AP: National Enquirer hid damaging Trump stories in a safe

[Chomsky]

Also we have a recording of a Trump campaign meeting where they were discussing payoffs as a campaign matter. That's why that tape was so absolutely jaw dropping, even if most people didn't seem to recognize it's significance at the time. We also have documentation from the lawyer, testimony from the lawyer, and apparently corroborating testimony from the other party involved at the National Enquirer.

It's worth remembering that we're not asking if this *could* have been done legally. We're asking if it was. The FBI convinced Cohen that it wasn't.

Fair points.

I think Mueller & SDNY is wise in establishing a conspiracy in these instances. As I stated above, that gives all conspirators legal liability. It also opens up charging possibilities, where an action may not be illegal of itself, but becomes illegal due to being part of the conspiracy. And additionally, conspiracy charges allow the use of hearsay as admittable evidence in court.

 

[Napoleon]

Nice story, now prove that the money came from the Trump campaign out of campaign contributions and not Trump's own bank account? If no campaign funds were used not laws were broken

Not sure you understand what a contribution in kind is. And it didn’t come from Trump’s personal bank account. It came from Cohen and the Trump Organization.

 

[Conservative]

Neither Bucky nor Conservative accepted. Neither of them appear to routinely donate to DP; to do so would violate their economic principles.

Have you bothered to see how that Democratic Senator from Alabama has voted? Of course not because the D is all that matters. There isn't a Democrat today winning on the Obama legacy or record, that is reality

 

[Napoleon]

I think that this specific item may be easier to prove than with Edwards' case, though. Edwards' payoff was what? Well over a year before the election? While Trump's Stormy pay-off was a week or so before the election.

Also, in Edwards' case, by the time he ended-up in court one donor had died, and the other was too "sick" (claimed) to go to court. So it was a very weak case.

But yes, these would indeed be difficult cases to prove I think. It might be easier in Trump's case though, due to the pattern of many instances and the conspiratorial nature of it. And if it's a conspiracy charge, all subjects are legally liable. Which means Trump is liable for Cohen's illegal actions if he conspired with Cohen to commit them. (ex: "directed Cohen")

I really think a conspiracy charge is how they would get to Trump here, if they do. That's why they so prominently put the "directed" clause in the plea agreement, I believe.

Completely agree. What’s going to kill Trump on this is not that the payment was made but that he and Cohen went to such great lengths to hide it which would be completely unecessary if not for campaign related considerations.

 

[Conservative]

Not sure you understand what a contribution in kind is. And it didn’t come from Trump’s personal bank account. It came from Cohen and the Trump Organization.

That is your opinion, how do you know that? IF it came from the Trump campaign and was reimbursed by Trump where is the violation? Quite a stretch and simply an attempt to get rid of Trump

 

[Chomsky]

Then use the ignore function as I am getting sick and tired of the 24/7 leftwing President bashing and total hypocrisy. Neither you or anyone else here give a damn about potential campaign violations but only about getting rid of Trump. this is indeed a perceived crisis that amounts to absolutely nothing except to the radicals who want to get rid of Trump. He is an arrogant uncouth ass which great instincts regarding our economy and national security and the results show it as does the support for his economic policies and the way he is handling the economy. There is absolutely no comparison between this issue and Clinton lying under oath and most people know that

Trump will be on the ballot in 2020 and that is your opportunity to get rid of him, why put the country through this issue now. Run another candidate like Hillary and we keep Trump another four years.

More personal attacks ...

 

[Conservative]

Your congress has had 18 months to investigate anything they wanted. Maybe they didn't feel it was necessary.
I noted this morning that your handlers wont allow me to use names like "sweetie" any more, but I guess its still ok for them to allow you multiple ID's and to lie 24/7. Its seems to be all about not what you know, but who you know..................................

"My" Congress still was dealing with the Obama Administration and Obama Justice Department. My handlers?? OMG, you are hopeless but great at conspiracy theories.

 

[Napoleon]

That is your opinion, how do you know that? IF it came from the Trump campaign and was reimbursed by Trump where is the violation? Quite a stretch and simply an attempt to get rid of Trump

That isn’t my opinion - it’s an evidenced indisputable fact that Cohen has already plead guilty to.

 

[Conservative]

More personal attacks ...

That is reality, prove me wrong

 

[Conservative]

That isn’t my opinion - it’s an evidenced indisputable fact that Cohen has already plead guilty to.

So what outcome do you want?

 

[Napoleon]

So what outcome do you want?

It will undoubtedly be included in Mueller’s report as one of many grounds for impeachment and later prosecution.

 

[Floridafan]

"My" Congress still was dealing with the Obama Administration and Obama Justice Department. My handlers?? OMG, you are hopeless but great at conspiracy theories.

republicans controll Congress if you haven't bothered to notice. They can investigate the Clinton Foundation all they want, so, why haven't they?????????????????????
I would guess its because they are planning to reinvestigate Bill and Monica.

 

[Chomsky]

Neither Bucky nor Conservative accepted. Neither of them appear to routinely donate to DP; to do so would violate their economic principles.

I give you credit for putting your money where your mouth is.

I grew-up living by,

"Money talks, bull**** walks"

Still the way I do business 'till today! :thumbs:

 

[Trippy Trekker]

Have you bothered to see how that Democratic Senator from Alabama has voted? Of course not because the D is all that matters. There isn't a Democrat today winning on the Obama legacy or record, that is reality

I have not checked Doug Jones voting record. I expect him to oppose Kavanaugh. I have far greater interest in the current Senate Battle going on in Florida between Senator Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott.

