But why didn’t they scrap it once the indictment came down? I know it’s been a mere 24 hours, but isn’t that why billable rates are so high- because you might have to drop everything and redo your whole strategy at the last minute?
How can we blame him. Like Trump became accustomed to bribing and covering up his sleaze in the demi monde of NYC-NJ real estate and casino grift, Manafort’s perception of legal restraints was molded while he was working as the political fixer for Putin’s dictator in Ukraine. The criminal law is for the little people, to paraphrase the woman who was once Donald Trump’s main competition as the emblem of NYC crass excess.
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He is trying so hard to seem relaxed and confident yet he is pushing forward to the point of overbalancing. He just wants escape. It is really an interesting contrast. Hard shell, soft gooey center- what could go wrong?
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My theory of how the Muller Investigation ends is similar to what you are describing. Muller doesn’t need to show that Trump colluded with Russia. Muller will show that everyone but Trump Sr. was working with the Russians and there will be indictments for his whole family. Then, Trump will have to have to admit that he knew about everything and was working with the Russians or he will have to admit he was not the “mastermind of the greatest presidential campaign in history.” I honestly don’t know which he would choose.
Even though I don’t think Muller will go after Trump while he is president, I suspect that the Attorney General of New York will get all of Muller’s evidence of Russian money passing though the Trump Organization. Charges will be filed the day after Trump is out of the White House.
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Excellent analogy—he’s a smart guy, to whom the rule of law doesn’t matter—well—it sure seems to matter now, m-effer.
He’s going to be at least an unindicted co-conspirator. But Mueller keeps his own counsel.
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It’s getting a little too obvious that Manafort fully expects to receive one of those magic Trump Pardons.
His bail agreement is STILL not approved. That’s why he remains under house arrest, with complimentary anklets. He has even attempted to put up property that his daughter and son-in-law own, and was denied.
So, SEVEN MONTHS LATER, that $10million bail proposal is still in the works. I wonder how many black drug dealers get this kind of leniency?
Watch his new argument be “My bail wasn’t firmly set so how can it be revoked?”
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I don’t know the answer, except to say that they may have both drafted and filed the response prior to the indictment being unsealed. While you can seek to withdraw a filed motion, it is out there, and the court and public (in this case) have seen it. As for why billable rates are so high, well…
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They already “rolled on him.”
That’s how Mueller was alerted to the tampering.
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Didn’t the court confiscate Manafort’s passport?
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It's getting a little too obvious that Manafort fully expects to receive one of those magic Trump Pardons.
Dump will soon be handing out pardons like candy on Halloween.
We need a constitutional convention to (1) abolish the Electoral College and (2) put some limits on what presidents can do with their pardon power.
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“uninspired” - you’re not wrong, but I don’t think that’s what you meant.
Nice analysis! THX!
Do you mind if I use your opinion here in a diary at DailyKos.com?
My handle there is alyoshakaramazov, if you agree, and want to read it.
Plural …
“Passports”, I understand he had multiple (which isn’t actually something wrong, I have two and my kids have three). ,the point is they have tried to lock him down, but m bet is he’d find a way to get out if that’s what he decides to do. The problem for him is that’s a “burn all the bridges” move and it would be a lot harder for him to ever see his kids again. I don’t say he wouldn’t try to do it, but that would be the last act of a desperate man (and yes, I don’t care if it’s the first act of Henry the Fifth! badum, tish…) Oh, and ankle bracelets…
From what I’ve read, he has not one, but TWO GPS anklets on those fat, criminal legs of his.
He ain’t going anywhere.
Thanks for this insight.
Given how clever and methodical the Mueller team has proceeded to date, this sounds exactly like his style.
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“Flight” risk? 
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