So we are down to (1) "move on" no indictment and (2) "better than Trump". High standards indeed! This will be one of the worst campaigns, and worst presidencies, and worst periods in American history no matter who wins. My heart hopes HRC will not be given ANY position of power or trust. My head says HRC as POTUS, especially during ACA whiplash in 2017, will be instructive to younger voters who wish to advance in life, prosper, and have quality health care. Kind of like Greece could be instructive to those who are able to uncover their eyes, unplug their ears, and open their intellects. Yet that is a feat that seems to escape tribal party partisans.
It seems like the democrats are taking a big chance of losing by nominating Hillary, as she is probably the only democrat in the country that could actually lose to Trump. She's a known quantity, so there's no chance of "reinventing" herself. Every day seems to bring more bad news. She's not really very good at campaigning or giving interviews, to put it mildly. She's not inspirational. She comes across to a lot of us as pretty arrogant and condescending. It really doesn't matter what she promises because she's flipped positions so many times in the past--like the TPP, (and you know she's going to flip again on that). Just sayin.....
1
Are you serious or one of those unrepentant Bernie Sanders supporters foolish enough to assume that Hillary Clinton is doomed? Or even perhaps one of the typical Republican trolls that seeks to cast doubt concerning Clinton's viability? If not, I have news for you. Not only will HRC win, but the Democrats have an excellent chance to flip both Houses of Congress. The GOP, like always, overplayed their hand indicating that this was less a congressional probe than an uncalled for political inquisition.
7
What do you know about Trump's tax returns?
I know Trump is a magnet for suckers who do no diligence at all.
I know Trump is a magnet for suckers who do no diligence at all.
7
Trump and the GOP all bluster no substance. Some things never change
9
To have the Republicans continue any rhetoric about the email decision would only be wasted breath. Trump has already let his supporters know what he thinks of this and I don't think this is the end of the story. It would be even more foolish for him to carry on about what has already been decided by those in control. I think it makes Hillary look bad and those with a sense of justice for all will be offended by the decision.
1
I think I get it. The Trump approach is to spoof the common man. He supported Saddam's approach to killing terrorists. It involves a simple interpretation of terrorism that suggests that anyone Saddam branded a terrorist is game for killing - no trial, no lawyers, no firing squad, dead. The recent Brexit campaign should inform anti-Trump voters that logic and reason go down the drain whenever the masses fear conventional government. In this case, Trump is stoking the gun lobby claim that the government will try to remove the 2nd Amendment rights of citizens and seize all guns; terrorist cells, all foreign-born Muslims, are lurking in suburban neighborhoods waiting to strike; and the Clintons' are crooked people that can not be trusted to run the government. The claims are far-fetched but they resonate within the "I love the uneducated" and "I also love the highly educated" classes.
For the most part, those against Clinton are long-term Republican Clinton haters that would never vote Clinton even if Jesus campaigned for her. The wild-card in this election is the power of the masses. The fickleness of idealistic and irrational voters may turn this into a contest. We see parallels between the irrational Brexit voters that chose to Leave EU as a reaction to false claims and immigrant-phobia, and the current US POTUS campaign that shares a similar ring-tone with Brexit: an undistinguished or warn cast of old school politicians now scurrying from a sinking ship of state.
For the most part, those against Clinton are long-term Republican Clinton haters that would never vote Clinton even if Jesus campaigned for her. The wild-card in this election is the power of the masses. The fickleness of idealistic and irrational voters may turn this into a contest. We see parallels between the irrational Brexit voters that chose to Leave EU as a reaction to false claims and immigrant-phobia, and the current US POTUS campaign that shares a similar ring-tone with Brexit: an undistinguished or warn cast of old school politicians now scurrying from a sinking ship of state.
8
Saddam mass-murdered tens of thousands of Shiite Iraqis after Bush 41 let him shoot them from helicopters after the Persian Gulf War.
2
Many of us are old enough to remember all the nonsense the GOP slung at the Clintons ever since Bill was President. We're sick of fake scandal after fake scandal and the millions of taxpayer money the GOP has no problem spending on political hit jobs.
Seven GOP-led Benghazi congressional investigation committees, this email issue, and on and on and on. NO MORE!
Seven GOP-led Benghazi congressional investigation committees, this email issue, and on and on and on. NO MORE!
36
When Hillary was getting pilloried by Comey's comments, Donald Trump was onstage talking about his admiration for Saddam Hussein. And that's why all anyone will remember of this investigation will be "No charges" and not Comey's damning comments.
For my money, the GOP shouldn't be so surprised by the results of the investigation. The GOP was certain they had Hillary in prison over this, even though it was a non-scandal from the very beginning. The Republican Party was breathing its own fumes on this one.
For my money, the GOP shouldn't be so surprised by the results of the investigation. The GOP was certain they had Hillary in prison over this, even though it was a non-scandal from the very beginning. The Republican Party was breathing its own fumes on this one.
9
Just because Trump and the other Republican potential murderers have not yet weighed in on this issue in a more effective way does not mean they have lost the opportunity to do so later. They are waiting for Hillary to first be nominated to slam her. Then it will be too late for us to drop HRC and get an honest candidate who is not extremely careless.
"Stupidity is not a reason."
Donald, please look in a mirror and repeat that phrase one thousand times.
Donald, please look in a mirror and repeat that phrase one thousand times.
7
The problem for Republicans wasn't Trump's inability to capitalize but rather the delusional expectations that were set by nearly all Republican communications. For months, the message has been that "the evidence is overwhelming and she'll be indicted." The reality is that, she did nothing illegal and Comey gave the sort of dressing down that we all get occasionally from some fat gamer who works in IT. As is the norm, we ignore that sort of chiding. The only salient point is that Hillary will not be charged.
8
One would have had to beed living in a cabin in the woods of Colorado not to have seen the juxtaposition of Hillary's serial lies against the back drop of the FBI's findings of fact. Nothing was missed.
If you used one device last year and a different device this year and you told me you used only one device - for most people this would be the truth - for Comey it was a lie.
4
I am fed up with the NYT reporting and reporters that NEVER miss an opportunity to trash HRC!!! Let's get one thing straight. There has NEVER been a presidential candidate who was WITHOUT flaws, known or unknown. Honestly, anyone who runs for that office HAS to be a bit narcsisistic and have a skeleton or two in their closet. They are human beings after all!!! No matter how much information is collected, input sought, and strategizing performed, humans are going to make mistakes. Most learn from them. I am not suggesting you ignore mistakes or question them. But, what you shouldn't be doing is following the GOP handbook for destroying HRC. They've been at this for 25 years. The GOP has learned that if they say something (true or not) 3 or more times, the public (and the NYT) will sanction it as Gospel!!! So it's a no brainer that polls will show she is not well liked. Their brainwashing campaign has worked well.
HRC is perhaps the most qualified presidential candidate in decades. She is, without a doubt, the superior 2016 candidate. The authors refer to Trump as "even more unpopular and toxic than" HRC. Seriously??? That is the best you can say about her?
Do not forget that the culture at the State Dept. existed prior to her service. One person CANNOT shift a such a culture so early in their appointment, which is when she made the decision about the server. Like it or not, your unconscious sexism is showing! And for what? To ensure Trump is elected or SELL NEWSPAPERS?
HRC is perhaps the most qualified presidential candidate in decades. She is, without a doubt, the superior 2016 candidate. The authors refer to Trump as "even more unpopular and toxic than" HRC. Seriously??? That is the best you can say about her?
Do not forget that the culture at the State Dept. existed prior to her service. One person CANNOT shift a such a culture so early in their appointment, which is when she made the decision about the server. Like it or not, your unconscious sexism is showing! And for what? To ensure Trump is elected or SELL NEWSPAPERS?
10
Republicans act as though they were caught off guard by the FBI's decision to recommend no prosecution of Sec. Clinton. Have they not been following media reports and analysis these past few months? Virtually every article written or reported predicted that there would be no indictment because the facts did not add up to criminal activity. The decision, when it came this week, was hardly a surprise.
6
Gooo-oooo-OLLLLLL-lyyyyyy!! (Said in my best Jim Nabor's impression) Jonathan Martin did NOT miss the opportunity to hammer Mrs. Clinton did he?
2
The way the Clinton email debacle was handled at all levels is not a political matter, it is a fundamental Rule of Law matter, and significant damage has been done to the Rule of Law in this country as a result.
You start with a former First Lady who becomes a Secretary of State and decides without asking anyone to conduct the entire foreign policy of the US on private insecure servers in her basement. Then, she dissembles in every possible way about what she did. After this is discovered and the FBI's investigation was wrapping up, her former president husband has a secret meeting with the Attorney General who later admits the meeting was a stain on her department. Next, the FBI announces the results of its investigation in a most unusual press conference. In addition to finding there was evidence that a crime had been committed, the FBI concludes no reasonalbe prosecutor would pursue that crime. The report of the investigation was very damning to the former Secretary of State, but the Attorney General accepted it anyway and said the matter was over. The only thing missing is a pardon from the current president just in case some "unreasonable" prosecutor is able to pursue the evidence the FBI found that supported its conclusion of the commission of a crime. While all this is going on, we have had a number of people killed by the police under very dubious circumstances.
There is very definitely a double standard here. The powerful get a pass. The weak get killed.
You start with a former First Lady who becomes a Secretary of State and decides without asking anyone to conduct the entire foreign policy of the US on private insecure servers in her basement. Then, she dissembles in every possible way about what she did. After this is discovered and the FBI's investigation was wrapping up, her former president husband has a secret meeting with the Attorney General who later admits the meeting was a stain on her department. Next, the FBI announces the results of its investigation in a most unusual press conference. In addition to finding there was evidence that a crime had been committed, the FBI concludes no reasonalbe prosecutor would pursue that crime. The report of the investigation was very damning to the former Secretary of State, but the Attorney General accepted it anyway and said the matter was over. The only thing missing is a pardon from the current president just in case some "unreasonable" prosecutor is able to pursue the evidence the FBI found that supported its conclusion of the commission of a crime. While all this is going on, we have had a number of people killed by the police under very dubious circumstances.
There is very definitely a double standard here. The powerful get a pass. The weak get killed.
1
Psst: Condi Rice. Colin Powell. That "lax security culture" Comey spoke of ... that was them. HRC came into it.
Together with Petraeus (a misdemeanor charge for intentionally leaking classified material to his lover and then lying about it) ... no prosecutor could fairly prosecute Clinton.
But as to the little-people/big-people issues ... sure. But the Republicans aren't about that, at all.
Together with Petraeus (a misdemeanor charge for intentionally leaking classified material to his lover and then lying about it) ... no prosecutor could fairly prosecute Clinton.
But as to the little-people/big-people issues ... sure. But the Republicans aren't about that, at all.
10
Donald Trump's ego doesn't allow for outside control, and his impulsiveness makes any long-term planning impossible. Rather than the well-oiled mechanism of the typical political campaign, his is more like a pinball machine, with lots of lights, direction changes, noise and ultimately, no real purpose.
But the real problem for the Republican Party isn't Donald Trump, it's the fact that they've lost control of the electorate. Trump is the symptom, not the problem.
But the real problem for the Republican Party isn't Donald Trump, it's the fact that they've lost control of the electorate. Trump is the symptom, not the problem.
8
As I was watching a performance of Shakespeare's Measure for Measure a monumental work on injustce it occurred to me how far removed Republicans have become from the principles of justice expoused by the founders. It is now not enough to tear down your opponents politically but now Republicans want to put their opponents in jail. You better be careful what you wish for because the road you are going down can be a two way street.
8
The speech Donald Trump delivered last night--rambling, almost incoherent, and beyond screaming nasty--makes it clear that he is deranged; either that or, despite his protests that he doesn't consume alcohol, he was drunk. There is no other explanation for what appeared to be a man totally unhinged from reality. Advice to what is left of the normal GOP: take back your party and nominat someone else.
8
I don't like the way this whole election is going. Basically America has the choice between two proven liars, one openly and one covertly. That is not a good choice for the highest office in the land and the position that has the nuclear launch codes!
What irritates me even more is that both candidate expect the American people and the world to NOT SEE the lies they tell, or to ignore them, maybe out of party loyalty. It seems to me both candidates think we all are either very stupid or not important.
And in a way they are right.
I (as a German) can't vote, but Americans must and will vote. Even if 99.99999% stay at home a President will be "elected". So what does lying matter to the candidates?
My only hope was that Bernie Sanders would stay strong and grasp the nomination at the convention. But now it seems he is ready to endorse Hillary, despite all the baggage she brings with her and that WILL be used by Republicans during her tenure. Constantly. Relentlessly. Heck, they even dragged up Vince Foster in the Right Wing blogosphere, month before she might get the nomination! What do you think will they do with this FBI-non-indictment?
The situation is pretty hopeless. Right now only something really damaging to Hillary or Donald could bring a better candidate to the front. If I were a U.S. Democrat I'd rather vote for Mitt Romney over Hillary Clinton, and if I were a Republican I'd rather vote for Bernie Sanders over Donald Trump. What a mess!
What irritates me even more is that both candidate expect the American people and the world to NOT SEE the lies they tell, or to ignore them, maybe out of party loyalty. It seems to me both candidates think we all are either very stupid or not important.
And in a way they are right.
I (as a German) can't vote, but Americans must and will vote. Even if 99.99999% stay at home a President will be "elected". So what does lying matter to the candidates?
My only hope was that Bernie Sanders would stay strong and grasp the nomination at the convention. But now it seems he is ready to endorse Hillary, despite all the baggage she brings with her and that WILL be used by Republicans during her tenure. Constantly. Relentlessly. Heck, they even dragged up Vince Foster in the Right Wing blogosphere, month before she might get the nomination! What do you think will they do with this FBI-non-indictment?
The situation is pretty hopeless. Right now only something really damaging to Hillary or Donald could bring a better candidate to the front. If I were a U.S. Democrat I'd rather vote for Mitt Romney over Hillary Clinton, and if I were a Republican I'd rather vote for Bernie Sanders over Donald Trump. What a mess!
2
When men of power are so desperate to hang onto that power, there is no low too low. Was it a coincidence that Comey made his Email announcement on the same day as President Obama and Hillary were on the campaign trail together?
Comey, as many may recall, was one of the WhiteWater investigators. How far do Rove, Norquist, Rev. Can't Keep It In His Pants, Ralph Reed, Eric "Blackwater" Prince and Ken "Whitewater" Starr plan to carry out their childish, spiteful Young Republicans Revenge?
I'll take a guess here. The next round of GOP attack dog scandalmongering? It will be to "GET RID of HILLARY" by going back to her husband's last year in office and the number of pardons he made the week before he left office. I am so sure that Hillary's "carelessness" was somewhere in all of that too.
And if the GOP wants to really worry about Hillary's carelessness, how about the Dems go back to Secy. of State Condi Rice's carelessness in ignoring those memos of an imminent al Qaeda attack on 9/11?
Comey, as many may recall, was one of the WhiteWater investigators. How far do Rove, Norquist, Rev. Can't Keep It In His Pants, Ralph Reed, Eric "Blackwater" Prince and Ken "Whitewater" Starr plan to carry out their childish, spiteful Young Republicans Revenge?
I'll take a guess here. The next round of GOP attack dog scandalmongering? It will be to "GET RID of HILLARY" by going back to her husband's last year in office and the number of pardons he made the week before he left office. I am so sure that Hillary's "carelessness" was somewhere in all of that too.
And if the GOP wants to really worry about Hillary's carelessness, how about the Dems go back to Secy. of State Condi Rice's carelessness in ignoring those memos of an imminent al Qaeda attack on 9/11?
12
It must be difficult for republicans to have to prop-up such a vocabulary-deficient candidate.
7
This is totally incomprehensible. How is she still a presidential candidate. How is she not in that orange jumpsuit. I don't care what childish tweets Mr. Trump make, he will still win!
Pro tip #1: In running for President of the United States, it is a bad idea to praise Putin or Saddam Hussein.
5
You should have stopped your comment at "incomprehensible".
That's the trouble with you Trumpsters . . .
That's the trouble with you Trumpsters . . .
8
There is a big difference between violating a government regulation and violating US laws that amount to felony criminal conspiracy as Trump allegedly has done with his Trump University scam.
4
"Handed a historically weak Democratic opponent to run against, the party’s voters responded by nominating a candidate even more unpopular and toxic than Mrs. Clinton." -- Wow!!
4
The facts about Trump is that his brain is so small he can't produce actual policies that address the problems we face as a country. He is a one liner, as all circus barkers are. Even more amazing is the number of citizens who actually listen to him like lemmings who can't wait to go over the cliff and drag all of us with them. Put Joe Scarborough from Morning Joe in that lemming category. He projects an anti Trump perspective but his words are just the opposite.
8
Perhaps at the time, the words "our long national nightmare is over" were apt.
Which begs the question: "What would Gerald R. Ford say today?"
Which begs the question: "What would Gerald R. Ford say today?"
It has been reported in the Huffington Post that Comey's critique was extremely misleading when he claimed, contrary to Hillary's statements, that she used multiple devices and servers, when in fact she used several devices and servers but one at a time over time and not at the same time.
8
John Noonan says, "Republicans never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity", which is funny in a, shoe on the other foot kind of way. For many years it was the Republicans who marched in lockstep and, on any given day, had identical talking points, while Democrats were the cats who could not be herded and missed one easy fly ball after another. Did Trump cause this? It seems that the Dems gradually became more united since the election of President Obama...united by the Rebublicans disdain of the President, perhaps...
4
This report should be updated. The Republicans are preparing for an intense legal battle over this, reported by NPR this evening. It will get much bigger, supposedly, and will probably make this the ugliest campaign ever. Sounded like there is a possibility Ms. Clinton could end up being indicted.
1
Uh ,,, no. Congress can not indict anybody. The justice department has refused to prosecute.
This will work out very badly for the Republicans, it's another Wiley Coyote move. They'll bring in Comey, and he will explain to the whole world in plain english what he said rather elliptically:
"lax security culture" -- Condi Rice, Colin Powell also maintained private servers, conducted official business through them.
And then there's Petraeus -- misdemeanor charge for intentionally leaking classified material AND lying about it under oath.
If the Republicans had the neurons of a Planarian they'd know that demanding Comey testify will be a disaster to them. Comey is a Republican, for heck's sake, and everybody knows it.
The Republican inability to think even an instant before engaging in self-destructive over-reach is beyond compare.
This will work out very badly for the Republicans, it's another Wiley Coyote move. They'll bring in Comey, and he will explain to the whole world in plain english what he said rather elliptically:
"lax security culture" -- Condi Rice, Colin Powell also maintained private servers, conducted official business through them.
And then there's Petraeus -- misdemeanor charge for intentionally leaking classified material AND lying about it under oath.
If the Republicans had the neurons of a Planarian they'd know that demanding Comey testify will be a disaster to them. Comey is a Republican, for heck's sake, and everybody knows it.
The Republican inability to think even an instant before engaging in self-destructive over-reach is beyond compare.
5
We have witnessed a witch hunt brought against Hillary Clinton by the Republicans because they have yet again chosen to abuse their Congressional power. They do not seek truth or justice, they seek only to politically assassinate Hillary because they cannot win an election any other way. It is the moral and intellectual vacuum that exists within the Republican Party that has led to the rise of Donald Trump, their chosen nominee without a single qualification, without a presidential bone in his body.
9
Why are you doing his homework for him? If he's unable to put together coherent, effective campaign strategy, then that's on him. Laying out the "shoulda woulda coulda" is like writing admissions essays for an unqualified college applicant. This has happened time and again where journalists have made his speeches and policy proposals out to be far more thoughtful than they are simply by giving them the veneer of seriousness and coherence.
4
This is why Americans hate Republicans. They offer nothing but this continuing nonsense. They don't get bad publicity over their refusal to pass safe gun laws but they are calling the Attorney General and FBI head to grill them on why they didn't mind them and find Hillary Clinton guilty of some ridiculous email baloney that most Americans could care less about. The Democrats let them off the hook again. They are spending hundreds of millions on this stupid conversation. Yes, Americans hate the Republican Party but they know how to manipulate the media, reminiscent of Sarah Palin.
4
The single most amazing thing to me about this very amazing presidential campaign is that the Republicans are poised to nominate a man who has praised the Chinese government's response to the demonstration in Tianamen Square.
Here's his quote: "When the students poured into Tiananmen Square, the Chinese government almost blew it. Then they were vicious, they were horrible, but they put it down with strength. That shows you the power of strength. Our country is right now perceived as weak... as being spit on by the rest of the world."
So yeah, he offers a small sop to our sense of decency by allowing that the Chinese government was "vicious", but really he's filled with admiration for their "strength" in sending the army against peaceful demonstrators calling for more freedom, murdering hundreds if not thousands of, I repeat, peaceful demonstrators.
So Republicans, I gotta ask you, how can you even think of voting for such a man?
His excuse, I suppose, would be hat he wasn't a politician at the time. True, but he did offer us a window into his thinking and he's still talking the same line.
Here's his quote: "When the students poured into Tiananmen Square, the Chinese government almost blew it. Then they were vicious, they were horrible, but they put it down with strength. That shows you the power of strength. Our country is right now perceived as weak... as being spit on by the rest of the world."
So yeah, he offers a small sop to our sense of decency by allowing that the Chinese government was "vicious", but really he's filled with admiration for their "strength" in sending the army against peaceful demonstrators calling for more freedom, murdering hundreds if not thousands of, I repeat, peaceful demonstrators.
So Republicans, I gotta ask you, how can you even think of voting for such a man?
His excuse, I suppose, would be hat he wasn't a politician at the time. True, but he did offer us a window into his thinking and he's still talking the same line.
6
Something I have never understood about the Clinton phenomenon is the pass, or passes, they got and seem to continue to get from everyone -- the Democrats, the Republicans, the government, whatever.
Like so many other things in their lives, the email thing is just stupid and sleazy. Does nobody else feel that way? While I don't fear this will happen again under a Clinton administration (as much as I am not looking forward to yet another Clinton administration), it does make you wonder what other stupid sleazy things would happen as a result of the poor judgment of HRC and her aides (and speaking of aides, who was responsible for the email mess -- was that Huma Abedin?). Should the aides responsible for this get security clearance under a presidential administration?
Like so many other things in their lives, the email thing is just stupid and sleazy. Does nobody else feel that way? While I don't fear this will happen again under a Clinton administration (as much as I am not looking forward to yet another Clinton administration), it does make you wonder what other stupid sleazy things would happen as a result of the poor judgment of HRC and her aides (and speaking of aides, who was responsible for the email mess -- was that Huma Abedin?). Should the aides responsible for this get security clearance under a presidential administration?
2
If the Republicans had an upstanding candidate, the public would have a choice.
Look, I'm a Democrat -- but if the Democrats were cursed with Trump I'd vote for any non-insane Republican -- Kasich, McCain, Romney, many others. I personally have a big problem with Rubio because I think he is nothing more than Braman's wind-up toy, and I don't want billionaires to own presidents ... but faced with the choice, I'd vote Rubio over Trump.
In fact about the only Republican I can think of where it would be a tough choice is Cruz. I'd have to think about that one.
The GOP is dying, it isn't just Trump that is killing it. Trump is more the symptom, but a bizarrely ugly one.
Trump is going to lose, but all of his supporters will remain with us. There next leader may well be worse. Think about that.
Look, I'm a Democrat -- but if the Democrats were cursed with Trump I'd vote for any non-insane Republican -- Kasich, McCain, Romney, many others. I personally have a big problem with Rubio because I think he is nothing more than Braman's wind-up toy, and I don't want billionaires to own presidents ... but faced with the choice, I'd vote Rubio over Trump.
In fact about the only Republican I can think of where it would be a tough choice is Cruz. I'd have to think about that one.
The GOP is dying, it isn't just Trump that is killing it. Trump is more the symptom, but a bizarrely ugly one.
Trump is going to lose, but all of his supporters will remain with us. There next leader may well be worse. Think about that.
3
What and odd piece of "journalism." Jonathan Martin's beltway blinders seem to only see HRC as have a rough day, or "one of the most difficult days" of her campaign, when it's pretty apparent she had a good day. Exonerated of wrong-doing, though reprimanded for mistakes made. Of course the Repubs will always continue to spin it and spin it and spin it - that's what they do. But to read the NYT basically reinforcing a right-wing meme is more than a little perplexing. It's bad journalism.
8
The only thing that would stop the GOP would be a tied to the stake burning. Somewhere in here is a proper diagnosis for the mental illness that possess them. Somewhere in here the people of the US need to accept the mental illness that permeates a fairly large portion of the nation for only someone with such mental illness would vote for one of the most narcissistic, misogynistic, racist men to ever trample the presidential process...and that is saying a lot compared to some of the men that have preceded Trump. Proper scientific studies, one after the other speak of this mental illness. We can save the nation by voting out all republicans at all levels of government...right down to the townships. Unfortunately, the dormant cancer that has lurked not so far under the skin of this nation has now gone both deep into the critical organs of the nation's body and out, onto the surface of our very faces for the entire world to see. Capitalism is killing our democracy. Our government has now become a franchise of the uber wealthy. It won't be long and we will see something like "The US goes better with Coke"...some cute little talking Gecko will be wearing red, white and blue selling the US insurance policies for your car...military patches will include the latest corporate sponsors logo on service personnel's uniforms.
3
I hope people saw the Trump speech in its entirety on CNN today. It is a public service letting Trump speak unfiltered without interruption / analysis or punditry for 45 minutes so people can see for themselves the narcissism, immaturity, lack of depth, personality disorder and frankly, just plain craziness People can make their own decisions about this guy in the oval office.
"Its a Sheriffs badge!"
"Mosquito's, I hate them!"
"He's baaaddd" (A la Lou Costello)
"Bobby Night, a terrific guy!"
I understand 30-35% of the public think its simply wonderful -- but most of us are truly and deeply appalled -- and only become more so with every viewing. It's like watching a car crash at the Daytona 500 -- you want to avert your eyes but... just... cant.
Although I think her ethics are questionable at best, even if Clinton had been indictable, it would have been a matter of national security not to pursue it to insure there was someone credible (with the votes) in the race for Trump to loose to. I think he's a national disgrace and makes her look fantastic by comparison. She may be flawed, but he seems clinically flawed -- as in "get out the medicine".
"Its a Sheriffs badge!"
"Mosquito's, I hate them!"
"He's baaaddd" (A la Lou Costello)
"Bobby Night, a terrific guy!"
I understand 30-35% of the public think its simply wonderful -- but most of us are truly and deeply appalled -- and only become more so with every viewing. It's like watching a car crash at the Daytona 500 -- you want to avert your eyes but... just... cant.
Although I think her ethics are questionable at best, even if Clinton had been indictable, it would have been a matter of national security not to pursue it to insure there was someone credible (with the votes) in the race for Trump to loose to. I think he's a national disgrace and makes her look fantastic by comparison. She may be flawed, but he seems clinically flawed -- as in "get out the medicine".
2
I feel like one of those athletes who thinks his prayers have been answered.
It seems to me the GOP elite should be pleased that Trump is flubbing things. The worst possible outcome for all, including them, is if he were to run an effective campaign and win.
1
Just another reason to vote ONLY Democrat 2016 and shove the republican'ts so far down that they and their ilk will never recover and end up in the trash heap of history where they belong. This nation and the earth will thank us for it.
3
Actually all I saw last night was a barrage of law enforcement and security officials as well as House Republicans slamming Clinton and slamming the FBI even more. I think Trump brilliantly exploited the opportunity in his rallies. The TV ads will be flooding soon with non-stop attacks on Clinton Cash, Clinton Emails, Clinton Sexual Abuse and on and on. Trump has already won.
Here is something for the Times reporters to investigate. Roger Ailes. I am not a big fan of sexual harassment suits. Obviously they can be abused, and are. But remember what Trump said about Ailes and Fox News. That he had a lot of dirt on them. It was Fox that really invented Trump, at least on the Right. (The Left wanted him, because they knew he would lose.) But why did Fox want him? (Maybe Murdoch wanted him to lose.) But Ailes? Something really weird happened there. The Ailes response that her ratings were poor appears to be false. Maybe this is just our crazy, decadent age. But some good journalism might provide some clarity here. The kind of stuff that Wayne Barrett used to do, even if a lot of was wrong and nutty. In this context, nutty is acceptable.
1
Coming up next from James Comey: his opinions of local restaurants, his opinions of the the fall lineup of television programs, his opinion of sports. With the extensive detail the public deserves and never asked for.
1
"Handed a historically weak Democratic opponent to run against, the party’s voters responded by nominating a candidate even more unpopular and toxic than Mrs. Clinton."
I have not read anything as damning in the Times about H. Clinton. The sad truth it is true.
I am not a fan of M. Sanders' proposed policies. I admire him as a person, his honesty. I really think the Democrats should do the responsible thing and choose him as their candidate. Otherwise we will have 2 weak and toxic candidates battling against each other with a bad outcome regardless of the victor.
I have not read anything as damning in the Times about H. Clinton. The sad truth it is true.
I am not a fan of M. Sanders' proposed policies. I admire him as a person, his honesty. I really think the Democrats should do the responsible thing and choose him as their candidate. Otherwise we will have 2 weak and toxic candidates battling against each other with a bad outcome regardless of the victor.
There are two things about this so called email "scandal" that are troubling. First off the FBI investigation was an administrative investigation of the State Department's email systems, prompted by a GOP request that appears to have been a deliberate effort to perpetuate the email issue that emerged from the Benghazi investigation (a GOP witch hunt, price tag $7 million). Second, the FBI director James Comey some 20 years ago was the Deputy Special Counsel who carried out the senate's investigation of the so called Whitewater "scandal" (yet another GOP witch hunt into the Clintons, price tag $2 million), clearly a ‘conflict of interest’ situation from which Comey should have recused himself.
For years the GOP and their legions of shrill extreme right wing pundits have been waging a veritable war of attrition on the Clintons ... their legacy and their character. These two investigations are the skulduggery hallmarks of one of the most ugly persistent prolonged smear campaigns in US political history.
For years the GOP and their legions of shrill extreme right wing pundits have been waging a veritable war of attrition on the Clintons ... their legacy and their character. These two investigations are the skulduggery hallmarks of one of the most ugly persistent prolonged smear campaigns in US political history.
6
What is there left to say? Hillary's long term dishonesty and "wreckless" behavior is common knowledge at this point. Anyone remotely receptive clearly sees the picture. Did Trump really lose a chance when everyone else was making it the biggest news story without him lifting a finger?
2
One would have thought that the Right and the Pon Raul libertarians cheering for Trump would have at least noticed this article's main subject--Trump's hilarious incompetence--especially given a) their continual roll of drums about competence, and b) the hilarious incompetence's consistency with their guy's career of incompetence and carnival barkerism.
5
Sweet God, can we all please take a closer look at James Comey's political allegiances? From his ridiculously inappropriate editorializing in an FBI statement to a $10,000 to the Romney Campaign in the last election cycle (the federal maximum), I cannot believe that we are deluding ourselves into thinking that he is unbiased every time he speaks for himself.
2
There is an important subtext to this story. It reveals the methods by which Republicans, while aided by right wing, captured media, have managed to dominate public dialog. Essentially, this story is a lament that Trump is not using the tools that have been created for Republicans, by Republicans, but now we know we should be suspicious of "normal times".
One theory that I have read about Trump is that he doesn't actually want to be president (too much, you know, work) and that he might be self sabotaging his own campaign. In point of fact, he is probably so hyper arrogant that he thinks everything he does is wonderful and, sooner or later, the world will come around to agreeing. Hey, it's worked so far, hasn't it?
The Republicans have only themselves to blame for all of this. They have undermined any sliver of faith that govt. can do anything to advance the welfare of most people and, instead, have substituted the belief that govt. is actually evil, plotting against working people night and day, a force of tyranny even when people are asleep. (Now that's power.)
They, the Republicans, have led the nation down a dead end street, the street to nowhere, all in an effort to gain power for themselves.
If they had not worked so forcefully to undermine Mrs. Clinton, she could have saved them from the potential for Trump to become president. As it stands, they are in danger from him, as is the whole nation.
Doug Terry
One theory that I have read about Trump is that he doesn't actually want to be president (too much, you know, work) and that he might be self sabotaging his own campaign. In point of fact, he is probably so hyper arrogant that he thinks everything he does is wonderful and, sooner or later, the world will come around to agreeing. Hey, it's worked so far, hasn't it?
The Republicans have only themselves to blame for all of this. They have undermined any sliver of faith that govt. can do anything to advance the welfare of most people and, instead, have substituted the belief that govt. is actually evil, plotting against working people night and day, a force of tyranny even when people are asleep. (Now that's power.)
They, the Republicans, have led the nation down a dead end street, the street to nowhere, all in an effort to gain power for themselves.
If they had not worked so forcefully to undermine Mrs. Clinton, she could have saved them from the potential for Trump to become president. As it stands, they are in danger from him, as is the whole nation.
Doug Terry
4
The Republican Party is unfortunately a very wounded warrior in this battle. Most of the Party mainstream seems to be happier with a Clinton victory and four more years of completely stalled government than a Trump victory. They of course have only themselves to blame. The Democrats are not much better, but you don't really have to be that good to battle such a disfunctional group as the Republicans. Trump is, of course, his own worst enemy.
1
I'm so torn by this article. On the one hand it rightly lays out the challenges republicans face with a loose cannon as its nominee, but on the other hand it wrongly laments the lack of uniform talking points and machine politics that is killing our democracy. I would hope (and now expect) journalists to take a new approach which is that Trump is a symptom of a larger problem: our political system and all its talking points and lock-step messaging is breaking down (and that's a good thing).
1
Trump conveys both stupidity and an "I don't care what others think" air which makes him an amalgam of Bush (stupid) and Obama (indifferent).
Hillary conveys stupidity as well, and has pretty much defined indifference in the modern era.
So whoever wins, we get the best of Bush/Obama, our last two presidents.
Wait, that's not a good thing. We can't do better? Alas, too late for that question.
Hillary conveys stupidity as well, and has pretty much defined indifference in the modern era.
So whoever wins, we get the best of Bush/Obama, our last two presidents.
Wait, that's not a good thing. We can't do better? Alas, too late for that question.
1
Mr Trump complaining about the system being rigged. Yes indeed, it is rigged in his favor by allowing him to file bankruptcies multiple times and to not disclose his income tax returns. The very system that is so "very terrible " has enriched Mr. Trump. Amazingly he managed to hoodwink America. What a system.
3
Ugh, a life long Democrat. Was able to cast my first vote in 1976. What Happened to our party? The party of the people, has morphed into the party of corporations, and special interests ? Cannot, will not vote for HRC. Would never vote for Trump. I guess Jill Stein or write in Bernie. Please Senator Sanders, do not endorse HRC. Please consider running as an independent.
Mr. Comey was out of line and should be removed for officially stating his personal opinion that Mrs. Clinton was “extremely careless.” In fact, the State department's email system has been "known to have been compromised" multiple times while Clinton's has never been. And the FBI who should have detected and raised the issue of Clinton's email system failed in their job. If the FBI looked at the Bush and Regan use and deletion of emails they would find criminal acts.
3
The Republicans don't have to worry. The Clintons are the royalty of unforced errors, and will no doubt dish up some new screw-up before November. The email thing turned out not to be a crime, but a ridiculously silly screw-up. I suppose Hillary Clinton was from a generation before people were so conscious about data security, but she was the Secretary of State, for crying out loud.
If the Clintons were truly Machiavellian, they wouldn't look this bad in the press all the time. For example, if Bill wanted to exert pressure on Loretta Lynch, does anyone seriously think there weren't many back channels more discrete than a face-to-face meeting at an airport?
But the Clintons just can't help stop smearing mud on themselves. For anybody who doesn't want Trump to hold the most powerful public office in the world, it's going to be a very agonizing four months ahead.
If the Clintons were truly Machiavellian, they wouldn't look this bad in the press all the time. For example, if Bill wanted to exert pressure on Loretta Lynch, does anyone seriously think there weren't many back channels more discrete than a face-to-face meeting at an airport?
But the Clintons just can't help stop smearing mud on themselves. For anybody who doesn't want Trump to hold the most powerful public office in the world, it's going to be a very agonizing four months ahead.
The GOP is going to be missing a lot in the near future.
1
"how a different standard-bearer could have capitalized on one of the most difficult days Mrs. Clinton has faced as a candidate"
They had seventeen chances and look what they came up with.
They had seventeen chances and look what they came up with.
1
It's very clear that the Clintons are above the law and have not been held accountable for their illegal actions. This is why a giant wave of anti-establishment sentiment has grown with the people. Sorry Hillary fans, justice just might be served on election day.
1
"might" ... but not with Trump.
1
Obama had the intelligence to use social media to bolster his campaign 8 years ago. No doubt he employed young smart people who were tech savvy, and he actually took advice from the intelligent folk he surrounded himself with. Trump on the other hand uses social media, gives his opinions on issues in 140 characters or less, and no doubt doesn't really listen to anyone who might disagree with him. Gotta feel for anyone on his staff. Yes sir.
1
"classified" used to mean something. Nobody cares now when classified info is leaked because 99.9% of it has nothing to do with national security. It is now an excuse for covering up illegal, immoral or embarrassing government behavior. That is why the general public responds to the Hillary emails with a collective yawn.
For the past 20 years, Hillary has lived under a microscope, which makes this whole fiasco even more inexcusable. Her use of a private server struck me as astonishingly tone-deaf, given the relentless nit-pickery shown by her Republican opponents.
Even still, Clinton has time to recover from this wound, as serous as it seems. Trump's next faux pas will take over the headlines tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after....
Even still, Clinton has time to recover from this wound, as serous as it seems. Trump's next faux pas will take over the headlines tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after....
1
Obviously, in the current bizarre and toxic political environment, FBI Director Comey sought to innoculate his judgment of against partisan attack by going outside his purview and including a dose of his own polemic against the innocent Hillary Clinton along with his exoneration of her. Nevertheless, their thirst for her blood unslaked, Republicans are now going after Comay. It would have been better if he'd had the courage to simply present the methods, facts, and application to law, and left the discernment of Clinton's judgment to the press and the public.
2
American politics have come a long, sad way.
This article implies that Trump's missed opportunity to use the Hillary's recent bad news against her is a loss of epic proportions. The NYTimes, a most respected news source, now normalizes 'negative' campaigning, accepting without question the idea that a presidential candidate should be vilified by an opponent at every opportunity.
Am I crazy, or WAS there ever a time when candidates for president focused on things that would inspire voter's respect, and make us proud to have them as America's representative to the world? Do we now truly live on battlefields, with only carnage to measure the success of the day?
This article implies that Trump's missed opportunity to use the Hillary's recent bad news against her is a loss of epic proportions. The NYTimes, a most respected news source, now normalizes 'negative' campaigning, accepting without question the idea that a presidential candidate should be vilified by an opponent at every opportunity.
Am I crazy, or WAS there ever a time when candidates for president focused on things that would inspire voter's respect, and make us proud to have them as America's representative to the world? Do we now truly live on battlefields, with only carnage to measure the success of the day?
25
Someone I spoke with after the news who hates Hillary came to the conclusion that Hillary got off because of politics, not the facts. I asked if they had any reasons to suspect the FBI was being 'political' ... and he eventually admitted that his response was based on feelings, not facts. If you 'knew' Hillary was going to be charged and then found out she wasn't - you are probably more likely to believe the system is rigged rather than that was the reasonable outcome of a careful process. For that reason we cannot talk to each other any more - the facts get in the way of our desires and beliefs.
