this is "nightline." >> tonight, comey politics. voters weighing in in realtime on one of the most polarizing figures in america today. >> okay, i need a word or phrase to describe james comey. >> not truthful. >> just trying to do his job. >> conservative pollster frank luntz taking the temperature as they watched the abc james comey interview. the surprising moment that brought republicans and democrats together and what drove them apart. scandalous finale. it's been seven seasons with feisty leading lady olivia pope. >> it's handled. >> played by the inimitable kerry washington. >> she's taught me a lot about courageously going after your wins in life. >> hear what she has to say about her next steps after the

show that made her famous. and hero pilot. >> yes, sir, we're single engine descending, have a fire. >> what passengers are saying about one of the first female navy fighter pilots now being hale e hailed after that terrifying southwest flight. first the "nightline 5." >> this may look like a car. but it's not a car. because we don't make just cars. we make technology that moves people. this is the all-new nissan leaf. featuring nissan intelligent mobility with tech-like pro pilot assist that is reinventing driving and changing the way we commute. now the most exciting tech you own is in your driveway. >> number one in just 60 seconds.

good evening. thanks for joining us. tonight we're taking a closer look at what you have to say. conservative pollster and abc news contributor frank luntz getting realtime reaction from a focus group during abc's exclusive interview with controversial former fbi director james comey. wit johnson has their take. >> reporter: he's one of the most polarizing figures in america today. the focus of harsh criticism from both sides of the aisle. >> do you think the russians have something on donald trump? >> i think it's possible. >> reporter: former fbi director james comey one on one with george stephanopoulos, promoting his new book "a higher loyalty." the explosive first interview since he was fired by president trump, still making waves. >> he's morally unfit to be president. >> reporter: as the president's supporters scrutinize his motives. >> if he really felt like he was saving the country rather than selling books, why did he wait until an interview with you, not under oath, selling a book, not

under oath? >> reporter: president trump himself, who has become comey's most powerful enemy, branding him a slimeball on twitter. calling him a liar, a leaker, even suggesting he should be in jail. comey responding on "the view" today. >> look, when he tweets that i should be in jail? my honest reaction is a shrug. yep, there's another one of those. then i stop myself and say, wait a minute, there's a danger in my shrug, that means i'm becoming numb to the fact that the president of the united states of america is saying that a private citizen should be in jail. that's not okay. >> reporter: it's not just politicians and pundits reacting to comey's interview. >> i need a word or phrase before this interview to describe james comey. >> not truthful. >> manipulative. >> just trying to do his job. >> changed the course of the election. >> reporter: abc news along with conservative pollster and focus group guru frank luntz assembled 15 people in southern california, republicans and democrats. >> everyone should have your dials in your hands.

everyone should be at 50 -- >> reporter: as the interview unfolds, they record their thoughts using dials, turning the knob up if they like what they're hearing, down if they don't. >> 100 is perfection. zero is awful. this is the most important thing of all -- you react second by second to what you are doing. >> reporter: the green line shows the average opinion of the democrats, red for republicans. >> where were you as the returns were coming in? >> i think i was home that night. >> the first states are in, so let's get right to it. >> you don't vote? >> no. >> why not? >> i'm the director of the fbi, i'm trying to be outside of politics and i shouldn't be choosing between the candidates. >> reporter: when comey says he did not vote in the 2016 presidential election, the republicans nearly bought him out. members of both parties questioning his account. >> fully lost credibility, when he didn't know where he was during the election. >> i don't remember, i didn't vote. i thought he looked like a complete moron. >> what surprised you about tonight? >> probably his weakest moment was when he didn't know where he was on election night.

they thought some of the things that he couldn't answer as fbi director he should have been able to answer. >> reporter: when comey describes his first meeting with the president and comments on his appearance, one of the most dramatic splits of the night. >> he had impressively coifed hair that looks to be all his. his tie was too long as he always is. he looked slightly orange up close with small white half-moons under his eyes which i assume are from tanning gag bells. >> personal attacks against his appearance, he hasn't said anything substantively about his leadership agreement. >> i have to agree with him, the pettiness stuff, he needs to get rid of that. >> everyone talks about trump's hair. i call him orange. because he looks like one. and everyone wants to know about his hair. so he thought he'd bring it up. he wasn't being mean or anything like that. >> when comey talked about the president's appearance, did that hurt his credibility this. >> absolutely. and in fact, as someone who advises people, ceos and candidates i tell them, never

talk about someone's appearance, no matter how mad you are about them, it never works out well for you. >> reporter: many hillary clinton supporters walked in hoping to hear the roping behind com comey's controversial decisions surrounding the investigation into her e-mails. >> secretary clinton used several different servers, contained information that was top secret -- >> reporter: at times some in the room appearing sympathetic. >> i think he struggled with the idea whether he should have done it or not. these e-mails kind of like he's going back and forth a little bit right there. >> reporter: others arguing his explanations aren't strong enough. >> if it was about ego why would i step out in front of the organization and get thought a thousand times? i thought as bad as this would be for me personally this is my obligation to protect the fbi and the justice department. >> i dialed it down. i voted for clinton. but he just seemed kind of whiny. >> reporter: another flash point, the alleged loyalty pledge the president asked for during a private dinner. >> i expect loyalty, i need