Every day more good news pours in! I feel good about the upcoming elections!

 

[Conservative]

You're not arguing either way but the radical left's position is both?

And as a complete aside, even if Trump were to be impeached the president would still be a Republican.

I think Campaign laws are a joke and abused all the time and violation doesn't represent a high crime and misdemeanor if that actually happened. Lying under oath is a high crime and misdemeanor

 

[Conservative]

I have not checked Doug Jones voting record. I expect him to oppose Kavanaugh. I have far greater interest in the current Senate Battle going on in Florida between Senator Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott.

Every day more good news pours in! I feel good about the upcoming elections!

I am so happy for you we sure don't need the jobs, economic growth, and tax cuts for the American people now do we?

 

[Chomsky]

Completely agree. What’s going to kill Trump on this is not that the payment was made but that he and Cohen went to such great lengths to hide it which would be completely unecessary if not for campaign related considerations.

Yep, it's about Trump's direction and conspiracy to effect a crime, with the crime committed by Cohen.

I think it's a strong legal argument, otherwise well supported evidentially, with 'intent' being the parameter that will need to be established.

That being said, I believe it will be a heavy-lift to put before a jury, and prone to jury nullification. But you never know.

 

[Conservative]

I have not checked Doug Jones voting record. I expect him to oppose Kavanaugh. I have far greater interest in the current Senate Battle going on in Florida between Senator Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott.

Every day more good news pours in! I feel good about the upcoming elections!

Maybe you should

Yea On the Nomination PN1354: Randal Quarles, of Colorado, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a term of fourteen years ...
Jul 17, 2018. Nomination Confirmed 66/33.


Yea H.R. 2: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018
Jun 28, 2018. Bill Passed 86/11.
See the Congressional Research Service's 122-page summary of the bill. * * * H.R. 2 amends and extends major programs for income support, food and nutrition, land conservation, trade promotion, rural development, research, forestry, horticulture, and other miscellaneous programs administered by the Department of Agriculture ...

Yea On the Nomination PN1411: Kurt D. Engelhardt, of Louisiana, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit
May 9, 2018. Nomination Confirmed 62/34.


Yea H.R. 1892: Further Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018; Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2018, the SUSTAIN Care Act of 2018; Family First Prevention Services Act.; Honoring Hometown ...
Feb 9, 2018. Motion Agreed to 71/28.
This bill became the vehicle for passage of funding for the federal government through March 23, 2018, to avert a government shutdown that would have occurred on February 9, 2018 had this bill not been enacted. The bill was introduced as the Honoring Hometown Heroes ...

Yea On the Nomination PN1371: Alex Michael Azar II, of Indiana, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services
Jan 24, 2018. Nomination Confirmed 55/43

Rather conservative voting record so far. Don't see much of Obama in that record, do you?

 

[Mithros]

I think Campaign laws are a joke and abused all the time and violation doesn't represent a high crime and misdemeanor if that actually happened. Lying under oath is a high crime and misdemeanor

I prefer leaders that don't commit any crimes.

 

[ClaraD]

Nope, just to avoid a very expensive defense and legal battle. Attorney client privilege is at play here and it is my opinion that Cohen knows there is nothing in those supposed cases and to protect himself from having to pay legal fees copped the plea, nothing in the tapes so the prosecutors paid for basically nothing, happens in a lot of court cases

Who the hell is going to be disbarred, lose their home, future, etc because they dont want to go to court and prove innocence? Not even you believe that garbage

 

[ClaraD]

Clinton NEVER lied under oath. Do you really think a republican congress who was out to get her, would ignore something like that.

You have a whole lot of nerve with this clown in office, to pretend that anyone else politicized the justice department. You just didn't like the black man who ran it, or some of their decisions.
No one cares about the economy, ma'am, if they did he wouldn't have an approval rating under 40%.

Here, I have to argue...Clinton did lie under oath. Its why I said he was impeachable. I am a Liberal, but Im not playing the partisan game, because a D or R is there

 

[Conservative]

I prefer leaders that don't commit any crimes.

So do I, the problem is 24/7 media makes up crimes so name for me anyone of quality that would put their family through this process? Sorry as stated campaign finance reform is a joke and IMO doesn't equate to any high crime

 

[exoplanet]

Forgive me for requiring evidence. I don't find people guilty of something based on my dislike of them let alone someone else's dislike of him.

If you still think it's solely based on "dislike" then you've already missed the boat. Stop pretending that you're looking for evidence.

it's not illegal for trump to pay someone not to speak about something.

What do you think Cohen plead guilty to then? Some made up make believe crime?

 

[Mithros]

So do I, the problem is 24/7 media makes up crimes so name for me anyone of quality that would put their family through this process? Sorry as stated campaign finance reform is a joke and IMO doesn't equate to any high crime

Politicians will always be highly ambitious people willing to push legal boundaries to gain power. The only way to keep them honest and keep our democracy from turning into a corrupt kleptocracy is to prosecute any politician that crosses the line. Otherwise all you're doing is drawing a new more corrupt line that will be crossed by a more corrupt politician later.

But it's nice to see you acknowledge that the Trump campaign is guilty of criminal campaign finance violations.

 

[Conservative]

Who the hell is going to be disbarred, lose their home, future, etc because they dont want to go to court and prove innocence? Not even you believe that garbage

Never been involved in a court case have you?