Would the President endorse Hillary Clinton if there was any risk that she was going to be indicted?

[DCBob]

Last edited Mon Jun 6, 2016, 07:48 PM - Edit history (1)

Clearly the answer is no.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. The president will make sure she isn't.

It would reflect badly on his administration.

[scscholar]

80. This. He controls the AG so...

he can order her to do the right thing.

[dsc]

92. yes because we know those black presidents just can't be trusted

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

94. If you saw something racist in that comment

you need to put the bong down and get a little fresh air. I like Obama, voted for him twice. Just saying presidents - all of them - try to protect their legacies. An indicted SoS would not help that.

[dsc]

106. He has shown zero examples of him breaking the law during over 7 years of rule

yet you posit he would break the law to protect his legacy.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

107. I suggested nothing of the kind.

He can protect Hillary without doing anything illegal. To suggest there was anything racial about suggesting he will try to protect her is extremely offensive. Kind of like suggesting that any criticism of Hillary is necessarily sexist.

[dsc]

108. any interference at all would be illegal

that is red letter law that has existed for decades.

[w4rma]

121. Then she'll be indicted by his Justice Department and the FBI.

That will settle that.

[MariaThinks]

127. sounds like you're accusing our President of corruption with no facts

I must be misunderstanding you.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

134. No, I'm not. I don't think he'd do anything illegal or corrupt.

But politics being as they are, I think those with the power to prosecute Hillary will decide on their own not to do it. I don't think Obama is a corrupt person and he's not going to be out there shredding documents or twisting arms. However, there is always subtle but perfectly legal influence.

In fact, I think the case against her is really sort of weak, at least based on what I've read. Prosecutors won't take a case they don't think they can prove beyond a reasonable doubt, and where the subject is a former SoS appointed by a sitting president, they'd have to have a smoking bazooka. Unless there's something that hasn't really damning that hasn't yet been discovered or released, I don't see it.

Consider also that Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon - it was perfectly legal but done for political reasons. And it pissed off a whole lot of people.

[mcar]

2. No

[Jack Bone]

3. clearly he's not in the investigation loop...

as it should be...ya know...culpability of justice and all...

no tainting accusations later.

[onenote]

54. But HA Goodman is?

[HooptieWagon]

4. He hasn't endorsed her yet.

I wonder why the prolonged delay.

[randome]

6. How about because Sanders was a worthy opponent?

[hr][font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font][hr]

[DCBob]

8. He will this week.

He waited because he was being respectful of the primary process and the other candidate.

[basselope]

14. Does anyone realize his endorsement HURTS her more than it HELPS?!?!

Everyone on earth knows he is going to "endorse" whoever the democratic nominee is.

If he steps in BEFORE the convention and endorses a candidate, it is just the establishment protecting itself and further ammo Trump uses against Clinton.

[DCBob]

20. LOL!

That's

[basselope]

48. The fact that you don't understand shows how detached from reality you are.

[DCBob]

55. More..

[basselope]

58. And you wonder why she has no path to victory.

You are shining example of the problem.

[DCBob]

64. Hillary is going to slaughter Trump.

You are a shining example of denial and delusion.

[basselope]

71. LMAO!!

Suuuure. She is going to drive turnout to overcome the voter suppression tactics in Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Wisconsin and many other states.


Suuure... she is going to completely buck the poll trends that show the anti-establishment candidate outpreforms the polls... let's try to ignore the fact that she is already tied or behind in most key states.

Suuuure.. she is going to win a debate against the man who actually bought her. The guy who has the receipts to prove her own corruption.

Suuuure.. she is going to overcome her abysmal record in the senate and as secretary of state to get people to vote for her.


WOW! That Kool aid you drank must be laced with something.

[DCBob]

76. You are clearly suffering from DDD.

Delusional Denial Disorder.

[basselope]

78. Sorry, but no.

I just see reality.

[Lord Magus]

109. Or maybe it just shows that you're wrong. -nt-

[basselope]

124. I'm not. Sorry.

[TwilightZone]

23. That makes exactly zero sense.

A popular president endorsing the Democratic nominee, and you think that hurts? His recent approval ratings are some of the highest of his presidency.

You might want to consider returning to reality.

[basselope]

53. TwilightZone is right.

'A popular president endorsing the Democratic nominee"

First.. not THAT popular.


His recent approval ratings are some of the highest of his presidency.

Not even close.


His recent polling is at about 50%. Sometimes at 51, sometimes at 49. MANY times throughout his presidency his approval ratings have been higher. They were well over 60% for the first 6 months of his presidency. They were in the mid to high 50s in December 2012

http://pollingreport.com/obama_job.htm


Come on.. why don't people do at least a moment of research prior to posting???

