McClatchyDC: FBI, 5 other agencies probe possible covert Kremlin aid to Trump

[Okrahoma]

@Icarus

I am of the opinion that the narrative that “the Russian’s helped Trump win” is already over.

The public’s outrage organ has been rubbed raw and there is no more juice to be gleaned on this. The Republican congress is satisfied that a Republican is in the White House, so this will ultimately get no traction with them. The media will try to run with the story to see if it sticks, but Trump will continue to de-legitimize them for it with his schoolyard taunts. The intelligence community will suffer the same fate as the media. I do think that some of the old-guard true-believer spooks will continue to whisper about “what can we do” in the dark, but I would be very surprised to see anything actually happen (and by happen, y’know, I mean HAPPEN).

So, final analysis, this story is just another fart in the Trump windstorm.

Wow a realist. On this board. Amazing.

[Ravenman]

@Icarus

The Republican congress is satisfied that a Republican is in the White House, so this will ultimately get no traction with them.

The Republican-controlled Senate is starting an investigation into Russia-Trump connections. Without prejudging whether this will be a thorough investigation, I’d say that starting an investigation represents traction.

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/burr-says-intel-panel-will-investigate-possible-russia-trump-links-233621

[Icarus]

@Ravenman

The Republican-controlled Senate is starting an investigation into Russia-Trump connections. Without prejudging whether this will be a thorough investigation, I’d say that starting an investigation represents traction.

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/burr-says-intel-panel-will-investigate-possible-russia-trump-links-233621

Well, I will quibble about the scope of “ultimately” and “traction”. A wheel can spin on the ice, without getting any traction. Is this investigation only a wheel spinning? To soon to tell.

[davidm]

I would guess that the Republican plan is to “investigate” and not find anything.

[Fiveyearlurker]

@davidm

I would guess that the Republican plan is to “investigate” and not find anything.

McCain’s hatred of Mr. Trump rivals anyone’s, so I wouldn’t be so sure of that.

[davidm]

McCain is one man.

[Ravenman]

@davidm

McCain is one man.

Rubio is on the Intelligence Committee, too, and he gave Rex Tillerson a very hard time about Russia.

Again, I have no idea whether this investigation will be thorough or a whitewash. But last week, Senate Republicans rejected the whole idea of an investigation, so the fact that there is one is some degree of traction.

[davidm]

Believe me, I hope that there is a thorough and honest investigation.

[Doctor_Jackson]

@davidm

So what was their plan then? To damage each candidate equally? (Darn, too bad we couldn’t get anything on Trump!) What would be the point of that?

If that was the plan, then why didn’t they try to hack IRS computers, or Trump’s accountants?

Read the cite before responding. Provide counter cites to support your assertions. Otherwise, I’ll not bother to respond.

[elucidator]

Well, that’ll teach him!

[Ravenman]

@Doctor_Jackson

Read the cite before responding. Provide counter cites to support your assertions. Otherwise, I’ll not bother to respond.

Did you respond to this specific part of the unclassified report that came out on Russian hacking? Forgive me if I missed it.

We also assess Putin and the Russian Government aspired to help President-elect Trump’s election chances when possible by discrediting Secretary Clinton and publicly contrasting her unfavorably to him. All three agencies agree with this judgment. CIA and FBI have high confidence in this judgment; NSA has moderate confidence.

So the FBI, CIA, and NSA agree (though to varying levels of confidence) that Putin had the intent to favor Trump, regardless of their ability to break into Republican computers.

The report also concludes that this intent to favor Trump was in addition to the intent to be generally disruptive to the election.

[elucidator]

I believe, at this point, that a thorough and fair investigation will reveal that Trump knew nothing about it. Because a KGB vet like Putin wouldn’t tell that motor-mouth moron anything!

[davidm]

@elucidator

I believe, at this point, that a thorough and fair investigation will reveal that Trump knew nothing about it. Because a KGB vet like Putin wouldn’t tell that motor-mouth moron anything!

That’s actually a good point.

[k9bfriender]

@davidm

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article127231799.html
I’m wondering if Trump can simply shut down the investigations once he’s inaugurated.

Maybe, but he should probably ask Putin first.

[dasmoocher]

@elucidator

I believe, at this point, that a thorough and fair investigation will reveal that Trump knew nothing about it. Because a KGB vet like Putin wouldn’t tell that motor-mouth moron anything!

Except what to do as President.

[Doctor_Jackson]

@elucidator

Well, that’ll teach him!

Sorry, I just get really tired of people responding by asking questions that are specifically addressed in the links. I like to deal in facts, where available.

[Gyrate]

@davidm

I would guess that the Republican plan is to “investigate” and not find anything.

They’ve certainly gotten very good in recent years at carrying out investigations that find nothing.