Exclusive: Trump campaign had at least 18 undisclosed contacts with Russians: sources

[xChurch]

Is there ever a legit reason for a US presidential campaign to talk to any foreign power outside of staged events?

[Skroe]

How were you even able to read that?

Their testimony before congress as to the gravest threats to the United States. Russia is far and away #1 according to the current Chariman of the Joint Chiefs, the current Army Chief of Staff, the Current NATO supreme commander, and most of the individuals they replaced.

[xerus]

Oh, jolly gee, youre so smart, how did you get so smart. Unfortunately for you there is video evidence. And Xerus also linked the testimony.

Yes, that directly contradicts the point you are trying to make. Are you really that obtuse?

[Skroe]

Is there ever a legit reason for a US presidential campaign to talk to any foreign power outside of staged events?

Our allies and major countries try to get to know the candidates in order to to craft their own policies or know what to expect, with regards to whoever we elect. Trump, rightly, pointed out that China has been hacking and gathering intelligence from campaigns for years, because it wants to know what to expect with regards to US policy towards them.

Influencing policy or coordinating policy is improper and not done. For example, when Obama ran for election in 2008 and spoke in Germany, though it was clear that Germany preferred Obama to McCain as a means of reconciling Europe with America, Merkel made very clear she was not going to publicly pick a winner, and declined some of then-Candidate Obama's requests for things that might look like an endorsement.

What's going to happen to Russia is an excellent example of the danger of getting in too deep with one side. Democrats are NEVER going to forgive or forget Russia's interference in 2016. Republicans are going to boomerang back to their historic strongly anti-Russia mentality as a manner of proving their independence from Russia and Trump. The result? America with a political establishment that's more united in being hostile to Russia than it perhaps ever has been (or at least in 40 years).

Russia is going to pay an enormous price for what they did. And it again, just belies the wisdom of not picking winners... because what happens when today's winner is tomorrow's loser?

[Felya]

Their testimony before congress as to the gravest threats to the United States. Russia is far and away #1 according to the current Chariman of the Joint Chiefs, the current Army Chief of Staff, the Current NATO supreme commander, and most of the individuals they replaced.

I meant the guy you were responding to. I had troubles understanding his post.

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True patriots. But for them slapping an american flag on the back of a SUV is more important. Oh and making "liberulz" mad.

Not really fair. I cannot blame people for wanting to be patriotic. I blame Trump and his ilk for convincing them that real Americans obey Trump. There were millions of dollars and a tremendous effort to convince the public. It's too close to victim shaming to blame them for buying into it.

[Felya]

This kind of stuff was happening way before Trump. I mean look at the conversation that takes place when people mention that other countries do healthcare and education better then us.

Oh, I remember... it really only started with the neocons. Where the absurdity of '9/11 was an attack on America' and 'NYC is not real America' were appearing within the same comment.

[Draco-Onis]

And the hits keep on coming.

Russia probe reaches current White House official, people familiar with the case say

Trump Told Russians That Firing ‘Nut Job’ Comey Eased Pressure From Investigation

[alexw]

And another hit. Can you say obstruction of justice?

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics...essure/527451/

During a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ambassador Sergey Kislyak last week, President Trump told the men that fired FBI Director James Comey was a “nut job,” and that his removal would relieve pressure on his administration over its ties to Russia.

The New York Times reported the exchange on Friday, and the White House did not dispute it—an unusual move for a communications staff that has offered at least token pushback and often serious dispute even on stories that are unmistakably correct. During the same meeting, Trump revealed highly sensitive classified information, shared with the U.S. by an ally, about an ISIS plot.

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And the hits keep on coming.

Russia probe reaches current White House official, people familiar with the case say

Trump Told Russians That Firing ‘Nut Job’ Comey Eased Pressure From Investigation

So someone close to Trump and a focus on financial crimes (i.e money laundering dirty Russian money), I wonder who that could be? Kushner via the Trump families property deals? Priebus laundering Russian cash to help pay for their campaign? Or something else?

[Draco-Onis]

So someone close to Trump and a focus on financial crimes (i.e money laundering dirty Russian money), I wonder who that could be? Kushner via the Trump families property deals? Priebus laundering Russian cash to help pay for their campaign? Or something else?

It's really amazing how fast this is going either way someone is going to squeal on Trump to save their own skin. I think the question is which one of the rats will squeal first, my money is on Kushner he can protect his family fortune and screw the Trumps.

[alexw]

It's really amazing how fast this is going either way someone is going to squeal on Trump to save their own skin. I think the question is which one of the rats will squeal first, my money is on Kushner he can protect his family fortune and screw the Trumps.