[onenote]

66. He is enormously popular with Democrats -- moreso than either Sanders or Clinton

So tell me how his endorsement hurts her?

[basselope]

75. Because democrats are meaningless and are only 29% of the population.

It hurts her because it further reinforces to the 71% of voters who are NOT democrats that the democratic party is just establishment politics as usual.

[onenote]

83. Actually its national numbers that are meaningless

That 29 percent figure is a national figure and its impacted by the fact that there are states where a much smaller percentage of voters are Democrats than in some other states.

But Presidential elections these days are played out on a much smaller stage. And in states where Democrats make up a plurality, Obama's endorsement is most helpful. Plus, in terms of getting folks to donate and support the campaign, Obama's support helps there too, both in states that are solidly blue and solidly red.

The idea that Obama's endorsement is a negative or that his campaigning for her will hurt her electoral chances is ludicrous.

[basselope]

89. Obama's endorsement is generally meaningless UNLESS he completely withheld it.

However, if he gives it too early, he alienates the Bernie voters, who are, mostly, NOT democrats.

[Zynx]

100. A large percentage of "independents" don't vote for anyone but Democrats.

Self-description is ridiculously inaccurate. Most people lean decidedly toward one part or the other. Obama is popular with 51-53% of the country.

[basselope]

123. Not large enough.

And your poll information is incorrect. latest poll released has him at 49%, but we can safely say 50/50 approval right now.

[onenote]

26. I suspect very few people 'realize' something that goofy.

Once he endorses her, he's free to go after Trump on her behalf.

As for what Trump says, that's probably more of a concern for repubs than for us.

[basselope]

57. And this is why the democratic party is in such danger of losing.

Obama has been going after Trump. Trump voters don't care and it doesn't impact them in the least.

Obama endorsing the democratic nominee is going to happen.. even if they nominate a rock. Just like Ryan endorsing Trump was going to happen.

HOWEVER, if Obama is foolish enough to endorse Hillary before the convention, before she has the required number of delegates to win.. he further alienates the support she needs to even have a chance. Even then, I doubt many Bernie voters care what Obama has to say on the matter, since it is just the establishment supporting itself.. but if he does it too soon, before she the convention.. it only hurts him.

[onenote]

61. He's endorsing her at a time comparable to when Bernie endorsed him

Seems fair to me.

[basselope]

67. He's not doing anything yet.

Bernie wasn't a sitting president.

[onenote]

70. Nor will he be.

But show me an example of a sitting president that waited until the convention to endorse (and I'll show you at least three examples where they didn't).

[basselope]

72. Every single time the convention was contested.

[GulfCoast66]

82. This convention

Is not and will not be contested.

If Bernie does not concede he will have no speaking role and Clinton will be nominated on the first vote. Bernie will be on the floor with the Vermont delegation. The delegates to this convention are Democratic Party members.

Now what the folks outside the building decide to do is determined by Bernie actions.

[basselope]

87. Since she didn't earn the required number of delegates, it is a contested convention.

[GulfCoast66]

88. So 08 was also contested?

[basselope]

90. It was until Clinton withdrew.

[GulfCoast66]

91. This year

Will be no different.

[basselope]

113. So you think Bernie will withdraw... if he does, then Obama will endorse.

If he doesn't.. then Obama will likely wait, unless he wants to hurt Clinton.

[GulfCoast66]

119. Wow

You think the President gives one shit about a guy who wanted him to have a primary challenger in 2012? He is the President of the United States!

He called Bernie yesterday and told him how it was going to go down. He will endorse her this week. Bernie will go to Vermont to 'reflect' and when he is done 'reflecting' will endorse Clinton. I am one here who loves both candidates, but Bernie realizes the threat Trump represents.

[basselope]

128. So says the random MSNBC source.

Convenient the day before the primary.

If Bernie drops out and endorses Clinton.. all the power too him.

I still would never vote for her.

And I know she will never be president.

[GulfCoast66]

130. Whatever

And after next week you will not be posting here.

But in reality after listening to trump for the next 4 months you will vote for Hillary.

[basselope]

137. There is no planet in which I vote for Hillary.

She is not qualified to be president.

[GulfCoast66]

138. Well

You will not be here.

I hope you find a candidate you support.

[basselope]

142. Don't worry, i will be here.

Not supporting Hillary.

[GulfCoast66]

143. Glad you will stay

So will you stick to the non-political sites?

Just because you and I disagree on the candidate does not mean I see you as an enemy. We will never meet but if we did we might become friends. Who knows?

I am getting old enough to realize that there is more to life than politics.

