Or just another step in the process of decisionmaking.
Notice how every narrative begins with Comey the good guy, and Trump the suspect? What if that assumption is reversed. How does the story play? What if Trump is working a sting on Comey?
Not to steal your thunder, that's just how I take the thrust of your comment.
Actually, that is the basis of my speculation. Confronting Comey directly would not destroy his credibility but goading him into exposing himself would. A tape confirming Comey's duplicity with a clear explanation of why it was necessary to tape him would defeat the "Nixon Taping System" argument. In any event, the next couple of weeks should be interesting.