“Watch, we’re gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy. And he’s gonna have to make some really tough - I don’t know what the decision’s gonna be, but I promise you it will occur. As a student of history and having served with seven presidents, I guarantee you it’s gonna happen. I can give you at least four or five scenarios from where it might originate. And he’s gonna need help. And the kind of help he’s gonna need is, he’s gonna need you, not financially to help him, we’re gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it’s not gonna be apparent initially, it’s not gonna be apparent that we’re right. “
Yeah, that was it!
The Russians aren't as dumb as the democrats. The Ruskies aren't 'testing' for weakness on the part of 'a new administration', the Russians are assessing the benefits and consequences of a first-strike knockout that would work for them for years to come.
Lawyers and academics think 'playing hardball' means being the more 'clever party'.