2
mrs. Clinton is not a perfect candidate for this one, but mr. trump should not be touting the system is rigged. Mr. Trump made his wealth through rigged US income tax laws favoring him and bankruptcy laws favoring him. Additionally, he refuses to release tax returns to confirm the rigged system. This rigged tax system pays for defense and military budgets to "make America great again" which Mr. Trump consistently refuses to pay his fair share. Mr. Trump also used the rigged system advantages to avoid military service in Vietnam. But he belittles captured war veterans. Mr. Trump uses outside contractors to help build his buildings, golf courses and those contracting services use cheap foreign labor. So Trump should be the last to complain on a rigged system. This rigged system worked for him to accumulate and maintain his wealth !! Trump will make America great again for him and his progeny to continue wealth accumulation not for the average American. So don't complain Mr. Trump !!
3
It's long past due since we, as a party and a nation, begin a very real, non-partisan, fact-based discussion of this man's mental health. He is not only revealing himself as an incompetent manager, he is consistently showing symptoms of a very serious mental illness. Until the media puts Trump's inappropriate behavior and poor decision-making into the context of symptoms underlying a very real mental disorder, Americans will not realize how dangerous he is before making their choice.
4
After 25 years of witch-hunts, accusations and innuendo aimed at Hillary Clinton, the Republicans once again fail to make a criminal case against her. Careless does not equate to criminally negligent - none of us would want that distinction to be blurred or erased, should we wind up in a courtroom. The fact that Hillary has stayed in public service for so long still amazes me, considering the near-constant drumbeat of partisan negativity. Her perseverance and years of service have earned my vote - I get just one, and that's who's getting it in November.
And for the Sanders supporters who seem as disappointed with the outcome as venomous Republicans, you really need to get over the hope that an indictment was coming to give the nomination to Bernie by default. The threat that some Sanders votes will go to Trump makes no sense - unless it's anarchy you really wanted in the first place. Bernie's silence the last few weeks, reflecting his personal disappointment, cannot be masked by platitudes about beating Trump. Time to act, Senator Sanders (I-VT).
By the way, can we get an accounting of how much was spent by the House committees and the FBI and DoJ on this crazy investigation, including the Benghazi part? I guess we need to wait a few days for Ryan's latest committee to try again, by disparaging the head of the FBI and AG in public. Transparent and futile, Mr. Speaker.
And for the Sanders supporters who seem as disappointed with the outcome as venomous Republicans, you really need to get over the hope that an indictment was coming to give the nomination to Bernie by default. The threat that some Sanders votes will go to Trump makes no sense - unless it's anarchy you really wanted in the first place. Bernie's silence the last few weeks, reflecting his personal disappointment, cannot be masked by platitudes about beating Trump. Time to act, Senator Sanders (I-VT).
By the way, can we get an accounting of how much was spent by the House committees and the FBI and DoJ on this crazy investigation, including the Benghazi part? I guess we need to wait a few days for Ryan's latest committee to try again, by disparaging the head of the FBI and AG in public. Transparent and futile, Mr. Speaker.
3
For those who don't get why Hillary was not indicted, what Comey is saying is that despite whatever she did do, it does not even approach the breaches of criminality of someone whom many in the entire political spectrum, from far right to far left, consider an American hero and Saint: Edwin Snowden.
2
The GOP will now investigate the investigation that investigated the probe that was supposed to take down Hillary Clinton. They had a well crafted plan from the start to hobble, discredit, and cast doubt on Hillary's campaign. Its like a football team who fumbles on 4th and Goal. Comey was supposed to be the bag man that carried the water for the GOP with an ironclad indictment. Since he went off script they now want to drag him to Capitol Hill. For what, so we can have some more political theater. Sorry, GOP you had your shot at putting the final nail in Hillary's coffin. With the finish line in sight and with Trump shooting off at the mouth either onstage or via twitter the election is pretty much decided in Hillary's favor.
3
One can only hope that the incompetence of the Republican organisation and the fecklessness of their candidate will be greater than the flaws of the opposing candidate.
A DT presidency cannot be conceived of. A HC presidency does not engender hope, but comes with a lot less fear.
A DT presidency cannot be conceived of. A HC presidency does not engender hope, but comes with a lot less fear.
1
"Imagine Jeb Bush looking disappointed and talking ..." about how his brother invade a sovereign country without exhausting all peaceful alternatives, causing an unbelievable calamity that we will be dealing with for the foreseeable future.
That surely will be a great day not only for the Republican Party, but the Republic itself.
That indeed will be the day.
That surely will be a great day not only for the Republican Party, but the Republic itself.
That indeed will be the day.
1
Trump, in soccer term, is a master of the own goal. That Petraeus insert, pure genius; how you could contort your foot in your mouth like that when you're staring at the opponent's goal line, wow, just wow, on Twitter no less.
I also learned that Bernie is "the most decent and incorruptible candidate we've had in a century", surely a virtue only conferred on those gifted with a single focus. Stupid, distracted me, I failed to see the second coming; I am limited, I admit it. At least, I got Hillary to blame in November.
I also learned that Bernie is "the most decent and incorruptible candidate we've had in a century", surely a virtue only conferred on those gifted with a single focus. Stupid, distracted me, I failed to see the second coming; I am limited, I admit it. At least, I got Hillary to blame in November.
Donald Trump is dumber than dirt and his campaign staff even dumber. For him and them to allow the strange, unseemly confluence of events morph into a "no charges" announcement by the immaculately clean and unbiased? straight shooting boy scout James Comey is pathetic, if not, screamingly funny. He and his committee did nothing, or hardly anything, to connect the dots for America at large, other than his screaming his favorite word "rigged." Loretta Lynch, when asked about by her supposedly "chance" meeting with spoiler Bill Clinton, said that she would follow the recommendation of the career professionals. At that time the fix was in. And you know the rest of the story. I hate Trump. But I hate the criminally corrupt Clintons even more. Why is it that this Bonnie and Clyde duo can leave a slick of slime wherever they go, and gullible, Obama-worshiping Democrats can't see it. Perhaps if they slipped on it, they would know. But if anyone ever thought that the president was going to allow his pant suited protege to be indicted, well
Director Comey's spittle flecked assault on Clinton was way over the top. If the FBI found no intent, they found no intent and he should have shut his mouth. But in a clearly political move, he took his direction from the sick legacy of his forerunner, J. Edgar Hoover and castigated Clinton in a way that made it clear he would have preferred prison. It's time to ask him if Colin Powell and Condeleeza Rice and David Petreus also were reckless in their behavior and deserve the same treatment. Petreus was Director of Central Intelligence and chose to knowingly break the law to share a large amount of classified material with his girlfriend. If that wasn't reckless behavior, I don't what would be.
4
Perhaps there were no top GOP strategists attacking Hillary Clinton after the Comey's declaration, but the right-wing social media have come out in force with conspiracy theories aplenty. It should be clear by now that the extreme right doesn't really trust top GOP strategists and Trump has made it this far without relying on them. Having said that, I think it's equally clear that regardless of the outcome of Comey's report, no minds were changed among ardent Trump supporters. This is mainly a chance for especially those Clinton supporters who are lukewarm to feel a little better about supporting her.
1
The Republican mantra since the 90's regarding the Clinton's has been hit them hard, hit them often, hit them till it sticks. Perhaps this opportunity has been muddled by the Republican chant of Obstruct Obama. Yes, Donald Trump. Sometimes somethings just don't seem fair. Looks like everything has worked out well for you, though.
3
Wait for the debates, trump is going to constantly attack her over this. Any chance for Biden to reconsider?
Republicans have set a precedent here. Hillary's mistake is nothing compared to the previous Republican administration's lies and law breaking. She gets a free pass:
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2008/07/cr...
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2008/07/cr...
1
Clinton never should have been subjected to this. Hold the Republicans to the same email standards. Comey a Republican exonerated Secretary Clinton. Now let's try to figure out why the media is letting Trump get away with his racism, lies and incompetence. This is a media issue, we don't care. No top secret info should be in any email on the internet. All servers connected to the world wide web are hackable. The US governments have been hacked many times.
3
To assure Trump's presidency, NYTimes first made sure Sanders, who might have good chances to win presidency, was eliminated from the race, then NYTimes wants to destroy Clinton's chances. It seems that by advertising heftily in NYTimes for years, Trump bought himself loyalty of the owners and managers.
It is amazing how the Republican Party is falling apart. A din of stampeding elephants was expected by everyone when the news broke but instead a tiny tweet was heard. This was a classic moment for the Republican Party to blast away with a litany of talking points and we heard nada. I thought to myself, "Hmmm, why aren't the Republicans jumping all over this." Could it be possible that Trump is trying to sabotage his own campaign?
2
To quote a wise elder pol -- people are just sick and tired hearing about Secretary Clinton's d*mn emails.
Truth be told -- if every powerful politician, media/celebrity type (see, particularly, R. Ailes) or richie-riches out there had their underwear drawers as thoroughly examined by a vast coterie of underwear-examining fetishists as has Hillary Clinton, then we'd be locking up the whole d*mn lot of them.
A disease-minded, self-absorbed, lying, proto-fascist is the presumptive nominee of what was once one of America's grand old parties. It's time for the Times and all other concerned citizens and media to focus on the true threat to this Republic and get past those d*mn emails.
ENOUGH ALREADY. Bring down this very dangerous cartoon-character whom too many who seem to trust in cartoons are ready to vote for and so turn us all into a sad, very sad, comic book with a very short shelf life.
Truth be told -- if every powerful politician, media/celebrity type (see, particularly, R. Ailes) or richie-riches out there had their underwear drawers as thoroughly examined by a vast coterie of underwear-examining fetishists as has Hillary Clinton, then we'd be locking up the whole d*mn lot of them.
A disease-minded, self-absorbed, lying, proto-fascist is the presumptive nominee of what was once one of America's grand old parties. It's time for the Times and all other concerned citizens and media to focus on the true threat to this Republic and get past those d*mn emails.
ENOUGH ALREADY. Bring down this very dangerous cartoon-character whom too many who seem to trust in cartoons are ready to vote for and so turn us all into a sad, very sad, comic book with a very short shelf life.
1
This story line reminds me of Mel Brooks, "The Producers," in which Bloom and Bialystok pick the worst possible play, so the play will close on opening night and they will make a ton of money. The play they chose was "Springtime for Hitler." In this rerun, Trump has decided to be the worst possible candidate in the history of American politics, and say the most outrageous things, and try his best to avoid having to play The White House for 4 years. He is begging us to help him lose. Cautionary note: "Springtime for Hitler" was a huge hit. Trump could pull an upset.....don't rest for a moment.
2
'But Ms. Hickey, pointing out that Mr. Trump refuses to release his income tax returns, noted that the candidate also bore his own baggage'
indeed, and the fact the Dems aren't hammering this every cycle is a mystery;
"Why won't Trump release his taxes, what's he hiding, and has he committed a criminal act!?"
It writes itself, Dems, and the Rs are not afraid to do this to you.
indeed, and the fact the Dems aren't hammering this every cycle is a mystery;
"Why won't Trump release his taxes, what's he hiding, and has he committed a criminal act!?"
It writes itself, Dems, and the Rs are not afraid to do this to you.
1
I have disdain for Both the nominees - "dynastic - Hill-Billy" Hillary Clinton and "the Donald" Donald Trump -- and continue to hope for the very "long-shot" open / "contested" GOP Convention (not implausible / efforts afoot by Delegates and conservatives in and outside of Govt), or a "3rd party" Independent Republican (efforts brewing) to thwart Clinton & Trump from getting the requisite number of electoral votes and directing the selection of President, per the Constitution to the GOP controlled House. Gov JOHN KASICH - with his extensive experience & ethics - "woulda" been the ideal GOP candidate, as he consistently - from campaign start-to-finish, and even in a recent Ballotpedia.org poll on 7 "battleground" states, showed Kasich handily beating Clinton - while Trump (albeit varying polls up-and-down) shows a loss to Clinton - and I believe polls + demographics etc. will yield a Clinton presidency, now that she is not indicted or due to serve jail time. I'm disturbed that the GOP electorate - at least those "angry & perplexed & easily conned" people, are aligned with Trump. Barring an alternate nominee, or Gary Johnson revising his austere ideas on military budget, or "divine Providence" creating some new scenario - then for principle, ethics, conscience (much akin to various conservatives & politicians), I'll not be voting for the 1st time since 1964. I worry for my family, grand-daughter and America.
To Republican strategists,
Here is some food for thought. If Hillary is so terrible and the candidate representing your party is currently losing to her what does that say about the sixteen other candidates who lost to Trump in your primary?
Here is some food for thought. If Hillary is so terrible and the candidate representing your party is currently losing to her what does that say about the sixteen other candidates who lost to Trump in your primary?
1
Faced with these choices, I predict lowest voter turnout in a long time.
It’s time for a reality check. First, alleged carelessness with handling classified information had nothing to do with her use of a personal email account hosted on a private server. Had she used a government email account, the FBI’s review would have flagged exactly the same emails.
There is no evidence that Clinton introduced classified information into an email discussion using her thumbs on her blackberry. The classified information that ended up in email chains was almost certainly originated by bureaucrats whose communications ended up hitting Clinton’s inbox.
Comey used the cagey phrase “a very small number” of instances where classified information was specifically marked as such. This is significant because Clinton claimed that she did not send or receive information “marked” as classified. In short, out of 30,000 emails, she missed “a very small number” marked as classified, making her statement at the very most a trivial misstatement and not the “lie” it’s being made to be.
Indeed, the blowback she’s experienced for not picking up on a tiny fraction of messages where bureaucrats inappropriately let classified information leak into the discussion without carrying over indications of classification (except in a “very small number” of instances), is far out of proportion to what would reasonably be expected of an agency head.
The bottom line is that Comey was way out of bounds making value judgments that were not his to make.
There is no evidence that Clinton introduced classified information into an email discussion using her thumbs on her blackberry. The classified information that ended up in email chains was almost certainly originated by bureaucrats whose communications ended up hitting Clinton’s inbox.
Comey used the cagey phrase “a very small number” of instances where classified information was specifically marked as such. This is significant because Clinton claimed that she did not send or receive information “marked” as classified. In short, out of 30,000 emails, she missed “a very small number” marked as classified, making her statement at the very most a trivial misstatement and not the “lie” it’s being made to be.
Indeed, the blowback she’s experienced for not picking up on a tiny fraction of messages where bureaucrats inappropriately let classified information leak into the discussion without carrying over indications of classification (except in a “very small number” of instances), is far out of proportion to what would reasonably be expected of an agency head.
The bottom line is that Comey was way out of bounds making value judgments that were not his to make.
2
With all respect to your headline, what occurred today hardened that part of America west of the Hudson and east of the Rockies to Trump's message of chicanery in Washington and probably did much to bolster Trump's chances of a November victory.
While those of us who respect Hillary's years of public service, there are many who see her history as nothing more than an opportunistic trek to power as she virtually jumped every obstacle in her way.
Trump will turn this election into a potshot barrage against Clinton and unfortunately for both her and America, he may succeed.
While those of us who respect Hillary's years of public service, there are many who see her history as nothing more than an opportunistic trek to power as she virtually jumped every obstacle in her way.
Trump will turn this election into a potshot barrage against Clinton and unfortunately for both her and America, he may succeed.
1
Wasn't this a foregone conclusion or did I miss something? There is not way anyone can or should entrust Trump with this country, Mrs. Clinton's flaws notwithstanding.
1
DT: Anti-semitism, casual racism. Easy issue to understand.
DT: Lauding evil dictators. Easy issue to understand.
DT: Ripping off people with get rich schemes. Easy issue to understand.
DT: Bankrupting casinos after piling on personal debt. Getting harder to understand.
HC: Husband talking to US AG. Easy issue to understand.
HC: Benghazi embassy attack. Over three years of nothing. Confusing.
HC: Violating federal policy over security on a personal email server. Boring!
DT: Lauding evil dictators. Easy issue to understand.
DT: Ripping off people with get rich schemes. Easy issue to understand.
DT: Bankrupting casinos after piling on personal debt. Getting harder to understand.
HC: Husband talking to US AG. Easy issue to understand.
HC: Benghazi embassy attack. Over three years of nothing. Confusing.
HC: Violating federal policy over security on a personal email server. Boring!
1
There are two things about this so called email "scandal" that are troubling. First off the FBI investigation was an administrative investigation of the State Department's email systems, prompted by a GOP request that appears to have been a deliberate effort to perpetuate the email issue that emerged from the Benghazi investigation (a GOP witch hunt, price tag $7 million). Second, the FBI director James Comey some 20 years ago was the Deputy Special Counsel who carried out the senate's investigation of the so called Whitewater "scandal" (yet another GOP witch hunt into the Clintons, price tag $2 million), clearly a ‘conflict of interest’ situation from which Comey should have recused himself.
For years the GOP and their legions of shrill extreme right wing pundits have been waging a veritable war of attrition on the Clintons ... their legacy and their character. These two investigations are the skulduggery hallmarks of one of the most ugly persistent prolonged smear campaigns in US political history.
For years the GOP and their legions of shrill extreme right wing pundits have been waging a veritable war of attrition on the Clintons ... their legacy and their character. These two investigations are the skulduggery hallmarks of one of the most ugly persistent prolonged smear campaigns in US political history.
3
The GOP cannot get anywhere with policy points or questions and clearly has no agenda except demonizing Hilary. Hopefully the voters will see that Trump is a non starter who is incapable of being president.
2
The GOP shouldn't be tied in knots about regrets or missed opportunities. The only people who cared about this issue (or the underlying Benghazi scuffle) decided who they were going to vote for long ago. The rest of use don't care. Actually, no one cares.
5
"For many in the party it also was a painful reminder of what could have been ..."
For a moment there I thought you were talking about DNC thinking of "what could have been.." if they had gone with Biden. It's not too late if Hillary Clinton does the honorable thing and withdraws her nomination. This isn't a matter of Trump/Republicans failing to capitalize on her failures, the public, democrats are well aware of who the Clintons are, and how they put themselves ahead of country.
For a moment there I thought you were talking about DNC thinking of "what could have been.." if they had gone with Biden. It's not too late if Hillary Clinton does the honorable thing and withdraws her nomination. This isn't a matter of Trump/Republicans failing to capitalize on her failures, the public, democrats are well aware of who the Clintons are, and how they put themselves ahead of country.
Let's be even-handed here about who should be "sitting in a jail cell." For Hillary Clinton, the jury's in. As Trump suggested, stupidity is no excuse for criminality, but no criminality was unearthed by competent law enforcement. By the same token, hubris and stupidity are not themselves crimes.
As for Mr. Trump? For him, the jury's still out.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
As for Mr. Trump? For him, the jury's still out.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
2
Lucky for the Republicans they have articles like this one to do the ad work for them.
1
What I see is egg on their (Republicans)faces! Mrs.Clinton has been an attorney for more than 3/4 of her adult life. Does anyone have half a brain? And think that she would do something to jeopardize her livelihood? This all smells of Republican rats. Everytime there is any possibility that a Democrat might win,Republicans go after that person and create just enough doubt in the minds of half- witted Americans ready to believe any Republican lies. People be sure to think well. I want to know what the Republican agenda is for this country? Not whether some petty issue is resolved or not. Ask the important questions. Why should I vote for a Republican? What is he going to do for this nation of ours?Something substantive.what is Trump going to do for the nation as a whole? Not just rhe rich.Trump has his own agenda and it doesn't include 90% ot this nation. What is he going to do other than try to deport Mexicans? What? He is just playing politics and playing on the fears and prejudices of a large majority of whites in this country.Mr.Trump if you are reading this, what are your plans for every races and every person in this great nation of ours?
The GOP is so totally bereft of ideas or anything resembling solutions to the many problems we face, they need to rely on ginned up scandals and phoney outrage. Comey's politically motivated grandstanding is just more of the same. His job was to report his agency's findings to the AG,that's it. He should be shown the door.
1
Wonderful to see Republicans without talking points!
We need a third party candidate urgently.
I bet Hillary and more than half of our congress doesn't know how to use a computer, email or the internet for that matter. they remind me of my father when he tried to use a laptop. It was ugly. :-)
John McCain & Lindsey Graham don't use email at all! i can kind of forgive Hillary and prefer her over Trump by a mile. So, I'm with Her!
John McCain & Lindsey Graham don't use email at all! i can kind of forgive Hillary and prefer her over Trump by a mile. So, I'm with Her!
2
Speaker Paul Ryan is a perfect example of what's wrong with the Republican party. Ryan, to no one's surprise, says the House will now hold hearings on FBI director Comey's decision. We all know what GOP hearings are like, so get plenty of rest before this sideshow.
But Ryan's real problem is a familiar one in national politics: surrendering the higher ground. How?
Donald Trump attacks a Wisconsin judge. Paul Ryan calls the attack the `definition of racism.' What does he say next? I still support Mr. Trump.
Donald Trump praises Saddam Hussein. Paul Ryan mocks the praise, calling Hussein `evil'. What does he say next? I still support Mr. Trump.
Donald Trump's camp repeatedly repeats racist and offensive tweets. Paul Ryan questions the candidate's judgment. What does he say next? I still support Mr. Trump.
No wonder the Republicans can't capitalize on Comey's damning assessment of Hillary Clinton. Their leader, Mr. Ryan, can't seem to make up his mind on what's right and wrong.
But Ryan's real problem is a familiar one in national politics: surrendering the higher ground. How?
Donald Trump attacks a Wisconsin judge. Paul Ryan calls the attack the `definition of racism.' What does he say next? I still support Mr. Trump.
Donald Trump praises Saddam Hussein. Paul Ryan mocks the praise, calling Hussein `evil'. What does he say next? I still support Mr. Trump.
Donald Trump's camp repeatedly repeats racist and offensive tweets. Paul Ryan questions the candidate's judgment. What does he say next? I still support Mr. Trump.
No wonder the Republicans can't capitalize on Comey's damning assessment of Hillary Clinton. Their leader, Mr. Ryan, can't seem to make up his mind on what's right and wrong.
1
“Instead we’re relying on somebody who’s tweeting with exclamation points,” one strategist said."
Funny but nobody should count Donald out. Sadly he's a man that defies both gravity and reality.
Funny but nobody should count Donald out. Sadly he's a man that defies both gravity and reality.
2
So apparently some of the Tip Top Secret, and later reclassified special sauce was a drone program in Pakistan that you could just read about in the Pakistan newspapers.
I guess depriving some guy with 2 FBI visits of a military weapon while on the terrorism watch list is too much for the GOP, but they are all over the re-classifying bit that makes everyone and their grandmother classified secrets. They loves them some extra bureaucracy. Trey Gowdy has bought a new broom.
We should NOT have to pay for another investigation from these Republican dunces.
I guess depriving some guy with 2 FBI visits of a military weapon while on the terrorism watch list is too much for the GOP, but they are all over the re-classifying bit that makes everyone and their grandmother classified secrets. They loves them some extra bureaucracy. Trey Gowdy has bought a new broom.
We should NOT have to pay for another investigation from these Republican dunces.
3
Comey scolded Hillary to try to avoid just what is happening anyway--avoiding having Republican congressmen jerk his chain. Nice try, Comey.
1
How much time was wasted by the FBI over this that could have been spent more properly investigating the Orlando shooter?
4
My neighbors speak with venom when talking about how Hillary lied about no classified e-mails sent when in fact there were over 100.
But it doesn’t bother them when they were told “yellow cake” and “aluminum tubes” and the “smoking gun could be a mushroom cloud” and “the war would be over in 5 months” and “the insurgency was on its last leg.”
Perhaps the most impressive was when Netanyahu told the US Congress in 2002 that Saddam Hussein’s nonexistent nuclear program was in fact so advanced that the country was now operating “centrifuges the size of washing machines.”
Netanyahu said in 2002, "If you take out Saddam’s regime, I guarantee you that it will have enormous positive reverberations on the region."
No harm was done with the Clinton e-mail server.
The world will be paying the price for the Iraq War and De-Ba'athification for two generations.
But it doesn’t bother them when they were told “yellow cake” and “aluminum tubes” and the “smoking gun could be a mushroom cloud” and “the war would be over in 5 months” and “the insurgency was on its last leg.”
Perhaps the most impressive was when Netanyahu told the US Congress in 2002 that Saddam Hussein’s nonexistent nuclear program was in fact so advanced that the country was now operating “centrifuges the size of washing machines.”
Netanyahu said in 2002, "If you take out Saddam’s regime, I guarantee you that it will have enormous positive reverberations on the region."
No harm was done with the Clinton e-mail server.
The world will be paying the price for the Iraq War and De-Ba'athification for two generations.
3
Hold your horses Liberal Media. Trump's response is coming perfectly timed for the elections.
He does not want to peak(come) too soon like Bill
He does not want to peak(come) too soon like Bill
2
Headline News Flash: Repubs miss opportunity to make even larger mountain out of a molehill. Stay tuned for more detailed analysis.
3
Memo to GOP: bring back the bosses and their back room deals. Trump is toast but if you don't radically scale back primaries, you'll face the same problem in 2020 as the crazy one-sixth of the GOP electorate dominates again. At a minimum, copy the Dems and make hundreds of unpledged super-delegate slots for GOP leaders. Undemocratic? Yeah, but a political party has a right to protect itself from destruction, even by its own followers. Will part of "the base" be furious and break off to form a new party? Maybe...so let them...sooner the better. By the time November 2020 rolls around, they'll have shot their wad and a candidate like Marco Rubio will stand an excellent chance of beating President Hillary Clinton's second-term bid.
If Republicans jumped at this chance, it really would be a case of the pot calling the kettle....
Especially given the current state of their own political affairs.
But what the American public has is the chance to play "Hangman"--without ever having seen any of the evidence, or obtaining ALL of the facts.
What the American public also has, is pockets deep enough to fund yet another years-long study into F.B.I Director James Comey.
Meanwhile, Trump tweets...
Especially given the current state of their own political affairs.
But what the American public has is the chance to play "Hangman"--without ever having seen any of the evidence, or obtaining ALL of the facts.
What the American public also has, is pockets deep enough to fund yet another years-long study into F.B.I Director James Comey.
Meanwhile, Trump tweets...
2
In criminal law, the state of mind required to convict of a crime by "gross negligence" is widely defined as "a gross deviation from a reasonable standard of care" or demonstrates "wanton disregard" of the requirements of law, or "conscious disregard" of the requirements of law.
Those ideas are very much what Comey described. He described gross deviation from required practices, and wanton disregard of the rules, and conscious disregard of the rules.
Those words of the FBI fit entirely with reports that those who warned Hillary of the requirements of law were told not to mention it anymore.
The rules changed at the end of the Bush Admin. The Obama Admin started with rules designed for greater security of electronic communications. Prior actions do not justify disregard and violation of later, clearly expressed rules that applied.
This is being spun wildly, sometimes by those who just don't know the law, and sometimes by those who ought to know it very well but are employed to mislead others with talking points and spin.
This will get old fast, as it settles into the White House.
Those ideas are very much what Comey described. He described gross deviation from required practices, and wanton disregard of the rules, and conscious disregard of the rules.
Those words of the FBI fit entirely with reports that those who warned Hillary of the requirements of law were told not to mention it anymore.
The rules changed at the end of the Bush Admin. The Obama Admin started with rules designed for greater security of electronic communications. Prior actions do not justify disregard and violation of later, clearly expressed rules that applied.
This is being spun wildly, sometimes by those who just don't know the law, and sometimes by those who ought to know it very well but are employed to mislead others with talking points and spin.
This will get old fast, as it settles into the White House.
16
Administrative rules are not laws.
1
The rules did not change at the end of the Bush administration. Apparently, you have forgotten that the Bush administration tortured people.
1
Careless and negligent are very different words.
Get a dictionary.
Get a dictionary.
1
Beberegal said, "Unfortunately, the Republicans have gerrymandered most of this country to the point where we will never been free of their unearned domination of Congress."
This is another great reason to vote for Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton and other socially conscious democrats and independents. There will be major national census in 2020, while they are in office, and redistricting takes place after census results come in. Change in the United States Supreme Court AND nationwide redistricting will be vastly improved when we elect only democrats and independents. This is a democracy - nothing is forever including the attempted takeover of OUR governments at all levels by BIG democracy-destroying money masters and their republican, and some democrat and independent, operatives. OUR votes decide it all.
This is another great reason to vote for Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton and other socially conscious democrats and independents. There will be major national census in 2020, while they are in office, and redistricting takes place after census results come in. Change in the United States Supreme Court AND nationwide redistricting will be vastly improved when we elect only democrats and independents. This is a democracy - nothing is forever including the attempted takeover of OUR governments at all levels by BIG democracy-destroying money masters and their republican, and some democrat and independent, operatives. OUR votes decide it all.
37
"Our votes will decide only if we work diligently to put Democrats in the Governors' chairs in the most populous states in the nation AND in the majority status in those state legislatures. Otherwise, Republicans will continue to dictate districting. The presidency has no role in that. It's on us!
1
i am not sure which is more despicable - Republican spin doctors and strategists lamenting over the political ineptitude of Trump when they should be lamenting over his lack of any skills necessary for the job he seeks or the NY Times' reporting on the misguided lamentation.
26
Hey G.O.P.
There are still 14 days to change your mind. And fate.
There are still 14 days to change your mind. And fate.
17
The whole Benghazi rehash, particularly the email flap, was a tempest in a teaparty pot. Republicans don't govern, they gritch against the Clintons, against Obama's slightly-darker skin, against people who don't want to be shot, against women, against anything that is not male, white, rich, richer and 'religious.'
50
With millions of dollars spent, the Republicans can get a single event shaming Hillary. Without spending a dime the Democrats get a daily dose of Trump shaming himself.
60
What a monumental waste of time this subject is! Re-thrashing an issue that should be focused on the State Department and its own 80s-tech-based IT department. Why aren't both parties outraged about the lack of tech security and safety there? US diplomats' lives are at stake. Please NY Times, stop talking about emails. Unless it's that the State Department is improving its own technology and guidelines.
Responsible government cannot be more wasteful than do-nothing Republican congressional representatives who waste my tax dollars prosecuting politically-motivated lies like email and Benghazi. I want a refund, which I would donate to infrastructure rebuilding, something useful.
Responsible government cannot be more wasteful than do-nothing Republican congressional representatives who waste my tax dollars prosecuting politically-motivated lies like email and Benghazi. I want a refund, which I would donate to infrastructure rebuilding, something useful.
73
Let's not forget the possibly even more urgent need for bring other departments into the 21st IT century. After all, Treasury and others have actually been hacked, whereas State has not and, according to Comey, neither has Clinton's private server.
1
"For many in the party it also was a painful reminder of what could have been — how a different standard-bearer could have capitalized on one of the most difficult days Mrs. Clinton has faced as a candidate."
And if pigs had wings they could fly. Unless there is an entirely unexpected 180° swerve from the precipice by the Republicans, their candidate's unrelentingly yuuuuuuuuuge dishonesty will put Clinton's lapses and misjudgments into perspective... mountains and molehills.
And if pigs had wings they could fly. Unless there is an entirely unexpected 180° swerve from the precipice by the Republicans, their candidate's unrelentingly yuuuuuuuuuge dishonesty will put Clinton's lapses and misjudgments into perspective... mountains and molehills.
15
Please, we have all had enough about the emails ---except the rabid GOP toadies and the media. Nytimes , I expected do much more. What is wrong with you? We have so many real problems, just look at your headlines today. The criminal justice system is a mess, rampant economic inequality, the Middle East is continuing to implode and one of the two presidential candidates is an ignorant buffoon who is incoherent policy wise and thinks insults are ideas but hey, he sells media. I can't believe you are still beating this dead horse. You are like Nero, fiddling while Rome burns. M
18
I wonder what classified exchanges were had on Colin Powell's and Condoleezza Rice's private e-mail accounts. They must be glad they are not Democrats or they would have been subjected to incessant investigations and lies by Republicans.
If anyone gets a pass on actual crimes and harm it is the Republicans - Bush & Cheney are only one example.
If anyone gets a pass on actual crimes and harm it is the Republicans - Bush & Cheney are only one example.
44
I wonder if Donald Trump's candidacy has ended the certainty of a Republican majority in both houses for the next 100 years?
15
It would be the best thing since slice bread.
We can only hope. Trump - make Dems hope again!
The House certainly is in play now. The Senate will go dem and the USSC will increase the number of liberal justices (replacing Scalia and Kennedy).
I think republicans are being modest; they have succeeded beyond expectations. They have made America openly hateful, angry, and racist - an outcome toward which they have worked since Nixon's southern strategy.
And just look at the successes. They have legalized robbery (by refusing to regulate banks), rejoiced over environmental damage. They have robbed their own constituency blind (by sending jobs overseas). Then sent them off to wars to die or later rot in VA hospitals. Half of America now wants to sucker punch a non-white, kill someone, and bring back lynching. Pretty soon, I expect to see the local repubs - all honorable and patriotic Americans - in my front yard with a bull horn, demanding that my kind go home.
Isn't this the stuff of their dreams?
There is Machiavellian brilliance at full display. They have made America mad at Hillary with unfortunate events such as Benghazi (when they started wars and killed 3000 Americans in Iraq, paid bad guys who took our equipment and killing us now). Mad at Hillary for emails (when they had their heroes get fat on Chinese trade deals, live in Saudi pockets).
Republicans - you should be proud, not wistful. Your children will now go to school where the curriculum is decided by locals, there will be only one book for reference - and everyone around them will look just like them. You have produced the America you have wanted - explicitly hateful, angry, lashing out, and dependent.
Well done.
Kalidan
And just look at the successes. They have legalized robbery (by refusing to regulate banks), rejoiced over environmental damage. They have robbed their own constituency blind (by sending jobs overseas). Then sent them off to wars to die or later rot in VA hospitals. Half of America now wants to sucker punch a non-white, kill someone, and bring back lynching. Pretty soon, I expect to see the local repubs - all honorable and patriotic Americans - in my front yard with a bull horn, demanding that my kind go home.
Isn't this the stuff of their dreams?
There is Machiavellian brilliance at full display. They have made America mad at Hillary with unfortunate events such as Benghazi (when they started wars and killed 3000 Americans in Iraq, paid bad guys who took our equipment and killing us now). Mad at Hillary for emails (when they had their heroes get fat on Chinese trade deals, live in Saudi pockets).
Republicans - you should be proud, not wistful. Your children will now go to school where the curriculum is decided by locals, there will be only one book for reference - and everyone around them will look just like them. You have produced the America you have wanted - explicitly hateful, angry, lashing out, and dependent.
Well done.
Kalidan
49
They also killed, and we need to acknowledge it at least, about 100,000 innocent civilians in the middle east (saying scornfully that "we don't do body counts", so we can't be sure of the figure). Credit where credit's due.
Consider what would happen if the FBI indited Mrs. Clinton. The Democrats would have to find another candidate who could easily beat Trump whoever he or she is. So in some ways the Republicans got the best possible outcome of smearing Mrs. Clinton but leaving her in the race.
10
Nearly anyone would be better than Trump as POTUS.
I would say he isn't qualified to be dog catcher, but that would be an
insult to animal control officers everywhere.
I saw Trump's Cinci speech on TV today and he is becoming unhinged and symptomatic.
Unless you want this possibly mentally ill egomaniac with his finger on the button, better hope Hillary makes it all the way.
I would say he isn't qualified to be dog catcher, but that would be an
insult to animal control officers everywhere.
I saw Trump's Cinci speech on TV today and he is becoming unhinged and symptomatic.
Unless you want this possibly mentally ill egomaniac with his finger on the button, better hope Hillary makes it all the way.
41
It's never a good sign when I look at a Presidential candidate and this, "Holy smoke, I would actually be a better Prez than this dimwit."
2
This article bemoans Republicans lack of response to the so call politically pregnant convergence of events. Wow Mr. Martin why not spell out the types of attack adds they should used against Hillary Clinton?
11
Back in 2007, the White House "lost" more than five million private emails. The story was barely covered
http://www.salon.com/2015/03/12/the_george_w_bush_email_scandal_the_medi...
http://www.salon.com/2015/03/12/the_george_w_bush_email_scandal_the_medi...
44
With the spewing of venom the last 8 years about the President one would think the GOP would have done they could to prevent a debacle like they have now.
Trump, hilarious. The GOP is now a straw man with a joke of a candidate leading them to a 1964 redo or very possibly worse.
Trump, hilarious. The GOP is now a straw man with a joke of a candidate leading them to a 1964 redo or very possibly worse.
21
One would think that in a land of 300 million people we could find two candidates who are intelligent, wise, squeaky-clean, ethical, strong but compassionate, visionary but practical, inspiring, self-aware and humble who could be our candidates in this critical time. Maybe such a person comes around only once in a generation or two. We had such a candidate, but unfortunately he's term-limited.
37
We know whom he strongly supports as his successor.
1
We have one candidate like that, and I'm pretty sure she'll get elected. After all, she's the most-investigated woman in the world, and none of the false charges Republicans have hurled at her have ever stuck.
My only two cents is that FBI Director Comey seemingly gave a public press conference to report the findings of the investigation before reporting to the Attorney General. Kind of odd. Perhaps can be read as politicizing. But then pronounces his opinions on the actions of Hillary Clinton rather than keeping to what was investigated and revealed. That reads as politicizing to me. But he gets attacked by the Republicans because the softball he lofted to them wasn't made of marshmallows and was thrown at the breakneck speed of 10 m.p.h.
30
There is no schadenfreude as sweet as watching Trump destroy the Republicans.
They sowed this wind for years, now it is the whirlwind.
They sowed this wind for years, now it is the whirlwind.
53
I bet that the Republicans will be quite pleased with Hillary as POTUS--business as usual for them and the donors.
Trump likes to say the system is rigged. He's just covering his back for his inevitable defeat when he will scream even louder, "The system is rigged." (Exclamation points.)
34
He'll still be a loser. So we got that goin for us.
The way a parson runs a campaign is a good indicator as to how the would govern. Trump is showing his incompetence at the basics - fundraising, messaging, and rapid response.
How anybody can believe he'll suddenly figure it all out is beyond my comprehension.
How anybody can believe he'll suddenly figure it all out is beyond my comprehension.
50
And Hillary hasn't had a press conference in months. When's the last time she answered questions truthfully? I mean truthfully the first time..
The FBI investigated Sec. Clinton for over a year. She was interrogated for 3 hours. This in addition to several Senate committees which are also investigating and so far, have come up with nothing criminal or even actionable against her or her aids. So why is the story about the Republicans fearing that the "Donald" isn't attacking her strongly enough? She did nothing wrong, unless the Republicans now want to believe the FBI is bowing to political pressure which seems unlikely since the director did state that Sec. Clinton's judgment was faulty here.
Are we now in for another round of "swift-boating" where Republicans who never left the US much less went to Viet Nam, question the validity of a purple heart awarded to someone who was there and wounded. "The Donald" has no plans or programs other than his damn wall but the media waits breathlessly for his next tweet about how a former Secretary of State is incompetent. Let's get real and start asking important questions about his position on the likely arms race in Asia that will occur if Japan and South Korea take his advice and go nuclear. How does he expect Kim Jung Un to react and how will he maintain the status quo while withdrawing our soldiers from the 38 parallel? This is just one minor question that is not being asked as everyone reports on whether or not "the Donald" has tweeted yet.
Are we now in for another round of "swift-boating" where Republicans who never left the US much less went to Viet Nam, question the validity of a purple heart awarded to someone who was there and wounded. "The Donald" has no plans or programs other than his damn wall but the media waits breathlessly for his next tweet about how a former Secretary of State is incompetent. Let's get real and start asking important questions about his position on the likely arms race in Asia that will occur if Japan and South Korea take his advice and go nuclear. How does he expect Kim Jung Un to react and how will he maintain the status quo while withdrawing our soldiers from the 38 parallel? This is just one minor question that is not being asked as everyone reports on whether or not "the Donald" has tweeted yet.
