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It sickens me to see Democrats falling all over themselves to defend James Comey. (Original Post) StevieM Jun 2017 OP
You are concerned. nt Persisted Jun 2017 #1
Agree +10,000 with the OP. Hortensis Jun 2017 #142
Exactly. ucrdem Jun 2017 #146
This is Season 2. Where Comey becomes an ally leftstreet Jun 2017 #2
I look at it like the epiphany where Saul became Paul. DemocratSinceBirth Jun 2017 #9
Bwah! And just as self-righteous as Paul! :-) WinkyDink Jun 2017 #12
Has Comey showed remorse for what he did to Hillary? lunamagica Jun 2017 #35
Just mild nausea. nt tblue37 Jun 2017 #50
LOL. OK lunamagica Jun 2017 #63
Actually, he said he was nauseous rock Jun 2017 #122
Grammar for the win! Thank you! :) NT Grown2Hate Jun 2017 #148
You're welcome rock Jun 2017 #149
Lol. cwydro Jun 2017 #20
Isn't it nice to take things out of context? Th Congressional universally condem Comey's still_one Jun 2017 #133
Season 3 we learn just who he helped elect and then Hortensis Jun 2017 #143
I kind of agree . But, desperate times call for desperate measures. mucifer Jun 2017 #3
Sad, but true LeftInTX Jun 2017 #42
Comey is currently our best hope for bringing Trump down. The Velveteen Ocelot Jun 2017 #4
I don't care. He doesn't believe in democracy, he just wants a different Republican. (eom) StevieM Jun 2017 #7
So, let's repudiate him and keep Trump! M'kay... regnaD kciN Jun 2017 #26
You are so wrong that my head hurts lillypaddle Jun 2017 #109
No, he did not "rig" the election. Tommy_Carcetti Jun 2017 #5
I couldn't disagree more. I think he was intentionally damaging the Democratic candidate StevieM Jun 2017 #8
He suggested we don't have all the facts about Clinton janterry Jun 2017 #130
He is a crafty weasel. BumRushDaShow Jun 2017 #6
It's necessary Lotusflower70 Jun 2017 #10
No. Loretta Lynch has been maligned. Over and over again, by Comey. (eom) StevieM Jun 2017 #11
Maybe she should have told Bill to take a hike snooper2 Jun 2017 #16
Indeed Lotusflower70 Jun 2017 #18
No she wasn't karynnj Jun 2017 #126
I appreciate the time and effort you put into your very thoughtful posts. StevieM Jun 2017 #128
As you can appreciate, you and I will never agree on the issue with the email karynnj Jun 2017 #140
IGs apparently server across administrations. The current IG is Michael Horowitz. StevieM Jun 2017 #141
He is a political appointee and he can be asked to stay karynnj Jun 2017 #144
I believe him about "Duty to Correct." It's the reason for Hillary email and we should deal with it. Towlie Jun 2017 #13
I completely disagree. Comey wanted to help the GOP nominee win and he did the wrong thing StevieM Jun 2017 #17
You are completely wrong about that Samantha Jun 2017 #58
He is not apolitical. athena Jun 2017 #115
Any chance there's some personal bias in there? Baconator Jun 2017 #78
I don't believe I am biased. I think his actions were insanely wrong. (eom) StevieM Jun 2017 #85
I would suggest your other posts tell a different story... Baconator Jun 2017 #91
Thank you for noticing my posts. I have often wondered how many people here recognize me StevieM Jun 2017 #93
I don't know about your posts beyond this thread... Baconator Jun 2017 #98
Nope, not even close. I just wonder how many people recognize my name when they see it in any thread StevieM Jun 2017 #125
We will just have to disagree. pangaia Jun 2017 #129
Because we want to use him. dumbcat Jun 2017 #14
Yes. We're morally bankrupt as a country now. Oneironaut Jun 2017 #139
I see an honest man, sorry. Goodheart Jun 2017 #15
Definitely! Democrats should stand 100% behind this man. Towlie Jun 2017 #19
He plays an honest man on TV. athena Jun 2017 #116
Right now, he's a useful tool. haele Jun 2017 #21
Then go chug some Mylanta Loki Liesmith Jun 2017 #22
You can't see the forest for the trees emulatorloo Jun 2017 #23
The election is over...let's move on. Demsrule86 Jun 2017 #24
Treating what Comey did as normal and acceptable is also a huge threat. (eom) StevieM Jun 2017 #25
That's pretty extreme Blue_Roses Jun 2017 #45
No. The man did rig the election. He had a little story on Hillary and a huge story on Trump Squinch Jun 2017 #59
It's at best a misleading statement mythology Jun 2017 #74
Ah! Two really ridiculous Republican excuses in one post! Clearly you've fallen for both of them! Squinch Jun 2017 #77
He didn't "rig" the damn election Blue_Roses Jun 2017 #87
Well, true. But he did the best he could with what he had at his disposal. Squinch Jun 2017 #92
No one said it was acceptable or normal...but it is done. Demsrule86 Jun 2017 #97
I agree, Stevie. I still despise this man lunamagica Jun 2017 #27
I'll repeat what I just wrote in another post. What does Comey care if Trump gets taken down? StevieM Jun 2017 #28
Exactly! America's world leadership is gone, and so much damage has been done not just by him, but lunamagica Jun 2017 #34
I would argue that Comey played a dominant role. Without the July press conference or StevieM Jun 2017 #41
Best Lesson Of Politics: "Politics makes strange bedfellows" Blue_Adept Jun 2017 #29
Like him or not... right now he is the only muthafucker willing to come forward ... MedusaX Jun 2017 #30
These are not personal feelings. I believe he led an assault on our democracy. (eom) StevieM Jun 2017 #31
I think it more like Trump and/or the Russians did that. Kaleva Jun 2017 #44
Um, as you've phrased it, it's more or less explicitly your personal feeling (eom) Orrex Jun 2017 #47
Whose feelings are they if they aren't your personal feelings? emulatorloo Jun 2017 #89
Comey's leaks got a special counsel appointed to investigate Trump BeyondGeography Jun 2017 #32
Won't see me doing it. NCTraveler Jun 2017 #33
