# Why would Russia tinker with the presidential election? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 2, 2019, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375 "2019-05-02T17:41:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/21 "2019-05-02T19:24:55Z")
> [@bizerta](#): > > If Russia did attempt to sway the Presidential Election, what could have been their motivation? Did they all think that Trump would cede Alaska back to Russia? Did they think Hillary would imposes sanctions against Russia? I’ve seen speculation that they just hoped to make Hillary’s expected win as pathetic as possible for her — you know, weakening her mandate by shrinking the margin of victory? Emboldening the opposition she’d face from a GOP majority in the Senate, because (a) they’d be more likely to defer to her following a landslide that may reflect a widespread sentiment, but (b) they’ll maybe just start talking about impeachment on Day One if it looks like she came shockingly close to losing? Except, well, then came the _real_ shock… ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/22 "2019-05-02T19:32:03Z")
[\*\*Putin’s “Useful Idiot” \*\*](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/putins-useful-idiots/2018/02/20/c525a192-1677-11e8-b681-2d4d462a1921_story.html?utm_term=.b4bf6dc038bf) > [@](#): > > The phrase “useful idiots,” often attributed to an earlier Vladimir, referred to Westerners who had been successfully manipulated by Soviet propaganda. But even Lenin would have to smile at the way Putin exploited Americans in 2016 to support Trump, or at least to oppose Hillary Clinton. Mueller’s indictment is full of nauseating detail about how Putin made fools of Americans. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/23 "2019-05-02T19:34:08Z")
1. Hillary Clinton spoke out against putin and his fraudulent elections when she was secretary of state, which made putin want revenge against her. 2. Trump has ties to Russia going back years (he laundered money for them via his real estate). So putin felt he could be an asset. 3. Putin wants to destabilize democracy in general. He meddles in lots of European democracies too. 4. Putin felt trump would support Putins geopolitical agenda. Destabilizing NATO. Degrading the United States. Lifting sanctions. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/24 "2019-05-02T19:38:31Z")
From former Soviet Russia, electoral college lead to DEgrade inflation. ---
**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:** [May 2, 2019, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/25 "2019-05-02T19:42:19Z")
Fantastic summary, **SenorBeef**. Thank you for putting it all so succinctly. ---
**Author:** ![Uniqueorn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uniqueorn/32/2807_2.png) [@Uniqueorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uniqueorn)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/26 "2019-05-02T19:45:36Z")
If it were finally publicly accepted by both houses and the Government that Russia interfered in the election, would there be any other option than to declare war? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/27 "2019-05-02T19:51:17Z")
> [@Uniqueorn](#): > > If it were finally publicly accepted by both houses and the Government that Russia interfered in the election, would there be any other option than to declare war? Go to war over _Donald Trump_? Ew. Just find some low-hanging impeachment fruit, get rid of him, and be more vigilant in future. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/28 "2019-05-02T19:59:36Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > If a country is so fragile that memes are its undoing something went wrong far sooner then the meddling. Fixing that is too hard though so let’s focus and cry about another country doing what we do. There are fundamental problems that made this possible, and one of them is the willingness of many Americans to support and justify terrible things (and terrible people) because they hate the other side and want to hurt them more than they love the good things and fundamental principles that make our country great. This exists on both sides, but right now it seems very clear to me that it’s much more prevalent on the pro-Trump side than the anti-Trump side. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/29 "2019-05-02T20:05:45Z")
Russia themselves described it as an act of war. As for sanctions, shortly before the election, a half-trillion-dollar oil deal between Exxon and Russia was blocked by sanctions. After the election, the CEO of Exxon was named Secretary of State. This isn’t even connect-the-dots: This is a single giant dot labeled “1” that fills the entire page. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/30 "2019-05-02T20:12:52Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > If a country is so fragile that memes are its undoing something went wrong far sooner then the meddling. I think you left out the weaponizing part. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/31 "2019-05-02T20:19:54Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Russia themselves described it as an act of war. > > As for sanctions, shortly before the election, a half-trillion-dollar oil deal between Exxon and Russia was blocked by sanctions. After the election, the CEO of Exxon was named Secretary of State. This isn’t even connect-the-dots: This is a single giant dot labeled “1” that fills the entire page. Has it been unblocked? According to [this](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/business/energy-environment/exxon-russia.html), Exxon ended up abandoning the deal. > [@](#): > > HOUSTON — Exxon Mobil is abandoning its joint exploration ventures with the Russian oil company Rosneft, retreating from what was one of its most promising investments until Western sanctions got in the way. > > During the early years of the Obama administration, when there was a brief warming of relations, Exxon Mobil signed an exploration deal with the Russians. Exxon and Rosneft, which is only half-owned by the Russian government but state-run, agreed to invest $3.2 billion to search for oil in deepwater fields in the Arctic and elsewhere. > > After Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, the United States and its European allies applied several sanctions on Moscow, eventually freezing Exxon’s investments. > > In a regulatory filing on Wednesday, Exxon said that it had decided late last year to abandon the ventures this year and would take an after-tax loss of $200 million. “The corporation and its affiliates continue to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations,” the company said. Has this changed? I didn’t see anything indicating that it has, but maybe I missed it? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/32 "2019-05-02T20:21:12Z")
