Tag: Rick Scott

Narratives crumble on eventful Tuesday

First let’s talk about media censorship.  As we’ve documented, reporters like CNN’s Jim Acosta went crazy when Trump suggested Fake News was the enemy of the people.  Over 200 newspapers wrote coordinated editorials attacking Trump based on the narrative that he was anti-Press.  But in West Virginia, Trump shot down that narrative by going after social media censors.  “I would rather have fake news than have anybody — including liberals, socialists, anything –than have anybody stopped and censored,” Trump said.  He added warnings about the dangers of censoring opposing viewpoints.

Trump makes statement opposing censorship of any viewpoints, including liberals

The Left is frothing at the mouth over convictions of Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen.  But there’s very little chance it will amount to anything.  The media also seems to be confused into thinking that paying people for non-disclosure agreements of affairs is somehow illegal.  What was illegal was Cohen submitting the payoff to one of Trump’s companies as some sort of expense reimbursement.  For investigators to even begin to think they have a crime to charge Trump with, they have to get evidence beyond Cohen’s unreliable testimony.  But beyond that, Trump can’t be indicted.  He can only be impeached if evidence of criminal activity can be proven.  An impeachment vote won’t pass with the current House makeup and even after November there is no way the Senate will have 75 yes votes on impeachment.

But more importantly, the Russian collusion narrative is once again proven to be dead.  Manafort’s convictions are all for pre-Trump campaign financial crimes that have nothing to do with Trump.  Despite Cohen’s willingness to sing like a bird to Mueller, he had nothing to offer when it comes to Russia.  These two were literally the best hope Mueller had of ever having anything on Trump when it comes to Russia.  Both flipped.  Neither one had anything to offer.  There was no Russian collusion with Trump.

Trump could be in political trouble, but won’t be impeached

In another Russia related story that the media is dutifully ignoring, Rick Scott announced Tuesday that the Department of Homeland Security and FBI informed him that there is no evidence that Russia has infiltrated the Florida election system.  This was a wild and baseless claim made by his opponent Sen. Bill Nelson.  Nelson provided no evidence for the claims, but seemed to be indicating that it was classified.  After being called out on his claim by even the Washington Post, Nelson got quiet but hasn’t apologized for lying.

DHS and FBI confirm Bill Nelson lied about Russian meddling in Florida

Did Bill Nelson lie or break the law?

Rick Scott hit Bill Nelson on Facebook Friday for his unverified claims that Russia has infiltrated Florida’s election system.  Nelson claimed that the Russians had hacked Florida’s election system, but did not cite any actual evidence for the claim.  When pressed, Nelson stated that it was classified.

According to Gov. Scott, Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner sent a letter to the US Senate Intelligence Committee asking for more information.  None has been provided.  Nelson claimed that the Trump administration is withholding information but still has no evidence for his salacious claim.  How Nelson even came across the supposed information is also unclear.  Nelson is in the toughest race of his life after 18 years in the Senate.

If the Russians have in fact compromised the Florida election system, then the intelligence community has a duty to disclose that information to the governor of Florida and the appropriate state officials.  If Nelson’s unverified claims have any merit, the government has a responsibility to help Florida identify the compromised areas and protect the voters of the state.

Bill Nelson is either lying or illegally releasing classified information in a press conference to meddle with the election.  Either way, his attempt to scare voters into thinking Russia is coming in on Gov. Scott’s side is backfiring.  Whether the 75 year old Democrat Senator is making stuff up or compromising national security for political gain, it’s a lose-lose for Nelson.