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Trump’s team pushes back against Russia hacking reports

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Obama has ordered intelligence officials to conduct a broad review on the election-season hacking that rattled the presidential campaign and raised new concerns about foreign meddling in U.S. elections, a White House official said Friday. White House counterterrorism and Homeland Security adviser Lisa Monaco said Obama ordered officials to report on the hacking of Democratic officials’ email accounts and Russia’s involvement.

WASHINGTON >> Donald Trump’s presidential transition team pushed back Saturday against reports that Russia was caught trying to tip the November election to the Republican and challenged the veracity of U.S. intelligence agencies investigating the campaign-season cyberattacks.

President Barack Obama’s order for a full-scale review of campaign-season cyberattacks to be completed before he leaves office next month met with a chilly reception at Trump Tower, as did published reports saying that the CIA believes Russia acted specifically to harm Hillary Clinton’s chances in the election.

“I believe there are people within these agencies who are upset with the outcome of the election,” Sean Spicer, spokesman for the Trump transition, said on CNN.

Spicer also denied a report in The New York Times that Republican National Committee systems had been breached during the election. He said the RNC has worked with intelligence agencies that have told it “with certainty that we haven’t been hacked.” Both The Times and The Washington Post reported on a secret CIA assessment that Russia intervened to help Trump win, not just to cause aimless mischief in a U.S. election.

Spicer questioned why the CIA wasn’t making its assessment public as the intelligence community did after the hacking of the Democratic National Committee.

An earlier statement by the Trump transition team also reflected the deep divisions that emerged between his campaign and intelligence agencies over Russian meddling. “These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction,” the statement said. “The election ended a long time ago in one of the biggest Electoral College victories in history. It’s now time to move on and ‘Make America Great Again.’”

But Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he would press for a congressional investigation in the new year. “That any country could be meddling in our elections should shake both political parties to their core,” he said. “It’s imperative that our intelligence community turns over any relevant information so that Congress can conduct a full investigation.”

There was no immediate official response from Moscow. But Oleg Morozov, a member of the foreign relations committee in the upper house of the Russian parliament, dismissed the claim of Russian interference as “silliness and paranoia,” according to the RIA Novosti news agency. Morozov described the allegations as an attempt to force the next administration to stick to Obama’s anti-Russian course.

The investigation ordered by Obama will be a “deep dive” into a possible pattern of increased “malicious cyber activity” timed to the campaign season, White House spokesman Eric Schultz said Friday, including the email hacks that rattled the presidential campaign. It will look at the tactics, targets, key actors and the U.S. government’s response to the recent email hacks, as well as incidents reported in past elections, he said.

The president ordered up the report earlier in the week asked that it be completed before he leaves office next month, Schultz said.

“The president wanted this done under his watch because he takes it very seriously,” he said. “We are committed to ensuring the integrity of our elections.”

The Kremlin has rejected the hacking accusations.

In the months leading up to the election, email accounts of Democratic Party officials and a top Hillary Clinton campaign aide were breached, emails leaked and embarrassing and private emails posted online. Many Democrats believe the hackings benefited Trump’s bid.

Schultz said the president sought the probe as a way of improving U.S. defense against cyberattacks and was not intending to question the legitimacy of Trump’s victory.

“This is not an effort to challenge the outcome of the election,” Schultz said.

Obama’s move comes as Democratic lawmakers have been pushing Obama to declassify more information about Russia’s role, fearing that Trump, who has promised a warmer relationship with Moscow, may not prioritize the issue.

Given Trump’s statements, “there is an added urgency to the need for a thorough review before President Obama leaves office next month,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., senior Democrat on the House intelligence committee. If the administration doesn’t respond “forcefully” to such actions, “we can expect to see a lot more of this in the near future,” he said.

The White House said it would make portions of the report public and would brief lawmakers and relevant state officials on the findings.

It emphasized the report would not focus solely on Russian operations or hacks involving Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta and Democratic National Committee accounts. Schultz stressed officials would be reviewing incidents going back to the 2008 presidential campaign, when the campaigns of Sen. John McCain and Obama were breached by hackers.