60
The media does not need to ask Trump policy questions. He has already proved himself unquestionably unqualified for the Presidency. What answers could he give that would cause any sane person to vote for him?
1
.
.
This GOP "ruing" is incomprehensible. Of course, the candidate's campaign normally coordinates media response in a situation like this. But nothing this year has given Republicans any reason to expect the Trump camp to coordinate anything. The RNC has skilled professionals. So do like-minded but separate organizations that promote Republicans running for Senate, House, or Governor. Nothing at all stopped any such organization from spearheading a media response. The media spots and statements could even have been pre-written, because if the FBI is going to charge a former First Lady, former Senator, former Cabinet Secretary, her FBI interview would last longer than 4 hours. So by Sunday, we knew Director Comey would recommend no prosecution.
Also, lashing out at another candidate is not the only way to win over voters. The Republicans have many options for actions that would endear them to on-the-fence voters. They could return the Supreme Court to full-strength, for example. They could seek rapprochement with John Boehner by asking him to campaign for candidates competing for open seats. They could move on from attempts to punish Democrats who recently staged a sit-in at the Capitol. Steps like this could win them more converts in key swing states than the usual nasty ads most voters hate.
Anyway, I commend NYT for reporting all the news to us. I don't expect reporters to seek out negative stories. But if Clinton is poor at handling top-secret material, I want to know.
.
This GOP "ruing" is incomprehensible. Of course, the candidate's campaign normally coordinates media response in a situation like this. But nothing this year has given Republicans any reason to expect the Trump camp to coordinate anything. The RNC has skilled professionals. So do like-minded but separate organizations that promote Republicans running for Senate, House, or Governor. Nothing at all stopped any such organization from spearheading a media response. The media spots and statements could even have been pre-written, because if the FBI is going to charge a former First Lady, former Senator, former Cabinet Secretary, her FBI interview would last longer than 4 hours. So by Sunday, we knew Director Comey would recommend no prosecution.
Also, lashing out at another candidate is not the only way to win over voters. The Republicans have many options for actions that would endear them to on-the-fence voters. They could return the Supreme Court to full-strength, for example. They could seek rapprochement with John Boehner by asking him to campaign for candidates competing for open seats. They could move on from attempts to punish Democrats who recently staged a sit-in at the Capitol. Steps like this could win them more converts in key swing states than the usual nasty ads most voters hate.
Anyway, I commend NYT for reporting all the news to us. I don't expect reporters to seek out negative stories. But if Clinton is poor at handling top-secret material, I want to know.
7
I can understand how the national news media feels the scales are deeply unbalanced in the "both sides do it" narrative that drives our political coverage, and how difficult it must feel to have to fend off accusations of bias from the supporters of a candidate who believes in the forcible relocation of 11 million humans and the exclusion of billions of humans worldwide from entry into our country.
And I know that many political editors feelings are likely very hurt that they don't have an indictment or scandal to point to and say, "See, we cover both sides critically."
But it's probably time to get over it. America's politics has not chosen two sides of the same coin, or two people who disagree on policy and technique. Our politics chose a megalomaniac child completely unfit to serve as president in any definition of the word, and a somewhat boring technocrat who is otherwise fully qualified and capable.
I'm sorry that the FBI, the Justice Dept. and, apparently, Donald Trump have hurt the editors' feelings about the lack of scandal opportunity. But, perhaps they can focus instead on the fact that we have an actual country-destroying racist running for president.
And I know that many political editors feelings are likely very hurt that they don't have an indictment or scandal to point to and say, "See, we cover both sides critically."
But it's probably time to get over it. America's politics has not chosen two sides of the same coin, or two people who disagree on policy and technique. Our politics chose a megalomaniac child completely unfit to serve as president in any definition of the word, and a somewhat boring technocrat who is otherwise fully qualified and capable.
I'm sorry that the FBI, the Justice Dept. and, apparently, Donald Trump have hurt the editors' feelings about the lack of scandal opportunity. But, perhaps they can focus instead on the fact that we have an actual country-destroying racist running for president.
20
Don't blame others, the GOP has asked for it when it linked up the cultural reactionaries with the fiscal irresponsibles since President George W Bush took office in a questionable circumstance.
All would have been forgotten had he become a reasonable steward of this nation, especially after the goodwill he had gathered after 911, he squandered all that away by letting the lobbyists write legislations and neocons run everything else. Two wars on a credit card. This nation - and the rest of the world, for that matter - is still paying for his egotistical pride of trying to avenge Hussein's unsuccessful plot against his father (There is good reason why General Brent Scowscroft chooses to endorse Mrs Clinton for president).
GOP is really RINO these days, If Speaker Ryan doesn't stop putting party before country, he too will go down with the sinking ship.
There are some amusing moments though, like Sheldon Adelson bankrolling Donald Trump. Forget about flushing money down the toilet, even a blind man can tell Trump's attitude.
The only way the GOP can get out of total self-destruction is to become more rational and has a little heart, enlightened self-interest if you like. Otherwise, more reasonable, not to mention more competent, people will leave the party
All would have been forgotten had he become a reasonable steward of this nation, especially after the goodwill he had gathered after 911, he squandered all that away by letting the lobbyists write legislations and neocons run everything else. Two wars on a credit card. This nation - and the rest of the world, for that matter - is still paying for his egotistical pride of trying to avenge Hussein's unsuccessful plot against his father (There is good reason why General Brent Scowscroft chooses to endorse Mrs Clinton for president).
GOP is really RINO these days, If Speaker Ryan doesn't stop putting party before country, he too will go down with the sinking ship.
There are some amusing moments though, like Sheldon Adelson bankrolling Donald Trump. Forget about flushing money down the toilet, even a blind man can tell Trump's attitude.
The only way the GOP can get out of total self-destruction is to become more rational and has a little heart, enlightened self-interest if you like. Otherwise, more reasonable, not to mention more competent, people will leave the party
15
Oh I'm so upset that Republicans are upset. It's much ado about nothing. If anything matter to them you think they be so upset with George W. Bush lying about the yellow powder lying about the weapons of mass destruction him permitting torture. Hillary had her own private email, ha ha. Even Bernie fans act like they're so upset. Lol. But about 50 million people love her still. That's our next president. So bug off !
26
Great writing by Jonathan Martin. His sentence sums it all:
"Handed a historically weak Democratic opponent to run against, the party’s voters responded by nominating a candidate even more unpopular and toxic than Mrs. Clinton."
Once again the Clintons escape disaster. They're like the hilarious characters in the wonderful Seinfeld series. They manage to get themselves in hot water, but then escape, aided by the characters that they offended, so that we can pleasurably watch them get into another mess.
The Clintons are the schlemiels who mess up, and the Republicans are the schlimazels who suffer for it.
"Handed a historically weak Democratic opponent to run against, the party’s voters responded by nominating a candidate even more unpopular and toxic than Mrs. Clinton."
Once again the Clintons escape disaster. They're like the hilarious characters in the wonderful Seinfeld series. They manage to get themselves in hot water, but then escape, aided by the characters that they offended, so that we can pleasurably watch them get into another mess.
The Clintons are the schlemiels who mess up, and the Republicans are the schlimazels who suffer for it.
15
On the other hand, I would rather a Clinton / Democratic budget that brings the deficit down (Bill Clinton and Obama) to any Paul Ryan / Republican budget hat cuts taxes for the wealthy, increases military spending then complains about the increase in the deficit (Reagan and George W.)
22
Boo hoo. Perhaps if the republicans had stopped focusing on ridiculous stuff like Obama's birth certificate, or debating whether he is a Muslim, people might take reps seriously. Do you have any idea what the rest of us have been dealing with these last eight years? The absurdity of this stuff. Ad nauseum.
We can't take anything they say seriously anymore. Even about this Clinton email stuff-- anything they say simply rings false, because they've carried on about so many false things. And this Trump debacle has just really put it into orbit. Reps phone home. Or never come back. We just don't care.
We can't take anything they say seriously anymore. Even about this Clinton email stuff-- anything they say simply rings false, because they've carried on about so many false things. And this Trump debacle has just really put it into orbit. Reps phone home. Or never come back. We just don't care.
21
And the issue of which no one is aware, is that the next president is going to have to be the one who puts this country back together again. It looks like Hillary Clinton is going to be the next president of the United States. (I'll vote for her. That statement makes Podesta and Mook say, "Check. Let's move on.")
But it's going to be like the great Robert Redford in the movie "The Candidate". Hillary is going to have to ask, after her victory, "What do we do now?" What we do now is put this country back together.
But it's going to be like the great Robert Redford in the movie "The Candidate". Hillary is going to have to ask, after her victory, "What do we do now?" What we do now is put this country back together.
1
Unhinged. After Trump's very strange rally speech today, in the space five minutes I've heard three commentators describe his performance as unhinged and one call him bonkers. The result of his scattershot response to the email matter seems to have solidified the mime that he is "unhinged."
36
If Donald Trump really wanted to be President, he would have a real campaign and fight for it. No, this is all a game for him. He gets off on messing with thousands, tens of thousands, millions of real people's real lives. This guy is one sick duck!
15
Maybe, but if you look at his track record in business, it seems just as likely that he is incapable of managing any complex process, project, or activity.
2
When Trump releases his tax returns, then he can start complaining about Hillary's secretive nature.
31
He needs to throw in his birth certificate too- why should we believe his tall tales about everyone else.
2
Eh. Maybe the GOP candidate other than Trump would be doing better, but the responses here are expected bc. The Dems noninate candidates its easy for white males to hate. No surprises here. By the standard that Hil should be in jail, every member of the W and Reagan admins would have done time too.
15
In this case "no concerted response" from Republicans was inaction speaking louder than words.
6
Media and Republicans can't survive without scandal, so they produce it. Republican Party is a scandal producing party. But the real scandal should be the Republican Party itself and its modus operandi, of the dirty trick and wedge issue.
Well, but what you gonna do when your party is the party of the upper class and the upper class doesn't constitute a majority?
Dirty tricks and wedge issues--has been the answer which the Republican Party has delivered for more than 30 year.s
Well, but what you gonna do when your party is the party of the upper class and the upper class doesn't constitute a majority?
Dirty tricks and wedge issues--has been the answer which the Republican Party has delivered for more than 30 year.s
14
I am dismayed by how many readers are writing off Trump as an incompetent candidate who doesn't stand a chance of getting elected. Much can happen between now and November, and Trump already proved that the rules don't apply to him.
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
35
I agree. Trump was absolutely right when he said he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and people would still vote for him. Analysts consistently underestimate how well Trump's seemingly idiotic behavior and remarks play to his supporters. Trumps suppoters are enthusiastic and have proven themselves willing and capable to turn up at the polls during the primaries. There's no reason to expect they won't do the same in the general election, and then you add those Republicans who will hold their nose to vote Trump simply to avoid having Hillary Clinton (or any Democrat) in the White House.
American Presidential elections usually have turn-outs around 50%. With such low turn-outs, a small but dedicated segment of the voting population can put a candidate in the White House. Assuming the pattern holds, Trump can win simply because not enough people turned out at the polls to oppose him.
American Presidential elections usually have turn-outs around 50%. With such low turn-outs, a small but dedicated segment of the voting population can put a candidate in the White House. Assuming the pattern holds, Trump can win simply because not enough people turned out at the polls to oppose him.
1
In this era of our nations dismal politics it appears more important to pounce and inflate your opponents carelessness than it is to present your own qualifications, ideas and plans for the nation.
Who else could or would dare apply for a job by trying to knock down your opponent.
Sadly this behavior is deemed so acceptable that there are entire articles written about the lost opportunity.
Who else could or would dare apply for a job by trying to knock down your opponent.
Sadly this behavior is deemed so acceptable that there are entire articles written about the lost opportunity.
11
To borrow a quote from Brexit leader and now candidate for UK prime minister Michael Gove, "the people in this country have had enough of experts”. Like their Tory counterparts across the pond, the reaction from the Republican Party insiders shows how little they understand their party's current electoral base, and how little they have learned from being blind-sided by Donald Trump in the primaries.
As sad as it is to contemplate, Donald Trump's shrill (yep, shrill) social media dog-whistle approach sells way better than an army of experts blabbing on Fox News. Facts, analysis, expertise - even from partisan hacks - has gone out of fashion. 2016 is the year of ignorance. Trump's tweets, featuring words no longer than two syllables, is what sells.
As sad as it is to contemplate, Donald Trump's shrill (yep, shrill) social media dog-whistle approach sells way better than an army of experts blabbing on Fox News. Facts, analysis, expertise - even from partisan hacks - has gone out of fashion. 2016 is the year of ignorance. Trump's tweets, featuring words no longer than two syllables, is what sells.
17
I would argue that the partisan hacks from both parties have gone out of fashion. Who listens to any of them anymore?
The "experts" we're wrong in Brexit, and--brace yourself East Coasters--they may be wrong in November.
The "experts" we're wrong in Brexit, and--brace yourself East Coasters--they may be wrong in November.
So of 30,000 emails that Hillary sent on the private server (some were years ago, when how we looked at email confidentiality differently than we do now), the FBI found 80 that had some classified information. They said a lot of that classified information wasn't even labeled as classified.
No harm came from this, like state secrets weren't given out, etc.
OK, so she wont' do that again.
There is no crime. Can the GOP and Trump finally stop harassing her over this lame issue???
Why does no one seem to care when Trump's foundation doesn't seem to be able to account for its charitable donations going to legit charities? No one seems to care when Trump posts a Star of David with money and say Hillary is a crook. (Anti-Semitism at its finest). That he makes racists remarks ALOT and says torturing people is okay.
Why does the media paint Hillary as some demon when Trump seems to be the demon here??!!
No harm came from this, like state secrets weren't given out, etc.
OK, so she wont' do that again.
There is no crime. Can the GOP and Trump finally stop harassing her over this lame issue???
Why does no one seem to care when Trump's foundation doesn't seem to be able to account for its charitable donations going to legit charities? No one seems to care when Trump posts a Star of David with money and say Hillary is a crook. (Anti-Semitism at its finest). That he makes racists remarks ALOT and says torturing people is okay.
Why does the media paint Hillary as some demon when Trump seems to be the demon here??!!
41
This is very unsettling: Republicans are feeling sad and regret missing their moment to destroy Hillary with something she is innocent of. They are now attacking the F.B.I. and refusing to accept it's conclusions.
They are attacking and undermining any person or institution which does not adhere to their political agenda. They have no other goal.
This is not politics as usual. They are refusing to follow anyone but themselves. They are harming us and they are dangerous.
They are attacking and undermining any person or institution which does not adhere to their political agenda. They have no other goal.
This is not politics as usual. They are refusing to follow anyone but themselves. They are harming us and they are dangerous.
46
I'm surprised leading Republicans have any hair left, they set it on fire so often.
I can't fathom the depth of hatred for the Clintons. Can anyone credibly say they have done more damage to the country than George W. Bush did? The most any of the multiple accusations drummed up by the 'hate Clinton industry' have never really amounted to anything but political embarrassment. Bill lost his license, embarrassing. but not damaging. Bad judgement, sure. Shouldn't have done it, sure. Shouldn't have done it that way, sure. But venality, criminality; seriously? I thought I'd try to add up all the money spent on trying to sink these people, but I guess the $47 million and most recent $7 million is bad enough.
Can anyone name any President who has not exhibited bad judgement one time or another? So what is all the deep abiding hatred for the Clintons all about? Do they just like to set their hair on fire?
I can't fathom the depth of hatred for the Clintons. Can anyone credibly say they have done more damage to the country than George W. Bush did? The most any of the multiple accusations drummed up by the 'hate Clinton industry' have never really amounted to anything but political embarrassment. Bill lost his license, embarrassing. but not damaging. Bad judgement, sure. Shouldn't have done it, sure. Shouldn't have done it that way, sure. But venality, criminality; seriously? I thought I'd try to add up all the money spent on trying to sink these people, but I guess the $47 million and most recent $7 million is bad enough.
Can anyone name any President who has not exhibited bad judgement one time or another? So what is all the deep abiding hatred for the Clintons all about? Do they just like to set their hair on fire?
41
Bernie Sanders should have listened to his advisers and attacked Hillary Clinton on her reckless use of a personal server. Back at the first debate, he railed against the bad publicity rather than question the candidate, which could have been accomplished in a diplomatic but firm manner. It was a blunder. Now, it's a bit too late for regrets. On many levels, Bernie Sanders, who has no known skeletons in his closet,( or perhaps just a few) is far and away the most solid candidate to be running against Donald Trump. I feel very sad for the state of affairs of the Democratic Party this election season. Like the GOP, they brought this on themselves. We, the citizens, are simply left out of the primary process due to the elitism of the Party's DNC and its misguided superdelegate policy.
10
You do know that Hillary Clinton also won the popular vote and the majority of the regular (not super) delegates in the primary process, yes? Perhaps if Bernie Sanders had been a member of the Democratic Party (instead of the longest-serving Independent in U.S. congressional history) before he chose to run for president as a Democrat, you (and Senator Sanders) wouldn't feel so left out.
2
"We, the citizens, are simply left out of the primary process due to the elitism of the Party's DNC and its misguided superdelegate policy. "
Are you a visitor from an alternate reality where Hillary did not get more popular votes and pledged delegates than Sanders? Because, in this reality, Hillary got more popular votes and pledged delegates than Sanders. Hillary did not win because of super delegates.
Are you a visitor from an alternate reality where Hillary did not get more popular votes and pledged delegates than Sanders? Because, in this reality, Hillary got more popular votes and pledged delegates than Sanders. Hillary did not win because of super delegates.
2
I am stunned at the feckless response by the donald [sic] and some other, obviously ill informed Republicans, after Director Comey's tirade against HRC.
I think that the Director should have delivered that information through his media team instead of using the opportunity to grand stand and polish up his Republican credentials.
This never would have happened if President Obama had filled the office with a qualified Democrat and not a Republican.
It is not the job of law enforcement to criticize, their job is to determine if a crime was committed. One was not, yet all the headlines don't read Hillary Exonerated!! They are all about Hillary being taken to task by a member of the Obama Administration.
Director Comey should have written a letter to the editor if he wanted to pontificate further.
I think that the Director should have delivered that information through his media team instead of using the opportunity to grand stand and polish up his Republican credentials.
This never would have happened if President Obama had filled the office with a qualified Democrat and not a Republican.
It is not the job of law enforcement to criticize, their job is to determine if a crime was committed. One was not, yet all the headlines don't read Hillary Exonerated!! They are all about Hillary being taken to task by a member of the Obama Administration.
Director Comey should have written a letter to the editor if he wanted to pontificate further.
14
As Trump continued to fumble these opportunities to bury Hillary and actually win the presidency, I have a growing feeling inside of me that we're going to see riots in Cleveland in a few weeks. I think the GOP pulls the rug out from under Donald and nominates someone else.
I know it would be an incredible gamble, one that could very well tear the party in half. However, with Hillary being as weak as she is, a more conventional and organized candidate/campaign on the GOP side (with full support from the coffers of men like the Koch brothers) could actually make inroads with voters because they could easily do what Trump can't: expose Hillary.
Romney is polling much higher than Hillary among Independents, and because of that he would likely make the swing states much more competitive. Even though Trump supporters would be irate at first, they would come around to a guy like Romney because, simply put, at least he's not Hillary.
I know it would be an incredible gamble, one that could very well tear the party in half. However, with Hillary being as weak as she is, a more conventional and organized candidate/campaign on the GOP side (with full support from the coffers of men like the Koch brothers) could actually make inroads with voters because they could easily do what Trump can't: expose Hillary.
Romney is polling much higher than Hillary among Independents, and because of that he would likely make the swing states much more competitive. Even though Trump supporters would be irate at first, they would come around to a guy like Romney because, simply put, at least he's not Hillary.
4
Comey went far beyond necessary explanations into a delineation of Ms Clinton's character and habits. Not his place. The internet is already abuzz with by her enemies that "gross negligence" can't be allowed in the White House even though most of us alive today survived 8 years of Dubya/Cheney. After reading and learning far more than I ever wanted to know about government agencies email policies--of which there seem to be as many as there agencies--Comey would have been prudent had he called for those policies to be unified, standardized, made clear to all employees, and mainly, what is the definition of what should be classified. Wish we could have classified Comey's blather.
13
What Clinton did was serious. We don't have enough information to know whether it was worse than what Petraeus did. However the Readers' Pick comment which said Petraeus was not indicted is incorrect. In both cases there was extreme arrogance and poor judgment. A lower-level official who set up their own server for convenience and to shield embarrassing correspondence would have been charged. Comey was right when he said no prosecutor who valued their career would want to go to court and have the patriotism of perhaps the country's most powerful politician be put on trial.
6
How about a wave of regret among Democrats, and more generally, among people who would rather NOT have a President (I.e., Trump) with a personality disorder. Not only does Hillary have problems (which will be ongoing) with the e-mails, but I saw her today standing in front of an ex-Trump building in Atlantic City, trying to get at Trump with sarcasm, and it was pathetic. What a weak candidate she is, and there are plenty of things not to like about her.
Now I fearfully imagine, not too far off, Trump giving the State of the Union Address in his familiar half crazy rant, and I will be thinking of the irony that Bernie Sanders, the most decent and incorruptible candidate we've had in a century---I will think of how Bernie might have been there instead---except so many powerful influences were there to thwart his movement and ensure Hillary's "triumph"---and that certainly includes the New York Times, which was there against him 100%. Even more disgraceful , perhaps, than the Times support of the runup to the Iraq War.
Now I fearfully imagine, not too far off, Trump giving the State of the Union Address in his familiar half crazy rant, and I will be thinking of the irony that Bernie Sanders, the most decent and incorruptible candidate we've had in a century---I will think of how Bernie might have been there instead---except so many powerful influences were there to thwart his movement and ensure Hillary's "triumph"---and that certainly includes the New York Times, which was there against him 100%. Even more disgraceful , perhaps, than the Times support of the runup to the Iraq War.
10
Where are Bernie's tax returns? What about the golden parachute his wife got after she bankrupted Bennington college? How about spending a million dollars in campaign contributions to charter a private jet to fly to Rome and cut the pope off at the pass? Decent and incorruptible? I don't think so.
1
One positive outcome from this campaign season is the reality that flawed individuals can actually represent our flawed society. As great as it is...
There is no Superman. We are all mear mortals...
There is no Superman. We are all mear mortals...
5
Republicans may be disappointed in Donald Trump's response to FBI Director Comey's verbal excoriation of Hillary Clinton, and Democrats disconcerted by it. But the majority of Americans will continue going to bed alarmed by the thought that one of these two divisive and repellent people will be sworn in as President of the United States on January 20th.
8
Well, it does seem to me that the picture painted by the FBI's statement was drastic and that she was responsible for gross misconduct concerning the safe keeping of our countries highly sensitive and top secret information contained in over 100 e-mails... So this information does concern me, and even more so that she has not addressed this issue following the findings but instead engaged in an all out assault on her opponent this morning... Personally, for the first time I was left with a rather sick feeling and I will be re-evaluating my voting direction. This issue is a big deal, and to not have addressed the discovery or answer questions by reporters regarding the FBI findings, in my opinion is arrogant behavior...
3
It's funny, in a tragic sort of way, that Republicans are blaming Trump for being such a weak candidate, while they fail to look in the mirror. The Republican Party and its members created Trump, after years of stoking the flames of bigotry, and anti-intellectualism, and now they reap what they've sown.
But there is a real segment of the country out there - perhaps a majority when you add the Trump and Sanders voters together - who are fed up with the status quo, and empty promises that prosperity will "trickle down". It's too bad this majority doesn't recognize their common cause and work together. If they had, we would be looking forward to a Sanders Presidency and the beginning of the end of the plutocracy.
But there is a real segment of the country out there - perhaps a majority when you add the Trump and Sanders voters together - who are fed up with the status quo, and empty promises that prosperity will "trickle down". It's too bad this majority doesn't recognize their common cause and work together. If they had, we would be looking forward to a Sanders Presidency and the beginning of the end of the plutocracy.
14
What difference does it make, really? Obama and Hillary both agreed nothing would come of Comey's FBI investigation long, long before it was ended, and she proclaimed to the polis that she had not a clue that she was transmitting top secret docs and being hacked while traveling in China and Russia, or perhaps just another example of her pathological lying. Comey sure can't figure it out.
Amazing, obvious stupid treasonous misbehavior, intentional thwarting of the law, lawyers scrubbing personal servers clean, Clinton Foundation extortion while Secretary of Defense and now rewarded with DNC Politburo and Obama sponsorship to become the next president. It's almost Kim Jong-un political theater at its worst.
Bernie's got to feel like a chump right now, and worse, he's going to fall in line and hand over his followers and fans to Clinton just like that. The poor fellow has even lost his dignity--a Clinton specialty, so many in their wake.
Amazing, obvious stupid treasonous misbehavior, intentional thwarting of the law, lawyers scrubbing personal servers clean, Clinton Foundation extortion while Secretary of Defense and now rewarded with DNC Politburo and Obama sponsorship to become the next president. It's almost Kim Jong-un political theater at its worst.
Bernie's got to feel like a chump right now, and worse, he's going to fall in line and hand over his followers and fans to Clinton just like that. The poor fellow has even lost his dignity--a Clinton specialty, so many in their wake.
6
On the other hand, Trump is ten times more of a mess than Hillary.
If you have children and grandchildren, think about that and tell others.
If you have children and grandchildren, think about that and tell others.
1
I simply have a difficult time understanding the furor over this issue.
It honestly feels like people who were never going to vote for Hillary have just been waiting for this inch so they could try to grab a mile. None of this is new. You want to get hung up on the fact a couple of emails out of thousands were marked classified? Fine.
But tell me, if she should have said "I believe" or "as far as I know" I didn't send classified emails, would it have made a difference? If you wanted to force her to use semantics (which as a successful politician, she likely uses everyday), would that have made a difference in how you view her? I highly doubt those who are voting for her care, and likewise those who are not.
And if this is a pivotal issue, this cap to a years long issue, this misstep -- if this is really the reason someone moves their vote to the other side, then they haven't been paying attention. To history. To the presumptive Republican nominee. To politics in general.
It honestly feels like people who were never going to vote for Hillary have just been waiting for this inch so they could try to grab a mile. None of this is new. You want to get hung up on the fact a couple of emails out of thousands were marked classified? Fine.
But tell me, if she should have said "I believe" or "as far as I know" I didn't send classified emails, would it have made a difference? If you wanted to force her to use semantics (which as a successful politician, she likely uses everyday), would that have made a difference in how you view her? I highly doubt those who are voting for her care, and likewise those who are not.
And if this is a pivotal issue, this cap to a years long issue, this misstep -- if this is really the reason someone moves their vote to the other side, then they haven't been paying attention. To history. To the presumptive Republican nominee. To politics in general.
7
Either way you look at it, the country suffers. With Trump, we would get a xenophobic megalomaniac...with Clinton, we would get continued obstruction from Republican legislatures and an endless trickle of Clinton scandal.
I am a lifelong Democrat, but voting for Hillary Clinton will be a hard pill to swallow. I am absolutely ashamed that she will be our nominee and that she will be starting her presidency with a huge scarlet letter already attached to her legacy. Add to that, I disapprove 100 percent of the Clintons' unseemly accumulation of vast wealth on the heels of Bill's presidency. This is something I would expect more from the Kirchners of Argentina than I would from an American president. Do you think Jimmy Carter has amassed something in excess of $100 million dollars in his post-presidency? It's nauseating how transparently corrupt the Clintons are and that the Democratic party establishment saw no other option but to anoint Hillary in a year when a host of other Democratic stars may have otherwise risen to the challenge.
In my opinion, if you were "ready for Hillary" back in 2012, you should be voted out of office in 2016.
I am a lifelong Democrat, but voting for Hillary Clinton will be a hard pill to swallow. I am absolutely ashamed that she will be our nominee and that she will be starting her presidency with a huge scarlet letter already attached to her legacy. Add to that, I disapprove 100 percent of the Clintons' unseemly accumulation of vast wealth on the heels of Bill's presidency. This is something I would expect more from the Kirchners of Argentina than I would from an American president. Do you think Jimmy Carter has amassed something in excess of $100 million dollars in his post-presidency? It's nauseating how transparently corrupt the Clintons are and that the Democratic party establishment saw no other option but to anoint Hillary in a year when a host of other Democratic stars may have otherwise risen to the challenge.
In my opinion, if you were "ready for Hillary" back in 2012, you should be voted out of office in 2016.
9
Now supposed budget-conscious "Speaker" Paul Ryan plans to waste even more of OUR hard-earned taxpayer dollars and extend this democracy-destroying witch-hunt by calling the FBI director and Attorney General to testify? It is not acceptable and I just e-mailed him telling him to STOP WASTING OUR MONEY. Concerned readers please write, telephone, e-mail and/or tweet him today demanding that he stop this destructive behavior. Here is the information:
Speaker Paul Ryan contact information:
United States House of Representatives
1233 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4901
DC Phone: 202-225-3031
DC Fax: 202-225-3393
Contact Representative Ryan: http://www.speaker.gov/contact/
(This link may not work – if not go to www.speaker.gov and follow the links to contact)
Twitter @SpeakerRyan
WWW Homepage: http://paulryan.house.gov/
Fulltime District Offices:
Janesville Office
20 South Main Street, Suite 10
Janesville, WI 53545
Phone: (608) 752-4050
Fax: (608) 752-4711
Kenosha Office
5031 7th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53140
Phone: (262) 654-1901
Fax: (262) 654-2156
Racine Office
216 6th Street
Racine, WI 53403
Phone: (262) 637-0510
Fax: (262) 637-5689
Speaker Paul Ryan contact information:
United States House of Representatives
1233 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4901
DC Phone: 202-225-3031
DC Fax: 202-225-3393
Contact Representative Ryan: http://www.speaker.gov/contact/
(This link may not work – if not go to www.speaker.gov and follow the links to contact)
Twitter @SpeakerRyan
WWW Homepage: http://paulryan.house.gov/
Fulltime District Offices:
Janesville Office
20 South Main Street, Suite 10
Janesville, WI 53545
Phone: (608) 752-4050
Fax: (608) 752-4711
Kenosha Office
5031 7th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53140
Phone: (262) 654-1901
Fax: (262) 654-2156
Racine Office
216 6th Street
Racine, WI 53403
Phone: (262) 637-0510
Fax: (262) 637-5689
29
LOL. How many politicians know how to use their computers? Basically, none.
11
And then they need to figure out this 'series of tubes'.
I suspect many republicans are glad Trump squandered his opportunity to eviscerate Hillary yesterday. The thought of President Trump horrifies smart, pragmatic, and patriotic members of the GOP too.
33
Not to mention Hillary Clinton may inadvertently have done the US a favor in being sloppy about her email practices, given that the government approved servers were apparently overseen in an even sloppier way than hers... At least her server wasn't hacked by the Chinese and who knows who else...
1
Except for the Hillary haters, I think it is difficult for the average American to get all worked up about Hillary and her staff mishandling emails, being "sloppy," and using poor judgment--especially given all the many problems this country and world faces. I could easily see G.W. Bush or other politicians in both parties making similar mistakes with his/their emailing.
Frankly, much more disconcerting than Hillary's sloppy emailing practices are Trump's reprehensible business practices and bankruptcies that stiffed many investors, workers, customers, and aspiring students, while he continued to abuse his bankruptcies for new businesses and live lavishly. To me, this is a pretty good indicator of Trump's day-to-day character and how he will likely function as POTUS.
Plus, I have more faith in Hillary learning from her mistakes than Trump ever learning from his mistakes. He seems to kid himself that he does not make any mistakes, or that mistakes that occur are always the fault of other people. Very bad sign.
Sure Hillary had a rough day or two, but if ever there was a woman who has survived rough days and come out on the other side, it's Hillary.
Frankly, much more disconcerting than Hillary's sloppy emailing practices are Trump's reprehensible business practices and bankruptcies that stiffed many investors, workers, customers, and aspiring students, while he continued to abuse his bankruptcies for new businesses and live lavishly. To me, this is a pretty good indicator of Trump's day-to-day character and how he will likely function as POTUS.
Plus, I have more faith in Hillary learning from her mistakes than Trump ever learning from his mistakes. He seems to kid himself that he does not make any mistakes, or that mistakes that occur are always the fault of other people. Very bad sign.
Sure Hillary had a rough day or two, but if ever there was a woman who has survived rough days and come out on the other side, it's Hillary.
88
It is not just Republicans who are concerned. Independents too are very concerned that any possibility for supporting the "extremely careless" democratic nominee instead of Sen Sanders has been lost. The FBI's recommendation not to charge is out of order and should be challenged. The attorney general was never going to act in an impartial way. The least that the attorney general could have done was to say that she accepts the FBI recommendation not to charge but it would be inappropriate and unjust to allow Clinton to hold a public office for having botched the previously held public office of secretary of state. It is not left to the voters to decide whether an untrustworthy person whose extreme carelessness and disregard to standard operating practice of the US government deserves a chance to wreck the US and other countries in the world by taking up the highest position of the land with additional infinite carelessness and poor judgment.
14
If she was indicted, there is no guarantee that Sanders would have been the candidate. I think Biden would have been more likely chosen by superdelegates and those Hillary delegates that she would have freed to vote for Biden.
6
And people prefer Trump?
Trump is the epitome of reckless and poor judgement.
Ten times worse than Hillary, at least.
Trump is the epitome of reckless and poor judgement.
Ten times worse than Hillary, at least.
9
Independent the South:
And people prefer Trump?
****
Yes, they do. It's not that hard to understand. The Clintons are career politicians and known liars. Hillary is ten times worse than Trump when it comes to a lack of integrity and poor ethics.
Trump's spent his life building things. Literally. He has many measurable, concrete, real accomplishments.
People are sick of political sycophants and prefer someone who can actually achieve something. They don't care that he's not smooth and polished. That's proven to be a poor indicator of performance. Look at Obama. Eloquent and ineffective.
And people prefer Trump?
****
Yes, they do. It's not that hard to understand. The Clintons are career politicians and known liars. Hillary is ten times worse than Trump when it comes to a lack of integrity and poor ethics.
Trump's spent his life building things. Literally. He has many measurable, concrete, real accomplishments.
People are sick of political sycophants and prefer someone who can actually achieve something. They don't care that he's not smooth and polished. That's proven to be a poor indicator of performance. Look at Obama. Eloquent and ineffective.
Comey, lawyer, prosecutor, defense attorney, judge and jury...to appear before lawmakers tomorrow. Save your breath Comey, why compound your decision by lying to defend it?
It is akin to, and just as bad as Justice Roberts tortuous explanation of Obamacare individual mandate that is a fine, or a tax, or a garnishment of wage overpayment of taxes being withheld, or a hammer held over every taxpayers head, or something.
It is akin to, and just as bad as Justice Roberts tortuous explanation of Obamacare individual mandate that is a fine, or a tax, or a garnishment of wage overpayment of taxes being withheld, or a hammer held over every taxpayers head, or something.
1
Good grief, is Trump delusional. "General Petraeus got in trouble for far less."
What?!? The man GAVE classified intelligence to someone who; A) was not authorized to see it, and B) he was having an adulterous affair with.
If you take Comey's statement uncritically, Clinton was "careless" with 110 emails. Petraeus knowingly, willingly gave Paula Broadwell carte blanche to read through eight personal notebooks that contained top secret information as detailed as operational code words and the identities of covert agents.
Petraeus's misdeeds were an order of magnitude worse than anything Clinton was even remotely suspected of. That's why he pled guilty to mishandling classified information. If he hadn't accepted a plea deal he was vulnerable to being charged under the Espionage Act.
What?!? The man GAVE classified intelligence to someone who; A) was not authorized to see it, and B) he was having an adulterous affair with.
If you take Comey's statement uncritically, Clinton was "careless" with 110 emails. Petraeus knowingly, willingly gave Paula Broadwell carte blanche to read through eight personal notebooks that contained top secret information as detailed as operational code words and the identities of covert agents.
Petraeus's misdeeds were an order of magnitude worse than anything Clinton was even remotely suspected of. That's why he pled guilty to mishandling classified information. If he hadn't accepted a plea deal he was vulnerable to being charged under the Espionage Act.
49
So the GOP slander machine didn't roll out the big guns to finish the hit job on Hillary. The eery silence. It isn't because they were deferring to their incompetent "general", the presumptive nominee. It must mean they are about to open another battlefront.
2
It's getting even harder for the press to stimulate Mr. Trump into coherency. Try as they may, the Fourth Estate is losing the battle to prop up this narcissist who cannot start or end a sentence lacking the pronoun "I".
15
The Republicans have a litany of questionable attacks on Democrats since the "swiftboating" of John Kerry. There's no question that Clinton's email behavior required investigation, But after two failed attempts to link Clinton to wrong doing with the Benghazi attack, and now FBI clearance of her emails, perhaps it's time for an American Chilcot Report on Bush and the Republicans. That's where they may find that genuine crimes were committed.
31
Oh, way before that. Way before that, at least back to Bill Clinton's first term and the efforts to smear him and Hillary over real estate dealings (and of course, as is the decades-long pattern, no evidence of wrong-doing was found after trumpeted denunciations and so forth), and whatever other assorted malfeasances the right wing could imagine. It was not until their endless digging unearthed the DNA that the innocent and nubile Monica had so innocently wrapped in plastic for some innocent later occasion that they hit the jackpot. And promptly went on about it to such insane and salacious, prurient extremes that the nation turned against them instead of Clinton. And he went on to finish eight years, leaving a good economy, a surplus in the treasury, and a nation largely at peace. What a nightmare for the republicans. But Bush Jr. fixed all that.
Yes, the republicans were crazed even then, just as they are now. Killing tens of thousands of people is okay when you're a Bush, but if you're a Clinton, they'll come after you for sneezing without covering your mouth.
Yes, the republicans were crazed even then, just as they are now. Killing tens of thousands of people is okay when you're a Bush, but if you're a Clinton, they'll come after you for sneezing without covering your mouth.
6
Wait a minute. Didn't Paul Ryan, Jason Chaffetz, and others complain about the outcome today, and set the table for the inevitable investigation into the investigation? Anyone paying attention to what experts said all along understood that indictment was doubtful, given the legal framework. They'll prattle on about their "respect" for Comey, but his judgement here is "questionable." They salivated for this, it didn't go the way they expected because they weren't paying attention (they never do) and now they'll go down this rabbit hole instead of using their majority--while they still have it--to craft actual policy for things the American people need.. Let's clean out the uselessness this November.
38
What more evidence do we need. The Republican Party is a spent force. They ran out of moral authority decades ago, and now even their will to live is gone.
30
So, they're going to have a hearing with Comey. Ya think Comey didn't see that coming when he responded to Ryan's request with, "Sure, tough guy, how's tomorrow work for you?" Comey is going to kindly give the frightened and seething GOP a dressing down. Once that happens, they have nowhere to go. No platform worth promoting and no candidate at the top to rally around. Had the GOP spent the last 30 years educating their base and getting with the times instead of obsessing over Bill & Hillary, they wouldn't be on the verge of extinction. And they are indeed on the verge of extinction.
37
Comey is a Republican, after all.
3
It was such a horrible week fore Hillary that her poll numbers in Reuters/IPSOS went from + 8 to to +13. Curious why? Well it is because it is becoming obvious that Donald Trump is the most corrupt person to ever run for high office in this country's history. Sure Hillary has her faults but compared to Trump she is like a Vestal Virgin. Here:http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/07/most-corrupt-candidate-ever...
41
Yes, Clinton's number may have gone up and you think we should be grateful for the best of the worst?
