Collusion, Anyone? (brilliant piece by Michael Barone)

Realclearpolitics.com ^ | 4/20/18 | Michael Barone

[cotton1706]

As the likelihood that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia seems headed toward zero, the likelihood of proof of a different form of collusion seems headed upward toward certainty.

The Russia collusion charge had some initial credibility because of businessman Donald Trump's dealings in Russia and candidate Trump's off-putting praise of Vladimir Putin.

It was fueled by breathless media coverage of such trivial events as Jeff Sessions' conversation with the Russian ambassador at a Washington reception -- and, of course, by the appointment of former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel. But Mueller's prosecutions of Trump campaign operatives were for misdeeds long before the campaign, and his indictment of 13 Russians specified that no American was a "knowing participant" in their work.

[cotton1706]

I've always found Michael Barone to be one of the few honest and unbiased reporters.

[Hostage]

For many years Barone had no real peer in real-time election coverage and processes. He was an ace in reading data returns and calling the outcomes.

He’s getting up in years but yes, he’s old school honest and unbiased, a throwback to the past.

[SkyPilot]

The investigation of Clinton's illegal email system was conducted with kid gloves. FBI Director James Comey accepted Attorney General Loretta Lynch's order to call it a "matter" rather than an "investigation." Clinton aides were allowed to keep her emails and destroy 30,000 of them, plus cellphones. They were not subject to grand jury subpoenas, and a potential co-defendant was allowed to claim attorney-client privilege......The blame ultimately belongs to Barack Obama, who knew of Clinton's private email system and who could have ordered her to follow the law. But that's one bit of collusion that didn't occur.

Obama NEVER could afford to have Hillary really investigated, because Obama himself was breaking Federal law, and used a private e-mail address. He communicated classified information over Hillary's (and probably others) unclassified and unauthorized server. What were they talking about? Probably money laundering and how they could cover things up.

If Comey allowed a real investigation, he would have fried Barry Soetoro, Valerie Jarrett, and probably Brennan in the process. Many others as well. That is one of the major reasons why Hillary was shielded by Comey. She also was heir to the Deep State, and would protect them all for protecting her and covering up her crimes.

[ballplayer]

He neglected to mention Obama lied about not knowing Hillary was using a private email,he was communicating with her on it

[ballplayer]

He neglected to mention Obama lied about not knowing Hillary was using a private email,he was communicating with her on it

[pepsionice]

I could see some dimwit non-IT knowledge guy looking at Hillary@Hillary_Clinton.com and thinking it was a government email address. But then you wonder....there must be forty IT specialists around the White House, and their job is to make sure you don’t screw up. So were they all sleeping?

[JohnEBoy]

Right. Everything was based on “she has a 99% chance of winning”. Even with that commonly held belief, the two FBI lovebirds talked about an “insurance policy” to protect everyone in case of the 1% impossibility, which ended up happening.

Think of how free to do any illegal act and cover things up everyone felt because they knew Hillary would cover for them, once she was Madam Prez.

I am still dumbfounded Trump won the election considering the massive cabal opposed to him.

[Gay State Conservative]

for later

[preacher]

L8r

[FreedBird]

The media has willingly assisted in the Obama and Clinton cover-up. The finger was pointed to Trump working with the Russians, while Hillary had classified e-mails on a private server and Obama instructed Lynch to fix Clinton’s problem.

[logi_cal869]

Brilliant? Dont think so. He’s patently wrong on some of his facts.

Fair summary, but not so “brilliant.”

[FreedBird]

Comey obstructed justice on the Clinton matter. He knew Clinton had classified e-mails on a private server. He played politics, rather than do his job to investigate.

[alternatives?]

“I am still dumbfounded Trump won the election considering the massive cabal opposed to him.”

If he had been closer before the election he wouldn’t have won. Remember during election night from 9-11 EST there was no movement in reported results. They were digging for votes but the margin was too large. They never thought they would have needed that many votes before the election.

IMHO divine intervention. Hillary was too corrupt for God to accept.

[politicianslie]

Comey obstructed justice on the Clinton matter. He knew Clinton had classified e-mails on a private server. He played politics, rather than do his job to investigate.

Comey, Lynch, McCabe, Rosenstein, Lisa Page, Peter Strozk, Hussein Obama all obstructed justice. And the list keeps getting longer and longer.

[ConservativeWarrior]

I am still dumbfounded Trump won the election considering the massive cabal opposed to him.

---

It’s extremely lucky for America that they underestimated Trump’s chances.

Had they understood the true nature of the race, they would have taken additional steps to prevent his victory.

[taildragger]

"to protect everyone in case of the 1% impossibility, which ended up happening."

This is the cucumber sandwich and wine spritzer's crowd Hold ma beer alert. This thing has blowd up on them real good....

[kabar]

Pap.

[Cboldt]

The heavy assertion ...

Meanwhile, the evidence builds of collusion by Obama administration law enforcement and intelligence personnel in trying to elect Hillary Clinton and defeat and delegitimize Trump in and after the 2016 election.

This is the same claim Joe DiGenova has been making, and been ridiculed by the left for making - "pure conspiracy," "no evidence."

Obama's State Department was (and its remnants are) in on the act.

[milagro]

They understand it now, and THAT is why they are so desperate to take Trump down!

[Iron Munro]

The Russia collusion charge had some initial credibility because of businessman Donald Trump's dealings in Russia and candidate Trump's off-putting praise of Vladimir Putin.