"The best defense is a strong offense" is a centuries old military tactic that can lead to a strategic advantage. But it is hard to understand how President Donald Trump will benefit from tweeting as a fact Saturday that President Barack Obama had Trump Tower wiretapped shortly before the November election. The tweet left surprised White House aides scrambling for details, put the Democrats on attack mode, and led the head of the FBI to request the Justice Department publicly reject the claim.
Deputy White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended her boss but did not provide any supporting evidence on ABC's This Week Sunday. "Look, I think he's going off of information that he has seen that has led him to believe that this is a very real potential," she said. "And if it is, this would be the greatest overreach and the greatest abuse of power that I think we have ever seen and a huge attack on democracy itself." In a statement Sunday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said, "President Donald J. Trump is requesting that as part of their investigation into Russian activity, the congressional intelligence committees exercise their oversight authority to determine whether executive branch investigative powers were abused in 2016." He added that the president would not comment any further until such oversight is conducted.
A spokesperson for President Obama called Trump's accusation false. He also noted that the president cannot order such a wiretap. President Obama's Director of National Intelligence, James R. Clapper, denied Sunday that Trump Tower was tapped. Speaking on NBC's Meet The Press, Clapper said, "There was no such wiretap activity mounted against the president, the president-elect at the time, or as a candidate, or against his campaign." Any such wiretap would have to have been authorized by the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Court Act (FISA) based upon some evidence. Clapper was asked if such a FISA order existed. He responded, "I can deny it."
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi attacked President Trump for using wild accusations to deflect attention away from the growing investigations into his administration's ties to the Russians. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday on Meet The Press, "It's beneath the dignity of the presidency. It is something that really hurts people's view of government."
Meanwhile, Republican Senators Marco Rubio and Tom Cotton said Sunday they had seen no evidence to support Trump's claims. Republican Senator Lindsay Graham said Saturday, "If the former president of the United States was able to obtain a warrant lawfully to monitor Trump's campaign for violating the law, that would be the biggest scandal since Watergate." Republican Senator Ben Sasse said Saturday, "The president should ask that this full (FISA) application regarding surveillance of foreign operatives of operations be made available, ideally to the full public, and a bare minimum to the U.S. Senate." And House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes, a Trump loyalist, said Sunday his committee will include Trump's allegations in its current investigation into Russian meddling.
Late Sunday the New York Times reported that FBI Director James Comey asked the Justice Department to "publicly reject President Trump's unsubstantiated claim that former President Barack Obama ordered his phones to be tapped." This report was later confirmed by several news organizations, and is a remarkable action by an FBI chief . Comey reportedly thinks the Trump claim suggests the FBI broke the law. The Justice Department has so far not commented.
President Trump has been dealing with a growing scandal involving past and present members of his administration and Russia. U.S. intelligence agencies have already determined that Russia meddled in the U.S. elections to tilt the race toward Trump. Despite repeated denials from Trump and his spokespersons, members of Trump's team had repeated contacts with Russian officials, even before the election. In 2008, Donald Trump Jr. was quoted by a travel industry news website making comments about Russian investment in Trump businesses. "Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets; say in Dubai, and certainly with our project in SoHo and anywhere in New York." He concluded, "We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia." No wonder President Trump has never said anything bad about Russian President Vladimir Putin. No wonder Trump wants the whole Russia issue to go away. Da!
Of course, Americans could get a better understanding of Trump's complex business ties with the Russians if he released his tax returns. During the campaign Trump said he could not release the returns because he is under audit, but promised he would do so when the audit is complete. However, an audit does not preclude someone from releasing their tax returns to the public. And Trump has refused to release a copy of the IRS audit letter. The whole IRS audit claim may be a lie. However, now his campaign says that Trump will never release his taxes because the American people elected him and they don't care.
The many investigations into Trump's Russian ties appear to be making progress, which may explain why he is tweeting unsubstantiated and outrageous charges about President Obama. The man who once said "I alone can fix it!" is in a fix, and he is not going to be able to tweet his way out of it. It appears that he may be losing it.
There is now an urgent need to get to the truth about President Trump's latest allegations accusing a former U.S. president of illegal wiretapping. And about the true nature of his ties to Russia. It is also time for all members of Congress to demand Trump publicly release his taxes so that all potential conflicts of interest are disclosed.
This is about putting America first--not Donald J. Trump!
Showing posts with label FBI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FBI. Show all posts
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Saturday, November 12, 2016
President Elect Trump
President Elect Donald Trump is using Twitter to reassure all Americans that good things are in store for them. "This will prove to be a great time in the lives of ALL Americans. We will unite and we will win, win, win," he wrote Saturday. But it will take actions not tweets to begin to address the anxiety most Americans feel about Trump as president.
Hillary Clinton received the most votes in last Tuesday's presidential election, a higher percentage than Richard Nixon in 1968, and Bill Clinton in 1992. But in the country where Democracy was founded, getting the most votes does not mean victory. Trump was able to carry enough states to win the delegate count. He was helped by a depressed voter turnout, which always helps Republicans. Last Tuesday 57 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots, compared to 58.6 percent in 2012, and 61.6 percent in 2008.
The depressed turnout may have been due to several key factors. FBI director James Comey sent a letter to members of Congress in October advising them that he was looking into Emails on former Congressman Anthony Weiner's laptop that may be pertinent to the Clinton investigation. Republicans seized on the ambiguous statement as if it was an indictment. Then two days before the election Comey advised members of Congress that investigations found nothing after going through the additional Emails.