Think what you will but votes for stein put trump in office beachbum bob Jun 2017 #36
Many of which were probably influenced by Comey's throwing the election to Trump. Squinch Jun 2017 #60
You want the Democrats on the panel to impeach his testimony ? DemocratSinceBirth Jun 2017 #37
Bias often prevents us from looking at any one thing objectively LanternWaste Jun 2017 #38
He did not "rig" the election nadine_mn Jun 2017 #39
He doesn't seem to regret his actions. (eom) StevieM Jun 2017 #42
How do you figure? Orrex Jun 2017 #54
He said it was the right decision and that he would do it the same way again. (eom) StevieM Jun 2017 #56
And he's "nauseous" over the idea that he swayed the election Orrex Jun 2017 #57
Comey doesn't care about politicians political careers. aikoaiko Jun 2017 #40
I think you are on the right track. He was protecting the FBI OldHippieChick Jun 2017 #75
Agreed... Baconator Jun 2017 #81
People are complex. I believe he speaks to the facts as he knows them. bettyellen Jun 2017 #46
to be blunt, people pissed at Comey need to get the fuck over it geek tragedy Jun 2017 #48
Amen, geek Hekate Jun 2017 #83
Bigger than Democrats vs Republicans. annabanana Jun 2017 #49
I agree with you! LisaM Jun 2017 #51
You're thinking of Jason Chaffetz. Qutzupalotl Jun 2017 #52
It was not his duty, he was told not to do it, and he violated DOJ policy. StevieM Jun 2017 #55
It absolutely was his duty to notify congress Qutzupalotl Jun 2017 #64
He could have waited until after the election, like he did with Trump and Russia. (eom) StevieM Jun 2017 #69
He was being pressured internally by people ready to spill the beans Qutzupalotl Jun 2017 #73
Appearances are not more important than the reality of the election. athena Jun 2017 #119
No, it was not. He went against Justice Department guidelines and traditions. athena Jun 2017 #117
I think Comey was promised the AG job by the GOP. He was used like a condom. tonyt53 Jun 2017 #53
The enemy of my enemy is my friend HAB911 Jun 2017 #61
I agree Stevie, but in this weird world, we have to get in there with some pretty strange bedfellows Squinch Jun 2017 #62
Comey is miffed because he got knocked off his perch, but otherwise he's what he always was. ucrdem Jun 2017 #66
Yes. But another thing I get from him is that he LOOOOOOOOVES this attention. He Squinch Jun 2017 #68
Well said. I also think he wanted Scalia's seat on the court to go to Gorsuch. (eom) StevieM Jun 2017 #70
Yep. That too. The guy's a scummy asshole. But for this moment in time, he's useful. Squinch Jun 2017 #71
It's the ol' Clinton Rorschach again isn't it? ucrdem Jun 2017 #65
Me too. nikibatts Jun 2017 #67
"Purity" helped #45 win; "purity" will not remove him from office. VOX Jun 2017 #72
I think it's his best quality... Baconator Jun 2017 #76
The enemy of my enemy is my friend... ADX Jun 2017 #79
Truth "sickens" you? Hekate Jun 2017 #80
Truth doesn't sicken me. But Comey made it possible for Republicans to lie. (eom) StevieM Jun 2017 #82
I've never seen republicans need an excuse to lie. It's their nature, pure and simple. shraby Jun 2017 #134
Additionally MosheFeingold Jun 2017 #84
Absolutely. It is disgusting the way he has smeared our fine former attorney general. (eom) StevieM Jun 2017 #86
And at this particular point in time he's useful to us Blue_Tires Jun 2017 #88
I'm gonna leave this at an eye roll. McCamy Taylor Jun 2017 #90
This is linear thinking Mr. Ected Jun 2017 #94
Any port in a storm. MacMcQuill Jun 2017 #95
Thank you. And welcome to DU!! (eom) StevieM Jun 2017 #96
Whatever you think of Comey's actions, I highly doubt he wanted Trump to win. BzaDem Jun 2017 #99
Agree. n/t moonscape Jun 2017 #145
Not defendng him... That Man JB Jun 2017 #100
"Helped" to rig the election judesedit Jun 2017 #101
i don't defend him over the email thing. i defend him against trump. or rather i believe him over JI7 Jun 2017 #102
still not true, hillary lost because of those who voted for stein or not voted..because of beachbum bob Jun 2017 #103
Comey didn't cost her a handful of votes IMO. He dramatically reshaped the race and took away StevieM Jun 2017 #127
As a Democrat, I apologize for the fact that I apparently sicken you. Miles Archer Jun 2017 #104
Well said... Docreed2003 Jun 2017 #124
it's democratic party members , not DemocRATs that's RWNJ talk. stonecutter357 Jun 2017 #105
WTF? Um... no. Squinch Jun 2017 #108
WTF? Um... YES. stonecutter357 Jun 2017 #110
Ridiculous. Squinch Jun 2017 #112
WRONG you are a member of the democratic party ....Democrat is a made up word by RWNJ's...... stonecutter357 Jun 2017 #121
That is just completely loony. Squinch Jun 2017 #137
I don't think Democrats should defend Comey... Sancho Jun 2017 #106
Exactly. athena Jun 2017 #120
whatever Demonaut Jun 2017 #107
Post removed Post removed Jun 2017 #111
Oh, jeez... (facepalm.) Squinch Jun 2017 #113
You think Hillary needed him in any way, shape, or form to win? I don't. BamaRefugee Jun 2017 #114
Just FYI, that wasn't me. As I said, the post made me facepalm, but I didn't think it was Squinch Jun 2017 #147
I think what he did was self serving, but I don't think he thought he was tipping the election DefenseLawyer Jun 2017 #118
Lets us not forget who won the popular vote here nini Jun 2017 #123
They are not defending Comey for his interference in the election. They are saying that when still_one Jun 2017 #131
Get over it. PubliusEnigma Jun 2017 #132
I agree. He's an arrogant megalomaniac. Oneironaut Jun 2017 #135
In one case they condem Comey for his interference in the election, in the other they condem trump still_one Jun 2017 #136
I'm "defending" him in the way I'd defend JenniferJuniper Jun 2017 #138

