Posted on 09/02/2018 4:38:24 AM PDT by Alas Babylon!
The Talk Shows
September 2nd, 2018
Guests to be interviewed today on major television talk shows:
FOX NEWS SUNDAY (Fox Network): Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO. The panel will be Marc Lotter, Vice President Pence’s former press secretary; former Congresswoman Donna Edwards, D-Md.; Marc Thiessen, columnist for The Washington Post; and Charles Lane, editorial writer for The Washington Post.
MEET THE PRESS (NBC): Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the Democratic nominee for governor of Florida; Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska. The panel will be Kimberly Atkins, columnist with The Boston Herald; Matthew Continetti, editor-in-chief, Washington Free Beacon; Mark Leibovich of The New York Times Magazine and author of “Big Game: The NFL in Dangerous Times”; and Amy Walter of The Cook Political Report.
FACE THE NATION (CBS): Gov. John Kasich, R-Ohio; former Secretary of State John Kerry, author of “Every Day is Extra”; Jonathan Turley, constitutional law professor, George Washington University. The panel will be Kelsey Snell of National Public Radio; Margaret Talev of Bloomberg; Edward Wong of The New York Times; and Salena Zito of Washington Examiner and the New York Post.
THIS WEEK (ABC): STATE OF THE UNION (CNN): Gillum; Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; former Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn. The panel will be Congressman Tim Ryan, D-Ohio; former Gov. Jan Brewer, R-Ariz.; S.E. Cupp, host of CNN’s “SE Cupp Unfiltered”; and Bakari Sellers, CNN commentator and former Democratic member of the South Carolina House. Dana Bash will be the guest anchor.
SUNDAY MORNING FUTURES (FNC): Congressman Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y.; Gordon Chang, author of “The Coming Collapse of China”; Congressman Leonard Lance, R-N.J.; Justin Walker, former clerk to Judge Brett Kavanaugh (2010-2011); Gregg Nunziata, former chief nominations counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The panel will be GOP strategist Ed Rollins and former Sen. Al D'amato, R-N.Y. Blake Burman is guest anchor.
big chatting point this week Trump supposedly has a low approval rating,yeah right,more msm BS.
Meanwhile real americans are disgusted with the re-writing of McCains historly.
I am in the process of writing a piece about that very question. Some preliminary thoughts:
Verification of the Steele Dossier, if only just portions of it, is absolutely critical in justifying, even retroactively, the actions of the Obama Administration and Deep State and in legitimizing the Mueller investigation. The notion that the dossier is discredited, debunked, etc. doesn’t ring true with Democrats and the Mueller team. Their expectation is that Mueller will produce evidence of Trump “collusion” or conspiracy with Russia and obstruction of justice using the dossier as the linchpin.
These expectations are fueled by the statements of Democrats in Congress and former high-ranking intelligence officials like John Brennan, James Clapper, and James Comey who imply they have knowledge of incriminating evidence against Trump not known publicly.
Given the highly partisan composition of the Mueller investigative team, does anyone doubt that key Democrats have been privy to what is going on inside the investigation? On June 22, 2018 Senator Mark Warner during a dinner at his house on Martha’s Vineyard as part of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s annual Majority Trust retreat, per Politico, said:
“If you get me one more glass of wine, I’ll tell you stuff only Bob Mueller and I know. If you think you’ve seen wild stuff so far, buckle up. It’s going to be a wild couple of months.” Warner is the ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Passing his comments off as a joke is nonsense. Quoting Shakespeare in King Lear, “Jesters do oft prove prophets.”
President Trump responded on June 25th, via Twitter saying, “Why is Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), perhaps in a near drunken state, claiming he has information that only he and Bob Mueller, the leader of the 13 Angry Democrats on a Witch Hunt, knows? Isn’t this highly illegal. Is it being investigated?”
The 35 page Steele dossier is really a series of intelligence memoranda beginning June 20, 2016 and ending on December 13, 2016. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Hillary Clinton campaign paid for its production using GPS Fusion and the law firm of Perkins Coie. The putative author of the dossier is Christopher Steele, a former MI-6 intelligence officer who was deemed credible by the FBI based on his previous work with them on the FIFA scandal.