Intelligence officials have said Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney were targets of Chinese cyberattacks four years later.

120 responses to “Trump’s team pushes back against Russia hacking reports”

  1. allie says:

    Trump is a bizarre man and in no way qualified to be president.

    • st1d says:

      born in america, over thirty five years old, lived in america more than 14 years.

      of the three qualifications listed in the u.s. constitution, which one has disqualified trump?

      • Rite80 says:

        We should believe Donald Trump because he knows more than the generals and CIA.

      • GONEGOLFIN says:

        Good one! That is the kind of answer Allie deserves. In fact, the Trumpster is qualified whereas Allie is NOT based on that criteria.

      • hipatriot808 says:

        They left needs to find a way to de-legitimize Trump’s presidency and they’ll latch onto anything the low informed Hillary supporter will find appealing. I even heard on CNN this morning one of the talking heads calling it a constitutional crisis and saying we need to do the election all over to keep it fair. This type of talk only feeds the flames of divisiveness and is aimed at undermining Trump. I didn’t vote for Trump but we need to move forward and not keep dividing ourselves.

        • cojef says:

          Hillary has herself to blame aside from the fact that her predecessors used a personal private server to handle the Government business on it. This in itself poses serious national security issue as has been demonstrated if the Russian hacking was accomplished. The multitude of highly classified document/information were transacted and hacked. General Pratraceus was charged and convicted for mishandling classified material. Just imagine the number of highly classified material was transmitted and hacked on Hillary’s private server? The gravity of the malfeasance greatly overshadowed the General’s infraction!

        • Keonigohan says:

          @ ikefromeli
          Agree.

        • Keonigohan says:

          @ cojef Agree

          now how did ikefromeli hack my acct!!!??

        • Ronin006 says:

          Cojef, you incorrect about Hilary’s predecessors using personal private servers to handle government business. Colin Powell and some aides to Condoleezza Rice allegedly used personal email ACCOUNTS to receive and send a few unclassified emails, but used secure government servers for almost all of their emails. Hilary, on the other hand, used a private unsecured server for all of her government business. The gravity of her malfeasance greatly overshadowed what Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice’s aides did.

        • sarge22 says:

          Lock her up.

        • NanakuliBoss says:

          Putin wins presidency of the USA..Smart move Putin. Like trumf said” They let me grab them by their putin”.

      • Vector says:

        Trump wants to appoint Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State. Tillers on has connections with Exxon Mobil, which has oil and gas business connections in Russia. Trump wants to protect Exxon Mobil and it’s connections with Putin and the Russian multi-billionaire oligarchs. Big payday for Trump, his Goldman Sachs cabinet members aND the oil and gas companies here and in Russia, when they can pump as much oil, and extract as much gas, sell it worldwide, without any regulations from the soon to gutted Environmental Protection Agency, and fossil fuels can be burnt and pollute the air, increase the heating of our planet, and Lead to catastrophic climate change.

        • jusris says:

          IRT Vector: So basically, you could swap out TRUMP and put CLINTON in your comment and it would still make SENSE…This is why the OUTCRY from Trump supporters will continue to GROW with this investigation, THEY actually thought, THEY made the conscious change but it MIGHT’VE just been the “RICH FOLKS” pulling Americans strings…#MAGA

        • Vector says:

          Trump has appointed General Flynn to be Secretary of Defense. He, like Clinton has a private email server. The pot calling the kettle black.

        • sarge22 says:

          Mr Trump doing a great job and America is well on the way to becoming great again. Can’t beat having a successful oil man with International experience serving as Sec of State. Beats the heck out of Kerry the Vietnam turncoat.

        • NanakuliBoss says:

          Sarge,did the oil billionaire serve in Nam?

    • Keonigohan says:

      Dem in total DISARRAY. That’s where the Dems are. From racist Muslim Keith Ellison to out of this world pelosi….will be decades before they recover from the SHOCKING LANDSLIDE LOSS.