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
142. Agree +10,000 with the OP.
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 12:06 PM
Jun 2017

Comey is a modern-day Benedict Arnold. His actions alone prove that. Open to question is whether he carefully acted alone or whether he conspired with others to throw the election and shift massive power to America's own right-wing economic elites.

I do not suspect at this point that he conspired with Russia, or is friendly to Russia. But it has to be noted that he was watching Russian covert infiltration since 2015, by his own admission, and that beyond doubt he fully understood that his efforts would combine with with theirs to gain their common end. That's called "aid and comfort" to the enemy, and we lack only a formal state of war to make him liable for a formal charge of treason.


rock

(13,218 posts)
122. Actually, he said he was nauseous
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 09:29 AM
Jun 2017

Not nauseated. So I take it he felt OK (though those near him may not have).

rock

(13,218 posts)
149. You're welcome
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 05:22 PM
Jun 2017

I'm not usually such a pedant, but these days I'm a little on edge. In any case the, terms seem to be losing this distinction

still_one

(91,965 posts)
133. Isn't it nice to take things out of context? Th Congressional universally condem Comey's
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 11:27 AM
Jun 2017

interference in the election. They also condem trump's interference in an investigation involving him by Comey

Is the difference really that difficult to see, and it isn't due to politics as usual

Both positions are consistent. In one case they condemn Comey for his interference, and in the next they condem trump for his interference

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
143. Season 3 we learn just who he helped elect and then
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 12:12 PM
Jun 2017

remove Rump for. That's obvious.

What I'm wondering is what rewards he will be offered or choose. Will they betray him or give him his future of choice? Big money now or big power? Or will both be possible in a conservative government?

Where to after this necessary working transition, Comey?

Tommy_Carcetti

(43,085 posts)
5. No, he did not "rig" the election.
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 10:55 AM
Jun 2017

He made some inexplicable decisions and errors that proved costly, but he did not "rig" the election.

StevieM

(10,499 posts)
8. I couldn't disagree more. I think he was intentionally damaging the Democratic candidate
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 10:57 AM
Jun 2017

in completely illegitimate ways.

 

janterry

(4,429 posts)
130. He suggested we don't have all the facts about Clinton
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 11:17 AM
Jun 2017

I don't know what to think, but I think he *might* know something that would shift 'us' as Democrats. Or it might not be all that serious. IDK.

Frankly, I'm tired of what we don't know. I think that in a healthy democracy, we'd know more. Even that whole Reality Winner situation. We wouldn't know any of that if she hadn't leaked info. I can't, for the life of me, see why we - as citizens - shouldn't know that Russia actively tried to hack our software.

So, for Comey - I want to know - if not what he knows, than a lot more of what he knows. I think we need a whole lot more transparency.............

Lotusflower70

(3,077 posts)
10. It's necessary
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 11:01 AM
Jun 2017

He has been maligned. The GOP is trying to attack his integrity to defend Trump. Comey is impressive when being questioned. He was only one factor in the election. Even though there is residual anger from the election, we are in the shit show. A man that could be considered an enemy is an ally.

Lotusflower70

(3,077 posts)
18. Indeed
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 11:12 AM
Jun 2017

She has been maligned. But this is where we are and in order to address current issues, Comey has to be the focal point.

karynnj

(59,475 posts)
126. No she wasn't
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 10:46 AM
Jun 2017

He spoke very clearly about things she did - and they are things she did. He then spoke of the impact of those things on both him personally and, in his opinion, on the FBI.

Looking at ALL his testimony, what I see is someone who has a total focus on the role of the FBI, law, justice etc. Think back to his encounter with Ascroft and the other Bush people. He had no reluctance to stand against some very tough Bush people because his opinion is that what they wanted was against the law. Note that he was willing to resign over that.

With Trump, he clearly saw Trump personally as a threat to the rule of law - so he wrote the contemporaneous notes and spoke to people at that time - actions that he never did with either Bush or Obama.

Looking at those two interactions with Republicans, I actually for the first time understand what he did in July 2016. At that point, they had completed the investigation and his professional opinion was that no prosecutor would charge this case. While it is true that the FBI normally does not make announcements on cases they will not pursue, someone had to say this investigation was over as it was VERY highly publicized before.

Going back a bit to when Lynch told him to call it a "matter", not an Investigation, he likely was concerned for his own reputation and that of the FBI. In retrospect, it was wrong and stupid that Lynch asked this. Everyone knew it was a euphemism AND they also knew it was being investigated by the State IG and the Intelligence Committee IG. You also might remember that the campaign itself disputed that there was an investigation and that HRC was a subject of investigation.

