Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Stop using mental illness to avoid talking about armed white supremacy.

A norm that restrains only one side really is not a norm – it is a trap.

The arc of the moral universe does not bend itself. it is up to us to bend it.

Sometimes the world just tells you your cat is here.

No one could have predicted…

Consistently wrong since 2002

Some judge needs to shut this circus down soon.

Wow, I can’t imagine what it was like to comment in morse code.

Every reporter and pundit should have to declare if they ever vacationed with a billionaire.

Accountability, motherfuckers.

These days, even the boring Republicans are nuts.

You cannot love your country only when you win.

The lights are all blinking red.

We will not go back.

When you’re in more danger from the IDF than from Russian shelling, that’s really bad.

There is no compromise when it comes to body autonomy. You either have it or you do not.

Republicans in disarray!

“Loving your country does not mean lying about its history.”

DeSantis transforming Florida into 1930s Germany with gators and theme parks.

Is it irresponsible to speculate? It is irresponsible not to.

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

They punch you in the face and then start crying because their fist hurts.

Republicans cannot even be trusted with their own money.

“But what about the lurkers?”

You are here: Home / Economics / C.R.E.A.M. / Russiagate Open Thread: Prince Parties with Putin’s Favorite Congressman

Russiagate Open Thread: Prince Parties with Putin’s Favorite Congressman

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Just one targeted meteorite — is that too much to ask?

… Prince and Rohrabacher have been friends and mutual supporters for years: Prince interned for the California congressman on Capitol Hill in 1990, and Rohrabacher vigorously defended Prince when Blackwater faced congressional scrutiny during President George W. Bush’s administration.

The fundraising event, slated for March 18 at Prince’s Middleburg, Virginia residence, is expected to be attended by GOP Reps. Tom Garrett Jr. and Dave Brat, and Lt. Colonel Oliver North, according to an invitation obtained by CNN. Tickets start at $1,000 for the general reception, although donors paying $2,700 will also be invited to attend a VIP event beforehand…

Rohrabacher, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has been the target of attacks by Democrats and some Republicans for his unusually robust support for Russia. In the past, he has dismissed claims of Russia’s human right violations as “baloney,” publicly defended WikiLeaks and argued that the DNC was not hacked by Russia.

Rohrabacher met with the House Intelligence Committee, which is investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 election, for a private interview in December 2017.

He is now preparing for a challenging reelection fight, with nine Democrats currently jockeying to replace him in his southern California district.

For what it’s worth, according to The Hill, the GOP is already pretending they barely ever knew the guy…

… The congressman’s name surfaced again in connection with Russia when Richard Gates, a former campaign aide to President Trump, pleaded guilty in late February to lying about a 2013 meeting between Rohrabacher, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and a lobbyist on Ukraine.

While recent polling shows that a majority of voters nationwide are concerned about election interference from abroad, voter backlash to Russia’s 2016 election meddling hasn’t pulled in individual members of Congress — except for Rohrabacher…

“He’s always been the odd man out. Now people have a reason to care [about Russia] and they have a direct way to tie Rohrabacher to it,” Fred Brown, a former Republican National Committee (RNC) official, told The Hill…

In November, NBC News reported that Mueller was investigating a meeting that allegedly took place two months before the 2016 election between Rohrabacher and former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who has since pleaded guilty and started cooperating with Mueller.

And in 2016, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told other Republicans that he thought Rohrabacher and President Trump were on the Russian payroll, according to a recording obtained by The Washington Post. McCarthy later said he was joking.

Rohrabacher himself has continued to generate attention for his Russia ties since the 2016 election, traveling to London to visit WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who released the hacked Democratic emails during the presidential race…

Every single one of them, going back at least to the 1980s, is guilty as a bloody-mouthed dog surrounded by chicken corpses. Our best hope of surviving as a nation is to break up their godsdamned criminal cartel — aka “the GOP”.

