James Comey Is Going on a Media Blitz. RNC Has a Plan

James Comey has a book coming out and an accompanying "media blitz" starting Sunday—and the Republican National Committee, in turn, has its own plan to discredit the fired former FBI director, according to CNN and ABC News, which have obtained copies of talking points the RNC prepared to distribute to "surrogates and allies" of President Trump. The talking points call Comey's credibility into question by focusing on what the RNC calls his "long history of misstatements and misconduct." ABC calls the RNC's plan "aggressive" and CNN calls it "extensive," noting that the RNC is also setting up a war room to track Comey's media appearances and respond in real time. There's even an accompanying website, lyincomey.com, which will be updated as Comey's media tour continues and his book is released. Digital ads will also be rolled out.

"James Comey’s publicity tour is a self-serving attempt to make money and rehabilitate his own image. Comey is a liar and a leaker, and his misconduct led both Republicans and Democrats to call for his firing," RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel says in a statement. "If Comey wants the spotlight back on him, we’ll make sure the American people understand why he has no one but himself to blame for his complete lack of credibility." A source says the White House has signed off on the plan, though it is not plotting its own specific response to Comey, and sources add that aides are concerned about how Comey's media tour might influence Robert Mueller's investigation. But sources tell CNN the White House is preparing its own talking points aimed at discrediting Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, painting him as too conflicted to objectively oversee the Russia investigation. (More James Comey stories.)