The Presidency of Donald J. Trump: No smocking guns. - Page 1337 - Politics and Economics

Before the conversation, McCarthy and Ryan had emerged from separate talks at the U.S. Capitol with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, who had described a Kremlin tactic of financing populist politicians to undercut Eastern European democratic institutions.

News had just broken the day before in The Washington Post that Russian government hackers had penetrated the computer network of the Democratic National Committee, prompting McCarthy to shift the conversation from Russian meddling in Europe to events closer to home.

Some of the lawmakers laughed at McCarthy’s comment. Then McCarthy quickly added: “Swear to God.”

Ryan instructed his Republican lieutenants to keep the conversation private, saying: “No leaks...This is how we know we’re a real family here.”

lol at this whole event, jesus, these people

05-17-2017 , 06:11 PM

#33402

fatkid

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Quote:

Originally Posted by sofocused978

Just heard the Mueller news on CNN. Will DOJ really be completely removed from this like was just stated on tv?

No. Sessions can stop or start at any time. Also he can withhold candy and ice cream from them.

05-17-2017 , 06:11 PM

#33403

bobman0330

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I can't tell which story is the real story and which is the 4D chess distraction anymore.

05-17-2017 , 06:13 PM

#33404

bobman0330

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Quote:

Originally Posted by DVaut1

lol at this whole event, jesus, these people

This is the best part:

Quote:

When initially asked to comment on the exchange, Brendan Buck, a spokesman for Ryan, said: “That never happened,” and Matt Sparks, a spokesman for McCarthy, said: “The idea that McCarthy would assert this is absurd and false.”

After being told that The Post would cite a recording of the exchange, Buck, speaking for the GOP House leadership, said: “This entire year-old exchange was clearly an attempt at humor. No one believed the majority leader was seriously asserting that Donald Trump or any of our members were being paid by the Russians. What’s more, the speaker and leadership team have repeatedly spoken out against Russia’s interference in our election, and the House continues to investigate that activity.”

They've condensed the entire three-day lifespan of denial and spin into one story!

05-17-2017 , 06:15 PM

#33405

DVaut1

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spokesbro: FAKE NEWS!
WaPo: here's the tape
spokesbro: it was a joke!

05-17-2017 , 06:15 PM

#33406

FlyWf

It's the other way

Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 58,097

loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool

05-17-2017 , 06:15 PM

#33407

adios

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Mueller is an excellent choice. Pretty sure though I will be reading/hearing the fix is in very soon. Gutty move by Rosenstein.

05-17-2017 , 06:19 PM

#33408

SuperUberBob

Not interesting enough

Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 48,217

Keep in mind that special counsel =! special prosecutor

Special Prosecutor? Independent Counsel? Special Counsel? What’s the Difference?

Still a great step forward.

05-17-2017 , 06:22 PM

#33409

Chippa58

veteran

Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 2,259

Impressive move by soon-to-be former Assistant AG Rosenstein.

05-17-2017 , 06:23 PM

#33410

einbert

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Quote:

Originally Posted by adios

Mueller is an excellent choice. Pretty sure though I will be reading/hearing the fix is in very soon. Gutty move by Rosenstein.

We know you're voting for all Republicans in 2018, you can quit pretending like you care about the country now. Seriously, stop, it's insulting and demeaning to the rest of us that actually DO care about the U.S.

05-17-2017 , 06:24 PM

#33411

BlueWillow

centurion

Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 175

If Jeff Sessions wasn't a complete cretin and outted himself at his confirmation, then the following recusal. Would this ever have happened?

Seems weird to think the future of the world could have spun on a single racist monster being a bit thick and then not realising that he didn't have to do anything about committing perjury.

05-17-2017 , 06:26 PM

#33412

425kid

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05-17-2017 , 06:26 PM

#33413

Trolly McTrollson

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So which one of these guys is pulling a Donnie Brasco and wearing a wire during hallway conversations?

05-17-2017 , 06:27 PM

#33414

Dunkman

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Quote:

Originally Posted by DVaut1

spokesbro: FAKE NEWS!
WaPo: here's the tape
spokesbro: it was a joke!

I mean I've only had a few minutes to think about this but I'm pretty sure "it was a joke" is kinda the only option left for any kind of damage control. It should be enough to convince most Republicans at home who want to believe this is just more liberals twisting the words of these fine upstanding gentlemen.

05-17-2017 , 06:31 PM

#33415

425kid

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Scope of the special counsel is super broad too. Purview to investigate and prosecute any crimes relating to contact between Russians and anyone involved in Trump campaign. And any other crimes that investigation might lead to. Lots of people in DC probably lawyering up right now.

05-17-2017 , 06:33 PM

#33416

randominternet2345

Guest

Posts: n/a

and what a knee slapper it was!

05-17-2017 , 06:39 PM

#33417

adios

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Quote:

Originally Posted by einbert

So if you don't agree with Einbert you don't care about the country. Another cogent and keen Einbert observation.

05-17-2017 , 06:39 PM

#33418

einbert

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Damn.

05-17-2017 , 06:40 PM

#33419

eyebooger

Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 59,162

Is this Rosenstein character a good guy in wolf's clothing?

Reports from people that knew him were quite confused by the now famous memo. And now appointing Mueller (who seems like a legit pick that Trump will not like) and only giving the White House 30 minutes heads-up?

05-17-2017 , 06:40 PM

#33420

einbert

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Quote:

Originally Posted by adios

So if you don't agree with Einbert you don't care about the country. Another cogent and keen Einbert observation.

No, you vote for treasonous Republicans. You voted for them when they smashed the right to vote with Voter ID, you voted for them when they attacked gay and lesbians because they didn't want them to have the right to get married, and you voted for them when they put up Trump for President even though he's a racist, fascist, incompetent buffoon. And you'll keep voting for them even as they try to cover up his treasonous acts. Because you don't give a damn about America. All I want is for you to quit pretending like you do. It's damn insulting to the rest of us.