Reader Interactions

116Comments

  1. 1.

    TenguPhule

    Our best hope of surviving as a nation is to break up their godsdamned criminal cartel — aka “the GOP”.

    Gonna need a bigger and better law enforcement for that.

  3. 3.

    debbie

    Rohrabacher’s the asshole who accused Bill Clinton of dying his hair gray so people would take him seriously. Prison’s too good a fate for him.

  4. 4.

    TenguPhule

    @Yutsano: Somebody has to actually go out and handcuff these clowns. I am…less then confident about the current police and other law enforcement forces in the affected areas to actually be able and willing to do so. A much harder task then shooting unarmed folks of color or robbing citizens at gunpoint.

  6. 6.

    Gin & Tonic

    You know, I’m half-tempted to pony up $1k to attend this shindig so I can spit in Rohrabacher’s eye. Maybe I could crowdfund that? Do you think I’d be arrested?

  7. 7.

    Brachiator

    Erik Prince, under fresh scrutiny in the Russia probe over the Seychelles meeting, is hosting a fundraiser for …. none other than Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, perhaps the most Kremlin-friendly member of Congress.

    Obviously, the Republicans don’t care about the Russia investigation, or are certain that it ultimately will go nowhere.

    And Trump could pay for his Big Macs with rubles and his supporters would not give a shit.

    Some people have “friends with benefits.” Republicans have friends with nukes. And money. Make it rain!

  11. 11.

    efgoldman

    @TenguPhule:

    I am…less then confident about the current police and other law enforcement forces in the affected areas

    Rohrbacher and Nunes, both from CA. You think federal prosecutors will have any trouble getting state and local help?

  12. 12.

    TenguPhule

    @Brachiator:

    Obviously, the Republicans don’t care about the Russia investigation, or are certain that it ultimately will go nowhere.

    The House investigation for sure.

    Mueller, now that’s an open question. I still don’t know how the whole enforcement is gonna work out in the end, but at least we’ll all have legal standing, whatever else happens.

  14. 14.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Just realized, I haven’t previously seen — or, at least, paid attention to — photos of Erik Prince. But oh boy howdy, if ever there were a face designed to illustrate the dictionary entry on Backpfeifengesicht, it’s his.

  15. 15.

    mai naem mobile

    How has Dick Cheney not managed to get caught up in this? He’s about the only Republicanleft I would like to see in prison whp hasn’t gotten caught up in L’Affaire Lumpy.

  17. 17.

    TenguPhule

    @mai naem mobile:

    How has Dick Cheney not managed to get caught up in this?

    He’s an evil asshole, but alas, not stupid. He knows how to cover his tracks.

  19. 19.

    ewrunning

    Elsewhere, Jared Kushner clearly has learned nothing from losing his access to Top Secret. NY Times reports that while in Mexico City he “did not invite the American ambassador — Roberta S. Jacobson, a diplomat with more than 30 years of experience in the region — to join him in the meetings.”

  22. 22.

    Brachiator

    @TenguPhule:

    Obviously, the Republicans don’t care about the Russia investigation, or are certain that it ultimately will go nowhere.

    The House investigation for sure.

    Mueller, now that’s an open question. I still don’t know how the whole enforcement is gonna work out in the end, but at least we’ll all have legal standing, whatever else happens.

    Right now, with Prince openly laying out a lavish spread for Rohrabacher, I would say that the GOP does not fear Mueller. Things may change, but these weasels are acting mighty comfortable.

  23. 23.

    David ??Merry Christmas?? Koch

    We are in a trade war right now, and we’re losing that war.

    March 7. 2018

    Who said this: Drumpf or Wilmer?

  27. 27.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    @TenguPhule: I don’t think we that far gone that treason won’t motivate people. It certainly got the FBI to put up a fight against all their political instincts.

  28. 28.

    TenguPhule

    @Brachiator:

    Right now, with Prince openly laying out a lavish spread for Rohrabacher, I would say that the GOP does not fear Mueller.

