Thoughts on Why Director Comey Moved

For John, BLUF:  Whatever one does, it is wrong.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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OBSERVATIONS ON THE FBI’S CLINTON EMAIL “REENTRY”

Today, on Power Line, Mr Paul Mirengoff looks at the FBI reopening the Hillary Clinton EMail Server issue.  The trigger for this appears to have been the investigation of Mr Anthony Weiner and his sexting with a 15 year old.  The examination of computers revealed additional Department of State EMails.

The question is why would Director Comey reopen this wound?

There are three related reasons why Comey would nonetheless reopen the investigation now.  First, he may have been under intense pressure from within his agency to do so.

Second, he may have wanted to insulate himself from criticism for taking sides.  Imagine the abuse Comey would have taken if he had waited until after the election to reopen the investigation.  Imagine the fallout if FBI agents or officials leaked word that Comey was waiting until after the election to investigate.

Third, it may be that Comey is trying to fashion some sort of compromise in the way his agency presents this scandal to voters.  His initial approach had compromise written all over it:  Don’t throw the FBI’s weight into the election so strongly as to indict the Democratic nominee for president, but provide voters with damning facts uncovered in the investigation — something the FBI almost never does in a case where there is no indictment.

The thing is, as Joe Klein says, "if you walked into a Hollywood studio pitching this plot, they’d throw you out the door.”

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff