I worked my way through the weeds over on Facebook (in a thread John started), so read this, including material linked from there.
Whatever you think of the word analysis — H's propensity to say "malign," etc. etc. — the form of his "denial" is the key. I didn't think he would lie, and he didn't. That's why he said: "Anything sent out by me would have carried my name. An early political lesson I learned: never send an anonymous op-ed." The NYT op-ed writer did send it out under his own name. The NYT knows the name. It was just published anonymously.
Show me where he denies writing the piece, and I'll relent.
September 7, 2018
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Man, what a disaster Huntsman is. Only good thing he has done was pick Herbert as vice-Governor, who turned out to be a pretty good, low key governor after Huntsman left with stars in his eyes.
But I do apologize for the state of Utah foisting this idiot on the rest of the nation.
I fully expect Chuck to be Huntsman's campaign cheerleader for the "Huntsman 2020: This time, let's fail harder!" campaign.
ooo the liar's loophole.
Slate makes a persuasive argument
Isn’t Huntsman in Russia? Is he in a position to do the things claimed by anonymous?
Yup, just the kind of GOPe loser who would pull this kind of stunt and issue that weaselly non-denial denial.
It would also explain the reason for anonymity: had H said things openly and honestly, everyone would immediately have discounted it. Only anonymity got him any traction at all.
Trump is blessed with his enemies.
They just want to see Abby Hoffman's secret Mormon underwear. Disgusting.
An Open Letter to the NYT’s Anonymous Senior Trump Administration Official
Maybe Huntsman is commandeering the bags of money Trump is sending Putin.
So the ambassador to Russia is in a position to intervene on major matters before the President? How’s that work- isn’t the Russian ambassador in like Russia much of the time?
”They just want to see Abby Hoffman's secret Mormon underwear. Disgusting.”
Abby Hoffman’s underwear? That is disgusting.
Truly wild speculation Althouse. About a meaningless piece in an unethical paper that moved none of Trump’s supporters and fed the confirmation bias of the rag’s readership. Who cares who wrote it, but you’re throwing an accusation out based on nothing factual.
My guess is Rose Mary Woods.
Agree with the analysis. Huntsman is also a weasel like Romney. Romney was probably the cutout who approached the NYT with the proposal.
Zombie Mark Felt?
Good analysis by John. But one problem: The op-ed suggested that the writer was in DC. Huntsman is in Russia.
Very nice close reading, Ann. That weasel-wording had escaped me. Although I was struck by how not sending an anonymous op-ed piece was one of the first things he ever learned in politics, when so far as I can tell there has been no history of anyone publishing anonymous op-eds until this week.
Huntsman was at McCain’s funeral in DC.
Slippery guy.
Flake, Romney, and Huntsman. The Mormon Mafia.
Geometric logic.
Huntsman is a notorious weasel. He turned on his own party by taking a job for Obama, then turned around and bit Obama's hand by running against him. He also endorsed Trump, then ran for the tall grass when the pussy grabbin' tape was revealed. Then he took a nice job from Trump. Now he's maybe back-stabbing him in the NYT? If the guy had even a modicum of respect for his fellow man or even for himself, he'd go out into the desert bury himself alive without delay.
He's a purebred poop weasel. Is the thee weasel? We'll see.
Huntsman’s response was way too long. “It wasn’t me” is what you say. That shit about sending anonymous opera was guilding the lily.
I’d short the stick of the Hintsman company. Trump is going to put it out of business.
I don't think Romney and Huntsman get along very well anymore.
Whomever it is, they have to be of the weekly-standard neo-con variety who is itching to go to war with everyone. Our rhetoric and the way trump is being pushed to basically attack russia would bolster that type of person.
the rest of the editorial is idiotic blather.
“The NYT op-ed writer did send it out under his own name. The NYT knows the name. It was just published anonymously”
And you’re a lawyer? How many seconds would it take to shred that line of reasoning in court?
Abby Hoffman’s underwear? That is disgusting.
Right.
Abby Huntsman was the real target.
And her secret Mormon underwear is secret.
I finally read the piece today and it is shockingly bad.
It presents no argument, just assertions that assume that everyone is onboard with subversion of our governmental institutions, constitutional arrangements, and democratic traditions. It provides only approximations of facts and instances of wrongdoing, as well as hand-waving explanations of corrective actions.