Tbh Kushner might be the bigger fish of the two in terms of who's behind it all. Trump could not organize his way out of a wet paper bag, we all know that. If there were people in his campaign organizing collusion and help from Russia it won't be Trump, though it's certainly possible he could know about it and approve of it.

[Shadowferal]

No, it would need at least 2 years. Republicans will not be sending down an impeachment of Trump. Unless he reveals the conversations with Comey he claimed to possibly recorded. That might swing Republicans, because comparisons to Nixon will be their ruin.

Won't need two years with Trump constantly running his mouth off.

[Xirrohon]

Yes, that directly contradicts the point you are trying to make. Are you really that obtuse?

No, it doesnt. Youre misinterpreting what he said. You think that he was just talking about the DOJ. Most think he was speaking in general. Still, I can see how it be taken in both ways. There should have been questions to clarify. Unfortunately there was not.

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Look at how the Dems are trying to get town halls:


http://www.fresnobee.com/news/politi...150288252.html

[mvaliz]

I honestly dont care if hes found guilty of whatever they are investigating. Still, we have no idea. Obviously, youre just jumping in and assuming things. So Ill help you. My point is that the media is just working on the feelings of Trump haters doing nothing but Russia, Russia, Russia stories. Im tired of them, we need to focus on other things and let the investigation play itself out.

I bet you feel kind of dumb now, but its ok. Im sure youll find some nonsense Russia story to make you feel better.

(Infracted)

First off...

I honestly dont care if hes found guilty of whatever they are investigating.

Seriously? You don't care if the dumbass you voted for is found guilty of selling you, your family, your neighbors, and your entire country out for Russia's help to get him elected, and for him to remove the restrictions on Russia? Seriously!? o_O

Obviously, youre just jumping in and assuming things.

Oh, trust me, I'm not. First off - there's more than Russia going on. The whole "telling Comey to drop the Flynn" case is already its own problem as he straight-up comitted "Obstruction of Justice". And that's just as bad, or (IMO) far worse than Bill Clinton lying about having a Blowjob under oath.

My point is that the media is just working on the feelings of Trump haters doing nothing but Russia, Russia, Russia stories.

Funny how you apparently didn't have a problem when "The Media" was covering him running for president and was repeating back everything he said 24/7 where good responsible people, like John Kasick, weren't covered at all - all thanks to you going "FUK YA! GO TRUMP! LOCK HER UP! RAH RAH RAH RAH!!!"

we need to focus on other things and let the investigation play itself out.

Oh no you don't - you don't get to play that fuking card when you lot forced us through EIGHT FUKING YEARS of useless Benghazi hearings when we said the same thing! How much tax dollars did you blow JUST to smear her, not even to find her guilty?

I bet you feel kind of dumb now, but its ok. Im sure youll find some nonsense Russia story to make you feel better.

Why would I feel "dumb"? I'm not the one who was conned by the worlds most obvious despicable conman like you were. I'm laughing my ass off right now how much the Dumpsters are clenching up atm! ^_^

And let me tell you something, skippy - I'll be perfectly fine if they came back saying he was innocent. I won't like it, but I'll accept it simply because I refuse to be one of your hypocritical lot when you couldn't accept Hillary was innocent of anything related to Benghazi.

And this is Dumbass Despicable Deplorable Donnie Dump we're talking about here - even if he's acquitted, he'll immediately fuck up something else, and you damn well know it! It would only be

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No, it would need at least 2 years. Republicans will not be sending down an impeachment of Trump. Unless he reveals the conversations with Comey he claimed to possibly recorded. That might swing Republicans, because comparisons to Nixon will be their ruin.

Don't be so sure of that. Politically speaking right now is the BEST time for them to strike at Trump and they get all the advantages/rewards if they do! If they can nail him and remove him before the 2018 midterms, they've now got a golden ticket to do whatever they want thanks to Petulant Puppet President Pence for the next 3+ years at least.

Why do you think Skroe is SOOOOO on board right now with getting Trump out and promoting the hell out of it more than ever!? Do you think he's just got it out for the Dumpster and that's it? :P

No man, they know that if they can punt out the Chaos element of the Republican party (Trump) the calculating evil dark side can get nearly 3+ full years of actual CLEVER yet despicable deals, but they will be cleverly worded by people who understand how to speak English and normal diplomacy - and not blather about like a reactionary toddler like Dumbass Dump does.

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They're building nuked and sped on us. Boohoo dude, we spy on them too. The us and the EU make them and are in poccess in of them as well. What Russia does is miniscule compared to middle Easterners, it makes even less sense why were allied and working with middle Easterners instead of Russia. We'd have world peace by now if we cooperated with Russia instead of having a hissy fit with them over small things.

