A focus group told conservative pollster Frank Luntz that former FBI director James Comey came across as “manipulative” and “petty” during a recent interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos.
One member of the focus group, which was featured on ABC’s “Nightline” on Wednesday night, said Comey “looked like a complete moron” during the interview.
“Probably his weakest moment was when he didn’t know where he was on election night. That some of the things he couldn’t answer, as FBI director he should have been able to answer. That was a negative,” Luntz told “Nightline.”{mosads}
“‘I don’t remember. I didn’t vote.’ I thought he looked like a complete moron,” one focus group member told Luntz.
Comey was also scolded for commenting on President Trump’s appearance, including by mocking the president’s height, skin color and hands.
“Never talk about someone’s appearance. No matter how mad you are about them, it never works out well for you,” Luntz said.
The group also agreed unanimously that while Trump should not be impeached, he should not have fired Comey last year.
The firing prompted the naming of a special counsel’s office headed up by former FBI Director Robert Mueller.
“That’s something the president ought to pay attention to. They thought it was the wrong decision, and they feel that Trump is responsible for the consequences,” Luntz said.
ABC assembled the focus group of 15 people, which included both Republicans and Democrats.
Comey has been on a media blitz to promote his new book, “A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership,” which hit bookstores on Tuesday. He’s done interviews with ABC’s “The View,” NBC’s “Today” show and CBS’s “Late Night with Stephen Colbert.”
CNN’s Jake Tapper, Fox’s Bret Baier, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow and PBS’s Betsy Woodruff are also scheduled to sit down with Comey in the coming days.
— Updated at 1:32 p.m.