This essay examines an unintended consequence of alleged Russian interference with the Presidential election. The essay was posted on 12/13/16.
Russia and Vladimir Putin pulled off what has been described as an electronic attack on the United States presumably to get
Donald Trump elected as President. The attack appears to have been successful. Pollster Nate Silver blames Russian interference and James Comey’s leaked letter for Hillary Clinton’s defeat. But the impact of the computer hack doesn’t end there.
The Russian computer attack on our electoral process has garnered bipartisan condemnation from just about everyone except Trump and his loyal supporters. Democrats and Republicans alike understand that this is an attack on all of us.
In politics perception is everything, and perceptions growing out of the Russian hack must be addressed. The hack is real. The election results are real. The perception that Donald Trump somehow made a deal is real. As long as Trump continues to defend Russia and seek ties with Russia, the perception of his involvement will persist and the attack on our Democracy will have succeeded.
Trump must address the perception that he is in collusion with Russia. He must treat Russia as a real adversary or he will not be a credible President. Trump must choose a Secretary of State whose ties to Putin are not as conflicted as Rex Tillerson’s. Trump must maintain sanctions against Russia. And Trump must seek an appropriate consequence to the Russian hacking.
Donald Trump could be in deeper trouble. If he is trying to kill investigations into the election because he colluded with Russia, then he literally has no options. If he colluded he should not be President.
"I write letters to the editor of my local newspaper. The newspaper arbitrarily limits letters to 300 words, and the newspaper web site strictly enforces the word-limit. At first I was annoyed, but annoyance turned to satisfaction when my letters became more concise and more effective. Some of these letters do not reach a newspaper, but all follow the 300 word limit."
Peter Konieczko