I think that if a plausible case can be made that any particular official, Huntsman or anyone else, is this out of touch with their duties and with public accountability, they should be fired whether they wrote the thing or not. We should not have to endure third-rate officials when there are second-raters we could usefully put to work.
If that's the case, then the NYT is lying. How in the world is a Russian Ambassador, a "Senior White House Official" ?
He's not even in the fucking White House! He's in Moscow.
And how would he know that Cabinet Members are "whispering" - he's not in the Cabinet. He's in Moscow.
But yes, that pompous, nagging, moralism, combined with a complete lack of integrity, sounds just like Mitt Romney or Ben Sasse or John Hunstsman.
I read the article in Slate and it seemed pretty convincing.
All those weird adjectives and the pompous tone sounds just like Huntsman.
But, how can you label him a "Senior White House official".
No, it has to be someone else. Or the NYT is a lying piece of shit.
I remember when "Primary Colors" was published and everyone was asking Joe Klein if he was the author.
He didn't issue any weasel-worded denial/non-denial. He said no, repeatedly, and even attacked friends and co-workers who would dare continue to ask him.
He lied, of course, and it didn't hurt his career a bit.
rcocean said "How in the world is a Russian Ambassador, a "Senior White House Official?"
The op-ed actually says "a senior official in the Trump administration whose identity is known to us and whose job would be jeopardized by its disclosure."
Aside from being anonymous (which raises numerous red flags), it's just a silly, non-factual opinion piece, in the same vein as others, "I really, really, really don't like Trump."
Maybe our "Chuck" works inside the White House! (Just kidding Chuck).
Abby Huntsman does not wear secret Mormon underwear anymore, if she ever did.
I don't think Huntsman wrote the piece, but the non-denial denial was premeditated because he wants people to talk about him. He likes the attention.
It’s Senior Official in Trump Administration.”
Didn’t say White House official
What a disaster these Mormon pols are. Romney, Lee, Flake, Huntsman.
The open borders, "free" trade, and gag-me-with-a-spoon pompous moralism and fake patriotism combined with a nasty, underhanded, stab-them-in-the-back Machiavellian creepiness.
I’m still in the made up composite man camp.
I agree rocean wrt Ambassadors are not Senior WH Officials. Then again, I never believed the author to actually be a Senior WH Official. Several people have noted that the NYT once called an Intern a Senior Government Official, so lying is nothing new for them.
I stand corrected.
But that still the question.
how would huntsman know what cabinet members were "whispering" if he's in Moscow.
And how would he prevent Trump from "going off the rails"?
How hard would it be to parody Huntsman's style?
But one problem: The op-ed suggested that the writer was in DC. Huntsman is in Russia.
Don't you remember "Gerald" in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy ?" He was the standin for a whole group of traitors.
Of course, he was really the spy feeding the Circus Russian "chicken feed."
Huntsman gets all the gossip on the State Department ratline.
Honest question: will it matter, who it is? I mean, whether it is somebody like Huntsman, or a Pence speechwriter (and I am sticking with "a Pence speechwriter" as my choice), what's the difference?
What I find hilarious is the Trump/Trumpist triumphalism over the fact that many on the Left and within the anti-Trump Right, are all criticizing the AMOMYNOUS op-ed author. Trump thinks that everybody who agrees that the author really should go public means that they all think (as Trump does) that the guy is a coward and wrong and that Trump is right and somehow is a winner in this.
When the simple fact is that what many anti-Trumpers of all political stripes agree on, is that the op-ed author should go public, resign, and urge others to do the same. And in doing so, to be specific and detailed on the record about the seriousness of Trump's personal instability, lying and moral depredations.
The article is persuasive. So far there's less evidence for the theory that Putin made Huntsman write the letter and it was either that or be revealed as the actual subject of the Russian Prostitutes/Golden Shower video.
Huntsman is also one of Woodward’s sources. Maybe his main source.
What's wrong with Mike Lee? He's pretty conservative, and was on the short list for the Supreme Court. So is his brother, Tom Lee the current associate Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court.
Plus, most of the Utah Congressional delegation are pretty conservative. Rob Bishop and Chris Stewart Ive never heard complaints about. Jason Chaffetz did alright. I'll give you Mia Love as a disappointment. Hatch is being astonishingly conservative when he doesn't have to be as he's resigning.
Flake and Huntsman are disasters. I have some hope for Romney still, but not much. Voted against him in the primary, for sure.
If it was Huntsman, I can understand why he issued an anonymous Editorial.