    I would not attribute this to the GOP Congress in general based on the few assholes named in the story and how the others seem to be pretending to distance themselves from him. I think they honestly are unsure, because nothing is leaking. So they’re operating in an intelligence void, and good decisions are rarely made in those.

  31. 31.

    TenguPhule

    @Enhanced Voting Techniques:

    I don’t think we that far gone that treason won’t motivate people.

    I’m afraid this probably depends on the region and whether or not the person in question is a Republican.

    ETA: And how they define treason. And against who.

    It certainly got the FBI to put up a fight against all their political instincts.

    Parts of the FBI, at least. It just feels too much like Agents of Shield where you can’t tell who’s on Hydra’s side until its too late.

  33. 33.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?

    @Brachiator:

    Things may change, but these weasels are acting mighty comfortable.

    That’s because they’re arrogant and delusional. Nothing lasts forever. Or what TenguPhule said.

  35. 35.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @ewrunning:

    while in Mexico City he [JarJar the Kush] “did not invite the American ambassador — Roberta S. Jacobson, a diplomat with more than 30 years of experience in the region — to join him in the meetings.”

    That was mentioned in one of the overnight threads. It makes me wild on so many levels. Stupid, short-sighted, ham-handed, insulting to Mexican hosts, even more insulting to American Ambassador and her staff, arrogant, contemptible, and dangerous.

  36. 36.

    Cheryl Rofer

    Official announcement to be made 7 pm Eastern

  37. 37.

    Cheryl Rofer

  38. 38.

    Brachiator

    @ewrunning:

    Elsewhere, Jared Kushner clearly has learned nothing from losing his access to Top Secret. NY Times reports that while in Mexico City he “did not invite the American ambassador — Roberta S. Jacobson, a diplomat with more than 30 years of experience in the region — to join him in the meetings.”

    I am willing to bet good money that Kusher acted on Trump’s specific orders. Trump thinks that the foreign service is worthless.

    Also, he wants very few witnesses around during these shake downs and bribery attempts, uh, I mean, discussions.

  39. 39.

    TenguPhule

    @Cheryl Rofer:

    North Korea leader Kim Jong Un invited Trump to meet in the message that was delivered by the South Korean delegation, according to a senior US official and a former US senior official.

    Kim is so planning to slap Trump in the face with a palm full of VX.

    Calling it now.

  42. 42.

    Brachiator

    @Cheryl Rofer:

    North Korea leader Kim Jong Un invited US President Trump to meet in the message that was delivered by the South Korean delegation, according to a senior US official and a former US senior official.

    I have already heard some conservative radio hosts claim that this proves that Trump is tough and knows how to get things done.

  43. 43.

    No Drought No More

    Beg to differ. It’s not our “best hope” as a nation, it’s our only hope. But cheer up. Being a native Californian, I take great heart in the fact the rotten fucks ran themselves out of business here, and in much the same fashion as I’m now seeing play out nationally (I cite the special election results and polling numbers). The best hope of the democratic party, on the other hand, is to rid themselves of the in-house trash of their own (i.e., senators willing to gut the Dodd-Frank legislation, for example), so that the shattering of the republican party can be more speedily accomplished.

  48. 48.

    Major Major Major Major

    @No Drought No More:

    rid themselves of the in-house trash of their own (i.e., senators willing to gut the Dodd-Frank legislation, for example), so that the shattering of the republican party can be more speedily accomplished.

    Have you looked at the specific senators in question and a map recently? These are not compatible goals.

  50. 50.

    TenguPhule

    @Major Major Major Major:

    oh, talking it out is a conservative virtue now?

    More like: “Threats work! Time to make more!”

    Kim is going to pull the rug out from under Trump if he falls for this. And he will fall for it.

  52. 52.

    TenguPhule

    @oatler.: I’m sure Trump plans to try and launch a surprise attack during the actual meeting as a sound negotiating tactic.