This last minute reminder of Clinton's Email problems could have helped depress turnout on election day, especially considering the fact that early voting was up over 2012. Clinton has mishandled her use of a private Email server, which Comey called reckless, and she played into perceptions that she cannot be trusted. It is worth noting that Trump supporter Rudy Giuliani told Fox News viewers something big was going to happen that would affect the election two days before Comey's first letter to Congress. Giuliani, a former United States Attorney from New York, later said that he never talked to anyone in the FBI about the matter. He now is the leading candidate to be U.S. Attorney General under Trump.
Prices for Obamacare increased substantially in some key states, including Arizona, just weeks before the election. The sticker shock eclipsed the good deeds the ACA is doing for millions of previously uninsured Americans. Obamacare has been the target of Republicans, and Trump has promised to repeal and replace it.
Hillary Clinton is not a strong campaigner; she is no Bill Clinton or Barack Obama. While she put together a strong campaign team and a powerful ground game, Trump leveraged free media and kept driving the campaign conversation through extensive use of Twitter. Trump is a good entertainer and a well-known personality, while Clinton is a long time member of the political establishment.
A number of states have added stricter voter identification standards, and have reduced polling places and the hours that they would be open. These changes discouraged the elderly, students and African Americans from voting. Republicans had made much of voter fraud in enacting these measures, even though there were only 31 cases of in-person voting fraud out of 1 billion votes since 2000 in all elections, national and local.
National polls before the election showed Clinton ahead in many key state races, even after the latest Comey kerfuffle. Perhaps the Clinton campaign was too overconfident. But many of those who were polled may have misled pollsters about their intention to support Trump. On the other hand, most of the media failed to grasp the magnitude of Trump's support in sections of the country, especially rural. These supporters were not fair weather fans; rather they were devoted Trump loyalists.
President-elect Trump has been focusing on policy briefings, phone conversations with world leaders, and on deciding whom he will appoint to his cabinet. In order to win the presidency he overcame many controversial statements and actions that would have sunk any other candidate. He insulted his opponents in the harshest terms. He spoke and allegedly acted in a sexually offensive manner to several women, and he was even caught on videotape speaking in an inappropriate way. He called Mexican rapists and drug dealers, he threatened to ban Muslims from entering the country, he said women who have abortions should be punished, and he demeaned war heroes and veterans. Throughout the campaign he displayed ignorance on many key issues, national and foreign, and he lied early and often about himself, at times denying that he had said something earlier in the same interview. In short, he often looked like a schoolyard bully, and conducted himself foolishly.
The news media has been bashed by Clinton supporters for not challenging Trump earlier enough in his campaign. Trump received the equivalent of $2 billion in free airtime on cable and network news channels leading up to his election. The media should continue to pursue Trump's income tax returns that he alleges are under audit by the IRS. Further, new organizations should investigate how America's First Lady to be, Melania Trump, entered the United States. She was supposed to have a press conference last summer to show proof she did not enter the U.S. illegally. Further, the media ought to investigate the truth behind Trumps shoddy business practices and his many conflicts of interest with foreigners and governments he has borrowed money from to maintain his empire. His generous use of the EB-5 program, where foreigners who invest in U.S. capital investments like real estate are granted U.S. visas, would be a good place to examine.
The Electoral College will cast its vote for President-elect Trump in December, and he will be sworn into office in January. He will then be president, but many Americans are having trouble accepting that fact.
Trump's rocky path to success calls to mind a quote written in 1926 by H.L. Mencken. "As democracy is perfected, the office of the president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people," he wrote. "On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
Hillary Clinton received the most votes in last Tuesday's presidential election, a higher percentage than Richard Nixon in 1968, and Bill Clinton in 1992. But in the country where Democracy was founded, getting the most votes does not mean victory. Trump was able to carry enough states to win the delegate count. He was helped by a depressed voter turnout, which always helps Republicans. Last Tuesday 57 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots, compared to 58.6 percent in 2012, and 61.6 percent in 2008.
The depressed turnout may have been due to several key factors. FBI director James Comey sent a letter to members of Congress in October advising them that he was looking into Emails on former Congressman Anthony Weiner's laptop that may be pertinent to the Clinton investigation. Republicans seized on the ambiguous statement as if it was an indictment. Then two days before the election Comey advised members of Congress that investigations found nothing after going through the additional Emails.
This last minute reminder of Clinton's Email problems could have helped depress turnout on election day, especially considering the fact that early voting was up over 2012. Clinton has mishandled her use of a private Email server, which Comey called reckless, and she played into perceptions that she cannot be trusted. It is worth noting that Trump supporter Rudy Giuliani told Fox News viewers something big was going to happen that would affect the election two days before Comey's first letter to Congress. Giuliani, a former United States Attorney from New York, later said that he never talked to anyone in the FBI about the matter. He now is the leading candidate to be U.S. Attorney General under Trump.
Prices for Obamacare increased substantially in some key states, including Arizona, just weeks before the election. The sticker shock eclipsed the good deeds the ACA is doing for millions of previously uninsured Americans. Obamacare has been the target of Republicans, and Trump has promised to repeal and replace it.
Hillary Clinton is not a strong campaigner; she is no Bill Clinton or Barack Obama. While she put together a strong campaign team and a powerful ground game, Trump leveraged free media and kept driving the campaign conversation through extensive use of Twitter. Trump is a good entertainer and a well-known personality, while Clinton is a long time member of the political establishment.
