* Marni Pyke…
Given that Russian hackers breached election systems in Illinois, Gov. Bruce Rauner Tuesday said he’s “deeply troubled” by some of President Donald Trump’s remarks at a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. […]
The statements provoked immediate and bipartisan criticism from Illinois lawmakers. Rauner did not weigh in Monday but in answer to a question Tuesday said, “I was deeply troubled by some of the president’s comments.
“It seems very clear that Russian agents hacked election systems in 22 states including the state of Illinois,” Rauner said at an event in Collinsville.
He later stated, “I’m extremely troubled by the president’s comments and his defense of the Russians. It’s clear from the U.S. intelligence community that Russia interfered in the 2016 election. Putin and Russia are not our friends and the president should focus on holding them accountable for what they’ve done.”
He also said “I hope the president will stand with us against the Russians.”
Raw audio is here.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:38 pm:
The President never denied that Russia interferred with the 2016 election. He points out that there is no evidence linking his campaign to the Russians. Those are two different things completely.
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:38 pm:
Was this something that came up with Mike Pence when Rauner met with him? If so, are they collaborating to make sure it doesn’t happen again?
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:39 pm:
Trump just explained it was all a misunderstanding. He said “would” when he meant “wouldn’t.” As in, I don’t see why it WOULDN’T be Russia. So I think that clears up the whole matter.
Of course, Trump being Trump, he added: “I accept our intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election took place. Could be other people also. A lot of people out there.”
God save the Republic.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:40 pm:
===He points out that there is no evidence linking his campaign to the Russians.===
Yet.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:43 pm:
===The President never denied that Russia interferred===
“My people came to me, Dan Coates, came to me and some others they said they think it’s Russia. I have President Putin. He just said it’s not Russia. I will say this: I don’t see any reason why it would be.”
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:46 pm:
“Troubled” seems to be the agreed upon response by various Republicans.
- Huh? - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:47 pm:
If 1.4% keeps this up, he is going to lose that Italian ambassadorship.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:48 pm:
To this, only this, very specifically and narrowly….
Unless Rauner says he agrees with Trump or is ambiguous to the notion Russia interfered, Rauner only needs to say as he has that Russia is not our friend and they (Russia) absolutely meddled, and that includes meddled in Illinois.
This is my extremely narrow thought, and it’s good for today. We’ll see if Rauner wavers after.
- Homer J. Quinn - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:52 pm:
imagine taking that last quoted line and showing it to someone from the 60s, or even the 90s.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:52 pm:
Trump said Russia “says” they didn’t and Trump points to evidence the previous administration ignored that could prove Russian interference.”
That’s not denying.
- Anonimity - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:53 pm:
Vanillaman: Is you MAGA hat made of tin foil?
- Anonimity - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:53 pm:
“your”
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:55 pm:
Wow! A politician can speak out against an unpopular member of his own party in a situation that clearly deserves it
Why is it so hard for JB to do the same, (especially when the Speaker polls worse than Trump in Illinois)?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:55 pm:
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:43 pm:
===The President never denied that Russia interferred===
“My people came to me, Dan Coates, came to me and some others they said they think it’s Russia. I have President Putin. He just said it’s not Russia. I will say this: I don’t see any reason why it would be.”
No !…you are believing your own ears…Trump says so… He says you misheard…Fake news killed The Truth
#MulliganAmeriKa
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:56 pm:
===Trump points to evidence===
Which is more than you have done. Please give us a citation, if you can.
- Hamlet's Ghost - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 2:57 pm:
“I hope the president will stand with us against the Russians. , , ,
, , , and if he doesn’t I will sigh, wring my hands and blame Michael Madigan.”
- Skeptic - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:00 pm:
Sure took the BTIA™ long enough to program the RaunderBot™ response. Must be a lot of spaghetti code they have to work around in there.