I'm more of the mind that Clinton is the worst of the best and that The Democrats have forfeited their future by nominating such a candidate.
I'm more of the mind that Clinton is the worst of the best and that The Democrats have forfeited their future by nominating such a candidate.
This commenter has it right:
"I predict that whatever the outcome this fall, it will have a single term lifespan."
It may not be her fault, but HC won't accomplish anything legislatively if she wins. The Democrats probably will get crushed in the midterms -- as they did in the midterms (1994) after Bill Clinton was re-elected. Republican candidates will be tripping all over one another to run against HC in 2020, and whoever gets the nomination will probably beat her by 5-10 points.
"I predict that whatever the outcome this fall, it will have a single term lifespan."
It may not be her fault, but HC won't accomplish anything legislatively if she wins. The Democrats probably will get crushed in the midterms -- as they did in the midterms (1994) after Bill Clinton was re-elected. Republican candidates will be tripping all over one another to run against HC in 2020, and whoever gets the nomination will probably beat her by 5-10 points.
5
Regardless of 2020 she will still be remembered in history books as the first woman to be elected President of the United States. Of course, would be better for her to be an effective President and move the country forward (not backwards towards some misguided utopian notion of when "America was Great.").
3
more likely trump will be the end of the republican party
There seems to be quite a bit of blame to spread around:
1.- Doesn't the State Department have very explicit guidelines for handling sensitive materials and forced education of all their staff? Both my company and also my wife's, force all their staff to go through this sort of education every year, even though none of their documents pertains to national security.
2.- Didn't Hillary know what she was doing in terms of security? If she didn't, did she hire competent people and listened to them?
It seems quite obvious that Hillary was incompetent and/or reckless.
Unfortunately, "we the people", have no reasonable choices.
Here the blame lies squarely with our political system, as we are stuck with two horrible candidates, but guess what? They might be the best among those that had a chance to be nominated.
I liked some of Sanders, but he had no chance.
Did anybody like Cruz?
1.- Doesn't the State Department have very explicit guidelines for handling sensitive materials and forced education of all their staff? Both my company and also my wife's, force all their staff to go through this sort of education every year, even though none of their documents pertains to national security.
2.- Didn't Hillary know what she was doing in terms of security? If she didn't, did she hire competent people and listened to them?
It seems quite obvious that Hillary was incompetent and/or reckless.
Unfortunately, "we the people", have no reasonable choices.
Here the blame lies squarely with our political system, as we are stuck with two horrible candidates, but guess what? They might be the best among those that had a chance to be nominated.
I liked some of Sanders, but he had no chance.
Did anybody like Cruz?
6
Before the week is over, the Republicans will initiate charges against Clinton for contempt and perjury before Congress. They would preferred the FBI to press charges, but they are desperate to make voters think she is a criminal to increase Trump's chances.
8
Congress is in its element here: witch hunts, blaming, distractions. Anything but governing. The GOP has become a classic oppisition party. Little more.
17
They will wait until she is elected and then take action to impeach her. No doubt about it. If not for the email server than for something else they will think of.
3
With a candidate like Donald, unless he comes up with a much better and more effective modus operandi to beat his only rival in the Presidential race, Ms Hillary Rodham Clinton is going to win all 50 States with a thumping majority (above 65%). It would be easy at this juncture for some to assume, with no evidence of course, that Donald, intentionally or unintentionally, is going to hand over the elections to Ms Clinton. It might, to some, seem like a set up from the start, but with no solid proof. Unless a new candidate comes up, unless Mr. Trump's strategies towards his rival improves (within limits), we can say with 100% certainty Ms Clinton is the next President of the United States. Nothing more to see, know, think or say here folks, Presidential race is, in many ways, already over. Very interesting democracy we have here.
8
Mark Schaeffer: Set up from the start is correct, they just had to bump off Bernie on the way, the charade of a two party system continues.
1
Well, sure, Hillary is a flawed candidate but they all are, literally. The founders understood this and built a system in which flawed people could govern themselves provided they allowed for the workings of checks and balances. So, which candidate is all about shredding the constitution because his ideas are fabulous? Now, who's flawed?
20
“Imagine Jeb Bush looking disappointed and talking about the importance of following the rules and a society ruled by law with a government that is held accountable,”
Of course. Now imagine this coming from the brother of the president who led us into Iraq on a highway constructed from lies, mismanagement, violations of international law, war crimes, no-bid contracts for Halliburton, spooky private contractors, missing billions of dollars in cash etc. etc. etc. none of which has ever actually been, or will ever be properly, officially investigated. It just dribbled out in bits because it was too massive to hide. But by all means, we need at least one more inquiry into Benghazi (or possibly Whitewater) Clinton should not have handled her email correspondence in the way that she did, but Jeb Bush is not exactly in a great position to bring that up.
Of course. Now imagine this coming from the brother of the president who led us into Iraq on a highway constructed from lies, mismanagement, violations of international law, war crimes, no-bid contracts for Halliburton, spooky private contractors, missing billions of dollars in cash etc. etc. etc. none of which has ever actually been, or will ever be properly, officially investigated. It just dribbled out in bits because it was too massive to hide. But by all means, we need at least one more inquiry into Benghazi (or possibly Whitewater) Clinton should not have handled her email correspondence in the way that she did, but Jeb Bush is not exactly in a great position to bring that up.
15
The stir caused by Hillary's email has reached the level of absurd. There are so infinite qualities that make up a President's intelligence, judgment, and effectiveness. If we are to distill it into only 'the damn emails', then how shamefully narrow we have become. Any deep examination of almost any candidate - including Bernie - will reveal flaws that raise a serious question or 2.
Republicans who are hyperventilating in disappointment about no prosecution should ask themselves 'how would react if Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush, or high-level George W. Bush White House had used personal emails?' Well guess what, each one of them has. Mitt Romney destroyed his servers destroyed when leaving the governorship, Jeb used a personal server, and the Bush White House destroyed 20 mil emails . . . no or little investigation or outrage in each case. If HIllary's critics stomp up and down at unfairness, what sounds were they making then? I guess hard to hear shrugs.
Republicans who are hyperventilating in disappointment about no prosecution should ask themselves 'how would react if Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush, or high-level George W. Bush White House had used personal emails?' Well guess what, each one of them has. Mitt Romney destroyed his servers destroyed when leaving the governorship, Jeb used a personal server, and the Bush White House destroyed 20 mil emails . . . no or little investigation or outrage in each case. If HIllary's critics stomp up and down at unfairness, what sounds were they making then? I guess hard to hear shrugs.
28
I'm an avid reader and cheerleader of the Times' political coverage. However, where is the balance in this one? It reads like a non-stop bashing of both Trump and Clinton with little defense of Trump and none of all of Clinton. I understand the piece is "about" Republicans, but it still calls Clinton "toxic," "stupid," "historically weak," and "unpopular" without a so much as a peep from her camp. The only one of those labels that is fair is "unpopular" and even that ought to be qualified. How about instead of using those labels, saying that Clinton is *perceived by Republicans* to be toxic, weak, etc.? I must say I'm disappointed.
23
We call it buyer's regret, by The New York Times> They, like the rest of major media, built up Hillary Clinton. At the expense of Bernie Sanders, and candidates like John Kasich. The disaster we see today, was created by the media, the wealthy and the building oligarchy.
Finally, it seems, that yesterday was The New York Times drawing a line in the sand.
The Columbus Dispatch summed it up this way:
http://www.dispatch.com/content/graphics/2016/07/05/160706beelertoon_c.j...
And anyone old enough knows what this cartoon means. It describes Clinton perfectly.
Finally, it seems, that yesterday was The New York Times drawing a line in the sand.
The Columbus Dispatch summed it up this way:
http://www.dispatch.com/content/graphics/2016/07/05/160706beelertoon_c.j...
And anyone old enough knows what this cartoon means. It describes Clinton perfectly.
4
I am sorry but I cannot agree that it is the media's fault that we have these two as our candidates. People vote and if they are going to vote, they should educate themselves by reading sources beyond The popular mainstream media. There are plenty of opposing views on the internet and people can become informed as to facts vs. rhetoric.
1
So Hillary was keeping the electronic equivalent of a messy desk in the office while Donald was defrauding poor people of their scant savings and/or high interest loans through his bogus university and other stay-rich schemes. If you are a conservative with middle school age children, how would explain why Donald is the more virtuous candidate that you will vote for and whose character and morality they should emulate as they grow older.
35
It's funny that the writer mentions what an opportunity it would have been for Bush to use this as an example of how she is somehow untrustworthy when Bush 2 deleted 22 million emails from a Republican National Comittee server he was using as president after those emails were requested in an inquiry into corruption and conspiracy and that Jeb Bush himself has his own email scandal from his time as FL governor. How quickly conservatives and apparently journalists forget that.
68
However it didn't take long for Paul Ryan and John Cornyn to call for an investigation of the FBI's decision to not indict Clinton and a call for a special prosecutor to further investigate the investigation. And we thought we were through with the debacles of Issa and Gowdy! When will we get back to the people's business of dealing with our decaying bridges, tax loopholes for the rich and a serious discussion about health care reform?
44
I believe Trump does not want to win the election. In fact he is deliberately not raising money, developing an infrastructure, avoiding contested states and making even more outrageous statements in order to lose. He has met his goal. He's a candidate. He does not want to be president.
23
I think you're right. He's gotten his revenge on Barack Obama for the White House Correspondents dinner (at least he thinks he has) and he's had his ego stroked enough to last him to the end of his life. Trump thinks that attacking Hilary Clinton is a way of getting back at President Obama because Trump is a petty, small minded man who has never cared about or done anything for anyone but himself.
Being President of the United States means having to do a lot of things and deal with a lot of people you don't want to. There's no way on earth Donald Trump has the stamina, self-discipline or intelligence to be President of the local PTA much less President of the United States.
The thing that Donald Trump is completely incapable of comprehending is that Barak Obama was a better man than he is yesterday, he's a better man today and he will continue to be a better man than Donald Trump could ever dream of being. T
Being President of the United States means having to do a lot of things and deal with a lot of people you don't want to. There's no way on earth Donald Trump has the stamina, self-discipline or intelligence to be President of the local PTA much less President of the United States.
The thing that Donald Trump is completely incapable of comprehending is that Barak Obama was a better man than he is yesterday, he's a better man today and he will continue to be a better man than Donald Trump could ever dream of being. T
5
You would be one hundred percent wrong. Maybe some person out there, having gotten a taste, doesn't want more. It's not Trump.
Why the failure to spell out the initials of the F.B.I.?????
In reality it is the investigative branch of the US Dept of Justice who are the ones under law determine whether or not to target subject(s) of the investigators.
Only governmental agencies approved by the USDOJ can trigger an investigation -- Congress, Administration, state and local law enforcement involving federal issues are a few of those the USDOJ allows the FBI to open a file.
Instead of gossip, I focused in presentations yesterday here about the need for prudent levels of immunity of cabinet members and other top bureaucrats and military to encourage qualified professionals to work for the government.
Rarely do msm and government leaders care about standard operating procedures and protocols of the three branches of the US government.
This intentional ignorance trickles down to universities where teachers in primary, middle and high schools often, not always, perpetuate myths about the Rule of Due Process of Law in the USA.
In reality it is the investigative branch of the US Dept of Justice who are the ones under law determine whether or not to target subject(s) of the investigators.
Only governmental agencies approved by the USDOJ can trigger an investigation -- Congress, Administration, state and local law enforcement involving federal issues are a few of those the USDOJ allows the FBI to open a file.
Instead of gossip, I focused in presentations yesterday here about the need for prudent levels of immunity of cabinet members and other top bureaucrats and military to encourage qualified professionals to work for the government.
Rarely do msm and government leaders care about standard operating procedures and protocols of the three branches of the US government.
This intentional ignorance trickles down to universities where teachers in primary, middle and high schools often, not always, perpetuate myths about the Rule of Due Process of Law in the USA.
5
I think Trump is fundamentally to lazy and egotistical to run a conventional campaign. Many of Trump's faux pas are a result of this laziness - forwarding offensive tweets, using images that are offensive, sitting around tweeting out and saying whatever happens to come into his head at the moment. His ego requires that he cannot submit himself to tough criticism and direction from professionals who know how to run a campaign. Trump has provided no substantial information on how he would actually tackle the very complex and difficult problems facing this nation. I am extremely disappointed in Mrs. Clinton's lack of judgment in the email scandal. However, the thought of putting the nation at risk by electing the narcissistic and lazy Mr. Trump is terrifying.
30
Please don't be too disappointed - her server was actually safer than the ones she "should" have used...
1
"He’s just demonstrating he is unable or unwilling to appear presidential at moments like this, when it’s required.”
He is just being himself, the real problem is with those who refuse to accept that fact and still pretend this guy is fit for the job.
He is just being himself, the real problem is with those who refuse to accept that fact and still pretend this guy is fit for the job.
39
For the last, nearly, eight years, there have been Republicans trolling for any questionable item, size no object. That is the sum total of leadership. And they draw salaries for this. Where is the governance? Where is the meeting of ideas that produce significant changes in our country's economy or infrastructure or
people? Where is the concern for this country? Not puffed-up, overweening, bumptious, pretence. Actual, regarded governing. For this country and its citizens. Not floating about gathering money for re-election and swanning about talking to people you will never set eyes on again. Not spending time looking for misdemeanors or salacious tidbits. Governance. Using the "moral and intellectual excellence" John Adams wrote about in "Thoughts on Government". I am waiting. Jenny Mann
people? Where is the concern for this country? Not puffed-up, overweening, bumptious, pretence. Actual, regarded governing. For this country and its citizens. Not floating about gathering money for re-election and swanning about talking to people you will never set eyes on again. Not spending time looking for misdemeanors or salacious tidbits. Governance. Using the "moral and intellectual excellence" John Adams wrote about in "Thoughts on Government". I am waiting. Jenny Mann
33
Something tells me if left to a grand jury Hillary Clinton would have gone to trial. As it stands now, Comey serves at the President’s discretion…that may have been motivation enough in excoriating her and then letting her go. Would a regular citizen have been left off the hook so easily? What a sad state of affairs that either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will presumably be elevated to the highest office in the land, both of them having such specious backgrounds. Time for a closer look at Gary Johnson and hoping that he gets to be part of the debates. Realistically however, since the Presidential Debates are co-chaired by a Democrat and a Republican who establish the thresholds for such participation, that won’t happen.
4
Comey came up with a not guilty "verdict" and then followed with
articles of indictment.........backwards....no?
I think there is more than a little ego at work here.........................
articles of indictment.........backwards....no?
I think there is more than a little ego at work here.........................
4
I think Comey is reporting findings of an investigation of case that he knows can never be brought to trial because the evidence cannot be presented in open court without damaging national security.
Which is more important, giving Hillary her what he believes are her just desserts, or keeping secrets about how we secure digital information from foreign enemies? He is between a rock and a hard place, and knows it. His assigned role in government is gathering evidence for use in criminal prosecutions but why the evidence he has gathered will not be used is something he cannot say in public and maybe he doesn't know because he hasn't been told honestly by CIA, or whoever knows.
Which is more important, giving Hillary her what he believes are her just desserts, or keeping secrets about how we secure digital information from foreign enemies? He is between a rock and a hard place, and knows it. His assigned role in government is gathering evidence for use in criminal prosecutions but why the evidence he has gathered will not be used is something he cannot say in public and maybe he doesn't know because he hasn't been told honestly by CIA, or whoever knows.
1
The public, as usual in all of the faux Clinton scandals, is way out in front of the press, the Republicans, and the Bernie wishfuls. We have been aware of the facts for over a year. The difference in the response of Clinton supporters is that, unlike Trump and Sanders supporters, we actually acknowledge we wish things had been handled differently. But mostly not so much for any danger to the country (it seems there wasn't any), but that it gives the press raw meat. But we admit a problem, and accept her apology and wish it had been different.
Comey's "may have" and "likelys" are akin to Bernie's "must have" on the Goldman speeches. Made up innuendo. Unsupported. Really sick of it. Call it for what it is.
This is unlike the outrageous fairy tale promises Sanders was making to his acolytes, the ridiculous criticism of the primary process, but not the caucuses. Not releasing his tax returns. The press never called him because it made for good ratings.
And I won't even comment on Trump. That is self evident. We are very sick of the press enabling the various "scandals" over the years. This has gone on over a year and it is done.
Comey's "may have" and "likelys" are akin to Bernie's "must have" on the Goldman speeches. Made up innuendo. Unsupported. Really sick of it. Call it for what it is.
This is unlike the outrageous fairy tale promises Sanders was making to his acolytes, the ridiculous criticism of the primary process, but not the caucuses. Not releasing his tax returns. The press never called him because it made for good ratings.
And I won't even comment on Trump. That is self evident. We are very sick of the press enabling the various "scandals" over the years. This has gone on over a year and it is done.
52
I agree with all you said with the exception of "Bernie's fairy tales."
We pay $8,700 GDP per capita for health care while countries like Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, etc. pay $4,500.
If I could pay and extra $4,500 in taxes not have to spend $8,700 to my insurance company, I would. Or if my employer didn't have to pay that, we might even get a raise.
And they have universal coverage.
If that is not enough, look at education in those countries. One can make a similar argument for paying $20,000 a year to a state university, paid back over 20 years at 5% is $126,000.
Those countries have been making it work for 35 years, or more. On the other hand, they didn't have 35 years of Reaganomics and he trickle down tide lifting the yachts of Wall St.
After November, see if you can help. Hillary is going to need all the help she can get.
And let's keep working to get the money out of politics.
We pay $8,700 GDP per capita for health care while countries like Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, etc. pay $4,500.
If I could pay and extra $4,500 in taxes not have to spend $8,700 to my insurance company, I would. Or if my employer didn't have to pay that, we might even get a raise.
And they have universal coverage.
If that is not enough, look at education in those countries. One can make a similar argument for paying $20,000 a year to a state university, paid back over 20 years at 5% is $126,000.
Those countries have been making it work for 35 years, or more. On the other hand, they didn't have 35 years of Reaganomics and he trickle down tide lifting the yachts of Wall St.
After November, see if you can help. Hillary is going to need all the help she can get.
And let's keep working to get the money out of politics.
2
Yes, I'll vote for HRC. I've voted for the left leaning presidents my entire life. George H.W. Bush being one despite his turn to the right in the 1982 and 1990 presidential primaries and general election. He was also a man of good character (particularly when considering his entire life and the years devoted to public service). But he was the last Republican with the notion that the mission is to balance the progressive nature of this country and the evolutionary nature and it's politics.: the inevitable march towards freedom and justice for all Americans.
Mr. Trump is not a person of great character let alone a person with the the heart and mind to be the president.
But Secretary Clinton is no bargain either. Brilliant, yes. Capable, yes. Experienced, yes. Of great character, no.
So are choices are a low character, narcissistic, in-experienced, self-promoting, selfish windbag or a person of low character who is experienced, capable and very, very smart. Maybe too smart for her own good? She also BELIEVES that the nation owes this highest of offices to her. This is hubris on steroids.
I predict that whatever the outcome this fall, it will have a single term lifespan.
We can only hope or pray for better. Or we can regress to our childhoods and move to Never-Never Land. Who want's to be Pan? Tink?
Mr. Trump is not a person of great character let alone a person with the the heart and mind to be the president.
But Secretary Clinton is no bargain either. Brilliant, yes. Capable, yes. Experienced, yes. Of great character, no.
So are choices are a low character, narcissistic, in-experienced, self-promoting, selfish windbag or a person of low character who is experienced, capable and very, very smart. Maybe too smart for her own good? She also BELIEVES that the nation owes this highest of offices to her. This is hubris on steroids.
I predict that whatever the outcome this fall, it will have a single term lifespan.
We can only hope or pray for better. Or we can regress to our childhoods and move to Never-Never Land. Who want's to be Pan? Tink?
8
I can't help but wonder if she is not being prosecuted BECAUSE those in power are afraid then Donald will definitely win. I am also afraid of this, however, she has lost all credibility with me (and she was just gaining it back!). She is either Smart as a Fox or incredibility Dumb -- neither warrants her being President. I really want to vote Libertarian. And MAY!!
6
This has been a carny sideshow and distracts from the real issues of our country. Between GOP witch hunts, the total vapidity of Donald Trump, and phony media drama, we the people are SICK of this election already and wish it was over NOW!
21
Don't be dismayed though if Trump gets elected and gets to nominate one, two or more supreme court justices.
1
I'm amused at how the nation's "newspaper of record" refers in this article to Sec. Clinton as "a historically weak Democratic opponent," yet has consistently badgered Sen. Sanders to end his campaign for Democratic nomination.
Sen. Sanders's campaign is the best thing that could ever have happened to Sec. Clinton, since her narrow victory over him provides her with at least a veneer of electoral credibility.
Sen. Clinton would lose to almost any establishment Republican—Kasich, Ryan, Bush—and only because Republican primary voters have backed a belligerent, bombastic billionaire with zero government experience and little aptitude for learning on the job is she likely to win in November.
With so much at stake in our country and across the planet, the fact that America's chosen these two to contest the most powerful elected position in the world is shameful and despair inducing.
Sen. Sanders's campaign is the best thing that could ever have happened to Sec. Clinton, since her narrow victory over him provides her with at least a veneer of electoral credibility.
Sen. Clinton would lose to almost any establishment Republican—Kasich, Ryan, Bush—and only because Republican primary voters have backed a belligerent, bombastic billionaire with zero government experience and little aptitude for learning on the job is she likely to win in November.
With so much at stake in our country and across the planet, the fact that America's chosen these two to contest the most powerful elected position in the world is shameful and despair inducing.
12
Critics say that even though Hillary didn't break the law, she lied to the public.
If that's the case, then what about Trump?
Most news outlets have just given up on Trump's false statements.
If that's the case, then what about Trump?
Most news outlets have just given up on Trump's false statements.
22
Am I the only one who thinks that a large part of the email business has to do with Clinton being technologically illiterate and loath to give up a form of technology she knew in exchange for having to learn new systems? Hasn't anyone read the emails in which she asks the most basic questions?
The email thing is monumentally stupid.Someone should have explained why it was a bad idea, and it should never have happened. But for James Comey to cast such aspersions over 100 emails out of 30,000 that slipped through--and he acknowledged that only a very few were marked as classified, and most not at top secret levels, altho that doesn't make it okay--seems a bit over the top. If only a handful--he didn't give a number, just "very few"--inadvertently got sent, is that really so surprising? Is the FBI's system so foolproof?
And his assertion that we don't know she wasn't hacked--well, we also don't know that a unicorn won't march down Pennsylvania Avenue tonight. He has no evidence that the server was hacked--so stick to what you know and omit the unknown unknowns, please.
Comey worked on the Whitewater investigation as a Republican attorney. Am I the only one who thinks he went a bit far in his criticism? Yes, she was wrong to use a private server. But the degree of the criticism and some of the unsubstantiated claims undermine his claim to independence and nonpartisanship, IMHO.
The email thing is monumentally stupid.Someone should have explained why it was a bad idea, and it should never have happened. But for James Comey to cast such aspersions over 100 emails out of 30,000 that slipped through--and he acknowledged that only a very few were marked as classified, and most not at top secret levels, altho that doesn't make it okay--seems a bit over the top. If only a handful--he didn't give a number, just "very few"--inadvertently got sent, is that really so surprising? Is the FBI's system so foolproof?
And his assertion that we don't know she wasn't hacked--well, we also don't know that a unicorn won't march down Pennsylvania Avenue tonight. He has no evidence that the server was hacked--so stick to what you know and omit the unknown unknowns, please.
Comey worked on the Whitewater investigation as a Republican attorney. Am I the only one who thinks he went a bit far in his criticism? Yes, she was wrong to use a private server. But the degree of the criticism and some of the unsubstantiated claims undermine his claim to independence and nonpartisanship, IMHO.
57
"Am I the only one who thinks that a large part of the email business has to do with Clinton being technologically illiterate and loath to give up a form of technology she knew in exchange for having to learn new systems?"
Yes, you're the only one.
Yes, you're the only one.
5
No. You most assuredly are not the only one.
1
No, New Yorker, you're not the only one. Comey sounded like an old schoolmarm wagging his finger. It's just theatre for those who care about this nonsense. I'd like to see some of the emails Comey refers to. I bet 90% were already public domain.
The uncharacteristically-speedy GOP will set out to hang the distinguished, respected James Comey in try once again to get at Hillary Clinton. The proceeding will carry the all-too familiar stench of partisan witch hunt cloaked in faux rectitude.
Instead, reasonable questions for the COUNTRY are:
1. What standards, procedures and systems should be in place to protect the security of communications?
2. Who should oversee them to see they are honored?
3. What changes are needed to move from the present to ##1 and 2?
At this point, this is what the country wants--and Democrats can, if permitted to speak--is the exploration with sober objectivity of any views Mr. Comey has on the important issues. He is eminently qualified to speak to whatever arises.
On November 8--and try as the zealots might--Son of Benghazi will not persuade the public of the suitability of Donald Trump; that the Republicans thumping the table tomorrow want all all cost that he make all federal judicial and other appointments; and they want to put his finger on the button. Ultimately, they cannot run and hide from their Leadership Choice.
Did she mess up--yes. Was it serious--yes. Should she be charged as a criminal--no. That will be Mr. Comey's testimony of unquestionable validity and sound judgment, and what the country will take away from it
Instead, reasonable questions for the COUNTRY are:
1. What standards, procedures and systems should be in place to protect the security of communications?
2. Who should oversee them to see they are honored?
3. What changes are needed to move from the present to ##1 and 2?
At this point, this is what the country wants--and Democrats can, if permitted to speak--is the exploration with sober objectivity of any views Mr. Comey has on the important issues. He is eminently qualified to speak to whatever arises.
On November 8--and try as the zealots might--Son of Benghazi will not persuade the public of the suitability of Donald Trump; that the Republicans thumping the table tomorrow want all all cost that he make all federal judicial and other appointments; and they want to put his finger on the button. Ultimately, they cannot run and hide from their Leadership Choice.
Did she mess up--yes. Was it serious--yes. Should she be charged as a criminal--no. That will be Mr. Comey's testimony of unquestionable validity and sound judgment, and what the country will take away from it
11
Can anyone picture Hillary in the data center, with a Red Bull and in a Game of Thrones teeshirt, setting up and configuring a server? Funny image, but not bloody likely. Her sys admin, who was at least in the room when it took place and ultimately responsible for the server's security, was granted immunity to get him to testify. This was a witch hunt pure and simple.
23
Trump has no money in his bank to do any attack ads anyway. It doesn't matter what his GOP team wanted to do.
4
It seems like Hilary's most "highly classified" material was in that status because the CIA insisted that the fact that it was running a drone program in Pakistan was super top secret. In fact, everybody, including the Pakistani newspapers, knew what was going on. So why is emailing about it so "extremely careless"?
I worked in the Secretary of the Air Force's office in Pentagon in the late 1960s, and was always surprised by the degree to which everybody tried to up-classify things -- maybe because it was easier than thinking about it, but maybe also because it made you feel more important if you were sending classified material. Indeed, some respected authors have noticed that a consistent side effect of CIA secrecy is that their mistakes get buried.
The overclassification disease doesn't seem to have gotten better over time then -- witness the craziness of saying that the fact of the CIA drone program is a top top secret.
Why is nobody talking whether this disease of over-classification makes Hilary slightly less culpable for not being as excited about "classified material" as the classifiers prefer?
I worked in the Secretary of the Air Force's office in Pentagon in the late 1960s, and was always surprised by the degree to which everybody tried to up-classify things -- maybe because it was easier than thinking about it, but maybe also because it made you feel more important if you were sending classified material. Indeed, some respected authors have noticed that a consistent side effect of CIA secrecy is that their mistakes get buried.
The overclassification disease doesn't seem to have gotten better over time then -- witness the craziness of saying that the fact of the CIA drone program is a top top secret.
Why is nobody talking whether this disease of over-classification makes Hilary slightly less culpable for not being as excited about "classified material" as the classifiers prefer?
42
The FBI servers have been hacked. The State Dept servers have been hacked. And Hillary Clinton did maintain security on her personal server -- which apparently other high-ranking officials who used personal servers have not done. So I'm not sure why any emails would be more secure on the official servers, which have to be obvious and identifiable targets by hostile governments waging cyber warfare. If anything, I wonder if it wouldn't be better to be constantly changing the server that these kinds of emails are on -- like changing your password frequently to evade hacking.
40
James B. Comey was appointed by President Obama in 2013 to a 10 year term of Director of the FBI. This means that if Clinton is elected he can stay on as Director until 2023, if he so desires, in spite of what he said about Clinton's handling of classified info, which puts him on Hilary's enemies list. By the same token if Trump is elected (GFB) he can't fire Comey for not recommending Clinton be indicted. Never-the-less I think both would make it difficult for him to do his job.
3
Today, I reached a personal boiling point realizing that the next president of this great country will be either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. Sure feels like "pick your poison" to me.
12
Deemed what?
"Yet for many in his own party, there was deep angst over the possibility that they could lose to a Democratic candidate who was just deemed by one of the country’s most highly respected law enforcement officials to have presided over a State Department whose lackadaisical security culture invited foreign hackers."
Can you please write grammatically correct sentences, or write clean concise ones. Thank you.
"Yet for many in his own party, there was deep angst over the possibility that they could lose to a Democratic candidate who was just deemed by one of the country’s most highly respected law enforcement officials to have presided over a State Department whose lackadaisical security culture invited foreign hackers."
Can you please write grammatically correct sentences, or write clean concise ones. Thank you.
7
Deemed ..."to have presided over a State Department whose lackadaisical security culture invited foreign hackers." It's a long sentence, but grammatically correct. I, for one, had no trouble understanding it.
7
Whenever someone does something seemingly incomprehensible, I figure that there is something other than sheer stupidity in the mix. So I look at what possible reasons that person had in doing what he/she did. Not to exonerate them, but in seeking the human component (read, negligence, laziness, self-serving) in the action.
We know that Clinton didn't just originate the use of private servers. There were precedents and intermittent uses of same which never were made public. I don't know if she could have used the official servers from home or if it was more physically convenient to use the private ones. I presume that a secretary of state with so many tiring trips, meetings, conferences, etc. would tend to use the more convenient device. We must remember that this business came out during the Benghazi hearings and if it were not for that, it might have just passed, like Powell's. Let me repeat that these speculations do not remove the responsibility for the action.
Now, I would dearly love to see those 110 suspected messages. I am sure some are important, but I am also sure that there is a lot of padding of confidentiality
and secrecy. Secret agents see danger in any written word. What we do know is that four years later, the confidential meeting that should not have been mentioned in the e-mail has not caused the roof to fall in. So, blame Clinton for imprudence, disobeying regulations and even arrogance, but at last look, we still celebrated the Fourth of July.
We know that Clinton didn't just originate the use of private servers. There were precedents and intermittent uses of same which never were made public. I don't know if she could have used the official servers from home or if it was more physically convenient to use the private ones. I presume that a secretary of state with so many tiring trips, meetings, conferences, etc. would tend to use the more convenient device. We must remember that this business came out during the Benghazi hearings and if it were not for that, it might have just passed, like Powell's. Let me repeat that these speculations do not remove the responsibility for the action.
Now, I would dearly love to see those 110 suspected messages. I am sure some are important, but I am also sure that there is a lot of padding of confidentiality
and secrecy. Secret agents see danger in any written word. What we do know is that four years later, the confidential meeting that should not have been mentioned in the e-mail has not caused the roof to fall in. So, blame Clinton for imprudence, disobeying regulations and even arrogance, but at last look, we still celebrated the Fourth of July.
12
These two articles together read like they (reporter or editor or NYTimes) is trying to start something, you know, like Iago.
I really don't think the voters care at this point. The election can't come soon enough.
I really don't think the voters care at this point. The election can't come soon enough.
8
Yes they're pouring pestilence into our ears.
You got the right wing Hillary haters on one side and the holier than thou Bernie people on the other.
I guess they're trying to appeal to both these groups.
You got the right wing Hillary haters on one side and the holier than thou Bernie people on the other.
I guess they're trying to appeal to both these groups.
1
President Hilary will he win 50 states yes. Will she win by 65% or more Yes.
9
Is that supposed to be English?
9
Trump's inexperience and incompetence are gifts that will keep on giving, and will probably save us from political suicide, but we're still left with a deeply, deeply flawed Hillary Clinton. What a choice!
In a perfect world, Mrs. Clinton would be chastened and learn from her mistakes, which include surrounding herself with sycophants who don't speak truth to her. However, I fully expect we're in for four possibly eight years of drama and Congressional investigations from a Clinton 2.0 Administration. Contrast that with Pres. Obama, whose Administration has not had a single scandal that touched him personally. It can be done.
In a perfect world, Mrs. Clinton would be chastened and learn from her mistakes, which include surrounding herself with sycophants who don't speak truth to her. However, I fully expect we're in for four possibly eight years of drama and Congressional investigations from a Clinton 2.0 Administration. Contrast that with Pres. Obama, whose Administration has not had a single scandal that touched him personally. It can be done.
7
Perhaps next time, the Republican insiders mentioned in the article can get together and bury a demagogue like Trump in the summer before the primary instead of saying, "it'll never be a guy like Trump." He's a lightweight in every sense of the term. And yet, Christie, Walker, Kasich, Bush -- actual politicians who have actually had constituents and actually accomplished something for voters -- refused to take him on until late in the year. By then it was much too late and Trump had his worshippers, largely fringe conspiracy theorist voters mixed with those who hate every part of Obama.
And one more point: the Republicans stand for very little these days. When they start to stand up for something they will get people to stand with them. Instead, when they stand for nothing, it's easy for the non-politicians (Don Trump, Herman Cain, Mike Huckabee, Ben Carson) to come in and say, "But I'm even more for nothing than you!" And this year, one of these guys actually won.
And one more point: the Republicans stand for very little these days. When they start to stand up for something they will get people to stand with them. Instead, when they stand for nothing, it's easy for the non-politicians (Don Trump, Herman Cain, Mike Huckabee, Ben Carson) to come in and say, "But I'm even more for nothing than you!" And this year, one of these guys actually won.
20
Maybe that's why Trump likes Christie. Trumps such a lightweight he thinks Christie will add some weight to his campaign. Lol
1
Yeah, sure.
The FBI announces that they found no evidence to charge her with any crime. Then the President joins her and speaks on her behalf to a cowd of thousands.
This is her "rough day"?
There appears to be no good news about Hillary Clinton that the Times can't turn into a negative.
The FBI announces that they found no evidence to charge her with any crime. Then the President joins her and speaks on her behalf to a cowd of thousands.
This is her "rough day"?
There appears to be no good news about Hillary Clinton that the Times can't turn into a negative.
48
This is what I hate about American politics. Not one cosntructive idea to make the country better, no vision to aspire to, just a strategy to assasinate the character of your opponent. Sure, other countries politicians occasionally take potshots at each other, but this is all our guys have got.
31
Having spent over 30 years in the Dept of Justice, I can tell you one penalty Hillary and her top staffers should suffer is to be stripped of their security clearances and based on what is now known, it would be highly justifiable. Having a clearance is a privilege. Without it, you are dead on arrival and in a lot of ways that would be a more severe penalty than a criminal indictment.
17
If the FBI has so much time to investigate whether or not Hillary Clinton broke any laws sending email (she didn’t) maybe the FBI could also take a close look at Donald Trump’s business affairs and count up the number of people he has swindled out of money over the years. Aside from the Trump University scam Trump also bankrupted his companies four times, defaulting on loans, each time personally profiting millions of dollars while leaving investors holding the bag.
52
There are a lot of unpleasant things you can do legally in this country. Especially if you are a business of some size. Bankruptcy and defaulting on loans are some examples.
The Trump University accusations are being pursued in court. If there was reason to refer it to the FBI by the concerned officials, it would have happened and they would be investigating. It is not a partisan attack on Hillary to check the email issue.
The Trump University accusations are being pursued in court. If there was reason to refer it to the FBI by the concerned officials, it would have happened and they would be investigating. It is not a partisan attack on Hillary to check the email issue.
1
The American people are going to be dismayed at this news from the FBI. Hillary will lose votes. I can't imagine what she was thinking.
7
People who were never going to vote for her are outraged by her latest exoneration!
6
I love it when people appoint themselves to speak for "the American people." Personally, I think it's just as likely that "the American people" will be dismayed that Republicans continue their 30-year-old campaign to assassinate Hillary Clinton's character with false charges and faux outrage that always come up empty (but that inevitably cost "the American people" tens of millions of dollars each time they fabricate another charge). Then again, maybe that's just me; I don't presume to speak for "the American people."
12
I could argue, given the persistent tick of corporate and government computer hacks, that a private "unknown" server might occasionally be more secure. But I'm just a hack, so ....
16
Actually, if that had been Hillary's justification, and if she had tried to do something to improve the security of the government's computer system, then you could so argue. As it is, you can't.
1
Excuse me? I can always argue a point.
Yawn- will election day just get here, already! The FBI conveniently eliminated the virulent strain of FELONY that is replete in HRC's actions and the GOP refused to rebut because their "guy" is a reprehensible goon. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely....blah blah blah what more can really be said about these two repugnant candidates. SMH.
7
Clinton is doing a great job of losing without Trump's help.
14
Gee, what a shock. The NY Times hyping the same dumb scandal they drove last summer. Maybe they could dust off Jeff Gerth's old Whitewater stories while they're at it. Or maybe Travelgate?
14
Regarding Donald Trump's politics, to quote Warren Zevon: "Excitable boy they all said, well he's just an excitable boy."
8
What’s there to attack? The republicans have been screaming hell and high water about the emails for months.
They are now surprised that there is no criminal prosecution or that they could not draw blood?
Sorry, show’s over folks. Time to get on with the real world and focus on electing a real president.
They are now surprised that there is no criminal prosecution or that they could not draw blood?
Sorry, show’s over folks. Time to get on with the real world and focus on electing a real president.
29
A few words for Mr. Walsh if I may. While Mrs. Clinton can be accused of exercising bad judgment, there is no crime here. In fact, with most things GOP, there is no 'there' there. Yet they insist on committees to investigate 'vapor' while they spend taxpayer dollars. You'd think they'd learn that if a crime were provable, an indictment would follow and heaven knows for most of the last several decades many on the GOP side have tried to prove crimes committed by the Clintons. Again, no there is there.
As for Trump, he is not presidential. He is another member of the lucky sperm club who managed to parlay a million into more.
Has he learned anything? Well, he knows how to avoid taxes and bills. Yet he is edified for little more than luck, avoidance and tweeting.
Expect not much and you will be happier. As for the rest of the GOP professional politicians they helped create this guy and have abdicated their souls in a sense.
This is not the end of the world from the FBI, it is a reprimand and a reminder.
And for you, Trump, Petraeus did pass on secure material to a mistress so not far less. The sky is not falling, nothing broke and us grown ups will move on.
As for Trump, he is not presidential. He is another member of the lucky sperm club who managed to parlay a million into more.
Has he learned anything? Well, he knows how to avoid taxes and bills. Yet he is edified for little more than luck, avoidance and tweeting.
Expect not much and you will be happier. As for the rest of the GOP professional politicians they helped create this guy and have abdicated their souls in a sense.
This is not the end of the world from the FBI, it is a reprimand and a reminder.
And for you, Trump, Petraeus did pass on secure material to a mistress so not far less. The sky is not falling, nothing broke and us grown ups will move on.
21
Only in Republican politics would Orlando and Brexit be viewed as missed opportunities.