I hope you have a nice evening.

[Zynx]

98. Seriously? More than half the country approves of Obama.

[basselope]

114. Depends on the poll.. some are just under, some are just over.

[Zynx]

115. The preponderance recently has shown him over 50%.

[basselope]

125. Not really.

Of the last 10 polls, in 5 he was above 50% in 5 he was below 50%

If you average his last 5 polls, he has a 49.8% approval rating.

So.. no. the preponderance do not have him over 50.

[DrDan]

17. obviously

[TwilightZone]

16. Out of respect for the primary process and her opponent.

That's the traditional approach.

[libdem4life]

5. I disagree. The President is trying desperately to salvage his

reputation/future career. What's he going to do, come out for Bernie? He got roped into the SOS thing, so doubt the levers of power have changed much.

He can pardon her, if need be.

[DCBob]

13. Endorsing someone who is about to be indicted would not be smart thing to do.

And we all know President Obama is one smart cookie!

[onenote]

29. I voted for Sanders in the primary in VA. He lost. Now he's about to lose the whole shooting match.

So I'm voting for Clinton because Donald Trump getting into the WH scares me.

Not sure if that answers your question.

[onenote]

39. I suggest in such a circumstance you PM the person

[DCBob]

49. Hillary Clinton is the GOP's worst nightmare.

[gordianot]

25. It emphasizes independent Justice.

AT least one carefully run executive department capable of doing the job.

[libdem4life]

38. Lots of things in this morass are not smart. She may have him behind

the 8 ball, yet again. The pressure to endorse before the nomination is probably unprecedented...especially by the President...and we can guess the frantic negotiations going on.

She's got the Comey, FBI Director on the hot spot, State and IG too, why not PBO. This is one crafty woman. (forget any sexist comments...I am one...just not as crafty. Oh, and I'm not jealous either...just in case.)

I believe her hubris has finally gotten out of control and there is no way out for her.

[rbrnmw]

77. really? I mean really?

[libdem4life]

131. Really. Really.

[TwilightZone]

18. Salvage his reputation? Have you looked at his approval numbers lately?

This place just keeps getting funnier.

[PepperHarlan]

27. You noticed that too?

It must be a very interesting alternate reality they live in where Obama's rep needs to be salvaged. Especially among Dems.

[bvar22]

28. Wait a few years.

When the realities of the ACA become more widely known, the "recovery" becomes recognized for what it really is (another massive transfer of Wealth to the 1%) and the Trade Deals come home to roost.

Korean Free Trade Deal devastating for US Workers
(Prototype for the TPP)

What happened to the 70,000 jobs that the Korea Free Trade deal was supposed to create? They never materialized. Instead, U.S. workers lost 40,000 jobs in the first year of the agreement.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-cohen/koreaus-free-trade-agreem_b_4965492.html

Meet the TPP: Crony capitalism on a global scale
https://represent.us/action/tpp/

Obama selects former Monsanto lobbyist to be his TPP chief agriculture negotiator
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023662210

"Obama Admin’s TPP Trade Officials Received Hefty Bonuses From Big Banks"
http://billmoyers.com/2014/02/20/obama-admin%E2%80%99s-tpp-trade-officials-received-hefty-bonuses-from-big-banks/

Study: "Trade" Deal Would Mean a Pay Cut for 90% of U.S. Workers
http://citizen.typepad.com/eyesontrade/2013/09/the-verdict-is-in-the-trans-pacific-partnership-tpp-a-sweeping-free-trade-deal-under-negotiation-with-11-pacific-rim-coun.html

[TwilightZone]

30. Irrelevant to the conversation.

We're talking about President Obama endorsing Clinton now, not in a few years.

Try to keep up.

[bvar22]

47. You seem to be the one losing it.

[font color=red] TwilightZone (9,160 posts)
18. Salvage his reputation? Have you looked at his approval numbers lately?

[/font]

You ARE the same TwilightZone who posted that...right?
You ARE the one who added the qualifier "lately" to the end of you sentence?
Yes?

That begs the question, "What happens after "lately"?
.
.
.

No charge for the lesson.
I do Pro Bono work for those in need.

[libdem4life]

42. I think the word "maintain" would be appropriate.

[libdem4life]

135. I agree...I used the wrong word. In retrospect, I think early endorsement

will look desperate for HRC. His endorsement, at the appropriate time, is correct. Early on, looks to be putting his thumb on the scales. But I don't believe it will affect his legacy one bit. I voted for him, have had little criticism for him, think he's done some wonderful things, and think he's, yet again, in a difficult political position with someone who has no regard for him.