  53. 53.

    tobie

    @Brachiator: Yes, it will be interpreted this way. Sad thing is that this is all an instance of “plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose.” North Korea will promise to dial back its nuclear program in exchange for money; in secret it will continue to develop this program and in a few years from now blackmail the world for more money etc etc etc. But yes, Trump and him minions will chalk this up as a major victory.

    I posted below that today feels like one of the most consequential days of the Trump presidency. He just overturned the entire post-WWII economic order by introducing a broad-based tariff, as opposed to one meant to either (a) punish a particular country for dumping a particular good or (b) retaliate against a country that has imposed tariffs on the US. What’s happened today is the economic equivalent of destroying NATO. What will happen next–the decision will be appealed to the WTO. If the WTO objects to the “national security” rationale for the tariffs, the US withdraws from the WTO and becomes a pariah nation. If, alternatively, the WTO allows for the national security justification for tariffs, then every other nation follows suit and the WTO also becomes meaningless. Sorry to be so bleak but things are not looking good for those of us who believe in multilateral institutions right now.

  54. 54.

    Brachiator

    @TenguPhule:

    Right now, with Prince openly laying out a lavish spread for Rohrabacher, I would say that the GOP does not fear Mueller.

    I would not attribute this to the GOP Congress in general based on the few assholes named in the story and how the others seem to be pretending to distance themselves from him. I think they honestly are unsure, because nothing is leaking. So they’re operating in an intelligence void, and good decisions are rarely made in those.

    We don’t really disagree. I said that the GOP is acting as though everything is copacetic. I did not say that they are necessarily correct in their assessments.

    The GOP leadership, including those who might become targets of an investigation, are carrying on business as usual.

  55. 55.

    Corner Stone

    Meet with Kim and have no US translator in the room. Sounds like a recipe for victory.
    It’s impossible to think this is a good idea. For any reason. It bolsters NK legitimacy, lets them stall for time and makes Trump and the US look even more a chump than we already do.

  62. 62.

    TenguPhule

    @tobie:

    the US withdraws from the WTO and becomes a pariah nation.

    And then anarchy. Hawaii would have to seriously contemplate secession if this happens, we wouldn’t have any choice if we want to survive since all of our power and most of our food comes in through trade.

  64. 64.

    Cheryl Rofer

    The way summit meetings are usually done is for the staff of the various departments – State, Commerce, Treasury, Energy – work out the details first, and then the leaders sign the documents. They may also say a few words. The departments have been gutted, of course, and Trump doesn’t believe in preparing. Corner Stone makes a good point that SOP in this administration is to have no other US representatives in the room.

    Oh, and now they’re going to make South Korea announce it from outside the White House, no American reps present.

  65. 65.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Cheryl Rofer: I believe the NeverTrump cons argue that this is a victory for North Korea, gives them a standing in the world they crave. I’m thinking back to the late 90s there was a push (I typed big push, but I don’t remember really who big it was) on the part of some for Clinton to go to Pyongyang, or at least meet the old man in a neutral country. Was that the argument against at the time, that they didn’t deserve to be dealt with as an equal?

  66. 66.

    Chet Murthy

    @TenguPhule:

    So they’re operating in an intelligence void, and good decisions are rarely made in those.

    Uh beg to differ. From what I’ve read, the GrOPers in Congress on the various intelligence oversight committees have adequate access to intelligence, to conclude that Littledick is a Putin puppet. The ones *not* on those committees, can trust their colleagues. And as Seth Abramson points out, the public knowledge alone is pretty damning. So sorry, they’re not operating in a void, except perhaps of their own making.

  67. 67.

    trollhattan

    @SiubhanDuinne:
    He looks like Ollie North after a makeover at the National Socialists barbershop. Also a rather striking resemblance to sis. A family to be avoided at all costs.

    Thanks, Amway.

  68. 68.