23
No doubt about it, mishandling classified information is a serious matter, and the FBI did their job. In a different political environment, this might have meant something more significant, and possibly unraveled Hillary Clinton's candidacy. Unfortunately, Republicans cannot escape the disaster that they created in the form of Trump. The choices before us now seem be between "flawed" and "psychopath."
8
I'm getting soooooooooo tired of hearing about Hilary being a "flawed candidate". Who the heck isn't flawed? You? Could you do a better job?
Give it a rest - Mr. and Mrs. Perfect.
Give it a rest - Mr. and Mrs. Perfect.
56
Such a strong argument for the leader of the free world.
The fact is this: she'll win the election, but she only represents the rich.
When more than half of the country hates her and doesn't trust her, we are in for 4 more years of Clinton drama.
The fact is this: she'll win the election, but she only represents the rich.
When more than half of the country hates her and doesn't trust her, we are in for 4 more years of Clinton drama.
2
Well, as I just said elsewhere, "flawed" is the new euphemism for "corrupt and rotten to the core." So who the heck isn't flawed? Quite a few people, I imagine, some of whom are even qualified to be president. It wouldn't take much to find candidates better qualified than what's currently on offer.
1
I suspect we will be hearing alot about this over the next 4 to 5 months. I simply cannot wait for the debates. Hillary is a serially liar as well as incompetent, and that is undeniable.
7
And Trump is better?
Ten times worse.
Then go look at his budget. Tax cuts for the wealthy and a big increase in the deficit just as Obama has reduced it by more than 2/3.
Ten times worse.
Then go look at his budget. Tax cuts for the wealthy and a big increase in the deficit just as Obama has reduced it by more than 2/3.
4
The Republican base primary voters brought this on the party. We know who these folks are and what they believe. I do not have any sympathy for the big shot GOP strategists as they pour vodka into their morning cornflakes. They thought they could harness a racist, xenophobic, homophobic, evangelical nutcase group of folks decade after decade with cleverly coded words and then Trump talks to them like he does to his golf buddies. Too bad Republicans, so sad. Can only hope this Republican fail reaches into the state houses as well.
22
If Trump was the genuine article that America is looking for, it be a lock and game over already. But, he is giving us the genuine Trump article.
Yesterday, instead of seizing another opportunity to sound Presidential, we get his latest conspiracy theory that the USAG and the Head of the FBI, have jointly conspired to break the law. And Saddam was a killer, who got the job done...
There will be no *pivot*. He's not wanting to learn. It not relevant that he's a different guy off camera and he has an amazing family. He is exactly who he presents himself to be, its all about Trump, or as he wanted us to call him decades ago, The Donald. Nothing has changed. Nothing will change.
No, in this summer of his unconventional campaigning via Twitter and TrumpFest concerts, he will continue to broadcast down this free news cycle path to its final and inevitable failed conclusion.
What is amazing now, is how Speaker Ryan, and the mainstream Republican - and Christian - Leaders, continue to hold out hope for some kind of hope of a resurrection from a guy who doesn't sound, or act, very much like their vision of a Republican.
What comment does he have to make, Twitter does he need to send, group does he have to insult, before they step away? Or, is it just their abject hatred of HRC is so blinding that anyone is acceptable?
Yesterday, instead of seizing another opportunity to sound Presidential, we get his latest conspiracy theory that the USAG and the Head of the FBI, have jointly conspired to break the law. And Saddam was a killer, who got the job done...
There will be no *pivot*. He's not wanting to learn. It not relevant that he's a different guy off camera and he has an amazing family. He is exactly who he presents himself to be, its all about Trump, or as he wanted us to call him decades ago, The Donald. Nothing has changed. Nothing will change.
No, in this summer of his unconventional campaigning via Twitter and TrumpFest concerts, he will continue to broadcast down this free news cycle path to its final and inevitable failed conclusion.
What is amazing now, is how Speaker Ryan, and the mainstream Republican - and Christian - Leaders, continue to hold out hope for some kind of hope of a resurrection from a guy who doesn't sound, or act, very much like their vision of a Republican.
What comment does he have to make, Twitter does he need to send, group does he have to insult, before they step away? Or, is it just their abject hatred of HRC is so blinding that anyone is acceptable?
15
For the 50 million Hillary voters there is nothing to this email story, end of story.
2
They already used it to drop her approval rating 25 points. What more should they hope for? I mean besides a candidate who can beat her.
5
We should All be ashamed--
1
Why isn't the media talking more about Trump's crooked real estate deals?
Just last week there was an article in a major West Coast newspaper about how Trumped had duped many people out of their life savings because he told them he was going to build condos for them in Mexico.
Trump stole $32 million from them and never built a thing in Mexico.
Trump then went on to say that the developers lost all that money and not him. What a crock.
Where's the non-stop daily media reports about that?
Just last week there was an article in a major West Coast newspaper about how Trumped had duped many people out of their life savings because he told them he was going to build condos for them in Mexico.
Trump stole $32 million from them and never built a thing in Mexico.
Trump then went on to say that the developers lost all that money and not him. What a crock.
Where's the non-stop daily media reports about that?
15
When will the media stop falling for the sucker punch that Donald Trump keeps hitting the public with since he started running his campaign? Recently, David Brooks briefly touched on how the Republican Party realized they couldn’t win in 2016 with another Romney or McCain type. But attacking the government establishment in unconventional and unpredictable ways, might have a chance.
Not only does Trump spend few campaign funds by of using the media to widely broadcast his sexist, racist, isolationist, and incomprehensible economic and foreign policy comments, but he also cons them into using him as a foil to launch even more outrageous attacks on his presumed opponent – ““He’s making somebody who should be sitting in a jail cell look like the sane choice for president,” said a national security aide to Mitt Romney in 2012.
Republicans incessantly bemoaning the fate of their party by criticizing Trump’s excesses never miss the opportunity to mention that he may not win against the most historically unlikeable, unpopular, untrustworthy candidate ever. That’s a pretty obvious strategy – why doesn’t’ the media pick up on this?
Al Gore lost partially because he was painted as boring, and his presidential qualities were overlooked. What would be worse is if the media in 2016 sink Hillary’s chances by skewing their reporting to a popularity contest and not one of evaluating her abilities to run our country.
Not only does Trump spend few campaign funds by of using the media to widely broadcast his sexist, racist, isolationist, and incomprehensible economic and foreign policy comments, but he also cons them into using him as a foil to launch even more outrageous attacks on his presumed opponent – ““He’s making somebody who should be sitting in a jail cell look like the sane choice for president,” said a national security aide to Mitt Romney in 2012.
Republicans incessantly bemoaning the fate of their party by criticizing Trump’s excesses never miss the opportunity to mention that he may not win against the most historically unlikeable, unpopular, untrustworthy candidate ever. That’s a pretty obvious strategy – why doesn’t’ the media pick up on this?
Al Gore lost partially because he was painted as boring, and his presidential qualities were overlooked. What would be worse is if the media in 2016 sink Hillary’s chances by skewing their reporting to a popularity contest and not one of evaluating her abilities to run our country.
3
Why can't the Clinton campaign seize this opportunity to hammer at Donald Trump's complete inability to seize an opportunity? Hillary can make some serious lemonade here, by calling into question Trump's ability to act swiftly and competently on behalf of our country to fast-moving developments, whether they be economic, diplomatic, militarily, whatever.
A bank robber wouldn't be a better branch manager simply because he - or she(?) - knows how to crack a safe.
Perhaps if he chose "Tweety Bird" for his veep, he could then concentrate on the really big things wrong with the Democratic nominee: that she is "very very competent."
2
Trump's purpose in everything is to drive voters to Clinton. He is not a Republican; he is a very crafty man that is enjoying manipulating the media and the American public while doing a big favor for his "yuge" friends, the Clintons
2
When will the media, the Democrats and the Clinton machine stop controlling our country? It has become an ongoing saga, an obvious violation of honesty, a dastardly obstruction of anything "just" to most Americans who have a moral compass of right and wrong. The lies, the vicious political dramas, the lack of trust in all things, and people in the government, have ruined our country. And, on the day Comey was giving his assessment of Clinton, she was out campaigning with Obama who was at her side to tout her excellence. To say she is above the law, is meager. To say she is dishonest is trite. This is a deeply flawed, psychologically challenged woman, who is addicted to,power, greed and her own ego. She would kill her best friend to get to the Presidency. Her life is a lie. Her marriage is a lie. And, now, because of her husband, the role he plays, along with her David Brock driven super PAC, all she has to say is "what difference does it make?" She's been slapped on the wrist where others have been imprisoned. She's been given a free pass. Because "the FBI can't even find the deleted emails" among their other clams, she gets reprimanded...or should we say, Comey had to say something/anything to make it look impartial? The American people are smart. Really smart. Washington has no clue. And, she is the worst offender of them all. And, has been for nearly forty years in her quest for the White House.
5
So now I hear that the republicans in Congress are going after the FBI director to demand why he DIDN'T indict Clinton. He does them the favor of tossing in ad libs against her, and this is how they thank him, the ungrateful curs. There is literally no end to the extent of their determination to bring her down. Those who call her right-wing or republican should wonder why the republicans have been crazy after harming her for decades now. They fear she will stand for us, after all. She tried as a young woman for healthcare for our people, and they handed her her head for it. Her allies scampered off, and she learned then what fire the right could bring upon her--and in a time when a woman was mocked for her hair, or her clothing, or her voice without any hindrance or rebuke at all. I can't believe she can come through this madness and still be sane, decent, and confident. But she can.
And a maelstrom for this? E-mails--no, not like Colin Powell--as Clinton's attackers say, he "only had a private e-mail account, not a server!" He had AOL. Can you imagine? The SOS had an AOL account for his business!!! Now, that's safe? Geez Louise. Give it up, guys. No doubt about it; I'm with her.
And a maelstrom for this? E-mails--no, not like Colin Powell--as Clinton's attackers say, he "only had a private e-mail account, not a server!" He had AOL. Can you imagine? The SOS had an AOL account for his business!!! Now, that's safe? Geez Louise. Give it up, guys. No doubt about it; I'm with her.
31
And, according to the Inspector General, Sec. Powell then *destroyed* all of his official emails, which was a clear, unequivocal, and blatant violation of the Federal Records Act. But he was a Republican, so "nothing to see here, folks. Move along."
4
A very conservative friend wrote that for Hillary, in this case, "Ignorance of the law is no defense."
But isn't the telling point of law here a matter of intent?
Prosecutors seldom indict white collar criminals because intent to do injury is so difficult to prove. The defense is not: "I was ignorant of the law." The defense is: "What I did was a mistake, and I am sorry and will never do it again, but I did not directly intend to injure anyone."
If I remember correctly, General Petraeus got off pretty lightly, even though he had handed over hard-copies of classified materials to his author-mistress, in order to aid her in writing his biography.
We all know the rule of law is such that nothing is worthy of indictment if it concerns people who wear white collars, and commit crimes involving the shuffling of papers and computer files, unless, of course, the shuffler is a whistleblower.
The business of America is business and politics is merely business by other means. The standard for ascribing direct, injurious intent must be set very high, lest too many polipigticians, finagliaciers, banksters and CEOligarchs end up in jail. We just can't have that happen to our best and brightest. Such mass incarcerations would disrupt the well-honed efficiency of business as usual.
But isn't the telling point of law here a matter of intent?
Prosecutors seldom indict white collar criminals because intent to do injury is so difficult to prove. The defense is not: "I was ignorant of the law." The defense is: "What I did was a mistake, and I am sorry and will never do it again, but I did not directly intend to injure anyone."
If I remember correctly, General Petraeus got off pretty lightly, even though he had handed over hard-copies of classified materials to his author-mistress, in order to aid her in writing his biography.
We all know the rule of law is such that nothing is worthy of indictment if it concerns people who wear white collars, and commit crimes involving the shuffling of papers and computer files, unless, of course, the shuffler is a whistleblower.
The business of America is business and politics is merely business by other means. The standard for ascribing direct, injurious intent must be set very high, lest too many polipigticians, finagliaciers, banksters and CEOligarchs end up in jail. We just can't have that happen to our best and brightest. Such mass incarcerations would disrupt the well-honed efficiency of business as usual.
3
@Andrew G.: And then Patreus lied to the Feds about what he had done. It's *that* crime that usually lands the offender in the pokey (although not Patreus). Think Martha Stewart. So, no, Trump's false equivalency with Patreus was another lie from the serial liar that, as you point out, was materially different from the non-criminal behavior in this case.
2
Has anyone ever thought that D.T. has created his own Sham Candidacy?
2
I've been reading the NYT for a very long time, on paper before there was an internet, and more conveniently now. The NYT has been successful in exploiting the expanded potential that online news offers, more successfully than any competitor. IIRC, the NYT has over 1M paid online subscribers.
With that in mind, I have never seen such clickbait here as I do now, from misleading headlines to Op-Eds by discredited shills for that industry or that cause. I cannot fathom why they need to do it. Perhaps the Public Editor can explain, assuming that there will be another one since Margaret Sullivan left.
With that in mind, I have never seen such clickbait here as I do now, from misleading headlines to Op-Eds by discredited shills for that industry or that cause. I cannot fathom why they need to do it. Perhaps the Public Editor can explain, assuming that there will be another one since Margaret Sullivan left.
9
What, exactly, is the point of this article? More like a junkie demanding its fix than a news organization reporting on anything.
Get back to us when you have something substantive to say.
Get back to us when you have something substantive to say.
11
The Republican party created the situation they are in: through talk radio and Fox News, they wooed and cajoled and groomed those voters who today might put Trump in office. The Republicans essentially created Trump, now they need to man-up and own it. Take responsibility for what you have done. Embrace your anti-government, anti-science, anti-education populace from whom for years, you have gleefully gathered all those votes by playing off social fears, racism, and whipping up entertainment rather than government. Those voters do not want to be governed; they want to be served and entertained. They want Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh and Anne Coulter - Voila, congratulations, you got it! Their Harry Potter patronus is the Republican Nominee!
13
House Republicans are a national disgrace. They spend all of their time obstructing and investigating. Ryan is proving that he has no spine, just like Boehner, who couldn't control the crazies in his caucus. Instead of devoting time to real issues like gun control, immigration, and the economy they would rather put the country through more pointless and costly partisan investigations. They have no interest in governing. Historians will look back and judge them to be negligent in their duties as "legislators." They will continue to investigate and then get thumped again in another November landslide.
4
I am not happy with Hillary using a private e-mail server.
But Republicans don't complain about the George Bush private e-mail server in the White House at the time: gwb43.com hosted by the RNC.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_White_House_email_controversy
Estimates run from 5 million to 22 million e-mails deleted and lost. And it was to try to dismiss attorney generals Republicans didn't like.
And while I don't like Hillary having a private e-mail server, she did it because she knew Republicans would take pick and choose from any e-mails they could get using the freedom of information act.
But there is no finding of Clinton doing any harm with the e-mail server.
Remember when Mitt Romney spliced an Obama speech with the words "you didn't build that."
And that's why Republicans wanted a closed door Benghazi hearing with Clinton instead of the one open to cameras where Republicans came off looking pretty bad.
I have neighbors who still believe the Clintons had Vince Foster murdered.
We have real problems to solve. But Republicans don't care about solving poverty or health care or global warming.
And they know this kind of culture wars and Clinton conspiracy news and talk of founding fathers and patriotism gets votes.
There is a reason Forbes ranks Denmark number 1 for business and ranks the US number 22.
Don't these Republicans care about the future of this country for their children and grandchildren?
But Republicans don't complain about the George Bush private e-mail server in the White House at the time: gwb43.com hosted by the RNC.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_White_House_email_controversy
Estimates run from 5 million to 22 million e-mails deleted and lost. And it was to try to dismiss attorney generals Republicans didn't like.
And while I don't like Hillary having a private e-mail server, she did it because she knew Republicans would take pick and choose from any e-mails they could get using the freedom of information act.
But there is no finding of Clinton doing any harm with the e-mail server.
Remember when Mitt Romney spliced an Obama speech with the words "you didn't build that."
And that's why Republicans wanted a closed door Benghazi hearing with Clinton instead of the one open to cameras where Republicans came off looking pretty bad.
I have neighbors who still believe the Clintons had Vince Foster murdered.
We have real problems to solve. But Republicans don't care about solving poverty or health care or global warming.
And they know this kind of culture wars and Clinton conspiracy news and talk of founding fathers and patriotism gets votes.
There is a reason Forbes ranks Denmark number 1 for business and ranks the US number 22.
Don't these Republicans care about the future of this country for their children and grandchildren?
11
Problem here is George W, Cheney, Condelleza, et. al. doing the same without even an investigation. Too late to cry wolf on this. Seems HRC is just a target for anything her opponents can think up. Law is politicized by partisan shenanigans .
11
How is that after 20 children are massacred at school in Connecticut and 49 people slaughtered in Orlando, Paul Ryan and the Republican-controlled House can see no point in rushing into tightening up gun laws? But when the incorruptible head of the FBI concludes that a Democratic presidential candidate's negligent handling of email does not quite meet the standard for criminal prosecution, the Republican-controlled Senate and House can slap together hearings almost before the FBI director finishes speaking?
14
It is rigged. Trump and the Republican party are taking a fall. For some reason it is their undeclared mission to lose the election. Think it through. There is no other logical explanation.
2
Republicans missed an opportunity? Surely several thousand of the 30,000 emails sent to clintonmail.com were by Republican officials. Yet, from 2009-2012 they missed an opportunity to alert officials of a potential security breach of US intelligence and protect the welfare of our country. It only became a opportunity for the Republicans in 2015 when it became political after Hillary announced her candidacy.
9
Let's see .... the email server was set up ... um ... in 2008, no? Exactly when did Intelligence-America notice it outside the boundaries, and why wasn't it merely corrected then? 2008 right? This is 2016.
So we turn it around for the FBI: did you know about that server, and if so, when did you know it? If you did not know about it, why not?
So we turn it around for the FBI: did you know about that server, and if so, when did you know it? If you did not know about it, why not?
6
"Although we did not find clear evidence that Secretary Clinton or her colleagues intended to violate laws governing the handling of classified information," - She did not "intent" to violate laws, but she did in fact violate laws. Only white collar crimes consider "intent".
"To be clear, this is not to suggest that in similar circumstances, a person who engaged in this activity would face no consequences. To the contrary, those individuals are often subject to security or administrative sanctions. But that is not what we are deciding now." In other words, if Mr. Vladeck had committed this action, he would be placed in a Federal prison.
"Intent" is not required for all the relevant statutes, although the evidence suggests HRC 'intended' to avoid FOIA requests - an angle that's been under-reported, but is a more likely motive than 'convenience' for the US Secretary of State, who could, certainly, have gotten the federal government to provide all sorts of conveniences - but on government owned equipment...subject to all sorts of public records disclosure.
Think about it, friends.
http://nypost.com/2015/09/27/yes-hillary-clinton-broke-the-law/
Clinton violated US law. Mr. Comey said as much then engaged in some sophistry re the "intent" element that, if you bother to look, isn't an element
The FBI decided not to press charges, for unclear reasons but here's a guess:
The Deep State wants Hillary for the war on Iran, to be justified on the fiction of Iranian nukes.
"To be clear, this is not to suggest that in similar circumstances, a person who engaged in this activity would face no consequences. To the contrary, those individuals are often subject to security or administrative sanctions. But that is not what we are deciding now." In other words, if Mr. Vladeck had committed this action, he would be placed in a Federal prison.
"Intent" is not required for all the relevant statutes, although the evidence suggests HRC 'intended' to avoid FOIA requests - an angle that's been under-reported, but is a more likely motive than 'convenience' for the US Secretary of State, who could, certainly, have gotten the federal government to provide all sorts of conveniences - but on government owned equipment...subject to all sorts of public records disclosure.
Think about it, friends.
http://nypost.com/2015/09/27/yes-hillary-clinton-broke-the-law/
Clinton violated US law. Mr. Comey said as much then engaged in some sophistry re the "intent" element that, if you bother to look, isn't an element
The FBI decided not to press charges, for unclear reasons but here's a guess:
The Deep State wants Hillary for the war on Iran, to be justified on the fiction of Iranian nukes.
4
Op Research has not even began on Trump, well probably. Just wait till the general election. Mob ties, etc... see Democracy Now on most PBS stations. Hands up to Amy Goodman and Juan!
4
History will judge us harshly when we elect Trump because of Hillary's emails. How ridiculous. And comparing to Petreus who actually gave someone classified information, that was intentional. Hillary did nothing intentional. And, hilariously, the most hacked computers in the world are the U.S. government's. As a former employee, all my info has been hacked by China, including all my emails.
Watching FOX (not on purpose) at the gym, it was full-tilt Hillary emails. You would think there was no other news. And as someone pointed out, who is the FBI director to decide what is reckless. Once he determined no criminality should have been the end of it.
Watching FOX (not on purpose) at the gym, it was full-tilt Hillary emails. You would think there was no other news. And as someone pointed out, who is the FBI director to decide what is reckless. Once he determined no criminality should have been the end of it.
8
As far as 21st Century campaigning goes, don't dismiss the reach of Twitter and other social media. Trump, who will go down in flames in November because he is a slobbering loon, seems at least to grasp that better than either of Obama's opponents did. There were Romney and McCain supporters who had barely heard of Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, texting, or even email, who went to bed on election night believing the Republican had won because all they pay attention to is FOX News.
4
No harm done. Now let's get on with discussing the real issues: a do-nothing obstructionist Repub Congress which wastes our tax $ on witch hunts, dealing with terrorists, banning assault weapons, providing good healthcare for all Americans, making higher education affordable. And let's stop giving looney-tunes Trump so much attention, feeding his giant ego. Onward and upward.
11
Mr. Walsh says, "He's just demonstrating he is unable or willing to appear presidential when required". How about he is just NOT presidential and doesn't know a thing about anything. Just a nasty blowhard.
Would someone offer DJT a TV series where he and his family can pretend
to be the first family and we can be done with them. This is the real deal, not a reality TV show. Hard to fathom why Jared Kushner would stand behind such a racist, not to mention Chris Christie who prosecuted Jareds father and put him in jail.
Would someone offer DJT a TV series where he and his family can pretend
to be the first family and we can be done with them. This is the real deal, not a reality TV show. Hard to fathom why Jared Kushner would stand behind such a racist, not to mention Chris Christie who prosecuted Jareds father and put him in jail.
2
As much as I dislike Trump, these are stunningly serious transgressions on the part of Ms. Clinton. It looks like she lied in past statements, and although she's not being indicted, she could have been (and many are quite reasonably saying she should have been). Presidential? No way.
The electorate is now trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea.
Two abysmal choices.
Profoundly depressing.
The electorate is now trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea.
Two abysmal choices.
Profoundly depressing.
9
Can we vote 'no' for president?
5
Why should a law enforcement officer like Cooney get to have it both ways? His job was only to see if Clinton's use of a private email server was a prosecutable offense, not to opine or scold. After a lengthy investigation, he found no precedent for indictment given situations where similar practices were found to occur. He should have left it at that. Throwing a bone to Clinton's political opponents was unprofessional and unseemly for someone who, until now, had enjoyed unparalleled bipartisan. respect
16
He essentially said that, although guilty of crimes, Clinton should not be prosecuted, because it would be destabilizing to the US. Comey decided to make public the relevant information and not interfere in the people's election. If HRC were equally a patriot she would have stepped aside, early in life.
1
We have become such a shallow personality driven culture that our politics have gotten to this point. Too many view this election through the prism of criminal vs. nutjob. Maybe some world leaders are not dynamic personalities but there is a hope if not demand for some substance in their politics. Instead the most fortunate country in the world loses its capacity for competence or moral leadership while whining about needing to be great again. Small wonder that the younger cohort in the world looks at us and just shakes its head in wonder rather than admiration.
3
While everyone is busy waiting for Mr. Trump to "appear Presidential", Secretary Clinton is actually being Presidential, Mr. Comey's comments not withstanding.
Mr. Trump is supposed to be a great showman, and presidential politics are all about showmanship. Mrs Clintons arrival with the President on Air Force One makes "Trump one" arrivals pale in comparison.
Note to Trump; when one wants to "appear Presidential", one shouldn't laud praise on Sadam Hussein, unless of course, you're running for President of Russia.
However, as a Clinton supporter, I think the Donald is doing an awesome job and should keep running his campaign as he is....That is, not at all.
Mr. Trump is supposed to be a great showman, and presidential politics are all about showmanship. Mrs Clintons arrival with the President on Air Force One makes "Trump one" arrivals pale in comparison.
Note to Trump; when one wants to "appear Presidential", one shouldn't laud praise on Sadam Hussein, unless of course, you're running for President of Russia.
However, as a Clinton supporter, I think the Donald is doing an awesome job and should keep running his campaign as he is....That is, not at all.
12
Presidential?
She is a publicly vetted liar and incompetent!
She is a publicly vetted liar and incompetent!
6
Trump is not only the GOP nominee, he is the heart, mind, and soul of the party. Conservatives are fooling themselves if they believe there is any difference whatsoever between Trump and themselves. He's a combination of sleazy, clueless, and mean-spirited Republican leaders, and worse, their voters. They all deserve each other!
I'm with her.
I'm with her.
17
The Republicans have none to blame but themselves. They stooped to the lowest common denominator of the citizenry, namely uneducated bigots and racists. Donald Trump is a monster 8 years in the making. This is what they deserve.
15
But is Hillary what the Democrats deserve? God help us all!
3
No, she is certainly not. And I hate the thought of voting for her, but if its between her and Trump, it's not even a question that Hillary is the lesser evil.
1
The fact that the Republicans are no demanding and investigation of the investigation makes it clear what an utter witch-hunt this all was -- they are in a rage that they didn't get the outcome they wanted; Hillary in jail.
You've got Noonan saying "“He’s making somebody who should be sitting in a jail cell look like the sane choice for president."
"Hillary in jail" was their talking point and fantasy, and it never was going to happen, and Comey told them why, and now they want to investigate Comey.
Petraeus -- Petraeus is why. He intentionally leaked classified material to his lover and then lied about it ... and that was a misdemeanor. With that, HRC gets a walk, as far as prosecution is concerned.
And yes Mr. Noonan -- if you didn't have a nutball neo-fascist El Lider Boca Grande as your candidate ... something might still be made of it.
But you've got the most unstable, unqualified, narcissistic grifter who has ever represented a major party. Let me make it clear to you that as a Democrat ... if we were cursed with Trump there are a long list of Republicans I'd vote for in an instant -- John Kasich, John McCain, Mitt Romney, JEB if he could get the nomination. It would be harder to vote for Rubio because i think he is nothing more than Braman's wind-up toy ... but guess what? If the choice was Trump or Rubio -- I'd vote Rublio.
He's all yours though. You built him. Watching the GOP get its-oh-so-just-desserts is the most glorious schadenfreude.
You've got Noonan saying "“He’s making somebody who should be sitting in a jail cell look like the sane choice for president."
"Hillary in jail" was their talking point and fantasy, and it never was going to happen, and Comey told them why, and now they want to investigate Comey.
Petraeus -- Petraeus is why. He intentionally leaked classified material to his lover and then lied about it ... and that was a misdemeanor. With that, HRC gets a walk, as far as prosecution is concerned.
And yes Mr. Noonan -- if you didn't have a nutball neo-fascist El Lider Boca Grande as your candidate ... something might still be made of it.
But you've got the most unstable, unqualified, narcissistic grifter who has ever represented a major party. Let me make it clear to you that as a Democrat ... if we were cursed with Trump there are a long list of Republicans I'd vote for in an instant -- John Kasich, John McCain, Mitt Romney, JEB if he could get the nomination. It would be harder to vote for Rubio because i think he is nothing more than Braman's wind-up toy ... but guess what? If the choice was Trump or Rubio -- I'd vote Rublio.
He's all yours though. You built him. Watching the GOP get its-oh-so-just-desserts is the most glorious schadenfreude.
9
Hillary Clinton has been hounded and investigated since here name first appeared in print, and no guilt has ever been proven. With the amount of time and money spent investigating her wouldn't you think that anything of any substance would have come out by now? We have seen nothing but a constant barrage of accusations which amount to a tar and feathering without any case upheld or crime revealed. She has been punished without being found guilty. She may be unlikeable to some, but that is not a crime; in fact, in a man, it would be considered a sign of leadership skills. Here is a woman who has held the office of senator and secretary of state, and we are questioning her qualifications for president over a snake oil salesman who has never held public office and won't come clean on his personal finances whose only talents are a penchant for insult, sociopathic self-promotion, and the serial rip-off of everyone he has ever done business with. Strange times.
26
Mrs. Clinton is a greater threat to the United States as president than the also flawed Donald Trump. Mrs. Clinton will do or say anything to promote her own personal interests without any compunction or care for what is good for the United States.
5
Since a reputable paper the like nytimes isn't posting it, I will. Here are the relevant statutes at issue:
18 U.S.C., Section 793(f) - Gathering, transmitting or losing defense information
Whoever, being entrusted with..national security documents...through gross negligence permits the same to be removed from its proper place of custody..shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
18 U.S. Code § 1924 - Unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents or material
(a) Whoever, . . . becomes possessed of documents or materials containing classified information of the United States, knowingly removes such documents or materials without authority and with the intent to retain such documents or materials at an unauthorized location shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
Hillary knowingly, intentionally, and even insisted on setting up a private server without authorization from the US State Department. She also knew classified (including top secret) information would be received and sent through the private server. You don't need to have intent to break these laws, as Comey suggests. Under 18 USC 1924(a) you only need "intent to retain such documents or materials at an unauthorized location." Under 18 USC 793(f), you only need "gross negligence permit[ting] [national security documents] to be removed from its proper place of custody." Both are easily satisfied here.
18 U.S.C., Section 793(f) - Gathering, transmitting or losing defense information
Whoever, being entrusted with..national security documents...through gross negligence permits the same to be removed from its proper place of custody..shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
18 U.S. Code § 1924 - Unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents or material
(a) Whoever, . . . becomes possessed of documents or materials containing classified information of the United States, knowingly removes such documents or materials without authority and with the intent to retain such documents or materials at an unauthorized location shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
Hillary knowingly, intentionally, and even insisted on setting up a private server without authorization from the US State Department. She also knew classified (including top secret) information would be received and sent through the private server. You don't need to have intent to break these laws, as Comey suggests. Under 18 USC 1924(a) you only need "intent to retain such documents or materials at an unauthorized location." Under 18 USC 793(f), you only need "gross negligence permit[ting] [national security documents] to be removed from its proper place of custody." Both are easily satisfied here.
5
gosh James...YOU should be head of FBI...You obviously have a better understanding of the law. Now get back to work researching the many ways Comey failed so spectacularly
4
Lots of internet lawyers weighing in on this. Too bad when they power down they go back to being fry cooks.
4
you don't need to be the head of the FBI to look up the law or understand it, although a legal education does help. But it's really not that complicated. Also, i'm done with my research. Took about 10 minutes.
I am so sick and tired of this witch hunt. And the NYT is culpable too by printing this piece and it obvious slant. Anyone who cannot not see that HRC is the better choice here is either crazy or obtuse or both. The woman has been harassed over something Rice and Powell did while in office, and the State Department effectively ignored for 4 years while she was in office. If the State Department's IT and security is so poorly run that no one noticed where her emails were originating I feel that is the real story here. Whomever was in charge of securing emails should have alerted her to stop using the server if it was such an issue. The truth is it was not a real issue but a manufactured one by the GOP who were so afraid of HRC they spent millions of tax payer dollars, again, investigating nothing.
20
I agree, a lot of talk about distractions while we have real problems with education, health care, global warming, poverty, Social Security, etc.
All I hear from most Republicans are Hillary's e-mail server (after they finally gave up on Benghazi) the flag, founding fathers, and culture wars.
At the same time I hear Paul Ryan say we need to cut more taxes for "the job creators" and cut back on Social Security.
One would think after 35 years of Reaganomics and now the Kansas experiment, they would realize the harm they are doing to this country for their children and grandchildren.
All I hear from most Republicans are Hillary's e-mail server (after they finally gave up on Benghazi) the flag, founding fathers, and culture wars.
At the same time I hear Paul Ryan say we need to cut more taxes for "the job creators" and cut back on Social Security.
One would think after 35 years of Reaganomics and now the Kansas experiment, they would realize the harm they are doing to this country for their children and grandchildren.
2
She wanted to avoid a second blackberry for personal emails.
First, a blackberry isn't that big and she had plenty of assistants.
Second, if she was at work, she shouldn't be checking personal emails anyway.
First, a blackberry isn't that big and she had plenty of assistants.
Second, if she was at work, she shouldn't be checking personal emails anyway.
So yet another Clinton "scandal" evaporates as the nothingburger it always was, despite Comey's unprofessional editiorializing on the matter. Once again, Republicans get Kleenex and tea and sympathy from the press to whine and sob about how unfair it all is. The GOP has been trying to "get" the Clintons since 1992, from Whitewater (pushed hard by this paper) all the way to this latest circus, wasting who knows how many millions of taxpayer dollars in the process. Hating the Clintons has become practically a cottage industry in D.C., and entire careers are based on it at FOX "news." Kind of like conspiracy theorists who believe in aliens from outer space at Area 51, there's never been any evidence to back this belief up but they just KNOW there's "something there."
Frankly it's time to give this carnival a rest because it's gotten very, very old. Is Clinton a perfect candidate? Far from it. But the GOP is prepared to nominate a boorish, misogynist clown so grotesquely unqualified for the presidency it makes the entire system a joke; if it was a screenplay no one would possibly believe it. Hillary may have her flaws, but I'd feel far more comfortable with her having the nuclear codes than the overgrown toddler she's campaigning against. Speaking of which, it's also time for the media to stop wallowing in "get Hillary" stories and do their job, starting with demanding that Trump turn over his tax returns.
Frankly it's time to give this carnival a rest because it's gotten very, very old. Is Clinton a perfect candidate? Far from it. But the GOP is prepared to nominate a boorish, misogynist clown so grotesquely unqualified for the presidency it makes the entire system a joke; if it was a screenplay no one would possibly believe it. Hillary may have her flaws, but I'd feel far more comfortable with her having the nuclear codes than the overgrown toddler she's campaigning against. Speaking of which, it's also time for the media to stop wallowing in "get Hillary" stories and do their job, starting with demanding that Trump turn over his tax returns.
12
These GOP analysts are clueless - Trump is the product of your Reaganomics. Nobody cares what Jeb Bush thinks. About anything.
3
Great time for a serious third party candidate to emerge and get propelled to the top by current amazing spurts of volcanic discontent from a nauseated public, here and abroad
3
News flash: Trump doesn't want to win the presidency as evidenced by the material in this article amongst other things circulating. People that know Trump or have worked with him say he is smart and calculating. He's a master entertainer and a con man and everyone is falling for it. He has nothing to lose here- he is in over his head and he knows it. He will just go back to his old lifestyle when in contrast the presidency is HRC's life goal to feed her own narcissism. He may be a narcissist but he knows exactly what he's doing.
1
“Imagine Jeb Bush looking disappointed "
Uh yeah, sure. For some reason that image doesn't work for me.
Uh yeah, sure. For some reason that image doesn't work for me.
2
Haha indeed! More like hiding a gleeful chortle behind his hand.
1
It isn't the Republicans who've missed opportunities. It's the Democrats.
Perhaps Hillary was justly criticized for what she did, but after a thousand Republican led investigations of her foreign policy errors, when are Democrats in Congress going to call for an investigation of criminal wrong-doing in Bush & Cheney's leading the country into an entire unnecessary war in Iraq through false pretexts & incompetence? (4,000 Americans died in that, not just 4 as in Benghazi). It's true the Bush administration is over & America's boots-on-the-ground involvement in Iraq is over (for now), but the malignant, horrific and counter-productive consequences of what Bush/Cheney did are with us more today than ever before with violent instability throughout the Middle East & North Africa, and refugees spilling into Europe & America.
How about the Congress take a break from Hillary investigations and let's have a Bush/Cheney investigation for a change?
Perhaps Hillary was justly criticized for what she did, but after a thousand Republican led investigations of her foreign policy errors, when are Democrats in Congress going to call for an investigation of criminal wrong-doing in Bush & Cheney's leading the country into an entire unnecessary war in Iraq through false pretexts & incompetence? (4,000 Americans died in that, not just 4 as in Benghazi). It's true the Bush administration is over & America's boots-on-the-ground involvement in Iraq is over (for now), but the malignant, horrific and counter-productive consequences of what Bush/Cheney did are with us more today than ever before with violent instability throughout the Middle East & North Africa, and refugees spilling into Europe & America.
How about the Congress take a break from Hillary investigations and let's have a Bush/Cheney investigation for a change?
12
hey JoJo...it's a good idea. But you have to remember that W refused to testify under oath in the 9/11 investigation. He also demanded that Dick be there next to him during any questioning. So what's the point in having an investigation when the person you're investigating has already proclaimed he'll only spout lies that are fed to him by a war criminal?
1
The Republicans are reaping what they sowed. The might have capitalized on Hillary's flaws (which are abyss-sized) but no, they didn't. This election was trump's to lose, thanks to Hillary's negatives. And it looks as if he'll do just that.
Won't someone consider the plight of the angry wealthy white men?!
Let's all stop what we're doing and have a moment of silence because the GOP couldn't convince anyone that an Exchange server is treason while simultaneously claiming that Snowden is a hero for intentionally giving state secrets to foreign governments and then fleeing to Russia to avoid responsibility for his actions.
Let's all stop what we're doing and have a moment of silence because the GOP couldn't convince anyone that an Exchange server is treason while simultaneously claiming that Snowden is a hero for intentionally giving state secrets to foreign governments and then fleeing to Russia to avoid responsibility for his actions.
4
There are a number of comments that basically say, if Mrs Clinton is not headed for prison, why shouldn't she be our next President?
She is certainly the better of two bad choices--but that's it, to me anyway.
She is certainly the better of two bad choices--but that's it, to me anyway.
4
What is really going on? Has anyone read the GAO report about the antiquated and insecure IT systems in our most important government agencies and departments? Or the article in this very Times edition, probably based on information from that report, that State was hacked, intruded, multiple times? Russia, China, all the usual suspects.
Not 'assessed' , but definite hacks and malware that caused it to shut down.
Before Clinton arrived and after. Can we say her server was definitely not less secure than State? We think so. Can we move on?
Not 'assessed' , but definite hacks and malware that caused it to shut down.
Before Clinton arrived and after. Can we say her server was definitely not less secure than State? We think so. Can we move on?
56
"Can we move on?"
You Clinton fans can move on. I, as an independent voter, will not.
You Clinton fans can move on. I, as an independent voter, will not.
4
So, you think that Hillary used her own private server out of concern for the security of the government systems, is that what you think? You think that Hillary recognized the problem and tried to get the government to fix its security problems, and only after being frustrated by inaction set up her own personal server as a better, more secure alternative, is that what you think? You are just like all of the other Hillary supporters -- the facts matter not.
1
Republicans regret? Are you serious? As long as we are projecting, I believe the NYT is feeling the pangs of regret for the historical role they have played in Iraq and the Clinton campaign. Not only resulting in a political decline of the US, but actual deaths. Have a wonderful day.
16
It is truly scary how you could be allowed to right something so false.
I'm in shock that I am reading this article. Social Medial is overwhelmed with comparisons of Comey and Clinton sound bites. What the heck are you talking about.
I'm in shock that I am reading this article. Social Medial is overwhelmed with comparisons of Comey and Clinton sound bites. What the heck are you talking about.
5
The media is forced to focus on Clinton instead of republicans. That's a gift to the GOP.
1
You say the Republicans wish they had a better standard bearer. Can't they do their own attacks, and not just wait for Donald? Between the FBI and the NYT, the Republicans don't need to bother making comments about Mrs. Clinton.
