New York Times wasn't always so suspicious of 'secretive communications' with Russia

Washington Examiner ^ | January 15, 2019 02:13 PM | Eddie Scarry

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Newsrooms turned their attention again this week to the never-ending Russia investigation and their storylines on President Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. So it’s as good a time as any to recall the New York Times’ posture on Russia before 2016.

The Times editorial board on Monday listed all the ways Trump is perceived by Democrats and liberals in the news media as working to advance Russian interests, including his “secretive communications with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.” In this case “secretive communications” is short for: Trump had a meeting with Putin, but Trump asked that the American interpreter not share details of the encounter with others. (So “secretive” was the meeting that our top diplomat, then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, was present for it.)

But the Times was much more generous in describing what you might otherwise call “secretive communications” with Russia when Barack Obama was president. In 2012, during his re-election campaign, Obama was caught by a hot mic whispering to then-President Dmitry Medvedev that he was potentially willing to roll back missile defense initiatives in Europe, something the Russians wanted very much, but not until the 2012 election, the last chance for voters to hold Obama accountable, was over.

“On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this can be solved, but it’s important for him to give me space,” Obama told Medvedev, referring to Putin, who would be taking Medvedev’s place in two months. “This is my last election,” Obama continued. “After my election I have more flexibility.”

Unlike Trump’s meeting with Putin, which Tillerson witnessed, Obama’s conversation about his explicit willingness to bow to Russian interests wasn’t supposed to be heard by anyone at all. And yet a Times news story charitably described the exchange as “a private moment of candor.”

[TigerClaws]

Ted Kennedy tried to get the Soviets to hurt Reagan politically

Saw a Deep State shill on Tu Jed tonight talking domino theory for Europe to explain us paying billions to NATO. They were okay when Russia was communist. A few anti gay parades and they’re ready for WW 3.

[TigersEye]

The NY Times has always been very concerned about American patriotism and security. /s

[Secret Agent Man]

Ted Kennedy’s treasonous letter.

[Albion Wilde]

bump