Because if he'd signed his own name, no one would've given a shit.
Everyone would've said. So what? He's a never-trumper. And he's in Moscow - and just an Ambassador. What does he know?
Making it seem like he's someone important in the White House, even General kelly or Mike Pence, causes much more damage.
I wouldn't overlook the possibility (and I think it is a strong one) that it was actually written by more than one person, and these individuals are highly-placed, senior officials of the NYT.
Or maybe Comey and his "lawyer."
as I pointed elsewhere, what is the evidence the source did anything, he couldn't have done the sanctions, that was treasury, the arming Ukraine, was pentagon, the stronger public statements were state,
rcocean said...
...
how would huntsman know what cabinet members were "whispering" if he's in Moscow.
My question as well. You all can sense how much I'd like something like these allegations to be true and verifiable. Which is why I'll be demanding about the sourcing and provenance. I don't want any false allegations made against Trump. I want charges that will stick.
Flake and Huntsman are disasters. I have some hope for Romney still, but not much. Voted against him in the primary, for sure.
Thanks for the vote against Mitt.
I hate Carpetbaggers on general principle, and I've never understood why people in Utah would like Romney. He lived his entire life *outside* of Utah. I guess it wasn't "big enough" for him. But then when he wants to be a Senator, Utah is only place that will have him, so he runs there.
If I lived in Utah, i would've preferred someone who'd paid their dues - in Utah. And not parachuted in, when a Senate Seat opened up.
Does nobody see the game here? Why was there so much speculation pushing Pence as the author? So Trump (being the raving lunatic he is) would force Pence to resign.
Meanwhile, the Dems take the House, so no replacement is voted on. Then they finally nail Trump for good, impeachment, conviction, hello President Pelosi!!!!
On second thought, rcocean, the notion that Huntsman is in Moscow really does place him near the center of the Trump Administration Special Ops, right?
FUCK ME!!!!! I just figured it out! The new Congress votes Hillary! in as Speaker!
Now THAT is how you undo an election.
My question as well. You all can sense how much I'd like something like these allegations to be true and verifiable.
Because you're certifiable. We all know that.
Romney actually does have a history in Utah-- he saved the 2002 Olympic games from scandal, and they turned out fantastic, much better than they should have, by rights.
Romney used that to springboard to governor of Massachusetts, but his true base is in Utah. He went to university here, for instance.
None of that means a great deal, but he's not a carpetbagger, like he would be if he ran in Wyoming for instance.
As for Huntsman-- the guy is smarmy and even though he's a former governor, I'm pretty sure he'd lose if he ran again. He's burned most of his bridges here.
Chuck isn't smart enough to know that the bad guy was the seditious writer of the op-ed, not Trump. No wonder Trump doesn't call or write.
Love him. Love it if he did it,even though most Mormons creep me out. Power to the people!!!
Vicki from Pasadena
So did he learn this early political lesson by sending out an anonymous op-ed? That’s how I read the denial. And if he has done it before ... but personally I think it was John Barron.
Yeah, it's something he'd do.
Leave it to our dear Law Professor to spot Huntsman's negative pregnant. Or is that phrase outlawed these days?
But this also raises the question why Trump rubs all the elite Mormon Church mugwumps the wrong way. Is it a competing power issue centered on religious stubbornness? Trump never attacks them. All he does is see right through them.
one can tiehim up with henry cabot lodge, who presided over the fall of diem, which led to the Vietnam escalation,
@Vicki, we the people have taken power.
"Abby Huntsman does not wear secret Mormon underwear anymore, if she ever did."
Whatever kind of underwear she wears, I'm sure I wouldn't find it disgusting.
I agree completely on Huntsman as the most likely author. To fulfill his political ambitions he needs to break very publicly with Trump before too much longer, and he had to know that no one would care if he simply resigned and made an anti-Trump statement. The anonymous article has gotten him a hundred times more attention, and there will be even more Resistance Theater as he's smoked out of his hole. Brilliant.
@Crimso,
Very good political hypothesis above.
The Nixon-haters did have to find some dirt on Agnew to get rid of him, before they nailed Nixon. Impeaching and removing Nixon to get President Spiro Agnew wasn't a good end game.
So, the Get-Trump Squad has to make a few forays into dinging up Pence, finding a way to remove him, before they go for the head of state.
I like it.
"why Trump rubs all the elite Mormon Church mugwumps the wrong way."