I bet that you, prior to Trump running in the election, didn't give two shits about Russia and probably made fun of Vladmir himself for being a dictator if ever brought up - nevermind actually praising them like you are now.

[Skroe]

Don't be so sure of that. Politically speaking right now is the BEST time for them to strike at Trump and they get all the advantages/rewards if they do! If they can nail him and remove him before the 2018 midterms, they've now got a golden ticket to do whatever they want thanks to Petulant Puppet President Pence for the next 3+ years at least.

Why do you think Skroe is SOOOOO on board right now with getting Trump out and promoting the hell out of it more than ever!? Do you think he's just got it out for the Dumpster and that's it? :P

No man, they know that if they can punt out the Chaos element of the Republican party (Trump) the calculating evil dark side can get nearly 3+ full years of actual CLEVER yet despicable deals, but they will be cleverly worded by people who understand how to speak English and normal diplomacy - and not blather about like a reactionary toddler like Dumbass Dump does.

Just to be clear, I have no interest in Republicans "recovering" this for 2018 or 2020. I want an entire generation of elected Republicans basically wiped off the face of the earth. I want the enablers and the entire infrastructure that is excusing Trump to this date, dynamited and paved over. They all have to go. Failures who compromise their everlasting American principles to advance a short term narrow political agenda don't deserve to get rewarded. They get crucified as failures.

For allowing Trump to get this far... even if he steps down one hour from now... the party, and the conservative movement itself, deserves to go into exile for a good decade. Being in the wilderness will allow us the purge ourselves of the opportunistic infections that perverts conservatism, and to refine our beliefs.

I'm 33 years old. I have my entire life to vote for conservative candidates, advocate for conservative causes, argue against liberals for conservative policies. There is no "fierce urgency of now" in my political beliefs. If I see my desires for the US from a conservative standpoint come true 15 years from now... it matters little. I'd rather do it properly and honestly, than do it quickly.

The Republicans who pass those laws basically aren't in government yet. There are a few - Ben Sasse is one for example. But right now, the Republican Party and everyone who defended Donald Trump deserves punishment for their betrayal of American principles. This daily drumbeat of news... investigations... Trump's future removal... all of it isn't just America's immune system asserting itself. It's bringing un-American people to justice.

[mvaliz]

Just to be clear, I have no interest in Republicans "recovering" this for 2018 or 2020. I want an entire generation of elected Republicans basically wiped off the face of the earth. I want the enablers and the entire infrastructure that is excusing Trump to this date, dynamited and paved over. They all have to go. Failures who compromise their everlasting American principles to advance a short term narrow political agenda don't deserve to get rewarded. They get crucified as failures.

For allowing Trump to get this far... even if he steps down one hour from now... the party, and the conservative movement itself, deserves to go into exile for a good decade. Being in the wilderness will allow us the purge ourselves of the opportunistic infections that perverts conservatism, and to refine our beliefs.

I'm 33 years old. I have my entire life to vote for conservative candidates, advocate for conservative causes, argue against liberals for conservative policies. There is no "fierce urgency of now" in my political beliefs. If I see my desires for the US from a conservative standpoint come true 15 years from now... it matters little. I'd rather do it properly and honestly, than do it quickly.

The Republicans who pass those laws basically aren't in government yet. There are a few - Ben Sasse is one for example. But right now, the Republican Party and everyone who defended Donald Trump deserves punishment for their betrayal of American principles. This daily drumbeat of news... investigations... Trump's future removal... all of it isn't just America's immune system asserting itself. It's bringing un-American people to justice.

I'd like to believe you as you've been pretty brutally honest up to this point (and hell man, ANYBODY who is as hardcore a republican and still went up against Trump automatically demands my respect and attention! ;D), but I just remember this little nugget from you prior a few weeks ago that stuck in my craw a bit:

I've been saying for some time that after the 2018 mid-terms, I expect Republicans to turn on Trump in favor of Pence.

I think another 18 months of demanding they make unwinnable votes, unacceptable legislation and provoking shutdowns and showdowns, in a government they control in its entirety, will do that.

There will come a time, before long, where they don't need him anymore. And he will be removed or "persuaded" to stand down for 2020.

Imagine if this House and this Senate were working with an actually competent, conservative President, rather than a lying bullshit artist who is their enemy as much as the Democrats.

It made it sound like you would've been happy if Pentulent Pence replaced Trump and everything in the world would be smooth as silk.

And this was BEFORE all the Comey shit blew up - so even you didn't believe, at that time, shit could fast-track.

