The competent question not asked: On Monday and Tuesday of this week, members of the mainstream press corps tried to question Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
They tried to question her about something she said last August. This was the exchange in which her statement was made:
QUESTION (8/1/17): Sarah, according to the Washington Post, the president tried to change the narrative of what went down in [Donald Trump Jr.'s] meeting with the Russian lawyer. Can you address that story and tell us did the president really try to do that?That morning, the Washington Post had reported that the president "personally dictated" the public statement his son had released about the now-famous meeting with the Russkie lawyer. Sanders said the president "certainly didn't dictate" the statement, but that he had played a part in its creation.
SANDERS: Look, the statement that Don Jr. issued is true. There's no inaccuracy in the statement. The president weighed in as any father would, based on the limited information that he had.
[...]
QUESTION: Can you clarify the degree to which the president weighed in?
SANDERS: He didn't—he certainly didn't dictate. But, you know, he—like I said, he weighed in, offered a suggestion like any father would do.
For the record, that represented a change in the story, and it was reported as such. Earlier, Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow had repeatedly said that the president had played no role in creating his son's public statement.
Sanders now said that the president actually had played a role. But she denied the Post's report that he "personally dictated" the statement.
Uh-oh! Over this past weekend, the world learned that the president's lawyers told Robert Mueller, in January, that the president did, in fact, "dictate" his son's statement.
In their letter to Mueller, they used that very term. If the lawyers' statement to Mueller was true, that meant that Sanders' statement last August was false.
Sure enough! In White House press briefings on Monday and Tuesday, reporters tried to question Sanders about this state of affairs. We say they tried to question Sanders because they thoroughly failed.
On Monday, three reporters tried to question Sanders about her statement last August. Yesterday, two more scribes tried to question her about what she had said.
You'd think that, by the second day, the nation's reporters would have been able to frame the question in such a way as to deny Sanders an easy escape. But if you thought that, you've never seen our upper-end press corps at work.
On each of these two days, Sanders kept slithering off the hook about her statement from last year. In part, she was able to do so because the press corps' questions were so poorly formed.
Tomorrow, we'll look at the questions the press corps asked—and we'll show you the question they should have posed. We were amazed when a trio of scribes couldn't ask the right question on Monday. But when the Tuesday briefing occurred, they floundered all over again.
Frost described the road not taken. We'll formulate the question not asked. Our scribes are good at several things, but performing the basic tasks of their trade may not be numbered among them.
That said, it's all anthropology now! Our species can't high-jump fifteen feet or run a three-minute mile. Beyond that, it now seems that our species isn't equipped to handle such tasks as this.
Tomorrow: The question not asked
Up until now we've been addressing big potential scandals: Did the President sell out American interests to Russia? Did the President authorize or even encourage illegal scrutiny of a Presidential campaign? Did the President try to shut down an investigation by improperly firing a key investigator?
ReplyDeleteBut, now ITM we're talking about trivia. Did Trump help his son write a statement? Did Trump dictate a statement based on his son's draft? In that case it would be correct to say that Trump helped his son and it would also be correct to say that Trump dictated the statement.
But, why should we care? Maybe I'm missing something. I often do. Can someone here explain why Trump's degree of input matters?
Because Jr. "colluded" with the Russian government in his own state of mind, having been offered their help for his father. And Dad tried to cover it up.
DeleteDavid, can you explain why you are excusing the President's active participation in lying to cover up his son's active collusion with Russian operatives during the campaign? People like Natalia, "Yes, I am informer for the Kremlin" Veselnitskaya? It's been admitted to. It's known. Even freaking Bob Somerby acknowledges it. "Why does it matter?"
DeleteI suppose it doesn't matter to disgusting traitors who are FINE with foreign adversaries tampering with our democracy and our elections, people like yourself.
Tomorrow: Bob Somerby will play dumb and tell us what the WH press corp SHOULD have asked Sanders, even though he knows full well they have to be extremely careful with asking this hair-trigger administration questions. I agree that they SHOULD ask hard questions, but Somerby will play dumb. And David in Cal will tell us how it's actually a good thing Putin has Trump on a leash making a mockery of our democracy. While David sea-lions* all over the place like the elfin little obedient creature he is. Does the idea of leashes and humiliation turn you on, David? You seem really into it.
*Look it up.
The least surprising thing to happen in my lifetime is finding out Conservatives are okay with treason against the United States.
DeleteI knew it the moment they called me a traitor for criticizing George W. Bush's Great Iraq Clusterfuck.
It's ALWAYS projection with those fuckers.
Anon-12:49 PM,
DeleteTrue dat!
A dead giveaway is they never, ever dispute that:
DeleteTrump is a liar and a thief.
And Putin's bitch.
Mao & DinC-I'm talking to you.
Punks
I think the "dictation" thing is important because it involves a false statement to the FBI.
DeleteOtherwise the Don, Jr. "collusion" with Russians thing wouldn't go anywhere. It's not illegal to take a meeting with people who say they have negative info on your political opponent.
No matter their accent.
