The October Surprise ... not

Many Clinton fans were dealt what first appeared to be a severe blow to the campaign. The FBI announced that it was re-opening the Hillary Clinton file. Many thought this ordeal was over when Comey and the DOJ concluded in July that a criminal prosecution was not warranted. Apparently not. That all changed today.

FBI Director James Comey announced today in a letter to eight congressional committee chairmen Friday that investigators are examining newly discovered emails that "appear to be pertinent" to the email probe. “In connection with an unrelated case, the FBI has learned of the existence of emails that appear pertinent to the investigation. I am writing to inform you that the investigative team briefed me on this yesterday, and I agreed that the FBI should take appropriate investigative steps designed to allow investigators to review these emails to determine whether they contain classified information, as well as to assess their importance to our investigation.”

The Trump campaign and the GOP jumped on the issue as if the revelation was the Second Coming. Trump's campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, tweeted after the news broke, "A great day in our campaign just got even better." No doubt Clinton followers were alarmed.

Then came further developments that lifted the spirits of the Clinton camp. It became know that the emails in question were a part of the FBI and New York Police Department investigation of Anthony Weiner, the disgraced former congressman, recently separated from top Clinton aide Huma Abedin after a sexting incident. The FBI and the New York Police Department have opened preliminary investigations of allegations that the former New York Democratic congressman exchanged sexually explicit text messages with a purportedly underage girl. It is for that reason Comey added, “the FBI cannot yet assess whether or not this material may be significant.” At this writing the DOJ has not responded.

At first, there was alarm in the Clinton camp. Some must have thought, now what did that idiot, Weiner, do now. Then came the realization this investigation was separate and unrelated to the Clinton emails, her private server, the FBI 302 notes, or the WikiLeaks leaks. A sigh of relief probably came over the Clinton campaign, and campaign manager John Podesta immediately fired off a note to the media.

“FBI Director Comey should immediately provide the American public more information than is contained in the letter he sent to eight Republican committee chairmen. Already, we have seen characterizations that the FBI is 'reopening' an investigation but Comey's words do not match that characterization. Director Comey's letter refers to emails that have come to light in an unrelated case, but we have no idea what those emails are and the Director himself notes they may not even be significant. It is extraordinary that we would see something like this just 11 days out from a presidential election.”

It is highly significant that the Clinton campaign wants to know what this is about before the election. Abedin, Clinton’s closest advisor and friend, was sitting next to Clinton onboard a flight to Iowa when the news broke. That means Clinton, Podesta, and Abedin pretty much know what is on the Weiner computer and that it is harmless as it relates to Clinton. The Clinton people want the voters to know that.

In any case, it is not likely that this revelation will affect the election. As one Fox News commentator put it, “FBI investigations take a long time. They don’t even clear their throat in eleven days.”

 

If you didn't write this, you should cite who did write it.

 

I did write it. I am a 72-year old retired Marine, and I have some experience in writing. I have written two books, and I was a columnist for over ten years. My user name is my pen name. Right now, I have nothing but time, and I thoroughly enjoy this forum. I hope you don't mind, but I am going to take your comment as a compliment.

BTW, you have a horrible user name. Consider changing it.

 

It reads like a David Corn piece, which is why I asked.

My user name is awesome. Joe Wilson is vindicated. He lied.

Semper Fi, Mac. 0311, E5 with no combat experience here.

 

By the way, half of what you wrote were quotes and the other half pure speculation on your part as to how whom perceived what. I wasn't calling you Mickey Spillane.

 

Why doesn't Hillary release it if she knows what they are investigating?

 

You are correct in your analysis. However, I doubt 90% of the public will appreciate these subtleties. All they will know is that the FBI is reopening the investigation of Clinton days before the election.

It was a horribly improper thing for Comey to do. The rules are clear that FBI and prosecutors are not to attempt to influence elections. That is exactly what Comey did, when he admits he has no idea if there is anything significant in the emails or if they contain classified information. There was no need to make this kind of a damaging public announcement.

And it is not the first time Comey has done this. When he announced the FBI did not have evidence to charge Clinton, he completely improperly commented on the investigation and dumped on Clinton for acting improperly. Again, attempting to improperly influence an election.

