Political Roundtable Part IX

[popper]

Judicial Watch: FBI Investigation Documents of IRS Scandal
JULY 27, 2016

Reveal Top Washington IRS Officials Knew About Targeting of “Tea Party” Groups Two Years Before Disclosing it to Congress and Public

FBI interview with IRS senior official reveals: “he thought the cases were being pulled based upon political affiliations”

(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch today released 294 pages of new Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) “302” documents revealing that top Washington IRS officials, including Lois Lerner and Holly Paz, knew that the agency was specifically targeting “Tea Party” and other conservative organizations two full years before disclosing it to Congress and the public. An FBI 302 document contains detailed narratives of FBI agent investigations. The Obama Justice Department and FBI investigations into the Obama IRS scandal resulted in no criminal charges.

The FBI 302 documents confirm the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) 2013 report that said, “Senior IRS officials knew that agents were targeting conservative groups for special scrutiny as early as 2011.” Lerner did not reveal the targeting until May 2013, in response to a planted question at an American Bar Association conference. The new documents reveal that then-acting IRS Commissioner Steven Miller actually wrote Lerner’s response: “They used names like Tea Party or Patriots and they selected cases simply because the applications had those names in the title. That was wrong, that was absolutely incorrect, insensitive, and inappropriate.”

The FBI documents also reveal that IRS officials stated that the agency was targeting conservative groups because of their ideology and political affiliation in the summer of 2011. According to one senior tax law specialist, “The case seemed to be pulled because of the applicant’s political affiliation and screening is not supposed to occur that way … [Redacted] said he thought the cases were being pulled based upon political affiliations.” And IRS senior official Nancy Marks, appointed by Miller to conduct an internal investigation stated, “Cincinnati was categorizing cases based on name and ideology, not just activity.”

Judicial Watch obtained the new documents through a federal court order in a Judicial Watch Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit (Judicial Watch v Department of Justice (No. 1:14-cv-01239))…….

http://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-fbi-investigation-documents-irs-scandal/

[Ruzious]

Popper, with all due respect, this IRS witch hunt over the Tea Party is nothing a pile of crap. Not even one tea party organization was turned down for exempt status. This was all about the IRS group that handles making the exempt decisions being under-staffed, so one idea someone came up with was to use key word searches. They should have been careful to use the same type of word searches for Democrat orgs, but they blew it. But so f'n what. There was no political intent. They were simply trying to deal with being understaffed. The time money and man-power used to investigate this is far more shameful than anything the IRS did. Every Tea Party member who's made a big deal about this is a

Spoiler:

MORON

.

[fishercob]

The political analysis you've all been waiting for: The conventions have driven home that Trump doesn't have anywhere near the heavy hitters to stump for him that Hillary does, and no matter how effective he may be in campaigning, he simply can't be everywhere at once.

Hillary will have Biden with her in Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania; Kaine giving speeches in Spanish all over Florida; Bill, Michelle and Barack wherever they are needed. They are needle-movers.

Who is going to get out the vote for Trump in all of these battleground states? He and his children can't do it all themselves, and the Republican establishment has shown they will not stump for him.

I would expect things to be reported to be very close over the next several weeks, but I think the 538-type models will start to show Hillary with a widening lead. Come election day (barring something unforeseen), I think she'll win by a pretty big margin of electoral votes.

Or, I'm totally wrong. Seems like a reasonable theory though, right?

[popper]

Popper, with all due respect, this IRS witch hunt over the Tea Party is nothing a pile of crap. Not even one tea party organization was turned down for exempt status. This was all about the IRS group that handles making the exempt decisions being under-staffed, so one idea someone came up with was to use key word searches. They should have been careful to use the same type of word searches for Democrat orgs, but they blew it. But so f'n what. There was no political intent. They were simply trying to deal with being understaffed. The time money and man-power used to investigate this is far more shameful than anything the IRS did. Every Tea Party member who's made a big deal about this is a

Spoiler:

MORON

.

Right. That's why Lois Lerner pleaded the fifth. She could have simply repeated your post and avoided the investigation. You just read the excerpts from FBI interviews where senior IRS personnel stated under penalty of perjury that applications were pulled based on the ideology of the applicants. You just read that the FBI determined that senior IRS executives knew about the partisan nature of IRS behavior two years before the Lerner disclosure. If you're ok with that sort of govt. behavior then so be it. I would however avoid labeling people morons when they were right all along about the targeting of conservative groups.