Maybe because of Trump's stance on immigration and how it affects their many missions south of the border.
Traditionalguy: it's the whole "Trump is openly immoral" bit. He was pretty shameless in the past; plus made most of his money off of gambling. Most Mormons have a problem with immoral leaders. And Trump--who expected him to actually be a conservative instead of just mouthing the words?
I think most Mormons have basically settled on the "God can judge Trump's personal failings but He is at least using Trump for good." Kind of like how Cyrus is regarded in the Old Testament.
I know for sure that almost all Mormons are extremely grateful that it's not Hillary there. Except Harry Reid, of course.
"a senior official in the Trump administration whose identity is known to us and whose job would be jeopardized by its disclosure." This doesn't say a current senior official and doesn't say that the threatened job is with the administration or somewhere else.
This means the editorial could be by Omarosa Newman. I think she's a likely candidate, her book has been tanking, and she needs the controversy.
Now his presidency of the atlantic council, and their ties to crowdstrike, is suggestive, as well as their support of the iran deal, I'm disappointed they seems to have fallen for their flawed analysis re the sony hack, because north korea, is really interested in the organizations foibles of Hollywood films,
In so far as woodwards source, might have compromised intelligence efforts re north korea, I think that one is more problematic,
All that said, I think the NYT just wrote an op-ed and said it came from the White House. They do openly admit they will make up stuff to smear Trump, after all. They must be delighted by this!
"Power to the people!!!"
Who are the people?
Or better, probably -
Which people?
"I like it."
It's just a crazy conspiracy theory I'm riffing on. I've got another one wherein the FBI conspires to spy on the Trump campaign in the run-up to (and after) the 2016 election. Both require too much suspension of disbelief though.
Who ever it is expected to be outed when they wrote it. They expect to be hailed as heroic.
As was said by others yesterday, a probable step towards employment at Cnn or MSNBC.
Another Spartacus , for sure.
so Halberstam is still the times worst reporter,
https://babalublog.com/2018/09/07/when-the-new-york-times-used-anonymous-sources-to-libel-and-defame-a-hero-pedro-diaz-lanz-warning-america-of-the-biggest-threat-in-her-modern-history/
I could say nasty things about Huntsman, but I'd rather wait on some real proof. OTOH, I'd happily join in an office pool and put my slip in the jar.
I dunno, but I seem to remember Spartacus got crucified for his trouble. Maybe folks should be looking for a meme other than him - unless they want his ultimate fate as well as the short term fame. Of course, we aren't Rome..
I'm pretty sure it was the one-armed man.
Huntsman has enough money to resign in a huff.
And I don't think he has the self-awareness to realize his high dudgeon would be laughed at.
I think someone in the White House wrote it as a joke mocking the Woodward "deep sources" and somebody else thought it would be funny to see if the NYT would print it. Someone conventional but with an axe to grind with NYT finished the set-up for the Biggest Troll ever.
Christopher C. Hull says:
Which of them could it be? Here are my top candidates — and, more importantly, candidates who should be replaced to fix the problem going forward.
Trump needs to request a Secret Service and DOJ investigation. Language in the op-ed implies the possibility of violence to end Trump’s Administration - “until — one way or another — it’s over.”
This language should invoke investigations into his safety and possible sedition. The methodology is simple: subpoena NYT staff before a grand jury and demand the identity of the author. There is no federal reporter/source privilege. Remember Judith Miller? If they refuse, jail them for contempt. Of course, Plame prosecutor Fitzgerald was a Democrat - with balls.
It’s time the DOJ/FBI stopped trying to whitewash themselves and the Democrats and did their jobs. Cowboy up Mr. Sessions.
BTW, there is at least as much probable cause here as for the Mueller witch hunt.
Yes i suggested hooks, cabelka hall and we stefano are new.
Can I ask a question about his teeth? Are those implants on his upper teeth? Caps? Or a partial upper set? His upper teeth are too perfect.
I'm in the Obama is good - for sleeping camp. Reminds me of Rush's ad for Obamanex.
Whatever kind of underwear she wears, I'm sure I wouldn't find it disgusting.
If you read carefully, the disgusting part is the gang of losers trying to expose it. Secret Mormon underwear is meant to be kept secret.
This just in from Jeralyn Merritt:
Update: George Papadopoulos, the first Trump associate to be sentenced in the Mueller probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election, has been sentenced to 14 days in jail and 1 year supervised release for the crime of making false statements to the F.B.I.
