The FBI’s revival of its investigation into Hillary Rodham Clinton’s emails has the potential to derail her march to the White House, according to pollster John Zogby.
In a new analysis of the campaign’s final days, Zogby said that the FBI’s decision raises many new hurdles for Clinton and a default path for Donald Trump to cross the finish line first.
“The substance and the timing could not possibly be worse for the person who has been deemed the ‘inevitable next president,'” said Zogby.
His five reasons Clinton could lose and Trump win:
1 – The FBI’s decision changes the conversation of the election and undermines Clinton. “This will just hang out there as a dark cloud allowing people – especially undecided voters who have been wavering – to be reminded of why they have been having a rough time coming to grips with voting for Clinton in the first place.”
2 – It could supercharge Clinton’s drop in the polls as Trump is rising.
3 – Millennials, distrusting of both candidates, may run from Clinton. “News like this only raises doubts among a group that has not been very enthusiastic toward her candidacy.”
4 – The email affair reminds people of their dislike of Clinton. “Regardless of the decades of public service and advocacy, Bill and Hillary Clinton always seem to have the smell of self-aggrandizement surrounding them.”
5 – Linking former Rep. Anthony Weiner and the FBI probe of his sexting to Clinton is unhelpful. “The last name she or any Democrat needs to hear right now is Anthony Weiner. Whether this is fair or not, it will be very difficult for Clinton to take the high moral ground when the lowest of the low is linked to her and her campaign.”
Concluded Zogby, “this is a very big story and a possible game changer.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