[nate33]

The political analysis you've all been waiting for: The conventions have driven home that Trump doesn't have anywhere near the heavy hitters to stump for him that Hillary does, and no matter how effective he may be in campaigning, he simply can't be everywhere at once.

Hillary will have Biden with her in Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania; Kaine giving speeches in Spanish all over Florida; Bill, Michelle and Barack wherever they are needed. They are needle-movers.

Who is going to get out the vote for Trump in all of these battleground states? He and his children can't do it all themselves, and the Republican establishment has shown they will not stump for him.

I would expect things to be reported to be very close over the next several weeks, but I think the 538-type models will start to show Hillary with a widening lead. Come election day (barring something unforeseen), I think she'll win by a pretty big margin of electoral votes.

Or, I'm totally wrong. Seems like a reasonable theory though, right?

I think Hillary's biggest weapon is Obama. I don't really think anyone else will move the needle for her, but Obama will.

[closg00]

Wikileaks is holding on to emails that they will be releasing in the future, something embarrassing/damaging is going to drop at a strategic point(s) before November, probably after the post convention bounce.

OTOH there is also plenty of time for Trump to further embarrass himself during a debate or press conference.

[AFM]

Finally, a place Nate can repent...

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-07-28/new-website-establishes-marketplace-white-people-make-reparations-payments

[payitforward]

This will be one of the most powerful -- and unexpected -- weapons against Trump. It's wonderful:

Watch on YouTube

[TGW]

I have to say...the WaPo is becoming an establishment liberal rag.

[pineappleheadindc]

As a political geek -- I love the pagentry, the speeches, the balloon drops, etc -- I must say that I've enjoyed the last two weeks. Both the Republican and Democratic conventions were great to watch. Feel really happy to have watched evening coverage for all eight days (in total).

[cammac]

I will be surprised if Nate can get out of bed this morning over the last 4 days the Democrats have eviscerated the "Cult of Trump" . They showed the fabric of America that people from the rest of the world loves from common people, rational generals, respected business leaders, independents, Republicans, police officers, scientists,religion, people with disabilities, athletes & people of every color and shade. If Mr. Khans address didn't bring you to realize demonizing people is just wrong shame on you Nate.

Good Morning America
From a Canadian.

[bgroban]

He puts America first? Because he says so? Or are you basing this on his record?

Nothing in Trump's record of where he manufactures his goods or who he hires would indicate that he's in the slightest bit patriotic.

Where has Hillary demonstrated any semblance of patriotism? Do you really buy the pandering that's been happening the last few days? She scares me 10x more than Barry ever did.

[bgroban]

I have to say...the WaPo is becoming an establishment liberal rag.

Was huge support of the WaPo for 30+ years. Throughout this election cycle, their coverage has been so one-sided, it's pathetic. Not sure if that is the Bezos effect or what. On the plus side - the more people try to dump on Trump, the better his poll #s are.

[bgroban]

This will be one of the most powerful -- and unexpected -- weapons against Trump. It's wonderful:

Watch on YouTube

I am very far right, and I applauded this.

[AFM]

I will be surprised if Nate can get out of bed this morning over the last 4 days the Democrats have eviscerated the "Cult of Trump" . They showed the fabric of America that people from the rest of the world loves from common people, rational generals, respected business leaders, independents, Republicans, police officers, scientists,religion, people with disabilities, athletes & people of every color and shade. If Mr. Khans address didn't bring you to realize demonizing people is just wrong shame on you Nate.

Good Morning America
From a Canadian.

And yet there's been a 17 pt swing in Trump's favor!
We'll see if that changes post convention.

[bgroban]

The political analysis you've all been waiting for: The conventions have driven home that Trump doesn't have anywhere near the heavy hitters to stump for him that Hillary does, and no matter how effective he may be in campaigning, he simply can't be everywhere at once.

Hillary will have Biden with her in Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania; Kaine giving speeches in Spanish all over Florida; Bill, Michelle and Barack wherever they are needed. They are needle-movers.

Who is going to get out the vote for Trump in all of these battleground states? He and his children can't do it all themselves, and the Republican establishment has shown they will not stump for him.

I would expect things to be reported to be very close over the next several weeks, but I think the 538-type models will start to show Hillary with a widening lead. Come election day (barring something unforeseen), I think she'll win by a pretty big margin of electoral votes.

Or, I'm totally wrong. Seems like a reasonable theory though, right?

Let's make a friendly wager. I say Trump wins in a landslide. Trump is not going to defeat Hillary. Lower voter turn out is going to defeat her.

