It would have been better if the white house said nothing, instead they decided to

[still_one]

Last edited Mon Oct 31, 2016, 10:17 PM - Edit history (1)

Imply that Comey had no bad intentions

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/white-house-james-comey-clinton-fbi-230540

While the WH did say this was against SOP, that they added a naivete toward Comey is bullshit

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/white-house-james-comey-clinton-fbi-230540

[DURHAM D]

1. yep, thanks for nothin'

Josh and Comey have apparently taken the same "communications" class

[Dawson Leery]

2. And this is why I was with Hillary in 2008.

Obama is too eager to appease the right.
FDR he is not!

[RKP5637]

3. Definitely no FDR! n/t

[adigal]

11. By nature, Obama is not a fighter, as we have seen over and over and over

This is just the last example in a string of events in which he lets the Republicans ride roughshod over him. He's a good man, but we needed a fighter.

Case in point: do you think Hillary would be as calm about Garland's stalled nomination?? Not likely. SHE is a fighter.

[Dawson Leery]

12. That is why I wanted her in 08'.

Morons like Cenk and Anna.......what else can be said?

[Cha]

16. Oh by Nature President Obama is most certainly a Fighter..

Just because he knows what he's doing now and you all are so willing to throw him under the damn bus doesn't mean anything.

[mcar]

23. It's too bad he doesn't do what the experts here tell him to do

Oh, and Best President of my Lifetime!

[Hortensis]

30. He'd have to regress substantially to do that, wouldn't he?

We badly need to teach morality and ethics and their critical role in public policy and to the very survival of democracy in all our schools.

And, from the cynical side because nothing is really all that simple, going high while others go low has great tactical value. After all, our nation badly needs SOMEONE to go high, and who but our president?

[adigal]

44. Tell Garland that, as he waits for a hearing and Obama sits quietly nt

[Hortensis]

48. Garland is Obama's nomination and Obama's legacy,

if he can get him on. The tactics President Obama has decided on are undoubtedly far, far better thought out than you imagine and the information Obama has and we do not is undoubtedly far, far more comprehensive than you imagine. Patience.

[DonCoquixote]

55. let me guess

Just like some people slammed SotoMayor and Kagan because they would NEVER vote for Gay marriage, these folks are "right" again. These are the same people that if Obama did what they wanted, would wonder how come Trump would keep blasting "Obama let hillary off" at full max!

[Hortensis]

65. Hard to imagine seeing the world as a place where people

like Obama, and of course legions of other officials, are clueless incompetents and, if possible, even more ignorant than yourself, but sounds to me like a recipe for high anxiety.

[Cha]

34. Right. ".. not a fighter" They think everything

that he's accomplished has just been handed to him? Just because he doesn't do what they think he should be doing?

I'm gonna go with President Obama.. he's earned my trust.

mcar

[ailsagirl]

63. Obama not a fighter? That's preposterous!!

And I like your post, Cha!!!

[Cha]

64. Exactly, ailsagirl! Oh and this..White House Won’t Defend James Comey: ‘He’s In A Tough Spot’

If anything, Monday’s White House briefing had the distinct taste of an administration telling the FBI director to clean up his own mess ― without, of course, the explicit recommendation to do so. Earnest noted that in breaking with guidelines to avoid getting involved in elections so close to Election Day, the predictable results had occurred.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/james-comey-administration-response_us_581787aae4b0990edc32ba17

And, like I said.. President Obama knows what he's doing.. those on a message board? Not so much.

Thank you!

[uponit7771]

35. So Obama has never punched back instantly?! Really?! "fighter" to me is someone who gets shit done

... not someone who punches at every offense.

[Cha]

40. Thank you uponit! Exactly, President Obama knows

what he's doing.

His accomplishments were not handed to him.. and he's got a lot of shit done.

[uponit7771]

41. Yeap, Obama has completed around 80% of his agenda with a historically obstructive GOP congress

... that's "fighting" to me not standing up at a podium and calling everyone loser or some shit.

Yeah he can yank a rope when he wants and has but for the most part he's played long ball and it worked... 50 something approval rating right now is a good thing

[adigal]

45. 80%? Where did you get that figure? Making up crap.

I like Obama, but he doesn't want to be seen as angry.

