Michael Cohen plea

[hollodero]

(08-23-2018, 11:32 AM)Sociopathicsteelerfan Wrote: This I have never understood.  Of course Russia preferred Trump over Clinton.  If for no other reason than Putin loathes Hillary.  I don't care at all if a foreign power has a preference, I don't even care much if they express said preference.  Direct interference is something else, but even in that scenario the candidate who benefits doesn't have to be involved in the actions nor are they to blame for the actions.  I've said from the beginning, Russia helped Trump win but that doesn't mean Trump colluded with Russia to win.

That's fair.

It doesn't help though that Trump denies any influence on his behalf and calls media outlets that state the obvious the real enemy of the people.

Also, that Trump opooses the findings of his own intelligence agencies and asks the world to believe Putin's strong denial over them.

Also, that campaign members met with all kinds of shady or sanctioned Russians all the time, not just that one time in Trump Tower.

Also, that he doesn't stand up for American democracy against Putin.

Also, that there was a dossier alleging all kinds of ties that never was debunked at all, and in parts confirmed.

Also, that Trump lied all the time about his own (business + private) ties to Russia and Putin.

Also, that Congress had to force his hand regarding sanctions.

Also, that he always meets with Putin/Lawrow in relative secrecy.

Also, that Roger Stone had contacts with the responsible hacker and with wikileaks, who Trump referenced in length.

Also, that Deutsche Bank, famous for Russian money laundering operations, gave Trump money when no one else would.

Also, that Manafort obviously offered a Russian oligarch he owed money information about the Trump campaign, that he worked with for free despite having all kinds of financial trouble.

Also, that Putin obviously can make Trump make decisions like stopping joint troop exercises with Korea.

Also, that he calls the Russia investigation a witch hunt that needs to be stopped.

Also, that Papadopoulos bragged about having access to Russian hacked emails.


So... for me, the case against Trump consists of more than "Putin helped Trump, so obviously collusion". You're right, that probably was to be expected in any case. Was Trump really involved in Russian operations, that I don't know. His character isn't exculpatory though.