- Lucky Pierrre - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:00 pm:
The message from the media is conflating two separate issues:
1.Russia interfered in the 2016 election
2. Russia colluded with the Trump campaign when they interfered in our election
Point #1 is indisputable, we have yet to see evidence of point #2
Why Russia would meddle in Illinois has yet to be explained. The state was never in play and it seems like a complete waste of resources
- Glengarry - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:00 pm:
Rauner is only “troubled” sounds like he needs to rethink our relationship with Russia. The Cold War never ended.
- hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:01 pm:
Trump’s ex-campaign chairman sits in jail awaiting trial while multiple Trump campaign/inauguration committee members/leaders have admitted perjury to avoid more serious charges as part of this Russia investigation.
A Russian woman who Trump told on the campaign trail that he would lift Russian sanctions was just indicted for acting on Russia’s behalf to engage in politics through the NRA to help Republicans.
Just because you like Trump’s tax cuts or judge picks or whatever doesn’t mean you need to drink the MAGA kool-aid and be in denial about Trump’s Russia First mentality, VMan.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:02 pm:
I’ve never supported this president, but point out that there’s no evidence and no crime.
The President referred to the missing DNC server, refuting claims that he denied Russian interference.
- Small Town Boy - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:05 pm:
Trump was ever so carefully reading the words staff scripted for him today, to try to do damage control. “I have President Putin. He just said it’s not Russia. I will say this: I don’t see any reason why it would be.” Today he says he meant to say wouldn’t be. If that is what he meant, it would have been the oddest wording of a statement in history. But then it is trump talking, so odd is the new normal.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:05 pm:
Rauner made a stronger statement than I ever imagined he would so, with respect to a very low bar, kudos to him.
With respect to our president…remember the words of George Costanza “it’s not a lie if you believe it”, right big guy?
- 37B - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:06 pm:
What’s next Donald: “Kneel before Zod”?
- Jibba - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:06 pm:
Rodney Davis react in SJR managed to not mention or criticize Trump at all. What backbone. I mean, “What backbone?”
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:07 pm:
===The President referred to the missing DNC server===
There is no missing server. Try again. I don’t believe you are that gullible, so your motivation for believing the Fox News nonsense makes me genuinely curious.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/fact-check-trump-promoted-conspiracy-theories-here-s-truth-n891756
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:12 pm:
==we have yet to see evidence of point #2==
Yeah, there is. Hell, Trump went on TV and *asked* Russia to commit a crime. And the campaign manager, the son, and a couple foreign policy advisors all had off book meetings with Russians.
- Juvenal - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:12 pm:
VM -
Every diplomat, foreign policy pro, and many who are not interpret Trump’s statement as a support of Putin and attempt to undermine US prosecutors and intelligence officers.
More important than his words, there is no denying his actions: Trump met personally with the man who ordered cyber attacks on the US election system, and he embraced him.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:18 pm:
===Trump met personally with the man who ordered cyber attacks on the US election===
Who also jails his political opponents.
Who poisons his enemies abroad.
Who invaded Ukraine.
Who provided the missle that shot down a civilian airliner.
Who interfered in elections all over Europe, including the Brexit referendum.
Who is keeping the murderous Bashar Assad in power in Syria.
Putin is a (deleted) Bond villain. He is an enemy to be countered, not kissed up to. Stop trying to normalize this.
- Skeptic - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:18 pm:
“Why Russia would meddle in Illinois has yet to be explained.” Because they could. There, explained.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:18 pm:
Rauner is “deeply troubled” but sees no reason to pull Illinois out of CrossCheck. Boy, I’d hate to see him really upset and have to do something to calm down. /S
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:20 pm:
Presidents - all of them - have been doing that since FDR. We’ve never had much peace with Russia, but our presidents must keep trying.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:25 pm:
47
What did you want the President to do?
Declare war?
Punch Putin?
The President did what all presidents do.
Every president.
Then there’s the one caught whispering messages to Putin about being flexible after the 2012 election - but NO - we think this president is kissing up, right?
