I'm sorry but (Daniels interview)

[cilla4progress]

I'm not sure I understand the point?

[SoCalMusicLover]

1. Ratings For CBS, $$$$$$ For Stormy nt

[PJMcK]

30. You are too cynical (n/t)

[rainin]

2. We' ll see what our president paid to conceal. He is blackmail able..

[Binkie The Clown]

3. Keep the subject in front of the voting public.

And possibly wake up some of the sleeping "citizens" who don't pay attention.

[emulatorloo]

4. The bribe and the attempted cover-up n/t

[PJMcK]

31. The bribe (or hush money) is the key

If it was paid, it would be a campaign finance violation. This would open up Trump's finances to scrutiny. Remember, he was personally financing much of his campaign.

[Skittles]

5. the grifter can be grifted

[JI7]

6. this

[ProudLib72]

7. Definitely not excited

[Skittles]

10. they're both disgusting

[ProudLib72]

58. It bothers me that the nation is now on a first name basis with Stormy

There are others within The Don's orbit with whom we are on a first name basis: Kellyanne, Ivanka, Jared, etc. This kind of familiarity in the context of the administration suggests spectacle. Also, why are we not discussing Summer Zervos and Jessica Drake? Do the other women not count as much?

[jberryhill]

60. Their PR teams arent as good

I like the threads on “how will Trump distract from the Stormy Daniels thing” in the earnestness of their unintended irony.

[ProudLib72]

63. Bunch of shallow thinkers

Again, spectacle counts, substance does not.

Now I'm going to get in trouble for saying that because "Stormy was physically threatened, so she's risking her life to make this interview happen!"

[jberryhill]

64. Any figure in the media attracts threats

Anyone who attracts the media spotlight on any side of any controversy attracts threats from the invariable percentage of loons on the internet. I doubt most of them are motivated by any particular ideology, but just get a kick out of it.

[shanny]

8. I hope someone makes the point

that a preznit open to paying hush money is open to blackmail.

It is not about the affair per se, it is about tRump's vulnerabilities (which are legion) and what he is willing to do to protect his flabby orange ass.

[tblue37]

9. Also about felony violations of campaign finance law. nt

[shanny]

13. True.

But I don't see tRump's lackeys at the FEC or DOJ doing much about that.

[jberryhill]

61. Im sure that Daniels discussion of campaign finance law will be riveting

[Eliot Rosewater]

52. Too bad it isnt Bill Clinton or Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama or Joe Biden then it would be ALL

about "family values, morals"

Somehow everybody conveniently forgets about that when it is a republican

[grantcart]

12. It proves that the President is open to blackmail

The logical conclusion is that the Russians don't have to have an actual tape but make him think that they can manufacture one.

[former9thward]

23. Blackmail is illegal.

So if the settlement was "blackmail" or anything close Stormy is opening herself to being charged. Which she isn't because a settlement was not blackmail. People may remember we went through similar charges in the 1990s with another president who also made non-disclosure settlements. Legal settlements are not blackmail then or now.

[Kingofalldems]

42. Try again.

Post said correctly that Trump is open to blackmail by the Russians.

[former9thward]

44. Anyone is open to blackmail by the Russians if they have something.

So far no evidence of that has appeared.

[shanny]

57. True. Possibly because there was a payment to stop it from appearing.

And yes, anyone is open to blackmail by the Russians if they have something. If they don't have something it is not an issue is it?

But this preznit has shown that a) there are potentially many somethings; and b) it seems he is willing to buy himself out of trouble if necessary. Furthermore, money is not the only currency that can be used to make a pay off.

[grantcart]

47. I didn't say the settlement was blackmail, I said it proves that he is open to it.

If he is willing to pay Stormy for her discretion then it logically follows that IF he were blackmailed, by the Russians for example, he would likely fold.

Even more to the point he isn't generally sensitive to rumors of affairs but appears to be particularly sensitive to when the affairs occurred:

https://politicalwire.com/2018/03/25/why-does-trump-care-about-allegations-of-affairs/

“But in that final month on the trail, there was something else weighing on Trump’s mind, even more than the assault allegations. According to three top campaign officials, speaking to the Daily Beast on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations, Trump began pressing senior staffers about the specific dates that the women were alleging that the assaults, affairs, or harassment took place.”

“If the date fell within the time period of the early stage of his marriage to Melania Trump—and the birth of their son Barron—Trump would suddenly care more about the story and quiz campaign aides more closely about it. Officials concluded that Trump’s true concern was not so much being accused of sexual harassment as it was, in the words of one aide, about ‘pissing off Melania.'”