In order to be effective, even a contrived operations research propaganda piece must contain some elements of truth that can be verified and expanded upon along with a patina of believability.
Steele did not construct the dossier out of whole cloth. He had to have a framework to build his narrative and some direction from GPS Fusion as to the predicate (deliverables) for his investigation. What sources were used? What was Nellie Ohr’s role in supplying information? Was she a conduit to not only pass information from Steele to DOJ and the FBI, but also, to pass intelligence from DOJ and the FBI to Steele and GPS Fusion? Nellie Ohr obtained a ham radio operator’s license not long after she was hired by GPS Fusion. Why?
With the release of the heavily redacted, October 26, 2016 FISA application on Carter Page, it is clear that the dossier and its author played a central, if not indispensable role, in obtaining the authorization to monitor Carter Page and the entire Trump campaign and transition teams and a sitting President.
It also acted as the catalyst/pretext for the FBI to initiate a counterintelligence investigation against the Trump campaign on July 31, 2016 despite the fable that George Papadopolous was the original impetus. Moreover, the FBI continued its efforts to verify the dossier during the Trump transition to and assumption of the Presidency and even after Mueller was appointed as special counsel.
As more information comes out about Bruce Ohr’s role as the go between Steele and the FBI (and perhaps Mueller), it demonstrates the intensity of the FBI’s frantic obsession to verify the dossier. Ohr was in communication with Steele up to November 2017, ten months into the Trump Presidency!
Beyond addressing the allegations contained in the dossier, there needs to be an extensive analysis of the basic premises contained in the document. The major protagonists mentioned in the dossier are Trump, Page, Manafort, and Cohen. Flynn is also mentioned as is Hillary noting that the Russians also have incriminating evidence against her.
Mueller focused his most draconian treatment on Manafort and Cohen. There must be something more that he has to explain why. Manafort is the one person that Mueller wants to crack the most. Cohen has proven to be a dry hole and Page, the person described as a foreign agent in the FISA warrant and the pretext for monitoring the Trump campaign, has been essentially given a pass.
Page has not hired a lawyer. He has not been charged with any crime. He has not expressed that much outrage and anger, instead, saying that this is really not about him. Despite an impressive resume that includes being a USNA graduate, a US Navy intel officer for four years, an informant for the FBI in a case involving the prosecution of a Russian spy, and an international businessman who lived in Russia for three years, Page has chosen to act like the affable fool.
I find it very curious. My conclusion is that Page was working for the FBI as the man inside the campaign. They could direct him to targets and thereby ensnare them in the monitoring of the campaign and transition teams. Otherwise, how does one explain his treatment by the Mueller team and the FBI.
Re the treatment of Trump in the dossier:
The infamous Steele dossier alleges that:
-Russian regime has been cultivating, supporting and assisting TRUMP for at least 5 years. Aim, endorsed by PUTIN, has been to encourage splits and divisions in western alliance
-So far TRUMP has declined various sweetener real estate business deals offered him in Russia in order to further the Kremlin’s cultivation of him. However he and his inner circle have accepted a regular flow of intelligence from the Kremlin, including on his Democratic and other political rivals.
The following additional details were included:
Speaking to a trusted compatriot in June 2016 sources A and B, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry figure and a former top level Russian intelligence officer still active inside the Kremlin respectively, the Russian authorities had been cultivating and supporting US Republican presidential candidate, Donald TRUMP for at least 5 years. Source B asserted that the TRUMP operation was both supported and directed by Russian President Vladimir PUTIN. Its aim was to sow discord and disunity both within the US itself, but more especially within the Transatlantic alliance which was viewed as inimical to Russia’s interests.
The Steele dossier was written in 2016 making 2011 as the approximate time-frame for the alleged beginning of the cultivation and support of Donald Trump by the Kremlin. What was happening in 2011 that might cause Donald Trump to be a lightning rod for the ire of the Obama administration and/or a target of the Russians?
