Friday, August 19, 2016

Manafort Walks S.S. Rump's Plank


After the hiring of wingnut agitator Steve Bannon and Ann Coulter wannabe Kellyanne Conway by neo-fascist sociopath Donald "Rump" Trump, there was apparently no room left for Putin-friendly Paul Manafort on the S.S. Rump garbage scow.  He resigned today as Rump's failed campaign manager, following weeks of his candidate's out-of-control behavior which has resulted in falling poll numbers. Now the Alt Right crazies are in full control, but don't tell that to a Beltway media that's swooning over Rump's use of the teleprompter.

Manafort had been one of the leading cheerleaders for a resurgent Russia, and was for years on the payroll of the pro-Russian Ukranian leader Viktor Yanukovych, before he was overthrown by a popular, pro-Western uprising.  Those business dealings might have also been in violation of U.S. tax, money laundering and lobbying laws. Manafort was also alleged to have softened a plank in the Rethuglican platform that would have supported giving defensive arms to the new pro-Western Ukrainian government. While his departure removes a staunch supporter of Rump's flirtation with Russian dictator Putin, the Rump - Russia connection remains hidden as long as Rump refuses to release his taxes.