    TenguPhule

    @Corner Stone:

    It’s impossible to think this is a good idea.

    Depends on which side of the Neutral zone you’re on. This seems like a brilliant idea to the Romulans.

  72. 72.

    TenguPhule

    @Chet Murthy:

    From what I’ve read, the GrOPers in Congress on the various intelligence oversight committees have adequate access to intelligence, to conclude that Littledick is a Putin puppet

    They have access which they are valiantly doing their best to avoid bringing up at all costs. They know that they’re all guilty of treason, but they don’t know what Mueller knows. Which is one of the few remaining bright spots.

  73. 73.

    Corner Stone

    @Calouste: Kim just might. But why would he speak English? It puts Trump at a disadvantage if he does not. In any event, there is simply no way Trump is going to meet one on one with Kim.

  74. 74.

    Cheryl Rofer

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: The neocons have always argued against negotiations of any kind as legitimating the other side. And besides, it might remove some of the motivation for war. But a summit meeting, out of nowhere like this one is, would legitimate Kim Jong Un in a way that is undesirable. Much better to have a long workup and then something to show for it.

    It seems to be a common male fantasy that if I could just talk to those guys, they’d straighten up and fly right. Trump is now buoyed along by his belief that this is a victory for him. Kim will probably give him a big parade and the red carpet treatment.

    Prepare to meet your North Korean masters!

  75. 75.

    Brachiator

    @tobie:

    If the WTO objects to the “national security” rationale for the tariffs, the US withdraws from the WTO and becomes a pariah nation. If, alternatively, the WTO allows for the national security justification for tariffs, then every other nation follows suit and the WTO also becomes meaningless. Sorry to be so bleak but things are not looking good for those of us who believe in multilateral institutions right now.

    I mentioned in a post yesterday that the world seems unable to process what Trump is all about. From the moment he decided to run for president, he pissed all over the idea of multilateral institutions. He does not care. And he was pretty damn clear about it. And again, as I noted, Trump does not operate by principles or ideology. He governs based on his ego and whim. But he is consistent. Trump only cares about what he wants and having others submit to his will. He has an elaborated sense of grievance projected onto the world in his persistent statements that America has been treated unfairly and must be given what he wants. All past agreements, treaties, understandings are potentially null and void because they were made by fools or suckers.

    Obviously, there will be and should be push back against this. But this is what the Trump presidency is all about. And Trump will not change. His insecurities will not let him back down or consider any other path.

  76. 76.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    Jennifer Griffin @ JenGriffinFNC
    POTUS surprises WH press corps, peeks head into briefing room says expect major announcement on North Korea at 7 pm Eastern from WH. Pentagon unaware of details. South Korean National Security Adviser will make the announcement. He met with McMaster today. Msg from Kim Jong Un?

    Pentagon unaware, McMaster consulted. Last week the gossip was Mattis was behind the push against McMaster cause McM was too hawkish on No Korea

  77. 77.

    TenguPhule

    @Corner Stone:

    In any event, there is simply no way Trump is going to meet one on one with Kim.

    I’ve learned not to tempt fate this way.

  79. 79.

    Cheryl Rofer

  80. 80.

    hellslittlestangel

    Please refer to the Kremlin by its proper name, the Eastern White House.

  81. 81.

    WereBear

    @TenguPhule: Based on my own experience with this type of person, they won’t believe they are in trouble until the handcuffs actually click closed. Then it is too late.

    And I’m okay with that.

  82. 82.

    Cheryl Rofer

  83. 83.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @Cheryl Rofer:

    Oh, and now they’re going to make South Korea announce it from outside the White House, no American reps present.

    Um. Uh. What.

  84. 84.

    Brachiator

    @Major Major Major Major:

    oh, talking it out is a conservative virtue now?

    Do conservatives have any virtues?

    @Cheryl Rofer:

    Kim will probably give him a big parade and the red carpet treatment.

