Bolten says trump wanted the aid frozen until he had answers to inquires sought

[oxmixmudd]

Representative Mark Meadows:

"We’re talking about an unpublished manuscript that only ‘anonymous sources’ have seen, leaked by someone at the 11th hour, just as Democrats are losing what little impeachment momentum they had left. We’ve seen this playbook used before. Americans won’t buy it.

"The latest New York Times report may provide fodder for a political narrative, but it doesn’t change the facts. And in reality, the facts haven’t changed since day one of this circus. The call transcript shows zero link between aid and political investigations. The aid was ultimately released with no political investigations from Ukraine. Ukraine’s leadership had no knowledge of the hold on aid until an August 29 media report. President Zelensky and President Trump both say 'no pressure.' And in five U.S.-Ukraine meetings between the hold and release of aid, not one time was any link between aid and political investigations discussed."

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/julior...cript-n2560171

It's surprising just how quickly this story is unraveling. Seems we've all gotten pretty good at diffusing fake news "bombshells".

It only 'unravels' if Bolton denies the statement, or perhaps if it is not included in the book. That there would be 10's or 100's of Trump sycophants trying to get out in front of it is a given.

And the fact Bolton would make such a claim is EXACTLY WHY THE REPUBLICANS DO NOT WANT WITNESSES.

[lilpixieofterror]

I do it on occasion, you do it all the time. Clearly, nothing is preventing you, it's not a matter of can or can't, it's a matter of does or doesn't.

No I don’t, I do it to you because you can’t treat anyone, with different opinions about Trump, with the slightest amount of respect and than the best part is you throw a temper tantrum when anyone dares to respond to you, in the same manner. You set the tone, so why are you mad when others respond in kind?

[Mountain Man]

And the fact Bolton would make such a claim is EXACTLY WHY THE REPUBLICANS DO NOT WANT WITNESSES.

We still don't even know if Bolton made the claim. Remember, this is still just a "sources say" story from the disreputable New York Times and published with suspicious timing. And already Mulvaney is on record officially denying claims made by the Times and the supposed "manuscript", so we're already on thin ice, and it hasn't even been 24-hours since the "leak".

[rogue06]

We still don't even know if Bolton made the claim. Remember, this is still just a "sources say" story from the disreputable New York Times and published with suspicious timing. And already Mulvaney is on record officially denying claims made by the Times and the supposed "manuscript", so we're already on thin ice, and it hasn't even been 24-hours since the "leak".

Yup, the Times is admitting that they have not seen the manuscript themselves but are yet again going with the notorious "sources say."

Like that has worked out soooo well for them the past few years.

[Sam]

Yup, the Times is admitting that they have not seen the manuscript themselves but are yet again going with the notorious "sources say."

Like that has worked out soooo well for them the past few years.

No one -- not Bolton, through his spokesperson and his attorney, nor the White House -- has denied the content of NYT's reporting of what Bolton's book alleges.

It usually takes a day or two after a big news story for the counter-spin to really settle and get everyone on the same page but this is really the weakest limb to walk out on.

--Sam

[rogue06]

No one -- not Bolton, through his spokesperson and his attorney, nor the White House -- has denied the content of NYT's reporting of what Bolton's book alleges.

It usually takes a day or two after a big news story for the counter-spin to really settle and get everyone on the same page but this is really the weakest limb to walk out on.

--Sam

Bolton's book is currently being vetted. IIRC he (or his representatives) cannot comment until that has been finished.

[Mountain Man]

No one -- not Bolton, through his spokesperson and his attorney, nor the White House -- has denied the content of NYT's reporting of what Bolton's book alleges.

"If he doesn't deny it then it must be true!" That child's logic.

And by the way, Trump has already blasted the story as false:

"I haven’t seen a manuscript, but I can tell you nothing was ever said to John Bolton. I guess he’s writing a book. I have not seen it."

Mulvaney is also on record saying that the claims made by the Times are false.

[rogue06]

"If he doesn't deny it then it must be true!" That child's logic.

And by the way, Trump has already blasted the story as false:

"I haven’t seen a manuscript, but I can tell you nothing was ever said to John Bolton. I guess he’s writing a book. I have not seen it."

Mulvaney is also on record saying that the claims made by the Times are false.

Although it does appear that Trump thinks that Bolton did say it.

[Sam]

Bolton's book is currently being vetted. IIRC he (or his representatives) cannot comment until that has been finished.

Bolton has no legal restriction preventing him from saying that's not in the book, just as he has no legal restriction preventing him from denying that a flying pirate ship makes an appearance.

He might not be able to talk about what's in the book, absent a subpoena, but he can talk about what he didn't write.

--Sam

[Sam]

Mulvaney is on record saying that the alleged assertions by Bolton regarding him in the book are false, an important distinction. Of course, Mulvaney's denial now directly contradicts what he said at his press conference, both about the linkage of aid and his discussions about the DNC server with Trump, so maybe getting this rat's nest of liars and fiends under oath would serve the pursuit of truth well.

--Sam

[Mountain Man]

Although it does appear that Trump thinks that Bolton did say it.

Right, and Bolton was apparently so concerned about Trump's potentially criminal behavior that...





...he didn't say anything to anyone and instead saved it for his tell-all book, the details of which happened to leak to the New York Times in the middle of the impeachment trial and on the eve of the book going up for preorder.

Like I said, something about this whole story stinks.

[rogue06]

Bolton has no legal restriction preventing him from saying that's not in the book, just as he has no legal restriction preventing him from denying that a flying pirate ship makes an appearance.

He might not be able to talk about what's in the book, absent a subpoena, but he can talk about what he didn't write.

--Sam

Bill the Cat probably can confirm or refute it, but IIRC you really can't speak very much about what the book contains (that includes what it doesn't contain as well).

[oxmixmudd]

Right, and Bolton was apparently so concerned about Trump's potentially criminal behavior that...





...he didn't say anything to anyone and instead saved it for his tell-all book, the details of which happened to leak to the New York Times in the middle of the impeachment trial and on the eve of the book going up for preorder.

Like I said, something about this whole story stinks.

I suppose it is possible he's had the contract for the book quite some time, and to tell what is in the book without a legal obligation to do so could subject himself to a lawsuit. In which case one has to wonder why the democrats did not help him out on that by issuing the subpoena.

[DivineOb]

And by the way, Trump has already blasted the story as false:

Incidentally, by speaking up in this way Trump has nullified any potential claims of executive privilege covering Bolton's testimony. Nice going stable genius!

[Mountain Man]

I suppose it is possible he's had the contract for the book quite some time, and to tell what is in the book without a legal obligation to do so could subject himself to a lawsuit. In which case one has to wonder why the democrats did not help him out on that by issuing the subpoena.

Because Trump was a clear and present danger! The Democrats just had to vote on impeachment now and ask questions later!