In the Spring of 2011, Trump began his public questioning of Barack Obama’s birth certificate as well as his college and passport records. Trump tweeted 67 times hectoring Obama about his failure to disclose these documents and even offering on October 24, 2012 $5 million to a charity of Obama’s choosing if he “opens up and gives his college records and applications and if he gives his passport applications and records”
Obama has been fixated to the point of being an obsession on the “birther” issue. His thin skin and immense ego were clearly in play when he ridiculed Donald Trump who was in the audience at the 2011 White House Correspondents dinner. Did the Obama administration initiate an FBI file on Donald Trump in 2011 or earlier? Was information in that file provided to Nellie Ohr or Steele by the FBI or Bruce Ohr?
It is beginning to appear more and more that Obama had a personal vendetta against Trump and was out to destroy him completely.
@CNMpolitics. Maxine Waters: It was wrong and illegal for us to conquer the Moon in 1969, and planting our flag there was an insult to the Martians who live there.
My only question is backbone....she'll need a strong one.
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Yes and no. Jeff has been focused on illegal immigration for many, many years, so he was a natural to join DjT as that was job 1 , and campaign issue #1 as well. But coming from the proper and gentlemanly Senate, where I believe he had good relations with most of his colleagues, he was not equipped for a death match. I suspect he didn't expect Russia, Russia, Russia to be the focus ever since.
But, since it is and will be, he's got to go.
It is beginning to appear more and more that Obama had a personal vendetta against Trump and was out to destroy him completely.
Agree with that as a premise for all of this. Barry O knew he had a grip on Hillary after her inauguration because of his not watching/caring/probably $$$ benefiting from her time as SOS.
At any time he could spill the beans on her/willy if he wanted to knowing the MSM would cover for him rather than her...
He could not do that with Trump whether Trump ran for president or not. Therefore he had to devise a way to discredit/silence him regardless of political aspiration.
Yes..... that is my belief as well.
However, how will that thought ot cahin of thought translate to congressional elections?
My thought is that the black voter favoring Trump willl fail to turn out. Low turn out will likely be a problem
Source A and B said.. (Axelrod and Biden? :->). But, the same source said Trump did NOT take the bait:
So far TRUMP has declined various sweetener real estate business deals offered him in Russia in order to further the Kremlin’s cultivation of him.
And
However he and his inner circle have accepted a regular flow of intelligence from the Kremlin, including on his Democratic and other political rivals.
Is this part even illegal?
Sucks to be Mueller.
I don't think Mueller has anything--not anything legal scholars couldn't shoot a thousand holes through.
Russia might have tried, but Trump didn't play.
All else I find fascinating, especially your take on Obama's motives.
And the whole Birther thing was started by Hillary in 2008.
As an active FReeper during the past 20 years, the "Natural-born citizen" controversy, Obama's ease of getting into Occidental, Columbia and Harvard (reeks of Foreign student application) et al have been big news. IMHO, Trump was actually late to the party in 2011.
I always love this remark by POTUS:
HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES/PUBLIC OPINION STRATEGIES Study
#18852 -- page 3
August 2018 Flash Poll NBC News/Wall Street Journal Survey
NBCWSJ August Flash Poll – Conducted August 22-25, 2018 –
Moving on…
Q6A Have you seen, read, or heard the news coverage about Donald Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen pleading guilty to federal felony campaign finance charges? (IF YES, THEN ASK) And, have you seen, read, or heard a lot or just some about this? +*
Yes, A lot
.......................................................
46
Yes, Just some
............................................. 34
No
................................................................. 20,P> Not sure
...................................................... -
+ Results shown reflect responses among registered voters.
* Asked of one-half the respondents (FORM A). Q6B Have you seen, read, or heard the news coverage about Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort being found guilty of multiple tax and bank fraud charges? (IF YES, THEN ASK) And, have you seen, read, or heard a lot or just some about this?
+** Yes, A lot
....................................................... 46
Yes, Just some
............................................. 38
No
................................................................. 14
Not sure
...................................................... 2 + Results shown reflect responses among registered voters.
