Who is going to give Trump "virtual absolution from the Russian collusion"? The Congressional investigations might come to that conclusion, but given the joint nature of these investigations, there will be language in their reports that will allow the Dems to charge that although collusion could not be proven without a doubt, there was circumstantial evidence (smoke) that could indicate collusion. Just the fact that an investigation was necessary raises doubts.
And the Mueller investigation can be used by the Dems regardless. Four of Trump's campaign team have been indicted already. More to come?
If Trump makes the midterms a referendum on him, it may increase Rep turnout, but it will also fire up the Dems. You can bet that sexual misconduct by Trump will be one of the talking points.
A booming economy will help Reps, but will it be enough to slow down the Dem momentum? I firmly believe that the Reps must use the DNC involvement in the Steele dossier and the attempted coup by Deep State in the 2018 midterms. The Obama administration was spying on both the Trump campaign and transition teams. The unmasking goes up to the highest levels of the Obama administration. Obama's monitoring of the Trump transition team and its meetings with foreign countries allowed Obama to place landmines to thwart Trump's foreign policy objectives.
One thing that does not get enough coverage is Obama ordering on December 9 that the Intel community conduct a review of Russian meddling in our elections and to get a report on his desk before he left office. The review was conducted by Comey (FBI), Brennan (CIA), Clapper (DNI), and Rogers (NSA). The report produced on January 6th, contains many of the elements in the Steele dossier, especially the conclusion that Putin was trying to help Trump. Was Strzok involved in preparing this report? It is also interesting to note that one of the findings demonstrated some disagreement among the agencies:
We also assess Putin and the Russian Government aspired to help President-elect Trump’s election chances when possible by discrediting Secretary Clinton and publicly contrasting her unfavorably to him. All three agencies agree with this judgment. CIA and FBI have high confidence in this judgment; NSA has moderate confidence.
Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent US Elections
The fact that Adm Rogers met with Trump to the dismay of Obama, may be important because Rogers did not want to be part of this conspiracy against Trump.
It is also worth noting that the Obama placed additional sanctions on Russia just days before leaving office making it more difficult for Trump to have a "reset" with Russia. It also just happened to be part of Flynn's meeting with the Russian Ambassador that the Obama administration had wiretapped.
Depending on what is in the DOJ OIG report, I would recommend that Trump go on national television in prime time to go over the findings and discuss the seriousness of what happened to our democracy and what needs to be done to go forward to restore confidence in the FBI and the DOJ. It would make riveting TV with Sessions, Wray, and Michael Horowitz, the DOJ OIG. It could be his "Drain the Swamp" speech.
BINGO. T hat is exactly what needs to be done!!!
I'd dream for a Deep State speech, but absent that, he'll bully pulpit all the information over the campaign.
A stamp of sedition planted squarely on the deep state (dems, intelligence, FBI) will effectively provide the absolution from Russian collusion...seems to me.
Sessions apparent slowness in developing/exposing may be intended to sync nicely with the campaigns which ramp up in 2 weeks time. We hope Sessions delays are merely delays in announcing some of his 1183 sealed indictments, rather than pulling punches in investigating them...so as to maintain comity.