If NYT reported Cohen tapes are real and made public, what will be political impact?

[enhanced_deficit]

At this point, NYT report contents seems to have been only indirectly confirmed by WH team (by Rudy Giuliani reportedly). But if turns out this is not fakenews and NYT reported Cohen tapes are made public, what kind of political impact there will be on midterms / 2020?
Vote in attached poll.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHntKp3Bi-M



NYT: Michael Cohen Secretly Taped Trump...
FLASHBACK: Recorded calls 'to use as leverage'...
Interview With Al Sharpton...
MANHATTAN MADAM SUBPOENAED BY MUELLER...













Comments from another related discussion:

Russian Oligarch Who Allegedly Paid Michael Cohen Is Linked to Clinton Foundation and John Pod

Cohen spied on Trump


Putting 2 and 2 together (if these are not fakenews), does it mean a Russian/Dems agent was spying on MAGA just 2 months before 2016 Presidential elections?

That if true would be huge news and is not being reported in much of MSM. Although a liberal Dem Senator said this few days ago:

Schumer: Americans 'will wonder' if Putin has dirt on Trump
07/16/2018
"A single, ominous question now hangs over the White House: what could possibly cause President Trump to put the interests of Russia over those of the United States? Millions of Americans will continue to wonder if the only possible explanation for this dangerous behavior is the possibility that President Putin holds damaging information over President Trump," Schumer said in the statement.

[enhanced_deficit]

Trump has proven to be pretty resilient and has successfully weathered past scandal involving Access Hollywood tape although nature of that scandal was different.


There was some political cost at the time:





Pence told RNC he could replace Trump on ticket after 'Access Hollywood' tape came out: report

12/05/17
http://thehill.com/homenews/administ...t-after-access




Sen. Mike Lee calls for Trump to step down

By Jordain Carney - 10/08/16

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) became the second Senate Republican to call on Donald Trump to drop out of the presidential race, calling the GOP nominee a "distraction."

"I respectfully ask you, with all due respect, to step aside. Step down, allow someone else to carry the banner of these principles... rather than weighing down the American people," Lee said in a video posted to Facebook on Friday night.

Lee — who has refused to endorse Trump — said Republicans should instead "find a candidate that can carry that banner without distraction and without settling."

"As [Republicans] been asked to settle, we've been given a huge series of distractions," Lee said in the video, before turning his focus to directly addressing Trump: "With all due respect, sir, you are the distraction. Your conduct, sir, is the distraction."

Lee is just the latest politician from Utah to break with Trump. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) revoked his endorsement, as did the state's governor.

The Washington Post published audio of the businessman making explicit comments about trying to have sex with women, which were caught on a hot mic in 2005. Trump issued a half-apology, saying the comments were private "locker-room banter" and "I apologize if anyone was offended."

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/2...p-to-step-down





Related



Ex-'Fox And Friends' Host Says Trump Once Tried to Kiss Her on the Lips

[euphemia]

Unbelievable. You all claim to hold total disdain for the msn and the FBI, yet you believe everything they say.

[enhanced_deficit]

You don't have to believe everything MSM/Drudge links/Foxnews etc say to be able to evaluate impact of MSM news on public's perceptions and future voting choices. Hence the question is about "political impact".

Alex Jones/rebel media so far has not reported on it either way, though there should be some update soon.


In the meantime, this is making top headlines now.

Michael Cohen‏ Verified account @MichaelCohen212

Michael Cohen Retweeted Reverend Al Sharpton
I have known Rev for almost 20 years. No one better to talk to!

Michael Cohen added,
Reverend Al SharptonVerified account @TheRevAl

Just spent an hour w/ Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney. I bet you’re wondering what we could be talking about! Stay tuned

6:26 AM - 20 Jul 2018 from Manhattan, NY

https://twitter.com/MichaelCohen212/...7Ctwgr%5Etweet



Incidentally, another tweet below Mr Cohen's tweet has this controversial PBS meme that seems to cross the line of objective reporting.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DijujxEWAAAjWd7.jpg

[Anti Globalist]

Very little impact.

[TheCount]

Trump supporters don't care that he lies to them about everything. Very little impact.

[Aratus]

The tapes legitimize what has been said about him.
This could go along the same pathways the attempt
to impeach and convict Bill Clinton did. It's like doing
a morph of the Watergate Tapes with Whitewatergate.

