ROASTING HILLARY – AT 9:17 A.M. ET:  The American public is displeased over the FBI's decision in the Hillary Clinton case.  From ABC:

A majority of Americans disapproves of the FBI's recommendation not to charge Hillary Clinton with a crime over her handling of email while secretary of state, and a similar number in a new ABC News/Washington Post poll say the issue leaves them worried about how she'd handle her responsibilities as president if elected.

Most also say the email controversy won't affect their vote choice in the presidential election. But more say it leaves them less rather than more likely to support Clinton, 28 percent vs. 10 percent.

Reaction to the decision is highly political, with partisanship factoring heavily in people’s views. Yet Democrats don't back Clinton up on the issue nearly as much as Republicans criticize her, and independents side more with Republicans.

Overall, 56 percent disapprove of FBI Director James Comey's recommendation not to charge Clinton, while just 35 percent approve. Similarly, 57 percent say the incident makes them worried about how Clinton might act as president if she were elected, with most very worried about it. Just 39 percent feel the issue isn't related to how she'd perform as president.

COMMENT:  Obviously, this is not good for Hillary.  First, it shows that Americans actually engaged on this somewhat complex issue.  Some pundits assumed that they wouldn't be interested.  (I've noticed that underestimating voters is one of the biggest flaws in political commentary.)

Second, the issue simply emphasizes Hillary's already poor reputation for honesty and reliability. 

In any normal election year, Clinton could already be toast.  But Donald Trump is a highly problematical, equally controversial candidate, also widely seen as untrustworthy.  Wouldn't it be ironic if he helped elect his opponent in a year that should be easy for Republicans?

July 11,  2016