loyalty. i stared at him. by the second time he came back to it, i had my wits about me and had a better answer. >> what was the second time? he said again, i need loyalty. and i said, you will always get honesty from me. and he paused. and then he said, honest loyalty? as if he was proposing some compromise or deal. and i paused. and said, you'll get that from me. >> i hardly know the man, i'm not going to say i want you to pledge allegiance, who would do that? >> reporter: he said, he said situations that leave the group wondering who to trust. >> i find it difficult to believe either man at this point. >> people that like trump have to admit he's a brash, bullying personality, i could totally see him doing these things and denying it later. >> how can you say donald trump's a liar? he can just be making up all that stuff that he said. >> reporter: when the conversation turns to morality of president trump, we watch in widening between democrats and republicans.

>> a person who sees moral equivalence in charlottesville, who talks about and treats women like they're pieces of meat, who lies constantly about matters big and small, and insists the american people believe it -- that person, not fit to be president of the united states on moral grounds. our president must embody respect and adhere to the values that are at the core of this country. the most important being truth. this president is not able to do that. he's morally unfit to be president. >> reporter: yet shockingly there is one statement comey made that everyone ultimately agreed with. >> should donald trump be impeached? >> i hope not. because i think impeaching and removing donald trump from office would let the american people off the hook. >> does anyone want donald trump impeached here? >> no. >> no. >> no. >> no. >> nobody? >> no. >> very damaging to the country. >> reporter: but the entire room also agreeinging that comey should have kept his job. >> should donald trump have fired james comey?

>> no. >> no. >> no. >> no. >> not one person said yes. did that surprise you? >> significant. and this is something that the president ought to pay attention to. they thought it was the wrong decision and they feel trump is responsible for the consequences. for the conservatives the interview seemed to confirm their worst suspicions about comey. >> i thought this was an extremely eye-opening experience. i found him to be a very weak, pathetic personality. i found him to be extremely 2-faced. >> reporter: for some on the left, a new perspective on the man they feel influenced the outcome of the election and the course of history. >> did comey change your opinion, answer your questions? >> he did. i found him believable, i found that he was in a bad position. some of the decisions he made probably weren't appropriate. but he did his best, i think. there's no handbook that says how to do this. >> part of the discussion in the group was, who's telling the truth? donald trump, james comey? and it seemed tonight at the end of it, people really didn't have a clear answer. >> they all retreated to their traditional tribes.

the trump voters said trump is telling the truth, the clinton voters thought comey was telling the truth. because in the end the enemy of my enemy is my friend. and so for what he's done to trump, they're willing to forgive what he did to clinton. >> reporter: for "nightline," i'm wit johnson in los angeles. up next, it's olivia pope's last scandal, but can star kerry washington handle it? >> it's handled. if these packs have the same number of bladder leak pads, i bet you think bigger is better. actually, it's bulkier. always discreet doesn't need all that bulk to protect. because it's made differently. the super absorbent core quickly turns liquid to gel, for drier protection that's a lot less bulky. looks like good things really do come in small packages. always discreet. for bladder leaks. poallergies?reather. stuffy nose? can't sleep?

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(sound of footsteps) (sound of car door opening) (car door closes) (sound of engine starting) ♪ ♪ she's played olivia pope for the last six years. on the eve of the cerise finale,

i sat down with kerry washington to look back at her scandalous run. >> it's handled. >> reporter: she's a television trail blazers. >> i am many things, stupid is not one of them. >> reporter: fiercely independent. >> if you want me, earn me! >> reporter: and unapologetic. >> you can't take olivia pope. olivia pope takes you. >> reporter: for seven seasons, fans of the hit abc drama "scandal" have watched olivia pope, a top-notch political fixer, go from plot twist -- >> hello, olivia. >> dad? >> reporter: to plot twist. >> you think you can do that? >> when i started playing olivia pope, we were very similar. more similar than we are today. because in the life of the show, i've gotten married and had kids and started a production company. and she has not gotten married and chose not to have kids. we do share this entrepreneurial spirit. and she's taught me a lot about

courageously going after your wins in life and not being told no. >> reporter: now kerry washington saying good-bye to her iconic character as the series, created by powerhouse producer shonda rhimes, comes to a close. you were quoted as saying olivia pope stole your anonymity. >> yeah. >> that you went from being a character actress to a household name, basically. >> yeah. before "scandal" i had been really lucky to be a part of very special projects like "last king of scotland." "ray." >> i keep wondering what the real ray charles sound like. >> nobody connected the same girl from "save the last dance" was the girl from "last king of scotland." they didn't find the through line. and so "scandal" was different. you're in people's homes. it's a weekly appointment with you. so it's a very intimate relationship. and it changed the nature of how

