Monday
November 7, 2017
Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's Investigation for Russian Collusion
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On October 30th, Independent Counsel Robert Mueller released the highly anticipated set of people who were arrested and charged with various crimes, per the announcement over the weekend. The first set of targets were Paul Manafort and his business partner, Rick Gates, who were charged with tax evasion and money laundering. I am sure meetings with Russian contacts will be part of pre-trial hearings. Based on what I observed during the campaign, it appeared that several members of President Trump's inner circle, including his daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, played a central role in trying to get opposition information about Hillary Clinton through Russian intermediaries. So why are Manafort and his associates the only related campaign staff who have been indicted? My guess is that Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller III is using Manafort to spill the beans on what he knew, and where the proverbial bodies are buried.
As campaign chair, Paul Manafort was the nerve center for Donald Trump's wacky candidacy for President of the United States. He ran the operation and worked with supporters and others to craft his message and try to find a weakness for the Democratic nominee. Plus, he had the ear of Trump until his family forced Manafort out midway through the campaign. Perhaps being pushed out by Ivanka and Jared will allow him to spill the beans on what he knew about the inner workings of the campaign and its alleged relationship with Vladimir Putin and his cronies. If that is the case, then President Trump should be worried, especially if the rumors about Russian assistance prove to be true.
However, the hysteria by Democrats and members of the extreme left should be met with caution. There could be bodies that are buried and treasonous meetings with supporters of the Kremlin, but at the same time, those rabid voices need to be tempered with the thought that nothing could come out of this. The calls for impeachment need to be careful and met with sound evidence. If a Democratic-controlled Congress tries to impeach President Trump, and the Mueller investigations prove no concrete collusion, then the circus that will be a Democratic chorus could backfire before the 2020 Presidential elections and cause serious problems for the unity of the country. Impeachment proceedings that are "must-see" TV that does not present evidence or proof, but goes with hearsay, will cause an explosion of rage with Trump supporters. In addition, future administrations (including Democratic ones) will lead to Democrats and Republicans taking turns to impeach the opposition's administration. These types of situations lead to internal conflict and civil war. That will tear the country apart.
If the Democrats win back the House in 2018, what they should do is focus on improving ways for Americans to vote, like making Election Day a national holiday, and providing protections against employers for anyone who wants to vote, be it working people, students, and senior citizens. For instance, there are similar laws in place for those who serve on juries. Also, if Republicans want ID cards for those who plan to vote, have the government pay for them. Those are things a majority of Americans could get behind.
My hope is that Democrats focus on letting the Mueller investigations play out, and exhibit patience for the legal process to. Impeachment of a president requires proof of high crimes and misdemeanors (which include breaking specific laws and treason). If the evidence Robert Mueller presents is not a high bar for impeachment, Democrats raise the specter of a witch hunt. That could provide Republicans an opportunity to preserve President Trump and his administration. That would be an incredible result of aggressive Democratic tactics, supported by their friends in Hollywood and media companies that own MSNBC, CNN, and CBS. The public relations firm for Republicans, Fox News, would have the ammunition it needs to show the "bias" that is exhibited by the aforementioned Democrats and their like-minded allies. The channel would generate so much anger with Trump supporters and those in middle America and the South and within other red states.
Any investigation requires temperance, patience and researching of the facts and any other important details. I am aware that hatred for President Trump is fierce, but the best method would be to let Robert Mueller do his job without any political pressure and be prepared for whatever rulings or proclamations that are released. If not, any passionate plays for power and intensive Democratic pressure will start the unraveling of the respect for the rule of law and respect for the traditions, policies, and fairness itself, not just with members of Congress, the White House but among citizens of the country as well.
As campaign chair, Paul Manafort was the nerve center for Donald Trump's wacky candidacy for President of the United States. He ran the operation and worked with supporters and others to craft his message and try to find a weakness for the Democratic nominee. Plus, he had the ear of Trump until his family forced Manafort out midway through the campaign. Perhaps being pushed out by Ivanka and Jared will allow him to spill the beans on what he knew about the inner workings of the campaign and its alleged relationship with Vladimir Putin and his cronies. If that is the case, then President Trump should be worried, especially if the rumors about Russian assistance prove to be true.
However, the hysteria by Democrats and members of the extreme left should be met with caution. There could be bodies that are buried and treasonous meetings with supporters of the Kremlin, but at the same time, those rabid voices need to be tempered with the thought that nothing could come out of this. The calls for impeachment need to be careful and met with sound evidence. If a Democratic-controlled Congress tries to impeach President Trump, and the Mueller investigations prove no concrete collusion, then the circus that will be a Democratic chorus could backfire before the 2020 Presidential elections and cause serious problems for the unity of the country. Impeachment proceedings that are "must-see" TV that does not present evidence or proof, but goes with hearsay, will cause an explosion of rage with Trump supporters. In addition, future administrations (including Democratic ones) will lead to Democrats and Republicans taking turns to impeach the opposition's administration. These types of situations lead to internal conflict and civil war. That will tear the country apart.
If the Democrats win back the House in 2018, what they should do is focus on improving ways for Americans to vote, like making Election Day a national holiday, and providing protections against employers for anyone who wants to vote, be it working people, students, and senior citizens. For instance, there are similar laws in place for those who serve on juries. Also, if Republicans want ID cards for those who plan to vote, have the government pay for them. Those are things a majority of Americans could get behind.
My hope is that Democrats focus on letting the Mueller investigations play out, and exhibit patience for the legal process to. Impeachment of a president requires proof of high crimes and misdemeanors (which include breaking specific laws and treason). If the evidence Robert Mueller presents is not a high bar for impeachment, Democrats raise the specter of a witch hunt. That could provide Republicans an opportunity to preserve President Trump and his administration. That would be an incredible result of aggressive Democratic tactics, supported by their friends in Hollywood and media companies that own MSNBC, CNN, and CBS. The public relations firm for Republicans, Fox News, would have the ammunition it needs to show the "bias" that is exhibited by the aforementioned Democrats and their like-minded allies. The channel would generate so much anger with Trump supporters and those in middle America and the South and within other red states.
Any investigation requires temperance, patience and researching of the facts and any other important details. I am aware that hatred for President Trump is fierce, but the best method would be to let Robert Mueller do his job without any political pressure and be prepared for whatever rulings or proclamations that are released. If not, any passionate plays for power and intensive Democratic pressure will start the unraveling of the respect for the rule of law and respect for the traditions, policies, and fairness itself, not just with members of Congress, the White House but among citizens of the country as well.
You have analyzed this well with cogent arguments for being temperate and patient. Your suggestion for a National Holiday on Election Day should also include ensuring that all businesses are closed to allow everyone to vote. What a great idea! Also having the government to pay for the voter ID for those who not reached by the registration process is also excellent suggestion.
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