In the last half-century, how many Republicans won The White House without scandal? One.
As investigators and two congressional committees dig into Russia’s alleged intrusion in the 2016 election, at least six comrades of Trump appear to have maintained close ties with Russia.
One, Michael Flynn, Trump’s onetime national security adviser, told the FBI he is willing to take the stand in exchange for immunity.
The interrogators told him, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
How Serious Is the Situation with Michael Flynn?
Conducting unsanctioned statecraft as a private citizen doesn’t seem like too massive an offense.
However —
- It’s a crime
- High-level officials should know better
- Flynn lied to the FBI about his actions
- He lied to Pence — and indirectly to Trump. But it appears Trump already knew
- Flynn was caught red-handed
At the very least, it all means poor judgment. Any president would have tossed Flynn to the curb for his behavior.
Even more serious questions are related to the entire episode. With multiple and constant communications between Russian intelligence authorities and Trump’s campaign, it is arguable that Flynn was pursuing Trump’s orders.
Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense that Trump is belligerent and hostile to every world leader — except Putin. Did Trump order Flynn to let Moscow know he’d be lifting sanctions? That’s the question America’s leaders need to find out.
Something stinks.
George Santayana, philosopher, essayist, poet and novelist, famously said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
History Repeats
Remember Nixon?
Political biographer John Farrell, writing in The New York Times, reported handwritten notes from Nixon’s future Chief of Staff, H. R. Haldeman, indicate evidence that Nixon attempted to secretly influence the Vietnam peace talks while still a candidate and private citizen.
Nixon presided over a corrupt administration and violated numerous laws before Republicans caught on and joined Democrats in forcing the only presidential resignation in American history.
Reagan
Recently released documents show Reagan sent William Casey, his campaign manager, to strike a deal with Iran to delay the hostage release. While the negotiations have been disputed, Reagan’s administration’s secret wars and arms sales to terrorists are beyond dispute. Oliver North was convicted of running a portion of the operation. He saw his conviction overturned — on questions of immunity.
Amazingly, Republicans point to the hostage release as proof of the magic only possessed by them. Even Marco Rubio credited Reagan for the 1981 hostage release.
For the record, Reagan’s administration has the record for the most convictions and scandals of any modern-day president.
Suspend the Laws
Each of those incidents is a major scandal in any analysis. Republicans appear to savor their White House wins by staying adherence to rules. It’s tough to believe a Republican could win the presidency without help from some major scandal.
If the appointment of George W. Bush to the presidency by the Republicans on the Supreme Court is counted as a scandal, then all but one Republican president (George H. W. Bush) was elected scandal-free in the past fifty years.
It appears Republicans have created a pattern in their pursuit of the White House.
Jerry Nelson spends much of his time poking Trump's meth-addled, uneducated fans with a pointy stick and is currently writing a book of muskrat recipes as well as a scrapbook of his favorite death threats. His life's aspiration is to rule the world with an iron fist, or find that sock he's been looking for. Feel free to email him at jandrewnelson2@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments -- or join the million (seriously) or so who follow him on Twitter @Journey_America.
Never far from his Marlboro's and coffee, Jerry is always interested in discussing future writing opportunities.