      January 20, 2017 #MAGA

      • Vector says:

        Democrats had 2.7 million more popular votes than the Republicans, 2% more popular votes than the Republicans. Hardly a landslide, and hardly a political mandate. Trump just has a very divided nation, and half of it are against his racism, mean spiritedness, and divisiveness. There will be a lot of push back to the Trump Administration and the Republican Senate and Congress. Instead of draining the swamp, the same Reublicans remain in Co greys and the Senate, aND even more added. Wall Street billionaires, and fuel oil and gas billionaires are being appointed to his cabinet, and retired Generals appointed to Security and military positions in his cabinet, to look out for and protect the other oligarchs and corporate interests

        • jusris says:

          IRT Vector: You are being played by SOME of these Trump Supporters in here…Look at how they continuously CHANGE the topic, they are MOVING the conversation to where THEY want it to go…Remember SA and MSM are now in bed WITH Trump, could these “Trump Supporters” actually be put here to MOVE the conversation and DISTRACT the America…How many times have they STAYED on topic??? #MAGA

      • DannoBoy says:

        Keoni doesn’t really care whether or not Communist Russia and Trump’s friend Putin committed crimes against the American people and rigged the election as long as his candidate won. “Make America Great Again,” eh Keoni?

        • klastri says:

          Every single person who voted for Mr. Trump should be deeply ashamed of what they’ve done. Every day, Mr. Trump further validates the fact that he is profoundly mentally ill.

        • jusris says:

          IRT DannoBoy: That’s what gets the anti-Trumpers upset they cannot comprehend how someone can support Trump and IGNORE all his questionable” actions…Trumpers don’t get how anti-Trumpers support Clinton or Obama so blindly…Kind of the same thing, no MIDDLE ground… I tend to not trust ANYONE who admits no wrong and I tend to not trust ANYONE who cant find GOOD in someone…#MAGA

        • Keonigohan says:

          @ DannoBoy
          Crimes…Communist Russia…you have PROOF?
          What is your basis of the wring that was done?
          You don’t care what emails exposed?
          Julian Assange was asked on TV…if any GOP dirt was there…JA said there was none.

          Sounds like you’re not over your SHOCKING LANDSLIDE LOSS of the Century….get over it.

          January 20, 2017 #MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN

        • lespark says:

          Klastri, your team lost. Stop being a sore loser. You and your inflammatory rhetoric cost Crooked Hilliary the election. Good job.

        • cajaybird says:

          IRT Lespark: You’re correct!!

      • Vector says:

        Keonigohan, The only disarray is in your disordered mind

        • Keonigohan says:

          That’s all you got?
          Here, answer this…
          What has O accomplished that benefited a MAJORITY of Americans?

    • lespark says:

      Your team lost. Get over it. Take a knee. Eat crow. Ever thought you were the reason why so many Democrats became disenchanted? You was her worse enemy. Good job.

    • beachbum11 says:

      Sorry to hear that Allie is not qualified for anything LOL

      • Vector says:

        Keonigohan, Julian Asante is being leaked information from the Russian hackers. Julian remains in the Ecudorean Embassy, so he is just a conduit for the Russian hackers and Putin’s KGB. PUTIN is very well versed in espionage and disinformation as he was the head of the KGB long before he was Russian President. Remember, our own Edward Snowden, who leaked all our classified information to the world, is now in Russia, and probably assisting the Russian hackers. Be careful Trump and Americbeachbuma who you pick as your friends.

    • justmyview371 says:

      And you should know about bizarre behavior.

  2. paradisetax says:

    More fake news.

    • allie says:

      Illegitmate president who won a “rigged election” orchestrated by a foreign power. Shocking. Not my president. Not our president~

      • latenightroach says:

        You have no solid proof whatsoever to back your claim allie, and neither does the incompetent government that we currently have running this country. You should accept the fact that your candidate wasn’t a perfect vessel either. None of the two candidates were perfect. HRC lost because she was more unfavorable to voters in 30 states out of 50, not because anything was rigged. Get on with your life and enjoy the current growth in your 401K plan if you have one. Your hatred for Trump is the very hate that all you alt-left liberals accuse the Trump supporters of having. Take a chill pill already or go burn a flag if it makes you feel better.

