# A Thread for the Mueller Investigation Results and Outcomes (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 28, 2017, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093 "2017-10-28T20:14:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 121
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2402 "2018-02-09T15:51:37Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > What you’re saying might make a bit of sense as regards to stirring up nationalism, but certainly not with election-interfering. **That type of thing makes it far likelier that the US would try to use “economic and political power to choke Russia financially and to isolate them politically”.** It does if there’s a consensus that it’s in the best interests of the country to retaliate - at present, such a consensus does not exist. In fact, if one political party believes that it benefits from election meddling, then there may never be an incentive to retaliate, or even to acknowledge said meddling. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2403 "2018-02-09T15:54:06Z")
It’s not about direct retaliation. It’s about the extent to which Russia is perceived as a semi-friendly rival versus a hostile power. To the extent that public sentiment moves from the former to the latter, it becomes more likely that the US will use it’s global military and economic power to counter Russian interests. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2404 "2018-02-09T17:02:00Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > …large portions of the US public is much more hostile to Russia than they were or would otherwise have been… I’d love to see the polling numbers supporting this assertion. . ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2405 "2018-02-09T17:09:33Z")
> [@andros](#): > > I’d love to see the polling numbers supporting this assertion. > . Gallup’s got everydamnthing. [Make of this what you will](http://news.gallup.com/poll/1642/russia.aspx). ETA: Nevermind. It’s 2018 now, isn’t it. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2406 "2018-02-09T17:15:09Z")
Maybe this, instead. It’s from August. > [@](#): > > The poll found that the share of Republicans expressing confidence in Putin doubled to 34 percent from 17 percent in 2015, when Donald Trump launched a campaign for the White House that was seen as friendly toward Moscow. > > Though most Americans view Russia negatively, Moscow’s overall popularity in the United States has risen since 2014, when it plummeted after the country annexed Crimea. Twenty-nine percent of Americans now have a favorable view, compared with 19 percent in 2014, the poll found. -[Politico (Poll: Republicans’ confidence in Russia’s Putin on the rise)](https://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/16/poll-republicans-putin-russia-confidence-241701) ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2407 "2018-02-09T17:22:48Z")
So it looks like after recovering from an invasion-related dip, Russian popularity dipped slightly of late. Though not as much as I thought, I’ll admit. I guess Gallup will come out with another poll this month (they all seem to be in February). ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2408 "2018-02-09T18:22:37Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > It’s not about direct retaliation. It’s about the extent to which Russia is perceived as a semi-friendly rival versus a hostile power. To the extent that public sentiment moves from the former to the latter, it becomes more likely that the US will use it’s global military and economic power to counter Russian interests. So your supposition is that if Russia meddled in an American election, there would be widespread agreement on and acknowledgement of this fact, and that a strong majority of the American population would demand a response. I’ll just say that this is a naive and ill-informed supposition on your part, and nothing more really needs to be added. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2409 "2018-02-09T18:31:48Z")
What I find strange is if a guy says “it’s not about direct retaliation …” and the other says “So your supposition is … that a strong majority of the American population would demand a response”. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2410 "2018-02-09T18:57:06Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > So it looks like after recovering from an invasion-related dip, Russian popularity dipped slightly of late. Though not as much as I thought, I’ll admit. I guess Gallup will come out with another poll this month (they all seem to be in February). Is that Barmy for “I was pulling an assumption out of my ass?” . ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2411 "2018-02-09T19:33:05Z")
I prefer Phlipp-phlopp myself. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2412 "2018-02-09T22:23:10Z")
The number three person, Rachel Brand, (number two behind Rosenstein, ie the person that would replace him if he is fired) is [stepping down](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/09/us/politics/rachel-brand-justice-department.html). ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2413 "2018-02-09T22:36:50Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > The number three person, Rachel Brand, (number two behind Rosenstein, ie the person that would replace him if he is fired) is [stepping down](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/09/us/politics/rachel-brand-justice-department.html). I just heard about this, too. I am troubled by it, but can only trust that Mueller is very well aware that Trump is angling to have him fired and has taken steps to ensure the investigation will continue with or without him. Poor Rosenstein. I guess we’re really going to get to see what he is made of. If Trump fires him, it will just be another obstruction charge, eventually. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2414 "2018-02-09T23:30:59Z")