If anything, I guess I'm kinda backwardsly compmlementing you on assuming this might've been your new strategy shift! ;D

I guess we can clear this up is one easy question: By "an entire generation of elected Republicans basically wiped off the face of the Earth" you are hopefully lumping Pence into that as well, right?

either way /salute! keep up the good fight, good sir! RESIST! ^_^

[Skroe]

I'd like to believe you as you've been pretty brutally honest up to this point (and hell man, ANYBODY who is as hardcore a republican and still went up against Trump automatically demands my respect and attention! ;D), but I just remember this little nugget from you prior a few weeks ago that stuck in my craw a bit:



It made it sound like you would've been happy if Pentulent Pence replaced Trump and everything in the world would be smooth as silk.

And this was BEFORE all the Comey shit blew up - so even you didn't believe, at that time, shit could fast-track.

If anything, I guess I'm kinda backwardsly compmlementing you on assuming this might've been your new strategy shift! ;D

I guess we can clear this up is one easy question: By "an entire generation of elected Republicans basically wiped off the face of the Earth" you are hopefully lumping Pence into that as well, right?

either way /salute! keep up the good fight, good sir! RESIST! ^_^

Correct I am. I wouldn't read much into the prior comment it more than "Pence is a band-aid". I'm being realistic: as much as I would like Pence, who is actually conservative, to be taken down in Trump-Russia because of his moral, ethical and unpatriotic compromises, along with Paul Ryan, netting us President Hatch... realistically, there is a vanishingly small chance of that. The best this will do... the absolutely best I think... is that it takes down Flynn, Manafaort, Carter Page, Kushner, a few other Trump associates, and Trump. Even if it does go beyond that in terms of knowledge of Trump-Russia collusion, I'd be stunned if it goes so far as taking down Pence.

With "President Pence" as I see it, the country could at least, stop the bleeding from the harm Trump has caused. Man "NeverTrumpers" would come into try and repair the damage. It would be pure triage. The way I was portraying it in that post is why Republicans would turn on Trump in the first place: Pence is one of them and Trump is not. They have to see him as a better deal.

And then in 2020, Pence is gone and Republicans are wiped out politically, ending careers for their dancing with traitors.


So again, if we could get to President Hatch, sign me up... but I don't see that as realistic. Pence, at least, will give the country pause to start repairing the damage of last year. I have no interest in keeping anybody who signed up to Trump. They all burn.

[mvaliz]

So again, if we could get to President Hatch, sign me up... but I don't see that as realistic. Pence, at least, will give the country pause to start repairing the damage of last year. I have no interest in keeping anybody who signed up to Trump. They all burn.

Gotcha, thx! Honestly I don't know much about this Hatch guy (I'll have to look him up later) even though I'm much more liberal, I liked Kasick a lot as I could disagree with his views, and not feel compeled to make it personal as he's just doing things via his experience as opposed to using it as a hate-spewing bucket of rage like everybody else was doing.

and yeah, I agree with the stance on Pence as well. I think it was Schwartskof here who said it: much as HORRIBLE that guy is, With Pence, it's about fighting for American Rights (business as usual) than every day being a roll of the dice to determine weither the Human Race goes extinct or not. :P

[Macaquerie]

It's tough to imagine the Republican party just completely reinventing itself even in the wake of a disaster like Trump. The party adopted its current tack as a survival strategy, not because anyone who matters actually believes in any of the nonsense they peddle to voters. "True" conservatives are a tiny minority in this country, the only way they can win elections is by pandering to racists and religious nuts, and exploiting the electoral system to their advantage. America might be a center-right country, but the center-right party is the Democratic party, at this point the Republicans have pretty much gone completely off the deep end and are not even trying to govern at all, nevermind implementing any ideology.

[want my Slimjim]

It's tough to imagine the Republican party just completely reinventing itself even in the wake of a disaster like Trump. The party adopted its current tack as a survival strategy, not because anyone who matters actually believes in any of the nonsense they peddle to voters. "True" conservatives are a tiny minority in this country, the only way they can win elections is by pandering to racists and religious nuts, and exploiting the electoral system to their advantage. America might be a center-right country, but the center-right party is the Democratic party, at this point the Republicans have pretty much gone completely off the deep end and are not even trying to govern at all, nevermind implementing any ideology.

What exactly makes Trump a disaster? I keep hearing this, but it holds no weight. Everything he's done so far has been good.

[Xyonai]

What exactly makes Trump a disaster? I keep hearing this, but it holds no weight. Everything he's done so far has been good.

I mean, considering that he's pretty much accomplished next to nothing as far as legislation goes, I guess I can agree with you somewhat.