2016 U.S. Presidential Race Megathread Mark 2.

cnocbui · 28-10-2016 07:14PM

Nice to see the FBI engaging in politics and trying to influence the outcome of an election.

Sand · 28-10-2016 07:18PM

Cover up what exactly? Clintons private email server use was obviously ill advised but nothing, absolutely nothing has come out of all the SVR RF hacks except frankly boring gossip and politicking.

If Clinton was running against anyone except Trump, she would lose. But she is running against Trump so she could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and she wouldn't lose voters.

Sofa Spud · 28-10-2016 07:20PM

Itssoeasy wrote: »

I'm just quoting what fox said in the notification I got.

Itssoeasy - that was kinda my point - they picked up what a GOP hack said and not the actual release from the FBI.

Billy86 · 28-10-2016 07:21PM

cnocbui wrote: »

Nice to see the FBI engaging in politics and trying to influence the outcome of an election.

I doubt that's the case to be honest, though it is interesting as I was expecting one side or the other to drop something big this weekend or Monday at the latest - probably the last window for any news to have a real chance at influencing voters.

RobertKK · 28-10-2016 07:21PM

The FBI say they found new emails, but the FBI themselves were having a bit of a credibility problem with their initial ruling to not seek prosecution.
I had asked during the past 48, who holds the FBI to account if they fail to do their job properly, but at least they see to be redeeming themselves.
For the record, I have a couple of cousins who work in the FBI.
I was disappointed with their initial ruling, but it is good that maybe justice will be served this time.
Hillary may be going to prison where she can share details with Chelsea Manning on how not to use classified information.

alastair · 28-10-2016 07:22PM

A Little Pony wrote: »

They tried to cover it up but once Trump said he will clean out the swamp as he put it, they can't take the risk. Otherwise they would be fked.

I think the FBI are as aware as everyone else that Trump will be clearing out the swamp of his failed campaign while Hillary gets on with the job of running the country. They're just doing the job they were tasked with - the one where they made very clear that there was no criminality involved.

B0jangles · 28-10-2016 07:23PM

A Little Pony wrote: »

They tried to cover it up but once Trump said he will clean out the swamp as he put it, they can't take the risk. Otherwise they would be fked.

So let me get the narrative straight:

1. FBI is paid off by the Clintons to close the investigation on Crooked Hillary
2. They sit tight until Clinton is just over a week away from a landslide victory according to all the aggregated polls.
3. Donald says he'll 'clean the swamp' as one of his many many threats at his rallies.
4. FBI completely panics, throws out an empty letter containing nothing specific AT ALL in order to stop Clinton getting elected and to get Donald into the White House.

Is that the story we're going to run with?

Billy86 · 28-10-2016 07:23PM

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37805525

FBI director James Comey has told Congress the bureau is reopening its inquiry into Hillary Clinton's emails.

Investigators have discovered new emails "in connection with an unrelated case... that appear to be pertinent to the investigation", he said.

Mr Comey said investigators would determine whether the emails contain classified information.

A Little Pony · 28-10-2016 07:23PM

RobertKK wrote: »

The FBI say they found new emails, but the FBI themselves were having a bit of a credibility problem with their initial ruling to not seek prosecution.
I had asked during the past 48, who holds the FBI to account if they fail to do their job properly, but at least they see to be redeeming themselves.
For the record, I have a couple of cousins who work in the FBI.
I was disappointed with their initial ruling, but it is good that maybe justice will be served this time.
Hillary may be going to prison where she can share details with Chelsea Manning on how not to use classified information.

The woman is as bent as they come. Without the protection this race would be over. Slowly but surely its falling apart.

Billy86 · 28-10-2016 07:24PM

B0jangles wrote: »

So let me get the narrative straight:

1. FBI is paid off by the Clintons to close the investigation on Crooked Hillary
2. They sit tight until Clinton is just over a week away from a landslide victory according to all the aggregated polls.
3. Donald says he'll 'clean the swamp' as one of his many many threats at his rallies.
4. FBI completely panics, throws out an empty letter containing nothing specific AT ALL in order to stop Clinton getting elected and to get Donald into the White House.

Is that the story we're going to run with?

This poster a few days ago was saying they reckoned Trump was the favourite to win, yet refused to take up a €5 bet on Trump to win at 20/1 odds.

You can make of that what you will...

alastair · 28-10-2016 07:24PM

RobertKK wrote: »

The FBI say they found new emails, but the FBI themselves were having a bit of a credibility problem with their initial ruling to not seek prosecution.
I had asked during the past 48, who holds the FBI to account if they fail to do their job properly, but at least they see to be redeeming themselves.
For the record, I have a couple of cousins who work in the FBI.
I was disappointed with their initial ruling, but it is good that maybe justice will be served this time.
Hillary may be going to prison where she can share details with Chelsea Manning on how not to use classified information.