Partisanship shouldn’t start wars.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:28 pm:
===What did you want the President to do?===
For starters, he could acknowledge that Russia attacked our democracy. Then, like all previous presidents, he could consider punitive sanctions to send a message that attacks like this will not be tolerated. You know, peace through strength, etc.
Then he could work with Congress to harden our electoral system to prevent future attempts to manipulate election systems.
Or is that too partisan for you?
- Lefty Lefty - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:28 pm:
Wait a minute–one of the Presidents invaded Ukraine?
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:30 pm:
===Then there’s the one caught whispering messages to Putin about being flexible after the 2012 election===
Whatever “reset” Obama was hoping to achieve ended when Russia invaded Crimea in 2014. Try to keep up VanillaMan, and your whataboutism is most appropriate when discussing Russian propaganda tactics.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:31 pm:
==The President did what all presidents do.==
No US president ever stood next to a foreign leader after his attack on our democracy and took his word, praised him over our intelligence officials. None.
- cdog - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:33 pm:
There is so much dissemination of disinformation happening, and manipulation of perceptions at all levels, by all parties to support what ever their ends are, that the simple act of opening a public dialogue with Russia is really a positive thing.
An escalation of tensions only helps warmongers.
Enemy or Foe, partly cloudy or partly sunny, too salty or not enough, it’s all subjective and relative.
And without doubt, it’s a heck of a show.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:33 pm:
=== The President did what all presidents do===
I don’t recall a previous president insulting the FBI in the presence of a Russian dictator before. I could be wrong, though.
I also don’t recall a previous president lashing out at an American citizen in the presence of a Russian dictator.
Nor do I recall a previous president talking smack about and reciting wildly false conspiracy theories about his defeated presidential rival in the presence of a Russian dictator.
Again, I could be wrong.
- Skeptic - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:35 pm:
“What did you want the President to do?”
* Not meet in private
* Not meet at all until the meddling is properly explained
* Not throw his intelligence agencies under the bus
* Go into the meeting properly briefed and prepared
Just to name a few.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:39 pm:
–The President never denied that Russia interferred with the 2016 election.–
None so blind….
11/10/17
–“Every time he (Putin) sees me he says, ‘I didn’t do that,’ and I really believe that, when he tells me that, he means it,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One after leaving the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the resort of Danang.
“I think he is very insulted by it, which is not a good thing for our country,” Trump said.–
What do you think flippers Flynn, Gates and Papadopolous have been chit-chatting with Mueller about all these months? Recipes?
You’re from Illinois, right? If so, you’ve seen these rollups before.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apec-summit-usa-russia/trump-says-he-trusts-putins-denials-of-election-meddling-idUSKBN1DB04N
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:49 pm:
Ugh
This president can do what any other president could do before him. Right now we only got Joe Biden, RBG, and tbe MSM opposing him, so he’s going to get reelected unless the hyperventilation ends. 2016 is so over. 600 days we’ve been told the world’s going to end, but it hasn’t.
Find new arguments.
Promise new things.
This Russia/Trump thing isn’t going to gin up any votes.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:51 pm:
To try to normalize what our current president has been doing… by trying to find something close to the things this president has actually done as something similar to another president… I’m not seeing it.
I’m no Trump, never Trump, and still, objectively, I can’t find a measure of normalcy to how this White House has handled Russia and how other White Houses, both parties, handled Russia/USSR.
The deference this White House gives, no other White House gave such deference in any measure.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:55 pm:
=the simple act of opening a public dialogue with Russia is really a positive thing=
Our elections, and more importantly our democracy, were compromised through the interference of Russian intelligence officers. And our President’s response is to blame the U.S. prosecutor?
Explain to me again why this is a “positive thing” because I’m having a hard time connecting the dots.
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:57 pm:
===I’ve never supported this president, but point out that there’s no evidence and no crime.===
The entire U.S. intelligence community disagrees with you.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:59 pm:
=This Russia/Trump thing isn’t going to gin up any votes.=
I’m not interested in ginning up votes. But if there’s evidence that Russia interfered in our election, and further evidence that this meddling may have been aided by U.S. citizens and even the President isn’t it a good thing to maybe take the issue seriously?