[Hekate]

49. Yes he has done so

[uponit7771]

51. Strawman, I said around 80% (link inside)

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/

Promises kept, compromised and working on = ~ 80% I'm grading with a 5% increase cause Politifact doesn't add in obstructionist congress into the mix of brokens

[underthematrix]

42. Okay here goes

I'm just so frustrated with people who write things like this about President Obama. I want you to be like me able to see the trees in the forest. President Obama described this latest iteration of let's manipulate the electorate and outcome of the presidential election as NOISE and A DISTRACTION. Now how could he say that? Because he already knows the real purpose behind the Clinton "investigation" and the "discovery" that there were emails related to Clinton on a laptop the Weiner's shared.

What if there's a HOMELAND SECURITY criminal investigation of the TRUMP campaign for violation of the espionage act which includes ties to Russia and possibly Israel?

In early 2016, Russia and Israel announced they would be collaborating on some unspecified "stuff". Trump has at least 8 campaign offices in Israel. In early October before the October 28th Comey letter, Adelson donated 5 million dollars to support Trump's election bid.

What if Homeland Security wanted to identify the FBI agents, the Congressional members, staffers, surrogates, intelligence officers, and military personnel who were involved in assisting Russia in the overthrow of the United States gov't? What if President Obama already knows who planted Huma's emails on the laptop she shares with her husband. What if they have had TRUMP's campaign staffers, Trump org business executives, Trump family members, and specific members of Congress under surveillance? Recall it was the New York FBI that first "discovered" Huma's Clinton related emails on her husband's laptop. And then there's Lara trump who knew about the Huma emails BEFORE Comey allegedly found out on October 27th.

I think people need to listen carefully to what President Obama is saying and has said. In one of his first speeches for Clinton, he said this election is about the survival of our democracy. I took that to mean that electing TRUMP would signal the end of US democracy including the suspension of national elections, the Constitution, freedom of religion, freedom of speech and believe it or not, the right to bear arms.

Just because you don't see what President Obama is doing doesn't mean he's not doing anything. DC is a filthy depraved cesspool. He has to keep everything close to the vest because he can't trust many of those people including some in his own party.

I would pay attention to POTUS' golfing schedule. When he plays golf that's when shit goes down.

[GeorgeGist]

43. No comment ...

would have been the adult thing to say. Rather he puts his thumb on the scale to protect his appointee.

[adigal]

46. I agree with you. No Comment would have been much better than

They have trust in him.

Obama is a good President but he has his flaws, just like the rest of us.

[radius777]

60. Exactly. I love Obama, but H/Clintons don't take shit,

whereas Obama is too much of a nice guy. He could've simply stayed neutral on this topic, and let Reid and others cut into Comey. Many if not most legal and political minds on both sides of the aisle have stated that what Comey/FBI is doing is clearly partisan, unethical and a violation of the Hatch Act.

Hardball politics often gets the Clintons in trouble, but they know that nice doesn't work when one is dealing with rightwing thugs and fascists - what the GOP has become over the past 30 years.

[karynnj]

67. I agree that Obama is a nicer guy, I disagree that this is a flaw

I think it has allowed him the ability to quietly get at least two of his biggest accomplishments, both of which were seen as impossible 4 years before they hsppened.

Th Paris Climate accord, which will be implemented this month because over 55 countries that have over 55 percent of carbon emissions have ratified it was one and it was won be quiet negotiations with China, not screaming at them.

The other was the Iran nuclear deal which was thought impossible both internationally and in DC. OBama did not back down even as he simultaneously faced the Republicans, Netanyahu and AIPAC. That deal likely avoided an even bigger war than those being fought.

Those reflect REAL strength of character and purpose.

Both Obamas have been amazing surrogates for Clinton. President Obama should not get involved in this as it would make it an even bigger story.

[karynnj]

66. Obama had the political courage to fight on many issues

He had the political courage to fight to win what was a nearly impossible fight to get the Iran nuclear deal and avoid a war there. He also fought a nearly impossible situation to have a real climate change legacy through the Paris Climate Accord and executive orders.

Note in debates Clinton claimed some connection to both of these. Yet, I do not know a President Clinton would have taken the political risk for either. I do think she would have taken the political risk on ACA and the two major gay rights accomplishments.