I'd have thought that the FBI did a good job of explaining what happened, but for some reason nobody else seems to agree. Isn't it curious that everybody thinks she will be President, but nobody is scared to get on her wrong side. I hear that she values loyalty. Do people think that she takes names? She's a nice lady, probably won't care if people are bent out of shape about things she did wrong and accepted responsibility for.
I'd have thought that the FBI did a good job of explaining what happened, but for some reason nobody else seems to agree. Isn't it curious that everybody thinks she will be President, but nobody is scared to get on her wrong side. I hear that she values loyalty. Do people think that she takes names? She's a nice lady, probably won't care if people are bent out of shape about things she did wrong and accepted responsibility for.
4
Twitter does not tax his vocabulary.
29
Perhaps I'm too cynical - but I think the GOP chose not to capitalize on this, rather than failed to. Any screaming and shouting by the GOP goes right back to the pillars of their party who did the similar things (Ms. Rice and General Powell) and soooooo much worse (Bush, Cheney - own servers, millions of incriminating emails vanished and fabricating information to start a war for personal gain). None of them have been subjected to an FBI investigation or much media scrutiny. I'm guessing they don't want to start now.
85
This is basically a "strike 2" against Hillary, on the shoulders of her danger to the Second Amendment... "strike 1". A lot of Republican's who were thinking they would hold their nose and vote for her (because of the alternative) will now be rethinking.... and many will chose not to vote for her after all.
8
Let's take a step back to the First Amendment. Can you imagine what Trump would do to the First Amendment? He'd be the first to impede, interfere, abridge, you name it to rights that people have died for. Let's hope they don't cut off their nose to spite their face.
22
I don't think so, Joey. I think that for those of us Republicans who were thinking we would vote for her, there's nothing new here and nothing that will change our minds. We already knew she does as she pleases. We already knew she isn't always completely truthful. We already knew she is not risk-averse. We've decided that, on balance, she still beats the alternative.
4
I think you're misguided - Trump would have little chance of limiting the First Amendment, though he might try. His greater risk of traction would be (potentially) in violations of the Fourth Amendment.
I'm willing to risk a few media sources being outed by search warrants to protect the Second Amendment from Hillary.
I'm willing to risk a few media sources being outed by search warrants to protect the Second Amendment from Hillary.
2
If DT had launched a major response to this, it might have gained him votes, and more and more Republicans don't want him to win. Those who are now rooting for a Hillary victory should be glad he didn't go after this.
1
Republicans have a new TEA Party: Trump Enough Already.
17
This may go down as one of the worst days in the history of American politics. A battle between a dottering fool and a self obsessed clown. Maybe after 4 years of Hillary the country will wake up and elect Mitt Romney or John Huntsman if it's not too late and WWIII hasn't started yet.
1
Once again, the NY Times tries, and succeeds, to do its best impression of the print version of Fox News. Good job! Sorry you're so disappointed she didn't get indicted. Did you have the layouts all planned out and everything?
38
"On Hillary Clinton’s Rough Day, Republicans Rue Missed Chance"
She was exonerated. How is that a rough day? The media coverage has been typical Hillary bashing
She was exonerated. How is that a rough day? The media coverage has been typical Hillary bashing
77
Here's what the headline in this paper should have been:
Clinton Offers New Contract To Attorney General - Escapes Indictment
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2016/07/clinton-offers-new-contract-to-atto...
Because that is what the Blue Team would be saying if it were a white male Republican who had broken federal statutes, failed to cooperate, produced hard copies, and lied about it.
Political witch hunt indeed.
Good grief, guys - I understand backing a horse, but how about some journalism now and then?
Clinton Offers New Contract To Attorney General - Escapes Indictment
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2016/07/clinton-offers-new-contract-to-atto...
Because that is what the Blue Team would be saying if it were a white male Republican who had broken federal statutes, failed to cooperate, produced hard copies, and lied about it.
Political witch hunt indeed.
Good grief, guys - I understand backing a horse, but how about some journalism now and then?
4
Sadly Donald Trump doesn't understand different levels of inappropriate behavior. What the General did was knowingly share classified information. The Senator's behavior was careless but not criminal. Trump has no grasp of nuance. How frightening for this country if this neophyte get the chance to become "commander in chief' and has to interact with foreign leaders.
8
I believe that Hillary Clinton was careless in the way she handled email when Secretary of State. But I don't think that she is careless in general, quite the opposite. Donald Trump, on the other hand, is careless day after day, both by the manner of his speech and the policies he proposes. He's not only careless, he is dangerous. Maybe the GOP doesn't want to make carelessness an issue in this campaign because it will come back to bite them, even swallow them whole.
33
The factsheet says no indictment... Everything else Comey said was his opinion... and it came off as the work of a partisan hack and GOP foot soldier; I was ashamed for him and for the FBI. He should step down.
18
He will be replaced in January.
2
Democratic voters were given a chance to select a significantly less flawed candidate, and they chose otherwise.
6
Oooh, watch this: Republican voters were given a chance to select a significantly less flawed candidate, and they chose otherwise.
It has such a fun tone!
It has such a fun tone!
4
Come on, NYTimes! How much will this Republican witch hunt cost American taxpayers over the next 4 years?
16
Tweeting exclamation points is all the Republican Party has left.
They have failed their constituents and have nothing left to offer save Trump; an exclamation point writ large.
They have failed their constituents and have nothing left to offer save Trump; an exclamation point writ large.
19
Seems to me that the Trump love affair with the killing freedom as practiced by the "Butcher of Baghdad" was much more remarkable than: no indictment: as stated firmly by a leatherneck-type (Republican) FBI Director. As long as you're espousing more outrageous policy than the misbehavior of General Petraeus, or Sec. Clinton, your message dominates the moment and the news moves forward. The GOP placed a bad bet on Trump and any Clinton handwringing is meaningless.
4
Maybe the FBI should start an investigation into how widespread the use of personal emails are, not just at the State Department but throughout the government. I can't believe that HRC was that dumb or cavalier in flaunting the rules so I have to think she was misinformed. As for her trying to "hide" things from the State Department record, that could of just as easily been accomplished with or without separate email accounts. Also, has no one heard of back channels, a way of getting things done without being on the record. Diplomacy happens overtly and sometimes covertly.
7
Yeah, but what if Hill and Donald are actually working together? Planned it all at DT's wedding (or soon thereafter)...
He doesn't want the job (POTUS) and they have a deal that he'll ruin this for the Rs, Hill gets the gig and The Donald beats his chest and boosts his bottom line.
He doesn't want the job (POTUS) and they have a deal that he'll ruin this for the Rs, Hill gets the gig and The Donald beats his chest and boosts his bottom line.
4
Thanks to the GOP's House leadership, we will now see more taxpayer dollars wasted on yet another set of hearings and investigations--this time of the FBI.
I suspect Mr. Ryan has just handed the House and Senate to the Democrats.
To quote from a good movie about the presidency, "we have serious problems in this country" and, Mr. Ryan, "your 15 minutes are up!"
I, like many other Americans, am tired of the skanky GOP war on the Clintons, Obama, and any other Democrat. All the GOP has to say amounts to innuendo and name-calling. They should find something serious to discuss and bring forth some serious policies aimed at ending the inequities in our national economy, legal and educational systems. Instead, they try to rile up their "base" with garbage. May the ghosts of Lincoln and Eisenhower haunt their dreams forever!
I suspect Mr. Ryan has just handed the House and Senate to the Democrats.
To quote from a good movie about the presidency, "we have serious problems in this country" and, Mr. Ryan, "your 15 minutes are up!"
I, like many other Americans, am tired of the skanky GOP war on the Clintons, Obama, and any other Democrat. All the GOP has to say amounts to innuendo and name-calling. They should find something serious to discuss and bring forth some serious policies aimed at ending the inequities in our national economy, legal and educational systems. Instead, they try to rile up their "base" with garbage. May the ghosts of Lincoln and Eisenhower haunt their dreams forever!
62
I am quite discouraged that so many of the NYT readers continue to overlook or excuse the basic dishonesty of Hillary Clinton. She lied to the public time and time again about her emails, about her finances, about her husband, about her approach to rape victims, about Whitewater, etc. etc. Records were destroyed. Even Nixon did not destroy records.
I question the honesty of people who overlook dishonesty.
I question the honesty of people who overlook dishonesty.
12
"Even Nixon did not destroy records."
Right. And the gap in the Watergate tapes was accidental.
Right. And the gap in the Watergate tapes was accidental.
6
What were the 18 blank minutes on Nixon's tape, of not destroyed records?
6
Those are not talking points any more. They are lying points. Finances? Her tax records are out there. Where is the Donald's tax returns?
2
My understanding was that the fact that Patraeus really didn't get in trouble for something where intent was not in doubt, unlike the Hillary case was one of the main reasons they really couldn't go after Hillary. One wonders where (or even if) Trump gets his information from.
14
I don't think this article is using the term "harsh" in regard to the FBI criticism of Ms. Clinton appropriately. The term "harsh" is properly understood to convey a sense of "TOO intense" or even "cruel," not merely "VERY" intense as the article seems to imply. No reasonable person can suggest that the conduct in which Ms. Clinton engaged merited any less intense criticism than it received. In fact, many believe it merited a criminal indictment, and that Ms. Clinton got off very lightly with what she received.
4
What? Go read an actual report of the state of State's IT system. Or most high traffic, high risk federal department IT systems. Read the GAO reports. State was hacked, repeatedly. Not 'maybe, assessed, or possibly' hacked. Really hacked. Before Clinton and after Clinton. Floppy discs for nuclear codes. Fifty year old software what only works on the original hardware. $60 billion of a $75 billion dollar budget spent, not on modernization and upgrades but on keeping the old stuff running, Operation and Maintenance. Hillary ought to get a medal for avoiding their system. Comey was expected to deliver a hatchet job and, well, GOP pretense otherwise aside, he really did.
6
I guess I'm not a reasonable person. Seems to me that the general rule for the Times, for the GOP, for the Washington Post, for Politico is: It's okay unless Hillary does it.
1
Now I hear that Ryan is saying that HRC should not have security clearance during the campaign.
No word on the fact that the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was on stage with trump as he declared (more or less) that Saddam was a "good guy."
The republicans have had the House and the Senate for how long now? And what exactly have they accomplished?
So why should we expect any competence from them at all? They can't even squeeze a base hit out of a "tater in the wheelhouse."
No word on the fact that the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was on stage with trump as he declared (more or less) that Saddam was a "good guy."
The republicans have had the House and the Senate for how long now? And what exactly have they accomplished?
So why should we expect any competence from them at all? They can't even squeeze a base hit out of a "tater in the wheelhouse."
24
I am sure everyday Hillary wakes up she thanks her lucky stars that she is facing an opponent like Donald Trump whose ineptitude as a campaigner is only exceeded by his overly inflated ego.
4
This whole charade of emails is political. True, Hillary made mistakes in paper. Contrast this ti Cheney's lies and anti-national acts. This despicable fellow who appointed himself VP traded with Iran when sanctions were effect.
Then with a pack of lies and doctored CIA reports he attacked Iraq, left out Osama Bin Laden and helped Sadaam's and US enemy Iran. When news of doctored CIA report was outed he outed a CIA agent's name. All are acts of sedition. Yet no prosecution or indictment of this rabid. Instead he is being paid a huge welfare check each month calling it pension. He is responsible for all of the mayhem in Middle East and loss of so many American lives. If anyone deserves to be in jail for life it is him. Comey did the right thing in not going after a partisan action.
Then with a pack of lies and doctored CIA reports he attacked Iraq, left out Osama Bin Laden and helped Sadaam's and US enemy Iran. When news of doctored CIA report was outed he outed a CIA agent's name. All are acts of sedition. Yet no prosecution or indictment of this rabid. Instead he is being paid a huge welfare check each month calling it pension. He is responsible for all of the mayhem in Middle East and loss of so many American lives. If anyone deserves to be in jail for life it is him. Comey did the right thing in not going after a partisan action.
16
"...But we’re down because we’ve got an incompetent candidate who has alienated large swaths of the electorate," said Jim Merrill, a Republican strategist. Ummm, Mr. Merrill, yes, Trump is off-putting to mainstream voters, yet millions in your party voted for him in the majority of states. What does that say about the state of the Republican party, and their voters in relation to the rest of the nation? To this citizen, it says that the GOP has a 'yuuuuuge' problem with its platform and leaders, which will last long beyond 2016.
7
Why is Trump unwilling to appear Presidential? Anyone who needs an answer to this question is either sleeping through 2016 or hopelessly confused. I am reminded of the typical Boston sleaze-bag politicos looking with awe at John F Kennedy during his first foray into politics and trying to figure out how they could mimic his style, speech and manners.
2
Mr. Comey should be summarily fired.
It was his job to determine whether Ms. Clinton had committed criminal acts for which she should be charged. In his words, the FBI would not recommend charges. End of story.
Instead, Mr. Comey decided to inject himself into a national political race by charging Ms. Clinton with crimes in the court of public opinion, damaging her politically with accusations that he could not defend in court.
Mr. Comey has proven himself to have even less good judgment than the person he accused.
It was his job to determine whether Ms. Clinton had committed criminal acts for which she should be charged. In his words, the FBI would not recommend charges. End of story.
Instead, Mr. Comey decided to inject himself into a national political race by charging Ms. Clinton with crimes in the court of public opinion, damaging her politically with accusations that he could not defend in court.
Mr. Comey has proven himself to have even less good judgment than the person he accused.
42
clinton is a crook - plain and simple and she put herself above the law. she is not and never will be qualified for the presidency. hilary is a woman who was made sec. of state because obama had to pay back for the clinton's supporting his campaign - nothing more. she was terrible and joined obama in making this country the laughing stock of the world.
2
A very Politico story. Embarrassing for the NYT.
16
Really. That a reporter was PAID to do operative work for some dunce candidate is beyond dumb.
9
More like, it was a Rough Day for New York Times reporters who have been flogging this dead horse of a story for years ... and now are resorting to writing wishful screeds about how Since It Is a True Scandal !!! The Republicans Could Be Doing So Well With It !!! please, this is all just so ridiculous ... ping me when President Hillary Clinton finally appoints a Democrat to run the F.B.I., oh, and when the Times actually gets some investigative reporters who can get on the scent of a real story.
13
sigh... the donald never misses an opportunity to shoot himself in the mouth and inflate his olympic sized ego....his behavior and that of a ten year old kid have a lot in common...
4
What a mess. Neither convention is over yet, so maybe our elected officials can find a way to right the ship. At this point I would settle for a competent candidate from either party. I will not vote for Trump, but I'm having a more difficult time in convincing myself to vote for Clinton.
5
If Hillary had been treated as any other candidate. If Hillary had been a man. The entire electorate would have been 100% for her.
6
What concerns me most about Trumps reaction is not that it was incompetent, but that it was an attack on the integrity of the FBI, his claiming that "the system is rigged". In the course of his campaign, he has now attacked our free press, our judicial system, and our federal investigative system. All of these institutions are necessary to protect our democracy from anyone who would try to destroy it from within. Trump has also expressed admiration for authoritarian leaders in Russia and North Korea. How is it that anyone could support his election to our highest office?
Please start covering this campaign seriously, and not as a political game. The future of our country depends on this election.
Please start covering this campaign seriously, and not as a political game. The future of our country depends on this election.
60
Didn't Colin Powell have a private email account when he was a hot shot politico?
13
That was in the dark ages in terms of cyber attacks. Nothing like it is today. Not even close.
1
I have great respect for the Times, but this article feels like made up news about something that didn't happen. I would appreciate more coverage of the events that are taking place as they are unfolding and not so much analysis or supposition as to why they are not happening. Enough on the emails. It's time to move on.
15
Agreed. And while moving on, how about some/any meaningful media coverage of, and inquiries into Donald Trump's "business" practices, his still out-of-sight tax returns, the persisting allegations of Trump U consumer fraud, and one, just one, specific policy plan? I remain very, very frustrated and disheartened by the essentially free pass and constant attention that Trump continues to receive from the media, liberal and conservative.
1
Mr. Trump has been more effective at communicating with voters than others in the GOP. Mr. Walsh *could* be right, but if Trump had taken their advice & done things the "normal" way, would he be where he is now?
3
Nice photo but where the heck are these Trump rallies being held? It looks like the inside of some rusted out iron lung being repurposed as an underground bunker - are they navigating by sonar in there?
5
How oh how does he do it? On Hillary's "rough day" the Trumpster loses not one but two possible Veep choices. His son-in-law makes an embarrassingly inadequate defense of his anti-Semitic antics, and Trump himself praises the great terrorist fighter Saddam Hussein.
11
Notice that the lack of criminal wrongdoings, her exoneration, is not the story here. Thanks NY Times!
8
It's obvious now that the 2 candidates we're forced to choose from are guilty of crimes. They've gotten away with plenty, are power grabbers with compromised characters, feeling little duty to the country. Whatever they say is suspect. Thus voter cynicism, and helplessness will increase.
Let's ask, just what are the limits of the American democracy, at this point? Sure we have universal voting in principal---a great achievement of modern civilization. But how does that translate to true representative govt, where we can hope to have leaders working for the majority, not themselves and the elites?
We'll see further crimes of various degrees. Citizen welfare is the bottom priority. This is the upshot of the 2016 campaign. The 3rd Clinton presidency will be unpleasant and rocky, just less dangerous than if that other crook wins.
It's inevitable that in our election system ruled by big profit ethics, depending on the elite donors to elect our leaders, with our 'reality tv infotainment news profiting thereby, that a culture of anything goes legalized corruption will get more and more blatant. And the coverups also. And the candidates more bizarre.
Let's ask, just what are the limits of the American democracy, at this point? Sure we have universal voting in principal---a great achievement of modern civilization. But how does that translate to true representative govt, where we can hope to have leaders working for the majority, not themselves and the elites?
We'll see further crimes of various degrees. Citizen welfare is the bottom priority. This is the upshot of the 2016 campaign. The 3rd Clinton presidency will be unpleasant and rocky, just less dangerous than if that other crook wins.
It's inevitable that in our election system ruled by big profit ethics, depending on the elite donors to elect our leaders, with our 'reality tv infotainment news profiting thereby, that a culture of anything goes legalized corruption will get more and more blatant. And the coverups also. And the candidates more bizarre.
87
"It's obvious now that the 2 candidates we're forced to choose from are guilty of crimes. "
Pray tell, dear Meredith, precisely what evidence is in your possession, evidence which no law enforcement agency is apparently in possession of, which proves that Hillary Clinton is guilty of a crime?
I'll wait.
Pray tell, dear Meredith, precisely what evidence is in your possession, evidence which no law enforcement agency is apparently in possession of, which proves that Hillary Clinton is guilty of a crime?
I'll wait.
10
Aren't you just describing politicians and businessmen? If you get to make the rules, either because you're in government or you spend money to lobby government, aren't you going to make sure that the rules benefit you at everyone else's expense?
It is stunning to me that you would draw an equivalence between Clinton and Trump. Do you really believe that she feels little duty to her country? She has ruffled feathers by trying to bringing universal healthcare to the country and by beginning the move to severely limit Iran's nuclear program, to name just two things. Trump has been a serial swindler and liar, a cheat who enriches himself by walking away from contractual obligations and shifting the costs of his poorly run businesses to investors, while laughing at the gullibility of people who trusted his integrity.
I agree that the Clintons aren't always careful in conducting their personal and professional lives. But to equate her actions with Trump's boggles the mind.
I agree that the Clintons aren't always careful in conducting their personal and professional lives. But to equate her actions with Trump's boggles the mind.
8
Hillary really needs to double down on her mistakes and start explaining how the lessons she's learned will contribute to a different approach under her presidency. By reiterating she made a mistake, and will not repeat it, shows maturity and demonstrates acceptance of her negligence (denying negligence at this point would be futile). Nothing truly unfortunate came from her private server, but she should most certainly acknowledge it was the incorrect decision and that going forward cyber-security will be a main point of her presidency (because the cyber world is changing rapidly) and that the future of war will definitely include cyber-warfare, guaranteed. She could move past the drama and create a new talking point about our government's current gap in online security. Two birds, one stone.
4
Remember the wicked Queen's mirror in Walt Disney's Snow White? How I wish we could just position Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in front of it. We could then ask:
"Mirror, mirror, on the wall, whose the worstest of these two?
Tell me, tell me, tell me--just what's true?
Or else I must forswear--'eschew--
Casting my vote in this stew
Of bilge and sludge and noxious brew!"
I know that we all harbor our individual suspicions, but wouldn't it be great to have Disneyworldish confirmation or falsification of such suspicion?
We are probably too far down Lewis Carroll's rabbit hole for any manner of proof, one way or the other.
Each must proceed on gut instinct this time around.
My gut instinct tells me that a vote for Trump is a vote for a GOP sweep, and with a GOP sweep we risk turning most of the country into something quite analogous to Kansas--a state sorely misruled under Gov. Brownback and his Tea-Party, Know-Nothing GOP majority in that state's legislature.
And isn't Gov. Brownback a BFF with Speaker Paul Ryan, the "moderate, intellectual" voice of the GOP?
"Mirror, mirror, on the wall, whose the worstest of these two?
Tell me, tell me, tell me--just what's true?
Or else I must forswear--'eschew--
Casting my vote in this stew
Of bilge and sludge and noxious brew!"
I know that we all harbor our individual suspicions, but wouldn't it be great to have Disneyworldish confirmation or falsification of such suspicion?
We are probably too far down Lewis Carroll's rabbit hole for any manner of proof, one way or the other.
Each must proceed on gut instinct this time around.
My gut instinct tells me that a vote for Trump is a vote for a GOP sweep, and with a GOP sweep we risk turning most of the country into something quite analogous to Kansas--a state sorely misruled under Gov. Brownback and his Tea-Party, Know-Nothing GOP majority in that state's legislature.
And isn't Gov. Brownback a BFF with Speaker Paul Ryan, the "moderate, intellectual" voice of the GOP?
4
Hillary was caught. Wrong is wrong. Fair enough.
Now where are the republicans' and democrats' FBI, CIA, ready to indict W. On his war crimes and lying to the american public?
They are all above the law, apparently.
Now where are the republicans' and democrats' FBI, CIA, ready to indict W. On his war crimes and lying to the american public?
They are all above the law, apparently.
20
W? Really?
3
So a propos considering the final report on the Iraq inquiry just out of London.
1
Characterizing a potential defendant's behavior IS "strictly within the parameters" of a decision whether to prosecute. Where it is a felony to mishandle classified information either intentionally or "in a grossly negligent way," extreme carelessness is directly relevant to the decision of whether or not to prosecute.
3
I am one of thsoe people who have no faith in Director Comey at all, but not for the same reasons Republican extremists are. I have never liked that President Obama saw the need to install a Republican to head the FBI, especially James Comey. Comey headed up the investigation of Bill Clinton in the 90's, he was a part of that entire persecution of the Clinton's. How were those e-mails "extremely careless"? I wishhad someone impartial that had no previous experience wiht investigating the Clinton.
I have to ask, why are Republicans so OBSESSED wiht the Clinton's? Don't they have any thing better to do?
I have to ask, why are Republicans so OBSESSED wiht the Clinton's? Don't they have any thing better to do?
19
Why are Republicans "obsessed" with the Clintons? Because they are criminals, and the second one is the odds-on favorite to become president. God help us.
Trump's constant tweeting seems more like the actions of a fourteen year-old girl than a candidate for POTUS.
16
Thats true a 14 year old boy would be even less mature.
3
So you think it will go unnoticed, when it has been a major source of criticism online for well over a year? A story about a missed story which is nonstop?
1
My biggest take away from yesterday is Donald Trump saying that Saddam Hussein Did really "good" when he took care of terrorists. I guess Trump forgets that Saddam Hussein was charged with war crimes for his really "good" work gassing and killing thousands of Kurds including women and children when he decided they were "terrorists" threatening his regime.
Clinton was sloppy and careless with her email. That is a given. But she has never once said such outrageous things as Trump. How anyone can support a guy that constant spews such horrible speech is totally beyond me. Republicans should be repudiating him -- not endorsing him.
Clinton was sloppy and careless with her email. That is a given. But she has never once said such outrageous things as Trump. How anyone can support a guy that constant spews such horrible speech is totally beyond me. Republicans should be repudiating him -- not endorsing him.
17
Comey's commentary and personal opinions about Sec Clinton's actions were political statements, not legal ones, and were not his place to make. He should be reprimanded for further politicizing this situation by his inappropriate editorializing.
22
I know it doesn't look like it, but I think in some way Trump is a cheapskate. He is running a bargain bin campaign and has appointed his 36 year old son-in-law as his campaign manager. It's like what Rabin said about the Arafat: he never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity. And yesterday was a golden one.
3
Trump has failed in another Presidential test.
Trump claims he has a "very good brain", yet he missed this opportunity. Did Trump have a brain freeze?
I suppose a President Trump would also squander opportunities which Putin, ISIS and other enemies will gladly exploit.
Trump claims he has a "very good brain", yet he missed this opportunity. Did Trump have a brain freeze?
I suppose a President Trump would also squander opportunities which Putin, ISIS and other enemies will gladly exploit.
3
Anybody else handling classified official material on a private server would have at least lost their job and would likely be indicted. But Clinton is not anybody else. She has strings to pull. She has offers to make.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch, whose agency was investigating Hillary Clinton's email practices, spent about 30 minutes meeting with President Clinton while both of them were separately passing through Phoenix.
Clinton claimed he was in Phoenix for playing golf. It was some 106 degree Fahrenheit in Phoenix that day.
After some media outrage Lynch tried to wiggle herself out of the calamity - that she will accept the decision of career prosecutors, investigators and FBI Director James Comey.
Then, two days ago, the NYT had a piece on Clinton that mentions in passing a renewed job offer for Loretta Lynch should Clinton become president
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/04/us/politics/hillary-clinton-president....
One and one is two. Lynch read that message and the director of the FBI, which is responsible to the Attorney General for its operations, received appropriate signals.
The result was the headline "F.B.I. Recommends No Charges Against Hillary Clinton for Use of Personal Email"
Willfully setting up a private email server for .gov business is against laws and regulations, some criminal, some adminsitrative.
I ask you loyal Dem Enders - were this a white male Republican, would you *really* suggest there is no 'there' there?
Attorney General Loretta Lynch, whose agency was investigating Hillary Clinton's email practices, spent about 30 minutes meeting with President Clinton while both of them were separately passing through Phoenix.
Clinton claimed he was in Phoenix for playing golf. It was some 106 degree Fahrenheit in Phoenix that day.
After some media outrage Lynch tried to wiggle herself out of the calamity - that she will accept the decision of career prosecutors, investigators and FBI Director James Comey.
Then, two days ago, the NYT had a piece on Clinton that mentions in passing a renewed job offer for Loretta Lynch should Clinton become president
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/04/us/politics/hillary-clinton-president....
One and one is two. Lynch read that message and the director of the FBI, which is responsible to the Attorney General for its operations, received appropriate signals.
The result was the headline "F.B.I. Recommends No Charges Against Hillary Clinton for Use of Personal Email"
Willfully setting up a private email server for .gov business is against laws and regulations, some criminal, some adminsitrative.
I ask you loyal Dem Enders - were this a white male Republican, would you *really* suggest there is no 'there' there?
4
A State Department investigation concluded that past secretaries of state, including Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice's immediate staff, "handled classified material on unclassified email systems."
20
So if other people do it, it isn't illegal?
We could empty our prisons with that rule.
We could empty our prisons with that rule.
1
Only the NYT could turn a situation where one democratic candidate, who is the subject of a federal investigation for compromising the safety of this country and receives a point by point expose on her bibliophile of lies, into a "negative" for the republican opponent.
Mr. Comey's comments sadly stand on their own. He is the Director of the FBI, appointed by the anointed one who can do no wrong. HRC is who she is. Bill is who he is. We all know this and we really don't need a reminder. Nor, do we need four more years of the Clintons. Last week it was Bill on the tarmac, the month before, Roger was picked up for DUI....again. I mean how much of this group can you actually stomach?
If the democratic party feels that HRC is the best they have, then yes, they deserve to lose. And it doesn't matter who is on the side of the debate; or if he tweets, drools or steps on himself.
Mr. Comey's comments sadly stand on their own. He is the Director of the FBI, appointed by the anointed one who can do no wrong. HRC is who she is. Bill is who he is. We all know this and we really don't need a reminder. Nor, do we need four more years of the Clintons. Last week it was Bill on the tarmac, the month before, Roger was picked up for DUI....again. I mean how much of this group can you actually stomach?
If the democratic party feels that HRC is the best they have, then yes, they deserve to lose. And it doesn't matter who is on the side of the debate; or if he tweets, drools or steps on himself.
3
The New York Times has always been in the tank for Hillary Clinton, and always will be. The woman could shoot someone on national television, and the New York Times would call it self-defense.
1
It's back to the drawing board for all the plotting Republicans and those embittered Bernie's Bro's, hell bent on bringing down Hillary Clinton at any cost to the nation and certainly to Mrs. Clinton. Life imprisonment is no doubt too lenient for this crowd. Maybe you guys can catch her on a camera phone not placing recyclable material in the recycling container or jaywalking.
6
You'd have to be pretty delusional if you don't realize that this election, like all others before it, will come down to anything other than solely where the voting public stands on the candidates' economic and policy positions. Clinton could have personally looted the Smithsonian of its most valuable artworks while serving as Secretary of State and I would still vote for her because I prefer her policy proposals to Trump's and because the democrats have always more strongly favored people from my socioeconomic class. Advertising works, but it does not trump economics.
8
I believe Mr. Trump consorting with the KKK and other white supremacist groups is a big issue and disqualifies him from the White House. This email tempest in a teapot isn't. The GOP is the mirror image of Trump...that's an issue to be concerned about. I am voting for Secretary Clinton. I trust her judgment implicitly. She will represent all Americans...not just the bigots. I do not trust Trump or the GOP.
16
Wouldn't it be nice if we could just declare that neither a man who is facing civil suits for defrauding Americans with a sham university, nor a woman who came close to being indicted by the Feds over her emails was fit to be President? We could put Joe Biden in the White House for a year and get a do over for the 2016 (now 2017) Primaries.
.
Yeah, we can't do that obviously - but a guy can dream, right?
.
Yeah, we can't do that obviously - but a guy can dream, right?
2
The e-mail crisis will pass in a few days and the campaign for both will continue. The difference is that one candidate and their staff will focus on the issues and the other all by himself ("he has a good brain and says a lot of things") will wage his Twitter war on using pre-teen insults.
11
FBI confirmed that Hillary Clinton is 'extremely careless' with national secrets. Can we trust her with nuclear codes? The FBI gave plenty for Republican party to win the election. Instead of taking it and run with it, they proved once again that the Republican party is stupid party. Irrespective of what the stupid party does, Clinton credentials as most qualified are reduced to not qualified as Sanders said. All Trump has to do is on 'I am not Clinton'. The positive out come of FBI report for Democrats is that Sanders platform will be adopted without change and she will say what need to be say to get Sanders endorsement.
A political hack, could not find any wrong doing so he smeared HRC to feed his base. PATHETIC!!
23
I have very real concerns about how this issue was handled. The FBI Director was WAY out of line in how he addressed this issue. The role of the FBI in this case was *fact finding alone,* not moralizing, judging, or using the office of the Director to prosecutorially pontificate from a pulpit. He held Clinton up to judgement, as if this is a court.
This really matters. Consider: in just the last ten years alone, we have been in two extremely dubious wars, had government shutdowns, harassment at extreme levels of our President, numerous abuses of Congressional authority, and breaking of oaths. We've had incidents of what was/is virtually treason at numbers too many to count. All these are serious things, methodical and calculated abuses. They go FAR above the "careless." Yet, only this event receives this level of callout by the FBI Director. I have never heard an FBI Director make such a personalized and politicized series of remarks.
This is the hottest campaign in my lifetime. The Director HAD TO KNOW that ANY remarks would be possibly political. Yet, instead of care and prudence, he delivered an extremely rare, sharp, and personalized response: one that is as intense as a campaign attack ad. This was carefully cultivated and deliberate - and therefore personal and grievously unprofessional. He had a rare moment to rise up and do his job well... and he made a memorably rare moment of politics out of it.
High standards? I'd like to hold him to likewise. He should resign!
This really matters. Consider: in just the last ten years alone, we have been in two extremely dubious wars, had government shutdowns, harassment at extreme levels of our President, numerous abuses of Congressional authority, and breaking of oaths. We've had incidents of what was/is virtually treason at numbers too many to count. All these are serious things, methodical and calculated abuses. They go FAR above the "careless." Yet, only this event receives this level of callout by the FBI Director. I have never heard an FBI Director make such a personalized and politicized series of remarks.
This is the hottest campaign in my lifetime. The Director HAD TO KNOW that ANY remarks would be possibly political. Yet, instead of care and prudence, he delivered an extremely rare, sharp, and personalized response: one that is as intense as a campaign attack ad. This was carefully cultivated and deliberate - and therefore personal and grievously unprofessional. He had a rare moment to rise up and do his job well... and he made a memorably rare moment of politics out of it.
High standards? I'd like to hold him to likewise. He should resign!
91
Dishonest Donald... (my name for him - one of several more colorful) apparently when the glow of reflective glass, gold plate & gilt, mirrors, chandeliers, spotlights and cameras are no longer shining on the red faced one, it turns out he isn't dazzling with brilliance after all, and that he is just another dim bulb, who should never, ever be allowed anywhere near 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
7
This seems to be turning rapidly into the Walmart, "race-to-the-bottom" election with the public left to decide between the proverbial "lesser of two evils"--"careless" v. "reckless;" Wall Street establishment v. shady businessman and con artist; over-calculating with poor judgment v. "temperamental" narcissist who refuses to listen to any advice; experienced, but overly hawkish v. completely inexperienced "America First" non-interventionist; pro-international trade v. no international trade agreements; and, perhaps, the ultimate decider, "'the sane choice for president'" v. a clearly unstable personality of Nixonian proportions. For me, sanity trumps all (pun intended), but America deserves much, much better.
3
So when Comey's findings don't fit Trump's version of reality, "the system is rigged" and 'Loretta Lynch was bribed'? That's like Trump determining that Judge Curiel was inherently biased against him and Trump U. by virtue of being Mexican-American.
Trump sure seems to believe that the law, at all levels, exists to further him and his campaign.
Trump sure seems to believe that the law, at all levels, exists to further him and his campaign.
7
Mr. Martin sure loves to quote Mr. Walsh.
Almost as much as the Times like to masquerade as a newspaper.
Almost as much as the Times like to masquerade as a newspaper.
1
"Clinton’s best defense, and one she cannot utter in public, is that whatever the risks of keeping her own email server, that server was certainly no more vulnerable than the State Department’s. Had she held an unclassified account in the State Department’s official system, as the rules required, she certainly would have been hacked."
But who cares. Let's just continue to pillory Hillary.
But who cares. Let's just continue to pillory Hillary.
12
Only the NYT is crying the sky is falling on Hillary, no other media outlet, not even Fox News is as negative in its reporting on Comey's grandstanding press conference as the NYT, and the NYT is buying the FBI's version as the gospel.
Does the NYT have a double standard when it comes to reporting on the policing authorities -- huge skepticism when it comes to charges against minorities, but absolute trust when it comes to charges against Hillary?
Hillary says no classified information was sent, the FBI contradicts that claim, and the NYT, without more, sides unquestioningly with the FBI, as though the FBI's history in American politics as pure as driven snow.
As The Donald would say, NYT, so sad.
Does the NYT have a double standard when it comes to reporting on the policing authorities -- huge skepticism when it comes to charges against minorities, but absolute trust when it comes to charges against Hillary?
Hillary says no classified information was sent, the FBI contradicts that claim, and the NYT, without more, sides unquestioningly with the FBI, as though the FBI's history in American politics as pure as driven snow.
As The Donald would say, NYT, so sad.
8
The gap between Trump and Clinton has narrowed in recent weeks. There's a long way to go, but Hillary isn't as far ahead as she should be. Trump is an absolute joke, but people are buying his schtick.
Instead he praised Saddam Hussein; now he's not going to get the Iraqi vote.
3
Hillary is totally discredited by the FBI as she was by her own State Department's Inspector General but leave it to the NYT to make this a negative story about Donald Trump. Predicatable and expected.
2
Yes, how sad that we didn't get a coordinated response to spout more lies and half-truths that the news outlets (very much including this one) could splash all over their pages and screens and drone on endlessly about in order to fill their time slots. At least Trump got to say that the AG was bribed (and then--what--she bribed the FBI?) Why wasn't that today's headline?
I doubt Rice or Powell were any better, if not worse, with their emails (and there is evidence of that), not to mention all of Bush's "lost emails"--where was the investigation over that?
I doubt Rice or Powell were any better, if not worse, with their emails (and there is evidence of that), not to mention all of Bush's "lost emails"--where was the investigation over that?
26
I sure hope this episode doesn't ratchet up Washington's national security secrecy obsessions even further in a forthcoming Clinton administration.
2
Lol, a rough day for Clinton is one where the FBI recommends no charges against her? Had to read this article twice to make sure I was understanding the argument correctly.
11
A rough, but good day, is one where the evil Repuglicans have to eat their money wasting, time wasting "committees" that serve no purpose at all, along with their flat hats.
1
"Very, very unfair!" If I didn't know better, I'd assume that one of Drumpf's grandchildren had hacked his Twitter account.
22
"Extreme carelessness" is what Trump exhibits every time he speaks and acts.
62
Every time he opens his eyes in the am. We all face danger just getting up and crossing the street, but I'm hoping a big bus is coming, with his name on it.
2
How the country got to this situation should be THE STORY. How bad she is and how much worse he is, is a ruse, a way of not showing courage enough to do a thoroughly detailed analysis of the debacle the country is in. Watergate was terrible, but there was a press that cared enough to put its credibility in jeopardy by questioning the highest government officials in order to find the falsehoods behind which they were hiding. Difficult as it may seem, the coming election could turn out to be the end of American Democracy.
6
Government is not about problem solving anymore...its about theft and facebook likes.
11
On Hillary Clinton's roughest day, she will still be wolds-away more qualified to be President of the United States than Donald Trump.
How is it the case that the Republican Party wants a ridiculous fraud to be President of the United States?
What are the Republicans up to? Something isn't right there. Many, many people think so. Maybe the Republicans are aligned with our enemies, people who want to kill us. Something isn't right. What are they hiding? Something is wrong there. They must be stupid, stupid peoiple. Many, many people think so.
How is it the case that the Republican Party wants a ridiculous fraud to be President of the United States?
What are the Republicans up to? Something isn't right there. Many, many people think so. Maybe the Republicans are aligned with our enemies, people who want to kill us. Something isn't right. What are they hiding? Something is wrong there. They must be stupid, stupid peoiple. Many, many people think so.
80
Mark gets an "A."
5
"But this politically pregnant convergence of events was not met with a battalion of well-credentialed Republican law enforcement and national security officials flooding the television airwaves to raise questions about the inquiry and hammer Mrs. Clinton..." Maybe that's because there is nothing of substance for law enforcement and national security to add to this *political* issue, which has already been beaten to death?
71
When has a lack of substance ever stopped Republicans from launching a well coordinated media blitz to perform their stern, moral superiority act?
9
Excuse me, but these are the same Republicans who've been making it clear all along that they have no use for Trump. One way or the other, that Republican Party is gone. Anyone who needs pre-digested talking points to say why Hillary Clinton is wrong doesn't deserve to hold political office. Go home!
3
So the lack of charges against Clinton sent a wave of regret through a party which wanted to criticize Clinton in spite of the lack of charges? Another indication of the abysmally sorry state which the GOP is in.
