(07-17-2018 12:04 PM)tanqtonic Wrote:  Funny, Trump is derided for his 'lack of diplomacy', yet is chastised for not yelling 'Liar liar' to Putin's face at worldwide televised press conference.

Lets have a little Gedankenexperiment here:

Assume Trump does the opposite, precisely what many seem demand -- that is verbally and viciously assault Putin for all his authoritarian and expansionist actions (annexing the Crimea, Syria intervention, eastern Ukraine, DNC servers, etc.)?

What would have that explicit criticism *to his face* accomplished with these matters? My best guess is precisely nada.

What would be most likely if that occurred? Relations, already in the dumpster, would have been set back further.

I dont think that is rocket science to figure out.

Next, look at what has actually happened and in the course of happening. Trump's actions re: Russia amazingly more strict (some might say unfriendly) than his words yesterday -- let alone when comparing them to the actions *and* diplomatic treatment enjoined by Obama, mind you. For me, it's hard to categorize an explicit attack on the economic base of Russia (i.e. continuing and accelerating the opening of energy spigots), increasing sanctions, arming the Ukrainians, ejecting 60 Russian agents, etc. If Trump is in Putin's pocket, he's doing a terrible job of it on the actions front.

Being personally gracious and diplomatic to Putin on the largest stage ever provided to Putin doesnt seem to be a wholly improper item, especially in light of the tangible friction of Trump's actual policies to Putin's Russia. But I guess complaining about not being a dick on that world stage is something that Trump's opponents seem to truly care more about than tangible policies.

Have you watched the press conference?

I think describing Trump’s response to the reporter who asked about the meddling was in no way “gracious and diplomatic.” If anything, because he used it as a platform to attack Clinton. He could still have been gracious and diplomatic without siding with Putin and directly in opposition to our own intelligence community.