Wow, that sure looks bad. Although, as bad as it looks for Trump I think it looks even worse for Zelensky. He obviously figured out that fawning obsequiousness is the best way to get Trump to do what you want, but I doubt its going to go over too well with his people.
My last post here as the OP requested this one ends, but please stop calling it a “transcript” when the official document calls itself a “memorandum of a telephone conversation” and literally has a disclaimer saying that the document “is not a verbatim transcript”.
I don’t disagree. Perhaps we can counter that with a bit more context [emphases in the below mine]:
Remember how “adoptions from Russia” were code for “rescinding the Magnitsky Act” (which had led Russia to curtail American adoptions of Russian children)? Same tactic. Pence set up the “corruption = H. Biden smears” code before Trump’s call, just to make sure Zelenskiy knew how to plat ball.
At least that’s what I’ve heard. Many people are saying that. And I think when it all comes out you’ll be very surprised; lotta things, some very bad things that, frankly, nobody ever thought they’d see. It’s a disgrace. :rolleyes:
The guy is almost literally between a rock and hard place with Russia on one side and Trump on the other. He needs the money and the military equipment. He is bewildered by Trumps mob style diplomacy, ‘Nice country you have there President Zelensky. Shame if something were to happen to it.’ He’s inexperienced and probably not up to the job. But is he fawning? I don’t see it. If anything, he’s shining Trump on. It’s the classic tactic you would use when dealing with a high conflict personality like Trump.
I really get a kick out of the idea that Trump was merely fighting corruption. Trump, super hero, No Corruption Man. Don’t bother with involving American intelligence outfits and law enforcement, instead have the Ukrainians look into things and report back!
“Many people are saying that.” You just gave yourself away, Mr. Trump!
While I cannot know for sure at this point what more will come out, I do expect bad things will, and I won’t be all that surprised. Unless it’s something completely unfathomable. My original post was just to point out that erroneous statement. Nothing annoys me more when some pundit somewhere makes an obviously phony comment to serve some greater purpose, whether they are on the right or the left, and either leaves out important context or just outright lies. And I don’t really see how the additional information supports the idea of Pence doing what Giuliani admitted to, that is, trying to get the Bidens investigated. But *if *Pence was involved it won’t be a surprise to me.
Well, he said on TV that he wasn’t pressured. He sat in front of a TV camera while Trump stared him down and claimed he didn’t feel pressured. One of the most surreal things I’ve seen with this administration, rivaled only by Trump considering the extradition of Bill Browder in exchange for Russia’s help in combating election interference.
Yeah, that was something. And before it was clear that he was done speaking, Trump faced the cameras and declared “He was NOT pressured” or “No pressure” or some such. What a goon.
I may be giving Zelensky too much benefit of the doubt, but I still think he’s keenly aware that in dealing with Trump he is handling a dangerous mental patient that has chewed his way out of his restraints. You want to avoid angering him as you slowly back out of the room.
