Biden campaign snubs Comey endorsement

James Comey gave his support on Super Tuesday to former Vice President Joe Biden's presidential bid -- only to have a Biden campaign staffer ask whether the former FBI director's endorsement could be returned.

“Voted in first Dem primary to support party dedicated to restoring values in WH. I agree with @amyklobuchar: We need candidate who cares about all Americans and will restore decency, dignity to the office. There is a reason Trump fears @joebiden and roots for Bernie. #Biden2020,” Comey tweeted.

Campaign rapid response Director Andrew Bates responded by asking how he could “return” the endorsement.

Bates tweeted about two hours later that he was only joking about returning the endorsement. 

Some argue that Comey cost 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton -- part of the Obama administration with Biden -- the election.

As FBI director, Comey opened a criminal investigation in July 2015 into whether Hillary Clinton broke any laws as secretary of state by using a private email server. He reopened the investigation several days before Election Day in November 2016 upon finding more email information in an unrelated FBI case. 

Under Comey, the FBI also opened an investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia in the 2016 elections. 

Comey's clear non-support for Present Trump in the Biden endorsement tweet follows Trump firing him in 2017, after which he became an outspoken critic of the president.

Comey’s endorsement on Super Tuesday came the day after Biden secured endorsements from former Democratic nominee rivals Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke.

Biden racked up victories in ten states during the balloting on Super Tuesday, positioning himself as the only viable challenger to democratic socialist Bernie Sanders who won in the other four states.