Joe-
Below are my responses to your questions. How do we know Hunter's laptop is not the product of the Russian disinformation? The NY Times, Wash. Post and CNN (no friends to Trump) have all now acknowledged that the information contained therein is legitimate. They have sources at the DOJ and FBI who have investigated this for years. They don't suddenly all publish those stories without confirmation from their sources. We will all find out the conclusion of that investigation shortly.
I can see why you hesitated to answer my three questions.
And do you really think no stone would have been left unturned if there were legitimate evidence of Russians attempting to influence the election? The media and DOJ would have promoted the laptop story as exhibit A instead of burying it. The idea that the Russians concocted this story, found a Hunter look-a-like to drop it off at a random computer store and then hope the proprietor would look at the contents and report it to the authorities is laughable. No one can believe that was a planned event. Hunter got high, dropped off the computer, and then forgot about it.
Maybe the laptop was not turned in by Hunter. Maybe it was not turned in by a Hunter look alike. Maybe the computer store and the proprietor were not chosen by random.
Certainly, the Russians and maybe some Trump supporter would be capable of faking this evidence. Is it really unbelievable that Trump may have asked the Russians for some assistance in this matter? Is that really the sort of thing Trump would never do?
Question 1: How is Trump’s request of Putin, any different from, a hypothetical request by President Roosevelt, in 1940, for Adolf Hitler, to release any dirt he has on Wendell Willkie, the Republican candidate for President?
Trump is not president. He is not, as yet, running for any political office. He is a private citizen. Even if he runs, there is no guarantee Biden will be his opponent. In fact, that seems extremely unlikely given Biden's age (82 in 2024) and obvious physical and mental decline. But EVEN if Trump and Biden run again, there is absolutely nothing impermissible about Trump making a public request for information. He is not making a secret request. He is also not asking the Russians to concoct misinformation (as Hillary Clinton did). He believes, rightly it appears, that Hunter Biden engaged in criminal conduct. If the Russians have legitimate information that demonstrates a basis to blackmail Joe Biden, the American public should be made aware of it. That is a substantial national security risk. The Dems certainly had no objections to investigating information they believed came from Russian intelligence sources when Trump was president. They spent three years on that.
You are totally dodging the question. It’s like saying:
The two situations are totally different because Roosevelt was President while Trump is an ex-President.
The two situations are totally different because Roosevelt used a wheelchair while Trump does not.
The two situations are totally different because Roosevelt did not play golf while Trump does.
It is bad for a President, and ex-President or any American to call upon an enemy of America for political assistance.
In 1940, America was not at war with Nazi Germany but Nazi Germany was America’s enemy because it was attacking democratic countries. Similarly, in 2022, Russia is America’s enemy. Both Hitler (was) and Putin (is) enemies of America. No one should be appealing to Putin for political help.
Question 2: Do you think this should be the new norm, for American candidates to plead with Russia to release information, real or fabricated, against potential candidates from the other party?
It won't become the "norm" or factor at all unless: i) the DOJ, FBI, and media fail to do their jobs for political purposes; and ii) there is no wrong doing by the potential candidate. The fault here is not with Trump but with the Biden family for engaging in questionable and likely criminal conduct. If law enforcement and media had held them accountable instead of caving to political considerations. Trump would not have to appeal to the Russians. Regardless, it is better than having the Russians be able to blackmail corrupt American political leaders.
A convincing case against Hunter Biden has not been made while Joseph Biden is President. Nor was one made while Trump was President. And any case based on information provided by Russia would be highly unconvincing.
And so, your answer seems to be, yes, pleading with Russia to create/release information against political opponents should be the new normal for American politicians. Provided it is “necessary”. So, it would have been acceptable for Roosevelt, in 1940, to appeal to Hitler to provided evidence of illicit business dealings with Germany, by businessman and Republican candidate for President Wendell Willkie. Provided this was necessary. That is, Roosevelt could not get the Justice Department to make such a case. And so, it is also acceptable for Trump to do this with Putin.
Question 3: Doesn’t Trump’s request strongly indicate, that Trump believes, that Putin would rather have Donald Trump as President than Joseph Biden.
I'm not sure what difference that makes. Putin does what is in Putin's interest. He invaded Ukraine on Biden's watch - twice. Likely because he has no respect for Biden. If liking Trump better than Biden avoids WWIII that seems like a small price to pay. Ask the Ukranians, though.
You have dodged the question. I didn’t ask “What does Putin think”. I asked “What does Trump think”. And the answer is clear. Trump believes that Putin is likely to help Trump defeat Biden in 2024, or maybe sooner. He wouldn’t be asking for this help if he thought Putin prefers facing Biden over Trump.
And I guess you would claim that Hoover was a stronger President than Roosevelt because no dictator took control and attacked democratic countries under Hoover’s watch, but it happened multiple times under Roosevelt’s.
