Personally I think Manafort's role in securing the delegates was overrated. I remember there being much ado at the time about Cruz "stealing" Trump delegates in various states - especially the caucus states - but when Trump decisively won the Indiana primary on May 3 - it was all over for Cruz. That's why he dropped out that night and Reince Preibus (then RNC Chair) declared Trump the presumed nominee.
At the time, Manafort did seem like the "steady hand" that Trump needed but as many remember, he was unceremoniously dumped in mid-August in favor of the duo of Kelly Ann Conway and Steve Bannon. A move that was derided by most at the time as a "desperate move by a dying campaign" but seems genius in retrospect.
Something happened behind the scenes to cause Trump to abruptly cut all ties with Manafort. Perhaps soon, we will have the answers.
That “something” ostensibly was the news that he had connections to the Ukranians.
I doubt that was “news” to DT. If you believe Trump was really running since 2012, and that he decided he needed more work, including lots of years of building up a spy network & dirt digging, then he would have known everything about Manafort.
I agree the delegate stuff “could” look fishy. But remember at the time 538 kept touting Trump “couldn’t get” to 1237, even when I, and you, and others were showing he’d reach 1300 easily (he had 1400 when Cruz dropped out). So it’s a matter of who Trump was listening to at the time.
He resigned shortly after the convention and the Ukraine whispers.
At the time he joined the campaign, it was published he would work on the delegates. Actually, he was interviewed on the topic frequently. I don't know about all his background, but he did what he said he would do.
Agree. I think just being an a hole to Trump is something he’s dealt with in his sleep for 50years. But anyone seriously doublecrossing Trump has had to have his Justice come slowly and smart, and this could be it.