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Democrats Government Communications Politics

Newly Published WikiLeaks Emails Show Clinton Campaign Communicated With State Department (go.com) 454

An anonymous reader quotes a report from ABC News: A State Department official appeared to coordinate with Hillary Clinton's nascent presidential campaign hours before the former secretary of state's exclusive use of private emails was first detailed in a news account last year, newly released hacked emails show. Emails from the files of Clinton's campaign chairman John Podesta show that the department official provided Clinton aides with the agency's official response to a New York Times reporter in advance of the newspaper's March 2015 report that Clinton had used a private email account to conduct all of her work-related business as secretary. The stolen emails were released Wednesday by WikiLeaks, part of a massive trove of emails released by the document-leaking group on a daily basis since last month. WikiLeaks has indicated it intends to leak emails stolen from Podesta's account every day through the election. In a March 1, 2015 email, State Department press aide Lauren Hickey told Clinton's spokesman Nick Merrill and two other advisers that then-State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki had "just cleared" a reply to the Times. Hickey provided the agency's response to the Clinton aides and also appeared to agree to a change requested by the campaign, saying: "Yes on your point re records -- done below." It is not clear what specific change was requested and made. State Department spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday that the department would not comment on alleged leaked documents. But he said the department's effort to "provide accurate information to the media" about Clinton's tenure at the agency has "at times required communicating with her representatives to ensure accuracy."
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Newly Published WikiLeaks Emails Show Clinton Campaign Communicated With State Department

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  • No Shit (Score:4, Insightful)

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 02, 2016 @07:29PM (#53202631)

    We didn't need another leak to let us know how corrupt the Clintons are.

    • Re:No Shit (Score:5, Informative)

      by unixisc ( 2429386 ) on Wednesday November 02, 2016 @07:44PM (#53202687)
      True, but it does serve as proof to reinforce something that Democrat Deniers keep asserting as untrue
    • by Xenographic ( 557057 ) on Wednesday November 02, 2016 @07:49PM (#53202711) Journal

      So much crap is going down right now.... where to even start.

      There's a straw donor program [cbsnews.com] that just got busted as well as a voter fraud ring in Indiana [nbcchicago.com].

      We have the DOJ giving the heads up which you can read here [wikileaks.org]. This was forwarded by one Peter Kadzik [justice.gov], who you might remember as being put in charge of the reopened investigation. Conflict of interest much? Podesta says he's a "Fantastic lawyer. Kept me out of jail. [wikileaks.org]" His son wants to help Hillary's campaign [wikileaks.org]. Plenty of other emails of them having lunch, parties, etc. together too, incidentally.

      An African-American church was burned down and people are raising money to repair it [youcaring.com].

      • Re: (Score:2, Offtopic)

        by whoever57 ( 658626 )
        This [telegraph.co.uk] doesn't seem to have been reported anywhere other than the Telegraph and the Intercept.
      • by acrimonious howard ( 4395607 ) on Wednesday November 02, 2016 @09:45PM (#53203197)

        There's a straw donor program [cbsnews.com] that just got busted as well as a voter fraud ring in Indiana [nbcchicago.com].

        Talk about straw. You're wording implies this voter fraud "ring" has been "busted", but the referenced article title even says it's an 'investigation' into voter registration fraud. Seems like a big difference between swaths of people trying to vote multiple times, and a pre-election group trying to get voters registered, and possibly individuals getting sloppy or even malicious. If the current argument is that voter fraud actually happens so infrequently that major changes to laws are too heavy-handed because it actually disenfranchises large groups of people, then this particular incident of possible voter registration fraud still doesn't have an effect on the big picture.

        • Re: (Score:2, Insightful)

          by Anonymous Coward

          You might as well argue with a brick wall, dude. Anything wrong that isn't directly tied to Trump is Clinton's fault in the eyes of Trump supporters while anything wrong that is directly tied to Trump is immediately disregarded as unsubstantiated hearsay, misrepresentation, quotes taken out of context or part of a conspiracy. Trump could rape their mothers and they'd swear on a bible that mom was asking for it.

          • by kenh ( 9056 )

            Only one candidate is the subject of TWO simultaneous FBI investigations, and it ain't the Republican... These investigations are under a DEMOCRAT administration, so its pretty hard to blame an imaginary "Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy".

            This all could have been avoided if Hillary had deigned to use a state.gov email address - I'm pretty sure hillary2016@state.gov was available.

