It's a big mistake to write Trump off (opinion)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
CNN - By Paul Callan
For those who have been hoping for an end to the Donald Trump presidency, Tuesday appeared to be cause for celebration. On that day, a Virginia jury returned eight felony convictions against the president's one-time campaign manager, Paul Manafort, at nearly the same time that Trump's personal attorney and "fixer" Michael Cohen entered guilty pleas to a variety of financial and election law crimes. In short, Trump's critics could revel in the hope that the conviction and imprisonment of both men might foreshadow Trump's exit.
It is premature for anti-Trumpers to dance in the streets.
The charges against Manafort were largely unrelated to the Trump presidency, and the trial judge virtually banned the use of Trump's name through most of the trial. Furthermore, none of Manafort's crimes were ever linked to the president, and the vast majority of his alleged criminal activities predated his appointment as Trump campaign manager.
In pleading guilty, Cohen admitted to participation in a scheme to pay hush money payments to two women -- Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels -- with whom Trump is alleged to have had affairs. Missing, though, were the details of Trump's intentional involvement in criminal activity substantial enough to tip the Constitution's "high crimes and misdemeanors" scale.
Recall that, in 2012, attempts to convict former North Carolina Senator John Edwards on similar but far more serious campaign finance violations resulted in a failed prosecution. Edwards, while running for president in 2008, allegedly used unreported funds provided by campaign supporters and "friends" not only to buy silence but to safely house and feed Rielle Hunter-- with whom he was having an affair, and who was pregnant -- while his wife suffered from a terminal form of cancer.
A jury acquitted Edwards on one count and could not reach a unanimous verdict on the other counts in his indictment.
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As a candidate, the law gives Trump, unlike Cohen, the right to make unlimited campaign contributions to his own campaign.
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There may be other criminal offenses chargeable against Trump as more is revealed about Cohen's shady dealings, but Trump's opponents shouldn't put on their dancing shoes just yet.
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There just isn't any "THERE"....."THERE".
"FECA’s definition of “contribution” in 52 U.S.C. § 30101(8)(A) includes “any gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything of value made by any person for the purpose of influencing any election for Federal office.” Importantly, there is no requirement that a “contribution” be labeled as such or that the money actually pass through a campaign’s coffers: a third-party’s payment of a candidate’s campaign or personal expense qualifies as a “contribution,” except where “the payment would have been made irrespective of the candidacy” (11 C.F.R. § 113.1(g)(6)). Candidates may spend personal funds to support their campaign—and, importantly, these contributions are not subject to the $2,700 per person per election limit applicable to other donors ( 52 U.S.C. § 30116 )—but these contributions still must be disclosed ( 11 C.F.R. § 104.3(a)(3)(ii) ) and properly reported on FEC filings."
"The biggest unknown at this point is the original source of the $130,000 that Cohen transferred to Daniels. As explained below, I don’t think it matters ultimately from whose pockets the payment originally came— the $130,000 will still qualify as an undisclosed “contribution” regardless of its source ."
"Cohen told Judge William Pauley III that “ in coordination with, and at the direction of, a candidate for federal office ” he arranged payments to two women for their silence “ for the principal purpose of influencing the election .”
Seems like there's quite a bit of "there" there.
He said, He said.....and no proof anything came from "Campaign" money.
Here's a difference for you, of course you won't accept it but, I gotta try. Cohen made the statements under oath in front of a judge to seal his plea deal, if he lied that is not only perjury it is breaking his plea deal which means he will get the full sentence not just a few months.
"Cohen made the statements under oath in front of a judge to seal his plea deal, if he lied that is not only perjury it is breaking his plea deal which means he will get the full sentence not just a few months."
I already understood that part. your acting like Cohen is smart. If he was sooooo smart...he wouldn't be where he is now. Going to Jail.
If he were smart, he never would have taken Trump as a client to begin with. He is truly now a criminal lawyer.
