And I will close by reiterating the central allegation of our indictments: That there were multiple, systematic efforts to interfere in our election, and that allegation deserves the attention of every American.
Such were the parting words of special prosecutor Robert Mueller, as he announced the end of the so-called Russia investigation. Since the bulk of his team’s report was released to the press and public on April 18th, its central allegation regarding Russia’s infiltration of American media and politics has attracted much less attention than the unsatisfyingly big questions Mueller’s investigation leaves. “What did Trump have to do with it?” and “Can’t Congress impeach him?” continue to be uppermost in many American minds.
Will Democrats raise their sights and train them on protecting American politics and media from foreign infiltration? Will they accept the paradoxical truth that, because impeachment is politically impossible, they must channel all their energies into having a “clean” election in 2020 and defeating Trump unequivocally at the polls?
As if Trump were the only president fishy shenanigans aided! In the end, his election resulted from an ordinary electoral majority, notwithstanding all the dubious preliminaries. This distinguishes his victory from other, more dubious outcomes such as Bush v. Gore (2000), Hayes v. Tilden (1876), and Adams v. Jackson (1824). In those cases, the winners gained office only after strenuous post-election day maneuvering. Given the power of the presidential office, every flaw and vulnerability in our manner of presidential selection should be boosted to the top of our political agenda and eliminated.
Mr Mueller’s remarks were peppered with finality. Calling the report that bears his name “his testimony,” he expressed unwillingness to comment further on matters involved in the investigation, declaring flatly, “we will not comment on any other conclusions or hypotheticals about the president.” No hypotheticals. For those looking to prove that President Trump is a criminal, no further help can be expected from Mr. Mueller. What hope is there that American officials will instead turn their attention to the central crime he found?
I . . . close by reiterating the central allegation of our indictments: That there were multiple, systematic efforts to interfere in our election, and that allegation deserves the attention of every American.
♦
Yes, Mueller’s last sentence was well placed for emphasis, put at the end of his short press statement. “Every American.” Sadly, it seems that only the Dems are speaking to this subject. I hear hardly anything, from any GOP lawmaker addressing the Russia problem. Good Grief, will they only speak up when it directly affects them personally in their Congressional districts or states ???? Or if the White House were occupied by a Democrat, how they would howl! As it is, their silence is stunningly loud, screaming to those Americans who care (i.e., The Democrats) that mobilizing is the only answer to win the White House and counter Russia’s assault on our political system and country.
If Trump is legitimately elected (as he claims), the GOP has nothing to fear from uniting with Democrats around issues of cybersecurity and ensuring the absolute integrity of the presidential vote next time around. Similarly, the Democrats have nothing to lose by giving the issue of electoral integrity more emphasis relative to their harping upon impeachment. Mounting a bipartisan effort against the Russians would allow the Dems to move away from the impeachment issue while still addressing the underlying problems corrupting the presidential campaign in 2016.