Add to this, Bill Clinton ignoring all that and meeting privately on the plane with Lynch and you can see why she had to remove herself from what would have been her role. At that point, there were many calls that a special prosecutor because there was reason to question whether the AQ was biased. What she did instead was to defer more than would normally be the case to Comey.

In the testimony, Comey explained why he was against a special prosecutor. He stated that at that point he was at the end of an exhaustive investigation and he did NOT find cause to indict. Consider what would have happened had Comey, in his position, rather than making the statement he did, said that the politics called for a special prosecutor. If his goal was to disrupt Clinton's candidacy, that would have been the most spectacular way to do it - resetting the investigation back to start, 5 months before the election.

Step back to July when he made his statement that the case was closed. There was intense anger on both sides. The Republicans continued to argue that the things she did SHOULD have had a consequence and attacked him as covering for Clinton. Here, I do need to tell you that the dominant reaction was anger that he said anything beyond "the case is closed".

While I think Comey's two later letters were consistent with his blinkers on focus on just what the FBI was doing, here I think he was completely wrong. The potential impact was predictable and the "new" information was not an obvious smoking gun that he would have been remiss not to speak of. In fact, had he instead, quietly had his team immediately do the analysis first - there would not have been any letters - as the second letter essentially said there was nothing there. Here, I suspect he was motivated -as always - by preserving reputations of himself and the FBI and he worried that Republicans would leak the story and he would be accused of covering up. Those letters very likely changed the course of the race -- and he says that "nauseates him" - as it should.

To me, the testimony helps me understand him better. He is a brilliant, disciplined, hard working, honest person who almost intentionally ignores the forest to concentrate on each tree. With Clinton, in trying to diligently follow the investigation and to keep politics out -- he actually became a major factor in giving Trump the election.

As to Lynch, who is a very impressive person, she dealt very badly with dealing with the strange circumstance of having a nominee of her party, who she was personally close to being investigated. Her silly language of "matters" and a private meeting with Clinton, clearly gave at least the perception that she could not be unbiased.

Not to mention, at the heart of this entire issue was that Clinton herself made a huge, unforced error when she did not scramble to leave her work email with the State Department when she left or as soon as possible afterward. There had been inquiries for some of them even when she was in office. Had the SD had them, they would have complied and the emails meeting the request criteria would have gone to media sources and the Congress --- and they contained absolutely nothing wrong. It is always said that the coverup is worse than the crime -- here there was not even a crime.

The odd thing is that - as people - Comey, Lynch and Clinton likely see themselves in very similar ways - excellent serious public servants, with integrity and purpose to the best of their abilities. All of them had flaws and, with Comey, his flaws came from a blind reliance on his strengths.


StevieM

(10,499 posts)
128. I appreciate the time and effort you put into your very thoughtful posts.
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 11:10 AM
Jun 2017

I disagree about Comey. I think his actions were outside DOJ guidelines and that is that. If he thought Lynch was unethical he had two choices: 1) resign. 2) Go to President Obama.

I don't even agree that the FBI needed to be involved to begin with. I don't believe that anything that happened warranted an FBI investigation.

If the GOP hadn't made up the fake email scandal they would have made up a different scandal and Comey would have gone along with that too. All his decisions went against Clinton and it was always going to be that way.

karynnj

(59,475 posts)
140. As you can appreciate, you and I will never agree on the issue with the email
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 11:45 AM
Jun 2017

I think saying he thought Lynch "unethical" might be going a step too far. He was also not alone in thinking she had compromised her ability to be the lead on this and she had indicated that she would accept the judgement of the FBI. It is not clear what you think he might have wanted Obama to do. All I can think of would be that he might ask Lynch to distance herself, which she did. We might learn that Obama did request she do so. Obama was not going to ask for her resignation which I would guess would have made things even worse for Clinton, giving more legs to the Bill Clinton/Lynch story.

Given that the internal watchdogs, the SD IG and the Intelligence committee IG both recommended investigation, what is more questionable is that he spoke of Clinton's handling of email as "sloppy" and putting out the two letters than whether there should have been an investigation at all.

Back in January, before Trump became President, the Obama administration DOJ IG spoke of wanting to investigate how the FBI handled the case. From the article, this was pushed by many Democratic legislators. ( http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/12/politics/doj-watchdog-launches-probe-into-handling-of-clinton-email-investigation/index.html ) To me, this is rather stunning as they KNEW that within a few months, there would be a Republican AG and the IGs are political appointees.

In that article, there is an interesting comment on how Obama saw the IGs:

"Decisions that are made by inspectors general across the administration are independent, and this administration has assiduously protected the independence of inspectors general," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said at a briefing.



This actually shows that Obama genuinely believed in transparency, accountability and rule of law. Could you imagine Trump protecting IGs who examine the workings of his administration? This reflects the Constitutional Law expert, Obama's belief in our government. It should also be noted that the State Department did not have an IG for Clinton's term. Kerry recommended one within 2 months of being Secretary, who was nominated and in place for most of that term.

Both Obama and Kerry then stayed as far away as they could from this entire issue - to keep politics out.

karynnj

(59,475 posts)
144. He is a political appointee and he can be asked to stay
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 12:27 PM
Jun 2017

From the link I included,

CNN's senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin said news of the probe provoked some interesting questions for the new administration, since the tenure of Horowitz, as a political appointee, ends along with the Obama administration ends.

"There is a tradition that some presidents allow some inspector generals to stay on and complete. One of the questions that (Trump's nominee for attorney general) Jeff Sessions will surely be asked now ... is will he allow this investigation to continue? Will they appoint a new inspector general?" Toobin told CNN's Brooke Baldwin.