As the Harvard law review points out, it doesn't matter where the money came from, "the $130,000 will still qualify as an undisclosed “contribution” regardless of its source.".
So don't tire now, pick up those goal posts you're so fond of moving and try again.
It's all about the Bucks.
Considering that Trump spent more than a quarter-million dollars from his charitable foundation to settle lawsuits that involved the billionaire’s for-profit businesses, according to interviews and a review of legal documents. His foundation (Trump Foundation) is made up from other people's money and not his own.
In another case, court papers say one of Trump’s golf courses in New York agreed to settle a lawsuit by making a donation to the plaintiff’s chosen charity. A $158,000 donation was made by the Trump Foundation, according to tax records.
The other expenditures involved smaller amounts. In 2013, Trump used $5,000 from the foundation to buy advertisements touting his chain of hotels in programs for three events organized by a D.C. preservation group. And in 2014, Trump spent $10,000 of the foundation’s money on a portrait of himself bought at a charity fundraiser.
Or, rather, another portrait of himself.
Several years earlier, Trump used $20,000 from the Trump Foundation to buy a different six foot tall portrait.
Is it really such a reach that he would use campaign funds to pay hush money?
Note that Cohen was just subpoenaed by NY to testify about what he knows about Trump's tax fraud with his "charity." Some it seems to be hooked up with campaign finance fraud too.
He also spent foundation money ($10,000) to buy some bs autographed football.
Oh-oh.....Trump's Pecker has turned on him!
Well, now it's really looking like Trump is going to be a write-off, maybe even a haul off...
Weissellberg, the Trump Co.s main financial guy since the days of Fred Trump just got immunity too....did I mention Weissellberg is also the honcho of the Trump Foundation?
These guys aren't being summoned, they have their balls in the Federal vise and got immunity....
Trump is fucked!
I've been meaning to post that since I first heard about it today. Trump's diapers must have a YUGE skidmark today.
Just wait for the weekend tweet storm.
Best is that most of the Trumpvestites are imploding but have too much exposure to admit he's fucked. They're waiting for some way to blame this on somebody else.
I heard about a hard core Trump supporter who removed their Trump yard sign the other day. That must be a first.
Oh....it's going to get fun around here when the hammer drops...
Were you on the other site when Obama was elected? It was a ghost town for a few weeks, then they started trickling back in either saying "I'm an independent" or dumping their screen name altogether to try and escape their bullshit.
Yep, I remember that - they couldn't believe a black guy had actually been elected. Although to be fair it was similar to the several weeks of shock which all ethical folks experienced after Trump was elected by the EC, just coming from a profoundly different world view.
I know all countries go through a reactionary phase but it's a shame this current one couldn't be avoided. Can you imagine how much better we'd all be off today if, for example, Biden's son hadn't died and thus Biden ran for prez? Not even Putin could stop that landslide.
Yeah, the last year and a half sure has been a blast.
Hilarious watching libs spin around like whirling dervishes.
Going to be fun watching your heads explode.
The last year and a half was the warm up act.
He's so fucked...his attorney, his CFO of Trump Co. and the Trump Foundation, and his savior for public scandals have agreed to spill their guts...two of them for immunity, which means their balls are in a vise and they're saving them by spilling Trump's criminal activity.
Remember, the NY AG wants him too...and his kids are in play there.
Sooooo fucked.
Hey, if the worse happens, we can always just hold our very own "Scream at the Sky Day" and cry on national television!
You mean more "Benghaaaazzzzeeee!" ?
Or does start another umteen years of "Lock her up!" ?
What will you scream "Fake evidence, fake conviction!" ?
You may not be used to this, but I write what I mean. And I try to do it at a level that virtually anyone can easily understand.
No need to interpret whatever you think I mean as it is written plainly before you.
If you need me to clarify any statement I make, just ask and I will explain it to you.