** Asked of one-half the respondents (FORM B). Q7 Six members of Donald Trump’s campaign, including the former chairman of his campaign and his personal lawyer, have now pled guilty or have been found guilty of crimes. Do you believe that these guilty pleas are just about wrongdoing of these individuals or does this suggest that there is potential wrongdoing by Donald Trump himself? If you don’t know enough to say either way, please just say so. +
Just these individuals
.................................... 27
By Donald Trump
.......................................... 40
Don’t know enough to say ............................. 30
Not sure
...................................................... 3 +
Results shown reflect responses among registered voters.
Six members of Donald Trump’s campaign have now been indicted by a grand jury or pleaded guilty to lying to FBI officials
investigating possible collusion between the Trump campaign
and the Russian government. Do you believe that these indictments or guilty pleas are really just about potential
wrongdoing of these individuals or does this suggest that there is
potential wrongdoing by Donald Trump himself? If you don’t know enough to say either way, please just say so. 4/18 12/17
Just these
individuals.................................... 25 28 By Donald Trump
.......................................... 37 36
Don’t know enough to say ............................ 36 34
Not sure
...................................................... 2 2
Q8 Please tell me whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement:
Donald Trump has been honest and truthful when it comes to the investigation into Russian interference with the 2016 presidential election and related matters. + Strongly agree
................................................................ 21 Somewhat agree ................................................................ 17 Somewhat disagree................................................................ 10 Strongly disagree ................................................................ 46 Not sure .............................................................. Unreal what a pharse!!
Hard to say so far.
That’s hilarious.
https://media1.s-nbcnews.com/i/today/z_creative/18852NBCWSJAugustN=600FlashPoll.pdf
This is the research used by hart to do the nbc/wsj polling showing Trump with low numbers,look at the questions and then decide just how biased as hell this polling was,no telling who they interviewed most likely hardcore dems.
All it tells me is 35-40% of people are partisan democrats.
Not enough to ever win an election unless they rig it with some ringer like old Ross Perot.
I guess we’ll always be deplorables and bitter clingers.
Life’s tough, but for democrats, it’s even tougher when you’re stupid.
And to Kasperov, your tweet made me think of Trump supporters singing—”We’ve only just begun” by the Carpenters—to you.
Oh, and one other thing. Ron Fournier is a Clinton-made man. He came out of Little Rock to national-level reporter-age when Clinton won in 1992.
He knows where all the bodies are buried, who does the killing, and other nasty things.
A more corrupt news reporter you won’t find anywhere else.
Saw this on twitter this morning:
@CNMpolitics. Maxine Waters: It was wrong and illegal for us to conquer the Moon in 1969, and planting our flag there was an insult to the Martians who live there.
...
And then on MSNBC, I saw this by another Dem congress-creature...”when we landed on the moon, the weight of the flag and capsule caused irreparable damage to the moon as it was nearly tipped over!”
Appearing Sunday on a panel of commentators on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Ryan said while Democratic voters “are very energized,” the key to a Democratic victory will be to craft a broad appeal to the 57 percent of independent voters who “disapprove of Donald Trump.”
57 percent? Oh really?
Mueller is using the dossier as the roadmap to take down Trump. We don’t know what else is in the redacted FISA warrant or in Trump’s FBI file. Comey only briefed Trump on the salacious details in the dossier to gauge his reaction and perhaps blackmail him like J. Edgar used to do. Comey said that Trump was “morally unfit” to be President. Brennan has said something similar. And so have a number of Dem congressmen re the golden showers accusation. Sen Merkley said specifically he believed the allegations.
Re the birther issue, I was very involved on FR in the discussions in 2008 as well as its resurrection in 2016 concerning the eligibility of Cruz. I know more about the issue than I like to admit, Constitutionally, government regulations, and the sordid history of Obama. It is enervating just thinking about it.
Trump may have come late to the issue, but he was the one who forced Obama to produce the long form of his BC, which the media said didn’t exist. Arpaio and his Cold Posse showed that this electronic version was a fraud. Obama and Holder went after Arpaio and found some phony crime. Trump pardoned Arpaio.
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