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DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Sat Jul 21, 2018, 01:42 PM Jul 2018

Graham: Biggest problem is Trump 'believes meddling equals collusion'

BY JOHN BOWDEN - 07/21/18 12:28 PM EDT

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) asserted this week that President Trump is unable to distinguish between arguments that Russia interfered in the election and accusations that his campaign was in contact with Russia's government.

Graham told The Washington Post for a story published Saturday that Trump's inability to distinguish between the two assertions is based on his concerns that any acknowledgement of Russia's role in the 2016 election undercut his legitimacy as president.

“The biggest problem is that he believes meddling equals collusion,” Graham said. “Nobody else believes that. I think he’s very sensitive about going there because he thinks it undercuts his legitimacy.”

Trump faced sharp criticism from members of his own party, including Graham's top ally in the Senate, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), after he appeared to side with Russian President Vladimir Putin against the assessment of his own intelligence agencies on the scope of Russia interference in 2016.

more
http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/398182-graham-biggest-problem-is-trump-believes-meddling-equals-collusion

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Moostache

(9,895 posts)
2. Well...knock me over with a feather...OF COURSE it questions his legitimacy...
Sat Jul 21, 2018, 01:50 PM
Jul 2018

He IS NOT a legitimate President and nothing will EVER change that fact.

Solly Mack

(90,740 posts)
5. Meddling, collusion, interference whatever - it does call into question
Sat Jul 21, 2018, 01:56 PM
Jul 2018

the legitimacy of the election and its outcome.

Collusion means the Trump campaign worked with the Russians. Another (criminal) level to the interference/meddling by a foreign government.

But whatever you want to call it - it calls into question Trump's "legitimacy".

And it should - because it does.

The GOP is attempting to create the narrative that as long as no one questions Trump's win then we can all agree Russia interfered - but if anyone says because of the interference - and any collusion between the campaign and Russia - the election results are in question - then the GOP doesn't want to acknowledge that.

And for good reason - (for them) - Trump is giving them what they have wanted for decades.

That's the "compromise" carrot they are dangling - agree the election results were not influenced and they'll play as pretty as they are able. (which won't be much)

Claim the election results were impacted and they'll fight.



Garrett78

(10,721 posts)
6. The biggest problem is people like Graham can't recognize intentional obfuscation.
Sat Jul 21, 2018, 01:57 PM
Jul 2018

Or don't want to. Trump understands the distinction. He's just obfuscating.

Phoenix61

(16,949 posts)
8. I call bullshit
Sat Jul 21, 2018, 02:15 PM
Jul 2018

The biggest problem is Twitler knows exactly what he did and is doing his level best to prevent the rest of us from finding out. There is no doubt in my mind he sold the presidency before he even had it. He knew he'd get to keep all the campaign contributions that were left at the end of the campaign. This was supposed to be nothing but a giant con that netted him millions. Why do you think he looked like a cornered rat when he won? He knows what he did was illegal but believed he would get away with it because no one would look too closely at campaign finances if he lost. He failed at business and he is failing at the biggest con of his life.

lark

(22,993 posts)
9. Graham is just making up shit.
Sat Jul 21, 2018, 02:18 PM
Jul 2018

drumpf knows the damn facts because he was part of and probably the 2nd person in the conspiracy, with Putin being #1. He damn well knows he would never have won without help and that's exactly why he's so thin-skinned about the whole issue. He knows he's selling the country out but doesn't care enough to consider the consequences beyond the fact that this is his license to steal and steal in a huge never before seen manner. I think drumpf is also scared of Putin because Putin has dirt on him, but he has no idea how much. Everything he or his minions have ever said to Russia or Russians has been taped and is just waiting until Putin has destroyed us, Europe & Canada economically & and invaded at least 1 eastern European country. Cadet bonespurs will be taken down by eit Mueller, hopefully soon, or Putin later. Sooner is much better than later!

Marie Marie

(9,999 posts)
10. How about this: Russia meddled AND Trump colluded.
Sat Jul 21, 2018, 02:24 PM
Jul 2018

No one will ever convince me that Trump wasn't in this up to his white eyeballs.

malaise

(267,784 posts)
11. No - the biggest problem is that Don the Con knows what he did to become President
Sat Jul 21, 2018, 02:27 PM
Jul 2018

And several ReTHUGs also know. Truth will out.

We know what you did in 2916 and so does Mr Mueller.

NRaleighLiberal

(59,940 posts)
12. some of my least fave repubs are the ones that fake out reasonability - McCain, Graham, Collins,
Sat Jul 21, 2018, 02:31 PM
Jul 2018

Flake, Corker - spineless, wave in the breeze, no values whatsoever - at least we know the typical repubs are assholes. These try to play it both ways, but in the end, they are still assholes.

Actually, "least favorite" isn't a valid statement - I loathe them all!

AC_Mem

(1,979 posts)
14. Um, everyone does believe that!
Sat Jul 21, 2018, 03:04 PM
Jul 2018

If he knew about it (of course, he ASKED Russia to do it on the campaign trail) then he WAS in collusion with the Russians by that very knowledge.

In ALL cases, all anyone has to do is to ask - If President Obama had been in the exact situation and did exactly what 45 has done and known, would it have been "a-ok" with the GOP, or would they have done everything in their power to impeach and destroy?

If President Obama had done ONLY WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR that 45 has done - do you think that 45 would not have tweeting to the world that there was collusion, that the election was illegitimate, and that the President should be impeached and jailed?

It is such an easy deduction that of course he knows - and that is why he is so afraid. He never actually wanted to be President, he just wanted his own cable show, but once he got it he knew it was the chance he had to punish all of the enemies in his mind who had not invited him to their hollywood parties, or humiliated him in interviews (by telling the truth), or made fun of him and his family.

At the base of everything we see a cruel bully who enjoys humiliating and causing pain. I don't know what Americans were thinking when they cast their vote - it makes me very sad for America and what we built this country on.

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