Durham has scored his first point in the investigation of the FBI’s handling of the Trump-Russia probe. Kevin Clinesmith has pled guilty to making false statements in documents used to obtain a surveillance warrant against former Trump aide Carter Page.
But get this.
Attorney General William Barr hinted Thursday that the indictment was coming in the Durham probe, though he said it was not “earth-shattering.” He told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that other “significant” developments will happen in the Durham probe closer to the election.
IOW, they’re planning an October surprise.
I have mixed reactions to this.
October surprises are unfair, because you only hear one side of the story. That’s the whole point, of course. You want to whack your opponent with something ugly that will stick through the election, thus influencing the results.
It doesn’t matter if the accusation is true, and they’re often not. It only matters if it’s effective. It’s a dirty trick that works, and has become part of the game.
From that perspective, I don’t like it. I’d rather people played fair.
On the other hand, politics is a dirty game, and the world is a dirty place. An honorable, fair, gentlemanly fellow with lots of Boy Scouts awards might not be the best choice for a guy who has to stand up to Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, etc. Or, to put it another way, do we really want a guy who plays fair?
I suspect that there will be more than one October surprise from either side, especially since there are a lot of pissed-off Republicans who want to bring Trump down.
True. There’s this group called the Lincoln Project that’s been saying a lot of anti-Trump stuff. And I’m sure the Democrats have a few cards to play.
The interesting part will be who offers October surprises that are valid (things that are legitimate and voters should know) and those that are “trumped-up” (expressly for the purpose of distraction and misleading).
Interestingly, Clinton’s 2016 October surprise was the resurgence of her email scandal. Despite initial clearance by the FBI, a subsequent investigation was conducted by the Trump Administration and it concluded, “there was no persuasive evidence of systemic, deliberate mishandling of classified information.” Given all the initial hoopla, you’d think the final conclusion would have received more attention. After all, the alleged concern was about national security. Yet, it was treated as a footnote when the finding was released. I guess once it ceases to be an October surprise, it’s served its purpose and no longer notable.
Another one bites the dust!!! Durham seems to be having a hard time proving his case. After 3 years, Durham indicted three men, one of whom pleaded guilty and two that were tried and acquitted. I guess Dunham’s October surprise is that he lost in court today.
In comparison, in less time, thirty-four individuals and three companies were indicted by Mueller’s investigators. Eight pleaded guilty to or been convicted of felonies, including five Trump associates and campaign officials.