[timosman]

The tapes legitimize what has been said about him.
This could go along the same pathways the attempt
to impeach and convict Bill Clinton did. It's like doing
a morph of the Watergate Tapes with Whitewatergate.

Put down the crack pipe.

[Aratus]

Seriously, Trump has 15 big scandals busting loose at the same time,
in addition to the tapes Cohen has, that validate the accusations said.

[Aratus]

He was also being hit with rape accusations, in addition to arranging payoffs
and sexual harassment. Bill Clinton never went to jail, but he ran up 16 million
in legal fees. Trump may have been MORE of a sleaze or worse than is Bill Clinton.
We can debate whose business dealings are more corrupt, or who has the worst
character flaws. Warren G. Harding only had a mistress. Poker player buddies.

[timosman]

He was also being hit with rape accusations, in addition to arranging payoffs
and sexual harassment. Bill Clinton never went to jail, but he ran up 16 million
in legal fees. Trump may have been MORE of a sleaze or worse than is Bill Clinton.
We can debate whose business dealings are more corrupt, or who has the worst
character flaws. Warren G. Harding only had a mistress. Poker player buddies.

You should tell us what you are on. I tried couple of things and none worked. Your posts still didn't make any sense.

[Aratus]

With Trump, given that he and his wives socialized with the Clintons, we have a curious overlap set.
Steve Bannon once had business dealings with Harvey Weinstein, despite their political differences.

[nobody's_hero]

I'm guessing it depends what's in the tapes versus what the media says is in the tapes. No one has even heard the tapes yet and the media is already claiming victory.

[RJB]

These two posts sum up my outlook. So far every smoking gun against Trump has either been an exaggeration or an outright lie. The US probably has hit scandal fatigue as it did with Bill Clinton.

I'm guessing it depends what's in the tapes versus what the media says is in the tapes. No one has even heard the tapes yet and the media is already claiming victory.

Unbelievable. You all claim to hold total disdain for the msn and the FBI, yet you believe everything they say.

[Jamesiv1]

How does one get the media to quit talking about Russia?

Boobs.

[RJB]

How does one get the media to quit talking about Russia?

Boobs.

That's why people focus on these scandals. Boobs are at the center of most of them.

[Jamesiv1]

That's why people focus on these scandals. Boobs are at the center of most of them.

I personally believe that US Americans enjoy talking about boobs and the Iraq such as.

[Schifference]

Trump is a master of controversy.

His first months of presidency has proven negative consequences do not affect his agenda.

[Schifference]

Why should it be an issue?
The relevant question would be how it affects his marriage.
According to Stormy it was consensual.
Unlike Clinton, Clapper, and many others, he has not lied under oath.
Campaign finance issues? Which candidate that ran in last 50 years has not had campaign finance issues? Didn't Ron have issues? Clinton have issues?

[RJB]

I personally believe that US Americans enjoy talking about boobs.

Russiagate was losing its popularity, so they trot out Maria the redhead Russian hottie who "infiltrated" the NRA.

[EBounding]

This will be 10 times worse than the stormy daniels thing. So nothing.

[angelatc]

And not a single person here is complaining loudly that attorney / client privilege should make these tapes a non-starter? Trump had a reasonable expectation of privacy and protection here. Nixon didn't as he was the person doing the recording.

[oyarde]

I'm guessing it depends what's in the tapes versus what the media says is in the tapes. No one has even heard the tapes yet and the media is already claiming victory.

Which leads one to think it amounts to nothing . If his lawyer has anything it cannot be used.

[oyarde]

I personally believe that US Americans enjoy talking about boobs and the Iraq such as.

I already voted but more boobs was not on the poll .

[timosman]

And not a single person here is complaining loudly that attorney / client privilege should make these tapes a non-starter? Trump had a reasonable expectation of privacy and protection here.

Done already - Don't trust your soul to no big city northern lawyer (Cohen spied on Trump)
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthr...pied-on-Trump)

[angelatc]

Trump supporters don't care that he lies to them about everything. Very little impact.

That's true for all supporters of any candidate.

And this is a replay of the traditional scenario: nobody likes the Democrats, but they'll eventually win elections again because the electorate wants to punish the GOP. And that can't happen unless the Democrats gives the electorate something to punish the GOP for.

