I couldn't listen to Pod Save America last night so I started it this morning. Did you guys notice how Adam Schiff (ranking D on House Intel committee) mentioned a couple of times the Trump Organization (not Trump Campaign) being under investigation with respect to Russia? Did we know that?
Yes, I noticed that. Wasn't sure if it was a slip (since they are inextricably linked) or a hint. We know Trump Org is under investigation under NY AG jurisdiction.
^ Yes, I noticed that too, re: Trump Org. In that interview, Schiff also focused a lot on (and I'm paraphrasing), "follow the money." He said specifically that they're looking at all the ways in which Russia often makes sure people are beholden to them, and it's often about financial ties.
There's something I'm confused about re: Trump's (and the GOP's) reaction to all this. Why are they so laser focused on being vindicated about Comey telling Trump 3 times that he's not personally under investigation? Who fucking cares? He's clearly being looked at in some manner now. Is it just that it's the only "gotcha" they could find? I'm not sure if there's some special significance to that.
^ Yes, I noticed that too, re: Trump Org. In that interview, Schiff also focused a lot on (and I'm paraphrasing), "follow the money." He said specifically that they're looking at all the ways in which Russia often makes sure people are beholden to them, and it's often about financial ties.
There's something I'm confused about re: Trump's (and the GOP's) reaction to all this. Why are they so laser focused on being vindicated about Comey telling Trump 3 times that he's not personally under investigation? Who fucking cares? He's clearly being looked at in some manner now. Is it just that it's the only "gotcha" they could find? I'm not sure if there's some special significance to that.
I like to hope that they are desperately grasping at straws and that was the only vindication they could find.
It's probably also that we all know #45 develops obsesses about things he takes as offenses* and rails about them for months (years?), long after nobody else cares. So, it could be some of that, too.
*see: inauguration crowd sizes, various publications suggesting his hands are small, etc.
^ Yes, I noticed that too, re: Trump Org. In that interview, Schiff also focused a lot on (and I'm paraphrasing), "follow the money." He said specifically that they're looking at all the ways in which Russia often makes sure people are beholden to them, and it's often about financial ties.
There's something I'm confused about re: Trump's (and the GOP's) reaction to all this. Why are they so laser focused on being vindicated about Comey telling Trump 3 times that he's not personally under investigation? Who fucking cares? He's clearly being looked at in some manner now. Is it just that it's the only "gotcha" they could find? I'm not sure if there's some special significance to that.
Because it sounds to the untrained ear that Comey said he's not under investigation (thus, not guilty of anything). However, Comey was definitely careful with his language while under oath. He intimidated that it's a completely different ballgame with Mueller. He was also careful to say he PERSONALLY wasn't under investigation. Reading his testimony from 6/7, this carefulness is on purpose. But, because he answered the question in its narrow scope with a "no" then that is what Trump allies are hanging their hats on. And also conveniently forgetting the part where he said if a campaign is under investigation, then the candidate is as well.
^ Yes, I noticed that too, re: Trump Org. In that interview, Schiff also focused a lot on (and I'm paraphrasing), "follow the money." He said specifically that they're looking at all the ways in which Russia often makes sure people are beholden to them, and it's often about financial ties.
There's something I'm confused about re: Trump's (and the GOP's) reaction to all this. Why are they so laser focused on being vindicated about Comey telling Trump 3 times that he's not personally under investigation? Who fucking cares? He's clearly being looked at in some manner now. Is it just that it's the only "gotcha" they could find? I'm not sure if there's some special significance to that.
I'm pretty sure it's because that's all they've got. "Proof that Trump wasn't under investigation!" They're hoping that a lot of people who don't pay a lot of attention to the details hear "No Trump-Russia investigation" and move on.
Also, it's probably the closest thing to truth that Trump has ever tweeted. Maybe they're hoping that people will just assume that all his other BS is also true.
Well, to be fair, after the firing there were approximately 8 million interviews with people who said Comey would never confirm something like that to 45, so I see why he's latched onto that in his simple-minded way. Never mind that it's irrelevant to the bigger picture.
^ Yes, I noticed that too, re: Trump Org. In that interview, Schiff also focused a lot on (and I'm paraphrasing), "follow the money." He said specifically that they're looking at all the ways in which Russia often makes sure people are beholden to them, and it's often about financial ties.
There's something I'm confused about re: Trump's (and the GOP's) reaction to all this. Why are they so laser focused on being vindicated about Comey telling Trump 3 times that he's not personally under investigation? Who fucking cares? He's clearly being looked at in some manner now. Is it just that it's the only "gotcha" they could find? I'm not sure if there's some special significance to that.
Because it sounds to the untrained ear that Comey said he's not under investigation (thus, not guilty of anything). However, Comey was definitely careful with his language while under oath. He intimidated that it's a completely different ballgame with Mueller. He was also careful to say he PERSONALLY wasn't under investigation AT THE TIME. Reading his testimony from 6/7, this carefulness is on purpose. But, because he answered the question in its narrow scope with a "no" then that is what Trump allies are hanging their hats on. And also conveniently forgetting the part where he said if a campaign is under investigation, then the candidate is as well.
Post by thelurkylulu on Jun 9, 2017 8:58:47 GMT -5
I asked this up thread but didn't get a response and am still curious. Regarding the tapes... If they exist, Trump is never going to release them on his own accord, right? He probably wouldn't wven admit they exist. So, they would have to be leaked? Is that the most likely scenario?
I asked this up thread but didn't get a response and am still curious. Regarding the tapes... If they exist, Trump is never going to release them on his own accord, right? He probably wouldn't wven admit they exist. So, they would have to be leaked? Is that the most likely scenario?
Personally, I think it was an empty threat. I wouldn't be surprised if there are recordings, but I doubt we'll ever see them (at least not during this presidency). I think Trump truly thought that Comey would never admit to the "no investigation" statement and thought it was an intimidating threat.
Honestly, I think Trump is one of those people who doesn't completely understand that "No personal investigation of Trump" is not a "Get Out of Collusion Free" card.
Well, to be fair, after the firing there were approximately 8 million interviews with people who said Comey would never confirm something like that to 45, so I see why he's latched onto that in his simple-minded way. Never mind that it's irrelevant to the bigger picture.
Ah, ok, that makes sense. I don't think I realized this piece of it, but with Trump's tiny simple mind, I could see him latching onto that one thing.
It's the irrelevance to the big picture that was confusing me! Not that that matters with baby hands.
I asked this up thread but didn't get a response and am still curious. Regarding the tapes... If they exist, Trump is never going to release them on his own accord, right? He probably wouldn't wven admit they exist. So, they would have to be leaked? Is that the most likely scenario?
Personally, I think it was an empty threat. I wouldn't be surprised if there are recordings, but I doubt we'll ever see them (at least not during this presidency). I think Trump truly thought that Comey would never admit to the "no investigation" statement and thought it was an intimidating threat.
Honestly, I think Trump is one of those people who doesn't completely understand that "No personal investigation of Trump" is not a "Get Out of Collusion Free" card.
I agree with this. And the other part being, I don't think Comey is lying. Obviously, Trump knows if he is(n't). So to the extent tapes exist (which I think they do) but Comey is being 100% honest (which I tend to think he is), Trump is never going to release them.
Remember, it is likely that Trump's past life of taping and his personal dealing experience has been with shady people like himself, so threatening others with tapes has probably been an effective tool for him in the past. POTUS is probably the first time in his life that he stands to lose more than the other guy by tapes coming out, but he was too stupid to realize that game couldn't go on forever, so he kept taping.