[Zynx]

102. Salvage? Do you live in some world where Obama is very unpopular?

[LonePirate]

133. His reputation and future career don't need salvaging.

He's the most popular politician in America (yes, even more than Bernie). He has a strong legacy from his 7+ years as President. He could have any job he wants once he leaves office. If he chooses, given his relatively young age, he could make millions, perhaps even a billion or two in his lifetime.

I'm not sure what Republican talking points you have been digesting about Obama; but your view of him couldn't be any further from reality.

[libdem4life]

136. Already Mea Culpa ed. Wrong word. EOS

[morningfog]

7. You don't trust the WH and the AG who have said Obama has not been briefed

and does not receive briefing on the investigation?

[DCBob]

9. I believe them but I also believe Obama knows what's going on.

He has legal advisers and he knows the situation and he has spoken to Hillary Clinton. The President knows more about this than anyone else other than Hillary and Comey.

[morningfog]

12. Unless he's read the emails that Hillary deleted after

self selecting them as personal, he doesn't really have any foundation to assume one way or the other.

[DCBob]

21. He knows.. trust me.

[onenote]

34. Yet lots of posters on this site and lots of bloggers like HA Goodman

All know exactly where things stand in terms of the likelihood of action being taken against Clinton.

How do you explain all the inside knowledge and legal analysis people here and folks like Goodman claim to be privy to while the President, who has some pretty sharp legal minds working for him, doesn't know anything?

Right.

[Kelvin Mace]

10. What? You mean it is absolutely impossible

For politicians and their minions to lie?

[Triana]

11. No. But I never expected anything to happen over the damn emails anyway.

They've all discussed when they will endorse their chosen one - probably quite a while ago. The emails had nothing to do with it.

Keeping Wall St. the PiC, MiC, Big Insurance, Big Pharma, Big Ag and the very wealthy (themselves) floating in money is their top priority and their gal will protect their status (quo).

The emails never had a thing to do with it.

[AzDar]

15. He's also supporting PayDay Debbie...He wants DESPERATELY to pass the TPP

[JudyM]

19. +1

[snagglepuss]

43. He's not runninig for office again so there's no pressure to please potential

donors by doing their bidding so I have to wonder why so much pressure on passing it when it is so deeply flawed that a senior Tory in Cameron's govt broke rank and is opposing it because of the power it removes from elected government and places into the hands of private interest.

[AzDar]

44. I'm guessing he sees how well the Clintons made out Post-WH, and wants to be set in perpetuity...

[840high]

84. Yep

[sadoldgirl]

22. Obama is in need to support the candidate, who

will get the TTP through Congress, and Bernie would
not do this.

This is so important to the POTUS that he blocked the
release of e-mails from and to the State Department
about this issue, until after the election.

The TTP will be his legacy, like it or not.

[aikoaiko]

31. yes, and sooner rather than later so that he can maintain plausible deniability.

If there is to be an indictment and he knew, I think that would be the strategic move.

[QC]

32. How would he know? Are you implying that

he has been interfering with the investigation?

I think more highly of him than that.

[onenote]

37. How do all the posters on this site who say she's about to be indicted

know things that the President doesn't know?

[DCBob]

51. He has the best legal advisers on the planet.

He knows.

[onenote]

63. But are they as good as HA Goodman?

[DCBob]

65. LOL!! Ha Goofman.

[onenote]

68. I thought that might get a snort from you!!

More posts here than I could ever count explaining exactly why Clinton is guilty of this that and the other thing and why she will be indicted.

But the President and his advisers -- they don't know nuttin'


This place can be a riot some times.

[DCBob]

69. Indeed.

Thanks for the laugh!

[MadBadger]

140. He doesnt have to interfere to have some well placed sources

[KULawHawk]

35. So?

If you want to answer your own question then why bother posting.

[DCBob]

79. This a political discussion forum.. no?

I am offering my opinion.. feel free to disagree and offer your opinion.

[Starry Messenger]

36. The party wouldn't have even let her run if they thought there was more than a fart in church

of legal problems over this silly shit.

[Kentonio]

60. The full extent of what had happened didn't come out until well into the primary.

[DCBob]

81. Yep.

There number one priority is winning and if there was any risk she would indicted they would drop her like a hot potato.

[okasha]

112. Exactly!

The President is the head of the Democratic Party. If there were the least likelihood that Hillary would damage the Party, we'd be talking about presumptive nominee Biden right now.

[ram2008]

40. Yes he would regardless

He's not supposed to know what's going to happen, he has clearly stated he would endorse whoever won the most votes/ delegates. That will be Clinton. Whether or not she gets indicted is another thing and I'd presume if such a thing happened there would be motions to retract such an endorsement.

