I have written close to 50 pieces in the first half of 2017,
and I would guess that more than half deal specifically with the sheer
incompetence of Donald Trump and the members of the Trump Administration and
more often than not when I have included comments from other politicians, I
have focused on comments from Republicans, and I have done so for two
reasons. First, because it adds
significant credibility to my positions, for if the comments were from
Democrats, they could be dismissed as biased and self-serving, as Democrats
concluded long ago that Donald Trump was better qualified to work in the sadly,
now defunct Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Second, because as someone who has voted
Republican most of my life, I believe it showcases the fact that many good
Republicans still have the integrity to put country over party and to speak out
against the incompetent buffoon who we legally elected to be our President.
(Please, don’t think that I hold a grudge against America for this, I don’t’. For as is the case with the very best people,
even the very best of countries can just have a bad day)
So, with that as a lead in, regarding Donald Trump Jr.’s
meeting with a Russian lawyer during the 2016 campaign purportedly to obtain “dirt”
on Hillary Clinton, let’s hear what several former Senior Republican campaign
officials involved in recent Presidential campaigns have to say on the
matter. [Please note these quotes were obtained BEFORE
Don Jr. released the detailed emails on his own, ahead of the NY Times, which
included a statement from Don Jr.’s acquaintance that “This is obviously very
high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government’s
support for Mr. Trump”.]
-
“I handled oppo (opposition research), not exactly
high-minded side of campaigning, but a reality, but never ever from a foreign advisory”
o
Nicolle Wallace, Communications Director for
Bush/Cheney 2004
-
“Senior presidential campaign officials don’t take
meetings with nameless people. Doesn’t happen.”
o
Rick Tyler, Communication Director for Ted Cruz
2016
-
“Aside from the
candidate himself, the campaign manager’s time is among the most valuable
resource for any campaign…It would be very odd for campaign manager to appear at
a meeting with a more-or-less random foreigner claiming they’re peddling
opposition research”
o
Michael Steel, Senior Advisor to Jeb Bush 2016
-
“From experience: when working on a presidential
campaign and…contacted by a foreigner, prudent to mention it to 1) Your Foreign
Policy team 2) the FBI”
o
Katie Packer Beeson, Deputy Campaign Manager
Romney/Ryan 2012
-
“If you can find someone in other presidential
campaigns who has received oppo from foreign interests, please share”
o
Stuart Stevens, Chief Strategist Romney/Ryan
2012
-
“When Gore campaign was sent Bush debate (briefing)
book, they called the FBI. If foreign interests offer you info on the former
Secretary of State, you call the FBI
o
Stuart Stevens, Media Consultant Bush/Cheney
2004
In attempting to do damage control, after offering multiple
explanations for the purpose of the meeting, Don Jr. rushed into the friendly arms
of with Sean Hannity of Fox News, who asked Don Jr., if he told his father of
the meeting, to which Don Jr. replied:
“It was such a nothing, there was nothing to tell, I wouldn’t
have even remembered it, until you start scouring through this stuff.”
That’s not how your fellow Republican’s think about it Donny
Boy. Not at all.
Oh, at this point, it’s not clear. With no further disclosures, I doubt very
much if you are legally guilty of perjury, or treason or collusion, or any felony
or other charges that make most Democrats outright giddy, but you are guilty of
one thing. Your incompetence is clear
cut, and when confronted with the reality of it, you lie through your teeth,
and in that way, you are your father’s son, and I can’t think of anything much
worse.
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