The value of Stormy Daniels (apologizing for not having her correct name) isn't what she says about their affair but what it shows about a very specific weakness that the Russians could exploit, and I am sure that they know it. The irony is that Trump could be blackmailed with something that is not even true (like the PP tape) if he believes that they have the power to concoct it.

Trump obviously has no concern about US history but it appears that he is terrified of growing old without Melania. If Putin is "the most powerful man in the world" then it appears that Melania Trump is the most powerful woman in the world.

In any case the value of SD is that she has showed that Trump has a glaring personal weakness. She apparently has a CD. Nixon had his tapes and Trump has his sex tapes.

[former9thward]

48. I can't agree that he is terrified of growing old without Melania.

A person of his wealth can always have beautiful companions no matter what their age if that is what they want. I know people like to say he is broke, etc. but that is just without any evidence at all.

[Eliot Rosewater]

55. Arguing with someone who said no evidence rump is blackmailable by russians

[Achilleaze]

14. For any person who still does not get it

Last edited Sun Mar 25, 2018, 08:19 AM - Edit history (1)

This will make it plain that so-called "republican family values" are an overflowing crock of adulterous shit. The repubes love and support thier Dirty Donny* who is their republican family values role model & flag bearer. Decent people, on the other hand, recognize the stink of lies, cheating, and treason.

* aka republican Draft-Dodger-in-Chief

[Squinch]

20. This. Why are we always so squeamish about highlighting their rank hypocrisy?

I don't buy the "blackmailable" argument. By that criteria, most US presidents were blackmailable over affairs. and this doesn't distinguish the current republican president.

It is the hypocrisy of who voted for him, and what they voted for. We need to neutralize anyone who is going to ever again say that the republicans are the party of family values. Among other things.

Also, we might thrown in the campaign violations to the mix.

[bettyellen]

68. Its not blackmailable- its that he has been subject to blackmailmany times- and still appears to

be. As is the RNC and their hacked emails.
The RNC is right now, being blackmailed. That’s what matters to me.

[former9thward]

25. Understand your point

but Trump never ran on "family values". Everyone knew who he was. He did not pop up out of nowhere. He has been a major part of the New York celebrity scene since at least the 1980s. And everyone knows none of them are choirboys (or girls). That is why the Access Hollywood tape had no effect on him.

[Achilleaze]

28. But republicans, in general, run on their so-called "family values"

I mean, there is only so much rank, reeking hypocrisy a person can handle. With their wholehearted embrace of Dirty Donny*, republican pharisees are WAY over the limit, and far down into the depths of degeneracy.

* aka Comrade Casino, republican Draft-Dodger-in-Chief

[Old Vet]

49. Well put Achilleaze, The republicans can NO longer hide behind family values bullshit...........

[no_hypocrisy]

15. I hope Mueller sends her a subpoena tomorrow morning.

One more nail in the coffin.

[PJMcK]

33. Really?

If the hush money constitutes an illegal campaign contribution, then Ms. Daniels' story might be of interest to Robert Mueller's investigation. Otherwise, this story is a sideshow to the far more important investigations being conducted by the Special Councel's office.

Mr. Mueller has far more important issues to charge Trump and his associates with. Trump's sex life is only interesting if it cause Trump more unease.

Unless there's something more she has...

[Demsrule86]

18. Not everyone is as high minded as you.

Come on...it is the president (gag) and a porn star.

[NCTraveler]

54. Seriously. Its the President and a porn star.

Does there need to be another reason.

[Vinca]

19. It's an illustration of the lack of ethics and morals always hovering over Trump.

Also, there's a chance he sent someone to threaten this woman while he was in office. At this point it may be a porn star who saves the country. Go, Stormy, go.

[FarCenter]

22. Sex sells, and Stormy has sold quite a lot of it.

[spanone]

24. she claims she was threatened with physical violence....not a good thing

this is how don rolls

[Miles Archer]

46. References to his "fixers"...

...her claim that Trump sent his goons to her and that they threatened her in some manner, which is why she agreed to the NDA.

Yes, by her own admission, she's going to reap some reward in the form of publicity, and possibly financial gain as well.

The bigger story here is that she's seen how every other Trump accuser has been handled, and she wants no part of that.

I think we are going to see Karen McDougal fade away. In Trump's view, she's still showing "weakness." Anderson Cooper asked if she loved him, she said "yes." He asked her if Trump loved her, she said "yes." She said "I just want to tell my story" and I'm not convinced that the public at large cares to hear it. She's most likely viewed as "someone who should have known better." And when she talks about it in the present day, she's showing hurt and sadness, which Trump feeds on. Daniels isn't doing that. She's not sad. She's going for the jugular because Trump screwed with her.

[HopeAgain]

26. The radical christian fundamentalists

have to keep justifying their support for this man. Porn stars, Playmates and the rest erode their supposed high ground a little more each time. Look at the kids yesterday... They are willing to call bullshit when they see it. Lets keep exposing the bullshit.