      • by Scrameustache ( 459504 ) on Wednesday November 02, 2016 @10:06PM (#53203285) Homepage Journal

        a voter fraud ring in Indiana.

        http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/09/23/whos-behind-group-police-say-submitted-fraudulent-voter-registration-forms/90778006/ [indystar.com]

        "the group has submitted about 40,000 registration forms" ... "at least 10 of the group's voter registration forms from Marion and Hendricks counties contained fraudulent information. Local election officials said some of the group's forms were missing key information, such as Social Security numbers and birth dates."

        So, 10 out of 40000 had missing info.

        I am underwhelmed.

        • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

          by Xenographic ( 557057 )

          We don't know much about that police investigation yet and there's a lot going on so I will say I haven't looked too deeply into that one yet. One concern is that we do have certain people on video saying they've been busing groups in for 50 years and how that works is that they get voter registrations with fake credentials and bus people around to vote in all the places they're registered.

          That said, your source was interesting and you could very well be right.

          There's so much going on it's hard to keep tra

      • by rmckeethen ( 130580 ) on Thursday November 03, 2016 @01:01AM (#53203855)

        Where to start? Perhaps you could start by reading the articles you've linked, or maybe even going to the actual sources of those stories? Allow me to help:

        1) The Thornton Law firm (straw donor program) -- The Boston Globe reports that at least 21 politicians nationwide, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, have agreed to give back or give-away over $600,000 received from the law firm. [bostonglobe.com] Given that no charges have yet been brought, nor have federal authorities even begun investigating the case, it looks to me like the Democrats who received donations from the Thornton firm are being about as above-board regarding this unfortunate incident as you could reasonably ask them to be.

        2) Patriot Majority USA (voter fraud ring) -- As other posters in this thread have noted, the investigation is for alleged voter registration issues [nbcchicago.com], not voting fraud. However, a total of 10 suspicious registration forms, out of the 40,000 the group claims to have submitted, certainly isn't going to move the election one iota in either direction, and this incident seems a far cry from the kind of fraud you appear to be alleging.

        3) Peter Kadzik email on May 19th, 2015 -- As CNN points out in a recent article, the filing referred to in the email had already been made public a day before Mr. Kadzik sent his email. [cnn.com] However, aside from that point, I'd agree it does look like Mr. Kadzik intended to tip-off the Clinton campaign, and I would also agree that even the appearance of impropriety in a Justice Department official should be investigated.

        4) Peter Kadzik supposedly in charge of reopened investigation -- Again, as CNN reported in the article linked above, Peter Kadzik is not involved in any known Justice Department investigations regarding the Clinton family. Obviously, if Mr. Kadzik isn't involved the investigations, there is no conflict of interest, making his relationship with John Podesta, or his son's relationship with Podesta for that matter, wholly immaterial. Even Republican Senator Trey Gowdy, who chaired the House Select Committee on Benghazi, admits Mr. Kadzik isn't a decision-maker [foxnews.com] at the Department of Justice.

        5) Hopewell Baptist Church fire -- Unfortunately, your YOUCARING link appears dead, but several sources confirm that the Hopewell church was likely set on fire Tuesday night, with the message 'Vote Trump' spray-painted around the same time. [slashdot.org] As the article points out, there's likely no way to know for sure if Trump supporters started the fire, but it's certainly troubling. However, I have no doubt that the community of Greenville will pull together and rebuild the damage, and I imagine some of that help will likely come from Republicans, including those supporting Trump in the election.

    • Re: No Shit (Score:2, Insightful)

      by Anonymous Coward

      Today's WL revelation about DOJ coordination ("heads up") with the Clinton machine is more concerning.

  • Seems ordinary. (Score:2, Informative)

    by Anonymous Coward

    Not really clear that there's anything here. A news organization always checks with the subject of an article before running the article-- this is standard procedure, and it's also standard procedure to correct errors of fact that are pointed out-- it is desirable to do this BEFORE an article runs.
    I think they're stretching on this.

    • Missing the point (Score:5, Insightful)

      by Okian Warrior ( 537106 ) on Wednesday November 02, 2016 @07:55PM (#53202737) Homepage Journal

      Not really clear that there's anything here. A news organization always checks with the subject of an article before running the article-- this is standard procedure, and it's also standard procedure to correct errors of fact that are pointed out-- it is desirable to do this BEFORE an article runs.
      I think they're stretching on this.

      While that's certainly true, it's also misdirection. A news organization checking the subject of an article isn't the point.

      It's that the government agency fielding the request gave the campaign a heads up, and took direction from the campaign about the response.

      That's collusion between government and the Clinton campaign.

      Are you comfortable with government agencies checking with a campaign (of their choosing) during an election?

      I'm not.

