# Clinton v Trump - The Stretch Run Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 30, 2016, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277 "2016-09-30T11:21:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 212
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4225 "2016-10-31T16:30:37Z")
Early voting is looking good for Hillary, including in Ohio. About one-fifth of the electorate has already voted: [Poll: Hillary Clinton enjoys lead in early voting](http://www.aol.com/article/news/2016/10/31/poll-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-early-voting/21595429/) In the NYT, Doris Kearns Goodwin and Rachel Maddow discuss this election and the Presidency. A very interesting chat, I thought: [Rachel Maddow and Doris Kearns Goodwin on a Presidential Race for the History Books - The New York Times](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/30/fashion/table-for-three-rachel-maddow-doris-kearns-goodwin-presidential-election.html) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4226 "2016-10-31T16:58:30Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > You’ll lose that one too. The only way Clinton wins is if it’s a referendum on Donald Trump. Donald Trump seems to be the forgotten man in the last 48 hours of news coverage. He always gains in the polls when he’s not the story. The reverse of this is that when Trump’s not the story, he does something to make himself the story. The result is usually that Trump gets headlines and Clinton moves ahead in the polls. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4227 "2016-10-31T17:05:13Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > If the Clinton campaign has any more cards up its sleeve, now would be the time to play them. If anyone has the hidden immunity idol and you want to play it, now’s the time to do so. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4228 "2016-10-31T17:24:33Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > If anyone has the hidden immunity idol and you want to play it, now’s the time to do so. In a stunning twist, Jill Stein had it the whole time and is giving it to Evan McMullin. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4229 "2016-10-31T17:32:17Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Intent matters now? Intent matters depending on how the various laws are written. It’s not just something that people dream up according to their partisan whims. It’s part of the statute. In this case, the statute is 5 U.S. Code § 7323(a)1 > **[5 U.S. Code § 7323 - Political activity authorized; prohibitions](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/7323)** which says “[a government employee] may not— (1) use his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election;” Painter is arguing in his complaint that Comey had no other purpose in writing his letter and violating all the various existing standards and protocols, other than to influence the election, because Comey himself admitted that he didn’t know the significance of the emails. If the emails end up being Huma and Hillary collaborating on a novel, then Comey will have interfered with the election for no reason. Therefore, his argument that he had to alert congress before the emails even got read is nonsense. That’s Painter’s argument, anyway. Of course, the investigation in Director Comey’s violation of the Hatch Act will have to play out, but given his own acknowledgement that he didn’t know the significance of the emails, he’s going to have a hard time explaining why he had to tell Congress in a big rush that the emails are pertinent. Good luck to you, too, Director Comey. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4230 "2016-10-31T17:32:46Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > In a stunning twist, Jill Stein had it the whole time and is giving it to Evan McMullin. Well, its not easy being Green… ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4231 "2016-10-31T17:38:35Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Firing Comey would scream ‘corruption.’ Someone would make Watergate comparisons. Not if he deserves it. Not firing him also sets a bad precedent. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4232 "2016-10-31T17:41:49Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Intent matters depending on how the various laws are written. It’s not just something that people dream up according to their partisan whims. It’s part of the statute. > > In this case, the statute is 5 U.S. Code § 7323(a)1 > [5 U.S. Code § 7323 - Political activity authorized; prohibitions | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/7323) > > which says “[a government employee] may not— > (1) use his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election;” > > Painter is arguing in his complaint that Comey had no other purpose in writing his letter and violating all the various existing standards and protocols, other than to influence the election, because Comey himself admitted that he didn’t know the significance of the emails. > > If the emails end up being Huma and Hillary collaborating on a novel, then Comey will have interfered with the election for no reason. Therefore, his argument that he had to alert congress before the emails even got read is nonsense. > > That’s Painter’s argument, anyway. Of course, the investigation in Director Comey’s violation of the Hatch Act will have to play out, but given his own acknowledgement that he didn’t know the significance of the emails, he’s going to have a hard time explaining why he had to tell Congress in a big rush that the emails are pertinent. > > Good luck to you, too, Director Comey. There will be no investigation. Clinton is smarter than that. At worst, she will ask Comey to resign, and that will be the end of it. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4233 "2016-10-31T18:13:13Z")
Yeah, probably Comey will resign. The penalty for violating the Hatch Act is being banned from federal employment, but Comey was pretty much at the top of his field already, so … early retirement is his smart play, if Hillary gets elected. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4234 "2016-10-31T18:17:02Z")
That’s still a plenty dark stain on the FBI, which is still rebuilding its reputation from fucking Hoover, who died in 1972, and all the shit they pulled back then. Not saying much for the character of the organization when this is the character of the head of it. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4235 "2016-10-31T18:22:11Z")
Comey has now royally pissed off just about everyone, so he would be crazy to want to stay. He will have many options available to him for gainful employment, so I’m not too worried about him. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4236 "2016-10-31T18:28:25Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > That’s still a plenty dark stain on the FBI, which is still rebuilding its reputation from fucking Hoover, who died in 1972, and all the shit they pulled back then. They didn’t start straightening the place out until Carter appointed Webster; Clarence Kelly was Hoover Part 2. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4237 "2016-10-31T18:29:11Z")
FWIW, the White House spokesman says Obama doesn’t think Comey did it to help Trump: [http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/31/politics/white-house-james-comey-clinton-emails/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/31/politics/white-house-james-comey-clinton-emails/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4238 "2016-10-31T18:36:10Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > FWIW, the White House spokesman says Obama doesn’t think Comey did it to help Trump: [http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/31/politics/white-house-james-comey-clinton-emails/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/31/politics/white-house-james-comey-clinton-emails/index.html) That’s right. He did it to hurt Hillary!! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4239 "2016-10-31T18:38:49Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4240 "2016-10-31T18:43:20Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Hatch Act? Let’s not be crazy now. Did that nutcase Reid suggest that or something? Harry Reid, the two ex-Deputy AGs who wrote in the Washington Post, the former White House ethics chief, etc., etc., all have not only suggested, but filed complaints with the federal government, that Comey violated the Hatch Act. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4241 "2016-10-31T18:44:17Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > FWIW, the White House spokesman says Obama doesn’t think Comey did it to help Trump: [http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/31/politics/white-house-james-comey-clinton-emails/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/31/politics/white-house-james-comey-clinton-emails/index.html) Kenya, hell! He’s either from Canada or Minnesota! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4242 "2016-10-31T18:45:50Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > That’s still a plenty dark stain on the FBI, which is still rebuilding its reputation from fucking Hoover, who died in 1972, and all the shit they pulled back then. > > Not saying much for the character of the organization when this is the character of the head of it. Hey, the FBI totally crushed the Klan in Mississippi in the 60’s. I saw the documentary! ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4243 "2016-10-31T18:54:28Z")
> [@](#): > > The penalty for violating the Hatch Act is being banned from federal employment, but Comey was pretty much at the top of his field already Psh. Before he was FBI Director, he was senior counsel to Lockheed and a partner in a Wall Street investment firm. He’ll just go back to doing that. 538 has AZ, IA and OH firmly pink. [A Mexican citizen has been arrested in Texas for lying on her voter registration form by claiming she was a citizen, and then voting](http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Woman-Jailed-on-Charge-of-Illegal-Voting-342158051.html). She’s a registered Republican. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2016, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/4244 "2016-10-31T19:01:34Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > …A Mexican citizen has been arrested in Texas for lying on her voter registration form by claiming she was a citizen, and then voting. She’s a registered Republican. Well, Il Douche _did_ say that some of them were nice people. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277.md?page=211) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277.md?page=213)