Rep. Devin Nunes is either very good at this or he got an A+ in his spokesbot spin classes.
He was definitely washing the most expensive Rcon dirty laundry today, and needed the most delicate level of spin possible, but he managed to do it in a way that served his masters well.
Look at what he said, then the spinspotting translation on what he meant, and hope that one day we get to the point where mass media reporting calls out this kind of double-edged statement in the same way.
“As of right now, I don’t have any evidence of any phone calls”
means: I don’t have any evidence of any phone calls because I haven’t looked for any.
It doesn’t mean they don’t exist …
Well, thanks for acknowledging that! Isn’t it funny how that part of his statement is glossed over by everyone?
What I’ve been told by many folks is that there’s nothing there
The people who told you there was nothing there are the same people who want you to go out and persuade the press and the public that there is nothing there!
At the same time it could still be true that there IS something there but he has been asked to SAY “There’s nothing there”.
Still with me? KAC or someone else crafting the message says to Nunes, “We just need you to talk to the press and say you’ve been told by reliable (!) White House sources that there’s nothing there.” The messagecrafter could know perfectly well that something DID happen, and could even be flat out lying, but Nunes gets to make the factual statement that he was TOLD there is “nothing there”.
These people have been playing the press like a violin for decades. Such an old song that we can sing along in harmony. Sure enough, right on cue a bunch of news outlets reported variations of:
House Intelligence Committee chair says there is no evidence of improper connections between DJT administration and Russia.
People not paying attention jump to the conclusion that Nunes is making this statement as a conclusion based on having looked closely at the situation, when he has done exactly the opposite: jumped to the administration’s preferred conclusion in advance of an investigation, just on the DJT say-so. Letting DJT and his minions define the truth without any digging, or investigation, or examination of the intelligence.
Except that’s not his job. He is supposed to be impartial. Or at least pretend to be, damn it.
For bonus points he threw in some word salad about McCarthyism. Ooo, McCarthy bad. Dems are asking Rcons to bring back McCarthyism. Bad Democrats!
Except the Frumious One thinks McCarthy got a raw deal and actually did uncover foreign/communist spies in the U.S., so which one is it?
I guess Joe McCarthy, like election results, is either good or bad depending on whether the outcome favors Republicon needs in the present moment.
Listen to what they say. Listen to what they don’t say. Listen to how they find ways to thread the needle by making statements that sound true and even have some elements of truth to them but have loopholes big enough to hide the entire DJT administration.
When this is over, everyone who cooperated with this in the slightest degree needs to be shamed out of public office and public service for the rest of their natural lives. And if we band together we can do it, because we outnumber them.
Previous TRUE BLUE REPORT diaries
Feb 26: If Neil Gorsuch were a man of integrity, he would decline the S.Ct. appointment
Feb 25: True Blue Ribbons: Russia Flag trolling, Dixie Swastika grabbing, District Days demonstrating
Feb 24: There is no such thing as a compassionate conservative
Feb 23: Chief of Staff, Nat’l Security Advisor, GOP Head, President Bannon—too many hats!
Feb 22: DJT has a few questions for you—SMURF THIS POLL!
Feb 21: The end of “access journalism” means it’s time to #sendtheinterns
Feb 20: KAC lying low for now… can we banish her (and all her ilk) from the airwaves completely?
Feb 19: DeVos cartoon, Ruby Bridges, unearned unhappiness and childlike faith
Feb 18: Blue Ribbon Winners—Vice Adm. Harward, Melissa McCarthy, and intel whistleblowers
Feb 17: And Ain’t I an American?
Feb 16: Please tell your family and friends—If you regret your DJT vote, speak up NOW
Feb 15: R-supported forced childbirth laws deny the autonomy of women
Feb 14: What did the president know? Everything. When did he know it? From the beginning.
Feb 13: Coping with The Madness of King Donald by hoping political comedy will save us
Feb 12: The Poverty and Justice Bible
Feb 11: Blue Ribbon Winners: Swastika removers, Ninth Circuit Panel, and the Persisterhood!
Feb 10: The first three words of the Constitution are “We, the People” not “I, the President”
Feb 9: Who first inspired your political activism? Who inspires you now?
Feb 8: We cannot and will not be silenced—Here’s what to do if they try to silence you
Feb 7: Plain Talk Tuesday: Tell people the Affordable Care Act is the same as OBAMACARE
Feb 6: Interview Skills 101—Internalized oppression and what Ryan Lizza did right. BRAVO!
Feb 5: These protest signs with Bible cites will confuse and befuddle RWNJs
Feb 4: Blue Ribbon Winners: Temple B’Nai Israel, Judge Robart, CNN, Senate Phone Callers
Feb 3: Not rich, not smart, not a good businessman, not a winner—DJT is NOTHING he claims to be
Feb 2: Thursday action—Encouragement, thanks, and apologies (pick one or more)
Feb 1: July 7, 2009 to August 25, 2009 and September 25, 2009 to February 4, 2010
JANUARY
Jan 31: If you’re on overload that’s part of their plan—there’s more than one way to #resist
Jan 30: Interview Skills 101 for reporters attempting to interview KAC and other Rcons
Jan 29: Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness
Jan 28: Blue Ribbon Winners: Women's March participants and #NoMuslimBan demonstrators and...
Jan 27: I wish Steve Bannon would tell me to keep my mouth shut
Jan 26: Thursday Action—Have you ever written a letter to the editor? Here’s how to start
Jan 25: The Asch Conformity Study, inauguration crowds, and the importance of speaking out
Jan 24: #ResistTrumpTuesday—good news day or another paying dues day?
Jan 23: Spy the Lie 101: How to enjoy watching Rcon spokesbot interviews, even KAC!
Jan 22: Why I prayed for the President* today
Jan 21: The only silver lining in the midst of these clouds
Inaugural (!) diary: Stop expecting Republicons to make sense