      • With no privilege (Score:5, Informative)

        by Okian Warrior ( 537106 ) on Wednesday November 02, 2016 @08:00PM (#53202761) Homepage Journal

        Not really clear that there's anything here. A news organization always checks with the subject of an article before running the article-- this is standard procedure, and it's also standard procedure to correct errors of fact that are pointed out-- it is desirable to do this BEFORE an article runs.
        I think they're stretching on this.

        While that's certainly true, it's also misdirection. A news organization checking the subject of an article isn't the point.

        It's that the government agency fielding the request gave the campaign a heads up, and took direction from the campaign about the response.

        That's collusion between government and the Clinton campaign.

        Are you comfortable with government agencies checking with a campaign (of their choosing) during an election?

        I'm not.

        And just to be clear, according to the Wikileaks [twitter.com] document, this happened *after* she had left the state department and was running her campaign.

        She was, at the time, a citizen with no government authority or privilege.

      • Re: (Score:2, Insightful)

        by grcumb ( 781340 )

        While that's certainly true, it's also misdirection. A news organization checking the subject of an article isn't the point.

        It's that the government agency fielding the request gave the campaign a heads up, and took direction from the campaign about the response.

        That's collusion between government and the Clinton campaign.

        No, that's coordination between two groups, which happens all the time. This kind of behaviour is run of the mill with just about any news story that includes both private and public sectors. They each need to know what the other is saying in order to avoid contradiction and confusion. And the fact that someone's taken input from someone else doesn't imply anything; it's neither positive nor negative.

        Are you comfortable with government agencies checking with a campaign (of their choosing) during an election?

        I'm not.

        Then you are sorely, sorely mistaken about how communications between organisations and the media happens. A

        • by Obfuscant ( 592200 ) on Wednesday November 02, 2016 @08:48PM (#53202979)

          They each need to know what the other is saying in order to avoid contradiction and confusion.

          If both parties tell the truth, then there is no contradiction or confusion.

          "What color are you going to tell the New York Times the sky is?"

          "I am going to say 'green'."

          "Ok, I'll say 'green' too, so there is no contradiction or confusion."

          Then you are sorely, sorely mistaken about how communications between organisations and the media happens.

          This was communications between the US State Department and the Hillary Clinton political campaign. Neither are "media".

          And it's not a government agency checking with a campaign; it's a government agency coordinating with the ex-director about whom the media is asking questions.

          Neither John Podesta nor Nick Merrill were ex-directors of the State Department.

          Seriously, the efforts people on one side are going to in order to excuse criminal behaviour is shameful.

          • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

            by Boronx ( 228853 )

            It's a measure of decline of Slashdot that this kind of illogical bullshit gets modded up.

            The idea that it's a crime for the State department to discuss it's response to questions from the media with a former Secretary (or her people!) should never have made it past the first neuron in charge of filtering stupid ideas.

            "I am going to say 'green'."

            "Ok, I'll say 'green' too, so there is no contradiction or confusion."

            That's all in your head. If they actually had agreed to lie about something, the story would have been about State and Clinton agreeing to lie about something.

            • by Obfuscant ( 592200 ) on Thursday November 03, 2016 @03:02PM (#53207713)

              The idea that it's a crime

              And you're getting modded up for trying to put words in my mouth. I didn't say "crime", you did.

              If they actually had agreed to lie about something,

              It's called "an example of what kind of thing could have happened", not factual evidence that the State Department wanted to know what color to say the sky is.

              The fine summary tells us that nobody has figured out what was changed by the State Department at the campaign's request.

              The fact is, it is unethical for a political campaign to be vetting information that the State Department sends to the NYT, both for the NYT to allow it and the State Department to do it. No, it wasn't state confabbing with the ex-director -- John Podesta and Nick Merrill haven't been directors ever.

        • by kenh ( 9056 )

          No, that's coordination between two groups, which happens all the time. This kind of behaviour is run of the mill with just about any news story

          Except neither organization in this email exchange is, you know, a "news organization"

          They each need to know what the other is saying in order to avoid contradiction and confusion.

          Really? That's called conspiracy when criminals do it... Why do they need to know what each other is saying? Can't they just tell the truth, rather than what they agree is the version of

      • From what I'm seeing, the State Dept forwarded their official response to the Clinton campaign. That doesn't exactly sound sinister to me. The Dept was asked to comment on a particular story about the previous secretary, which they did, and also forwarded her a copy of their response. Should they have not done one of those things since the former secretary was running for office? Should they have said they were going to wait until after the election to comment? It's not like there's some random governm

        • *Former official, not formal. Damn subconscious autocorrect.

        • The Dept was asked to comment on a particular story about the previous secretary, which they did, and also forwarded her a copy of their response.