The guy should resign. Or get fired.

 

Pure long winded spin. Hillary has been harpooned again, and this time it will stick.

 

What is in the Emails? You seem to know. Surely you didn't belt out that giant wall o wind without having seen the Emails?

What if there were classified State Dept Emails on Weiner's computer due to the lax security of Clinton's personal server? How would you and your dishonest pals spin and rationalize that evidence of a federal crime away?

But sure, we'll take your word for it, Kreskin.

 

I agree, but for botching the first investigation--the one you liked the results of apparently--resulting in the need for a new one. Two words--Independent Prosecutor.

 

I am sure you are right.

Why should the announcement by a law enforcement official that new information has come to light that justifies reopening a criminal investigation on a candidate have any effect on an election 11 days away?

No big deal. Happens all the time. Michael J. Curley was elected to be the mayor of Boston while under indictment for bribery.

This is nothing.

 

Yep; the problem with Hillary supporters and their pathetic determination to cling to fantasy is that Low information Dem Party voters are NOT enough to elect Hillary. After this what in the world would motivate Independent voters -- true independents, not automatic Dem Party voters CALLING themselves Independent -- to vote for a criminal thug like Hillary?

 

Well, Trump said some crude things in the past. We can't have that kind of abusive behavior against women in the Oval Office.

 

One thing is for sure, if Hillary manages to win, she is going to issue an executive order against naked selfies by current and former government officials

 

Yes, Trump's plan.

 

What about against men? Are you anti man? Or do you consider women to be not equal to men and therefore in need of extra protection?

 

Ha! Couldn't you see if Hillary got elected a sign hanging on the Oval Office reading, "No abusers of women allowed through this door, and Bill this definitely means you!"

 

Yay..

 

Well, the title of the OP was October surprise...not. .

So you do not think Clinton was surprised? Or other people who thought all that had to be said, was said by comey in july?

It appears that emails not related to the weiner investigation were discovered and that it was enough to continue on with the Clinton email investigation. Now, if it was just the content of an email that was obviously of no value to the investigation would comey had announced this to congress right before the election? Given he would get bashed from the democrats who loved him, but now hate him? For acting like they have accused Russia of in trying to affect the election?

Apparently they found something in regards to the Clinton case, that warranted digging deeper. Perhaps it was the "intent" that they could not find earlier, and perhaps some of the bleached emails were on one of these devices? It just looks like, given how this could affect the election, that comey saw something potentially important that required digging deeper into it.

It this isn't an October surprise what would be? Trump being accused of sexual misconduct which the MSM gave nonstop coverage of? Or how about the fbi getting involved again in the Clinton investigation? Since this is more rare than a person getting accused of sexual misconduct, as we saw that already for years with bill, this looks like an October surprise to me. One of the biggest I can remember ever seeing.

I find it so typical of Clinton to tell comey he should release the goods on her, when she knows this cannot be done by law in an investigation. So, I guess she still thinks her supporters and potential supporters are dumber than a bag of hammers and this would fool them quite nicely. LOL It shows you what she thinks of the people that would vote for her.

Of course she could ask, or demand that Abedin, since these were her emails, to reveal what the fbi saw since we know comey cannot do it legally. But let us not hold our breath for that to happen. No need for anyone to pass out here and fall and hit their head. Of course it might knock some sense into a Hillary supporter, but still, we would not want to take such a risk for people die from falling and hitting their heads.

 

Well said.

 

FBI doubts the Single Weiner Theory #coverup

 

SHE ALREADY FAILED THE 3:00 AM PHONE CALL TEST THE NIGHT OF BENGHAZI, NOW THIS: Wikileaks: Hillary Clinton Needed Someone to ‘Sober Her Up’ at 4:30 in the Afternoon.

http://heatst.com/politics/wikileaks-hillary-clinton-sober/

 

Who is David Corn?

Sempre Fi

 

I always based my opinions on quotes. They sound more authentic that way.

 

You misunderstand. They are not Hillary's emails. The emails are from that jerk, Weiner, and the FBI has them. It is my contention that Hillary wants the FBI to release the emails. I don't think she is concerned about their contents. Abedin may have cause for concern.

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Excellent points. Thank you.