13
"Handed a historically weak Democratic opponent. . ."--wait: are we talking here about the former senator from New York, the former secretary of state, and the candidate who soundly defeated her popular and dogged party opponent for the nomination? I, for one, am growing tired of the trope of Secretary Clinton's alleged "weakness and "unpopularity," especially when it is slyly inserted into an article that purports to be reporting news.
I take issue, moreover with other elements in this six-word phrase:
"Handed." Here Mr. Martin subtly negates Secretary Clinton's grueling campaign fight over the past nine months, the daily slog of facing yet another audience, the constant need to refute lies and innuendos. Secretary Clinton was not "handed" to Mr. Trump; she worked harder that Mr. Martin seems to recognize to be the person who will oppose him.
"historically weak Democratic opponent." What exactly does this phrase mean? Weakest in history? My, one does not have to go back very many elections to demonstrate that this is not true. Or does Mr. Martin mean that Secretary Clinton has demonstrated weakness in her own history? Where, exactly did she do so? I might accept this meaning if I knew what Mr. Martin was referring to.
Or does Mr. Martin simply prefer loaded language and slippery innuendo to factual reporting?
I take issue, moreover with other elements in this six-word phrase:
"Handed." Here Mr. Martin subtly negates Secretary Clinton's grueling campaign fight over the past nine months, the daily slog of facing yet another audience, the constant need to refute lies and innuendos. Secretary Clinton was not "handed" to Mr. Trump; she worked harder that Mr. Martin seems to recognize to be the person who will oppose him.
"historically weak Democratic opponent." What exactly does this phrase mean? Weakest in history? My, one does not have to go back very many elections to demonstrate that this is not true. Or does Mr. Martin mean that Secretary Clinton has demonstrated weakness in her own history? Where, exactly did she do so? I might accept this meaning if I knew what Mr. Martin was referring to.
Or does Mr. Martin simply prefer loaded language and slippery innuendo to factual reporting?
78
Hi,
I think your two points can be easily explained.
"Handed." This would be an issue if the article stated that Ms. Clinton was handed the nomination -- but it states that the Republican party voters were handed an opponent -- which is, by definition, what happens in every single election.
"historically weak Democratic opponent." The meaning here would be simply that Ms. Clinton is weak because of her history -- considering all the things that happened in the past two decades, she has countless points to be attacked -- the article simply points out that a stronger Republican candidate would be utilizing those.
It would require better proof to claim that the Times is working against Clinton, given that they officially endorsed her months ago.
Cheers, Mike
I think your two points can be easily explained.
"Handed." This would be an issue if the article stated that Ms. Clinton was handed the nomination -- but it states that the Republican party voters were handed an opponent -- which is, by definition, what happens in every single election.
"historically weak Democratic opponent." The meaning here would be simply that Ms. Clinton is weak because of her history -- considering all the things that happened in the past two decades, she has countless points to be attacked -- the article simply points out that a stronger Republican candidate would be utilizing those.
It would require better proof to claim that the Times is working against Clinton, given that they officially endorsed her months ago.
Cheers, Mike
1
Almost daily, I'm becoming more confident that becoming president is not part of DT's end game.
I'm also becoming more confident that DT is really looking for is a financial windfall through the misappropriation of campaign funds. Unfortunately for DT, the state of his coffers would suggest big donors are not going to play along.
I'm also becoming more confident that DT is really looking for is a financial windfall through the misappropriation of campaign funds. Unfortunately for DT, the state of his coffers would suggest big donors are not going to play along.
13
I'm no fan of the GOP [even pre-Trump], but isn't possible that the Republicans don't feel a need for an immediate reflexive response and might actually be thinking for a bit about what they say?
2
No, it is not. Not these days.
6
It is astonishing that Republicans still don't understand Donald Trump's limitations as a candidate. In the plainest language possible, here is why: he is a self-absorbed nincompoop, a rich, entitled pea brain who doesn't know his a** from a hole in the ground. There, was that basic enough?
37
Don't worry. Mr Trump and the G.O.P will have plenty of opportunity to bring up the Clinton e-mail issue during the presidential campaign.
Maybe the G.O.P. is "training Mr. Trump to be more serious and have a civil tongue" as he flies around the country.
Maybe the G.O.P. is "training Mr. Trump to be more serious and have a civil tongue" as he flies around the country.
1
Don't hold your breath. In the last 24 hours, he's tweeted 7 times about Crooked Hillary, a few more about her in which he dropped the moniker, insulted Chuck Todd, and gloated about money made on the backs of Atlantic City taxpayers. He's pathological.
8
"Handed a historically weak Democratic opponent to run against, the party’s voters responded by nominating a candidate even more unpopular and toxic than Mrs. Clinton." Sorry, but is this a news article or an opinion piece? Calling Hillary Clinton "historically weak," "unpopular and toxic" are not facts - and certainly contradict her winning the primary!
34
There's an undercurrent of disappointment throughout pro-Hillary media today with this same lilt: "Why aren't the Republicans crushing our candidate and behaving like the neanderthals we know (wish) them to be? It's less than a full news day since Director Comey's press conference and the Republicans aren't playing by our rules."
Does every strategy or tactic have to be revealed knee-jerk instantly?
Does every strategy or tactic have to be revealed knee-jerk instantly?
2
Is it news that Trump is a screwup? He's never been elected to anything in his life, so what should anyone expect? Give him more rope!
15
“He’s just demonstrating he is unable or unwilling to appear presidential at moments like this, when it’s required.”
First of all, it is not presidential to craft an attack ad at your opponent, especially for this non-scandal.
Second, Trump is where he is because he is not acting presidential, that is his entire appeal. Republican voters want the tweets, brags, and racism, and they want it presented in easy to digest 21st century, 3rd-grade vocabulary
First of all, it is not presidential to craft an attack ad at your opponent, especially for this non-scandal.
Second, Trump is where he is because he is not acting presidential, that is his entire appeal. Republican voters want the tweets, brags, and racism, and they want it presented in easy to digest 21st century, 3rd-grade vocabulary
11
There are no surprises in what the FBI said, Hillary lied, was “extremely careless,” used classified material in an unclassified system, gave misleading answers about her actions and motivations, used bad judgement and undermined the security culture of the State Department in general.
All of this supports the lack of trust voters have in Hillary. These issues add to her liabilities and fuel her adversaries.
Can a tiger change its stripes? NOPE !!!
Coincidently, WikiLeaks, per Julian Assange, just released a pile of Hillary Clinton’s mails when she was Secretary of State. (See below.) Now we can expect the media to examine these and the media may end up issuing scathing indictments against Hillary contributing to her liabilities as a candidate. She is already despised by many voters and with the censures by the FBI, she may become more despised.
This chapter is not yet over. There will be many more “rough days” to come. Hillary’s sloppy stupidity could imperial Democrats winning in November.
WikiLeaks rolls out archive of over 1,200 ‘Clinton Iraq War’ emails
5 Jul, 2016
https://www.rt.com/usa/349492-wikileaks-iraq-clinton-emails/
Wikileaks Publishes 1000+ Of Hillary Clinton’s Iraq War Emails. Read Them Here
JULY 5, 2016
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2016/07/05/wikileaks-publishes-1000-...
All of this supports the lack of trust voters have in Hillary. These issues add to her liabilities and fuel her adversaries.
Can a tiger change its stripes? NOPE !!!
Coincidently, WikiLeaks, per Julian Assange, just released a pile of Hillary Clinton’s mails when she was Secretary of State. (See below.) Now we can expect the media to examine these and the media may end up issuing scathing indictments against Hillary contributing to her liabilities as a candidate. She is already despised by many voters and with the censures by the FBI, she may become more despised.
This chapter is not yet over. There will be many more “rough days” to come. Hillary’s sloppy stupidity could imperial Democrats winning in November.
WikiLeaks rolls out archive of over 1,200 ‘Clinton Iraq War’ emails
5 Jul, 2016
https://www.rt.com/usa/349492-wikileaks-iraq-clinton-emails/
Wikileaks Publishes 1000+ Of Hillary Clinton’s Iraq War Emails. Read Them Here
JULY 5, 2016
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2016/07/05/wikileaks-publishes-1000-...
3
Not a Trump supporter, but great photo from Stephen Crowley. It's like a Renaissance painting that captures the sublime.
8
What 's all the babble about Hilary's competency. Her server was never hacked, while the FBI has been hacked on multiple occasions. You want to see hacking of classified government mail and data just ask Edward Snowden, he broke the law, but his conscience served our nation beyond belief. More republican driven crap and propaganda being fed for benefit of their illiterate constituency. Republicans have broken my belief that our republic and two party politics could ever actually work for the well being of the nation as a whole.
52
You have struck upon one of the supreme ironies of this whole thing. The FBI declared there was no evidence Clinton's server was ever hacked. On the other hand, the hack that Department of State email systems suffered in the Fall of 2014 has been characterized as one of the worst to ever occur in government systems.
So what we have here are the supporters of disappointed Republican candidates and disappointed Democratic candidates banding together to engage in bashing the candidates that the majority of the population voted for - are they all still hoping that the conventions will change the popular vote and that the disappointed candidates will emerge victorious?
It sounds like behind-the-scenes Republican kingmakers are angry that their candidates didn't survive the popular vote.
It sounds like behind-the-scenes Republican kingmakers are angry that their candidates didn't survive the popular vote.
4
So, the subtitle to this piece is : Where are Karl Rove's attack dogs when you need them?
Are you saying the Republicans are great at jibes based on hallucination and fiction - but when a real, live, weaponizable chunk of truth falls into their laps, it's a Keystone Cops dance trying to figure out which end is the barrel and which side is the trigger?
wow. Sorry to hear it.
Are you saying the Republicans are great at jibes based on hallucination and fiction - but when a real, live, weaponizable chunk of truth falls into their laps, it's a Keystone Cops dance trying to figure out which end is the barrel and which side is the trigger?
wow. Sorry to hear it.
19
Truth has never come between Trump and his commentary before and sure won't now. He is proud of his term "Crooked Hillary" and makes up what he wishes. After months of innuendo about her email, he then insinuates that Bill Clinton and Loretta Lynch conspired. When Hillary Clinton was exonerated, Trump cries that "the system is rigged" and that our Attorney General was bribed. All baseless, but that won't keep The Donald from his talking points.
17
I hate Trump as much as anyone who can think does. However, Hilary is the second worst person I can think off that's running for president. The clintons are dishonest, they think and acts like they are above the laws and they are in it for the power and money. Not some one who we should vote for.
While the Republicans may be rue the ascension of Trump to the top of their party, they only have themselves to blame. Even after the infamous "autopsy" that showed them completely out of touch with the electorate they needed to appeal to, they just turned a blind eye. And then they summarily ignored Trump as he ran like a bull through a china shop through their entire party. While I may feel sorry for them - I actually feel worse for Trump. Forgetting his lunatic aspirations of the White House and looking at the businessman, I wonder how much damage he himself is doing to his most valued asset - namely his "brand". Any value it held before in the public's mind has been completely shattered as it got to know the "real" Trump. A blustering, incoherent buffoon who could hide behind boardroom doors and feed the media carefully crafted PR pieces. Now in the real world he is rapidly destroying the very name he worked so hard to elevate.
8
AMEN
2
This is another example of the mainstream media trying to deflect Hillary's corruption and lies by making inaccurate statements about Trump. Trump did put a video contrasting Hillary's lies vs. the statement of facts set forth by Mr. Comey of the FBI, despite what the NYT says in this article.
2
Was that before or after he praised Saddam Hussein for torturing people to death?
6
For the Republicans is never about what good policy they have that will help the American people. No bills, initiatives, nothing. Of course not, that would be proper governing. No, they rue that they couldn't inflict more damage onto Hillary Clinton. The GOP the party of evil and hate.
70
Yep - it's a shame. Kasich would have wiped her out. She is just a flat out liar who does not engender herself to Americans. What difference does it make? Not sure. She will still likely win and the Obummer effect will continue. We are much more divided as a nation as we have ever been in more than 100 years.
2
Would having a government that looks and acts as Kansas' does unite the nation?
I seriously doubt it...
I seriously doubt it...
4
Not really a rough day -- "No reasonable prosecutor" would pursue this, said Comey. The Times needs to quit the Clinton-bashing and report the news. There's no way to spin this: it was a huge win for Hillary.
23
“Instead we’re relying on somebody who’s tweeting with exclamation points”...
That Kraken has been released a long time ago and is too unruly to get back in its cage.
That Kraken has been released a long time ago and is too unruly to get back in its cage.
4
The wave of regret should hardly be with the GOP; it belongs squarely with the Democrats. If you can't, or refuse to understand the plain English version of "extremely careless" with classified secrets, and the implication of a not-a-spring-chicken candidate for President, then you may as well call the Democratic party a cult. Do you really expect that she will learn from the "mistakes" she's made in the past? Really?
1
Maybe not such a bad day after all.
Weatherperson Syndrome:
"It's going to be the biggest storm of the decade!"
"Governor declares State of Emergency!"
"The storm is losing potency off the coast..."
"A light rain is falling throughout the Northeast."
Weatherperson Syndrome:
"It's going to be the biggest storm of the decade!"
"Governor declares State of Emergency!"
"The storm is losing potency off the coast..."
"A light rain is falling throughout the Northeast."
4
What? Trumpdie - Dumpty and his tweets is not enough to become president
4
I can't help but think of Winston Churchill's comment about John Foster Dulles. It could be applied to Trump. It is "The only bull I know who carries his own china shop around with him."
To say the GOP is ossified is gross understatement.
To say the GOP is ossified is gross understatement.
5
“Extremely careless” is what the Republican Party was in letting Donald Trump take it over
lock, stock and barrel. What Hillary did with her email is in the category of catching a cold because you forgot to wear your galoshes on a snowy day.
lock, stock and barrel. What Hillary did with her email is in the category of catching a cold because you forgot to wear your galoshes on a snowy day.
16
Voters will have their say on election day. I could never bring myself to vote for Hillary Clinton and am even more frightened, if she won, of what her administration would look like.....Top snakes of Cheryl Mills, Huma Abedin, Sid Blumenthal, Bill....all liars, all deceitful, power hunger democRATS. Hillary still has not had the guts to have a press conference, nor will she in light of the fact that her lies have been brought front and center by Comey. She's a pathetic liar, and her adminsitration would be even worse than Obama's re (non)transparency. Trump doesn't have the cash right now to take her down...but I have no doubt he will rake her over the coals when he does and flip her back to Chapaqua in November.
1
If this isn't a "lesser of two evils" moment I don't know what is.
2
Considering that the FBI Director is a Republican it is not a surprise that the summary of the FBI's findings were so harsh. The language used by the FBI showed gross insensitivity to the fact Hillary is involved in a political campaign and that any hint of inappropriate or sensitive information on her server would be political fodder for the Republicans. The fact that the FBI didn't investigate if Colin Powell had sensitive messages on his personal server only re-enforces my belief that there was some political motivation behind the FBI report. The American public only needed to be assured that there was no sensitive information within Hillary's email messages and nothing more. Which there was not. All the rest is political hyperbole on the part of the FBI.
10
At this time we have a large part of Congress concentrating on ways of destroying their presumed opponent, fixated on calling immediate hearings for the FBI Director and Attorney General solely for purposes of grandstanding, and a House Majority Leader and Speaker of the House threatening to 'punish' the Democratic congressmen and women who held a sit-in to call attention to the lack of Congressional action on gun control. Yet the GOP Congressional members somehow can't do the jobs they were elected to do - such as hold hearings for a Supreme Court justice who was nominated in mid-March. It appears there's unlimited time for political theater but no time for real governing. Very puzzling why many voters won't demand substantive governing from our legislative bodies or do their part to ensure legislators neglecting their duties be voted out of office.
24
The Donald is at it again...standing there, witless and clueless, with his mind in neutral and his finger on the Twitter clicker!
11
“He’s just demonstrating he is unable or unwilling to appear presidential at moments like this, when it’s required.”
So trashing one's opponent is what should be considered as acting presidential? A very low bar, indeed.
So trashing one's opponent is what should be considered as acting presidential? A very low bar, indeed.
4
History shows that, after 8 years of any party in the White House, most voters are ready for a change. The Republicans definitely blew it because the other candidates were too intimidated to call out Trump for what he is--a bigoted, hypocritical blowhard.
2
I don't need a Republican to tell me she should be on trial, not Air Force One. I'm not voting for her and I am voting.
4
I can't WAIT for Cleveland...I hope pundits are queue-ing up footage of the Wicked Witch of the West (that would be Drumpf), melting into the floor..."Oh what a world, what a wicked (rigged) world..." while around him, his so-called supporters/loyalists start to come out of their fog and say, "Whew, glad that jerk is finally gone!"
2
For those who think"extremely careless"=gross negligence, talk to a lawyer friend. There is a yuge difference.
19
Your last headline was "FBI's Critique of Clinton Is Ready-Made Attack Ad" and now this one is "Rough Day for Clinton Sends Wave of Regret Through GOP."
It's unclear from your headlines whether your reportage is on the FBI's recommendation on the inquiry or your suggestions for a Republican strategy to use it? Why not clearly report the facts, please, and keep your campaign strategy for the Republicans on the opinion pages.
It's unclear from your headlines whether your reportage is on the FBI's recommendation on the inquiry or your suggestions for a Republican strategy to use it? Why not clearly report the facts, please, and keep your campaign strategy for the Republicans on the opinion pages.
34
This whole thing is so overblown.
The media could write article after article in depth about Trump's dishonesty, bad judgment, carelessness, lies, and his obviously disorganized and troubled mind.
He's mentally ill by any definition.
To continue to label Hillary as " flawed" and offer all the angles of attack the Republicans could use while failing to write about her strengths and experience, ignoring Trump's obvious inadequacies to be President is a false equivalence of the first order.
And to forget all the Republican's shameful treatment of Mr. Obama and the Office of the President, many acts bordering on outright treason, in the wake of this email issue, and even imply that Sec. Clinton is not worthy of the Presidency in comparison to any of the callow, ignorant, selfish candidates presented by a Flawed party is shallow journalism.
Would you really want any Republican, especially a fundamentally emotional wreck like Trump to be President?.
The media could write article after article in depth about Trump's dishonesty, bad judgment, carelessness, lies, and his obviously disorganized and troubled mind.
He's mentally ill by any definition.
To continue to label Hillary as " flawed" and offer all the angles of attack the Republicans could use while failing to write about her strengths and experience, ignoring Trump's obvious inadequacies to be President is a false equivalence of the first order.
And to forget all the Republican's shameful treatment of Mr. Obama and the Office of the President, many acts bordering on outright treason, in the wake of this email issue, and even imply that Sec. Clinton is not worthy of the Presidency in comparison to any of the callow, ignorant, selfish candidates presented by a Flawed party is shallow journalism.
Would you really want any Republican, especially a fundamentally emotional wreck like Trump to be President?.
80
“He’s just demonstrating he is unable or unwilling to appear presidential at moments like this, when it’s required." REALLY Mr. Walsh, so the definition of appearing "Presidential" has come to mean the ability and willingness to nationally skewer your opponent publicly and mercilessly when they are down.
12
This isn't a missed chance for Republicans. This is the harvest of what they sowed. Republican leaders created a culture of fear and divisiveness and Republican voters responded by breathing life into their Frankenstein candidate. They can muse and rue till the cows come home, but it's too late to shut the barn door.
21
1. What stopped the RNC from going on the attack? Why blame Trump for their failure to respond in a way the NYT deems appropriate.
2. Notwithstanding the MSM breathless reporting of a possible indictment for the past several months, there was never a legal basis for indictment, because Clinton did not break the law. Petreaus did not get in trouble for "far less". He knowingly leaked classified information to a person not cleared to receive the information. Clinton did nothing of the sort.
2. Notwithstanding the MSM breathless reporting of a possible indictment for the past several months, there was never a legal basis for indictment, because Clinton did not break the law. Petreaus did not get in trouble for "far less". He knowingly leaked classified information to a person not cleared to receive the information. Clinton did nothing of the sort.
46
Is this article written to help fill the Trump talking point void?
14
Yes. Above all, the news media desperately needs a horse race.
2
I know many here will disagree but even though Hilary was not found criminally liable for her actions - her actions in the last year to explain and cover up have led me to see huge flaws that I would not want in a President. Pick 2 of the 3 below.
1. Carelessness - little to no consideration of her actions
2. Incompetence - has little understanding for technology "wipe the serve with a cloth"???
3. Untruthful - lied every step of the way
1. Carelessness - little to no consideration of her actions
2. Incompetence - has little understanding for technology "wipe the serve with a cloth"???
3. Untruthful - lied every step of the way
8
It is truly baffling what type of a response the news media is having over the news that "no charges warranted in this case". You would have thought the opposite had happened. Republicans and news outlets are using a political statement by Comey to justify this rabid response. Get a grip newspeople. She was exonerated.
I'd like to see the breathlessness and pack journalism trained on Mr. Trump on any number of shady dealings. Take your pick, defrauding students at Trump U, going bankrupt after pocketing millions and stiffing contractors, his pathetic need to lie, his unwillingness to prepare and understand this presidential undertaking, there's more where that came from. His inability to capitalize yesterday is the least of our problems with Trump. He is not a normal candidate, he is bordering on a strongman archetype. This is the type of news that should be getting unlimited play.
I'd like to see the breathlessness and pack journalism trained on Mr. Trump on any number of shady dealings. Take your pick, defrauding students at Trump U, going bankrupt after pocketing millions and stiffing contractors, his pathetic need to lie, his unwillingness to prepare and understand this presidential undertaking, there's more where that came from. His inability to capitalize yesterday is the least of our problems with Trump. He is not a normal candidate, he is bordering on a strongman archetype. This is the type of news that should be getting unlimited play.
559
She was exonerated by the FBI, not in the court of public opinion. It still looks really bad if you listen to her saying there was nothing classified at the time and juxtapose that with Comey's repudiation of that statement.
Still, the Republican candidate might actually be indicted for fraud, so he should really be careful about throwing stones. He's sitting in a glass Trump Tower.
Still, the Republican candidate might actually be indicted for fraud, so he should really be careful about throwing stones. He's sitting in a glass Trump Tower.
1
Being just short of prosecutable is not exactly the same as "exonerated."
The Media created this Trumpenstein and they're loath to ignore him....and if they did it would hurt their bottom line.
It seems ironic that this article appeared on the same day that the Chilcot Report came out. I wonder what standard the New York Times held itself to when it published the "extremely careless" judgments of Judith Miller, which have reverberated in the death of some, harm to many and the regrets of most, not to mention the actual release of actual classified information in the outing of a spy. But holding itself or anyone at all responsible for the tremendous loss to our whole country and the population of several others, as a result of Bush's reckless use of information? Not a word. I have been reading the Times since I was nine years old but I stopped reading its coverage of the Clintons a while ago. It has not been rational since it tried so hard to make something of Whitewater and came up empty.
65
In the NYTimes magazine interview this year, GOP hit man Rick Wilson (“I wrote the original [Obama attack] Reverend Wright ad”) also said “five minutes after she’s elected president (Ms Clinton) every bit of this anxiety in our party disappears instantly. We will go at the main enemy as we do.” What is the GOP life blood if not vindictiveness. Not much, as we find out again. It is sad the NYTimes discusses this as a "lost GOP opportunity" a bit too much like...Rick Wilson?
16
A) I know facts are difficult for Mr. Trump, but Patraeus knowingly gave top secret info to his mistress/biographer. Big difference and a much worse infraction. Then again, Mr. Trump has likely given many a gift to his mistresses over the years.
B) I think Comey did what he could: acknowledged there wasn't enough of a case to actually warrant charges but used the opportunity to point out the carelessness.
C) It doesn't really matter whether or not the GOP missed an opportunity. Without any actual charges against her, this isn't going to sway many voters - the two sides are too divided.
B) I think Comey did what he could: acknowledged there wasn't enough of a case to actually warrant charges but used the opportunity to point out the carelessness.
C) It doesn't really matter whether or not the GOP missed an opportunity. Without any actual charges against her, this isn't going to sway many voters - the two sides are too divided.
23
It doesn't matter how the GOP or the nytimes tries to spin it, it's still a nothingburger that most voters never cared about and never will, Comey's unprofessional and dishonest editorializing notwithstanding. Bottom line, there's insufficient evidence of a crime, and Clinton won't be indicted as so many of her haters had hoped.
Time to find another non-scandal we can waste millions of taxpayer dollars investigating.
Time to find another non-scandal we can waste millions of taxpayer dollars investigating.
150
Conventional wisdom said that this presidential election should have been a relative cake walk for the G.O.P.
But, after decades of use and abuse by the Republican elite, the GOP base, at a very inopportune time for the elite, finally woke up to the fact that they had been duped.
Clueless and arrogant, Republican leaders let a grifting, corrupt con-artist join the long line up of uninspired and uninspiring establishment candidates. To their great surprise and chagrin, a contemporary P. T. Barnum became the GOP's presumptive nominee because he alone appeared to have anything to say to the base. Sadly, what is is saying to the base is nonsense.
We are now a few days from the GOP convention. Republicans are still debating whether to nominate Trump or to engineer a way to deny him the nomination. Fearless leader, Paul Ryan, has nothing good to say about Trump but supports him nonetheless as he begs convention delegates to vote their conscience, code for dump Trump.
Now, the top to bottom train wreck known as the GOP is reeling from the fact that the F.B.I. refused to help Republicans win the election by indicting Clinton. Comey gave the GOP plenty of ammunition, but Republicans, following their fearless leader Trump, will likely spend most of their time and energy railing against Comey and the FBI. Congressional hearings have already been announced.
Imagine this material in the hands of the late film director Robert Altman.
But, after decades of use and abuse by the Republican elite, the GOP base, at a very inopportune time for the elite, finally woke up to the fact that they had been duped.
Clueless and arrogant, Republican leaders let a grifting, corrupt con-artist join the long line up of uninspired and uninspiring establishment candidates. To their great surprise and chagrin, a contemporary P. T. Barnum became the GOP's presumptive nominee because he alone appeared to have anything to say to the base. Sadly, what is is saying to the base is nonsense.
We are now a few days from the GOP convention. Republicans are still debating whether to nominate Trump or to engineer a way to deny him the nomination. Fearless leader, Paul Ryan, has nothing good to say about Trump but supports him nonetheless as he begs convention delegates to vote their conscience, code for dump Trump.
Now, the top to bottom train wreck known as the GOP is reeling from the fact that the F.B.I. refused to help Republicans win the election by indicting Clinton. Comey gave the GOP plenty of ammunition, but Republicans, following their fearless leader Trump, will likely spend most of their time and energy railing against Comey and the FBI. Congressional hearings have already been announced.
Imagine this material in the hands of the late film director Robert Altman.
15
Ruing that Hillary's email server has gone from a non-issue to a dead non-issue? How about if the Republicans turn their attention to actual issues, like the governing they are responsible for and the dangerous, unqualified man they are about to nominate for President? I know, trashing Hillary Clinton is much more fun and natural for them.
513
The "Keystone Cops" announced that they will now have a House investigation of the emails.
4
Such for people who don't care, but a large issue for those that think being ethical, competent, not corrupt, and making good decisions is important.
You would think in this vast country we might have better choices. Our democratic electoral model is dangerously flawed. We seriously need to consider new models.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/02/democracy-tarnished-brand-...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/02/democracy-tarnished-brand-...
5
Perhaps The Donald is smarter than we think: Jaywalking it is, and despite the hype (or maybe even because of it), the email story is not really going anywhere. Of course, it won’t go away, any more than the latest alligator attack does on a day when there is no real other news. Let’s watch.
6
When does our glorious Queen Hillary come down from the heavens to take questions from the media? She's been running since the FBI director dressed her down.
8
Since it was Comey's job to report to the DOJ rather than the press corps, he deserves the thorough drubbing he is about to take from members of his own party. He should have known he could follow the law or he could please the rabid Clinton haters. He should have kept his head down and his mouth shut, and simply issued a statement to the effect that there were no grounds for criminal charges.
The Republicans keep finding a way to eat their own tails in their unrelenting efforts to take down the Clintons.
The Republicans keep finding a way to eat their own tails in their unrelenting efforts to take down the Clintons.
3
less than 24 hours. and it's been rehashed 10M times already.
1
You know, your "glorious queen" business convinces no one of anything except that you're a right-winger here to sneer. And that's all. Is that really worth writing? Because it isn't worth reading, and I'm amazed that I care enough to type out this last wor
3
The entire case was hot air from the first. Good heavens, public officials using back channels to avoid scrutiny! What next? Curse words in the Oval Office? Congresspersons on junkets? Lying robocalls on election day? The Republicans fit the very definition of insanity: they keep doing the same thing over and over again, and expect a different result. There is the faintest chance they will get it through their thick heads that the same rules apply to Hillary and Bill as to everyone else, but not while they are mesmerized by the cuckoo-land notion that it is the Clintons who are making an exception of themselves. If the entire government, past and present, will be reporting to serve time tomorrow, then Bill and Hillary will have to show up. Otherwise, give it up already.
116
Probably better that the GOP was basically speechless on the non-indictment of Hillary. There might have been a backlash and she definitely would have come out of storm much stronger like she did after the Benghazi inquisition for 11 hours. And that expensive and supposedly "damaging" Benghazi report a couple of weeks ago did nothing but strengthen her street creds.
25
It's a sad day for the country when our choice for President is between dumb and dumber.
It was monumentally foolish for Hillary Clinton to manage her emails on a private server as Secretary of State - not only because of the potential jeopardy it caused to confidential information, but for the long-term impact it could have on her credibility as a candidate for President.
And yet Hillary is by far the best option when compared with Trump. Not only is he a egomaniac, but he's demonstrated even worse judgment in his business affairs (Trump University), public comments (Judge Curiel) and immature tweets ("very very unfair!).
Our democracy is best served by two strong parties in constructive opposition to each other. When a Republican strategist admits that "we’ve got an incompetent candidate who has alienated large swaths of the electorate", the country's interest are bound to suffer.
This is undoubtedly the worst selection of Presidential finalists in a very long time.
It was monumentally foolish for Hillary Clinton to manage her emails on a private server as Secretary of State - not only because of the potential jeopardy it caused to confidential information, but for the long-term impact it could have on her credibility as a candidate for President.
And yet Hillary is by far the best option when compared with Trump. Not only is he a egomaniac, but he's demonstrated even worse judgment in his business affairs (Trump University), public comments (Judge Curiel) and immature tweets ("very very unfair!).
Our democracy is best served by two strong parties in constructive opposition to each other. When a Republican strategist admits that "we’ve got an incompetent candidate who has alienated large swaths of the electorate", the country's interest are bound to suffer.
This is undoubtedly the worst selection of Presidential finalists in a very long time.
22
And if this latest Trump impulse was disappointing, just imagine what it's going to be like when those stubby fingers — propelled by another mindless, reactive impulse — are on the go button of the nation's nuclear arsenal.
61
The way Trump is gnashing his teeth and coming to his own decisions about legal matters, despite the thorough investigation and explanation Comey gave, is awfully reminiscent of the behavior that got us into the Iraq War.
106
Who is reading the NYT for an analysis of the GOP or the Trump campaign? The same people who consult the Catholic Church for sexual advice?
"Hey honey I read an insightful NYT article about Trump now I'm heading to a meeting with Bernie Madoff for some financial advice."
"Hey honey I read an insightful NYT article about Trump now I'm heading to a meeting with Bernie Madoff for some financial advice."
8
Trumpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Trumpty Dumpty took a great fall - again.
Trumpty Dumpty took a great fall - again.
1
On the odd chance that any GOP strategists are actually browsing through the comments section, the quotes from your folks in this story underscore why you're not going to win. Simply put, you're too obsessed by the slimy hit-`em-in-the-groin tactics that Lee Atwater perfected rather than talking about how to improve things in this country. Until you rid yourselves of this absurd mentality, you'll never win another election. And you won't deserve to win, either.
59
They don't have a clue how to improve the US, but they firmly believe they know what causes God to mess it up.
2
Of course Hillary will win, but that doesn't mean the country wins. The clintons will be much more wealthy, chuck schumer will mean spiritedly rule the senate (without a 60 vote majority), paul Ryan will sound-bite his way through another gerrymandered minority rule house, and the 1% will laugh their way to the bank.
The true revolution will follow.
This is no way to elect a government.
The true revolution will follow.
This is no way to elect a government.
Do you really think the Clintons are in this to become billionayuhs?
1
"Republicans rue missed chance"? What about Democrats?
HRC is a fatally flawed candidate and Democrats have known this for many years. Was some kind of deal struck between the Obama Administration and the Clintonites after Obama won re-election? HRC's coronation has been known for years and accepted by almost everyone in the Democratic Establishment.
The only won who ever got the Iraqi situation right was VP Joe Biden, a natural secession for Obama, with the 3 state solution, but noooooooo (see John Belishi).
Instead we have to go with Bush Lite, their best friends and the second American political dynasty that is the Clintonites.
What will Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Madeline Albright, Nancy Pelosi. Barbara Boxer, Chris Mathews, Andy Cuomo, and the rest of the Clintonites say if she loses to Donald Trump?
"Oops our bad"?
Maybe there is still time for Democrats to come to sanity after a rigged primary, and embrace the best candidate to take on Trump?
Bernie Sanders. NAAAAAAA!
It's going to be a long 5 months.
HRC is a fatally flawed candidate and Democrats have known this for many years. Was some kind of deal struck between the Obama Administration and the Clintonites after Obama won re-election? HRC's coronation has been known for years and accepted by almost everyone in the Democratic Establishment.
The only won who ever got the Iraqi situation right was VP Joe Biden, a natural secession for Obama, with the 3 state solution, but noooooooo (see John Belishi).
Instead we have to go with Bush Lite, their best friends and the second American political dynasty that is the Clintonites.
What will Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Madeline Albright, Nancy Pelosi. Barbara Boxer, Chris Mathews, Andy Cuomo, and the rest of the Clintonites say if she loses to Donald Trump?
"Oops our bad"?
Maybe there is still time for Democrats to come to sanity after a rigged primary, and embrace the best candidate to take on Trump?
Bernie Sanders. NAAAAAAA!
It's going to be a long 5 months.
6
Trump and Sanders compete for the same anger. Who does a voter who thinks anger makes people stupid vote for?
2
"Some Republicans feared Mr. Trump was again frittering away an opportunity when, rather than focusing entirely on the F.B.I. probe, he used his speech on Tuesday night to offer praise for Saddam Hussein."
Really? That's a mere missed opportunity? His comments are a fairly direct indication that he admires brutal dictators who commit war crimes. And right after July 4th, one can't think of how unpatriotic Trump's praise for Saddam Hussein is. His bizarre praise for brutal dictatorship is a mere lost opportunity?
Really? That's a mere missed opportunity? His comments are a fairly direct indication that he admires brutal dictators who commit war crimes. And right after July 4th, one can't think of how unpatriotic Trump's praise for Saddam Hussein is. His bizarre praise for brutal dictatorship is a mere lost opportunity?
683
His son called the Washington Post today and screamed profanities, so I don't think messaging is the Trump campaign's strong suit.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/07/06/eric-tru...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/07/06/eric-tru...
2
Power is his ruling passion, so Hitler and Saddam are certainly admired. And this is the man so many want as our President!
She lied repeatedly and unequivocally. She played fast and loose with highly sensitive records and acted so as to circumvent the owner of the records, the people, from access via foia requests.
As it stands, she cannot act the martyr to an imagined vast right-wing conspiracy.
Instead, it smells as if the fix is in, and Comey knew that "no prosecutor" would advance the case in a Lynch organization... knowing it would be a career-ender.
I would like an honest woman President. Hillary is disqualified.
As it stands, she cannot act the martyr to an imagined vast right-wing conspiracy.
Instead, it smells as if the fix is in, and Comey knew that "no prosecutor" would advance the case in a Lynch organization... knowing it would be a career-ender.
I would like an honest woman President. Hillary is disqualified.
7
One of the skills that any president should have is knowing when it is best to let others make your case for you. But Donald Trump apparently cannot conceive that a top government official, who has served in both Republican and Democratic administrations, can be a credible source. And so, after FBI Director James Comey provided a scathing critique of Hillary Clinton's email practices, Trump immediately pounced on Comey for not indicting her and complained again of a "rigged system." Trump's botching of this opportunity underscores why he would make a terrible president: he allows his inflated ego to get the better of him every time.
383
It does appear to be rigged. You make a great case for a jury to decide then decide yourself. Looks corrupt to me, and to many thinking individuals.
One must question why Comey found it necessary to demonize Clinton, when he found no basis for criminal charges. Ah yes, he was a Bush appointee...of course.
1
Trump isn't the only idiot in this regard here ... look at all the ouraged "we need and investigation of the investigation" -- same idiocy.
The absolutely last thing in the world the Republicans want to do is to put Comey on TV to explain why there is no prosecutable case here. That there are out-of-control Republicans saying this nonsense is evidence they have the brains of a planarian.
The absolutely last thing in the world the Republicans want to do is to put Comey on TV to explain why there is no prosecutable case here. That there are out-of-control Republicans saying this nonsense is evidence they have the brains of a planarian.
Trump is flubbing it but is still within a few percentage points of Crooked Hillary. Just wait till he gets on message.
He is spending a LOT of his own money and time and his family's time (time=mone) and doesn't have 800 people on payroll (funded by Wall St.). So it will take him a little more time to get the messaging right.
He is spending a LOT of his own money and time and his family's time (time=mone) and doesn't have 800 people on payroll (funded by Wall St.). So it will take him a little more time to get the messaging right.
4
Every time I see the Epithet Crooked Hillary, or Killary, or any other silly moniker, I know the comment will not rise to seventh-grader level.
3
What money? He's got no staff, and no advertising. He tweets and flies around. And he doesn't do much flying. So he can't be spending all that much money. Tweets are free.
3
The truth hurts, so "Goodlistener" would very much prefer not to listen to it.
1
“Imagine Jeb Bush looking disappointed and talking about the importance of following the rules and a society ruled by law with a government that is held accountable,” said Kori Schake.
I'm imagining it now... oh, sorry, drifted off to sleep.
I'm imagining it now... oh, sorry, drifted off to sleep.
10
Trump tweeting is the pinnacle of stupidity. First of all who follows Tweets? And second of all who follows Trump.
This all goes back to my contention that this Oaf is just all part of a plan put together between the Clintons and Trump to assure her election and it's going right on track.
This all goes back to my contention that this Oaf is just all part of a plan put together between the Clintons and Trump to assure her election and it's going right on track.
4
if cable news didn't pick up his tweets - he would be doomed
I don't know who could survive 100% clean through all of the partisan attacks and research/inquiries that includes the FBI. if this is all that is dug up after all the years of benghazi and mail server then she's pretty clean.
what would trump's background look like through the same type of inspection?
what would trump's background look like through the same type of inspection?
143
Indeed. Trump won't even release a single tax return. He is hiding his odious past in plain sight.
The double standard for Clinton vs. Trump is breathtaking.
Can you imagine what the GOP and media would do to HRC if she uttered just one sentence of the dribble that Trump spews out every day??
The double standard for Clinton vs. Trump is breathtaking.
Can you imagine what the GOP and media would do to HRC if she uttered just one sentence of the dribble that Trump spews out every day??
3
I know someone who can withstand scrutiny. He just had the Democratic Nomination weaseled away from him.
Your reporter bothered to quote some goofball who feels Clinton should be in jail on "her very bad day" since she got cleared by the FBI but the GOP didnt hear what it wanted.
