{"id":34975,"date":"2017-05-13T11:04:39","date_gmt":"2017-05-13T15:04:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=34975"},"modified":"2017-05-13T11:04:43","modified_gmt":"2017-05-13T15:04:43","slug":"comey-firing-raises-the-stakes-for-2018-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=34975","title":{"rendered":"Comey firing raises the stakes for 2018 elections"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Mike McGann<\/strong>, Editor, The Times<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Just when the healthcare mess seemed ready to drown our local Congressvictims in a Jonestown Flood like deluge, President Trump\u2019s firing of FBI Director James B. Comey, Tuesday, swooped in and saved them by changing the subject.<\/span><\/p>\n

And by saving them, I mean sparing them from a looming electoral firing squad by hitting them with a flaming asteroid.<\/span><\/p>\n

While Pennsylvania\u2019s two U.S. Senators \u2014 Bob Casey Jr. and Pat Toomey \u2014 responded in a predictable manner, Casey calling the move \u201cNixonian\u201d and Toomey mostly praising it, the local congressional delegation was more circumspect, ranging between openly questioning the move and a deep beige vagueness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Casey, suddenly feeling the wind at his back for his 2018 reelection effort, was at his angry best:<\/span><\/p>\n

“This is Nixonian,\u201d Casey said in his statement. \u201cDeputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein must immediately appoint a special counsel to continue the Trump\/Russia investigation. On March 20th Director Comey said, \u2018I have been authorized by the Department of Justice to confirm that the FBI, as part of our counterintelligence mission, is investigating the Russian government’s efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election and that includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia’s efforts.\u2019 This investigation must be independent and thorough in order to uphold our nation\u2019s system of justice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Toomey, though, went all in with Trump\u2019s move, giving it the thumbs\u2019 up, even if the timing was less than perfect.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have doubted the ability of Director Comey to lead the FBI effectively for some time now but the timing of his dismissal is unfortunate,\u201d Toomey said. \u201cIt is now up to the president to appoint, and the Senate to confirm, a successor who has unimpeachable credentials and integrity and who enjoys the confidence of the American people. The next FBI director should continue pursuing ongoing investigations, including the 2016 presidential campaign.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The county\u2019s three congress members \u2014 Ryan Costello (R-6), Patrick Meehan (R-7) and Lloyd Smucker (R-16) \u2014 expressed varying ranges of response ranging from dismay to trying to say as little as humanly possible about the subject.<\/span><\/p>\n

Smucker, somewhat uncharacteristically, pulled no punches and argued for a renewed investigation into the alleged Russia-Trump campaign connections.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe decision to dismiss Director Comey raises serious and legitimate questions about timing, intent, and the integrity of ongoing investigations,\u201d Smucker said in a statement. \u201cMy constituents deserve answers and I hope to see a full explanation soon. Additionally, while I support current congressional investigations into Russia\u2019s interference in the 2016 presidential election, I believe we need a fresh start. It\u2019s time for Congress to fully examine all circumstances surrounding Russia\u2019s involvement, and to look at ways to ensure a fair and straightforward investigation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Costello attempted a more nuanced approach, suggesting while Comey had generated concerns, the firing and the White House spin on it were problematic.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere has been ongoing bipartisan concern regarding the FBI Director for a variety of reasons,\u201d Costello said in a statement. \u201cTo date, the explanation for the firing has been insufficient and the timing raises additional questions. I have always maintained that any investigation into Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 election must have the confidence of the American people. My constituents must have assurances that a non-partisan investigation will yield independent, well-grounded conclusions, and I certainly support that effort. At this time, I am continuing to gather more information.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Meehan said nice things about Comey \u2014 and blamed Hillary Clinton for getting him into a big mess \u2014 which was 180 degrees from the reasoning that the Trump White House initially gave for the firing (three or four explanations ago), which was the Comey mistreated Clinton. He then proceeded to say nothing much else about the firing before disappearing into vagueness like White House spokesman Sean Spicer into a bush:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJames Comey is a man of the highest integrity, ability and intellect and I thank him for his years of public service to the Justice Department,\u201d Meehan said in a statement. \u201cHe and the FBI were dragged into an impossible situation by Hillary Clinton\u2019s decisions and her mishandling of classified information. He was confronted with no good choices in the height of an election season.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s regrettable that in recent months, both Republicans and Democrats have lost faith in the Bureau to act above partisan politics. I\u2019m hopeful that new, independent leadership will restore this confidence and continue to conduct ongoing investigations into Russian interference in our elections with integrity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Kind of a word salad with ranch dressing, suggesting that the former U.S. Attorney either didn\u2019t know what to say \u2014 or knew what he couldn\u2019t say \u2014 so he spouted the verbal equivalent of packing peanuts.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the bright side, all three now can enjoy a pause from protests at their offices regarding health care. On Friday, a group gathered to protest Comey\u2019s firing outside of Costello\u2019s West Chester office, instead. Variety is the spice of life, right?<\/span><\/p>\n

Like the famous (infamous) scene in Wes Anderson\u2019s Magnolia<\/em> \u2014 where frogs fall from the sky like a summer rain shower for no evident reason \u2014 all three of these guys have to look at the political landscape and ask themselves \u201cwhat the @#$% is coming next?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n