White House has 'no recommendations' for FBI director on Clinton-related email investigation

[EL34x4]

Source: CNBC

President Obama does not believe FBI Director James Comey is secretly trying to influence the election outcome, the White House said Monday.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the the Administration will neither defend nor criticize Comey's decision to inform Congress about the new Hillary Clinton-related emails.

Read more: http://www.cnbc.com/2016/10/31/white-house-will-not-defend-criticize-fbis-decision-to-tell-congress-about-clinton-email-decision.html

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Developing...

[DURHAM D]

1. He is not "secretly" trying to influence the outcome.

He is OPENLY trying to influence the outcome.

[EL34x4]

4. So, the White House has no position on this?

[MADem]

26. I wouldn't comment on the possible investigation of the FBI Director for

violation of the Hatch Act either, if I were in the collective shoes of the Office of the President.

You don't coment on ongoing or potential investigations--not for them, or against them.

Mum's the word!

[bucolic_frolic]

2. You're on your own

arm's length, washing our hands, not getting involved

[PoliticAverse]

3. Translation: Loretta Lynch it's all yours... n/t

[Loki Liesmith]

5. The white house just told Comey that he's on his own.

[EL34x4]

7. Comey isn't on his own.

He's earned himself the support of millions of people opposing Hillary Clinton.

He has a lot of new friends.

[Loki Liesmith]

19. :)

[INdemo]

6. Another act of misjudgement Mr. President..and you were doing so

well, Hell yes Comey was trying to influence this election. Mr President you are standing with the right wing rodents on this?
Shame on you.

[unblock]

9. he'd only make matters worse by even talking about it prior to the election.

*after* the election, that's another story.

[INdemo]

12. Yes he would have been better off if he had not made a comment at all

This probably pissed off a lot of Democrats ...of which Hillary doesn't need right now
Its obvious Comey was most certainly trying to influence the election outcome.

[unblock]

14. yes -- the white house should say as little as possible, and wait for "official" information to come

and then make a calm, quiet, deliberative decision to remove comey from his post after a proper, bureaucratic review of his actions.

*after* the election.

[JoePhilly]

24. So Obama will piss off democrats who then won't vote for Hillary ...

... because they expected Obama to attack Comey more strongly, for attacking Hillary.

That the logic pretzel you're going with here?

[INdemo]

37. No.. For the Democrats that are luke warm about voting might just stay home.

[Jason1961]

10. I can't see how this helps us at all

He could pull the plug on this attack on Hillary in an instant and yet he not only sits on his hands but essentially calls us liars by stating that Comey isn't trying to influence the election.

I definitely didn't see this coming. I figured he'd come in and save the day.

[DonCoquixote]

27. and if he did that

That would be a gift to Trump as they can all yell that (racial expletive) is trying to help Hillary! "

[Jason1961]

28. Now they're yelling that he's throwing her under the bus

The same Republicans that thought Trump was done on Thursday are now saying Obama is distancing himself from Hillary

[DonCoquixote]

36. again do not give Trump what he wants

They want Obama to look like he is hiding Hillary.

[snooper2]

18. So if Comey came out three days after she was elected what kind of shitstorm would have happened?

[phleshdef]

39. Bullshit. If the President came down on Comey right now, the backlash would be terrible.

I'm glad he is President and not someone like you.

[karynnj]

41. President Obama is easily the best President of the last 50 years

This is not a misjudgment. There is no reason he should make any response that makes this story flare up another day. He and Michelle have done more for HRC than any past President in modern times. Their support and their own legacy of being inspiring role models for the country as President and First Lady are an asset that has helped HRC.

[Historic NY]

8. With all the pressure on Comey he may come to his own conclusion...

that he fucked up royally and will resign on his own. For Obama to do it would make it even more extreme, and be seen as giving cover to Clinton.

[JoePhilly]

25. Comey will resign shortly after the election.

He serves at the pleasure of the President. And President Obama is going to ask him to step down after Hillary wins.

[former9thward]

32. He is not a cabinet officer.

He does not serve at the pleasure of the president. He has a 10 year term. Congress set up the law like that so the FBI Director would not be a the whim of any particular president.

[JoePhilly]

33. Oh yea ... ??

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2002/06/how_do_you_dump_the_fbi_director.html

Comey has embarrassed the FBI twice now by speaking about on-going investigations when he should not have done so.

Looks like Obama can request his resignation, publicly if necessary.

[former9thward]

34. Yea ....

I don't think you read your link. A president needs "adequate cause" -- not his opinion. Sessions was fired for misusing official resources. You may think whatever Comey has done rises to that standard but outside of partisans it does not.

[INdemo]

42. Bingo

[avebury]

11. Just what does the WH think that Comney was doing when he

deliberately notified the Republicans 1st, therefore allowing them to start the narrative about the emails, before he notified the Democrats in Congress? Big fail on the part of the WH. Had Comney notified both Republicans and Democrats in Congress at the same time he might be able to claim that he was only being due diligent. But - he did not.

[Sunlei]

13. my real news from the WH daily press questions. The President can't recommend to the FBI but..

he can give an opinion & imo, the word 'secretly' is the key word.

Some of the other questions these past couple months were very informative. All the questions are on the WH website. I hope Hillary keeps that White House website, & Thanks Obama.

[demgrrrll]

15. OK move. I understand those who feel otherwise too.

[alcibiades_mystery]

16. Good!

Obama the only adult in the room once again.

[GeorgeGist]

22. No comment ...

would have been the adult thing to say. Rather than trying to clear Comey.

[patsimp]

17. Big mistake on Obama's part.

[riderinthestorm]

20. +1 nt

[wordpix]

21. I'm OK with that - a Hatch Act violation charge has already been filed

by a repug, no less. So that is being handled, what would O do?

[GulfCoast66]

23. Smart

Firing or criticizing him now would just keep the turmoil going.

But after the election I think Mr. Coney will be resigning after a very frank 'discussion' with the President.

[joejoejoe1]

29. Ummm how is this good?

The White house is now on record saying:

"President Obama does not believe FBI Director James Comey is secretly trying to influence the election outcome"

This is some how good for the Hatch act case? Obama is his boss.. His boss just gave him the OK.

[skylucy]

30. Pretty obvious that many of the posters here did NOT watch the entire Josh Ernest presser

this morning. I watched the entire press conference and Mr. Ernest did not carry any banners for Director Comey. He spoke pretty extensively about protocol etc. while not mentioning Comey by name...But it was obvious to the reporters there and to me that he was calling out Comey for not following the rules. At the conclusion, I was not upset at all at Ernest or President Obama.

[Sunlei]

38. I watch or read all the pressers because I prefer my news pre-media spin.

[Blandocyte]

35. Comey is probably wanting to spend more time with his family

Heck of a job, Jimmy.

[dalton99]

40. Hillary will have a new FBI director.