Your attempts to normalize and rationalize all of this say a lot.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 4:04 pm:
- Lucky Pierrre - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 3:00 pm:
The message from the media is conflating two separate issues:
1.Russia interfered in the 2016 election
2. Russia colluded with the Trump campaign when they interfered in our election
Point #1 is indisputable, we have yet to see evidence of point #2
This affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Kevin Helson as part of the charges of against Russian agent Maria Butina (especially paragraphs 18, 19, 28, 31,and 40) appears to provide evidence of collusion between Russia and GOP officials via the NRA.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1080766/download
- I Miss Bentohs - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 4:07 pm:
I still think there is more to this and I hope I am wrong. But Illinois kicked around the idea that people running for President, Senator, Gov, etc. must show their complete tax returns. As more of these billionaires run for office, it is increasingly worrisome that foreign entities could have power over them for a myriad of reasons.
I strongly support no returns = not on Illinois ballot.
- Anoniphone - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 4:22 pm:
If fake news reports a false statement — then that means the statement is true.
Ergo, Trump’s correction reported by the fake news is false.
That settles it, I think.
- lost in the weeds - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 4:27 pm:
My concern is did Trump leave out an “n’t” by accident or on purpose. Either way the result continues the fog of lies. Which continues to help the Russians.
- don the legend - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 4:33 pm:
Future historians will frame this President’s behavior toward Russia and it’s despotic leader as noteworthy.
Not as Nixon and Brezhnev noteworthy. Not as Reagan and Gorbachev noteworthy.
But as a never seen before noteworthy example of embarrassment and weakness in the office of our President.
- jwI - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 4:35 pm:
Sure would like to know what went on in the 2 hour private meeting. Did he pardon the 12 Russians and give away Alaska
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 4:35 pm:
–There is so much dissemination of disinformation happening, and manipulation of perceptions at all levels, by all parties to support what ever their ends are, that the simple act of opening a public dialogue with Russia is really a positive thing.
An escalation of tensions only helps warmongers.
Enemy or Foe, partly cloudy or partly sunny, too salty or not enough, it’s all subjective and relative.–
New bong?
Because that is some inspired gibberish.
- West Side the Best Side - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 4:52 pm:
Ronald Reagan: Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall. Donald Trump: Mr. Putin, please let me build you a mall.
- lost in the weeds - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 5:02 pm:
One reason to access vorer registration is to mess up the voter registration data. Then on the election day, Citizens cannot vote, or wait in lines, or leave and do.not vote.
- blue dog dem - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 5:52 pm:
Looks like Mitt Romney was right.
- Mama - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 7:08 pm:
===He points out that there is no evidence linking his campaign to the Russians.===
If this statement was true, Manaford would not be in jail, and several upper campaign managers would not have indicted.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 7:44 pm:
And I don’t remember a member of the FBI so blatantly refusing to answer questions to Congress (as ordered by the FBI according to his testimony) and stonewalling to try to protect the FBI.
Quite frankly, I don’t believe either the FBI (at least the upper echelons) or Putin.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 7:50 pm:
== There is so much dissemination of disinformation happening, and manipulation of perceptions at all levels, by all parties to support what ever their ends are, that the simple act of opening a public dialogue with Russia is really a positive thing. ==
Maybe 20 years perspective will clarify things. Hope I’m around then to look back and make an informed judgment.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 7:53 pm:
–And I don’t remember a member of the FBI so blatantly refusing to answer questions to Congress (as ordered by the FBI according to his testimony) and stonewalling to try to protect the FBI.–
The discovery phase doesn’t begin unless and until there is an indictment and is conducted by a defendant’s lawyer.
