Putin Ordered Influence Campaign Aimed at U.S. Election, Report Says - NYT

[ffr]

American intelligence officials have concluded that the president of Russia, Vladimir V. Putin, personally “ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the U.S. presidential election,” and turned from seeking to “denigrate” Hillary Clinton to developing “a clear preference for President-elect Trump.”
<snip>

The report, a damning and surprisingly detailed account of Russia’s efforts to undermine the American electoral system and Mrs. Clinton in particular, went on to assess that Mr. Putin had “aspired to help President-elect Trump’s election chances when possible by discrediting Secretary Clinton and publicly contrasting her unfavorably to him.”

The report described a broad campaign that included covert operations, including cyberactivities and “trolling” on the internet of people who were viewed as opponents of Russia’s effort.
<snip>

The report also stated that Russia collected data “on some Republican-affiliated targets,” but did not disclose the contents of whatever it harvested. - NYT

This is the declassified version of it. Note the last paragraph? What do you think Russia has in mind for tRump? Blackmail perhaps?

[red dog 1]

1. I posted an OP on this story 2 hours ago

"Putin Ordered "Influence Campaign" To Help Trump, US Intelligence Report Says"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512675023

But I like your OP too, mine doesn't have any photos.
(That Trump security guy with the purple tie is kind of creepy)

K&R

[ffr]

2. Oh darn, I missed it.

I do a quick search of DU before I post. Only human.

[csziggy]

3. I don't think Putin really cared who won the election

The Russian hacking made both candidates the most hated in US history, weakened both of them and no matter who won, it made sure that the election would be questioned, de-legitimizing the new president.

If Hillary Clinton won, Trump had already set the stage for his follower to scream, "RIGGED!" and I am sure that Trump would keep them stirred up until there were investigations or someone tried for a "second amendment solution."

Since Trump won, look at the mess we're in now.

Either way, Putin is the winner. Neither side trusts the election process. The members of the party that lost are not happy and will not accept the winner. The independent, no party affiliated voters are even less likely to participate in future elections.

Others here have said it - we might need to watch Trump and the Republicans, but Putin's Russia is the real enemy.