
FBI Director James Comey's cryptic letter about Hillary Clinton's emails has received nearly universal condemnation. Now even some of her harshest critics are stepping up to defend her.

The reaction to FBI Director James Comey's decision to send a vague letter to Congress regarding the investigation into Hillary Clinton's email server just eleven days before Election Day has been swift and negative.

Surprisingly, some of the strongest condemnation is coming from Republicans and conservatives who are among Clinton's most virulent critics.

Former Bush Administration Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson said that Comey's actions are "damaging our democracy."


Corporate media figures who are typically critical of Clinton, like Bloomberg's Mark Halperin and Andrea Mitchell, say Comey's letter was unfairly vague.

Then there is this shocking reaction from former Congressman Joe Walsh, who has previously said he would be "grabbing his musket" if Clinton wins:

U may hate me, but I'll always say what I believe. I want Trump to win, but what Comey just did to Hillary Is wrong & really unfair to her. — Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) October 31, 2016

Fox New host Judge Jeanine Pirro, who slammed Comey's decision not to indict in July, now says that Comey's new letter "disgraces" the FBI:

Comey's actions violate not only longstanding Justice Department policy, the directive of the person that he works under, the attorney general, but even more important, the most fundamental rules of fairness and impartiality.

And even Geraldo Rivera has weighed in, saying that Comey's letter is more troublesome than Clinton's "harmless" emails.

Indications are that the story has had little to no impact on the presidential race.

If anything, it has motivated Clinton's base. But that doesn't make it right. Credit to Clinton's opponents for stepping up and speaking the truth.

(Peter Daou contributed to this article)