So Papadopoulos gets 14 days for lying to the FBI. Martha Stewart must be shaking her head wondering why she got 5 months in jail for lying about a single personal stock trade.
ohnny DeStefano
But it won’t get fixed and, in fact, more anonymous opponents will continue to be installed to work against Trump behind the scenes, as long as President Trump retains Johnny DeStefano.
DeStefano is a former aide to ousted House Speaker John Boehner, initially named personnel director by establishment kingpin Reince Priebus, who got a promotion and reportedly still retains authority over the Presidential Personnel Office (PPO).
Christopher C. Hull says:
"By all reports, DeStefano is a terrific guy whom Trump likes personally but has nevertheless arguably overseen a vast effort to place Bush administration veterans and establishment moderates throughout the Federal Government.
In fact, one former Trump White House official named DeStefano as the single most significant problem the president faces in enacting his agenda. That’s on a list that includes Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi.
Why?
Because, as the president is learning yet again, personnel is policy."
Maybe someone used malign in that way to fake us out.
So the consensus here is that it was a weasely thing to do. Is it as weasel-like as Trump calling the press to talk about himself posing as a publicist?
Huntsman is the guy. He’s amoral and narcissistic. Worse than Romney.
And in doing so, to be specific and detailed on the record about the seriousness of Trump's personal instability, lying and moral depredations.
That's where your hypothetical breaks down, Chuck.
Nobody cares ! Business is good, unemployment is down and more important jobs are up, wages are up and things are going well.
Oil production is over 11 million barrels a day
You pussified types are in a dither because Trump says Fuck or something.
Get over it, Chuck.
Reportedly Javanka pointing the finger at Kelly's staff.
Well huntsman hired weasel John weaver who threw the lobbyist story to the times,
Off topic:
https://apnews.com/a4f7f0d1619b40eb97496202bcfb92dc
You recently blogged about a Detroit federal judge trying to strike down a ban on "single ticket" voting in MI. The judge claimed the ban violated the rights of black voters.
Well, the appeals court suspended that decision and said the ruling likely would be overturned. And the Supreme Court refused to overturn that ruling.
So no single party "one touch" voting in MI in November
He also allegedly was the one who told Reid about Romney's tax returns, of course kasixh then hired him, reasons.
Self-admitted Smear Merchant and Durbin cuckholster Chuck: "Which is why I'll be demanding about the sourcing and provenance. I don't want any false allegations made against Trump."
LOL
Noted racist commenter, rumor-mongerer against children and self-admitted smear merchant Chuck will be "demanding" about sources!!!
Too too funny.
Chuck is still reeling from the pathetic performance of his dem allies in the Kavanaugh hearing.
His "effective" and "competent" (we'll just assume Chuck would say very very very handsome as well) Dick Durbin did not have a good week!
As Stephen McIntyre points out, timofeev Bandai club, was a customary place for congressional delegations visiting Moscow, in fact James Coney spoke at an event where timofeev was present last July, sneaky Russians. Halper was real friendly with a,former svr head.
That's who mifsud was in contact with, probably through his mi 6 and Italian intelligence ties.
So the consensus here is that it was a weasely thing to do. Is it as weasel-like as Trump calling the press to talk about himself posing as a publicist?
Did that potentially affect the country and the will of the voters?
The supposed source e Milan, apparently spoke to Steele not long after crossfire hurricane was launched, the bureau had deep doubts about his veracity.
Pence's ghost, with Dan Coats as conduit.
Huntsman makes no sense at all.
Is it as weasel-like as Trump calling the press to talk about himself posing as a publicist?
You have proof of that? When did it happen, 1990? Here's a TIME article that claims Trump called a Sue Carswell, a reporter at People, using the name “John Miller." Do they let us hear this tape? No. They reference a 1990 court case that he had used “John Barron” as a pseudonym in the past.
Get it? John Miller is a lot like John Barron, except for the Miller/Barron part. Too bad Arthur Conan Doyle isn't around to use that clever proof in his next Sherlock Holmes novel.
http://time.com/4329561/donald-trump-john-miller-john-barron-publicist-1991-phone-call/
Smear merchants, proudly self-described like Chuck, have no need of proof.
Proof would just get in the way of his lefty cickholstering.
Obviously.