A number of states have added stricter voter identification standards, and have reduced polling places and the hours that they would be open. These changes discouraged the elderly, students and African Americans from voting. Republicans had made much of voter fraud in enacting these measures, even though there were only 31 cases of in-person voting fraud out of 1 billion votes since 2000 in all elections, national and local.
National polls before the election showed Clinton ahead in many key state races, even after the latest Comey kerfuffle. Perhaps the Clinton campaign was too overconfident. But many of those who were polled may have misled pollsters about their intention to support Trump. On the other hand, most of the media failed to grasp the magnitude of Trump's support in sections of the country, especially rural. These supporters were not fair weather fans; rather they were devoted Trump loyalists.
President-elect Trump has been focusing on policy briefings, phone conversations with world leaders, and on deciding whom he will appoint to his cabinet. In order to win the presidency he overcame many controversial statements and actions that would have sunk any other candidate. He insulted his opponents in the harshest terms. He spoke and allegedly acted in a sexually offensive manner to several women, and he was even caught on videotape speaking in an inappropriate way. He called Mexican rapists and drug dealers, he threatened to ban Muslims from entering the country, he said women who have abortions should be punished, and he demeaned war heroes and veterans. Throughout the campaign he displayed ignorance on many key issues, national and foreign, and he lied early and often about himself, at times denying that he had said something earlier in the same interview. In short, he often looked like a schoolyard bully, and conducted himself foolishly.
The news media has been bashed by Clinton supporters for not challenging Trump earlier enough in his campaign. Trump received the equivalent of $2 billion in free airtime on cable and network news channels leading up to his election. The media should continue to pursue Trump's income tax returns that he alleges are under audit by the IRS. Further, new organizations should investigate how America's First Lady to be, Melania Trump, entered the United States. She was supposed to have a press conference last summer to show proof she did not enter the U.S. illegally. Further, the media ought to investigate the truth behind Trumps shoddy business practices and his many conflicts of interest with foreigners and governments he has borrowed money from to maintain his empire. His generous use of the EB-5 program, where foreigners who invest in U.S. capital investments like real estate are granted U.S. visas, would be a good place to examine.
The Electoral College will cast its vote for President-elect Trump in December, and he will be sworn into office in January. He will then be president, but many Americans are having trouble accepting that fact.
Trump's rocky path to success calls to mind a quote written in 1926 by H.L. Mencken. "As democracy is perfected, the office of the president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people," he wrote. "On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
Sunday, November 6, 2016
The State of American Politics
Election Day will be the culmination of a long painful presidential campaign that has pitted two unpopular candidates against each other in one the most offensive races in this nation's history. The beacon of democracy has been soiled by scurrilous rhetoric that has blemished the character and stature of the United States. No matter the outcome, the healing process is sure to be long and difficult.
Republican Donald Trump fought like a pit bull to win his party's nomination. He insulted all of his primary opponents, using demeaning language and derogatory terms to describe his foes. He succeeded to play on the anger of many citizens who feel left behind, who believe the government is not functioning properly, who are frustrated with illegal immigrants, who fear a terrorist attack, who are worried their guns will be taken away, and who are fed up with foreign wars.
Trump is a severely flawed candidate. He has been recorded on video making offensive remarks about women, even saying he would be sexually abusive to them. Now a dozen women have come forward to claim Trump made unwanted sexual advances to them, claims he has denied. This follows his long history of using demeaning and slanderous insults against women.
Trump began his campaign insulting Mexicans immigrants as rapists and drug dealers, and promised to build a wall along the southern border that Mexico would pay for. He announced a ban on Muslims entering the U.S., and called for monitors to watch over mosques. He insulted Senator John McCain, saying the former POW was not a war hero. He insulted a disabled reporter, and has consistently attacked reporters covering his campaign as dishonest, which created an unsafe environment for journalists assigned to his events.
Recent news reports have revealed that Trump cut corners and used shady tax provisions for decades to keep his companies afloat. Trump used bankruptcy laws to leave several contractors and their employees high and dry, as well a would-be homeowners. Trump brags that he gives money to charities, but recent news reports have revealed he often promises and then later reneges on his promise. Trump University is being investigated, and the biggest lesson its students learned is not to trust Trump. Trump claims he cannot release his tax returns because he says he is being audited. There is no proof he is being audited, but that is not a reason to withhold his returns from the American public. He knows if he did so he would be exposed, but he has gotten away with his lack of transparency.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has endorsed Trump, and Trump has said kind words about Putin. Since Trump has questioned the role of NATO, a vital national security organization for the U.S., of course Putin supports Trump because he wants a weakened NATO too. Putin is doing all he can to fan the rise of Right-Wing movements throughout Europe in an effort to undermine that region's stability. So it should be no surprise that Right-Wing factions in this country, and even the Ku Klux Klan, are supporting Trump.
Trump has no military or foreign policy experience, yet we are at a time when the world is in tremendous transition, and American forces are engaged in several conflicts. For decades efforts have been made to limit existing nuclear stockpiles and stop the spread of these massively destructive weapons to other countries, as well as to terrorists. But Trump has said he would not be opposed to using these weapons, and suggested that Japan and Saudi Arabia should be allowed to have them. His lack of understanding on this issue is scary--and may have profound consequences should he be elected. The president doesn't need Congressional approval to launch a nuclear war.