Unfortunately, I also think she would have been more aggressive in support of Syrian rebels, where I think more US effort on negotiations in 2011 and 2012 might have been the better choice - from what we did.

Obama has been an exceptional President and his and Michelle's support of Clinton is more than that of ANY first couple for anyone I can think of in my life.

The entire email/Foundation while she was SOS reflects on Obama because it was his administration. Frankly, Obama's reaction is better than throwing oil on a fire.

[karynnj]

68. I seem to remember Obama fighting for the 2008 nomination and winning

You might also remember the media and many powers in the Democratic party pretty much claimed the nomination as hers before the 2004 election was even certified.

I think he knows how to fight and when to fight ... and luckily for Clinton, he and Michelle have been out fighting.

[ananda]

24. Agree.

nt

[dsc]

28. This was my major issue as well. Education and this

[Cha]

36. President Obama has been an excellent President and no

he's not FDR.. he has his own style.

He's not "appeasing the right".. ya'll don't look very classy throwing him under the bus like this.

[DonCoquixote]

54. wow

it's not election night and people are already grinding axes for Obama, even though HIS help is what allowed her to win the AfAm vote?, while he easily could have left her in the cold? Here's a news flash, wait until at least Hillary makes it before trying to get out old grudges from 2008, especially as he has been givign Hillary * years of work to come into this election with.

[ecstatic]

61. Now is not the time to be divisive. We need

everyone who voted for President Obama to turn out for Clinton.

[Adrahil]

4. Relax.... there is a point to this, I think.

You can be sure stuff is happening, but what they DON'T want or need is any indication that Obama or Lynch are applying their own political pressures to stop Comey. The pressure will come from without, as it must.

[Dem2]

7. Exactly!

Amazing how poor some people understand politics suddenly when they're pissed off.

[OnDoutside]

29. +1

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

10. I'm waiting for someone to leak details about Trump's ties to Russia

I'll give it 24 hours.

[still_one]

13. I understand he wants to be above this, but he didn't have to go out of his way and say that he

doesn't think Comey had any political intentions in mind.

Why was that necessary? Just that comment on the face of it is ridiculous since HIS AG told Comey NOT to do what he did, and he violated her direct order

The fact that there are people looking into a Hatch Act violation, and other things, if he really wanted to stay above the fray, all he had to do was say the FBI director should have followed Standard Procedures.

[Adrahil]

15. Because when the shitstorm brews....

Obama and Lynch must be seen to be above reproach.

If we're pursuing Comey for acting in a partisan fashion, we have to be sure our own folks are not vulnerable to the same accusations. It's politics.

[still_one]

17. So the President obviously know that Comey doesn't have political intentions, even though Lynch's

instructions to Comey were a direct violation of those instructions

[uponit7771]

37. Comey can have no political intentions and still have done something stupid and that's bad enough

... to get shit canned.

Also, they can later change their minds given some new info and then Comey is really up shits creek... there's a lot of ways to play Comey's fucked move here.

[mountain grammy]

38. I agree, I think..

It ain't for nothing his approval rating is above 50%, and that only helps Democrats.

[Adrahil]

69. Not just that, but...

accusations from the right that Obama abused his power to quash the FBI efforts would become the story. We do not want that.

[mountain grammy]

70. I have no doubt, Obama wants to fire the jerk..

but he knows what a distraction that would be. Eight years into this, I wish we could give him another term with a decent House and Senate, but reality bites.

[Adrahil]

72. Completely agree. NT

[okaawhatever]

20. I think Obama may have taken a public stance on whether Comey had violated the Hatch Act so

the GOP can't claim that Comey was covering his butt to avoid being charged. Think about it; a Republican filed the complaint a mere hours after Comey sent that letter. I was suspicious of that to begin with. If the GOP knows the FBI has horribly damaging info which would effect down ballot, like the Trump/Russia allegations, they need to discredit Comey and the FBI.

The GOP should know if there is proof of Trump/Russia collusion. Harry Reid said in his letter that Comey and senior intelligence figures had discussed this with him. That likely means other congresspeople, or at least congress leadership, has been briefed and knows the FBI has evidence.

[regnaD kciN]

39. It's called "the dreaded vote of confidence"…

…and most sports fans will know what I mean.