The Dems will then shove through some massively unAmerican, unpopular legislation, and the GOP will return in histopric numbers, onlu to not undo a single thing the Dems accomplished.

[enhanced_deficit]

Very little impact.

Trump supporters don't care that he lies to them about everything. Very little impact.

If this is not fakenews, depending on contents it could have impact on independent voters and force some of GOP voters on the margins to reevaluate their political positions/further energize Dems attacks.

The tapes legitimize what has been said about him.
This could go along the same pathways the attempt
to impeach and convict Bill Clinton did. It's like doing
a morph of the Watergate Tapes with Whitewatergate.

This will be 10 times worse than the stormy daniels thing. So nothing.

Public is moved quickly by tangible things like blue dresses, audio/video media tapes etc as opposed to just verbal claims.

[RJB]

And not a single person here is complaining loudly that attorney / client privilege should make these tapes a non-starter? Trump had a reasonable expectation of privacy...

In the past, you would have a point. These days, the truth, ethics, and laws matter little. It's what side of the aisle that people have their perspective and focus.

[Zippyjuan]

Trump does not deny what is said to have occurred but is attacking the possible legality of the tapes.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44911915

Trump attacks Michael Cohen over 'Playboy model payment tape'

President Donald Trump has condemned his former lawyer Michael Cohen amid US media reports that he secretly recorded Mr Trump discussing payments to former Playboy model Karen McDougal.

The tapes were reportedly discovered during an FBI raid on Mr Cohen's property earlier this year in New York.

Mr Trump tweeted that such a raid was "almost unheard of".

He added that a lawyer secretly recording a client was "totally unheard of and perhaps illegal".

Who is Michael Cohen?
Ex-model apologises for 'Trump affair'
The president also insisted he had done nothing wrong.

Mr Cohen's lawyer responded by saying that Mr Trump's statement was "false".

What is the tape said to reveal?
The New York Times reports that in the recording, Mr Trump and Mr Cohen discuss paying Ms McDougal, who says she had a 10-month affair with Mr Trump in 2006, a year after he married his current wife Melania.

The tape was reportedly made two months before the November 2016 election that saw Mr Trump become president.

In the lead-up to the vote, Ms McDougal sold her story to the National Enquirer magazine, which is owned by a personal friend of Mr Trump.

She says a $150,000 (£115,000) agreement gave the tabloid exclusive story rights and banned her from talking publicly about the alleged affair. But the Enquirer did not publish her story after paying for the rights.

Why is this an issue?

The Department of Justice is looking into alleged hush money paid to women who claim they had a relationship with Mr Trump.

It is suggested that such payments, if proved, would amount to an election expense.

Failing to declare election expenses is a crime.

Federal investigators have reportedly demanded the tabloid's records on the McDougal payment.

In May, President Trump admitted that he had reimbursed Mr Cohen for a payment he made to another woman to hush up her claims of an affair.

Mr Trump had previously denied all knowledge of the $130,000 payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels as part of a non-disclosure agreement.

What does Cohen say about the tape?
Mr Cohen, who has not been charged with any crime, is reportedly under investigation for possible bank and tax fraud, as well as potential violation of election law.

He has declined to comment publicly on the tape story.

But his lawyer, Lanny Davis, said in a brief statement on Friday that he was "sensitive" to the ongoing investigation before adding: "Suffice it to say that when the recording is heard, it will not hurt Mr Cohen.

"Any attempt at spin cannot change what is on the tape."

Is secret recording allowed?

New York state law allows one party to a conversation to tape it without the other knowing.

The New York Times reports that Mr Cohen, while working on behalf of Mr Trump, frequently taped conversations with journalists, other lawyers and business opponents of his client.

It goes on to say that Mr Trump himself also has a history of recording phone calls and conversations.

The ethics of whether lawyers should make such recordings, their legality notwithstanding, is an issue dividing the US legal profession.

More at link.

"Broke into"- actually "let in" because they had a search warrant.

Lawyer taping client IS legal and does happen. Trump also tapes conversations.

"Your favorite president did nothing wrong!" Which president is he referring to? (yes, Trump is Trump's favorite president!)

[timosman]

It's time to switch away from the Russia narrative. Look at this shiny new object over there!