According to Salena Zito's The Great Revolt, Trump was picked by the down and out American middle class fighting for survival after the Dems with Obama completely abandoned them and planned to replace them. But in Trump they saw a fighter through his own disasters in Bx and divorces who cared about them and was willing to speak truth and to fight for them. Hmmm?
I can see why that does not appeal to wealthy Mormon mugwumps who inherited $ and supposed it came because they were religious idiots who never enjoyed life. NYC playboy Trump must seem like the worst example there is to them. Of course Mormons are about as far as it gets from sexually righteous. No amount of abstaining from coffee and cokes will change that humanity.
That "senior official in the Trump Administration" mostly likely is a career bureaucrat Democrat. And I'm also looking in the direction of the Department of "Justice" and the "intelligence" agencies.
traditionalguy: "According to Salena Zito's The Great Revolt,"
Careful. You are likely to trigger LLR Chuck now that Chucks lefty allies have decided to attack and smear Salena because her reporting too accurately describes the political situation on the ground.
LLR Chuck and the left positively despise accurate reporting regarding Trump and his voters.
Do the dncs attorney say mifsud is dead, so as to be able to continue the lawsuit.
It is useless engaging the Moby Clown.
I am still waiting for Chuckles (the fake lawyer) to explain how Mueller can subpoena Trump's tax returns without probable cause.
You know the law, right?
Or maybe you just slept at a Holiday Inn once.
Btw, did you hear?
Ingas and LLR Chuck's hero Baby Boy Trudeau of Canada just dropped 51,000 jobs last month.
If only they had a Trump...
Blogger readering said...
Reportedly Javanka pointing the finger at Kelly's staff.
Your DNC sources have always been reliable before, eh ?
I just want to know who it is so I can put them on my shitlist.
I just listened to it on the Post web site (John Miller). Google Donald Trump masqueraded as publicist to brag
I could go with Huntsman. His presence in DC for the McCain funeral gives him opportunity. He's self-righteous enough.
But I could also believe that he is a good bit slicker than this behavior implies and although he largely wrote the piece its authorship was credited to a protege with less to lose if exposed.
And I'm not referring to the "intermediary" who actually handed it to the Times but to a stooge who could take the fall.
“What I find hilarious is the Trump/Trumpist triumphalism over the fact that many on the Left and within the anti-Trump Right, are all criticizing the AMOMYNOUS op-ed author”
Hahahahaha, oh man, and he wasn’t even drunk.
I hope Inga starts collecting vintage hand grenades--WWI and later.
The fool is here to provide entertainment.
Trump is the disrupter of the old system and the fools like you have no idea of what is happening.
Remember, Inga was just telling us all how the "deep state" doesnt exist all the while the left is praising the deep state for sabotaging Trump!
If you want Inga to believe something, just put it in a "dossier".
She always goes the Full Ron Burgandy when that happens...
People here saw the op-ed as a trap for Trump, and I agree with them. The Left truied to cause a split between Trump and Pence when they circulated anonymously sourced hearsay of Mrs. Pence badmouthing Trump. He didn't fall for it. Now, given the Left's tendencies for projection, they see Trump running around like a madman trying to find the mole in his administration. I wouldn't be surprised if the CIA came to him with an offer to find the culprit by hacking/surveilling the NYT and those around him--only for it to be a trap cooked up with Mueller and the 17 dwarfs. It would take some heat off the CIA for their illegal dirty work for Obama and make them the heroes here blowing the whistle on illegal orders. Only one problem, Trump would not fall for it and he is used to having people hate him and work behind his back. He has seen worse with the Hollywood types surrounding him.
I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with the Althouse hypothesis, but I did learn in the wake of George W. Bush's Iraq war that the Dept. of State has more power than the Dept. of Defense, and more hidden bookkeeping than the CIA.
Interesting thing about that, the fellow who convened the meeting to send Wilson to Niger was an inr analyst, he had been the second highest ranking diplomat when Wilson visited on 99. Powell had the memo, because Valerie had bigfootee on their terf, Admits he fed it to Miller, Cooper and novak.
But it won’t get fixed and, in fact, more anonymous opponents will continue to be installed to work against Trump behind the scenes, as long as President Trump retains Johnny DeStefano.
DeStefano is a former aide to ousted House Speaker John Boehner, initially named personnel director by establishment kingpin Reince Priebus, who got a promotion and reportedly still retains authority over the Presidential Personnel Office
Needs to be shouted--from the mountain top--every hour of every day.
