of the situation. People are losing sight of the fact that the only place HRC has told the truth is in a 3 hr interview with the FBI. Trey Gowdy exposed her lies when he questioned Comey before Congress. She should have no credibility left. Yet, the focus is off of her lies and on Comey's motivation for not charging her.

 

The only statement you made that I am struggling with is when you said: "I know many are apoplectic he didn't recommend prosecution..."

 

I don't know... I could be. I'll have to search for a definition of that word but I am just too angry to do it right now. Besides, when I try to type I can't move my right hand and I'm starting to drool out that side of my mouth. My wife is asking me the name of the current President and I'm telling her Jimmy Carter but she looks worried. It didn't relieve her concern when I told her it was April Fool's Day in answer to her question about today's date. I'll get back to you...

 

:clap:

Would a clandestine meeting, of past President and hubby of hopes to be future President and target of investigation by FBI, aboard private plane of Attorney General, a meeting which lasted at least one half hour of a discussion we will never know? And would not have known about at all had some reporter not seen former said President leaving Attorney General's private plane. However, to coin a comic phrase, some arm twisting could have been involved? Does this meet the definition of obstruction of justice? With a good dose of perjury and carelessness thrown in? Just wondering and sad to say cannot be proven, yet we are to trust these elected officials with our Eyes Only Intelligence? Our enemies probably already know more about us than our four star generals. Won't need to worry about security for next eight years, they already know everything. All my observations are tongue in cheek and just sayin'. :whistling:

 

At the very least that meeting was extremely ill advised and shows either an ignorance of the seriousness of the charges against Hillary or another indication that the Clintons believe rules don't apply to them. Either one is disturbing for someone running for president.