Actually it is illegal under certain circumstances. Quote from an article in The Hill:
Delete"The law makes it illegal for a foreign national to directly or indirectly make a “contribution or donation of money or other thing of value, or to make an express or implied promise to make a contribution or donation” relating to an election. An advisory opinion from the FEC states the “thing of value” does not have to come at an actual cost. "
The Hill Watchdogs to DOJ: Trump Jr. meeting broke campaign finance laws
Aside from unethical and corrupt behavior, this case involves potential illegality involving campaign finance laws, collusion, perjury, and obstruction of justice.
Good luck with convincing a judge that the mere act of taking a meeting was signing off on an illicit donation from a foreign power.
DeleteBelvoir, the Sanders thing reminds me of an ancient SNL where "William F. Buckley" was interviewing "Tom Hayden" and ""Jane Fonda" and Buckley's incisive skill soon had them blubbering in tears and renouncing everything they had ever done snd said.
DeleteIt was a bit of mocking about such an expectation.
CeceliaJune 7, 2018 at 8:19 PM
Delete"Good luck with convincing a judge that the mere act of taking a meeting was signing off on an illicit donation from a foreign power. "
Yes mere solicitation breaches the law, no luck required. Nothing of value needs to have been exchanged.
Needless to say we do not know the details of what was discussed, laws may have been broken demonstrably, it is being investigated rigorously for a reason.
"In their letter to Mueller, they used that very term. If the lawyers' statement to Mueller was true, that meant that Sanders' statement last August was false."
ReplyDeleteIt didn't, because the word "dictate" has different meanings, applicable to a fuzzy spectrum of situations, depending on the context, etc, etc, etc. Wittgenstein.
And who cares anyway.
You care, since you're the hemorrhoid Putin fan bleeding all over this place the moment Bob hits "post" every day. You're a creature of this swamp of Somerby's, your strange lonely obsession, along with possibly jihadist posts in Arabic and Powerful Love Spell Get Your Ex Back flotsam. Your saying the word dictate has different meanings is richly funny, you seem very fond of dictatorships of any kind. Crawly creature, it's your thing.
DeleteComrade, el Presidente only hires the best people:
Deletehttps://nypost.com/2018/06/05/dennis-rodman-will-be-in-singapore-for-trump-kim-summit/
Npa!
I don't agree with Bob's criticism of the media's questioning. IMHO Sanders' would successfully evade any question about Donald Trump's role in composing his son's letter.
ReplyDelete" ... Sanders' would successfully evade any question about Donald Trump's role in composing his son's letter."
DeleteIt's called lying.
Call Dr.Dave For Urgent Love Spell +55 (11) 97732-4658
ReplyDeleteI'm Olivia Megan from United State,I'm happy that my husband is back into my life after 2 years of divorce, Dr.Davi brought my husband back today and i am so excited. I got Dr.Davi email online when a lady was testifying about the strong spell caster who restored her marriage then I said to myself since he helped her, he can also help me,so i emailed him and told him the pain that I was going through,and he told me what to do and i did it,Then he did an urgent Love spell for me. 48 hours later, my husband came back home and with lots of love and joy,and he apologized for his mistake,and for the pain he caused me. Then from that day,our marriage was now stronger than how it were before, All thanks to Dr.Davi. Our family is complete again. If you are going through Divorce/Broke-up since Dr.Davi helped me, he can also help you..email him at: Spelltemple@fastmail.com,Thank you Dr Davi for saving my broken Marriage and brought my husband back to me.
Email him: Spelltemple@fastmail.com Call him now +55 (11) 97732-4658
i am Rose from UNITED STATES i was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS for over 12 years which made loose my job and my relationship with my fiance after he discovered that i was having HIV, he departed from me i tried all my best to make him stays with me, but neglected me until a friend of mine on Facebook from Singapore told me Great healer, who will restore my life back with his powerful healing spell, he sent me the email address to contact and i quickly contacted him, and he said my condition can solved, that he will treat the disease immediately only if i can accept trust him and accept his terms and condition, i Agreed because i was so much in need of help by all means, so i did all he want from me and surprisingly on Sunday last week He sent me a text, that i should hurry up to the hospital for a checkup, which i truly did, i confirm from my doctor that i am now ( HIV NEGATIVE) my eyes filled with tears and joy, crying heavily because truly the disease deprived me of many things from my life, This is a Miracle, Please do not en-devour to email drtebe2@gmail.com or whatsapp Dr Tebe on +2348140544262 for healings Thanks
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteMy names is Jackie i want to testify about the great spell caster called Dr Tebe my husband and i have been married for 5 years now we don't have a child and the doctor told us i can't give birth because my womb have been damaged due to wrong drugs prescription this got me so worried and my husband was not happy so he decided to get married to another girl and divorce me i was so sad i told my friend about it she told me about a powerful spell caster she gave me his email address well i never believe in it that much though i just decided to give him a try and he told me it will take 24hrs to get my husband back to me and i will get pregnant i doubted him the 3rd day my husband came back to me and was crying he said he didn't want the divorce anymore 3 weeks after the doctor confirmed that i was pregnant he can also help you contact him at drtebe2@gmail.com or WhatsApp +2348140544262