> [@Uniqueorn](#): > > If it were finally publicly accepted by both houses and the Government that Russia interfered in the election, would there be any other option than to declare war? Yes. Countries do shitty stuff to each other all the time without it leading to war. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/33 "2019-05-02T20:26:19Z")
> [@Uniqueorn](#): > > If it were finally publicly accepted by both houses and the Government that Russia interfered in the election, would there be any other option than to declare war? From what I have heard the US is de facto at war with both Russia and China and have been for many years. When I first heard that (back in 2007 or so), I used to dismiss it, but now I am pretty sure they were correct. This war is not a hot war, but is instead fought using cyber weapons, disinformation, propaganda campaigns, and economic manipulation. The people that told me this were civilian contractors working with the US intelligence community. Some of them still are and they are very actively involved in the fight even with the current administration denying it and weakening our assets. Personally, I think the current crop of Republicans in congress are at best playing a very dangerous game with our security and at worst are treasonous. I think the Trump administration is inept and crooked, but will be survived. The Republicans that refuse to stand up to them and are allowing them to weaken us at every turn should be ashamed of themselves and I hope they pay a heavy price. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/34 "2019-05-02T20:30:18Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > The saddest thing about all of this is how willing so many Americans are to turn a blind eye to another country attacking us simply because it help their side. George Washington and the other founding fathers are turning over in their graves right now at how far the right has fallen in this country. Some easy steps from octopus consulting Inc. to prevent the most qualified candidate ever and supporting crew from being future shenanigans. 1. Don’t keep the default password on your equipment. 2. When you do change your password don’t change it to password or 123456. 3. When browsing the SDMB between conference calls and fundraising resist the urge to click on the browser hijacking ad that promises a free iPad. 4. ??? 5. Win the election. If those 5 easy steps were followed we’d have a President Clinton right now. It wouldn’t have hurt to visit the rust belt either. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/35 "2019-05-02T20:35:13Z")
> [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](#): > > From what I have heard the US is de facto at war with both Russia and China and have been for many years. When I first heard that (back in 2007 or so), I used to dismiss it, but now I am pretty sure they were correct. This war is not a hot war, but is instead fought using cyber weapons, disinformation, propaganda campaigns, and economic manipulation. The people that told me this were civilian contractors working with the US intelligence community. Some of them still are and they are very actively involved in the fight even with the current administration denying it and weakening our assets. > > Personally, I think the current crop of Republicans in congress are at best playing a very dangerous game with our security and at worst are treasonous. I think the Trump administration is inept and crooked, but will be survived. The Republicans that refuse to stand up to them and are allowing them to weaken us at every turn should be ashamed of themselves and I hope they pay a heavy price. You think the current crop of political flunkies is corrupt, inept, or treasonous? Think of all the technological secrets that have been given or have been stolen including nuclear secrets over the past several decades. Our government doesn’t seem to be a united nor competent/loyal group since before WWII. This isn’t new. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/36 "2019-05-02T20:35:22Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Some easy steps from octopus consulting Inc. to prevent the most qualified candidate ever and supporting crew from being future shenanigans. > > 1. Don’t keep the default password on your equipment. > 2. When you do change your password don’t change it to password or 123456. > 3. When browsing the SDMB between conference calls and fundraising resist the urge to click on the browser hijacking ad that promises a free iPad. > 4. ??? > 5. Win the election. > > If those 5 easy steps were followed we’d have a President Clinton right now. It wouldn’t have hurt to visit the rust belt either. What does this have to do with creating fictitious accounts on Facebook or promoting special-interest groups where the real special-interest was Russia? ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/37 "2019-05-02T20:42:03Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > What does this have to do with creating fictitious accounts on Facebook or promoting special-interest groups where the real special-interest was Russia? Ok. Part 2 of octopus consulting Inc. which is directed at the American people. Don’t take as gospel clever sound bites from motivational posters that include an image of Jesus on a velociraptor or a frog. That’s it. Jesus on a velociraptor is not good source. You know, we might actually be screwed. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/38 "2019-05-02T20:43:26Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > From former Soviet Russia, electoral college lead to DEgrade inflation. Pretty good multi-layer Russian Reversal! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/39 "2019-05-02T20:45:58Z")
> [@bizerta](#): > > If Russia did attempt to sway the Presidential Election, what could have been their motivation? Did they all think that Trump would cede Alaska back to Russia? Did they think Hillary would imposes sanctions against Russia? Putin would like the United States to be weakened by having an incompetent President running things. A weakened America would be less able to stop Russian aggression around the world. ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375/40 "2019-05-02T20:46:54Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Gallant reports contacts from foreign powers offering stolen intel to the FBI. > > Goofus agrees to take a meeting and tries to pretend its about orphans. I really have nothing to add except this is fucking hilarious. Thank you. Sent from my 2PZC5 using Tapatalk [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375.md?page=3)