likely Trump never saw DO NOT CONGRATULATE Putin pre-briefing was done over the phone

[anatta]

President Trump blasted the “crazed” media Wednesday over its coverage of his congratulatory call to Russian President Vladimir Putin after winning his election, stating that “getting along with Russia” is a “good thing,” and that other U.S. presidents didn’t have a “chemistry” with Putin.

I called President Putin of Russia to congratulate him on his election victory (in past, Obama called him also). The Fake News Media is crazed because they wanted me to excoriate him. They are wrong! Getting along with Russia (and others) is a good thing, not a bad thing……” Trump tweeted Wednesday afternoon.

The president’s tweet came after days of criticism from members of the both parties and the media for his move to call and congratulate Putin following Russia’s presidential election.

“…They can help solve problems with North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, ISIS, Iran and even the coming Arms Race,” Trump continued in a tweet minutes later. “Bush tried to get along, but didn’t have the ‘smarts.’ Obama and Clinton tried, but didn’t have the energy or chemistry (remember RESET.) PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”

the president’s call with Putin occurred on Tuesday morning, when the two discussed a potential meeting in the “not too distant future.”

But, the president’s National Security Council had warned him not to congratulate Putin on the call.

First reported by The Washington Post late Tuesday, and confirmed by Fox News, the NSC prepared a memo for the president’s post-election phone call with Putin, which warned him not to congratulate Putin on his election victory. The memo read, “DO NOT CONGRATULATE” in all-caps.

But a senior administration official told Fox News on Wednesday that it was likely Trump never saw the memo, as his pre-call briefing was done over the phone, and not in person.

The senior administration official told Fox News that during the pre-call briefing, the “do not congratulate” guidance was never brought up.

While the memo was in the president’s daily briefing book, senior administration officials said it was likely the president did not read it before the call, which took place early in the morning from the residence.

White House officials told Fox News that chief of staff John Kelly is “frustrated and deeply disappointed” that someone leaked the contents of the Putin briefing memo.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018...an-leader.html

[Cancel 2020.1]

Sounds like they're running a pretty tight ship there...

[anatta]

"crazed media" (Trump) indeed. Lots of Russiaphobia fomenting out there all around actually....

Trump is the guy who's going to meet Putin, and they are both experienced negotiators
( Putin has to negotiate with oligarchs as well) - so neither desire to poison the well before talks.

The administration is running a tough Russian policy. Trump is holding back on his language..that's effective policy.

[Leonthecat]

Trump has his Putin knee pads on already.

The leak of the instruction card came from someone VERY close to the top of the white house food chain.
Only three or four people could have access to the directive and what the president said to Putin and we knew about it within a couple of hours.
Trump obviously knew about the directive because he bragged about ignoring it.

Putin has Trump scared and under his thumb.

[katzgar]

"crazed media" (Trump) indeed. Lots of Russiaphobia fomenting out there all around actually....

Trump is the guy who's going to meet Putin, and they are both experienced negotiators
( Putin has to negotiate with oligarchs as well) - so neither desire to poison the well before talks.

The administration is running a tough Russian policy. Trump is holding back on his language..that's effective policy.

When you try and defend Trump you just look stupid

[ThatOwlWoman]

The only reason Trump didn't see it, if you believe that which most of us do not, is because he doesn't read.

[dukkha]

The only reason Trump didn't see it, if you believe that which most of us do not, is because he doesn't read.

the briefing was over the phone...I even changed the title so that would be seen

[dukkha]

When you try and defend Trump you just look stupid

considering you are the consummate airhead, i'd be looking to up my game before criticizing others

[dukkha]

But a senior administration official told Fox News on Wednesday that it was likely Trump never saw the memo, as his pre-call briefing was done over the phone, and not in person.

The senior administration official told Fox News that during the pre-call briefing, the “do not congratulate” guidance was never brought up.

[katzgar]

considering you are the consummate airhead, i'd be looking to up my game before criticizing others

once one decides to defend trump it is a slippery slope back to grade school.

[katzgar]

But a senior administration official told Fox News on Wednesday that it was likely Trump never saw the memo, as his pre-call briefing was done over the phone, and not in person.

The senior administration official told Fox News that during the pre-call briefing, the “do not congratulate” guidance was never brought up.

you are defending trump for not paying attention...grow up.

[dukkha]

once one decides to defend trump it is a slippery slope back to grade school.

son if you could compose a coherent critique,it would be a miracle of biblical proportions

[dukkha]

I called President Putin of Russia to congratulate him on his election victory (in past, Obama called him also). The Fake News Media is crazed because they wanted me to excoriate him. They are wrong! Getting along with Russia (and others) is a good thing, not a bad thing……” Trump tweeted Wednesday afternoon.
The president’s tweet came after days of criticism from members of the both parties and the media for his move to call and congratulate Putin following Russia’s presidential election.

“…They can help solve problems with North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, ISIS, Iran and even the coming Arms Race,” Trump continued in a tweet minutes later. “Bush tried to get along, but didn’t have the ‘smarts.’ Obama and Clinton tried, but didn’t have the energy or chemistry (remember RESET.) PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”

[ThatOwlWoman]

the briefing was over the phone...I even changed the title so that would be seen

Well, of course it was over the phone. That doesn't mean that he wouldn't have notes on what to discuss with Putin. Notes that he either didn't read, or just ignored. Either way, you seem fine with our POTUS licking Putin's boots. Why is that?

[Bourbon]

The Best Way to respond to this stupidity is VOTE in November