GENUINE LOVE SPELL TO GET BACK YOUR EX EMAIL: SUPREMESPELLCAST@YAHOO.COM
ReplyDeleteMy name is Lisa Amy From UNITED STATES. I am really pleased with this service Dr. Sam render to me. I am one of those people who said, “I’ll never call a psychic or a magician or whatever” to help me with my problems – least of all my love problems, but I reached the point where I knew I needed some guidance, and I’m so glad I found this man called Dr. Sam I never in a million years would have thought I’d be writing a letter like this, but when I nearly lost Andrew in one of our stupid,fights (he broke up with me), I thought I had lost everything.i cry all day and think that he will never come back to me again.i read a testimony by a man called Taylor Borg about him saying that how Dr. Sam help him to get back is EX wife within 48 hours.I quickly email him. He did a (Lover spell) for me. 48 hours later, my ((Ex Boyfriend)) came to me and apologized for the wrongs he did and promise never to do it again. Ever since then, everything has returned back to normal and our love is now stronger that he can't do without being with me. I and my boyfriend are living together happily again. Dr. Sam is the best online spell caster that is powerful and genuine. And when I was at my most desperate,he didn’t take advantage of me. You performed a very good service for a person in true need. I don’t know how you did it, or how this magic works, but all I know is, IT WORKS!! Andrew and i are happily back together, and I’ll always be grateful to Dr. Sam email him for any kinds of help is very capable and reliable for help His web page: https://supremespellcast.blogspot.com
{supremespellcast@yahoo.com or supremespellcast@gmail.com}
{Tel or WhatsApp: +2347087462033}
GENUINE LOVE SPELL TO GET BACK YOUR EX EMAIL: SUPREMESPELLCAST@YAHOO.COM
My name is Lisa Amy From UNITED STATES. I am really pleased with this service Dr. Sam render to me. I am one of those people who said, “I’ll never call a psychic or a magician or whatever” to help me with my problems – least of all my love problems, but I reached the point where I knew I needed some guidance, and I’m so glad I found this man called Dr. Sam I never in a million years would have thought I’d be writing a letter like this, but when I nearly lost Andrew in one of our stupid,fights (he broke up with me), I thought I had lost everything.i cry all day and think that he will never come back to me again.i read a testimony by a man called Taylor Borg about him saying that how Dr. Sam help him to get back is EX wife within 48 hours.I quickly email him. He did a (Lover spell) for me. 48 hours later, my ((Ex Boyfriend)) came to me and apologized for the wrongs he did and promise never to do it again. Ever since then, everything has returned back to normal and our love is now stronger that he can't do without being with me. I and my boyfriend are living together happily again. Dr. Sam is the best online spell caster that is powerful and genuine. And when I was at my most desperate,he didn’t take advantage of me. You performed a very good service for a person in true need. I don’t know how you did it, or how this magic works, but all I know is, IT WORKS!! Andrew and i are happily back together, and I’ll always be grateful to Dr. Sam email him for any kinds of help is very capable and reliable for help His web page: https://supremespellcast.blogspot.com
{supremespellcast@yahoo.com or supremespellcast@gmail.com}
{Tel or WhatsApp: +2347087462033}
I AM FINALLY FREE FROM FINANCIAL BONDAGE THANKS TO MOORE LOAN COMPANY (mooreloancompany@yahoo.com).
ReplyDeleteGood day everyone,I can’t hide this great testimony that took place in my life I will love everyone to know it and be a partaker of this, that is why I want to share it to the whole world by placing this advert on classifieds, I am Mrs Karen Brown by name, I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee United State, I want to thank ROBBINSON MOORE for his kindness upon my family life, I never knew that there is still a sincere and trustworthy lender like this on the internet and on earth. Just some days I was in search for a loan of $ 100,000.00, As I was running out of money for feeding, School fees, My business was really going out of capital and my rent. I was scammed about $15,000.00 dollars and I decided not to involve my self in such business again. But a Friend of mine introduced me to a loan firm due to my appearance and doings and also my complains to her. And I told her that I am not interested in any loan deal anymore but she told me that there is still a sincere lender who she will recommend me to, And she gave me the details of this man who is called MOORE ROBBINSON. And I really put a trial and I am most greatful and lucky today, I was given a loan amount of $95,000,00 Dollars by this great firm MOORE LOAN COMPANY. If you arew in need of a genuine, Sincere, durable and a truth worthy loan lender or financial assistance and also you know you can be reliable and trusted, capable of paying back at the due / duration time of the funds I will advice you to send your contact to them via email @[ mooreloancompany@yahoo.com] OR Text (414) 454-9493 . And you will be free from scams on the internet. Please I am begging everyone on earth to help me thank Mr ROBBINSON MOORE. And I ill always being sharing this great surprise and testimony that happened in my life everyday to all that need loans. Contact them now if you are in need of a loan: AS THEY ARE EFFICIENT,DYNAMIC AND RELAIBLE.....Again there contact email [mooreloancompany@yahoo.com OR Text (414) 454-9493.