Congress doesn’t get to use their oversight power to reveal case-in-progress evidence to those under investigation that they’re sweet on.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 7:55 pm:
“And I don’t remember a member of the FBI so blatantly refusing to answer questions to Congress”
The FBI cannot answer questions regarding a case that is currently being investigated by the FBI because it could compromise the agent and cause harm. Congress knows that. The Republican Congress is trying to undermine the FBI’s investigation because it would be bad for their party.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 8:29 pm:
“The discovery phase doesn’t begin unless and until there is an indictment and is conducted by a defendant’s lawyer.”
OW, How can they have an indictment without a discovery phase prior to the indictment?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 8:36 pm:
=====He points out that there is no evidence linking his campaign to the Russians.===
If this statement was true, Manaford would not be in jail, and several upper campaign managers would not have indicted.==
Manaford was the only “upper” anything with the campaign and he plead guilty to decade-old actions completely unrelated to the campaign.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 8:53 pm:
–How can they have an indictment without a discovery phase prior to the indictment?–
Pre-trial discovery. Look it up.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 9:10 pm:
VM - Rick Gates and Michael Flynn feel slighted by your comments.
Your denial sure runs deep.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 9:19 pm:
===OW, How===
You meant - Wordslinger -
- James - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 10:13 pm:
I think we should have a dialogue with Russia. FDR and Truman did. Nixon and Reagan did. How do you resolve differences without communication?
That said, think of all the US residents and allied leaders, who might, like Putin, have differences of opinion with Trump on different issues. Why can’t we ll be treated with the same diplomatic kindness and common courtesy that he extended to Putin?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jul 17, 18 @ 10:31 pm:
–I think we should have a dialogue with Russia.–
Silly strawman. Dialogue ain’t the issue.
- lost in the weeds - Wednesday, Jul 18, 18 @ 5:27 am:
Congress can investigate the President and campaign for what the FBI is investigating.
FBI can be wrong. FBI cannot compromise their own case. Republicans in Congress known to release info when convenient for their own purposes.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jul 18, 18 @ 6:52 am:
Perhaps those that have been indicted and/or plead guilty for interfering with our election and undermining our democracy can be pardoned under the theory of “diplomatic kindness.”
Russia interfered with a Presedential election. Any dialogue begins and ends there.
- BlueDogDem - Wednesday, Jul 18, 18 @ 7:03 am:
Is Russia considered a geopolitical threat?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 18, 18 @ 7:54 am:
==Is Russia considered a geopolitical threat?==
Maybe. With England pulling out of Brexit, Germany is clearly the most influential EU country. Germany wants Russia to build the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which bypasses going through Ukraine and Poland by going under the Baltic directly into Germany. The Russian company building this, Gazprom, is run by a former German Chancellor. The purpose of this is to shut down a pipeline that runs through Ukraine, which stands to lose billions of dollars and could destabilize the country. In the past, Russia has cut off supplies to Ukraine when they have had disputes. Won’t they threaten/do that to Germany and the EU since this pipeline will make Europe ever more dependent on Russian gas.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jul 18, 18 @ 8:04 am:
–The President referred to the missing DNC server,–
An accessible refutation of the extreme dingbatism in that meant-to-obfuscate talking point.
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/07/17/dnc-server-hack-russia-trump-2016-219017
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Jul 18, 18 @ 9:00 am:
Rauner tryin’ to thread the political needle is the envy of politicians, in the negative sense of the word, as in pandering.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Jul 18, 18 @ 9:21 am:
=extreme dingbatism=
Phrase of the millennia.
Wordslinger for Grand Poohba of America.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Jul 18, 18 @ 9:25 am:
=Is Russia considered a geopolitical threat?=
Fair question. Like anything to do with Russia the answer is complex.
In the near run probably not. Putin’s goal is to drag everyone down to their level.
They cannot compete with the US militarily or economically right now. Their hope is to undermine our standing/influence internationally by creating chaos. That mission has been accomplished though social media (the bane of our existence and, at the same time extremely useful).
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jul 18, 18 @ 9:41 am:
=Is Russia considered a geopolitical threat?=
Only in conjunction with an American president actively undermining the post-WWII Western alliance built by Truman and Eisenhower.