memeorandum: How Dictatorships Are Born — PALO ALTO, Calif. … (Roger Cohen/New York Times)

9:50 AM ET, October 16, 2016

Top Items:

Sheera Frenkel / BuzzFeed:

Russian Hackers Faked Gmail Password Form To Invade DNC Email System — A new report reveals the method used by Fancy Bear, a Russian government hacking group, to get inside the systems of the DNC and senior Clinton staff. — SAN FRANCISCO — Russian hackers used emails disguised to look …

Glen Caplin:

What did Trump know, and when did he know it? — In 1972, five men were caught breaking into the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate Hotel. The crime prompted one of the greatest examples of investigative journalism in media history, and led to the resignation of a sitting American president.

Discussion: CANNONFIRE and Mediaite

Rebecca Savransky / The Hill:

Clinton camp to compare email hacks to Watergate — 's campaign is reportedly set to compare the recent hack of her campaign chairman's emails to the Watergate scandal that brought down Richard Nixon. — “What did Trump know, and when did he know it?” the campaign asks in an essay …

Discussion: The Week, ABC News and Politico

Katie Bo Williams / The Hill:

Assange grudge against Clinton shapes US election — Julian Assange's grudge against Hillary Clinton — is playing out on the grandest stage possible. — Between now and Election Day on Nov. 8, WikiLeaks is expected to release more than 40,000 more emails about Clinton that are meant …

Discussion: his vorpal sword

Jonathan Easley / The Hill: Clinton camp steps up attacks on WikiLeaks, bashes media

Washington Post:

Clinton has 4-point edge as voters weigh in on Trump's treatment of women — Poll Questions — Q: (AMONG REGISTERED VOTERS) How closely are you following the 2016 presidential race: very closely, somewhat closely, not so closely, or not closely at all? — Hide Results

Janet Hook / Wall Street Journal:

Hillary Clinton Extends Lead Over Donald Trump to 11 Points — Democratic nominee picks up support from women, swing voters in latest WSJ/NBC News poll — Hillary Clinton is consolidating a substantial lead over Donald Trump less than a month before Election Day, picking up support …

Discussion: Political Wire and Mediaite

Gary Langer / ABC News:

Enthusiasm for Donald Trump Fades, Yet Partisanship Keeps It Close (POLL) — Enthusiasm for Donald Trump's candidacy has fallen, two-thirds of registered voters reject his claim not to have made unwanted sexual advances toward women and Hillary Clinton's support has firmed in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll.

Washington Post:

Washington Post-ABC News poll: Clinton holds four-point lead in aftermath of Trump tape — With three weeks until Election Day, Hillary Clinton holds a four-point lead over Donald Trump in the race for the White House, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, with the Republican nominee hobbled …

Politico:
Poll: Clinton leads Trump by just 4 points despite lewd comments

Discussion: Washington Post

Stephen F. Hayes / Weekly Standard:

An Attempted Hillary Email Coverup? — A senior State Department official repeatedly pressed the FBI to change the classification of emails stored on Hillary Clinton's private server, according to FBI interview summaries set to be released in the coming days.

Fox News:

New FBI files contain allegations of ‘quid pro quo’ in Clinton's emails — FBI interview summaries and notes, provided late Friday to the House Government Oversight and Intelligence Committees, contain allegations of a “quid pro quo” between a senior State Department executive and FBI agents during …

Discussion: Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion and twitchy.com

New York Times:

Hacked Transcripts Reveal a Genial Hillary Clinton at Goldman Sachs Events — In a 2013 paid speech hosted by Goldman Sachs, Hillary Clinton said she had not yet decided whether she would run for president again. — But she did offer some friendly advice to the bank's chief executive …

Discussion: Associated Press

Tyler Durden / zerohedge.com/fullrss2.xml …:
Here Are Hillary Clinton's Three Speeches To Goldman Sachs For Which She Was Paid $675,000

Discussion: Mediaite, The Gateway Pundit, Power Line, Heat Street, Independent Journal Review, The Daily Caller and Washington Times

David Streitfeld / New York Times:

Peter Thiel to Donate $1.25 Million in Support of Donald Trump — SAN FRANCISCO — Peter Thiel, true to his reputation as the most contrarian soul in Silicon Valley, is doubling down on Donald J. Trump. — The only prominent supporter of the Republican candidate in the high-tech community …

Discussion: Business Insider

Darrel Rowland / The Columbus Dispatch:

Donald Trump camp rebukes Ohio GOP Chair Matt Borges, cuts ties — Underscoring the searing divisions over Donald Trump within the Republican Party, Trump's Ohio campaign today disassociated itself with state GOP Chairman Matt Borges because of his lack of support for the party's presidential nominee.

Discussion: Mediaite, NBC News, Washington Post, Talking Points Memo and Politicus USA

CNN:
Trump campaign cuts ties with Ohio GOP chairman weeks from election

Discussion: The Resurgent

Andrew J. Tobias / Plain Dealer:
Donald Trump campaign denounces, severs ties with Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges

Discussion: Washington Post

Associated Press:
The Latest: Trump Suggests Clinton Was on Drug During Debate

Discussion: ABC News, Politico and Washington Post

Jeremy Diamond / CNN:

Trump calls for drug test ahead of next debate, says Clinton was ‘pumped up’ — Portsmouth, New Hampshire (CNN)Donald Trump suggested Saturday that his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, has been “getting pumped up” with performance-enhancing drugs and challenged Clinton to take a drug test before the final debate next week.

Discussion: Jezebel and Lawyers, Guns & Money