Byron York: Is tone of Trump-Russia probe changing?

The Washington Examiner ^ | 23 Oct 2017 | Byron York

[mandaladon]

Have you noticed? In recent public comments, the lawmakers investigating the Trump-Russia affair, along with some of the commentators who dissect its every development, seem to be focusing more on the facts of Russia's attempts to interfere with the 2016 election and less on allegations that Donald Trump or his associates colluded with those efforts.

Some of that could be just an impression. But the fact is, the subjects that have dominated discussion of the Trump-Russia matter lately -- Facebook and other social media ads and the most recent update from Senate Intelligence Committee leaders Richard Burr and Mark Warner -- do not necessarily point toward collusion. Rather, more often than not, the latest talk points toward Russian "active measures," that is, the effort to disrupt the 2016 campaign.

Why the change?

"Because that's where the evidence is going," one lawmaker who follows the matter closely told me in a text exchange. "I mean, things could always change, but that observation is just the reality of the situation right now, as I see it."

"Because they've been spinning their wheels on something for which evidence has yet to emerge," said another lawmaker.

"I think it's 1) the Mueller probe means that stuff [allegations of collusion] is sort of in his wheelhouse now," said yet another lawmaker, "and 2) I think there's recognition that Trump himself is unlikely to be implicated in this."

In a recent speech to the San Mateo County, California Republican Party, House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes said that at this moment investigators have more evidence of Democrats colluding with Russians than of President Trump doing so.

[mandaladon]

For his part, Senate Intel chief Burr recently noted that one part of the committee's probe was "to look into any collusion by either campaign during the 2016 elections."

The "by either campaign" was a point not heard much in public discussion of the investigation.~~~~~~~~~~~~Interesting...

[gubamyster]

Robert Mueller Invested In Hedge Funds Linked to Russia and George Soros

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3597626/posts

[Brilliant]

It could be that Mueller is trying to make it look like he’s even handed. I suspect he’s not able to prosecute wrongdoing within the Obama FBI because he was part of the Obama FBI.

[pgkdan]

It was reported on Fox Business this morning that Mueller’s team is conducting a criminal investigation of the Podesta Group. Interesting.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Just like in 2000, give ‘em a bloody shirt they can use to rile-up the troops.

[InterceptPoint]

Byron York, a pretty darn smart guy, is on to something. Here is my easy explanation for his observation taken from Mueller’s Perspective:

Trump + Russia = Dead End.
Russia + 2016 = The Obvious Fallback to avoid the nightmare of ...
Russia + Uranium + Hillary + Bill = Game, Set, Match for Trump

[gubamyster]

Mueller needs to investigate Mueller.

[Lurkinanloomin]

There was no collusion by the Trump campaign.

There was collusion by the Obama administration and the Clintons.

[Vic S]

It could be that Mueller is trying to make it look like he’s even handed. I suspect he’s not able to prosecute wrongdoing within the Obama FBI because he was part of the Obama FBI.

---

Hey, if anyone is going to investigate UraniumOne and Clinton and Mueller’s involvement, why not Mueller? Sounds logical to me. /s

[polymuser]

Having made soooooo much of Russia-Trump, they cannot get away ignoring Russia-Clintons/Obama.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Window dressing.

[MayflowerMadam]

One FReeper posted the theory that this investigation always has been about investigating Hillary, and the alleged Trump investigation has been a smokescreen to keep the left unaware and comfortable. Doubtful, but when I read it, it did brighten my day a little.

[yoe]

(Justice at Last? Trump Wants DOJ to Investigate Crooked Hillary’s Exoneration)

Part of the Clinton team...Podesta with Russian payoff

[yoe]

Obama + Russia = (open mike...)

All roads lead back to the Oval Office and Obama......draining the swamp is getting close to Obama...too close, anything can happen.

[FlingWingFlyer]

For the last time! The Russkis DID NOT force or coerce me into voting against that corrupt Clintoon family in 2016. I’ve always voted against them. I MADE THAT DECISION ON MY OWN. I did not read any of the Russki “ads” on FB paid for with dirty Russki money. BTW: Has Zuck “returned” that money to the Russkis or “donated it to charity” yet?

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks mandaladon.

• Fusion GPS Fights Subpoena For Bank Records, Which Would Reveal Its Dossier Client | Byron York

[csvset]

I caught a female Dem being interviewed on NPR the other week. She claimed that the Russians paid in rubles ! The nerve ! My thought was, I bet FB had no qualms or issues with accepting the payment. Is the last grab at the straw for the All Russia All The Time sideshow ?

[Maskot]

This whole Russia fiasco was never about Trump collusion. They knew fromthe start it wouldn’t go anywhere. Deflection at the highest levels. I’ve always said that the dems better be careful what they wish for. The net WILL catch them instead and it’s happening, albeit slowly. The oblowme administration was and is dirty dirty dirty.

That’s one of the reasons our media is so focused on the flea market rhinestone cowgirl. Deflection.

You know how the media operates: if we don’t report it, it didn’t happen.

[GOPJ]

...House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes said that ...

at this moment investigators have more evidence of Democrats colluding with Russians than of President Trump doing so.

THE money quote...

[GOPJ]

They might hit paydirt with a Podesta string...