FBI move is an attack on democracy - Finger pointed at Clinton aide

NEXT week Americans vote in an election with by far the greatest global impact. In 2012, when Obama defeated Romney, 129.1m people voted — 53.6% of those entitled to. If that turnout is repeated, then, and if pre-election polls are of any value, more than 50m Americans will vote for Donald Trump. How many more choose to do so will decide the election and who becomes the world’s most powerful person.

The latest episode in the relentless roll-out of Clinton scandals — or pseudo-scandals — will help Trump, because the usual rules in this shabby game apply. Innuendo becomes fact; an accusation, a conviction without due process and the man with the dagger, the Brutus, is seen as a plain dealer. Sadly, this post-factual gameplan epitomises a campaign where truth is sidelined, especially if it gets in the way of a stirring soundbite.

We’re at the down-and-dirty stage of this race and the decision by FBI chief James Comey — a 6ft 8in Republican appointed by Obama — to investigate emails from or to former Clinton aide Huma Abedin as part of its investigation into Clinton’s unwise use of a private email server while Secretary of State, has stirred a Democratic hornets’ nest — and with considerable justification. It has also breached US Justice Department guidelines on political neutrality.