          They must have provided the copy to the campaign before they sent it to NYT, because they couldn't have corrected it based on campaign staff suggestions otherwise. That's where the problem comes in, not that they would send a copy after the fact to the campaign.

        • by Bartles ( 1198017 ) on Wednesday November 02, 2016 @09:56PM (#53203245)

          Why is the State Department forwarding information to a non-governmental person before they release it to the public? You don't see anything wrong with that? Even worse that this person is a poltical candidate, and the State Department is not supposed to engage in political activity.

    • Not really clear that there's anything here. A news organization always checks with the subject of an article before running the article-- this is standard procedure, and it's also standard procedure to correct errors of fact that are pointed out-- it is desirable to do this BEFORE an article runs.
      I think they're stretching on this.

      It doesn't matter, all the article needs is "Clinton" and "emails" and it creates the vague scent of corruption.

      I'll agree the emails dumps are fascinating as they reveal a lot about how campaigns really operate and how politics works. But the middle of an election campaign isn't the best time to run this through the media grinder, every interesting tidbit end sup looking like a fresh scandal.

      • But the middle of an election campaign isn't the best time to run this through the media grinder, every interesting tidbit end sup looking like a fresh scandal.

        Best time for who? It seems like exactly the best time for the media. All this stuff is only exciting with an election looming.

  • this Email Says: Weiner
  • The DOJ did as well (Score:5, Informative)

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 02, 2016 @07:37PM (#53202663)

    - The DOJ warned her ahead of interviews
    - The DOJ has obstructed the FBI at every turn in its investigations
    - The State Department massaged the messages to the media in collaboration with Clinton's help
    - The State Department made deals with the FBI to declassify classified Clinton emails
    - CNN provided Clinton with the primary debate questions ahead of time (but not Bernie, of course)
    - The DNC favored Clinton to the detriment of Bernie at every opportunity, including paying consultants to cause violence at Trump rallies but put the blame on Bernie supporters.

    Yes, these are all proven facts.

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by Snotnose ( 212196 )
      She was secretary of state. Did she not think she would get, or send, classified emails? If no, she's a fucking idiot who has no business being president. If yes, she's guilty of mishandling classified material which would get you or I 10 years in Federal pound me in the ass prison.

      I do not think HRC is a fucking idiot.
  • Comey was made an offer he couldn't refuse. Podesta is the Consigliere. Anyone else that did what she did would be serving serious time.
    • That's not true. The republicans and democrats may fight over elections, but they are absolutely on the same side when it comes to insulating politicians of both affiliations from criminal prosecution. This is why none of the Bush administration was ever prosecuted under the Obama administration. Trump is breaking from tradition in calling for Hillary to be jailed.
      • It's about time that someone broke that Tradition. More important than ever, considering we have a Media that covers for like minded politicians.

        • It certainly is about time someone broke that tradition. It's too bad that person is a total fucking idiot with no self control.
      • by kenh ( 9056 )

        That's not true. The republicans and democrats may fight over elections, but they are absolutely on the same side when it comes to insulating politicians of both affiliations from criminal prosecution. This is why none of the Bush administration was ever prosecuted under the Obama administration. Trump is breaking from tradition in calling for Hillary to be jailed.

        For what would members of the Bush administration have been prosecuted for? As a reminder, making a statement that is later proven wrong isn't "lying".

  • right here. [fark.com]

    Call me a troll all you want, but my God, if this is the worst we can dig up on Hillary after 20 years of non-stop character assassination then she's practically Christ (Obama gets to be God, since we haven't found jack on him).
    • How did that press conference go?

    • by Jack9 ( 11421 )

      > if this is the worst we can dig up on Hillary after 20 years of non-stop character assassination

      You're confusing *worst with *latest. This isn't the worst, it's just part of a pattern since Bill was governor and issues were perennially raised.
      I don't think it's character assassination when the corruption is so blatant. Trump is a moron. Again, not character assassination, imo. He hasn't even had the opportunity to be politically corrupt yet.

    • by dbreeze ( 228599 )

      She pulled out of the conference out of fear... https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com] http://losangeles.cbslocal.com... [cbslocal.com]

    • Yep. And give me a couple of days and I'll find someone who claimed you raped her when she was 12. I just need to go to the bank and make a withdrawal... If this was true it would have come out a long time ago--HRC could have used it to kill him off early and be coasting right now. Based on all we've heard and read about the Clintons and their machine it's going to take a decent level of evidence for thinking folks to believe this.
  • Do we really want another 4 years of this shit? Then again, is Trump any better? WTF peeps. Don't look at me, I live in California and the nominees were settled long before I had a say.

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