      • Keonigohan says:

        @allie
        Get over it before it does you in.
        You can do it…I survived the past 8 disastrous years.

        January 20, 2017 #MAGA

        • Vector says:

          Lies and more lies from Trump and his allies, such as Steve Bannon, Breitbart News, Fox News, right wing fascist ideologues like the White Supremacists, White Nationalists and the Klu Klux Klan. Like Trump’s birther theories against Obama, a mountain of lies, distortions and conspiracy tneories. And the Pizzagate propaganda coming from General Mike Flyn’s son, just more fake news. How can anyone in their right mind believe anything tweeted, posted on-line, or said by anyone connected to the Trump people aND the Tea Party. They have consistently and boldly spread their hate and lies

        • Keonigohan says:

          @ vector
          ikefromeli ?
          Not taking the SHOCKING LANDSLIDE LOSS well?

        • Vector says:

          Keonigahan, you are a lunatic

        • DPK says:

          Vector: do you blindly believe 100% in what information comes from the Dem side? I consume intro from all sides and make up my own mind.

        • Keonigohan says:

          @ Vector
          ikefromeli hiding behind Vector’s pantsuit are you lol. GOTCHA!

        • klastri says:

          Keonigohan – There you are again, lying about the identity of someone. You are a constant, pathological liar. You are obviously unable to control yourself. Obviously.

      • lespark says:

        Stop. Give it up. Your team lost.

  3. Bdpapa says:

    This investigation needs to be done and done now! Tired of this BS already!

    • jusris says:

      IRT Bdpapa: So says the SANE person in the room…Down the middle…Both ends of the spectrum have an agenda, the TRUTH lies somewhere in the MIDDLE…Bdpapa, we need more of you MIDDLE guys to speak up…#MAGA

      • Vector says:

        Equality and justice move toward the future

        • sarge22 says:

          You finally got something right. Mr Trump doing a great job and America is well on the way to becoming great again. Can’t beat having a successful oil man with International experience serving as Sec of State. Beats the heck out of Kerry the Vietnam turncoat.

  4. shawnchun says:

    first president to be elected by russians and also the executive producer of a tv show.

    interesting…

  5. NanakuliBoss says:

    HUH? HUH? HUH? HUH? The same people that claimed that IRAQ had Weapons of Mass Destruction? HUH? HUH? TRUMPS team said this of the Democrats??Huh? Cmon, read HISTORY. IT WAS GW BUSH team that said that. The REPUBLICAN PRES.,SEC.OF DEF. VP,SEC OF STATE,ALL REPUBS. Thank you for giving us GWB and DPT. The two worst presidents, wit the great Obama sandwiched between. GOP is scraping bottom barrel.

  6. nomu1001 says:

    Not my president for the next four years.

    • meat says:

      Make it 8, loser. Democrats are a dying breed.

      • Vector says:

        Wishful thinking. We are still here, and the Republicans were out numbered in the popular vote for President bt 2.7 million votes. You will hear and know us for a long time

        • DPK says:

          Vector: Republicans control over 1,000 more state legislative seats now than when Oblunder took office (now at 56% of total). When the new year begins, Republicans will control both chambers of the state legislatures and governorships in 24 states, while Dems only hold total control in 5 states. Of course you are aware that Republicans now control both houses of congress. By the way, it seems presumptuous to believe that all of the people that voted for Clinton were Democrats.

        • DannoBoy says:

          By the way, compared to conservatives, progressives are better at governing successful societies than they are with seizing political power at any cost.

          The fact is, the states that remain in democratic hands have better education, more public services, better infrastructure and better economies. These progressive states are governed based on equality and truth (facts). With their success, they subsidize nearly all the mismanaged Red states DPK brags about. Sadly this is the state of the Nation.

          I think that Republicans are naturally better at politics because they are more adept at deception, blaming their mistakes on others (especially minorities and “elites), and lying to the people. These same traits undermine reality-based problem solving. They have all the skills needed to lead save one: integrity.

          Republicans may stay in power for years due to their racist redistricting maps, giving them political power despite a lack of popular support (fewer votes and more seats). It is time to put up or shut up.