people recognize me. >> reporter: it's a long way from george washington university. for the theater kid who studied alongside one of our "nightline" senior producers, who confirms she's as genuine now as she was back then. >> when i was at gw, karen weinberg was my kw squared. we shared a dressing room, we were theater geeks together -- >> reporter: over the years "nightline" has stayed on top of olivia pope's exploits along with the rest of her "scandal" family. from my set visit with the then commander in chief tony goldwyn in 2013 -- >> there's a lot of hanky panky that goals on. >> reporter: to when robin roberts got to chill on olivia pope's couch and talk shondaland. >> she has the keys to the kingdom thursday night. >> the queendom, me. >> reporter: michael stray hand went for a joyride. >> hold on tight. find your seat belt, sir. >> reporter: one of the show's enduring storylines is pope's on again, off again, illicit affair with fitz, the now former

president of the united states. so much of what made the early seasons pop was the chemistry that you and fitz had on screen. >> yeah. >> stop. >> no. >> reporter: something i asked goldwyn about in that pretend oval office. how does your real-life wife react to the incredibly real chemistry between you and kerry? >> she hasn't watched the show. >> reporter: her real-life love interest? former nfl quarterback nomdy asen wau, her husband, with whom she has two kids. while she keeps her personal life personal, she does speak out publicly about issues like gun control and women's rights. >> the truth i was working for the real obama white house before i was working for the pretend grant administration. being on the show and having the career that i've had has allowed me to speak at the democratic national convention -- >> none of us can be silent. >> so i may have a voice that more people pay attention to, but i don't participate because i'm on a tv show.

i participate because it's required of me as an american. i have to vote, i have to show up, i have to be educated. that's what democracy means. >> reporter: she takes the duty of citizenship just as seriously as her pioneering role as the first african-american woman in nearly 40 years to star in a network drama. >> i get credited a lot with setting the culture around generosity and respect and the work ethic that we instilled on "scandal." but i have to say that tony goldwyn deserves enormous acknowledgement for that. he created a platform for me to be the lead of that show and to lead that cast. and supported me every step of the way. and i think it's a really powerful example for people who find themselves in positions of privilege and power. that you also have the opportunity to allow others to step forward. >> reporter: but it's not just about a powerful man sharing power. >> that's enough! >> oh, i'm sorry.

>> reporter: "scandal's" powerful women, the former first lady and his mistress wind up burying the hatchet to work together. >> nelly, i am with you. >> i love that at the end of the show, mediclly grant and olivia pope are finding their sisterhood in a real way. it's exciting to watch these women, who share a lot in common, starting with liking the same guy to also being incredibly ambitious and brilliant and successful women, that they can find a path to work together is exciting. >> reporter: those themes mirrored if her real-life collaboration with reese witherspoon on the best-selling book "little fires everywhere." her production company, simpson street, is all about sisterhood and inclusion. >> we did a film called "confirmation" for hbo about anita hill. >> the press came to me. >> to be in a position to tell a story is so vital in society. because we have to be reflecting

on who we are. >> how bittersweet is it for you to give up the popcorn and wine? to say good-bye to all the gladiators? >> it is really hard to say good-bye to the gladiators. in the beginning it was social media, it was live tweeting, it was our communities that showed up and said, this is -- oprah winfrey told me she started watching the show because all anybody talked about on thursdays. >> the truth is the answer. >> do you feel this ends well for olivia? is this a happy ending for her? >> i think the way the show ends is the way it should be ending. the last episode is -- it will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will shock you a little bit, it will inspire you a little bit. it will make you think, it will make you feel. we're really ending in the way that we've lived. >> get ready to break out the red wine and popcorn. the final episode of "scandal" airs here on abc tomorrow night. up next, hero pilot tammy jo

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finally tonight, she's defying the odds in more ways than one. tammie jo shults is the former navy fighter pilot who saved the day, keeping her cool while landing southwest flight 1380 after a terrifying midair engine explosion. martha raddatz has the story. >> reporter: as one of the first women to fly navy fighter jets, tammie jo shults had exactly the kind of training for just this kind of emergency. >> yes, sir, we're single engine descending, have a fire -- >> reporter: seen here hugging passengers after the flight. >> she's phenomenal. she's amazing. >> reporter: shults trained in the f-18 at a time when female pilots were not allowed to fly with combat units and some male aviators were far from welcoming. just after she left the navy and pursued a career flying commercial airliners, combat

positions were opened up to women who shults raised for their tenacity and professionalism. >> a true hero and a trail blazers for sure. thanks for watching abc news. as always we're online at abcnews.com and our "nightline" facebook page. good night, america.