Foreign “opposition research” okay— President Trump

[Pommer]

EXCLUSIVE: Trump says he would listen if foreigners offered dirt on opponents

"I think you might want to listen, there isn't anything wrong with listening," Trump continued. "If somebody called from a country, Norway, [and said] ‘we have information on your opponent' -- oh, I think I'd want to hear it."

 

[zephcom]

EXCLUSIVE: Trump says he would listen if foreigners offered dirt on opponents

"I think you might want to listen, there isn't anything wrong with listening," Trump continued. "If somebody called from a country, Norway, [and said] ‘we have information on your opponent' -- oh, I think I'd want to hear it."

Spoken like a true Capitalist. Winning isn't just the best thing, it is the only thing.

 

[thecolorsblend]

EXCLUSIVE: Trump says he would listen if foreigners offered dirt on opponents

"I think you might want to listen, there isn't anything wrong with listening," Trump continued. "If somebody called from a country, Norway, [and said] ‘we have information on your opponent' -- oh, I think I'd want to hear it."

The part I'm struggling with is why nobody is discussing the point he was making. If the information is true, who cares where it comes from?

Also, oppo research provided by non-American entities isn't exactly a recent innovation in American campaigning.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Although some of the headlines are about 'foreigners', it looks like the question was about 'foreign governments', which is different.

#1 it's foreign meddling in our elections.

#2 it's illegal for a campaign to accept something of value from a foreign government.

(#3 Trump also hedged about whether he would tell the FBI about it, something his own FBI chief would like to know about.)

 

[Pommer]

Although some of the headlines are about 'foreigners', it looks like the question was about 'foreign governments', which is different.

#1 it's foreign meddling in our elections.

#2 it's illegal for a campaign to accept something of value from a foreign government.

(#3 Trump also hedged about whether he would tell the FBI about it, something his own FBI chief would like to know about.)

"The FBI director said that [alerting the FBI about foreigners offering opposition-research] is what should happen," Stephanopoulos replied, referring to comments FBI Director Christopher Wray made during congressional testimony last month, when he told lawmakers "the FBI would want to know about" any foreign election meddling.

But on Wednesday, the president refuted Wray's sentiment.

"The FBI director is wrong, because frankly it doesn't happen like that in life," Trump said. "Now maybe it will start happening, maybe today you'd think differently."

 

[zephcom]

"The FBI director said that [alerting the FBI about foreigners offering opposition-research] is what should happen," Stephanopoulos replied, referring to comments FBI Director Christopher Wray made during congressional testimony last month, when he told lawmakers "the FBI would want to know about" any foreign election meddling.

But on Wednesday, the president refuted Wray's sentiment.

"The FBI director is wrong, because frankly it doesn't happen like that in life," Trump said. "Now maybe it will start happening, maybe today you'd think differently."

American laws exist only to punish the poor for being poor. The wealthy are exempt from American laws.

Schools SHOULD teach that in civics classes. It would greatly reduce the misconception that laws exist for all people equally.

 

[zephcom]

The part I'm struggling with is why nobody is discussing the point he was making. If the information is true, who cares where it comes from?

Also, oppo research provided by non-American entities isn't exactly a recent innovation in American campaigning.

The issue is not whether the information is true or not. The issue is whether foreign influence is being used to affect our elections. While America's Black Ops have been doing that in other nation's elections for decades...if not longer...it is against the law to accept foreign help in one's campaign.

It is bad enough that our government is sold to the highest American bidders. We don't need to have it sold the highest world bidders.

 

[Pommer]

It is bad enough that our government is sold to the highest American bidders. We don't need to have it sold the highest world bidders.

Apparently, the revulsion for “Globalism” doesn’t include foreign owners!

 

[zephcom]

Apparently, the revulsion for “Globalism” doesn’t include foreign owners!

Apparently.

 

[whatbogsends]

We've come a long way from Trump claiming he had no contacts with Russia.

 

[iluvatar5150]

He should get Don Jr on that.

 

[thecolorsblend]

The issue is not whether the information is true or not

It never is when the beneficiary is a Republican.

 

[zephcom]

It never is when the beneficiary is a Republican.

The 'feel sorry for us' bit is getting more than a little old.

 

[-Sasha-]

If a Chinese (or whoever) government official comes to Biden offering information on Trump having nefarious dealings with Russia (for example), ought Biden listen to the information, and if it's true, use it to win? Or should the official be reported to the FBI so it might never become public knowledge?

 

[mala]

If a Chinese (or whoever) government official comes to Biden offering information on Trump having nefarious dealings with Russia (for example), ought Biden listen to the information, and if it's true, use it to win? Or should the official be reported to the FBI so it might never become public knowledge?

it being true or not has nothing to do with the laws. it would be the height of stupidity or a sure fire mark of corruption and/or treason to not report it to the fbi.

 

[essentialsaltes]

But on Wednesday, the president refuted Wray's sentiment.

Well, he contradicted it. I deny he refuted it.

 

[essentialsaltes]

If a Chinese

Fishing for hypocrites? No sale here. Alert the FBI.

 

[Allandavid]

If a Chinese (or whoever) government official comes to Biden offering information on Trump having nefarious dealings with Russia (for example), ought Biden listen to the information, and if it's true, use it to win? Or should the official be reported to the FBI so it might never become public knowledge?

Straight to the authorities...

 

[SoldierOfTheKing]

#1 it's foreign meddling in our elections.

It is not. The truth is the truth. Whether the source is domestic or foreign is irrelevant, even if foreign meddling in US elections were in itself illegal, which it isn't.

#2 it's illegal for a campaign to accept something of value from a foreign government.

The truth, by its nature, does not belong to any particular government. It's not something that anyone can claim ownership on.

On the other hand, if the research isn't true, than it can't be called something of value.

As I've said before, if you have access to opposition research on a political opponent, it's ridiculous to be expected not to take it. Whether it comes from Russia, China, ISIS or Satan himself - what matters is what it contains.

 

[SimplyMe]

It is not. The truth is the truth. Whether the source is domestic or foreign is irrelevant, even if foreign meddling in US elections were in itself illegal, which it isn't.

Then perhaps that foreign government should release the information directly, or even second hand... I'm sure they can find a friendly journalist to publish the report without even naming the country that gave them the information.

The truth, by its nature, does not belong to any particular government. It's not something that anyone can claim ownership on.

On the other hand, if the research isn't true, than it can't be called something of value.

As I've said before, if you have access to opposition research on a political opponent, it's ridiculous to be expected not to take it. Whether it comes from Russia, China, ISIS or Satan himself - what matters is what it contains.

So the question becomes, why is the foreign government wanting to give the information directly to a Presidential candidate, and not just release this truth that they know directly to the public? What benefit do they expect to get from "giving" the information to a political candidate?

Once you realize the answer to that question, you begin to understand why a political candidate should contact the FBI and why we have laws against a campaign accepting gifts from foreigners (and more especially, from foreign governments).