That's fair. Still, though, to formally make the accusation public knowing the severe diplomatic and geopolitical risks of lying about it means they're willing to withstand counter-evidence from Russia's own intelligence agencies and potentially huge political setbacks. Counter-evidence has yet to be provided.

All signs point to Russia; no signs (currently) point away from Russia; the public and private sector are in agreement; Obama is ballsy enough to call them out on it to their face; Russia has plenty of motive and more than enough talent to do it; it's probably Russia.

I'm not saying I trust the current administration or the intelligence community at all. I also wouldn't put it past Clapper to lie to other countries about various matters (just as he repeatedly lied and probably will continue to lie to the American public and Congress). Their job is to lie. I'm sure they lie about a lot of things.

But it would be dumb of them to make this particular accusation formal without pretty good proof, and all other independent analyses published support the accusation.

What does Russia care? If anything, they're probably flattered by the idea that they have so much influence. They're normally quite blunt: dropping polonium in someone's tea or pointing sniper rifles at the president of Georgia or whatnot. The idea that they'd merely throw out some dirty laundry that won't really accomplish anything seems more like an inoculation than trying to take someone out.

Good question. Maybe they thought what they found/leaked would be more impactful to the election than it was. Maybe there's some reason only Putin knows.

I have to question that given that one of the main revelations of the leak was how the DNC and WaPo are joined at the hip.

It's not about Russia, it's about smearing the RNC.