Jeff Sessions will likely first decide if he wants that investigation -- if so, keeping the Obama nominated IG could be seen as a politically smart move. Consider that for Sessions, who came out badly in the hearing that anything that weakens Comey might be seen as good.

Towlie

(5,308 posts)
13. I believe him about "Duty to Correct." It's the reason for Hillary email and we should deal with it.
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 11:06 AM
Jun 2017

StevieM

(10,499 posts)
17. I completely disagree. Comey wanted to help the GOP nominee win and he did the wrong thing
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 11:09 AM
Jun 2017

over and over again.

Samantha

(9,314 posts)
58. You are completely wrong about that
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 02:56 PM
Jun 2017

He resigned from the Republican party some time ago, and is now apolitical. He has publicly said he has no interest in politics. He has long had a reputation of being an incredibly honest person, and is well respected in this town by both Republicans and Democrats, even those who have sometimes disagreed with his decisions. Nobody questions his integrity.

If he had wanted to tank Hillary Clinton so Trump would win the election, he had ample opportunity to do that at the end of her email investigation. But he played it straight as he saw it.

Sam

athena

(4,187 posts)
115. He is not apolitical.
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 08:25 AM
Jun 2017

He just claims to be apolitical because that makes him look better. If you look at his views and actions, he is extremely conservative.

Read this article without getting sick if you can. It's about Comey's politics and ideology:

http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/james-comeys-intellectual-history

Baconator

(1,459 posts)
78. Any chance there's some personal bias in there?
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 04:43 PM
Jun 2017

Hmm?

Would you feel equally as strongly and infuriated if he had done the same to someone you were rooting for?

Baconator

(1,459 posts)
91. I would suggest your other posts tell a different story...
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 06:45 PM
Jun 2017

The Comey incident was one stumbling block of many in last years campaign and it is a pretty big leap on your part to assume that you know his exact motivations and purpose.

StevieM

(10,499 posts)
93. Thank you for noticing my posts. I have often wondered how many people here recognize me
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 08:07 PM
Jun 2017

when they see my name.

I think Comey dominated the election from beginning to end. And I don't believe his actions were consistent with DOJ guidelines.

I don't know his exact motivations, you are right. But in the end it is his actions that matter.

And I don't believe that Comey was one of many factors that tipped the balance one way rather than the other. I think his October Surprise dramatically transformed the race. And his July press conference had a pronounced impact on the election, making her more vulnerable to subsequent damage from Comey and the Russians.

StevieM

(10,499 posts)
125. Nope, not even close. I just wonder how many people recognize my name when they see it in any thread
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 10:45 AM
Jun 2017

and know that they have seen my name and posts before.

Oneironaut

(5,462 posts)
139. Yes. We're morally bankrupt as a country now.
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 11:41 AM
Jun 2017

Screw doing what's right. We need to win! The ends justify the means!

The Democratic Party's turning of Comey into a savior is a laughable act of hypocrisy and desperation. If you actually trust Comey, you're being played for a fool.

athena

(4,187 posts)
116. He plays an honest man on TV.
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 08:29 AM
Jun 2017

Unfortunately, too many people fall for it. People need to learn that if someone looks too good to be true, he usually is.

If you analyze Comey's actions over the years, he has one principle guiding him, and that is his own self-interest. At times Comey's self-interest favors the Right, and at times it favors the Left. But someone who cares more about his own self-interest than the good of his country is not someone I would call "honest". Rather, it's someone I would call, "self-centered and very dangerous".

haele

(12,581 posts)
21. Right now, he's a useful tool.
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 11:18 AM
Jun 2017

The enemy of my enemy is not my friend, but my tool. Democrats are fully aware of Comey and his past actions - including the Whitewater investigation that he was part of, as well as the way he actually stood up for the Constitution when Ashcroft was in his sickbed and the Cheney administration wanted Ashcroft to sign off on torture as interrogation.
The Clintons are his bête noir. He would do anything to screw them. Guiliani's crew played him like a fiddle there.
Other than that, he is a career Justice Department man.
So while Dems don't "need to" forgive him for the part he played in the Clinton Email debacle, they can use him quite effectively to get to Obstruction of Justice in the Russia-Trump connection probe.

Haele

emulatorloo

(43,982 posts)
23. You can't see the forest for the trees
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 11:20 AM
Jun 2017

Because of yr white hot rage. The testimony today is very damaging to Trump.

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
59. No. The man did rig the election. He had a little story on Hillary and a huge story on Trump
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 03:17 PM
Jun 2017

and he released the little story. He's been after the Clintons since Whitewater. The guy rigged the election and put a Russian puppet into the presidency.

That ain't hyperbole.

 

mythology

(9,527 posts)
74. It's at best a misleading statement
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 04:28 PM
Jun 2017

You leave out a major point of context that the Clinton email issue was the subject of a known investigation and Congress had specifically requested notice of any new updates.

Also if Clinton had been smarter and followed the strict letter of the law, there wouldn't have been a stupid server to investigate. She knew she was running for President and knew what a relentless mad on Republicans have for her. She should have gone above and beyond to be squeaky clean. She didn't.

Demsrule86

(68,352 posts)
97. No one said it was acceptable or normal...but it is done.
Fri Jun 9, 2017, 08:02 AM
Jun 2017

Attacking Comey when he is going after Trump is foolish...the enemy of my enemy is my friend...at least for the moment.

lunamagica

(9,967 posts)
27. I agree, Stevie. I still despise this man
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 11:30 AM
Jun 2017

ETA: The damage is done, an he played a big part. No matter what happens, the GOP will be in charge

StevieM

(10,499 posts)
28. I'll repeat what I just wrote in another post. What does Comey care if Trump gets taken down?
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 11:34 AM
Jun 2017

The GOP took back the White House, Hillary has been humiliated and Neil Gorsuch is on the Supreme Court?

lunamagica

(9,967 posts)
34. Exactly! America's world leadership is gone, and so much damage has been done not just by him, but
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 11:44 AM
Jun 2017

also by his "satellites". They are all complicit in this disastrous administration.

trump should have never been elected. And Comey played a big role for it to happen.