On the campaign trail Trump has been the consummate showman and entertainer. He makes outrageous comments to fire up his supporters. He has dubbed his opponent "crooked" Hillary Clinton, yet he has lied hundreds of times according to every fact-checker. This man actually had the chutzpah to announce in a debate he would launch an investigation into Clinton if he were elected president, and even said she should be in jail.
Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, has a serious trust issue with the American electorate dating back to he time as Arkansas First Lady. There have been many investigations into both Hillary and her husband, former President Bill Clinton. She has never been charged on convicted with a crime. Yet her use of a private Email server while U.S. Secretary of State has been the scandal that simply won't go away. While she apologized, the fact that she had thousands of personal Emails destroyed that may have been relevant to an investigation into her handling of classified material has further undermined her credibility.
Clinton has enemies within the FBI. Last July, FBI chief James Comey cleared her of wrong doing but declared her handling of Emails as reckless. Republican members of Congress were sharply critical of Comey's decision. Ten days ago former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who is also a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, appeared on Fox News and predicted something big was about to come out that would hurt Clinton. Two days later Comey sent a letter to members of Congress informing them that the FBI would expand its investigation into Emails found on the laptop of former Congressman Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of Clinton's right-hand aide, Huma Abedin. Did disgruntled FBI agents tip off Giuliani? He says no. Even worse, Fox News anchor Brett Baier, quoting FBI sources, reported that an indictment was likely against the Clinton Foundation. Later he had to retract his story and apologize, but the damage was done.
The Comey letter roiled the presidential race, and now Trump is within striking distance of being elected. The stock market suffered losses Friday, and many world leaders are on edge. Despite her problems, Clinton is considered one of the most experienced, knowledgeable, and hard working candidates to ever run for president. Her time as First Lady of the United States, as a U.S. Senator from New York, and as U.S. Secretary of State, have given her a deep background and extensive connections to draw upon if she is elected president.
On late Sunday, James Comey sent a new letter to members of Congress saying, "based on our review, we have not changed our conclusions that we expressed in July with respect to Secretary Clinton," apparently ruling out a renewed investigation for now, according to The New York Times. His latest letter comes at a time when Clinton appears to be holding on to a slim lead over Trump in the final hours before Election Day. Not surprisingly, Clinton has the support of most women, as well as Latinos, African Americans, Asians and younger Americans. If they turnout in big numbers she make history and become the first woman to serve as president.
No matter the final outcome, most Americans will be glad the presidential election is finally over. However, the country will remain deeply divided, and political parties, the presidential campaigns, the FBI, and the media, have all played a role the current state of politics.
America deserves far better.
Republican Donald Trump fought like a pit bull to win his party's nomination. He insulted all of his primary opponents, using demeaning language and derogatory terms to describe his foes. He succeeded to play on the anger of many citizens who feel left behind, who believe the government is not functioning properly, who are frustrated with illegal immigrants, who fear a terrorist attack, who are worried their guns will be taken away, and who are fed up with foreign wars.
Trump is a severely flawed candidate. He has been recorded on video making offensive remarks about women, even saying he would be sexually abusive to them. Now a dozen women have come forward to claim Trump made unwanted sexual advances to them, claims he has denied. This follows his long history of using demeaning and slanderous insults against women.
Trump began his campaign insulting Mexicans immigrants as rapists and drug dealers, and promised to build a wall along the southern border that Mexico would pay for. He announced a ban on Muslims entering the U.S., and called for monitors to watch over mosques. He insulted Senator John McCain, saying the former POW was not a war hero. He insulted a disabled reporter, and has consistently attacked reporters covering his campaign as dishonest, which created an unsafe environment for journalists assigned to his events.
Recent news reports have revealed that Trump cut corners and used shady tax provisions for decades to keep his companies afloat. Trump used bankruptcy laws to leave several contractors and their employees high and dry, as well a would-be homeowners. Trump brags that he gives money to charities, but recent news reports have revealed he often promises and then later reneges on his promise. Trump University is being investigated, and the biggest lesson its students learned is not to trust Trump. Trump claims he cannot release his tax returns because he says he is being audited. There is no proof he is being audited, but that is not a reason to withhold his returns from the American public. He knows if he did so he would be exposed, but he has gotten away with his lack of transparency.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has endorsed Trump, and Trump has said kind words about Putin. Since Trump has questioned the role of NATO, a vital national security organization for the U.S., of course Putin supports Trump because he wants a weakened NATO too. Putin is doing all he can to fan the rise of Right-Wing movements throughout Europe in an effort to undermine that region's stability. So it should be no surprise that Right-Wing factions in this country, and even the Ku Klux Klan, are supporting Trump.
Trump has no military or foreign policy experience, yet we are at a time when the world is in tremendous transition, and American forces are engaged in several conflicts. For decades efforts have been made to limit existing nuclear stockpiles and stop the spread of these massively destructive weapons to other countries, as well as to terrorists. But Trump has said he would not be opposed to using these weapons, and suggested that Japan and Saudi Arabia should be allowed to have them. His lack of understanding on this issue is scary--and may have profound consequences should he be elected. The president doesn't need Congressional approval to launch a nuclear war.
On the campaign trail Trump has been the consummate showman and entertainer. He makes outrageous comments to fire up his supporters. He has dubbed his opponent "crooked" Hillary Clinton, yet he has lied hundreds of times according to every fact-checker. This man actually had the chutzpah to announce in a debate he would launch an investigation into Clinton if he were elected president, and even said she should be in jail.
Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, has a serious trust issue with the American electorate dating back to he time as Arkansas First Lady. There have been many investigations into both Hillary and her husband, former President Bill Clinton. She has never been charged on convicted with a crime. Yet her use of a private Email server while U.S. Secretary of State has been the scandal that simply won't go away. While she apologized, the fact that she had thousands of personal Emails destroyed that may have been relevant to an investigation into her handling of classified material has further undermined her credibility.
Clinton has enemies within the FBI. Last July, FBI chief James Comey cleared her of wrong doing but declared her handling of Emails as reckless. Republican members of Congress were sharply critical of Comey's decision. Ten days ago former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who is also a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, appeared on Fox News and predicted something big was about to come out that would hurt Clinton. Two days later Comey sent a letter to members of Congress informing them that the FBI would expand its investigation into Emails found on the laptop of former Congressman Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of Clinton's right-hand aide, Huma Abedin. Did disgruntled FBI agents tip off Giuliani? He says no. Even worse, Fox News anchor Brett Baier, quoting FBI sources, reported that an indictment was likely against the Clinton Foundation. Later he had to retract his story and apologize, but the damage was done.
The Comey letter roiled the presidential race, and now Trump is within striking distance of being elected. The stock market suffered losses Friday, and many world leaders are on edge. Despite her problems, Clinton is considered one of the most experienced, knowledgeable, and hard working candidates to ever run for president. Her time as First Lady of the United States, as a U.S. Senator from New York, and as U.S. Secretary of State, have given her a deep background and extensive connections to draw upon if she is elected president.
On late Sunday, James Comey sent a new letter to members of Congress saying, "based on our review, we have not changed our conclusions that we expressed in July with respect to Secretary Clinton," apparently ruling out a renewed investigation for now, according to The New York Times. His latest letter comes at a time when Clinton appears to be holding on to a slim lead over Trump in the final hours before Election Day. Not surprisingly, Clinton has the support of most women, as well as Latinos, African Americans, Asians and younger Americans. If they turnout in big numbers she make history and become the first woman to serve as president.
No matter the final outcome, most Americans will be glad the presidential election is finally over. However, the country will remain deeply divided, and political parties, the presidential campaigns, the FBI, and the media, have all played a role the current state of politics.
America deserves far better.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Comey Again?
James Comey's decision to inform Congress that the FBI had discovered emails on a laptop belonging to disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner that may be relevant to the investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private server has roiled the presidential campaign with days to go before the election. His letter provided little details about the emails, leaving the ambiguous discloser subject to interpretation and wild speculation by Trump supporters.
At a Friday rally, Donald Trump hailed the news as "bigger than Watergate," even though all of the emails may be just copies of those released earlier to the FBI. Trump has fallen behind Clinton in the polls but now he has an issue to exploit to take attention away from charges of sexual assault that have hurt his campaign in recent weeks.
The Clinton campaign has criticized Comey for breaking with Justice Department protocol by commenting on an ongoing investigation, and doing anything that could be viewed as influencing the election. A Justice Department official confirmed to the Washington Post that they advised Comey. "It was conveyed to the FBI, and Comey made an independent decision to alert the Hill," the official said, "He is operating independently of the Justice Department. And he knows it." Comey had received sharp criticism last July from Republicans when he announced last July that he recommended that criminal charges not be made against Clinton for her use of a private email server. Comey is a Republican. In his letter to Congress, Comey said he feared that word of the newly found emails would leak and suggest a cover-up.
Clinton spoke of the revelations at a Saturday appearance in Daytona, Florida. "Of course Donald Trump is already making up lies about this," she said. "He is doing his best to confuse, mislead and discourage the American people." Clinton campaign manager Robby Mock called on the FBI to release the emails. "Just get it all out there and the voters can judge for themselves," he said on Fox News Sunday.
Before the disclosers, polls showed the race between Clinton and Trump had been tightening. Trump has enjoyed the ardent support of his loyalists despite his many gaffes and recent charges of sexual abuse from 12 women. He was recorded on an NBC's Access Hollywood video talking about sexual abuse. He later described it as "locker room" talk, and has threatened to sue the women and NBC. During his campaign, Trump has humiliated his opponents, he has disparaged war heroes, and he has consistently insulted women, Mexicans and Muslims. Trump has refused to release his tax returns, which is standard practice for recent presidential candidates, and many of his business dealings have faced serious scrutiny. Trump has fought back by blaming the "dishonest media" for his transgressions.
Trump has consistently display a lack of understanding of foreign policy. He has advocated the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the possible dissolution of NATO. He has often praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as a strong leader, he has invited Russian hackers to go after Clinton's emails, and he has claimed he has a secret plan to eliminate ISIS. He has also attacked fellow Republicans, like House Speaker Paul Ryan, and he has caused a huge rift within the Republican Party. Recently, he has supported efforts to suppress votes, especially in urban areas that are heavily populated by traditional Democratic voters, like African Americans and Hispanics.
Both Clinton and Trump have low favorability ratings among a majority of likely American voters. But, despite her trust issues, and the fact that she should not have used a private email server, Clinton is one of the most experienced candidates to seek the presidency. Yet the winds of change are blowing heavily in favor of Trump, as they often do after one party holds the White House for two terms. So even the hint of an additional problem with Clinton's emails can drive independents voters, as well has some soft Clinton supporters, away from the voting booth, while firming up Trump's support with doubtful Republicans. As Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta observed, "There's no evidence of wrongdoing, no charge of wrongdoing, no indication that this is even about Hillary." But there may be enough misinterpretation to confuse voters on Election Day.
