Rosenstein tabling his old investigation of Manafort is a far cry from “exoneration”. I’d speculate it was more a matter of politics and corruption.
At the time, Rosenstein worked at the pleasure of the Obama administration, and Manafort was an associate of Democrat insiders including the Podesta Brothers and Tad Devine.
Was Rosenstein ordered to shut it down, as a matter of Democrat/Hillary privilege and to protect cabal members that Manafort might expose in court? I’d like to see Rosenstein questioned about that under oath. It’s obvious that now, Manafort is being prosecuted for political purposes of the Dems. Is it any less probable that he was protected for the political purposes of the same faction before? I am biased towards Manafort not being convicted, because I want to thwart the current anti-Trumper media, IC, politicians, etc. But is Manafort actually guilty? I bet that Rosenstein thinks so.
Rosenstein knew that the old Manafort case had nothing to do with the 2016 election. Was he frustrated before, and used the Russian Collusion narrative as a way to have another go? There are a great many possibilities regarding motives.
THAT makes TOTAL sense!