[cammac]

I will be surprised if Nate can get out of bed this morning over the last 4 days the Democrats have eviscerated the "Cult of Trump" . They showed the fabric of America that people from the rest of the world loves from common people, rational generals, respected business leaders, independents, Republicans, police officers, scientists,religion, people with disabilities, athletes & people of every color and shade. If Mr. Khans address didn't bring you to realize demonizing people is just wrong shame on you Nate.

Good Morning America
From a Canadian.

And yet there's been a 17 pt swing in Trump's favor!
We'll see if that changes post convention.

Things that I think will happens is that people will compare especially independents and Republicans the 2 candidates on merit and who can lead the country in the right direction. Yes many may hold there noses and vote for Hillary but considering the alternative she is the best for America alternative.

You look at the star power behind Hillary with viable and high profile surrogates and a united party who has opened the door to a wide spectrum of voters. I am the 1st of the baby boomers and the 60's are a major part of my personal agenda. I'm against war as only the last alternative but there are times that people and nations need to take a stand. Who do you trust someone who will make a business deal? I remember going to College in Virginia and I was at a mall and a black man was having trouble with his car. I came over asked him if I could help he said son you shouldn't be doing this. I helped him was simple a bad battery connection. He thanked me and said to me "be careful son this is the South and you aren't from around here". I believe in social justice and equality and helping people in need that is the true America.

I think Hillary will be polling in the mid 40's and Trump will be in the high 30's so looking for a 7 to 9 point spread. When the debates happen that will widen.

[bgroban]

I will be surprised if Nate can get out of bed this morning over the last 4 days the Democrats have eviscerated the "Cult of Trump" . They showed the fabric of America that people from the rest of the world loves from common people, rational generals, respected business leaders, independents, Republicans, police officers, scientists,religion, people with disabilities, athletes & people of every color and shade. If Mr. Khans address didn't bring you to realize demonizing people is just wrong shame on you Nate.

Good Morning America
From a Canadian.

And yet there's been a 17 pt swing in Trump's favor!
We'll see if that changes post convention.

Things that I think will happens is that people will compare especially independents and Republicans the 2 candidates on merit and who can lead the country in the right direction. Yes many may hold there noses and vote for Hillary but considering the alternative she is the best for America alternative.

You look at the star power behind Hillary with viable and high profile surrogates and a united party who has opened the door to a wide spectrum of voters. I am the 1st of the baby boomers and the 60's are a major part of my personal agenda. I'm against war as only the last alternative but there are times that people and nations need to take a stand. Who do you trust someone who will make a business deal? I remember going to College in Virginia and I was at a mall and a black man was having trouble with his car. I came over asked him if I could help he said son you shouldn't be doing this. I helped him was simple a bad battery connection. He thanked me and said to me "be careful son this is the South and you aren't from around here". I believe in social justice and equality and helping people in need that is the true America.

I think Hillary will be polling in the mid 40's and Trump will be in the high 30's so looking for a 7 to 9 point spread. When the debates happen that will widen.

Star power has worked in the past but I think it will have little effect this time around. If you have noticed, voters are more cyncial these days, thanks in part to all of the information that is available to them. Katy Perry is not swaying anyone into voting for HRC.

[bgroban]

Biden should have been the Dem's candidate. He claims he didn't want it, but I think he is the one person who had a legit shot of defeating Trump. Those debates would have been epic.

[nate33]

I will be surprised if Nate can get out of bed this morning over the last 4 days the Democrats have eviscerated the "Cult of Trump" . They showed the fabric of America that people from the rest of the world loves from common people, rational generals, respected business leaders, independents, Republicans, police officers, scientists,religion, people with disabilities, athletes & people of every color and shade. If Mr. Khans address didn't bring you to realize demonizing people is just wrong shame on you Nate.

Good Morning America
From a Canadian.

The existence of men like Mr. Khans in no way affects my position. I never said there weren't good Muslims. If fact, I've said that there are literally millions of good Muslims. The problem is that there is a too-high percentage of "bad Muslims" who either want to carry out terrorism, implicitly support terrorism, or simply have a way of life that is fundamentally in conflict with Western civilization. I've got a real problem with the first two, and I'm not particularly excited about the third. We are fortunate that the number of Muslims here are small and we can hopefully absorb them over time while enduring only a few dozen more terrorist attacks. I simply don't think it's wise to admit very many more in. It's a risk reward calculation that leans too far on the risk scale. I've seen this movie before in Europe and I don't wish to see it here. I'm not going to apologize for this.