As a result, America may elect the least qualified and most unpredictable presidential candidate ever in its history to the White House.
At a Friday rally, Donald Trump hailed the news as "bigger than Watergate," even though all of the emails may be just copies of those released earlier to the FBI. Trump has fallen behind Clinton in the polls but now he has an issue to exploit to take attention away from charges of sexual assault that have hurt his campaign in recent weeks.
The Clinton campaign has criticized Comey for breaking with Justice Department protocol by commenting on an ongoing investigation, and doing anything that could be viewed as influencing the election. A Justice Department official confirmed to the Washington Post that they advised Comey. "It was conveyed to the FBI, and Comey made an independent decision to alert the Hill," the official said, "He is operating independently of the Justice Department. And he knows it." Comey had received sharp criticism last July from Republicans when he announced last July that he recommended that criminal charges not be made against Clinton for her use of a private email server. Comey is a Republican. In his letter to Congress, Comey said he feared that word of the newly found emails would leak and suggest a cover-up.
Clinton spoke of the revelations at a Saturday appearance in Daytona, Florida. "Of course Donald Trump is already making up lies about this," she said. "He is doing his best to confuse, mislead and discourage the American people." Clinton campaign manager Robby Mock called on the FBI to release the emails. "Just get it all out there and the voters can judge for themselves," he said on Fox News Sunday.
Before the disclosers, polls showed the race between Clinton and Trump had been tightening. Trump has enjoyed the ardent support of his loyalists despite his many gaffes and recent charges of sexual abuse from 12 women. He was recorded on an NBC's Access Hollywood video talking about sexual abuse. He later described it as "locker room" talk, and has threatened to sue the women and NBC. During his campaign, Trump has humiliated his opponents, he has disparaged war heroes, and he has consistently insulted women, Mexicans and Muslims. Trump has refused to release his tax returns, which is standard practice for recent presidential candidates, and many of his business dealings have faced serious scrutiny. Trump has fought back by blaming the "dishonest media" for his transgressions.
Trump has consistently display a lack of understanding of foreign policy. He has advocated the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the possible dissolution of NATO. He has often praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as a strong leader, he has invited Russian hackers to go after Clinton's emails, and he has claimed he has a secret plan to eliminate ISIS. He has also attacked fellow Republicans, like House Speaker Paul Ryan, and he has caused a huge rift within the Republican Party. Recently, he has supported efforts to suppress votes, especially in urban areas that are heavily populated by traditional Democratic voters, like African Americans and Hispanics.
Both Clinton and Trump have low favorability ratings among a majority of likely American voters. But, despite her trust issues, and the fact that she should not have used a private email server, Clinton is one of the most experienced candidates to seek the presidency. Yet the winds of change are blowing heavily in favor of Trump, as they often do after one party holds the White House for two terms. So even the hint of an additional problem with Clinton's emails can drive independents voters, as well has some soft Clinton supporters, away from the voting booth, while firming up Trump's support with doubtful Republicans. As Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta observed, "There's no evidence of wrongdoing, no charge of wrongdoing, no indication that this is even about Hillary." But there may be enough misinterpretation to confuse voters on Election Day.
As a result, America may elect the least qualified and most unpredictable presidential candidate ever in its history to the White House.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Extremely Careless Hillary Clinton
The FBI's recommendation that no charges be brought against Hillary Clinton for her handling of email as secretary of state is an important victory for the presumptive Democrat presidential nominee. However, this finding will not bring an end to Republican criticism of the investigation and of Clinton's lack of trustworthiness.
FBI Director James Comey said Tuesday that "no reasonable prosecutor" would bring a case against Clinton, but he noted that Clinton and her staff were "extremely careless" in their email use. Clinton had used a private email server located at her New York residence while she was secretary of state. A year ago the inspector general for intelligence agencies informed the Justice Department that he had found classified information among emails Clinton had sent and received. Comey said today that a small number were found to be marked classified at the time they were sent, and such information is not to be sent on an unclassified system.
The House Select Committee on Benghazi discovered that Clinton was using a private server in their investigation of the attack on an American outpost that resulted in the deaths of four Americans. Subsequently, Clinton agreed to turn over 30,000 emails from her tenure as secretary of state. She did not turn over those she deemed as personal. Ultimately, government agencies determined that several hundred should have been marked classified, including a couple dozen that should have been designated top secret. In his statement, Comey also said, "We found no additional evidence that any of the additional work-related emails were intentionally deleted in an effort to conceal them."
Clinton's handling of emails has been used by her critics as further evidence that she is not trustworthy. The FBI's recommendation will now go to the Justice Department for final action. It is unlikely that the Justice Department will bring charges. But questions have been raised about the department's independence following President Bill Clinton's awkward meeting last week with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, who subsequently said she would accept the recommendation of the FBI.
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump wasted no time to express his reaction on Twitter. "The system is rigged. General Patraeus got in trouble for far less. Very very unfair! As usual, bad judgment," he tweeted. Moments later he wrote on Twitter, "FBI director said crooked Hillary compromised our national security. No charges. Wow! #RiggedSystem." It is clear that Trump and Republicans will use this finding as an example of the Clintons getting special treatment, and they will continue to attack her on the issue.