Those on the inside ,the Trump daughter and soni in law, are pointing their finger at Kelly, but what do they know compared to Althouse and her followers
leaving aside Ann's conclusion for a moment, this is a good example of Ann's difficulties in sourcing to suit the sensibilities of some of her readers. She can't link to the original Slate column, because that would drive some of you nuts, but since underneath there's a Daily Mail item, then all's OK and the Facebook business can be thrown in.
Sure, why not Huntsman as the writer? Remember guys, the whole point of the op-ed writer, and the Wood ward book, and Omarosa's and Wolff's books, is that there's total chaos in the White House, because the people who came there to work with Trump, and believed in Trump, and want him to succeed, are continually telling themselves and the press that they think he's mentally unstable. You can keep shooting the messengers but it's likely they will keep turning up. Who stands to defend Donald Trump? Just some of you guys.
Look, any of you of working age with no anti-Trump record and experience in journalism, public relations or the law can get a job in the White House PDQ. They advertise all the time.
Ann, remember that friend who asked what you thought about the constitutional crisis involving the disability of the president, and you couldn't be bothered? How big of a joke is it now?
roesch/voltaire: "Those on the inside ,the Trump daughter and soni in law,..."
LOL
Chuck disappears, Pickering appears.
Like clockwork.
Cimso said...
Does nobody see the game here? Why was there so much speculation pushing Pence as the author? So Trump (being the raving lunatic he is) would force Pence to resign.
Meanwhile, the Dems take the House, so no replacement is voted on. Then they finally nail Trump for good, impeachment, conviction, hello President Pelosi!!!!
9/7/18, 5:17 PM--
Hello presnit gibberish.
There is a good case that Huntsman is on he short list. He is certainly an arrogant and stupid ass with motive and opportunity. I had not thought of Omarosa but she is quite capable of a stunt like this. It is also consistent with how she operates. Fun parlor game.
That said, it would be awesome if this turned out to be the troll of the century, i.e some smart ass wrote it as a joke on the NYT and they were shocked with delight the chumps published it. I know I would laugh uncontrollably
Dems will play every underhanded hard they have in the next two months. Banking, they are, to take the House, and impeach Trump.
October surprise?
Wait until you see what The Donald has in store--he wasn't born yesterday.
Fine. *card.
A hard card.
the Dept. of State has more power than the Dept. of Defense, and more hidden bookkeeping than the CIA.
Except on site in nasty places. The Army could not get State to staff their embassy or other sites.
States does best in DC and Alexandria VA for the underlings without rich wives.
That's why State should be relocated to West Virginia.
@mccullough sending anonymous opera was guilding the lily.
It's actually sending anonymous opera was painting the lily and guild is spelled gild.
Who is Huntsman?
Althouse is in the Huntsman-did-it camp.
They said that if Trump was elected women would be put into camps.
How, exactly, would the ambassador to Russia be in a position to take things off of Trump's desk?
"Who is Huntsman?"
I am Huntsman!
Huntsman is a rich kid whose Dad made billions despoiling the environment with their chemicals.
Now he’s into the environment. The dad died earlier this year.
"Chuck disappears, Pickering appears."
Interesting. They are both really obnoxious and annoying, but Chuckles seems more angry than that Pickering twit. Who knows?
I am still thinking through the Crack - Ritmo connection. One of them probably lives in Inga's basement.
LOL!
gbarto said, "I think someone in the White House wrote it as a joke mocking the Woodward "deep sources" and somebody else thought it would be funny to see if the NYT would print it."
Your theory makes more sense than Crimso's.
I like Crimso's theory, but I think it's too complicated for the Dems to figure out much less pull off. Too much "conspiracy" for the level of competence available. Your theory has the charm that it starts as one-person enterprise that catches on with a few others, all for laughs.
And in doing so, to be specific and detailed on the record about the seriousness of Trump's personal instability, lying and moral depredations.
I haven't heard anyone of credibility make any of those accusations. All we get are 3rd hand accounts of 'stuff' Not a shred of evidence that goes to fitness of office. But make no mistake this quote is the totality of the impeachment charges. Know what we haven't heard about for a long time? Collusion and obstruction of justice. In an early thread we have sweet dreams of income tax problems...that would have happened before the President took office but the IRS passed on. Now we are way down the list of impeachable offenses to personal instability,(good luck defining that!),Lying!!?( how low can a politician sink?) and moral depredations, (he clips his fingernails at the table)
I hope I live long enough to see a Democrat elected President so the playbook can be reversed.