They're not changing anything with regard to their investigation determinations. They're simply saying that some more emails have come to light, and they're reviewing if there's anything classified in them.

A Little Pony · 28-10-2016 07:25PM

alastair wrote: »

A Little Pony wrote: »

They tried to cover it up but once Trump said he will clean out the swamp as he put it, they can't take the risk. Otherwise they would be fked.

I think the FBI are as aware as everyone else that Trump will be clearing out the swamp of his failed campaign while Hillary gets on with the job of running the country. They're just doing the job they were tasked with - the one where they made very clear that there was no criminality involved.

And Gerry Adams was never in the IRA. Everyone knows she is a crook.

B0jangles · 28-10-2016 07:25PM

RobertKK wrote: »

The FBI say they found new emails, but the FBI themselves were having a bit of a credibility problem with their initial ruling to not seek prosecution.
I had asked during the past 48, who holds the FBI to account if they fail to do their job properly, but at least they see to be redeeming themselves.
For the record, I have a couple of cousins who work in the FBI.
I was disappointed with their initial ruling, but it is good that maybe justice will be served this time.
Hillary may be going to prison where she can share details with Chelsea Manning on how not to use classified information.

Ahahaha, I was just saying this would happen!

FBI exonerates Clinton = BAD CORRUPT FBI :mad::mad::mad:
FBI reopens investigation = GOOD INCORRUPTIBLE FBI :cool::cool::cool:

You couldn't make this up, I swear.

alastair · 28-10-2016 07:27PM

A Little Pony wrote: »

And Gerry Adams was never in the IRA. Everyone knows she is a crook.

There's ample evidence Gerry was in the IRA. There's nothing to suggest Hillary is a crook.

cnocbui · 28-10-2016 07:32PM

Billy86 wrote: »

I doubt that's the case to be honest, though it is interesting as I was expecting one side or the other to drop something big this weekend or Monday at the latest - probably the last window for any news to have a real chance at influencing voters.

Well I think this is a blatant move on the part of Comey to try and save his ass, not to mention that all US gun agencies tend to be rather right wing in culture.

I predict nothing illegal or materially different from the previous leaks will come of this. The timing is beyond extraordinary. the only valid excuse the FBI could have for this 11 days out from an election is if they possess strong evidence of a serious nature that they think will lead to a prosecution. The wording of the announcement is extremely tentative and suggests they actually haven't done any follow through or assessment.

This smacks of Hoover's era, a scurrilous and disgraceful period that should never be revisited.

B0jangles · 28-10-2016 07:37PM

https://twitter.com/samsteinhp/status/792067119286542337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/samsteinhp/status/792067119286542337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Hmmmm, what the heck is Comey up to?

RobertKK · 28-10-2016 07:38PM

B0jangles wrote: »

Ahahaha, I was just saying this would happen!

FBI exonerates Clinton = BAD CORRUPT FBI :mad::mad::mad:
FBI reopens investigation = GOOD INCORRUPTIBLE FBI :cool::cool::cool:

You couldn't make this up, I swear.

They said she was extremely reckless, and I don't think if it was you or me working for the US state department and lets say we are US citizens and we did what Hillary did, we would have avoided prosecution.

I think it is good the case has been reopened. Who knows what the result will be, maybe she gets off again, maybe she is prosecuted and is heading towards prison rather than the White House.

alastair · 28-10-2016 07:41PM

cnocbui wrote: »

Well I think this is a blatant move on the part of Comey to try and save his ass, not to mention that all US gun agencies tend to be rather right wing in culture.

Comey is a Republican for sure, but he's not trying to save his ass. He made very clear the process of determining that no case of criminality existed in the email investigation. He's simply being methodical and above board. If he kept schtum about any new info that came to light, he'd have the wingnuts on his case about cover-ups, so he's just crossing the t's and dotting the i's. Nothing is going to change the investigation's determination at this point though.

cnocbui · 28-10-2016 07:42PM

B0jangles wrote: »

https://twitter.com/samsteinhp/status/792067119286542337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/samsteinhp/status/792067119286542337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Hmmmm, what the heck is Comey up to?

Comey engaged in blatant politicking previously, regarding getting into that iPhone and used it try and lever political opinion in favour of his wanting mandated backdoors into everything, particularly iPhones.

He's at it again, but this time it's far more serious.

B0jangles · 28-10-2016 07:43PM

RobertKK wrote: »

They said she was extremely reckless, and I don't think if it was you or me working for the US state department and lets say we are US citizens and we did what Hillary did, we would have avoided prosecution.

I think it is good the case has been reopened. Who knows what the result will be, maybe she gets off again, maybe she is prosecuted and is heading towards prison rather than the White House.