          As we go forward let’s all remember what DPK has said. Republicans have authority and responsibility for the Federal Government and most of the states. If America is not made great again in the coming years, the Republican party will still try to blame Democrats – it has have no integrity after all.

          It will be up to the people to hold them accountable, and to not to be taken in by lies, fear and false promises.

    • Keonigohan says:

      @ nomu 1001
      O was never mine & now there’s 8 years of proof. O made everything worse…from the World situation to our domestic policies.
      What has O accomplished that benefited a MAJORITY of Americans?

      • DannoBoy says:

        Republicans in Congress and at all kennels refused to do their part to fix the problems left by the Bush Amistad. They did this because their top prodigy was to sew Obama fail. He works only fail if his policies to help average Americans failed. This was done by blocking then in any way possible.

        We have had gridlock for the past 6 years because of “do nothing” Republicans who feared cooperation, compromise or even respect for the President would cause backlash from their far right wing. Tea partiers accused those who tried to work with democrats to solve national problems of “collaborating with the enemy.”

        The Republican political strategy of maximizing the suffering, fear and anger of ordinary Americans then blaming it all on Obama has been effective.

        It will be certainly harder for Republican politicians to escape responsibility from now on, but these weasels will certainly try. One way will be to try to spread lies and then lash out at those who speak the truth. This is what Trump and his supporters have been doing. It will inevitably backfire if problems and scandal grow to the point they can’t be excused, covered up or blamed on others. Time will tell.

        • DannoBoy says:

          “Republicans in Congress and at all LEVELS refused to do their part to fix the problems left by the Bush ADMINISTRATION. They did this because their top PRIORITY was to SEE to it that Obama’s policies to help average Americans failed. This was done by blocking them in any way possible….”

        • Keonigohan says:

          @DannoBoy
          What has O, or hiLIARy, accomplished that benefited a MAJORITY of Americans?

        • sarge22 says:

          DannoBoy sure sounds a lot like Eli’s buddy Ike from somewhere. Has Ike reappeared as he has been hiding from total defeat. He may just be studying for another worthless degree. Some people never learn no matter how much book learning they have. Aloha

        • DannoBoy says:

          My cat is named Sgt Kitty. She’s not too bright and she likes to have her tummy rubbed. How about you?

  7. Macadamiamac says:

    A Trump spokesperson, “We cheated fair and square,” she said. “it’s all in Mr. Trump’s promise to ‘Make America Grrrate!’

  8. st1d says:

    as long as no russian national voted in the u.s. election what difference, at this point in time, what difference does it make?

  9. latenightroach says:

    The first review was not definitive. It only concluded that Russia could have based on the technique used. I don’t think they can prove for a fact who hacked it this go round either. So far the only thing proven is that John Podesta is a filthy little weasel and Donna Brazile is a slimy cheater as a result of the hacking.

    Dangerous game to publicly accuse Russia of something without certainty. Keep an investigation of this magnitude secret until you know all the facts and have a conclusion based on evidence instead of speculation. This is almost like publicly announcing that we’re going to bomb Mosul three weeks out. It’s a good thing to enhance our cyber security and investigate a breach but things should be done in a competent manner.

  10. hipatriot808 says:

    Really? First off Trump is not everyone’s ideal candidate but he did win the election.
    This seems more of an outlet for the Dems (and their MSM supporters) who cannot understand why they lost the election. It’s not because of outside influence, (emails, FBI, WikiLeaks, foreign influence, etc.) but because they ignored middle America and keep pushing vocal minority issues. There are always forces trying to influence the elections (Koch brothers, Soros, unions, etc). The cast of characters is huge. And now MSM and the old Democratic party are trying to latch onto this as an excuse for Trump winning and ignoring the real reason why not only Trump won, but the Repubs won governorships, stat legislators, and the vast majority of states and counties in the US. Let’s focus on moving forward and stop with these boogie man assumptions. And yes, I do think the CIA report/assumptions are politically biased.

