Sanuk wrote:
I am getting more and more convinced that this whole thing wasn't about getting Trump elected, as much as what Russia can do, and what Trump can get, after he won.
Well that's what collusion is - a deal. The Russians presumably had some clear end-game in mind. They didn't try to to interfere in the election just for the fun of it.
The only question is how successul the Russians were in the transaction. They may have been largely rebuffed. They may have made some minor inroads with some individuals. or there may be been broader participation. I would have leaned towards for former a month ago. But my slider bar is sliding towards the latter. And it seems a given at this point that there's been a lot of lying. Which is bad.
And the sheer number of regularity of own-goals is mind-boggling. Take your Magnitsky Act reference. Trump Jr. referencing discussion of "adoption" sure sounds like it'd almost have to involve at least an indirect discussion of the Magnitsky Act. Why on earth would you tweet that publicly? Pure insanity. His lawyer (now possibly team of lawyers) had to have all been banging their heads against the wall.
Trump should really consider hiring goddamn Bill and Hillary. Because they know how to play it. You don't get a goddman thing out of them that doesn't sounds like it's been pored over by a crack team of lawyers.
It's going to be really interesting to see if Trump signs the
recently passed legislation increasing sanctions on Russia, and limiting Trump's ability to adjust them. Dipping into conspiracy land, if the Russians indeed have some card to play, it seems they might want to play it over that bill.