I will never forget.

StevieM

(10,499 posts)
41. I would argue that Comey played a dominant role. Without the July press conference or
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 01:07 PM
Jun 2017

the October Surprise Clinton would have destroyed Trump.

MedusaX

(1,129 posts)
30. Like him or not... right now he is the only muthafucker willing to come forward ...
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 11:36 AM
Jun 2017

So unless one has some deep seated desire to live in an
all white evangelical 3rd world kleptocracy

It might be best to set personal feelings aside for a while.

BeyondGeography

(39,284 posts)
32. Comey's leaks got a special counsel appointed to investigate Trump
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 11:43 AM
Jun 2017

I don't care how you feel about the election, that was a good thing. I know you think Trump only happened because of Comey, but no one has turned up the heat more on Trump than Comey. That fact alone should tell you something about why people here are cutting him slack.

 

NCTraveler

(30,481 posts)
33. Won't see me doing it.
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 11:44 AM
Jun 2017

I hope he drops some bombshells. I also think he should be under investigation. Both thoughts can be held without conflict.

Fuck Comey.

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
60. Many of which were probably influenced by Comey's throwing the election to Trump.
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 03:19 PM
Jun 2017

Comey was finally able to bring down the Clintons, something he's been wanting to do since Whitewater, He did rig the election as much as he was able. Which was quite a lot.

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
38. Bias often prevents us from looking at any one thing objectively
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 11:48 AM
Jun 2017

Bias often prevents us from looking at any one thing objectively, and compels us to call those who do, "Democrats falling all over themselves..." in place of any objective or supporting evidence.

It's that bias which personally frustrates me... otherwise clever little fellas screaming the sky is falling when he overhears someone merely say "Comey made a valid statement..."

You seem shrill and irrational. You most likely are not... but you certainly seem as such.

nadine_mn

(3,702 posts)
39. He did not "rig" the election
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 11:49 AM
Jun 2017

He - like every single news organization, political analyst, even Trump himself - believed Hillary would win. And she did.

Comey did not have that type of power to "rig".

Did he make some poor decisions - yes. Which he openly regrets, but felt were right at the time.

He has worked with and also gone against the wishes of both parties throughout his career.

aikoaiko

(34,127 posts)
40. Comey doesn't care about politicians political careers.
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 11:49 AM
Jun 2017

My take:

There is good reason to think that he thought Hillary was ahead and would win the GE just like most people thought.

And there is good reason to think that he was trying to protect the FBI from Republican backlash should he not be forthright about the continuing investigation that he said was closed.

I wish he didn't do it and it makes him mildly nauseous to think that he swayed the election.

OldHippieChick

(2,434 posts)
75. I think you are on the right track. He was protecting the FBI
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 04:41 PM
Jun 2017

and really never thought for a minute it would kill her chances. He still can't believe it did and that is what makes him sick.

Baconator

(1,459 posts)
81. Agreed...
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 04:48 PM
Jun 2017

In the world we all thought we were going to be in...

a) news leaks that more e-mails were found but kept tight hold until post election thus proving 'bias' for Clinton

b) leaks prior to the election and no ability to frame the narrative

c) What he chose and let the chips fall where they may but taking the FBI out of it.

 

bettyellen

(47,209 posts)
46. People are complex. I believe he speaks to the facts as he knows them.
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 01:34 PM
Jun 2017

I give a big side eye to anyone- on either side- trying to discredit him right now.

 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
48. to be blunt, people pissed at Comey need to get the fuck over it
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 01:46 PM
Jun 2017

Our agenda is not relitigating 2016, it's taking down Trump and winning future elections.

LisaM

(27,762 posts)
51. I agree with you!
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 01:50 PM
Jun 2017

The man should have "Trigger Alert" tattooed on his forehead - he's wakening all kinds of negative feelings in my today. I can't stand to look at him.

Qutzupalotl

(14,230 posts)
52. You're thinking of Jason Chaffetz.
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 01:51 PM
Jun 2017

Comey sent him a classified letter updating him on the status of the investigation, as was his duty. It was not intended for public release.

StevieM

(10,499 posts)
55. It was not his duty, he was told not to do it, and he violated DOJ policy.
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 02:27 PM
Jun 2017

And, yes, Jason Chaffetz is evil. He drove the fake email scandal from beginning to end.

Qutzupalotl

(14,230 posts)
64. It absolutely was his duty to notify congress
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 03:26 PM
Jun 2017

of any change in status of an investigation he had deemed closed.

Qutzupalotl

(14,230 posts)
73. He was being pressured internally by people ready to spill the beans
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 04:22 PM
Jun 2017

so withholding would give the appearance of a cover-up.

athena

(4,187 posts)
119. Appearances are not more important than the reality of the election.
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 08:42 AM
Jun 2017

Comey did what he did to cover his own ass. As this article details:

http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/james-comeys-intellectual-history

Comey was worried that if the reopening of the investigation had been leaked, he would end up looking like he was protecting HRC. Now, ask yourself this: who would have suffered if it looked like Comey was protecting HRC, when all he was doing was following the Justice Department's guidelines and traditions not to interfere in elections? The answer is Comey. The only person who would have suffered is Comey. Comey's focus is first and foremost and always Comey. Someone who is more interested in his self-interest than in the good of the country is not someone who deserves this kind of intense admiration on the Left.

