James Comey, the former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director fired by President Donald Trump, elicited rebuke and derision after attempting to bestow the Democratic Party with political advice ahead of the 2018 midterms.
On Sunday, Comey took to social media to implore Democrats not to "lose" their minds by embracing "the socialist left." Arguing that Republicans were counting on the Democratic Party to make itself unpalatable to voters, Comey encouraged Democrats to shroud themselves in "sensible, balanced," and "ethical leadership" to win back "America's great middle."
"Democrats, please, please don’t lose your minds and rush to the socialist left," Comey tweeted. "This president and his Republican Party are counting on you to do exactly that. America’s great middle wants sensible, balanced, ethical leadership."
Democrats, please, please don’t lose your minds and rush to the socialist left. This president and his Republican Party are counting on you to do exactly that. America’s great middle wants sensible, balanced, ethical leadership.
— James Comey (@Comey) July 22, 2018
Comey issued a similar exaltation of the "America's great middle" during a June interview in which he expressed hope that Trump would fail to secure re-election. At the time, Comey urged Democrats to help make that hope a reality by nominating a candidate in 2020 who "reflects our values in a way that attracts the great middle of American life."
The former FBI director's advice for the Democratic Party not to "rush to the socialist left," however, did not land well with its intended audience.
Tommy Vietor, a former National Security Council spokesman for President Barack Obama and the co-host of "Pod Save America," exhibited the shared feeling among Democrats when he informed Comey that "no one is asking for your advice."
"Hey Jim, we got this covered. No one is asking for your advice," Vietor tweeted. "As we saw during the campaign, your judgment isn’t great! All the best, everyone."
https://twitter.com/TVietor08/status/1021140708273471488
Vietor's assertion that Comey's "judgment isn't that great," was in reference to the former FBI director's decision to re-open the investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server in October 2016. The decision, which was made after new evidence came to light in the prosecution of former Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner (N.Y.), is seen by Democrats--including Clinton--to have tipped the election in Trump's favor.
In addition to Vietor, other Democrats were just as poignant in their rejection of Comey and his attempt to act as the party's political strategist.
Who, at this point, is looking to James Comey for political advice? https://t.co/HTGDn6M5N9
— Sam Sanders (@samsanders) July 22, 2018
The only thing James Comey should be telling Democrats about elections is sorry for how much he fucked up the last one for us.
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) July 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/thetrudz/status/1021146631637536768
#JamesComey, please, please don't give @TheDemocrats advice on anything. You are a large part of the reason we have a piece of #TraitorTrash rushing to Putin's beck and call. He owes you a big Trump steak and you owe the rest of us an apology. K? Thanks. #ImpeachTrump
— Lesley Abravanel (@lesleyabravanel) July 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/Bill_Cimbrelo/status/1021140418883457030
https://twitter.com/Zac_Petkanas/status/1021142842972999680
After working at a hedge fund Lockheed Martin, James Comey has a net worth of $15 million. What is it with rich people wanting to deny the rest of us access to education and healthcare and other basic things developed countries provide their citizens? https://t.co/fwvv9ZA4qP https://t.co/1YEaRo62TN
— Rania Khalek (@RaniaKhalek) July 23, 2018
Catering to "America's great middle" is a lot like James Comey.
They both get far more attention then they deserve and are the reason Trump was elected in the first place. pic.twitter.com/EeZg4r45ID
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) July 22, 2018
Comey, a former Republican, became an increasingly vocal critic of the Republican Party and President Trump after he was fired last year.
Last week, the former FBI director issued an official endorsement of the Democratic Party in its efforts to retake Congress this election cycle. That endorsement spawned similar derision from the left and high-ranking members of the Democratic Party.