Don’t hold your breathe; one, for ANYONE to actually finally find something realistically actionable against Trump and two, for my head to explode if you manage to.
I’m not a sanctimonious partisan little bitch like many on the left are. He goes down on something real, i’ll gladly wave buh bye with you. Although not with a heart filled with over the top, partisan hatred like you. Big difference there.
i must say though, the fun of watching the left whine like little babies refused a binky has worn off over the last year or so. Now, deep down, I just sorry for you. Really! Going though life with all that hatred in your hearts is no way to live. No way at all.
Who's whining? I'm relishing watching the righties fall all over themselves because their political jesus that they have been strutting as being the only person that can save the world is turning out to be the criminal the left has been warning them about since before the election.
You can call it hate, I'm calling it just desserts for the arrogance shown.
His lawyer and ex-VP of his company, has been convicted, his CFO of the company and the Trump Foundation, and His media mogul friend that has bought volumes of scandalous reports about Trump all have their balls in a Federal Vise because a crime that scared them that much has seen them make a deal for immunity to roll over on Trump.
This is just getting started...as I said on the old site and here, he won't get impeached because he's going to cut a deal and resign in disgrace.
Lol .... you can not be serious with that comment. Oh, I guess you can considering the source.
That was an insightful snappy reply /s. The Cons are all hilariously in deepest denial...
If that helps you sleep at night then by all means, use it.
A good nights sleep is very important.
Not actually denial, the Trumpvestites know this is coming and will decline anything in public.
Gotta keep that image up until it gets to be too much reality and them will come the name change to escape their bullshit like they did when Obama kicked their asses both times.
Oh? Too early to repeatedly shout " Lock him up !" ?
True - there just isn't any there there when it comes to Donald Rump. He is just an empty suit. A pathetic excuse for a human being.
Who is "writing Trump off"?
I AM
even on my taxes
It's past time to recognize a terrible but true "truth" - ( Deleted )
Oh ok moderators, they are not the worst in their personal lives, in some or many cases, since we have no way of knowing that. Where they are worst is in striving for what is best for America. If you support Trump you are supporting chaos, UNETHICAL, DEMORALIZING chaos. Trump's presidency has been literally a litany of one lie, one corruption, one unjustified attack on innocent people, after another, every day for 570 days in a row. Even the USA cannot survive this unbelievable barrage of ignorance and unethical behavior indefinitely.
"none of the claimed offenses by Trump occurred during his presidency, further damaging any claim that impeachment is warranted under the circumstances."
Even Liberal Alan Dershowitz thinks Liberal Lanny (I Luv the Clintons) Davis is a moron.
Dershowitz is a breath of fresh air and logic in the Dem Party's morass.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Shhhh ... be kind. It's all they've got.
sorry.….didn't know "Blaming the other guy wasn't the "IN" thing anymore.
So is the Russian collusion narrative totally dead at this point or is the left bringing it up next week when Trump is still President and hasn't been impeached yet?
Oh and thank God for Alan Dershowitz. He is often the lone voice of reason.
Yep !
It was a "Nothing" from the very beginning.
It was a "Nothing" from the very beginning.
I'm not so sure it was a nothing. IMO: anytime any people are running for such an important US government position IMO: they should Never have anything to do with any foreign government especially one who is not really friendly with America to begin with.
And yes that includes anything and everything trump's opposition did as well.
We actually have to have someone governing.
That's what they tell me. Maybe someday somehow they will put forth a candidate I can support but I'm certainly not holding my breath till then.
Personally....I'd like to see a TOTAL do-over everywhere, But I'm told that isn't possible, as it would mean a new learning curve for the newbies.
Hell, we cant even get term limits from these assholes in charge. Or campaign finance limits. or non insider trading practices passed. Yep we're screwed !
Name recognition voting.
coupled with loads of money and the promises of doing better and doing more for the people next time. Agreed !
Are you bragging ?
LOL, I wasn't done. Now I am.
