Bolton leak designed to boost book and blunt GOP testimony

 

 

You will never convince me otherwise.

Last night the NY Times disclosed an alleged draft of John Bolton’s new book.

WASHINGTON — President Trump told his national security adviser in August that he wanted to continue freezing $391 million in security assistance to Ukraine until officials there helped with investigations into Democrats including the Bidens, according to an unpublished manuscript by the former adviser, John R. Bolton.

A couple of things. First, this is an interpretation of what was allegedly written. Second, it says “until officials there helped with investigations into Democrats.”  That’s rather murky.

Then there’s this:

But Mr. Bolton and Mr. Trump soured on each other over several global crises

That’s called motive. But here’s the critical portion:

In his August 2019 discussion with Mr. Bolton, the president appeared focused on the theories Mr. Giuliani had shared with him, replying to Mr. Bolton’s question that he preferred sending no assistance to Ukraine until officials had turned over all materials they had about the Russia investigation that related to Mr. Biden and supporters of Mrs. Clinton in Ukraine.

“until officials had turned over all materials they had about the Russia investigation that related to Mr. Biden and supporters of Mrs. Clinton”

If this quote is correct, than the above refers to what Ukraine already had (i.e. regarding the 2016 election) and is not asking for dirt on the 2020 election. The media is not reporting this accurately. Not. at. all.

But with all the news from the Senate trial, the headlines everywhere were

“BUT BOLTON….!”

CNN

Fox News (Chris Wallace was having an orgasm)

 

It was the shiny object. It was the distraction dems so needed. It also was timed to make sure Bolton’s book got as much publicity as Earthly possible.

Bolton denies that he did conspired with the NY Times

John Bolton denied Monday that he, his publisher or his literary agent coordinated with the New York Times on a bombshell report that his forthcoming book says that President Trump explicitly told him that a freeze on military aid to Ukraine was tied to an investigation of his political opponents.

Note how it’s phrased. Again, murky.

Bolton’s transcript was given to the National Security Council for clearance.  Bolton’s lawyer denied giving the manuscript to anyone outside the NSC, contrary to NY Times reporting.

As a spurned lover, Bolton just might be fibbing here.

Then again, who at the NSC was in charge of clearing such manuscripts?

Yevgeny Vindman, the brother of Alexander Vindman. Given the animus of both toward Trump, it’s no giant leap to buy into the twin being the leaker. The NSC (Ciraramella) has a history of being a knife in Trump’s back. It appears very likely this was all orchestrated to blunt the impact of the devastation visited upon democrats today.

Schiff subpoenaed Bolton. Bolton balked and Schiff withdrew his subpoena. Now you know why. Bolton wanted you to buy the book first and me made sure it was going to get exposure and Schiff didn’t want the impeachment to drag out for months. I want to know for sure what the actual text is. It makes a very large difference. The book might not sell as well once people actually learn what it says, especially if the Times report is accurate.

For the record, the aid frozen did NOT include the lethal aid– Javelin anti-tank missiles.

So where in the world is John Bolton now? Looks like he’s in Qatar

You guys is this John Bolton spotted just casually walking around AlMessila area in Doha?😅 pic.twitter.com/PbpnChNPGM

— Haya Al-Thani (@hayabntalwaleed) January 15, 2020

Guy’s gotta make a living. No one here would trust him again.