I just saw this. Does anyone have any idea why this would happen? Are we going to see KellyAnne Conway appointed to yet another position. Maybe Baron? Though I’m not sure Baron has demonstrated enough loyalty yet. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2415 "2018-02-09T23:36:02Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > I just saw this. Does anyone have any idea why this would happen? > > Are we going to see KellyAnne Conway appointed to yet another position. Maybe Baron? > Though I’m not sure Baron has demonstrated enough loyalty yet. It’s Barron. And lay off the kid. Minor children are off limits. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2416 "2018-02-09T23:43:57Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It’s Barron. > And lay off the kid. Minor children are off limits. Seconded. Not cricket. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2417 "2018-02-10T00:02:06Z")
Re Rachel Brand… Sooner or later, Rosenstein is going to have to step aside when he becomes a witness in the primary obstruction charge that is surely heading toward Trump for firing Comey. So there is no question that Brand would have had to assume the position (however one wishes to take that) at some point. You can’t really blame her for not wanting to be in the middle of the ensuing nightmare, being savaged by Trump and his supporters. My understanding: Trump can appoint someone to the position, but that person must be confirmed by the Senate. With such a narrow margin now, Trump would need to tread carefully. I don’t think he’d be able to appoint a crony. Flake, McCain, Corker, Collins and maybe even a few others won’t toe the Trump line if he tries. Alternatively, he can choose someone already confirmed as a U.S. Attorney – not someone who is merely acting. Remember, he’s been pretty involved in picking those people. If he goes this route, he might be able to slither someone handpicked into the position. All this would change if Dems prevail at the mid-terms. It’s going to be so ugly between now and then. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2418 "2018-02-10T00:28:24Z")
Yeah. Leave Barron alone. Lord knows his father does. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2419 "2018-02-10T00:35:12Z")
I don’t think saying that Trump will appoint his youngest child to the justice department is in any way an attack on Barron. He’s appointed the rest of his family to positions that they are unqualified for. But whatever. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2420 "2018-02-10T00:36:55Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Yeah. Leave Barron alone. Lord knows his father does. Making fun of a child absolutely should be off limits. That said, the actual joke made here (Barron hasn’t demonstrated sufficient loyalty) is really at Trump’s expense (his standards of loyalty are insane), not at Barron’s. This was not making fun of Chelsea Clinton’s appearance, or joking about deflowering the Bush daughters. Let’s keep some perspective here. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2421 "2018-02-10T00:47:27Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > [FWIW, Putin is by all accounts a genuinely popular guy in Russia. But it’s more about his image as a strong leader in defending Russian interests, as opposed to stirring up trouble in other countries.] REALLY ?? By all accounts? Where do you come up with this stuff? …checks to make sure this is the pit thread…this is BY ALL ACCOUNTS the stupidest thing I’ve ever read on this board, surpassing another one of your classics. Do you even think before you write crap like this? By the accounts I’ve read, Vladimir Putin is a murderous and corrupt gangster running a criminal enterprise that has nuclear weapons. He has business owners tortured and killed in order to steal their assets, and is backed up with paperwork issued by a totally corrupt legal system that answers to him. This is the crux of the Magnitsky Act. He’s been known to poison foreign business executives. He imprisons, tortures and kills his political opponents and journalists that speak out against him. Now, I know that you and your ilk have a hard-on for him because he foments hate for minorities and persecutes gay people. Plus he had Pussy Riot attacked by bull-whipped wielding Cossacks. So conservatives are all in love with this democracy hating asshole. And because he’s such s major league bully that actually completely destroys then kills everyone that opposes him, Trump has a schoolgirl crush on him. ( “Maybe he’ll give me a present” ). And Putin knows this and spent a long time playing hard to get. And Putin’s just playing with him ( and the rest of the world). And Trump is still desperate for his attention. It’s so ridiculous, they’re both like comic book villains. And for those that still doubt that Putin, at heart, is a common criminal— remember that he literally stole a Super Bowl ring from NE Pats owner Robert Kraft. > **[Here's how Vladimir Putin stole a Super Bowl ring from the Patriots' Robert...](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/heres-how-vladimir-putin-stole-a-super-bowl-ring-from-the-patriots-robert-kraft/)** > > The Patriots owner only has three of his four Super Bowl rings. Putin has the other one Or are you going to defend Putin? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=120) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=122)