Why didnt Mr. Martin report that Trump is out there blabbering about how effective Saddam Hussain was on a day the British are unleashing a devastating report of Blair swallowing George Bush's lies. Great job.
Why didnt Mr. Martin report that Trump is out there blabbering about how effective Saddam Hussain was on a day the British are unleashing a devastating report of Blair swallowing George Bush's lies. Great job.
217
Well come on, now, "a former Air Force officer who served as a national security aide to Mitt Romney in 2012 and in Mr. Bush’s campaign this year"
This person is obviously extremely relevant.
But the next line: “This should have been a two-foot putt. But Republicans never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. And that’s what we’ve done.” is a beaut. Is he imply the republicans were behind the scenes with the FBI?? THIS is worthy of an investigation.
This person is obviously extremely relevant.
But the next line: “This should have been a two-foot putt. But Republicans never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. And that’s what we’ve done.” is a beaut. Is he imply the republicans were behind the scenes with the FBI?? THIS is worthy of an investigation.
1
The headline is really funny. Seems to imply that the Rs missed their chance to bang the drum on the FBI decision. Believe me, there will be many replies from the Republicans.
5
In case you haven't noticed we live and campaign in a 24 hour news cycle and the Rs have ham-handed another chance at painting Hillary with the "she can't be trusted" brush. As was quoted in the article, Rs never miss an opportunity, to miss an opportunity.
1
Wow!
So the FBI finds no basis for criminal charges but is quite willing to enter into the realm of civil negligence and a concept of "extreme carelessness". These are civil tort law terms.
Does her carelessness rise to the performance by a public official of an act that is legally unjustified, harmful, or contrary to law; wrongdoing (used especially of an act in violation of a public trust)? Then it would be malfeasance.
Or does her carelessness rise to a level of some omission of act that ought to have been performed, i.e. utilizing a state dept. server as yet shown to be any more firewall protected than her personal server was found to be? That would be nonfeasance.
The very fact that the FBI would venture into this area when they are charged with a CRIMINAL investigation strongly suggests that our Federal Bureau of Investigation was acutely aware of the political consequences of it's witch-hunt probe and its opportunity to skew the election. They grudgingly admit there is no criminal act in all this but they are loath to pass up the chance to take a swipe at her anyway; thus exposing the entire motive behind an FBI investigation.
And Trump's playground response captured the news. His inane and supercilious interpretation of it all, let everyone know just why we cannot ever take him seriously. 'Twas almost picture perfect for us rational folk. He blew it completely and let everybody know where we really are.
We have an impetuous and dangerous GOP nominee.
So the FBI finds no basis for criminal charges but is quite willing to enter into the realm of civil negligence and a concept of "extreme carelessness". These are civil tort law terms.
Does her carelessness rise to the performance by a public official of an act that is legally unjustified, harmful, or contrary to law; wrongdoing (used especially of an act in violation of a public trust)? Then it would be malfeasance.
Or does her carelessness rise to a level of some omission of act that ought to have been performed, i.e. utilizing a state dept. server as yet shown to be any more firewall protected than her personal server was found to be? That would be nonfeasance.
The very fact that the FBI would venture into this area when they are charged with a CRIMINAL investigation strongly suggests that our Federal Bureau of Investigation was acutely aware of the political consequences of it's witch-hunt probe and its opportunity to skew the election. They grudgingly admit there is no criminal act in all this but they are loath to pass up the chance to take a swipe at her anyway; thus exposing the entire motive behind an FBI investigation.
And Trump's playground response captured the news. His inane and supercilious interpretation of it all, let everyone know just why we cannot ever take him seriously. 'Twas almost picture perfect for us rational folk. He blew it completely and let everybody know where we really are.
We have an impetuous and dangerous GOP nominee.
340
The Clintons do bring out the narcissism in people who would be wiser not to comment on a closed investigation. Allegations don't need to be disclosed if they have been dismissed as unproven,.
5
For God's sake, where on earth did you read the FBI to have found "no basis for criminal charges"??! They said that no reasonable prosecutor would prosecute, an entirely different finding. A finding of extreme carelessness is not exclusively within "the realm of civil negligence," but is grounds for criminal prosecution where it is a felony to mishandle classified information either intentionally or "in a grossly negligent way."
So many wannabe lawyers commenting today.
So many wannabe lawyers commenting today.
4
Bill, for God's sake... Comey just actually admitted that Republican prosecutors are unreasonable! How else to interpret? "...no reasonable prosecutor would prosecute..." A damning statement indeed! There are seemingly no Republicans unwilling to prosecute ergo any who are prosecutors (Chris Crispycrememonce held the position) are unreasonable and shouldn't be permitted to prosecute the law. You are right that it is an entirely different finding though...
1
Republicans have been trying to ensnare the Clinton's in legal actions ever since Whitewater. Instead of worrying about a possible lost opportunity with email-gate, they should focus on getting their own house in order. Every one of these gotcha opportunities turn into a long, costly boondoggle with nothing to show for the effort… except that the public is getting sick of it all. Even the impeachment fiasco left as much mud on Republicans as it did on the Clinton's.
Seriously, it’s time to give it up and worry about the job they were elected to do. Furthermore, it's time to stop worrying about Trump. He's a lost cause. When the election is over, the only Republicans who will look good are the ones who washed their hands of that orange twitterbrain early on and left him to wallow in his own ill-fated mess.
Seriously, it’s time to give it up and worry about the job they were elected to do. Furthermore, it's time to stop worrying about Trump. He's a lost cause. When the election is over, the only Republicans who will look good are the ones who washed their hands of that orange twitterbrain early on and left him to wallow in his own ill-fated mess.
669
These are the same folks who bawl that regulation of commercial activities drives manufacturing out of the US.
They abuse the courts to harass people, and staff the judiciary with dyslexic hacks who make pretzels of all logic to make it all a wheel-spinning money-burning exercise in futility.
They abuse the courts to harass people, and staff the judiciary with dyslexic hacks who make pretzels of all logic to make it all a wheel-spinning money-burning exercise in futility.
4
I noticed that Senator Corker is the latest to run away from being the Trump's patsy, er... vice presidential nominee.
If the GOP thinks that the Donald is so wonderful, why aren't they all fighting to be his running mate.
If the GOP thinks that the Donald is so wonderful, why aren't they all fighting to be his running mate.
3
'Tis because she and her hubs are quintessential lawyers in the worst possible sense: sleazy, smarmy, Machiavellian, sneaky, but smart.
Both are exemplars of A. Bierce's definition of a lawyer: "one skilled in the circumvention of the law".
Both are exemplars of A. Bierce's definition of a lawyer: "one skilled in the circumvention of the law".
1
What a shame it will be Hillary who gets the nomination, thanks, in part, to the anti-Sanders partisanship of the NYT and other media. (Where was the NYT outrage about her propensity to fall into serial manholes while the primaries were on?) She evidences a sense of entitlement, changeable poll-driven policies, and a lamentable lack of judgment which will persist throughout her presidency, if she is elected. Don't worry, I'll vote for her, but it's without the least iota of enthusiasm. Making the necessary changes to reinstate our democracy will be all the harder.
8
Sanders would not have been able to implement one iota of his policy. Those of us voting for Clinton feel we know absolutely everything about her, and that makes her rare among politicians of any stripe.
2
So, let me see if I understand. Both major party candidates are corrupt, lying, oligarchs? Got it.
15
YES!
Can't we PLEASE have another candidate? Bernie, or any experienced, smart, upstanding American. There are many such people, but we need to persuade one to accept the burdens of this nasty campaign.
Can't we PLEASE have another candidate? Bernie, or any experienced, smart, upstanding American. There are many such people, but we need to persuade one to accept the burdens of this nasty campaign.
I understand that Republicans and those who dislike Hillary Clinton would like to see this issue damage her politically, but in what possible world could her lax treatment of emails be an imprisonable offense? Is there any plausible argument to be made other than hatred of this person? Petraeus consciously turned over classified documents to a person who did not have clearance, documents that apparently involved the security of the country. And yet received a bit of a rebuke. If that was not worthy of more severe treatment, how can anyone, that is anyone with integrity and honesty, believe that this email concern is more serious? Yet "respected" Republicans keep making these allegations and they are printed as if they deserve our attention.
859
The actual rule of law, if they went to a grand jury, presented the evidence and they refused to indite I would be good. This looks like corruption, it might not actually be but it sure looks like it. Just as the conversation looked like corruption even though it might actually been about golf and children. Appearances matter, or they should.
Read the statute: 18 USC793 Section F. "Extremely careless", the term Comey used, just happens to be THE legal definition of "grossly negligent", which is the term used in the law and which is sufficient for an indictment under 18USC793(f) - intent is not required.
Comey not only told us she broke the law, he warned anyone contemplating breaking the same law lest they think they would get off like Hillary just did. The message: Laws are for you little people.
Comey not only told us she broke the law, he warned anyone contemplating breaking the same law lest they think they would get off like Hillary just did. The message: Laws are for you little people.
1
Because that's what trained republicans do. They don't respond with reason, they react like Pavlov's dogs to stimuli.
"Imagine Jeb Bush looking disappointed and talking about the importance of following the rules and a society ruled by law with a government that is held accountable" ... and then apologizing for the Iraq invasion?
21
Jeb Bush was the governor of Florida then, so not sure what he has to do with the invasion of Iraq.
As is soetimes the case, I guess I'm the contrarian.
Although I have great respect for Director Comey, particularly the way he handled the "Ashcroft affair" during the Bush II days, I do not see it as his role to characterize Sec'y Clinton's behavior as "extremely careless" or otherwise - e.g. saying she was "completely careful" if that were the case.
It is important, for all of us, that law enforcement stay strictly within the parameters of its constitutionally prescribed power - investigate possible criminal wrongdoing, and act accordingly.
Having found no basis for a prosecution, the FBI's role came to an end. It reposes with us, the citizenry/voters to assess non-criminal activity by a public official, and act or not act accordingly.
Although I have great respect for Director Comey, particularly the way he handled the "Ashcroft affair" during the Bush II days, I do not see it as his role to characterize Sec'y Clinton's behavior as "extremely careless" or otherwise - e.g. saying she was "completely careful" if that were the case.
It is important, for all of us, that law enforcement stay strictly within the parameters of its constitutionally prescribed power - investigate possible criminal wrongdoing, and act accordingly.
Having found no basis for a prosecution, the FBI's role came to an end. It reposes with us, the citizenry/voters to assess non-criminal activity by a public official, and act or not act accordingly.
830
@Anthony N - How very predictable and partisan. How about if Comey had used the same standards of upholding the law that he did with Martha Stewart? This farcical Obama / Clinton charade had left open Hillary to a far more excoriating and public unveiling of her deceit.
1
I agree, his role to prosecute or not....his role is not to comment on what he is not going to prosecute...we can judge for ourselves, thank you.
6
Anthony, I agree and I also found it curious that Comey speculated that maybe an enemy hacked into her email, but he isn't saying that happened; he's just hypothesizing for highly partisan ends. That strikes me as entirely unnecessary, especially considering that the putatively secure government accounts have been hacked and compromised repeatedly.
6
Victory snatched from those short vulgarian stubs that the DONALD calls fingers. Perhaps if he parted with some of his 10 Billion and hired a professional he might get better results. The problem is most of those people are young and have no interest in working for a man like Trump or a party like the GOP.
4
"...this politically pregnant convergence of events was not met with a battalion of well-credentialed Republican law enforcement and national security officials flooding the television airwaves to raise questions about the inquiry...
Nor any sort of objective coverage by the NYT...
Let Christie walk within ten feet of an orange traffic cone, though, and there'll be three NYT pieces on the the front page - with Andrew and Dean waxing "mad and sad" on the opinion pages...
Interesting, though...
How Hillary keeps adding Bernie's "free stuff" to her agenda...
So thoughtful, that woman...
Always a "plan" - never a simple-minded socialist notion...
Hil, one question...
Do you think we're so stupid, that we don't notice that the Dems are raising the effective marginal tax rate to 110%, for (on the books) income between $50K/yr and $150K/yr...
Or do you know this - because Gruber said so...
Mathematicians with tenure in upstate NY, and progressives living in rent-stabilized abodes - perhaps with platinum-plated public-sector pensions - in NYC...Seat yourselves ever so gently - and become silent...
Nor any sort of objective coverage by the NYT...
Let Christie walk within ten feet of an orange traffic cone, though, and there'll be three NYT pieces on the the front page - with Andrew and Dean waxing "mad and sad" on the opinion pages...
Interesting, though...
How Hillary keeps adding Bernie's "free stuff" to her agenda...
So thoughtful, that woman...
Always a "plan" - never a simple-minded socialist notion...
Hil, one question...
Do you think we're so stupid, that we don't notice that the Dems are raising the effective marginal tax rate to 110%, for (on the books) income between $50K/yr and $150K/yr...
Or do you know this - because Gruber said so...
Mathematicians with tenure in upstate NY, and progressives living in rent-stabilized abodes - perhaps with platinum-plated public-sector pensions - in NYC...Seat yourselves ever so gently - and become silent...
1
The fast-changing way we deliver and receive information is at the root of the floundering we see in the news cycle. This is yet another example that the political process is never about the real, only about the way it can be spun and which outlet we use to receive it. A sad state of affairs, but what we have. It is an unusual politician that can keep their hands and consciences clean. President Obama is right when he correctly predicts that we will miss him when he is gone.
2
OK. I take just as much pleasure as the next Democrat watching Trump endlessly embarrass the GOP, but I think this article places too much importance on Mrs. Clinton's shortcomings. At the end of the day I vote for the person who best represents my positions and no Repubican currently does that, least of all Donald Trump.
22
So, your positions involve corruption, lying and the selling of political influence? Or was there another candidate you are supporting?
Once again the sources are spot on. Trump lacks absolute discipline when it comes to message spinning. You would normally have concerted talking points from surrogates as well as moderators. I refer to this style of spin as " disorganized labor"( from that early house of cards episode)where every republican is supposed to use the same turn of phrases to describe the candidate. FBI director gives them the words to use and trump fails to properly run with it. Amateur Hour!
1
Right, because we want professional liars and spinners
1
Yeah but for Trump they'd be doing great...because America needed another Bush or a bridge shutter or government shutter or a guy who doesn't pay his debts...if Republicans want to win things, they can start by not being so out of step with the American people on gay marriage, abortion, immigration, and gun control off the top of my head.
9
I am puzzled why the NYT is putting several columns on the front page which seem to be begging Republicans to capitalize on Hillary Clinton's email mistakes. Do you want Trump to be our president? The gossipy nature of these front page articles seem to be designed to pile on her miscue and help a self-serving Republican party find ways to discourage voters from favoring her as president. Why are reporters from such an esteemed paper doing this? It is one thing to report the facts about the conclusions of the FBI; another to smirk about how Republicans can make more hay out of this issue and find a way to defeat her. Talk about Yellow Journalism!
44
So, you want the NYT to just be another dem publication?
Lies, lies, and now more lies. From Obama to Hillary, this is the best the Democrat party has to offer us? If the American people elect her president after the disclosure of these indicting facts, our electorate is as ignorant as Hillary is corrupt. We are then surely doomed.
2
It's the Democratic party. And they aren't indicting facts. How do we know? Well, because she wasn't indicted.
2
Clinton's email hearing is over. Now we can focus on Trump's civil case. The former was a fantasy. The latter is a real life...novella!
16
Trump doesn't really want the responsibility of being President. He just wants to promote his brand any way he can. Sure he likes winning but with it comes the need for knowledge in many areas and not just bankrupt and being a dead beat to his creditors and workmen. Not everything is a deal.
3
"But there was no concerted response."
And the Times haz a sad. "Come on yoouz guys!! We can't do it all by ourselves!"
And the Times haz a sad. "Come on yoouz guys!! We can't do it all by ourselves!"
4
Thoughts:
FBI Director James Comey has impeccable Republican credentials.
When FBI Director Comey could find no investigative justification for indicting HRC, instead of saying there is no evidence to indict he (deliberately and inappropriately?) gave the Republican Party more red meat for its attacks on HRC.
The FBI should have announced its findings and left it at that. Comey's public upbraiding of HRC, most especially in this unique political season, could easily appear to be personal and vindictive as well as an unfortunate echo of the agency's injecting itself into America's political life, a place where it does not belong.
See also: J. Edgar Hoover…
FBI Director James Comey has impeccable Republican credentials.
When FBI Director Comey could find no investigative justification for indicting HRC, instead of saying there is no evidence to indict he (deliberately and inappropriately?) gave the Republican Party more red meat for its attacks on HRC.
The FBI should have announced its findings and left it at that. Comey's public upbraiding of HRC, most especially in this unique political season, could easily appear to be personal and vindictive as well as an unfortunate echo of the agency's injecting itself into America's political life, a place where it does not belong.
See also: J. Edgar Hoover…
292
We need someone to save us from ourselves. We have chosen two people to be choice for president both having overwhelmingly high disapproval ratings. Comey is a hero.
Hopefully his effort fails for the USA having chosen these two plus a Congress with a 15% approval rating deserves to be punished severely. And for it to occur...is a certainty.
Hopefully his effort fails for the USA having chosen these two plus a Congress with a 15% approval rating deserves to be punished severely. And for it to occur...is a certainty.
1
Since there was no concerted response from the GOP, the New York Times rushed to fill the void, posting a collection of anti-Clinton headlines and stories, ignoring the facts that James Comey's statement was an extremely political document with phrasing calculated for maximum possible impact, that his statement included speculation beyond the results of the investigation, and was ultimately unprecedented for a case in which no charges were filed.
44
And to think of all the election years when I said there weren't any particularly good choices. How naive I was!
2
Who's fiddling now for our once great country? No one. I only wish Mr. Biden would or could step up. He's the only one i see who has character and a strong sense of honor. And that's what is needed if we ever right this ship. Somebody who can bring out our better angels. Neither Hillary or Trump can do the job. The best they can do is manage a cabbage patch garden!
3
We might start by nominating people who don't immediately put off half the country. Rather than find someone who could help bring most of us back together, the dem party seems to take great pleasure in offering up one of the most polarizing and corrupt candidates in existence.
Not to be outdone, the repubs have not done any better with Trump.
Not to be outdone, the repubs have not done any better with Trump.
Sorry Republicans, you dealt this hand to yourselves over the last 8 years and now you must play it.
45
And it is not as if the FBI director did not hand them a plate to work with in this case that is normally not handed out. The only thing announced by an FBI probe usually are the results. Any accompanying information is sent along only to the prosecutor which in this case is the DOJ. However even with a "gift" I guess they were so depressed that she wasn't being hauled directly to jail they were just so deflated. And FYI for them when they were bleating about "elite justice" as if they themselves are not part of that elite their example of Petraeus was not what they meant. HE is the perfect example of elite justice. He gave awy Top Secret info for sex. If he had NOT been an "elite" but just an average sailor he would have been in the brig for a VERY long time, dishonorably discharged and there would have been no pension. That soldier would also not have been able to recover with substantial speaking fees either
9
But yet the republican primary voters and the republican party got exactly the candidate that fits their outlook on the country. Trump just says what the party leaders, such as Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell, usually just alludes too.
8
well played! while Clinton was getting scolded your candidate was blabbing about what a great guy Saddam was.
22
Flashback: Rove Erases 22 Million White House Emails on Private Server at Height of US Attorney Scandal - Media Yawns
http://www.pensitoreview.com/2015/03/18/flashback-rove-erases-22-million...
http://www.pensitoreview.com/2015/03/18/flashback-rove-erases-22-million...
423
NYT, you made this a story. Why no investigation of about the three people before sec of state Clinton who did the same thing-but no pushback. Could it be because the previous sec of states were republican?
248
SM, please read up on the matter and you will find Ms. Rice and Mr. Powell acted under very different circumstances. Mr.Powell's private e-mail was housed on an aol server with full time security and retention of all data. Hillary's evasion of the FOI Act was housed in her bedroom closet. Little or no security and destruction of data by Clinton's lawyers. Not to mention the overriding fact here, it was not allowed under State Dept. rules.
2
The current situation is fully the fault of lazy Americans. Not illegal Mexicans, and not Syrians. Just lazy, won't read a book, vote for the same guys and gals for 35 years Americans. The country is rotting because of the GOP and DEMS. It isn't liberals fault or conservatives. It is both who can't seen beyond FOX , ABC and CBS and the other controlled media outlets. NAFTA, tax loopholes for Big business and the government in D.C. is a direct reflection of its citizens. Not reading, easily distracted with beer and girls, just waiting for Jesus to come save them. As the politicians laugh and laugh, at all the money they get to steal, cause Americans are suckers. Wake up Americans get the wool out of your eyes. Banking mafia and Corporations run the USA so be ready for the big one
folks, they own you! You think you are free,ha, ha, ha! Slaves we are
and slaves we will remain. Its all an illusion of freedom folks!
Election of the Federal President of the USA, so we can fight over who our next slave master will be!! BUNCH OF MORONS, the so called Federal
leaders are not your friends, never intended to be, they represent the
few, the elitists, the pirates in Washington and you just stand there
and cheer! How pathetic of you, grow up!
folks, they own you! You think you are free,ha, ha, ha! Slaves we are
and slaves we will remain. Its all an illusion of freedom folks!
Election of the Federal President of the USA, so we can fight over who our next slave master will be!! BUNCH OF MORONS, the so called Federal
leaders are not your friends, never intended to be, they represent the
few, the elitists, the pirates in Washington and you just stand there
and cheer! How pathetic of you, grow up!
10
Thinking people just don't want to be bogged down in the incessant deflections of people who refuse to focus on facts and issues, and believe themselves more knowledgeable the less they know about something. That's why people in politics are either naive and ineffectual or just in it for the thrills.
Well, since the GOP had practically promised Republicans that Clinton would be personally frog-marched in an orange jumpsuit to prison by James Comey, they were unprepared for a different outcome. Now, they want Comey's head on a platter next to Hillary's. So ain't going to happen, folks. No more than another Benghazi "investigation" will be called. And no one but the Hillary-haters want more taxpayer money spent circling around the drain with all these Republican accusations. Especially since the Bush Administration destroyed hundreds of e-mails and nothing ever was investigated then. And these phoney comparisons with Petraeus are tiring. He shared secret documents with a civilian lover and then lied about it. That is called willful intent. And since he was CIA director at the time of his offense, he surely knew better.
926
@Boo, that was 21 MILLION EMAILS that poof, got lost somehow, the entire administration used RNC servers, not government servers during the shrubs two terms.
6
Very true. Re pubs canthaveitboth ways.
1
the Bush Administration didn't get Americans murdered because of not doing their job.
"Hillary's Rough Day"!? This is the day she finally put the Sanders movement to rest. Comey's statement made it clear that the decision not to indict was based on the facts of the case, and the law, but because he made it clear that he would really like to have had a case against her. A popular president has endorsed and shared a stage with her in a swing state where black turnout will be critical. Anything Republicans will say will backfire on them. I'd say Hillary has had a super day, and Republicans might just as well get ready for a new round of post mortems.
29
So the Republican calculation is that even though he is an incompetent candidate and can't run a basic campaign, he will be an excellent president in dangerous and uncertain times?
19
Their argument is the same as yours. Their candidate is not as bad as yours. Those of us not part of these two corrupt parties have to find a way for both these horrible candidates to lose.
1
That Mr. Trump demonstrates his ineptitude and narcissism at every turn is reassuring when one imagines the November election results. Why are not more voters noticing this yet? Is media coverage so poor outside major metropolitan areas?
4
The news is dominated by rightwing media and guys like Rupert Murdoch whose tabloidization of all media (to enrich himself via advertising sales) wrecked all journalism in USA and worldwide.
4
Old political tropes that need to die:
1: The Electoral College
2: The two-party system
3: Polarizing media coverage
4: The dirty dollar undercurrent$
In the meantime, please enjoy listening to a bunch of radicals call each other racists socialists.
1: The Electoral College
2: The two-party system
3: Polarizing media coverage
4: The dirty dollar undercurrent$
In the meantime, please enjoy listening to a bunch of radicals call each other racists socialists.
2
You may not like it, but the Electoral College is part of the CONSTITUTION and you'd have to amend the Constitution in order to change it.
2
The Electoral College is not a political trope, but specified in the Constitution. On November 9, Mr. Trump will tweet: "Electoral college is a rigged system! So sad!"
Then he will sue someone, anyone, and declare bankruptcy once again.
Then he will sue someone, anyone, and declare bankruptcy once again.
7
Donald Trump is everything the GOP pretends not to be.
25
Seems to me Trump has become the presumptive nominee in spite of, not because of Republican leaders and talking heads. Plenty of ammo to be used within the 45 day window of the election.
2
The Republican Party appears to be dissolving, and the November election will accelerate that process. The next step, if we are to retain a two-party system of government, is for Bernie Sanders' people to form a new party to compete, in a progressive and constructive way, with the current Democratic Party.
3
Get a voter in a room. Have him/her listen to or carefully read Comey's whole speech. Then show a few clips of Donald, almost any clips, though maybe the one where he implies that Ted Cruz's father was involved in the Kennedy assasination. Then ask who they would rather trust with the country's highest level classified information.
12
Or, we could get real crazy and nominate a decent candidate for one of the parties.
I am still confused as to the "classified" claims. If something is NOT MARKED classified how are you supposed to know it is indeed classified. Sounds like a serious catch 22.
34
Maybe the key is to treat all emails as potential classified documents.
1
Exactly. In another life with a security clearance, I learned about a phenomenon that can occur in the discrete simulation of some physical processes. The problem (and its solution) was classified, but I only learned of its status by chance. In a room full of people with security clearances, these things are discussed without specifying what bits are and are not classified. I had no use for the information in that example so did not discuss it at all. But it's easy to understand how such a thing could be shared if its status were not known.
Likewise, I have never heard of any individual being penalized for handling open information that was subsequently classified. Makes no sense.
Likewise, I have never heard of any individual being penalized for handling open information that was subsequently classified. Makes no sense.
5
What a strange situation we voters are in.
On one side we have a self made billionaire, promising to apply his business genius to running our inefficient bureaucracy. He promises simple solutions- better control of the immigrants who are destroying our country, great trade deals and the restoration of domestic manufacturing jobs. He is willing to buck the establishment.
The problem is he is largely an empty ego balloon, running to increase his own self importance and to add to his personal wealth. He has demonstrated that he will do or say anything to become President.
On the other side we have a seasoned political professional, with a lifetime of public service and a resume which includes 8 years in the white house as spouse to one of the nation's most popular presidents, firsthand experience in government including a senate seat and as a cabinet member. In addition she would be our first female President.
The problem here is she represents the establishment which the public currently sees as the problem. This coupled with a perception that she will do or say anything to become President.
Our choice this year is between a competent well qualified candidate who represents everything the voters don't want and a woefully unqualified candidate who promises us what we do want.
My fear is that we may follow the path of Brexit, and fall victim to the intoxication of change, only awaking after the election to the hangover of reality.
On one side we have a self made billionaire, promising to apply his business genius to running our inefficient bureaucracy. He promises simple solutions- better control of the immigrants who are destroying our country, great trade deals and the restoration of domestic manufacturing jobs. He is willing to buck the establishment.
The problem is he is largely an empty ego balloon, running to increase his own self importance and to add to his personal wealth. He has demonstrated that he will do or say anything to become President.
On the other side we have a seasoned political professional, with a lifetime of public service and a resume which includes 8 years in the white house as spouse to one of the nation's most popular presidents, firsthand experience in government including a senate seat and as a cabinet member. In addition she would be our first female President.
The problem here is she represents the establishment which the public currently sees as the problem. This coupled with a perception that she will do or say anything to become President.
Our choice this year is between a competent well qualified candidate who represents everything the voters don't want and a woefully unqualified candidate who promises us what we do want.
My fear is that we may follow the path of Brexit, and fall victim to the intoxication of change, only awaking after the election to the hangover of reality.
38
“Why would he rush out a tweet as his primary response?” wondered Mr. Walsh. “He’s just demonstrating he is unable or unwilling to appear presidential at moments like this, when it’s required.”
I think it's "unable."
I think it's "unable."
19
No thoughtful person is thrilled about these Clinton developments, Republican or Democrat, and the next show to drop, of course, is their use of this "Foundation" as a piggy bank. Simply put, none of this makes the United States look good.
4
The singular most disappointing aspect of this campaign is that true conservatives and true progressives may find that the most sensible solution is to stay home and not vote. Vying incompetent against incompetent leaves you with the hollow feeling that voting is endorsing one evil candidate against the other.
2
"Nor was there any made-for-social-media video contrasting what the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, called Mrs. Clinton’s “extremely careless” handling of 110 classified emails with the former secretary of state’s shifting explanations over the last year about her use of a private email server."
Not that I'm a Trump/Republican supporter, but, well, this video seemed on point. http://reason.com/reasontv/2016/07/05/hillary-clinton-vs-james-comey-ema...
Not that I'm a Trump/Republican supporter, but, well, this video seemed on point. http://reason.com/reasontv/2016/07/05/hillary-clinton-vs-james-comey-ema...
2
The rue the Republicans feel about a "misssed opportunity" to run a candidate who could have rolled the FBI's Directors self protecting statement is simply misplaced.
No one outside the Beltway cares about a faux email scandal.
The press will spend the next week in concert with the Right Wing Nut Jobs in Congress trying to keep this story going.
But lets just cut to the quick.
Comey's statement is riddled with self covering statements.
If the FBI had FACTS to back up their claims then they'd be taking them to Court with the AG's blessing.
But FACTS are the one thing they don't have, so Director Comey issue statements such as "contained classified markings"
What?
How about this
She received an email that was clearly marked TOP SECRET YOUR EYES ONLY and she decided to send it via a tweet to the Russians.
Then you have a case.
Now lets say you go after Sec Clinton and you get to court and you have to start explaining what Top Secret Stuff she and "her staff" should have been more careful with...
"Your Honor the prosecution will prove that Sec Clinton received an email marked top secret on a non secure channel"
OK
Mr Defense Attorney
You Honor we'd like to read that email in Court
It says it is from the CIA Station in Afghanistan and it says a report came out yesterday in a UK paper that says Hamid Karzai is corrupt and has been making a fortune off of kickbacks.
And it is marked Top Secret.
Move to dismiss...
No one outside the Beltway cares about a faux email scandal.
The press will spend the next week in concert with the Right Wing Nut Jobs in Congress trying to keep this story going.
But lets just cut to the quick.
Comey's statement is riddled with self covering statements.
If the FBI had FACTS to back up their claims then they'd be taking them to Court with the AG's blessing.
But FACTS are the one thing they don't have, so Director Comey issue statements such as "contained classified markings"
What?
How about this
She received an email that was clearly marked TOP SECRET YOUR EYES ONLY and she decided to send it via a tweet to the Russians.
Then you have a case.
Now lets say you go after Sec Clinton and you get to court and you have to start explaining what Top Secret Stuff she and "her staff" should have been more careful with...
"Your Honor the prosecution will prove that Sec Clinton received an email marked top secret on a non secure channel"
OK
Mr Defense Attorney
You Honor we'd like to read that email in Court
It says it is from the CIA Station in Afghanistan and it says a report came out yesterday in a UK paper that says Hamid Karzai is corrupt and has been making a fortune off of kickbacks.
And it is marked Top Secret.
Move to dismiss...
39
It's almost useless to quote "elite" Republicans because the people who voted for Trump HATE them, despise them as much as they despise HRC. NYT, if you really want to shame Trump with articles like this you need to find the Joe Plumber who calls Trump a real big dummybutt. That's the level you need to go to because quoting anyone with even an AA degree is only making Trump more popular.
22
How is this news? It's an article quoting all republican sources saying absolutely nothing new except more of the same attacks on Hillary?
193
What an odd article. It reads like the New York Times is disappointed that the GOP didn't spend the day shredding Secretary Clinton.
Both parties are stuck with flawed candidates that the majority of the electorate do not like. With all the negatives that both carry, it is hard for anyone to get excited about this presidential campaign.
Both parties are stuck with flawed candidates that the majority of the electorate do not like. With all the negatives that both carry, it is hard for anyone to get excited about this presidential campaign.
57
My only surprise is that anyone is surprised that Donald Trump has no idea how to respond to these situations. I'm a strong Hillary Clinton supporter, but even I can see that her vulnerabilities, if exploited by a competent opponent, could be her undoing. Mr. Trump's ego combined with his vast political inexperience combine to create a vacuum of leadership and of effective strategy. There's no there there--which is the crop directly resulting from the seeds sown by the Republican party over the last eight years.
23
"Republicans never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity."
Where can I order a dozen bumper stickers?
Where can I order a dozen bumper stickers?
49
But they never miss an opportunity to enrich the 1%.
When Donald Trump loses nearly every state in November, he'll say the system is rigged and that he knew he would lose because he's such an honest, upstanding person.
He will never admit the truth of anything that isn't his own version.
Negative publicity is better than no publicity to this guy.
He's a true celebrity.
He will never admit the truth of anything that isn't his own version.
Negative publicity is better than no publicity to this guy.
He's a true celebrity.
151
We are approaching a US presidential election talking about which candidate grabs which opportunities to ferociously bash the opponent. Surely we can do better than this. But we won't. Something tells me this is just the start. It's going to be a long, messy road ahead.
20
Yes, we know that Mrs Clinton is a very flawed candidate. However, the gap between this flawed candidate and someone with an obvious personality disorder, such as Donald Trump, is large. The two party machines, one deliberately and one in spite of itself has thrown up two not very desirable candidates. It would be tragic having escaped, through independence, one nut job who would have ruled America as a colony in the eighteenth century, to come under the control of another nut job who would rule the US as just another casino in the twenty-first!
498
Spare us the flawed candidate nonsense, unless you mean she's had the right wing after her for 25 years. Nixon was a flawed candidate. G.W. Bush was an immensely flawed candidate. Both brought hell and destruction to America. Trump doesn't even qualify as a legitimate candidate. He's nothing more than an escapee from a mental institution pretending, apparently successfully, to be one.
28
Hillary Clinton is one of the most qualified individuals ever to get the nomination for president. 35 years of republican right wing media flung at her make people think she's a total liar. They are.
13
King George III's 'madness' did not manifest itself for nearly 20 years AFTER the American Revolution.
2
I just wish that the delegates at the Democratic Convention would see the light and nominate Bernie. Things would just be so much simpler.
102
Keep dreaming. Not happening.
15
all this talk of Bernie, what about Joe? Yes, Bernie has some good policy proposals, but a bit like my response to my friends back in the sixties talking about revolution - can you imagine what the Republican and right wing attack machines would do, were Bernie to be our nominee?
Too bad that Joe's family circumstances kept him from running. He would have been our ideal candidate, and quite likely, the best President since FDR.
Too bad that Joe's family circumstances kept him from running. He would have been our ideal candidate, and quite likely, the best President since FDR.
2
Except that, as Paul Krugman and others have demonstrated, Sanders's economic and foreign policies are demonstrably inferior to those proposed by Clinton.
10
I get that the mainstream media is itching for the next round of attacks, gaffes, and negativity. I understand that the presumptive Republican nominee's response is akin to a teenagers tweet that HRC is "sooooo guilty".
What I don't know, and here is where I wish the media were doing their job, is if Trump even knows the Constitution, or how he plans to crack down on terrorism, or how his vision of mass deportation will be accomplished.
Those are also questions that need to be asked and answered.
What I don't know, and here is where I wish the media were doing their job, is if Trump even knows the Constitution, or how he plans to crack down on terrorism, or how his vision of mass deportation will be accomplished.
Those are also questions that need to be asked and answered.
1124
He doesn't have a clue.
8
Media will never do their journalistic job unless tabloid journalism dies quickly!
the news is dominated by rightwing media publicists and guys like Rupert Murdoch whose tabloidization of all media (to enrich himself via advertising sales) wrecked all journalism in USA and worldwide.
the news is dominated by rightwing media publicists and guys like Rupert Murdoch whose tabloidization of all media (to enrich himself via advertising sales) wrecked all journalism in USA and worldwide.
11
Don't worry! We're going to WIN and WIN YUUUUUGE!!!!111!
and now it's the NYTimes that needs to respond reasonably....Hillary surely has flaws, but she's the only reasonable option to lead the country. enough email news, I think she got it. Most recent horrible bombings, gun deaths, and terrible injuries are not the result of Hillary emails. It's time to move on Mr/Ms NYT!
553
Misfeasance, malfeasance, and non-feasance do not an enviable record in office make.
And as for turning her public office into a cash machine for the family slush fund?
And as for turning her public office into a cash machine for the family slush fund?
5
I am SICK of the TImes,who are allegedly endorsing Sec. Clinton, providing the Trump and Sanders campaigns with headline fodder EVERY DAY. It is irresponsible , self serving journalism, and your paper has become a wishy washy mediocre rag.
Mrs. Clinton has been exonerated. Stop quoting conservative COmey's buzzwords.
Mrs. Clinton has been exonerated. Stop quoting conservative COmey's buzzwords.
12
More reasonable than Bernie Sanders? What say the Democratic Super Delegates?
1
Yes--the announcement yesterday was a real news story, but this article reads as if the Times is trying to provide political consulting services for Donald Trump. Yes, Hillary Clinton should not have used a private email server, but it's hard not to wonder if Times reporters are angry that they lack access to her.
408
Dreadful. It appears they are trying to present information from both sides, and I'm sorry that disturbs you.
3
It's not just the times that lacks access to her. It's neatly all but her handlers. She can't hold a press conference or sit down for an honest interview. The party has to hide her away and only show her in photo ops with popular politicians.
1
Yes, I'm shocked at the Times as Trump consultant. Yesterday what was it? Oh, yes, the "great attack ad!" invitation as the main headline on the front page. Absurd. They mean to stir the pot and keep the clicks coming, but they're killing whatever is left of their good reputation instead.
10
Someone should tell Trump, not that he cares about the truth anyway, but what General Petraeus did was actually FAR worse than what Clinton did....
General Petraeus KNOWINGLY shared secret info with his biographer/mistress, he lied to the FBI, and there was an audio of him admitting he knew the info he was sharing was highly classified.....And despite that, even the General was not indicted...He paid a $100,000 fine....
What Hillary Clinton did was jaywalking compared to what General Petraeus did...
General Petraeus KNOWINGLY shared secret info with his biographer/mistress, he lied to the FBI, and there was an audio of him admitting he knew the info he was sharing was highly classified.....And despite that, even the General was not indicted...He paid a $100,000 fine....
What Hillary Clinton did was jaywalking compared to what General Petraeus did...
1167
Jaywalking? honestly- this lady has lied time and time and time again- she truly believes she has been born to be top queen- no laws- no rules- no kidding-
Ms Clinton calculates- how much can I sell my influence for? how can we Clintons continue to amaze a fortune from countries that are 100% in the opposite side of what she likes to preach? M O N E Y... is what motivates her.
Ms Clinton calculates- how much can I sell my influence for? how can we Clintons continue to amaze a fortune from countries that are 100% in the opposite side of what she likes to preach? M O N E Y... is what motivates her.
6
Someone should tell the public that Petraeus is worse than what Clinton did. Trump knows that he can lie, lie, lie, and the media and the low-information voter will believe his lies with no fact checking.
20
And the media, which is supposed to hold powerful people accountable will fail to correct Trump.
12
My favorite comment in the article came from Romney's national security expert who stated that HRC belonged in a cell. It's hilarious that he doesn't recognize that incarcerating someone who has not committed a crime violates the Constitution. That makes me wonder what he would be willing to do in the name of "national security." That, along with the fact that he worked for a man who put who-knows-how-many real American workers out of work in pursuit of his life's work which was making the already wealthy and himself more wealthy. HRC's life's work has been improving the lives of real American workers and their families.
HRC 2016