  11. Bumby says:

    The Russians one of the world powers in the world. America being on better terms with this country not a good thing. Those oppose are globalist who wants a one world government. United Kingdom and Russia are not allowing their countries to be run by globalist. With Trump he is fighting against this also. A silent coup in affect in America by the globalist who has certain leader in their pocket.

    There were republican globalist running for president that did not get in. The globalist backed democratic elect not winning has pushed them to do all that is necessary to oust Trump.

    Is a one world government a bad thing? Who knows. People of the world when you have the wools pulled away from your eyes may you come to a conclusion for yourself.

    There are European countries today who are at the mercy of the globalist with many of their counterparts already strongly run by globalist backed leaders. Many of the news that they do not want Americans to see that goes on like rioting, women being rape by citizens not of their country, people being forced to house immigrants, etc. are censored.

    Was it not one of the most popular president who won a close race and a democrat, who had to defend America due to the Russians invoking a Cuban crises upon us, which could have led to war. After that did not the leader of the Soviet Union and the United States make an effort to create peaceful coexistence which opened the way to the stop of the nuclear arms race. Where are we today on that, it appears arms have escalated without the knowledge of the people of this world.

    We are in a time that one day historians will look back (if they are allowed to free speech) and say the turning point of a one world government to cement itself was done with Trump being assassinated or impeached. A president who was protecting America from being controlled by the globalist.

    They day when Japan succumbs to open borders will be the nail in the coffin that the globalist are at the helm of a one world government. Again the question that people need to ask themselves is a one world government better or will it make the world an unhappy planet?

  12. calentura says:

    If they were hacked eight years ago, and Obama was president for the last eight years, whose fault is it…?

  13. LKK56 says:

    I do not believe Trump because he say’s one thing and does another – that’s why his statements lacks credibility, but, Trump does bring up a good point – this is the same agency that said Iraq had weapons of mass destruction – Iraq did not. The CIA has a life of its own with a big budget that is never really accountable or questionable. The question is: what would Trump’s response had been if the CIA said there was no Russian involvement in the election? Some how, I think we ordinary Americans are being jerked around by everybody.

  14. bleedgreen says:

    People should read. The article says…”the CIA believes Russia acted specifically to harm Hillary Clinton’s chances in the election.” And that “President Barack Obama’s order for a full-scale review of campaign-season cyberattacks to be completed before he leaves office next month….” The article does not say that President Obama is accusing the Russians of cyber attacking the DNC or of influencing the presidential election. He is simply ordering a full-scale review.

    • jusris says:

      IRT bleedgreen: You are correct…Do you see it, it happens everyday and everywhere, including on these comment sections, People see what they want to see, whatever fits their narrative. Eye witnesses at crime scene often give different description of events, seems their past experiences and their biases play a BIG part in how they process the event. #MAGA

      • DannoBoy says:

        juris, you seem to be encouraging all of us not to draw any conclusions or to share critical opinions with one another because all of us are challenged by limited information and inevitable cognitive bias.

        Should we just stand silently and idly by while others rule us and say and do things that will affect our lives?

        Is this what you are calling for?

        Instead of being high makamaka and putting yourself above the rest of us, why don’t you just tell us what you think about the election, the question of Russian involvement, and the prospect of president Trump?

        If you are not inclined to join the fray, then do is little people the honor of answering this: if one side maintains an extreme position using lies and refuses to cooperate or compromise, and the ‘other side’ goes to the middle, as you suggest, and is conciliatory and flexible, the what happens?

        The answer can be found in the last 8 years. What happens is that things get pushed toward the extremists. This is what has taken place at the Federal level over the past 8 years and look at the result. The extremists have taken over, including climate skeptics and billionares who enriched themselves of the sweat of minimum wage workers and environmental pollutiom being put in charge of the Labor Dept and EPA, an alt-right propagandist as the president elect’s closest advisor and the head of the world’s biggest petroleum company and
        climate polluter as Secretary of State.

        As a progressive, I think the time for conciliation, making excuses and “middle ground” is over. We tried it for years without success and we have lost power. All we have left is the truth and our collective voices. If you think appeasement is the path, go ahead. You will have to live with your own conscience.

