Quote:
Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield
Putin can damage Trump, just the same way a well heeled or corporate donor can any politician it wishes to. Putin’s actions are those of a power broker. The “conspiracy” our media has concocted (because common media consumers and many low information reporters like conspiracy stories) is identical to the relationship between powerful lobbyists and politicians. I’d say all Putin needs is an office on K Street. But he’s already probably got a dozen, through countless untraceable intermediaries.
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I'm sorry, I know that you're trying to make a point about how corrupt business as usual is, but this is nuts. Putin is categorically different from someone with a lot of money. There are a lot of people with a lot of money, and the President is often making some of them unhappy, but usually because he is making other Americans happy. Putin is not an American. If Putin were to reveal that Trump had done something covert for him, it would have a stench of betrayal that is different. Putin also is different because he has the resources of a whole 'nother country.
Corporate donors get play partly because the political parties don't have to betray their principles much to do it. They can find a way to give a favor by doing something they were elected to do (tax cuts!). But Trump's weird relationship with Russia seems like a personal thing with Putin. It's not like he has some special affinity for the Russian culture or people. It's very personal.