[onenote]

50. Is he supposed to know less than the bloggers predicting her indictment

[Nye Bevan]

41. Of course he will endorse her when she clinches the nomination.

The investigation is nothing to do with him.

[grasswire]

46. as far as we know

Many people are not so sure about that.

[basselope]

59. which doesn't happen until late July.

[grasswire]

45. to protect himself, yes, if he has some risk.

It is possible that he is himself exposed.

He could have cut her loose to face her own demons. But she will take him down if she thinks she needs to.

And so he may be protecting her.

[loyalsister]

56. He's in a tricky position

He sees Libya as a mistake, she sees it as a success. That she went behind his back and took advice from Blumenthal on it, puts him in a bind.

[beachbumbob]

52. Sanders faces FEC fines and possible DOJ Indictments

Has campaign has serious FEC violations as note with previous filings

[Zen Democrat]

62. And clearly he has not endorsed her. What you hear are hopeful rumors.

[DCBob]

73. It sounds like more than rumors..

Every news site has it..

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/clinton-obama-endorsement-223792
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/06/06/president-obama-endorse-hillary-clinton-devastate-donald-trump.html
http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/06/politics/hillary-clinton-barack-obama-endorsement/
http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/06/obama_eager_to_endorse_hillary.html
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/obama-preparing-endorse-clinton-39649641

[onenote]

74. Well, this place is home to hopeful rumors isn't it?

After all, a lot of Sanders supporters spend a lot of time posting "hopeful" rumors about Clinton's allegedly pending indictment or Bernie's ability to filp super delegates.

There are a lot more reasons to think this "hopeful rumor" is accurate than a lot of the stuff posted here

[RDANGELO]

85. If the FBI recomends indictment, and the DOJ does not indict,

that would do great damage to the Democratic party. At a time when the demographics distinctly favor them in the general election.

[DCBob]

86. I guarantee the FBI is not going to recommend indictment.

The FBI report will be similar to the IG report.

[DCBob]

95. Obama will endorse Hillary on Wednesday in NY.

You can bank on that.. STM.

[DCBob]

105. Please come back here on Wed and we can settle this..

that is if you are not TS'd by then.

[Lord Magus]

110. So what will your story be when Obama DOES endorse Hillary? -nt-

[Bill USA]

96. this is easily dealt with by the zealot by saying Obama will "fix" the investigation. LOL!!

[Warren Stupidity]

97. Obama cannot interfere in any way with an ongoing investigation by the DoJ.

So how the flying fuck would he know if she is going to be indicted or not?

[DCBob]

103. Sure.. but..

he has the best legal advisers on the planet, he has talked with Hillary, he knows the situation better than anyone, he would know if there was any significant risk.

[BillZBubb]

139. That's BS. Like she'd tell Obama the truth!

[Lord Magus]

111. He doesn't have to "interfere" to know what's happening. -nt-

[Warren Stupidity]

144. Actually he would interfere by involving his office in any way with the investigation

including being briefed on internal status of the investigation. So when somebody asserts that the president endorsing Clinton proves that the investigation is not going to indict her, inferring that the endorsement is based on inside information about that investigation, that person is not really being truthful.

[MadBadger]

141. I'm sure he has some unnamed sources

[Warren Stupidity]

145. Oh, so not only interfering in an ongoing investigation but explicitly acting to avoid detection

of that interference?

So like two impeachable offenses?

[MadBadger]

146. What i said isnt interference at all

Its no different than a journalist having an FBI source that tells them what is going on with something. No influence, just where its going.

[Skwmom]

101. Only if he planned to slide his sidekick Biden in as the Presidential nominee after acting

surprised by the FBI recommendation of indictment. This is one way he could keep the Clintonites from going ballistic.

[MFM008]

104. OP excellent point

hes chomping at the bit to campaign for a criminal.
Didnt think of that....

[democrattotheend]

116. I don't think he knows if she will be indicted

He has made it a point, for integrity purposes, not to get involved in the FBI's investigation.

[laserhaas]

117. Like this question...What is undue influence

Getting what you wish for may be a good thing for America

[BKH70041]

118. He's a lame duck, so what's the risk?

He's going to become even more lame? Come January he's gone anyway.

[DCBob]

120. He's no lame duck. He will have a huge impact in his last several months.

[w4rma]

122. Is that when he pushes the unpopular bills down our throats, like the TPP? (nt)

[MariaThinks]

126. that's what i say

[Thinkingabout]

129. Clearly the answer on Hillary being indicted is NO.

[MirrorAshes]

132. Exactly. I've been saying this from the beginning. (nt)