What a pity Devin Nunes doesn't do town hall meetings with his constituents-- not even in disguise!A month before the release of the redacted Mueller report, John Neffinger, author-- Compelling People: The Hidden Qualities That Make Us Influential-- and former DNC Communications director-- told me that he's "open to the idea that there was not enough evidence to establish criminal conspiracy (at the very least in the same way that DOJ said that with a straight face about Wall St executives during the financial crisis), 'COLLUSION!!' is not a legal term, though, and 'no collusion' is misleading at the very best."Since the redacted report was released though, he has read it cover to cover and, based on what he's written about it so far, my guess is that he's relieved that he no longer has to be open to that idea. Trump's a criminal alright, but will never be indicted by this Department of Justice. Neffinger came up with seven question he'd like to see asked at Republican incumbents' town halls. Personally, I would also like to see these questions asked of Republican talking heads who come on TV to defend the otherwise indefensible. And, remember, even after the release of the damning report, 75% of Republicans still approve of how Trump is handling his scandalous sojourn in the White House. I asked John to put the questions together as a guest post.Implications Of Mueller's Report GOP Congress Members Might Like To Discuss With Voters-by John Neffinger1- I read the report; it took me a few hours. It's long, but it's not hard to follow. And I just came away with this sense, your assessment is just wrong. It reads like a really strong case for impeachment. My question is... Have you sat down and read the report front to back? 2- The Mueller report says a sitting president cannot be indicted-- no matter how much evidence there is he committed crimes. Do you think the president is above the law?3- I read the report. Russian intelligence attacked our country, and Trump encouraged them, and helped them, and hid what they were doing. He helped our enemies attack America. In other words, he betrayed his country. And then he broke the law to cover it up. So, I just want to know if you're okay with that.[If someone wants to argue about that assertion... Trump's team gave Russia poll results on the swing states the Russians were targeting on Facebook! The Mueller report says Trump encouraged Russia to break the law to help him: Trump changed the Republican platform, criticized NATO, talked about a plan to give Russia eastern Ukraine, and they had coordinated communications plans to amplify wikileaks stuff.]4- As you know, the Mueller report says Russian intelligence illegally interfered in our elections to help Trump win. And that Trump encouraged them, and helped them, and hid what they were doing. My question is, would you ever do that? Would you ever welcome and encourage and help and hide a foreign country breaking our laws to get you elected?And the follow-up that just asks itself... If you don't think it would be okay for you to do that, do you think it's okay for Trump to do that?5- So if Congress doesn't take action on this (and you've shown no signs you're interested in that), what's to keep this from happening over and over again? Won't Trump do the same thing in 2020? Should the Democratic nominee encourage some NATO countries to help them out with hacking or social media too? Is this our new normal of how American politics works, with foreigners helping their favored Americans seize power?6- You and your fellow Republicans voted in 2018 against funding to beef up our election security. Now that the Mueller report shows the extent of illegal Russian interference and hacking in our elections, do you think it was wrong of you to vote against protecting our elections better?7- Mueller's report made clear Russia was working to elect Republicans win in 2016. Last year the Dallas Morning News also reported Russian oligarchs recently illegally donated $10 million to groups in America to help elect Republicans. You're our Congressperson, we pay you to represent us. What I want to know is, are you taking any money from Russians, or overseas? If Congress subpoenas all the campaign spending records-- not just your campaign, but your party, and all the groups that help you win-- can you tell us 100% they will find no Russian or Saudi money in there?
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