OOps ! Here's the full one, now corrected, thanks.
What's a "Bug Deal" ? LOL !
Hahahaha
The left can't Meme again.
hahahahahahaha !
To funny.
I'm not really sure , But I have a feeling it's kinda small.
HA HA yourself, some people can't even guess correctly what ideology some others are.
"I'm not really sure , But I have a feeling it's kinda small. "
LMAO !
Um did you make the meme?
You do know it is a running joke the that the left can't meme?
Yes and no....
I dont pay much attention to the put downs each side uses. They all seems kinda childish to me.
LMBO!!
Who is "writing Trump off"?
When I posted in the usual 11px, I got no Reply.....
So you're hoping for a far sighted poster to respond now?
The "Need for Speed" !
Well... It Is ME seeded an article with the title "It's a big mistake to write Trump off". If nobody has done that, then the seed is kinda pointless, so I figured that It Is ME knows of some people who have written Trump off. Since I know of no one who has done that, I was hoping for to learn who these people who have written Trump off are.
YOUR opinion ?
If you open the seeded article, you'll find that it's tagged as an opinion piece.
Heck....just read the Title.
I certainly would not write off a case of herpes!
how bout for hookers ?
So we're supposed to thank the Republicans for giving America herpes?
Yeah, why not.
It's only herpes for liberals. God knows what they are doing to keep catching it.
So I guess conservatives just think...
...are just normal every day life. They wake up aching, experience painful burning urination and it's just called "Wednesday".
For anyone who doesn't have a deep understanding of the constitution, of civics and of how our government was designed by our founding fathers, a Trump Presidency likely doesn't hurt much, and may even seem to be a source of entertainment. For those who do have a deep love and appreciation for our country and our founders intent, watching the monumental incompetent half wit throwing tantrums, disrespecting gold star families, ridiculing the free press, pardoning law breakers simply because they support him, and surrounding the office of the President with the worst people like Paul Manafort, Michael Cohen, Mike Flynn and the other half dozen of campaign staff who have either been indicted or plead guilty, and this Presidents penchant for bowing down to and praising authoritarians, is one of the most painful experiences a true American patriot could be forced to endure.
That's how he copes when his herpes flares up on his lips, he just distracts the public by admitting he has crabs. A few minutes later he denies he has crabs and says he meant lice. Then he says he meant to say he got toe fungus as an STD but denies that he paid hush money to cover it up. Then Ghouliani admits that hush money was paid by Trump's charity to cover up Trump's HIV-related toe fungus just before the election, but it's not a crime because everyone commits tax fraud and campaign finance fraud, and Trump didn't know anything about it anyway.
Oh, okay... So you're more of a patriot than I am and have a deeper understanding of the Constitution and complain about people going off on rants and then rant yourself? I care about this country as much you do and I understand the Constitution very well. I'm not the one whose first answer to everything is to strip someone else's constitutional rights away or is okay with one set of standards applied to Trump and let every Dem get off with no consequences for their illegal acts.
Who is "writing Trump off"?
Does anyone know what the seed is talking about?
Why would anyone seed an article about something that doesn't exist?
Writing an article about people whom no one can identify... who therefore apparently do not exist ... is stupid!
Then... seeding that article is stupid squared!
... which doesn't prevent NTers from Commenting over a hundred times....
It's A Big Mistake To Write Trump Off .....
It may be a bigger mistake to underestimate this man.
Seems your opinion seed was a bit premature....hmmm, the list so far...
Cohen singing, David Pecker's balls are in a federal vise ......he bargained to sing for immunity, Weissberg has his balls squished in a federal vise and he's doing a good Sinatra for immunity...
The NYS Attorney General has all the Trumps in her sights with the Trump Foundation....HA! And Trump can't save his kids with a pardon!
Oh! Did I mention Weissellberg was also the CFO of the foundation?
Let's not forget McDougal and Daniels....
Yyou all still laughing about memes?