The Clinton campaign is making a mistake by attacking FBI Director James Comey over the renewed email probe — and the FBI director's announcement last week is giving "a boost" to Donald Trump, former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell said Tuesday.
"I wouldn't do that," Rendell, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, told "The Rich Zeoli Show" on 1210 WPHT-AM in Philadelphia. "I'm not running the campaign by any means, but I wouldn't do that."
Zeoli had asked Rendell whether slamming Comey was a "mistake" — and he responded, "I generally do.
"Although I will say the more that comes out about this, the stranger it is," he added. "Like the agents had this material or knew about the existence of the material at the beginning of October and didn't tell the director until the end of October.
"That makes no sense at all.
"So, the more that this comes out, I think the more facts that come out, the better it is for Secretary Clinton — but I agree with you, I wouldn't attack him."
However, Comey should be more specific about the status of the investigation, Rendell said, adding that last week's news about the move probably galvanized Trump supporters.
"The FBI stuff gave a boost to Trump, not because it changed anyone's mind, but because I think it took a couple of Trump voters who were pretty discouraged last week — with all the news about the polls and stuff and probably weren't gonna vote — and now they're on fire and they're gonna vote.
"So, I anticipate … that it's gonna be a close election here in Pennsylvania."