        I hope Trump succeeds in making the country better, but I will not stand idly by as you apparently would in the face of his continued lying and bullying because America will never be made great by taking the position that we are not equal, that our civil rights should not be guarenteed or that the ends justify the means.

        Juris, would you stay silent or would you speak out forcefully in defence of our Nation’s integrity, honor and future?

        If you have specific points of disagreement with Trump or his critics, then state them. If you agree, then say how and why. This would be far more helpful than vague and cowardly snobbery.

        • jusris says:

          IRT DannoBoy: Great job, I enjoyed you comment. Does anyone here actually believe they will convince the other side to change their beliefs? Do you think that Keonigohan or klastri or people similar to them have shown any signs of being open minded? Have you yourself saw it in meats point of view or lesparks? It SO easy to join the MOB on both sides and think that because you are making NOISE you are making progress. Communication happens on the receivers end too…WHOSE listening besides our own echo chamber. Change happens when the person decides for HIMSELF when it should happen, the more you push the farther he goes…Truth, who are you to decide what is my truth or Keonigohan or klastri or any of the others on this comment board. The problem with picking sides is you automatically close the other side out and there is no balance, as the MIDDLE people on this board so obviously see…Fake news or Pick and Choose news, it doesn’t matter cause both sides have already picked a side and those news are REAL to them. Do people sound like idiots when they say that Trump can say whatever he wants to China then follow it up with having a problem with Obama saying whatever he wants to Russia, of course. Are people idiots for saying how corrupt Trump is while also voting for Clinton and all her corrupt was, yes. But, who cares if I see it, more important that they see it, have them come up with that, Aha moment…I’m in this for America, why should only Trumpers be allowed to use the term, #MAGA, it’s a great idea…Excuse the rant.

          “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.” Maya Angelou

        • jusris says:

          IRT DannoBoy: Great job, I enjoyed you comment. Does anyone here actually believe they will convince the other side to change their beliefs? Do you think that Keonigohan or klastri or people similar to them have shown any signs of being open minded? Have you yourself saw it in meats point of view or lesparks? It SO easy to join the MOB on both sides and think that because you are making NOISE you are making progress. Communication happens on the receivers end too…WHOSE listening besides our own echo chamber. Change happens when the person decides for HIMSELF when it should happen, the more you push the farther he goes…Truth, who are you to decide what is my truth or Keonigohan or klastri or any of the others on this comment board. The problem with picking sides is you automatically close the other side out and there is no balance, as the MIDDLE people on this board so obviously see…Fake news or Pick and Choose news, it doesn’t matter cause both sides have already picked a side and those news are REAL to them. Do people sound like id*0ts when they say that Trump can say whatever he wants to China then follow it up with having a problem with Obama saying whatever he wants to Russia, of course. Do people sound like id*0ts for saying how corrupt Trump is while also voting for Clinton and all her corrupt was, yes. But, who cares if I see it, more important that they see it, have them come up with that, Aha moment…I’m in this for America, why should only Trumpers be allowed to use the term, #MAGA, it’s a great idea…Excuse the rant.

          “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.” Maya Angelou

        • DannoBoy says:

          Jusris, thanks for the thoughtful reply. I suspect you are correct that the fact-challenged are unlikely to change their minds, but others who read the comments section deserve more than right wing propoganda and limp calls for “middle ground”.

          Did you notice that when the right wing nuts have nothing to say about the record of Progressive success and Republican failure at the state and federal level in terms of what benefits the 99%? They are obsessed with political success and failure, but have no understanding about actual governance.

          Politics is based on shaping opinions. Propaganda, lies, placing blame on others, rewarding sycophants and punishing critics are effective political strategies and Republicans excel at them (especially Southerners). On the other hand, these skills are impotent in the face of objective reality. Like unemoyment, unbalanced bugets, fresh water shortages, poor access to healthcare, crumbling infrasructure and climate change. These problems are what they are, and shaping opinion won’t do a whit to prevent the harms they are causing to the country. Governance is needed not politics and PR.