[nolabear]

71. I agree. I often imagine those duck paddling like mad below the surface.

This is a far more complex system than any of us can know. That's one reason DJT's bullshit is such bullshit. It takes not one bit of the efficacy of the system into account.

[Dem2]

5. We were praising the most popular president in recent history

Now we eat our own?

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

6. They had to appear impartial due to how badly Obama wants Clinton to win

Anything else publicly would look bad.

That does NOT mean that there is not pressure to even things out behind the scenes.

[democrattotheend]

32. That's what I am thinking

I have no evidence of this, but I am hoping the White House cut a deal with Comey to expedite the review if the president didn't throw him under the bus.

President Obama is in a really tough situation here though. Because he is Comey's boss, anything he does as president to get involved in this opens him up to charges of trying to rig it for Hillary.

[NCTraveler]

9. What you are seeing is Obama campaigning for Clinton.

Last edited Mon Oct 31, 2016, 02:55 PM - Edit history (1)

As much as it would make us feel good, Obama coming out and blasting Comey would not be a good move. He needs to play no role in escalating it. Obama coming out guns blazing would be putting gas on smoldering embers.

[still_one]

14. He doesn't have to blast Comey, but he doesn't have to add that he believes Comey had no political

intentions, especially in light of his AG specially telling Comey to stand down.

[NCTraveler]

25. Yeah. I think he does need to show stability.

It is clear his surrogates are out there trashing Comey.

[still_one]

59. Yes they are

[radius777]

57. Exactly, the WH should've given a more neutral statement

so that he could seem above the fray, while allowing the process (of uncovering Comey/FBI for the rw hacks they are) to play out.

Many major political and legal minds on both sides of the aisle are saying what Comey/FBI is doing is highly partisan and unethical and a clear violation of the Hatch Act.

[leftynyc]

18. So he's STILL giving the pukes

the benefit of the doubt. His naivete is maddening.

[democrattotheend]

47. I think it's the opposite

Anything he does that could be seen as putting political pressure on Comey gives the GOP ammunition.

[geek tragedy]

19. the White House hung him out to dry, which is rather remarkable for a guy they appointed nt

[Cha]

21. Well like Reid said in his letter.. he use to believe

he was "a principled public servant".



http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512561515

[NCTraveler]

27. Not good enough Obama. nt.

[geek tragedy]

31. Obama's job is to flush the turd after the election, hands off the handle until then nt

[NCTraveler]

33. I agree.

Hands off for Obama, not his surrogates.

Pretty sure you agree as well. Think I expanded on what was not an absolute comment by you.

Love your phrasing and believe you are spot on.

[Cha]

58. You were right!

White House Won’t Defend James Comey: ‘He’s In A Tough Spot’

If anything, Monday’s White House briefing had the distinct taste of an administration telling the FBI director to clean up his own mess ― without, of course, the explicit recommendation to do so. Earnest noted that in breaking with guidelines to avoid getting involved in elections so close to Election Day, the predictable results had occurred.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/james-comey-administration-response_us_581787aae4b0990edc32ba17

And, like I said.. President Obama knows what he's doing.

[Lucinda]

62. Yep! n/t

[La Lioness Priyanka]

22. this is what hillary was talking about private vs public face

publicly they have to support the head of the FBI, else things look way partisan.

[jonno99]

26. Just - wow...nt

[Hekate]

50. Thank you all so much for your deeeeeep concern and advice to the best POTUS of my 69 years

Just thanks.

[texasmomof3]

52. This has really bothered me all day...

What if the comment was meant to only look like he was giving Comey the thumbs up. It is really really strange that he would say anything at all. What if he knows what is coming against Trump this week OR knows that his people at the DOJ will get this handled quickly and swiftly and to Hillary's advantage? He could look bipartisan if he felt the need which btw I don't understand since he is leaving any way.

[gto]

53. It would have been better if Hillary didn't use a private e-mail server too.

Personal accountability.

I already voted for her and think the issue is overblown, but this entire situation is her fault, not Obama's fault.

[lovemydog]

56. I couldn't disagree more.

He said he won't interfere with other agencies' work. He said that right now it's mainly noise and distraction. That's exactly what he needed to say. Nothing more, nothing less.