It hasn't been reopened:

https://twitter.com/joshtpm/status/792066902336106496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

also I was talking (online) recently to somone who's spent a long time dealing with US military intelligence/classified materials and he says in his experience what Clinton was shown to have done would merit a stern talking to at most, so take from that what you will.

alastair · 28-10-2016 07:44PM

RobertKK wrote: »

They said she was extremely reckless, and I don't think if it was you or me working for the US state department and lets say we are US citizens and we did what Hillary did, we would have avoided prosecution.

Or you could just take the FBI at their word, when they said very clearly that there wasn't a case for prosecution, and that no-one had interfered politically in their investigation or determination? Just a thought.

I don't see anyone chasing Colin Powell for using a private email account when he was in the job. Hillary's influence must be wider than I imagined.

B0jangles · 28-10-2016 07:58PM

As a change of pace, anyone want a video of Donald Trump being really nasty to another former Miss Universe, this time on a big ol' stage?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-jennifer-hawkins-video_us_58137b85e4b0390e69cfbbba?

cnocbui · 28-10-2016 07:59PM

alastair wrote: »

Full marks for being concise.
Zero marks for any actual content.

The FBI announcement reads like:

Hey guys, we know you folks are a bit busy, but we thought we would tell you we just found a cardboard box with the word Hillary written on the lid. Now we haven't opened, it, we don't know what's in it, we haven't done an assessment of what's in it, we don't know if anything in it is evidence of any impropriety or illegality, no, we just thought we would mention it 11 days out from a presidential election because we always think it's appropriate to tell the world what we are doing, even when we don't know anything yet.

Yeah, that is completely appropriate and normal.

B0jangles · 28-10-2016 08:02PM

https://twitter.com/AP/status/792076790676283392

Sooo.. about those emails...

alastair · 28-10-2016 08:03PM

cnocbui wrote: »

The FBI announcement reads like:

Hey guys, we know you folks are a bit busy, but we thought we would tell you we just found a cardboard box with the word Hillary written on the lid. Now we haven't opened, it, we don't know what's in it, we haven't done an assessment of what's in it, we don't know if anything in it is evidence of any impropriety or illegality, no, we just thought we would mention it 11 days out from a presidential election because we always think it's appropriate to tell the world what we are doing, even when we don't know anything yet.

Yeah, that is completely appropriate and normal.

They never mentioned Hillary at all. They're simply saying they've found some related evidence and it'll need to be included in their investigation. That's it. No suggestion of anything more. This reads far more like comprehensive transparency than political shenanigans.

KingBrian2 · 28-10-2016 08:05PM

Wouldn't be surprised if after a Hillary election the news will break that their was illegal activity going on and it was covered up by the media. The usual politicians will claim they never knew and had they would not have called on their constituencies to vote Democrat.

BorneTobyWilde · 28-10-2016 08:06PM

She was already guilty of lying to FBI, that was proved and she should have been charged.
The law needs to apply to all. Obama lied to as he knew about her email and emailed her, and he would have had to have allowed her emails to get to through to his blackberry so that makes him as guilty, as he lied to everyone about it.

B0jangles · 28-10-2016 08:07PM

alastair wrote: »

They never mentioned Hillary at all. They're simply saying they've found some related evidence and it'll need to be included in their investigation. That's it. No suggestion of anything more. This reads far more like comprehensive transparency than political shenanigans.

The letter opens with a direct reference to the investigation into Hillary Clinto's emails, then moves on to talk about other, unspecified emails. Why mention her at all unless the intention was create the impression that her emails were under investigation again?

K-9 · 28-10-2016 08:17PM

Mod:

Ok folks, breaking news and developments for the emails are fine on this thread.

Going over the same stuff about the detail of the previous investigations aren't, we spent a lot if time yesterday setting up a new thread specifically for that discussion.

cnocbui · 28-10-2016 08:17PM

alastair wrote: »

They never mentioned Hillary at all. They're simply saying they've found some related evidence and it'll need to be included in their investigation. That's it. No suggestion of anything more. This reads far more like comprehensive transparency than political shenanigans.

No, the announcement did not say anything about 'evidence'. They could be emails containing nothing more than shopping lists or those missing details about organising Chelsea's wedding.

It is not appropriate for the FBI to be virtually insinuating that they have found something significant and relating to serious wrongdoing unless they have.

This is action by the FBI intended to influence the outcome of a US presdiential election. It would only be appropriate to make such an announcement if they actually had evidence for something but they make very clear they don't know what they have. It's unconscionable.

Even a Republican is suspicious:

Another top Republican, Senator John Cornyn of Texas, appeared more befuddled than outraged by the timing of Comey’s letter. “Why is FBI doing this just 11 days before the election,” he asked in a tweet.

2016 U.S. Presidential Race Megathread Mark 2.

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