Warm congratulations, citizens of Russian auxiliary extension office #1488. Thank you for volunteering to follow Vladimir Putin.
Russia said it was in contact with President-elect Donald Trump’s team during the U.S. election campaign, despite repeated denials by the Republican candidate’s advisers that any links existed.
Of course all those little denials from before Election Day were just for show. Now that America has committed itself to a term in Bizarro World, Russia is eager to deliver a warm, hearty "fooled you!"
Russian government officials had contacts with members of Donald Trump’s campaign team, a senior Russian diplomat said Thursday, in a report that could reopen scrutiny over the Kremlin’s role in the president-elect’s bitter race against Hillary Clinton. ...
"Obviously, we know most of the people from his entourage,” Rybakov said. “… I cannot say that all of them but quite a few have been staying in touch with Russian representatives.”
It wasn’t just one or two of Trump campaign that have been “staying in contact” with Russia, but “all but a few of them.” Oh, and while Russia is fessing up/gloating/cheering ... you know that Wikileaks that Russia totally does not control?
[Kremlin analyst] Markov also said it would mean less American backing for “the terroristic junta in Ukraine”. He denied allegations of Russian interference in the election, but said “maybe we helped a bit with WikiLeaks.”
Michael Flynn, Carter Page, Steve Bannon, Trump himself—none of them worked all that hard to hide their fondness for Russia and devotion to Putin. Since last summer, it was clear that this was the one story Trump didn't want examined.
If there was any evidence Donald Trump was capable of thinking beyond the next moment, it would be easy to suspect that 90 percent of what’s bubbled from his lips over the last three days is a diversion. Attacking the Khans. Hints that he won’t accept the results of the election. Complaints that the polls are fishy. Saying that women should run away from sexual harassment. Even kicking a baby out of a rally. All of it.
Because as bad as all this is, if it serves to fend off media attention from the thing Trump’s campaign has suddenly gone quiet about, it could be worth it. Because the thing they’re not talking about is Russia.
But hey, the idea of a American political candidate working hand in glove with Russia to subvert the election, weaken the NATO alliance, and deliver Russian control of former Soviet territories along with the Middle East … that’s just crazy talk.
“I can tell you I think if I came up with that they’d say, ‘Oh, it’s a conspiracy theory, it’s ridiculous,’” Trump told CBS4’s Jim DeFede during an interview at his golf resort in Doral. “I mean I have nothing to do with Russia. I don’t have any jobs in Russia. I’m all over the world but we’re not involved in Russia.”
Too little. Too late.