  15. Maipono says:

    Is it possible that the corrupt Democrats nominated the most unlikable, corrupt candidate in their stable because their assumption was that all the voters in the pocket of Obama, including the dead and illegal voters would coalesce around HRC and elect their very defective candidate. Not to worry, all the Republicans were clowns, so use proven corrupt tactics to win the election. Fortunately, while the Democrats may be corrupt, the American people are not, and the right person won.

    • Vector says:

      Hitler was also a great populist. The German people and even the evangelical churches fervently supported him and the Nazis. Hitler also found scapegoats, like the Jews, the disabled, the Slavs, Gypsies, the homosexuals, political opposition, to condemn, persecute, arrest, and exterminate. Hitler also built up his military, and also saw the German people as a superior race.

      • NanakuliBoss says:

        Hitler also wanted a wall built.

      • DannoBoy says:

        Hitler also left his nation in ruins. Let’s hope Alolph Twitter doesn’t take the USA down the same disgraced path to destruction.

        Gaining wealth and private power is one thing, providing competent governance is another. Trump is good at the former but not the latter – just look at his scadalous business record.

  16. wiliki says:

    Why is Trump protesting the investigation so much? Does he know anything about the hacking?

    • Keonigohan says:

      What has O accomplished that benefited a MAJORITY of Americans?

      • jusris says:

        IRT wiliki: Maybe Trump and MSM don’t want their dealings with Russia to get out?…That’s why this HIT piece is out by the AP, they are just trying to ANGER Trump supporters and start a new DISTRACTION…We’ve been played by the MSM, they did it when they backed Clinton and NOW they are using the PASSION and ENERGY of Trump supporters to SHAME the non-Trumpers…#MAGA

      • NanakuliBoss says:

        No president has accomplished anything that benefitted the MAJORITY of Americans. Keyword MAJORITY. The majority of Americans did NOT vote for trump. FACT.

        • Keonigohan says:

          Not asking about all…asking about your Barack.

        • jusris says:

          He keeps asking the question, what has Obama accomplished that has hurt the MAJORITY of Americans. #MAGA

        • jusris says:

          That’s why he keeps asking the question.

        • Tita Girl says:

          More people voted against Sec. Clinton AND PE Trump than for them.
          More people voted against all of the candidates than for them.
          http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php

        • Keonigohan says:

          @jusris
          When did I hire you to interpret my comment.
          I don’t hire kids.
          I keep asking the question because they haven’t answered the question.
          Got it?

          #MAGA

        • jusris says:

          IRT Keonigohan: Proving my point again, thanks…The more they hear you the more they see the lack of substance..I will also be thinking of you while I work on Christmas. #MAGA

        • NanakuliBoss says:

          Doesn’t matter what I say about Obama’s accomplished, you would just deny it. Aaahh, more jobs, aah better economy, let’s see better medical needs for the elderly and kids. More? Okay, more secured nation . The divisive thing was about being the 1st president of color that heads were exploding because it never happened in the olD US of A.

  17. bombay2101 says:

    “his is not an effort to challenge the outcome of the election,” Schultz said
    If it walks like a Duck.
    Amazing that the liberals still refuse to look in the mirror and see the reason why they lost.

  18. rytsuru says:

    The best way to dispel these allegations of collusion with the Russians, is to pick a friend of Putin’s as Secretary of State…there you go.

  19. justmyview371 says:

    Obama’s attacks on Russia are insanity at its worse.

  20. okmaluna says:

    Last ditch effort to sway any shaky electors before the vote on 12/19

  21. WizardOfMoa says:

    Any doubts should be can! If our security people can’t protect our country from others then we’re in big trouble! I’m a confident we have a solid security measures and are constantly updated with the latest means of protections!

  22. Amosilatus says:

    The Republican attitude is misplaced. This is not a partisan issue–this issue
    concerns the security of the United States and should be supported by everyone in this country.

    • jusris says:

      Makes you wonder with the Russia connections Trump already had, now ADD Tillerson and his Russia connections!!! Rule #1 in criminal activity: Deny, Deny, Deny. #MAGA

  23. LittleEarl_01 says:

    Why Russia? Why not Iran, China, North Korea? “THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING! THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING!” Run for our life. Give me a break.

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