Joe Di Genova on the FBI Destruction of Clinton Email Laptops

Chaffets: FBI Handed Out Immunity Like Candy

Representative Jason Chaffets (R-UT 3rd), the Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, expressed exasperation at trying to bring justice to the Clinton Email case. The news that Hillary Clinton's 25 year aide-de-camp Cheryl Mills allowed access to her computers only if federal investigators gave her immunity.  Chaffets quipped that immunity was being handed out like candy. 

Bryan Pagliano, the IT "expert" who Hillary turned to in order to dispose of her unwanted State Department emails, was granted immunity but refused to testify before Congress despite being subpoenaed. Immunity deals were also proffered to Clinton aide Heather Samuelson and then State Department Information Resource Management Director John Bethel.

Although it is little solace from those suffering from too many sweets, Uncle Sam ought to remember that too many candies rots the teeth, like the respect for the rule of law. 

Biden Bristles at Goofy Uncle Joe Sobriquet

So Vice President Biden bristles at the Goofy Uncle Joe nickname.  Can you blame him? Can you blame the American people for dismissing the President of Vice's (sic) inpolitic teasing,  too-close-to-home "jokes", odd gestures,  maniacal mirth, his numerous gaffes, his coarse cheerleading and creepy chatter at ceremonial swearing in as just Goofy Uncle Joe?

It was interesting that CNBC ran a Biden puff piece at this time.  It seems a bit early for an Obama era overview.  The lead in to the interview noting how other recent Vice Presidents have been labeled dumb or evil geniuses seemed to carry water for Biden's goofy public perception. 

Hidden in the piece were boasting that he could beat the loyal opposition and that his favorable ratings are better than Democrat front runner Hillary Clinton.

Some political participants have worried that the Republican Nomination system is rigged and that the Establishment wants to replace the candidate.  This CNBC piece may be proffering a premise that Biden is a Democrat replacement candidate in case there is a glitch in the otherwise expected Hillary coronation nomination.

The FBI continues their probe into the Clinton Emails and may start to squeeze those close to Hillary's inner circle (e.g. Huma Abedin, Cheryl Mills).  If the FBI recommends prosecutions of Hillary aides, this will be difficult to brush off as a politcal witch hunt, even if the DOJ decides  nolle prosequi.  

Hillary has also had several coughing jags, which calls into question her health. 

If in the event Hillary chooses not to stand for election (or is convinced to do so for the good of the party), Democrats will need to plug in somebody.  That could well be Joe Biden. 

It may seem stranger than fiction but a year ago who would have thought that a Manhattan real estate mogul turned reality show host may be a major party nominee for President.  Or that a 74 year old Socialist would give Hillary Clinton a primary run for her money for the Democrat nomination? This is a strange election cycle so anything could happen.

DOJ Stonewall on Hillary Clinton Aides' Email Fails

 

 The Justice Department was handed a pair of decisions rejecting motions to stay requests from Citizens United and Judicial Watch regarding emails by then Secretary of State and current Democrat Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton and her key staffers Huma Abedin and Cheryl Mills. U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan noted that the government has not contended that it was unable to comply with the production deadline thus arguments for judicial economy and "the interest of justice", the original deadlines which were set in May 2015 holding. 

Hillary Clinton: "My relations with the press has been at times, shall we say, complicated..."

Hillary Clinton was playing for laughs with her  quip about new relations with the press when keynoting the Robin Toner Journalism award from Syracuse University.



However, it will be interesting to see how her ironic rhetoric meets reality.

Last summer, for a Clinton Global Intiative function, New York Times reporter Amy Chozick complained how reporters had handlers and were separated from the event which they were trying to cover. So that's how the Clinton's treat presstitutes, even friendly faces. 

When Hillary chose to address the State Department email controversy, the former Secretary of State made a brief press appearance in a controlled situation at the United Nations.  Even during the 15 minute close encounter with the UN credentialed press, Mrs. Clinton was reading off prepared answers and was shooed away by staff when questions got tough.  But that makes sense if the presser was just about damage control. Politico Editor-in-Chief John Harris distilled the UN event in three words "Go to hell."

Even for the Toner Prize Celebration, Mrs. Clinton originally indicated  that she would not be taking any questions. So perhaps Hillary's self effacing script was meant to make nice with journalists and generate news pegs without saying anything substantial. If so, that is a wise use of smart power on the hustings, but say little about leadership.  It may also have been meant to counter the widespread perception the Hillary Clinton is a joyless politician.

So, assuming the Mrs. Clinton's charm offensive is not a total joke, her vow to be more transparent can quickly be tested by turning over the "Clintonemail" domain server to inquiring Congressional committees  such as Rep. Trey Gowdy's (R-SC 4th) House Select Committee on Benghazi or designated third parties.  Since Dick Morris asserts that neither Hillary nor Bill Clinton knows how to type, this search should also include emails from key aides like Huma Abedin and Cheryl Mills who also had email accounts at Clintonemail while working at the State Department. 

How is that for an even more complicated relation with the press?

h/t: Daryl Cagle