It seems to me that the Left is desperately in need of a man they can lionize. A woman running for the presidency was so disturbing and traumatic to some people that they don't even care if the man they're lionizing is a liberal. They just need a man, period.

If being a man were not a requirement, we would have seen this kind of admiration for Sally Yates, who actually put the good of her country ahead of her own self-interest. We did not. She is, after all, just a woman.

athena

(4,187 posts)
117. No, it was not. He went against Justice Department guidelines and traditions.
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 08:35 AM
Jun 2017
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/campaign/311319-comeys-shameful-legacy-of-election-interference

"This letter violated the most basic Justice Department and FBI guidelines and traditions of not announcing early-stage investigations and not becoming involved in partisan politics."

"What Comey could have done, should have done — but shamefully did not do — is order FBI agents to examine the new emails without public comment to determine whether there was any new evidence to reverse his decision to clear Clinton. Had incriminating evidence been discovered, that would have been the proper time to write to Congress — not before the search warrant was even granted, and before any evidence was even reviewed."
 

tonyt53

(5,737 posts)
53. I think Comey was promised the AG job by the GOP. He was used like a condom.
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 01:52 PM
Jun 2017

The GOP/Trump got what they wanted, then they disposed of him.

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
62. I agree Stevie, but in this weird world, we have to get in there with some pretty strange bedfellows
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 03:20 PM
Jun 2017

ucrdem

(15,512 posts)
66. Comey is miffed because he got knocked off his perch, but otherwise he's what he always was.
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 03:33 PM
Jun 2017

And given half a chance he'll go right back to lying about the Clintons and playing pennyboy to the nutjobs.

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
68. Yes. But another thing I get from him is that he LOOOOOOOOVES this attention. He
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 03:40 PM
Jun 2017

is a complete drama monger who sees himself as the white knight righting wrongs.

At the moment the only wrongs for him to right - the only ones that will keep CNN doing countdowns to the moment when he speaks - are those dealing with Trump. I think he will be useful to us as long as that situation exists.

But yes. He has a personal and long standing and well documented and irrational thing about the Clintons. I believe he knew exactly what he was doing when he put his thumb heavily on the election scale. There are a lot of people trying to come up with explanations for why he released the Clinton story and not the RUSSIANS STEALING THE ELECTION!!!! story. There is no explanation other than he hates the Clintons and wanted Trump to win.

VOX

(22,976 posts)
72. "Purity" helped #45 win; "purity" will not remove him from office.
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 04:21 PM
Jun 2017

Politics have never been clean. It's all about trade-offs, compromise, and making do.

The purity issue ("Can't vote for Hillary in good conscience," etc.) helped to hand the 2016 election to the most grossly unqualified, incompetent and destructive candidate in history. Subsequent events have brought into question the very reality of American democracy.

The country is now in serious crisis, fighting for its very life. A mechanism is desperately needed to spark action toward removing as many individuals in #45's toxic administration as possible, including #45. Seeking PURITY in picking and choosing some acceptable means to this end is a fool's errand.

Baconator

(1,459 posts)
76. I think it's his best quality...
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 04:42 PM
Jun 2017

Someone that high up in the law enforcement world who pisses both parties off is probably doing something right.

MosheFeingold

(3,051 posts)
84. Additionally
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 05:15 PM
Jun 2017

He crapped all over Hillary and Loretta Lynch, again.

Basically said Lynch did her best to stop/miss-characterize the Clinton server investigation, which is a lie.

Blue_Tires

(55,445 posts)
88. And at this particular point in time he's useful to us
Thu Jun 8, 2017, 05:53 PM
Jun 2017

In an unconventional war, you deploy unconventional weapons and cultivate unconventional allies...

BzaDem

(11,142 posts)
99. Whatever you think of Comey's actions, I highly doubt he wanted Trump to win.
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 04:49 AM
Jun 2017

I think it is extremely unlikely that Comey voted for Trump, let alone wanted to tilt the election in his favor.

Of course, he did take an action that tilted the election in Trump's direction, and he likely knew it would help Trump. But that doesn't mean he did it for the purpose of helping Trump (or that he thought Trump would win).

I think he thought HRC would win (as did most people, right up until election night), and wanted to avoid Republican whining after the election when it came out. This was extremely poor judgement at best, and (I think) a cowardly desire to avoid criticism at worst. His actions will forever tarnish a reputation he spent a lifetime building, and he will be blamed in part for whatever damage remains to be caused by the Trump presidency.

But given everything we know about Comey during the Bush administration through today, I have a very hard time believing that Comey wanted Trump anywhere near the presidency.

That Man JB

(2 posts)
100. Not defendng him...
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 04:59 AM
Jun 2017

We're defending the rule of law, just as we defended it when he cleared Hillary of any CRIMINAL mis-doings.

JI7

(89,182 posts)
102. i don't defend him over the email thing. i defend him against trump. or rather i believe him over
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 05:10 AM
Jun 2017

trump .

 

beachbum bob

(10,437 posts)
103. still not true, hillary lost because of those who voted for stein or not voted..because of
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 06:18 AM
Jun 2017

all the russian hogwash and personal bias against her

comey's act didn't help but that was not the sole act responsible for her loss as 75,000 votes total was the difference across 3 states

StevieM

(10,499 posts)
127. Comey didn't cost her a handful of votes IMO. He dramatically reshaped the race and took away
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 10:59 AM
Jun 2017

what would have been a decisive victory.

Miles Archer

(18,837 posts)
104. As a Democrat, I apologize for the fact that I apparently sicken you.
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 06:30 AM
Jun 2017

Good news, though, is that I haven't really fallen all over myself. And I'm not "defending" Comey.

Why, just the other day, I went for a walk, and...CHEWED GUM AT THE SAME TIME. Got home safely. It was a beautiful thing.

Comey, from every indication, gave Robert Meuller the ammo he needed (in addition to whatever Meuller gathered without Comey) to assemble a team which is going to dig deep into Trump's trail of Russian money laundering.

Nothing's going to change what happened in 2016. Yes, it was wrong. Comey pretty much admitted that he screwed up during Thursday's hearing. He can't go back and undo it, we are probably not going to have a do-over of the election. In June 2017, Comey's testimony has been instrumental in moving forward with "possible" obstruction of justice / collusion charges against Trump. Folding his testimony into the overall legal case does not require me to defend him, apologize for him, forgive him, or do anything other than watch the legal process at work.

No one on DU has "defended" the role Comey played in the 2016 elections (at least from what I have seen...I do not read every single thread and comment here).

I'm sure if they did, they would have already been shitcanned for it.

My focus, right now, is on Meuller doing his job. My focus is on the legal wheels in Washington turning as they were designed to do, and "IF" significant evidence is found for Trump's impeachment,

My choice is to separate myself from what happened in 2016 and what is happening in 2017. It doesn't mean I am a good Democrat or a bad Democrat. It means I would truly like to see Donald Trump held accountable for anything that he "might have done of an illegal nature."

If Comey is part of that, I am OK with that.

Now, if you will excuse me, I'm going for a walk.

Just as soon as I find my gum.

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
112. Ridiculous.
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 07:46 AM
Jun 2017

You may be thinking about the Republicans' using "Democrat" instead of "Democratic" when "Democratic" is correct. That is a right wing insult.

But I am a Democrat, and I hope you are one too, and that is not RWNJ language. It is a label we should be proud to hold.

Sancho

(9,065 posts)
106. I don't think Democrats should defend Comey...
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 07:13 AM
Jun 2017

he's a modern version of Archie Bunker, who has conservative and religious values that he uses to rationalize poor decisions. Comey is surely pro-life, he has spoken against police body-cameras, and he has typically acted in the most conservative ways in his career. Comey probably disagrees with almost all progressive positions.

There's no question that he went out of his way to go after Hillary, and over-looked the tRump/Russian connections.

If insane people like tRump want to battle it out with conservatives like Comey it's OK with me. If Obama had fired Comey a couple years ago, Hillary would likely be President (in hindsight).

As it is, if Comey is the tool to take down tRump that's wonderful, but more importantly it would be really cool if Paul Ryan, McTurtle, and a bunch of others turned out to be part of the Russian connection. Pissing off Comey and his FBI buddies might result in turning over a lot of rocks.

athena

(4,187 posts)
120. Exactly.
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 08:49 AM
Jun 2017

We are watching a nasty fight between two extremely egotistical conservative men. While this can be amusing, and is a symptom of internal problems on the Right, it is no reason to lionize a man who is a conservative, cares only about himself, and interfered in the last presidential election in a totally inappropriate way to give us President Trump.

Response to StevieM (Original post)

BamaRefugee

(3,476 posts)
114. You think Hillary needed him in any way, shape, or form to win? I don't.
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 07:53 AM
Jun 2017

And of course I supported and voted for him twice.

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
147. Just FYI, that wasn't me. As I said, the post made me facepalm, but I didn't think it was
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 02:52 PM
Jun 2017

alert worthy.

 

DefenseLawyer

(11,101 posts)
118. I think what he did was self serving, but I don't think he thought he was tipping the election
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 08:42 AM
Jun 2017

I think the calculation was, if he brought out something bad about Clinton, she would win anyway, but it would be nearly impossible for her to fire him without it looking very bad politically.

nini

(16,670 posts)
123. Lets us not forget who won the popular vote here
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 09:31 AM
Jun 2017

Last edited Sat Jun 10, 2017, 11:50 PM - Edit history (1)

I think what he did before thd election was BS. However the rigging of the election was done by russian meddling in the end.

Now lets fast forward to the current situation - comey is in the position to take this nightmare trump down. I am going to support him in doing so. The survival of this republic is at stake - sometimes you have to suck it up and deal with people you wouldn't normally want to.

still_one

(91,965 posts)
131. They are not defending Comey for his interference in the election. They are saying that when
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 11:19 AM
Jun 2017

you fire someone who is investigating you in the middle of that investigation, obstruction of justice is a real concern

The media's bullshit how this is just partisan political, is their false equivalency garbage that they have been pushing for years

About a week ago The NY Times had an article why the republicans don't sign on to The Paris Acords, and half way in that article they said a motivating factor was because of the "huburis" of President Obama and the Democrats.

It is bullshit, and so is the blanket characterization that the Democrats are defending Comey without putting the facts in context

Oneironaut

(5,462 posts)
135. I agree. He's an arrogant megalomaniac.
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 11:32 AM
Jun 2017

This whole testimony thing was a charade to throw himself into the limelight. He's nothing more than a carnival barking attention whore.

There's only room for one of those in the White House now.

still_one

(91,965 posts)
136. In one case they condem Comey for his interference in the election, in the other they condem trump
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 11:33 AM
Jun 2017

For his interference in an investigation involving him by Comey



JenniferJuniper

(4,496 posts)
138. I'm "defending" him in the way I'd defend
Sat Jun 10, 2017, 11:36 AM
Jun 2017

that POS L'il Marco if he suddenly up and called for Trump's impeachment.

Every time he quoted Trump, it sounded just like something Trump would do or say. And Trump wouldn't know the truth if it flew down and took a chomp out of his yuge ass.

So I believe what Comey says.

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