Clinton’s team unleashes Watergate attack against Trump

[Coyotl]

Source: Politico = Annie Karni

... “We’re witnessing another effort to steal private campaign documents in order to influence an election,” Clinton campaign spokesman Glen Caplin writes in an early version of the post, which was shared with POLITICO. “Only this time, instead of filing cabinets, it’s people’s emails they’re breaking into…and a foreign government is behind it.”

Clinton’s campaign has been increasingly frustrated by media coverage of campaign chairman John Podesta’s stolen emails ...

Clinton press secretary, and former Justice Department spokesman, Brian Fallon, first compared the Wiki release to Watergate last week in a tweet. But Saturday’s Medium post marks the start of a more deliberate push that will carry through the final three weeks of the campaign to frame the emails as part of a criminal hack – and to make the electronic files seem as compromised to the media and to voters as reading and reporting on a stolen physical document.

The campaign will lean into the suggestion that Trump or his close advisers are connected directly to the hack, which is widely believed to be tied to Russia. ............


Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/hillary-clinton-campaign-hack-watergate-donald-trump-russia-229829

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Saying "which is widely believed to be " doesn't cut it with me, I want evidence. I certainly do not think the Russians are likelier suspects than the Republicans. Who has motive? Everyone on the internet has opportunity. [center]

So far, I've eliminated one suspect, Richard Nixon.



Apparently, we are going to be hearing more about this crime.

[underpants]

1. Hillary mention the connection at least three times in debate #2

But I guess that wasn't enough for the press to pick up on.

[LiberalFighter]

3. They can be dense at times.

[Mme. Defarge]

2. K&R!!!

[oberliner]

4. This is not the way to go

I would ease up on this line of attack (strategically speaking).

[cilla4progress]

5. I agree

Plant the seed and move on. No one really remembers or certainly thinks about it with shock any more. Yesterday's news. Dated.

[Moonwalk]

6. Why do you think it's a bad way to go?

Could you elaborate?

[oberliner]

7. Trump has no many potential vulnerabilities as a candidate

I think this is not something that will resonate with most voters.

[Moonwalk]

9. He's arguing the the elections are rigged. Well, this is a very good counter to that....

...if Russia is trying to rig the election on his behalf, that kinda turns the spotlight from the media, banks, etc. rigging the system against him, and focuses that spotlight on him/someone working for him and Russia trying to rig the campaign.

It won't change the minds of voters determined to vote for him, but there's no changing their minds. But what it will do is it will get the media saying "is TRUMP (with Russia's help) trying to rig the election?" Rather than the media saying over and over again, "Trump says the election is being rigged against him..."

And it's very important, I think, to get the media chasing down the Russia rigging as compared to showing Trump saying "it's rigged" over and over again. Don't you think?

[oberliner]

10. There is no need to counter that

It is preposterous. And the ones who believe it to be true will not be persuaded by talking about Russia hacking emails. The ones who believe the election is rigged support Russia hacking HRC campaign emails (as you noted).

I think the "undecideds" (whoever they can possibly be at this point) will be more motivated by revulsion at the way Trump talks about and acts towards women, along with the general contrast between his bumbling incoherence and Hillary's command of the issues.

[Moonwalk]

11. What if investigations on this lead to arrests...?

...of person working for Trump? Would you still feel it a waste of time then?

[oberliner]

12. I'm not suggesting this is a waste of time

I am saying that pushing this angle is not a great campaign strategy.

By all means, let the investigations go forward and catch those responsible for these crimes.

I just don't think this will animate undecided voters as much as some of the other things I mentioned.

[Moonwalk]

16. I think my issue with your objection is the implication that it's the only strategy....

...they're going to be using from now on. I kinda doubt that.

This hacking has to be stopped. And whoever is behind it has to be discovered. It's serious and it's important. Getting the media on it, getting America to take it seriously and maybe be equally worried about it....I believe that's the right thing to do, and you seem to think it as well. If that helps the campaign, that's gravy. But if it doesn't, so what? I could be wrong, but I don't think this is an "either/or" situation where if they go after this, they have to stop going after Trump in other ways. It's just one more arrow to let fly.

[oberliner]

23. That's not what I meant to imply

Just that there are other things that will be more effective strategically.

[Beartracks]

13. It would make sense that Trump & Co. would try to rig the election.

First, if his rigging works and he wins, he can simply say, "See folks? We overcame the rigged election/system!"

Second, if he still loses despite his attempt to rig everything, he can claim, "See, the system is rigged!" while finger-pointing to the Democrats/liberals/ elites/whatever -- 'cuz who would think the election LOSER would actually be the rigger? And the accusation alone would be enough for his rabid followers to continue to doubt the legitimacy of a Clinton administration.

He's already laying the groundwork for the second outcome, but I would not be surprised if he's actively rigging for the first.

================================

[Amonester]

8. They won't get an answer, they should know that already.

“Why is Trump protecting Putin by lying about Russia’s role in these hacks? What did his campaign know and when did they know it? Why won’t he condemn this? With less than a month until Election Day, these are the questions we need answered — and soon.”

Same as his tax returns. They should focus on his tax returns too.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

14. Unless you saw a wooden stake driven through his heart, Nixon is still on the suspect list.

[Yallow]

15. Ask Yourself, Why Does Putin Want Trump To Win So Bad?

Because it would be good for America?

Think again.....

[Spitfire of ATJ]

17. Trump has had many "I am not a crook, believe me." moments.

[SunSeeker]

18. Trump has Nixon's paranoia and Mussolini's governing philosophy. nt

[Gothmog]

19. The DNC hacks are like watergate

[anamandujano]

20. Agree.

[DeminPennswoods]

21. Ailes and Stone

Never forget Ailes and Stone cut their teeth with Nixon. Roy Cohn went back even further with McCarthy and even though he's dead, he had a lot of influence on Trump.

[riversedge]

22. REC.