Again, I don't think at this late date that's a good result for American democracy. But the article did get me thinking and obliquely raised an interesting question.
Up till now everyone assumes that FBI Dir. Comey is a total straight shooter, and that if Hillary's not indicted, so far, it's because either: A) The evidence doesn't support it ... OR ... B) He already knows that his boss, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, will never approve indictment, and so is sparing everyone the useless drama.
In other words an assumption is that he's acting professionally, that he's above the political intrigue of Washington. We'd like to assume this is true, particularly for our important Law Enforcement personnel, but we have seen plenty of counter examples, particularly in the Obama administration with both Holder and Lynch waving off prosecutions of groups embraced by Obama and allowing vast illegality against critics (including Tea Party, AP, James Rosen, various whistle blowers, etc.)
So maybe Comey isn't the one Straight Shooter in the whole bunch, but just a really smart, really effective SOB. And what if the real answer is:
C) He wants to wait until the Donks have completed nomination of Hillary and are stuck with her to drop what he knows will be a campaign ending bomb.
Specifically he is acting just as politically as he assumes that the DoJ will, and so he is timing his efforts to do maximum damage to the Democratic Party and Hillary campaigns by time the release well past the time that either she can gracefully withdraw, or the convention can sidestep her and nominate Bernie or someone else.
Perhaps he's always hated Obama, and more and more hated his highly partisan bosses (although it's sort of "dotted line", FBI director is assured independence by a Senate confirmation hearing and 10 year term). Maybe he could care less about embarrassing Lynch, and in fact wants to create the maximum pressure and discomfort on her.
Maybe this is his last, greatest and final shot at setting things right and even a bit of revenge.
Maybe the charges won't end with "mishandling classified data" (the misdemeanor that Patreaus plea bargained to) but include the much more serious charges of lying to the FBI, suborning perjury, obstruction of justice or even bribery charges based on what recovered emails and Clinton Foundation gift records show. But fat Felony changes, and lots of them. (That's what the FBI and Federal prosecutors due to most people they indict, throw the book at them to intimidate them into plea bargaining down.) For 2012, the US Department of Justice reported a 93% conviction rate.
No one seems to consider that possibility, but they should. Assuming that everyone in Washington is highly partisan, cuts corners, and does what's best for themselves and their team should be the default operating assumption. Assuming THIS ONE GUY is actually a boy scout seems naive and unlikely
Unless Comey holds a press conference and announces that ‘there was no crime and the investigation is closed’ Hillary is damaged goods.
Actually if Hillary and her staff can't be cleared totally this would be the only chance for someone other than Sanders to run in November and maybe even win.