Still downplaying Comey's committee appearance Thursday?

[bigtree]

...he's opened the door to all sorts of questioning with the early release of his opening statement.

Comey's done all but release the actual memos. Doesn't look like he's holding back one bit. Hell of an opportunity for Senators looking to drop this scandal in Trump's lap.

I'd say we're already some distance past concerns expressed here like, "don't expect much from this hearing." I'd think we can expect a great deal more to be revealed about his contacts with the president.


Statement for the Record
Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
James B. Comey
June 8, 2017
https://t.co/q8rKA2xrGi

[SHRED]

1. With a lengthy opening statement

I agree.
And released a day before.

[Chasstev365]

2. I really hope you are correct!

[rzemanfl]

3. There are four conversations he recalls and documented that are not in the opening statement.

Interesting.

[NCTraveler]

7. Interesting. Thanks.

Even though it's pretty obvious I missed it. I was a bit taken back by Trump telling Comey to "let it go" when it came to Flynn.

[NCTraveler]

4. Here is the problem that might arise.

Americans have the attention span of gnats and the media knows it. I feel the most repeated thing will be that Comey told Trump he was not under investigation. Trump was not under investigation. Trump was not under investigation. That is the line that will hurt.

I agree that this memo gives the questioners direction. When I read it the Flynn conversation jumped out at me. Trump personally asked Comey to "let it go". That is huge, in my opinion.

I'm very interested to see how tomorrow goes down. Unfortunately, I think the new of the day will be that Comey repeatedly told Trump he was not under investigation. That is what will sit with the general public.

[kcr]

8. Trump's demands for loyalty seem to be what's catching everyone's eye.

It's just so outlandish, like something out of a bad mob movie.

[NCTraveler]

13. It's beyond outlandish. I agree.

There is a large swath of our country that is currently in a loyalty phase. I think many will view it as strength from the President.

[kcr]

17. Maybe his hardcore base but that's it.

I don't know about loyalty phases, but the American public have had trust issues with the government dating back to at least the Vietnam era, and people will not read the president demanding loyalty over the truth as a positive.

[NCTraveler]

18. "loyalty over the truth as a positive"

I think his base will eat it up and many who voted for him will see it as a part of his manly strength. Others who voted for him will dismiss it out of personal necessity.

I don't think the loyalty aspect will play big outside of us here. I think the Flynn aspect is much bigger. Hope I'm wrong and they are both a huge hit.

[Achilleaze]

21. Comey's responsibility was (and is) to be loyal to America

Not to some casino sharpie who managed to become the republican Draft Dodger-in-Chief.

This is about America. Not about Donnie Two Scoops or his republican cabal of colluding comrades.

[NCTraveler]

22. "Comey's responsibility was (and is) to be loyal to America"

You could say that about every single politician or government official.

"Not to some casino sharpie who managed to become the republican Draft Dodger-in-Chief." AKA The President

"This is about America."

It's actually about perception. That is what generates change. Like the perception Comey generated one week before the election. Those things mean something.

[bigtree]

10. this generation is accustomed to nuance

...at the time of the dinner, Comey indicated Trump wasn't under investigation.

At the time of the dinner... that's going to be hammered, as well. I don't think the media is letting him off the hook on the basis of that.

Besides, most of the jeopardy he faces today looks to be coming from his attempted obstruction, some stemming from that dinner.

[NCTraveler]

11. Nuance takes an attention span.

I don't think this generation has any more of an attention span than any previous generation.

We are dealing with expectations. So much of it is about expectations that have been set. The perception at the end of the day tomorrow will be met with certain expectations that have been set.

Then again, we simply need to see how tomorrow plays out.

"coming from his attempted obstruction"

I fully agree with that and think we will get a little red meat in that area. From what we currently know, it will take a whole lot more in order to have any impact on a sitting President outside of him losing more clout.

[bigtree]

19. I think we'll need to make this a key issue in the midterms

...that's how long I think this will stretch out, and beyond.

We'll need a Democratic Congress to bring balance to this tyranny of the majority. 'Impact' is relative to the willingness of legislators to perform their oversight responsibilities.

[NCTraveler]

20. Fully agree with everything you just said.

We must stretch it out.

I think the true current disaster is that we know for a fact that Russia was knee deep in our election and our President hasn't told us what he is doing about it. I find that alone to be a scandal of epic proportions. Of course I want to see more on Trump. What we have currently as fact is huge and any thinking person should understand our President should be taking public action.

[GallopingGhost]

26. I don't think the Republicons

will get away with it because the first question that instantly comes to the mind of anyone who isn't a Trumphumper is, Yes, but is he under investigation now?

Hope I'm right.

[MFM008]

5. Yeah a LOT to chew on

I expect a longggggg day for Comey tomorrow.

[berksdem]

6. well...

Last edited Wed Jun 7, 2017, 03:26 PM - Edit history (1)

I am one of the folks that believed #ComeyBust was really going to be nothing more than what we saw today with the 4 Stooges. I would like to redact my #ComeyBust and say that I can't wait to watch tomorrow. This should be one for the ages...

Whether that means something will actually come from this is anyone's guess. Still going to be a long hard road to get him impeached.

[NightWatcher]

9. He's not going to pound on the desk and scream "jail him"

It is what it is and it shows trump wanted things quieted and fixed...and he soon fired Comey when this didn't happen fast enough for trump's liking.

[beachbum bob]

12. today's release of opening statement has set the stage now we must see if Trump uses EP

in some type of attempt to block him from answering questions. Of course with all of trump's tweets, any court will deny trumps request...

[geek tragedy]

14. Frankly, I'm a little underwhelmed by his statement.

There's little there that wasn't already reported or widely assumed to be true.

Biggest reveal, unhelpfully, is that he did tell Tr*mp three different times that there wasn't an investigation into Tr*mp personally. (though a question should be "Has that changed?" tomorrow)

We'll see what tomorrow brings

[pepperbear]

24. +1......this is where the media will show its mettle...

I distinctly remember the associates who first leaked the existence of the comey memo said that it was unlikely that comey would discuss trump's status with anyone during the course of an ongoing investigation. Hopefully at least one of the senators points that out and asks appropriate questions. I, for one, would very much like to hear his reasoning for telling trump this.

We know where his base will stand, but if the media fixates on the mere fact that trump told the truth for once while ignoring context and what can only be seen as a clear attempt at manipulation, we're done for.

[Blue_Roses]

15. Wow.

Just read the whole thing and still can't believe this is out before his testimony. It all just seems bizarre.

[nolabear]

16. Listening to MSNBC parse his release. This will be compelling TV.

Not just the hearing but the events themselves and the discussions of them.

I swear it's got a blockbuster movie vibe and that is going to get all kinds of responses from various quarters. It's government/mob to the nth degree.

[disillusioned73]

23. A whole lot of "between the lines" there..

Should make for a very interesting/enlightening watch tomorrow..

[bigtree]

25. »

[ecstatic]

27. I hope you're right, but I try not to get my hopes up

I don't like Comey's demeaner and smug attitude when answering questions, but we'll see.

[brettdale]

28. Im sorry but Im a Pessimist

Not only will there be nothing that gets our hopes up, but Im sure the
MSM will call it a Great Victory for Trump.

[Kingofalldems]

29. Not fooled.

[bigtree]

30. this is pathetic

...your multiple attempts to dismiss this testimony tomorrow has already been eclipsed by the Comey opening statement. More coming tomorrow.

Understanding how much you have invested in your dismissals expressed here, no, you shouldn't get YOUR hopes up. This will be a substantive and damning hearing.