    Can we combine this with the military parade that Trump wants?

  85. 85.

    Cheryl Rofer

  89. 89.

    Corner Stone

    @Cheryl Rofer: I don’t know who Vipin is, but I agree with his sentiment. Trump and the US have been completely played and outmaneuvered. After all the bluster we’ve left KJU with multiple paths to a better standing in the world.

  95. 95.

    WaterGirl

    @Gin & Tonic: Greedy bastard, aren’t you? :-) I saw that you were without power again. Yikes. Are you bering punished for something?

  96. 96.

    Patricia Kayden

    @Brachiator:

    Obviously, the Republicans don’t care about the Russia investigation, or are certain that it ultimately will go nowhere.

    Seems like it but that’s odd given how many people have already been indicted by Mueller. It is going somewhere.

  100. 100.

    jl

    @Cheryl Rofer: Nichols has a point. But past US policy towards regime change Iraq (which also involved military invasion and occupation) and Libya gave a few countries a big incentive to force a face down on that with the US.

    In the case, the costs are justifiable, and I am not sure what other country is in a position to try it successfully.

  102. 102.

    El Caganer

    I don’t think Trump would go to such a meeting, since it would make it look like he’s responding to Kim’s call. If he did, though, I would hope that there would be a ceremonial dinner at which KIm would be the only one to get two scoops of ice cream….

  106. 106.

    hellslittlestangel

    Maybe Kim Jong Un will kidnap Trump. It will be a real-life Ransom Of Red Chief.

  107. 107.

    Brachiator

    @Patricia Kayden:

    Obviously, the Republicans don’t care about the Russia investigation, or are certain that it ultimately will go nowhere.

    Seems like it but that’s odd given how many people have already been indicted by Mueller. It is going somewhere.

    We are all hoping that Mueller lands the big fish. Trump and maybe some GOP leaders.

  108. 108.

    efgoldman

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    It makes me wild on so many levels. Stupid, short-sighted, ham-handed, insulting to Mexican hosts, even more insulting to American Ambassador and her staff, arrogant, contemptible, and dangerous.

    And typical of the family. What any of them know or care about precedent, protocol, or propriety wouldn’t fit in Kushkie’s flak vest pocket.

  109. 109.

    efgoldman

    @Brachiator:

    I am willing to bet good money that Kusher acted on Trump’s specific orders.

    Trump’s razor says mindless thoughtlessness. He’s not that clever.

  111. 111.

    sukabi

    @Brachiator: no, you’re right…they are shake downs….that was exactly the message that Drumpf sent in his tariff presser this afternoon…

    He’s running the government like it’s his personal shake down machine.

  114. 114.

    mainmata

    Pudgy Kim is apparently a formidable drinker of bad Korean hooch. Der Trumper apparently doesn’t indulge but gets high on his endless self-admiration. Apparently, Kim likes basketball. My guess is that Trump knows nothing about basketball. Does Kim play golf and, if he does, does he cheat, like Der Trumper?

    Usually, these meetings need some sort of commonality to start the conversation but Trump is like 40+ years older than Kim and they appear to have nothing in common except authoritarianism. On the other hand, Trump the Deal-Maker is notoriously bad at deal making. You can be sure that Kim knows that and also that he regards trump as a dotard that can easily be played because Trump knows nothing about anything. That’s what really worries what’s left of Trump’s foreign policy team and with good reason.

  115. 115.

    mainmata

    @Chet Murthy: Nunes begs to differ. Ryan and McConnell couldn’t possibly care less. Not sure who these “responsible” GOP congress critters are. They are very, very quiet.

  116. 116.

    mainmata

    @SiubhanDuinne: Kushner is an ignorant asshole who will almost certainly be going to either federal or state (NY) prison. I cannot stand his smug mug, which I suspect is partly a panic mask in public. We will eventually get past this utter disaster but it will leave behind a lot of damage to the federal government and its laws.

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