[dameatball]

27. Until we hear what she has to say we are all just speculating. I'll probably watch it.

[PJMcK]

35. Thankfully, I can't watch the interview

Although I love this story-- porn actress takes down the skank!-- I can't watch the interview since I'll be at a musical this evening.

However, as soon as I get home, I'll be on DU to see what happened!

[dameatball]

39. I suspect it will not be earth shattering stuff. Who knows? The "threat" angle sounds interesting.

If I had something else planned, as you do, I certainly wouldn't be watching it. I am sure there will plenty of coverage and commentary all over the place afterward.

[rickford66]

29. Water pressure test for many cities.

[smirkymonkey]

32. Anything that makes Trump's blood pressure rise is a good

enough excuse for me.

[PJMcK]

36. That's why I love this story! (n/t)

[dalton99a]

34. Whatever it takes to bring down Trump and his crime family

[Maeve]

37. She is also publicly standing up to him

She has been threatened with legal and physical attacks, but she is going ahead. (I was going to say, she persisted, but...leave that for a higher-minded situation) She is not going to be silenced and that may give others the courage to come out of the shadows as well.

Yeah, she's not the most admirable person on the stage, but she has guts, gotta give her that.

[dameatball]

40. Agreed. How this may influence other women to come forward is certainly of interest.

[dalton99a]

41. I'd rank her higher than the lying whores working for Trump right now

[Skittles]

67. LOL

she won't be silenced? She was silenced just fine when it counted - before the election - BECAUSE SHE IS A GRIFTER. Stop acting like she is some kind of hero - she loves MONEY AND ATTENTION - this is all about STORMY - there's nothing ADMIRABLE about her. She is disgusting.

[Maeve]

69. Not arguing with you on her being a grifter

She didn't expect him to win, so she took money when she thought the getting was good--who'd care about her story after he lost? And yeah, it's about her. But if, along the way, it damages him? Well, go girl! A lot of women won't stand up to him (ahem, like current and former wives...) because they would rather have the money without further hassle.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

38. Potential crimes

-It has been suggested a Trump associate physically threatened her.


-Paying for her silence can be seen as a campaign contribution.

[Generic Brad]

43. Might makes right to the Trumpians

But when a person they deem lowly, like a porn star, demonstrates power over Trump it exposes him as weak and ineffective. If he is weaker than a porn actress, perceptions of him as a strong leader erode.

This interview only confirms what liberals expected of him. But to his hard core supporters it has the potential to be earth shattering. If he is proven to be ineffective and weak in some way, the myth of his power becomes harder to maintain.

[Kirk Lover]

45. Gee let's see, breaking campaign finance laws, paying hush money right before a election is a

no no. The prezident can be blackmailed by it looks like just about anyone....so that's not really good. He is openly lying about the affair and covering it up. There is proof of the lie obviously. There is claims that she is going to say she was threatened...going back many years and that this is a pattern that the 'prezident' has engaged in.

So what's the point? Really? The point is it ain't good and if it ain't good ....AIR IT.

[lame54]

50. To publicly challenge the evangelicals

[jberryhill]

62. They dont care

Solomon had concubines out the wazoo, David messed around. They actually see this as a common trait of great Biblical leaders.

People on DU seriously misunderstand how evangelicals rationalize.

[Eliot Rosewater]

51. Everybody would understand the "point" if it was Obama or Hillary.

[MineralMan]

53. That's the reality show business for you.

Nothing is off limits, it seems.

[still_one]

56. To show once again that the person in the WH is a liar

[Adrahil]

59. Personally, I could not care less who the moron diddled, but....

I am all for undermining his credibility.

He keeps denying it ever happened. If Clifford has the proof, then he is exposed as a liar AGAIN.

Will this alone make the difference? No. No one thing will. But if he is slowly and constantly exposed as a liar and fraud, it will suppress the enthusiasm of his supporters, and will fire up the resistance. The GOP MUST be crushed in November, and if he is still in office in 2020, he needs to be handed a completely humiliating defeat.

[cilla4progress]

65. From teaser on State of the Union this morning

Neither does Cooper!!

[A-Schwarzenegger]

66. Truth comes in unexpected packages.

The interview is an early/middle round in a heavyweight fight.
Might be a dud, might be the fight of the century.
These are two characters from America's Shadow.
Two creatures of the American Dream Fulfilled.
Tawdry? Scandalous? Sounds like a lot of our nation's history.
Stormy is twice as smart as trump, and her lawyer is twice
as smart as all of Trump's lawyers put together.
Could be very little, could be nothing, could be
the buxom straw that broken the lummox's back.