General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPutin Ordered Influence Campaign Aimed at U.S. Election, Report Says - NYT
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 Russias 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 Trumps 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 Russias 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
(27,866 posts)"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
(22,672 posts)I do a quick search of DU before I post. Only human.
csziggy
(34,138 posts)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.