Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper says Russia has a long history of trying to influence U.S. elections since the 1960s. He did not name the Russians as the culprits behind the recent hacks of Democratic Party organizations, a stand which he has avoided previously as well. Clapper said it would be a monumental undertaking to try to affect the election nationally. The Department of Homeland Security is working with state election officials, offering all assistance to the states on best practices on security, he said.”]