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The Screaming Moderate

This October surprise is especially dangerous

10/29/2016

2 Comments

 
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…that nasty five-letter word – email – comes back on the table.

I was watching CNN when the news broke. And I watched it for a bit after the news broke. They discussed it, based only on the info in the FBI director’s letter, which provided little information and no specifics. Which did not stop those highly paid talking heads from speculating on all manner of things. It was ridiculous “reporting” and subject for another day.

I’m not going to do the same since, like you and them, I have NO idea what’s going on. I do agree with both sides that the public deserves more information from the FBI now, not later. We know that will be insufficient info, but what we have doesn’t even meet the insufficient test.

Could it be serious? Sure. Of course. I doubt it, but that’s based only on what’s on the record – that the FBI has investigated the matter and found Hillary Clinton very sloppy but not criminal based on what they knew earlier in the year.

I get why the FBI director felt compelled to tell someone he maybe-might-could have information that’s pertinent but even he is saying he doesn’t yet know if it’s pertinent and we can’t elect a president based on that information void. That’s not to say folks should vote for Donald Trump, it’s just to say – we need more information.

Worst case scenario: if this latest development turns out to be her doing something illegal, then we all need to reassess what should be done in this election. And we need it now, Director Comey. Sorry you have created this void and you need to fill it.

Also, if no further info comes out until after the election and she wins and then we learn of some criminal behavior, it will be a constitutional and societal crisis. If people are concerned about the potential violence from vigilantes policing our voting places, imagine an election where Clinton wins and then we learn there is a serious, criminal issue. And that with a defeated and conspiratorial Donald Trump further stirring up the vigilantes.

Lacking that further info, I don’t see it making a huge impact on the election. On the margins, yes. Of course the margins may matter big league in some states that are close. The polls have shown that supporters on both sides – this of course is before the latest October surprise – are solidly behind their chosen candidate. There are some voters who have recently made up their minds or are still undecided where it may matter, though. 

Mostly, I have no idea what it all means other than I want more information, and I’m sure you do, too.


2 Comments
Larz Neilson
10/29/2016 10:38:02 am

Demands to release the emails are ridiculous. If they're classified, obviously they can't release them. And if they're not, they're irrelevant. My guess is that this is all about political impact and nothing else.

Reply
B. Jay
10/29/2016 11:47:19 am

Larz,

I don't think I said release the emails. I know others have. I want more information: did the mails come from her? Did they come from her server? Did any contain classified info? What led Comey to believe they might be pertinent?

Reply



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    B. Jay Cooper

    B. Jay is a former deputy White House press secretary to Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush. He also headed the communications offices at the Republican National Committee, U.S. Department of Commerce, and Yale University. He is a former reporter and is the retired deputy managing director of APCO Worldwide's Washington, D.C., office.
    He is the father of three daughters and grandfather of five boys and one girl. He lives in Marion, Mass.

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