Sen. Mark Warner: Trump Can't Be Trusted to Meet with Putin Alone

You’re welcome, for that photo. It’s a primer.

Get ready for some goofiness.

On Sunday, Democratic congressman Mark Warner told CNN we’d better make sure other Americans are in the room when President Trump meets with Vladimir Putin Monday.

Yes — it’s that stupid.

The Virginia senator claimed he is “stunned” that Trump hasn’t held Putin’s feet to the fire over electoral meddling; furthermore, he said, Trump could be taken advantage of if he’s alone.

Yes — it’s that stupid.

“Frankly, one of the things I’m most worried about is we need to have other Americans in the room. … Vladimir Putin is a trained KGB agent, he may come in with maps of Syria, maps of Ukraine. And frankly, I think he’ll take advantage of this president whom we know doesn’t do much prep work before these meetings. … We need other individuals from his administration in the room so we know at least someone will press the Russians on making sure they don’t interfere in future U.S. elections.”

[Note to the senator: it’s “who,” not “whom.”]

Since Warner’s comments consist of 50% idiocy and 50% imbecility, I’ll split the stupidity into two parts and address them separately. You can choose for yourself which category is first:

1) There seems to be some suggestion that Trump is dumb. Well, he isn’t nearly as dumb as Warner’s ideas, but moving on… Despite the Left’s suggestion that Trump is a moron (made when they aren’t implying he’s an evil genius), he’s arguably the most prominent New York businessman in the nation’s history and a guy who was keen enough to essentially come out of nowhere (politically) and become President of the United States. I don’t think he needs helpers during a conversation.

2) The assertion appears to be that Donald is weak and insufficient when alone. Trump has built an empire on being alone. He’s become President alone. Or lone. I can think of no greater example of a rugged individual. He lives on his own terms, and I remain astonished by his strength during the 2016 presidential race (for more on what I like, please see here). According to the TV, the whole world was against him; but he didn’t care. He just kept on. As he’s doing now, despite such vicious enemies (see shows of his strength here and here). I’m betting he can deal with a one-on-one situation without crumbling.

Also, is there an insinuation here that Trump might consciously betray the country if left alone with Russia’s top guy? More collusion?

If so, thumbs down.

To be sure, Trump isn’t known for excessive preparation. Before the North Korea summit in June, he explained, “I don’t think I have to prepare very much. It’s about attitude. It’s about willingness to get things done.”

In addition to asking Putin about electoral meddling (which I cover here), Trump indicated Sunday he will also inquire about the extradition of 12 Russian operatives who were charged Friday with election tampering:

“I hadn’t thought of that. But I certainly, I’ll be asking about it. But again, this was during the Obama administration. They were doing whatever it was during the Obama administration.”

As for that last statement, he also noted the same on Saturday, via Twitter, from Scotland:

“The stories you heard about the 12 Russians yesterday took place during the Obama Administration, not the Trump Administration. Why didn’t they do something about it, especially when it was reported that President Obama was informed by the FBI in September, before the Election?”

The stories you heard about the 12 Russians yesterday took place during the Obama Administration, not the Trump Administration. Why didn’t they do something about it, especially when it was reported that President Obama was informed by the FBI in September, before the Election?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 14, 2018