Dear Donald: Let us try to explain it to you. Yes, most
politicians do some form of “opposition research” on their political campaign
opponents. They look for some embarrassing personal incident, political
misstatement, or questionable decision made, usually from some long-ago time in
the opponent’s past – an action that is not appropriate in today’s climate.
Then they use that information to either inform a rational debate on an issue,
or far more often, use that information in the sleaziest and/or most distorted
manner possible to defame their opponent. This element of campaigning has gone
on since the first political vote in our Republic, and for better or worse has
little chance of ending.
But the doing or receiving of “opposition research” for your
campaign is not the issue that has provoked the latest well-deserved criticism
of you. We already assume that you would welcome such dirt on a campaign
opponent. Rather, it is the SOURCE of the research that is being called into
fierce criticism. When you were asked, you stated that “of course” you would be
interested in receiving such negative information, even if it came from a
foreign source. “Give me a break – that’s the way it works.” And “no,” you saw
no reason to call the FBI and report such an offer from a foreign source. And
the Director of the FBI who said that is what you actually should do? Your
answer was “he is wrong.”
Stated simply, he is not wrong. Your answer was wrong because
existing federal law says contributions to American political campaigns from
any foreign source – including of money, services, or “things of value” – are
prohibited. Prohibited means it is illegal – for both the giver and the
receiver. This legal prohibition has been publicly affirmed by the Chairman of
the Federal Election Commission. Your answer was wrong because American
elections are actions that Americans take towards governing this country, and
governing America is not the business of non-Americans. Your answer was wrong because
when foreign entities – governments, hired agents, or individual foreign
citizens – seek to influence the American electorate, this is an assault
against our Constitutional governance. The President of the United States – and
every Congressperson and judge – has sworn to protect that Constitution above
all else.
Failing to understand the distinction between obtaining
opposition research, and it coming from a foreign source, is the universal criticism.
To later say that you would “first examine the information to see if it was
correct or inappropriate” and then, based on that review, decide whether or not
to notify the FBI (“maybe”), does not change the intent or the impact of your
words. It is the receipt of the information, not its quality, that is
pertinent. Your position is ethically wrong and criminally liable.
Your statements were recorded and broadcast for all to hear.
No amount of attempted backtracking and rewording can change them. No efforts
at “clarifications” can undo the confirmation that you once again believe that
you are above the spirit and fact of our laws, and the enforcement thereof.
After two years of Mueller investigations and his findings about Russian
influence on our 2016 election, you have clearly learned nothing about your
legal and moral obligations regarding the sanctity and integrity of our
American elections. Hence your claims of “no collusion” in 2016 have become
even more unbelievable given your publicly stated willingness to collude in the
future. Which explains your failure of
leadership to strengthen protections for such sanctity and integrity going into
our 2020 elections.
Your FBI Director was right. You were wrong. It would be nice
if, for once, you could just simply acknowledge that. The country’s faith in
its leadership deserves that. Then again, we won’t hold our collective breath
waiting for it.
© 2019
Randy Bell https://www.ThoughtsFromTheMountain.blogspot.com