Power to the people!!!
By "power to the people" Victoria means power to some people.
It wouldn't surprise me to find it is Huntsman. I know the man considers himself a potential outsider running for president, and such an op-ed and reveal would be a fairly effective way of raising his profile- a needed thing since if he had resigned and wrote the editorial under his own name, no one would give a flying fuck because Jon Huntsman is probably a name recognized by less than 2% of actual voters.
Trump in 2020.
It is so hard to be moved by the Never Trumpers. You can criticize the bad Trump while supporting the good Trump. Policy is what matters. Never Trumpers appear to wish for years of durance vile under HRC. Ugh.
@Yancey Ward: 2% of the public? You're being kind.
If this is true, I was extremely correct: I said someone from Mercatus with ties to the Kochs. Huntsman is knee deep in Koch money. He's so indebted to them he is basically their serf. And the Huntsman business school is literally being promoted as the Mercatus Center of the west. The two institutions are Koch projects.
The Kochs are the queen bees behind NeverTrump. They pay stables of "conservative" journalists and academicians to undermine the president. Trump was the only GOP candidate who didn't crawl on his or her knees before the Kochs and behind closed doors at Club for Growth. This is all about immigration.
Who is Deep State?
Early on, Scott Adams said to watch for "fake chaos." The concept is an extension of the Art of War's "Feign disorder and crush him." While the media and the people focus on the fake chaos, more of the agenda gets carried out more quietly than it otherwise would. This episode seems like that concept being taken to a new level.
It's interesting to me that this list has only names that I recognize. I think it is highly likely that the author is a second tier staff member -- probably at the White House and probably on the National Security Council staff. It's a person who goes to a lot of cabinet level meetings (or meetings which the President attends) but sits, not at the table, but in a chair behind one of the people at the table. This is not to imply that the author is not centrally important to a lot of policy decisions, or that the author is not in a position to make the observations that he or she makes.
I think it’s John Barron (or maybe David Dennison).
A blogger who goes by “MightyCassandra” thinks the Op ed was written by a student from USC. Here’s a tweet:
“Sep 5, shortly after the release of the Op-Ed, the #Anonymous essay popped on (link: http://Turnitin.com) Turnitin.com as a 100% match to a USC student essay handed in, surprise, surprise, Sep 5.”
He/She has a thread developing this theory.
It’s plausible. The biggest sticking point is, Would the NYT actually do this, fabricate a “senior official”? It’s too risky, too heavy-handed. But if the essay was given to them by someone with WH connecti9ns, or it was laundered in that way, maybe.
M Jordan,
I had read that yesterday- I think the key point seems to be that the turnitin document was turned in minutes after the online version of the essay appeared in the NYTimes, though I have seen sentences that claimed it was minutes before, too. That is what I would like to see Cassandra verify if I am to believe it was a USC student.
Yancey Ward,
Ah, I didn’t see that little timeline factor. It’s interesting how often a crime can be solved just by following the timeline.
Thanks for heads up.
Huntsman wouldn't have done it. The issues with Russia are very real and you can be certain Russia would want to plant the story so it can to undermine Huntsman though. Our massive lack of unity makes it so so so easy for Russia or anyone else external or internal who wants to weaken us.
My only comment about the NYT op-ed, and the author, is from the movie "My Cousin Vinny":
".....Everything That Guy Just Said is Bullshit....."
When I first saw that you were in the "Huntsman-did-it-camp", I figured you'd seen the same thing that I'd seen - but your source is different. So, here's another one:
https://www.glennbeck.com/radio/who-is-the-anonymous-author-of-the-bombshell-nyt-op-ed-prof-thinks-hes-found-the-answer?socialux=facebook&share_id=3933759
Crimso said..."I am Huntsman!"
I thought you were Booker.
Anonymous Senior Official 'isn’t a Mormon whose dad is a billionaire. (1) the author is a Washington insider who attends meetings with the president, and Huntsman is living in Moscow; (2) Huntsman really likes being an ambassador. I can’t say for sure that Pompeo really like’s being Trump’s Secretary of State, or that Dan Coats (another suspect) really likes being Trump’s Director of National Intelligence.'
Someone from NSC, maybe former HR McMaster or Katie Walsh (latter now with some pro-Trump private sector outfit)?
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