Clinton supporters welcomed the findings. Virginia Senator Tim Kaine told CNN, "I never believed that this was going to be something in the criminal realm or even close to it." Nonetheless, the FBI finding that Clinton was extremely careless in her email is very damning. And Clinton has mishandled the email probe from the very beginning, saying on several occasions that, "I am confident that I never sent or received any information that was classified at the time it was sent and received." The FBI finding is that she should have known.
The cloud of controversy surrounding Clinton's email use at the State Department will continue to hang over her campaign for the White House. She has yet to offer a credible explanation for using a private server while she was secretary of state. Later this month Democrats will nominate her as their candidate for president. But, because of her "mistake," as she now calls it, her lack of judgment and trustworthiness will continue to be questioned by Clinton opponents.
FBI Director James Comey said Tuesday that "no reasonable prosecutor" would bring a case against Clinton, but he noted that Clinton and her staff were "extremely careless" in their email use. Clinton had used a private email server located at her New York residence while she was secretary of state. A year ago the inspector general for intelligence agencies informed the Justice Department that he had found classified information among emails Clinton had sent and received. Comey said today that a small number were found to be marked classified at the time they were sent, and such information is not to be sent on an unclassified system.
The House Select Committee on Benghazi discovered that Clinton was using a private server in their investigation of the attack on an American outpost that resulted in the deaths of four Americans. Subsequently, Clinton agreed to turn over 30,000 emails from her tenure as secretary of state. She did not turn over those she deemed as personal. Ultimately, government agencies determined that several hundred should have been marked classified, including a couple dozen that should have been designated top secret. In his statement, Comey also said, "We found no additional evidence that any of the additional work-related emails were intentionally deleted in an effort to conceal them."
Clinton's handling of emails has been used by her critics as further evidence that she is not trustworthy. The FBI's recommendation will now go to the Justice Department for final action. It is unlikely that the Justice Department will bring charges. But questions have been raised about the department's independence following President Bill Clinton's awkward meeting last week with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, who subsequently said she would accept the recommendation of the FBI.
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump wasted no time to express his reaction on Twitter. "The system is rigged. General Patraeus got in trouble for far less. Very very unfair! As usual, bad judgment," he tweeted. Moments later he wrote on Twitter, "FBI director said crooked Hillary compromised our national security. No charges. Wow! #RiggedSystem." It is clear that Trump and Republicans will use this finding as an example of the Clintons getting special treatment, and they will continue to attack her on the issue.
Clinton supporters welcomed the findings. Virginia Senator Tim Kaine told CNN, "I never believed that this was going to be something in the criminal realm or even close to it." Nonetheless, the FBI finding that Clinton was extremely careless in her email is very damning. And Clinton has mishandled the email probe from the very beginning, saying on several occasions that, "I am confident that I never sent or received any information that was classified at the time it was sent and received." The FBI finding is that she should have known.
The cloud of controversy surrounding Clinton's email use at the State Department will continue to hang over her campaign for the White House. She has yet to offer a credible explanation for using a private server while she was secretary of state. Later this month Democrats will nominate her as their candidate for president. But, because of her "mistake," as she now calls it, her lack of judgment and trustworthiness will continue to be questioned by Clinton opponents.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Clinton's "Mistake"
As former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton nears her goal of securing the Democratic presidential nomination she once again is testing the loyalty of even her most ardent supporters. A State Department inspector general report, released Wednesday, found that she had not sought permission to use a private email server while she was in office, contradicting her explanation that she has repeated throughout her campaign.
The report is damning, noting that she had "a personal obligation to discuss using her email account to conduct official business," but there was no evidence she sought or received approval from the State Department. The State investigation also was critical of Clinton's handling of emails under the Federal Records Act after she stepped down. While she later turned over thousands of emails, she had thousands more she considered personal destroyed. The government has now determined that more than 100 emails Clinton sent contain classified information.
Meanwhile, an FBI investigation into her email use continues, as well as other legal challenges, which all casts a dark cloud over her ongoing campaign. Clinton has repeatedly said that other Secretaries of State used a private email address. The State report found that Secretary of State Colin Powell, who served in President George W. Bush's first term, said he used a private address for unclassified emails. But at least two emails sent to him have now been marked classified.
The report also points out that the email rules were clarified before Clinton became Secretary of State to not allow the use of a private server because of "significant security risks." In November 2010, her deputy chief of operations recommended "putting you on State email" to shield her email from spam. She responded that she would consider using a separate address, but "I don't want any risk of the personal being accessible." The report says Clinton was sent a memo in 2011 warning of hackers trying to access private email accounts, and that she was given a personal briefing on the issue.
Why would the Secretary of State, who should know the rules of her department, seek to use a private server? In March 2015, Clinton told CNN, "I opted for convenience to use my personal account, which was allowed by the State Department, because I thought it would be easier to carry one device for my work and for my personal emails instead of two." She continued, "Looking back, it would have been better if I'd simply used a second email account and carried a second phone, but at the time, this didn't seem like an issue." This effort to minimize the issue flies in the face of State Department rules. While the State report found that neither Clinton nor Powell was directly told to end their personal email, there were plenty of warnings.
The FBI is looking into whether Clinton mishandled government information, which could result in criminal charges. The investigation reportedly centers on the failure to preserve government records and exposing government information to security risks. Clinton and her top aides are expected to be interviewed by the FBI in the near future. Clinton has described the FBI investigation as a "security inquiry." But FBI Director James Comey said he wasn't familiar with that term, instead calling it an investigation and adding that there is no external deadline. "I remain close to that investigation to make sure that it's done well and has the resources that are needed," he continued, "My goal in any investigation it to do it well and to do it promptly."
Meanwhile, Republicans immediately capitalized on the State Department findings. "This report underscores what we already know about Hillary Clinton: she simply cannot be trusted," House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement. Rep. Elijah Cummings, the ranking Democrat on the House oversight committee, responded in a statement. "While Secretary Clinton preserved and returned tens of thousands of pages of her emails to the Department for public release, Secretary Powell has returned none." The statement concluded, "Republicans need to stop wasting taxpayer dollars singling out Secretary Clinton just because she is running for President."
The ultimate impact of Clinton's email controversy on her campaign will not be known until the FBI announces its findings. There is no question that the controversy plays right into the widely held perception that Clinton is not trustworthy. The presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump, is making the most of Clinton's troubles. He has branded her "Crooked Hillary," and he told a rally Wednesday night, "She's as crooked as they come, she had a little bad news today." However, recent polls show that Trump is even more unpopular than Clinton. And Trump's bullying, erratic behavior and outrageous statements have caused many Republicans to cautiously embrace his candidacy, and others to hold off on their endorsements.
While it may be nearly impossible for Clinton's Democratic opponent, Sen. Bernie Sanders, to overtake her in the delegate count, he has pledged to take his fight to the Democratic Convention. A new poll, taken before the State Department report was released, shows Sanders has closed the gap among likely voters in the upcoming California primary.
Last September, in an effort to quiet the controversy, Clinton told ABC News that her use of private email was a "mistake," adding, "I am sorry about that. I take responsibility." Now, nearly one year later, the email controversy continues to gain momentum and roil her campaign. And the FBI has not yet spoken.
The report is damning, noting that she had "a personal obligation to discuss using her email account to conduct official business," but there was no evidence she sought or received approval from the State Department. The State investigation also was critical of Clinton's handling of emails under the Federal Records Act after she stepped down. While she later turned over thousands of emails, she had thousands more she considered personal destroyed. The government has now determined that more than 100 emails Clinton sent contain classified information.
Meanwhile, an FBI investigation into her email use continues, as well as other legal challenges, which all casts a dark cloud over her ongoing campaign. Clinton has repeatedly said that other Secretaries of State used a private email address. The State report found that Secretary of State Colin Powell, who served in President George W. Bush's first term, said he used a private address for unclassified emails. But at least two emails sent to him have now been marked classified.
The report also points out that the email rules were clarified before Clinton became Secretary of State to not allow the use of a private server because of "significant security risks." In November 2010, her deputy chief of operations recommended "putting you on State email" to shield her email from spam. She responded that she would consider using a separate address, but "I don't want any risk of the personal being accessible." The report says Clinton was sent a memo in 2011 warning of hackers trying to access private email accounts, and that she was given a personal briefing on the issue.
Why would the Secretary of State, who should know the rules of her department, seek to use a private server? In March 2015, Clinton told CNN, "I opted for convenience to use my personal account, which was allowed by the State Department, because I thought it would be easier to carry one device for my work and for my personal emails instead of two." She continued, "Looking back, it would have been better if I'd simply used a second email account and carried a second phone, but at the time, this didn't seem like an issue." This effort to minimize the issue flies in the face of State Department rules. While the State report found that neither Clinton nor Powell was directly told to end their personal email, there were plenty of warnings.
The FBI is looking into whether Clinton mishandled government information, which could result in criminal charges. The investigation reportedly centers on the failure to preserve government records and exposing government information to security risks. Clinton and her top aides are expected to be interviewed by the FBI in the near future. Clinton has described the FBI investigation as a "security inquiry." But FBI Director James Comey said he wasn't familiar with that term, instead calling it an investigation and adding that there is no external deadline. "I remain close to that investigation to make sure that it's done well and has the resources that are needed," he continued, "My goal in any investigation it to do it well and to do it promptly."
Meanwhile, Republicans immediately capitalized on the State Department findings. "This report underscores what we already know about Hillary Clinton: she simply cannot be trusted," House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement. Rep. Elijah Cummings, the ranking Democrat on the House oversight committee, responded in a statement. "While Secretary Clinton preserved and returned tens of thousands of pages of her emails to the Department for public release, Secretary Powell has returned none." The statement concluded, "Republicans need to stop wasting taxpayer dollars singling out Secretary Clinton just because she is running for President."
The ultimate impact of Clinton's email controversy on her campaign will not be known until the FBI announces its findings. There is no question that the controversy plays right into the widely held perception that Clinton is not trustworthy. The presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump, is making the most of Clinton's troubles. He has branded her "Crooked Hillary," and he told a rally Wednesday night, "She's as crooked as they come, she had a little bad news today." However, recent polls show that Trump is even more unpopular than Clinton. And Trump's bullying, erratic behavior and outrageous statements have caused many Republicans to cautiously embrace his candidacy, and others to hold off on their endorsements.
While it may be nearly impossible for Clinton's Democratic opponent, Sen. Bernie Sanders, to overtake her in the delegate count, he has pledged to take his fight to the Democratic Convention. A new poll, taken before the State Department report was released, shows Sanders has closed the gap among likely voters in the upcoming California primary.
Last September, in an effort to quiet the controversy, Clinton told ABC News that her use of private email was a "mistake," adding, "I am sorry about that. I take responsibility." Now, nearly one year later, the email controversy continues to gain momentum and roil her campaign. And the FBI has not yet spoken.
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