Rachel is saying she thinks the tape was leaked by Trump's lawyers.

[triron]

Not buying it. I think it was Lanny Davis.

[hlthe2b]

1. I said the same this morning... The point is that leaking it not only distracts the news cycle

(Classic Trump tactic), but far more important, it may well shut off any avenue Cohen has to make a deal, since that tape may well be evidence of a crime Not to mention the fact that IMMEDIATELY after its leak, Rudy was tee'd up to do his media tours. Coincidence? I think not.

Added to the case, Trump thinking Kavannaugh will protect him from indictment and even subpoena, if confirmed based on his prior statements and publications.

Yup, Cohen is being "f..ked"

[marylandblue]

4. Tape does not diminish Cohen's value as a witness

It actually enhances it. A tape alone can be spun. Cohen can testify about what he understood Trump to be saying, and what they both did after the conservation.

[hlthe2b]

8. If his value to the prosecutor is limited to what is on this and related tapes, the Trump team

in getting out in front of it and actually releasing it, has cut off his value in pursuing a plea bargain. Given the amount of charges Cohen likely faces, it will take him providing something substantial. Now that this info is out there it may have burst the bubble for Cohen's usefulness. Whether the AG knew or not about this tape, he knows now. Cohen can be compelled to testify sans any plea deal. If he pleads the 5th so be it. Prosecutors can find another means to validate the tapes--if and only if it is deemed a big enough deal to pursue.

So, no, if this is ALL Cohen has, it may well have diminished his chances of a plea deal. I can only hope for his sake, he has more.

[triron]

12. The tape is the least of what Cohen has on Trump IMO.

[Garrett78]

6. Yeah, what Rachel was saying made a lot of sense.

That doesn't mean, of course, that the tapes won't ultimately hurt Trump.

[hlthe2b]

9. It wouldn't be the first time Trump has leaked something that CAN hurt him, in order to deflect

from something that will likely hurt him MORE.

[Garrett78]

11. And just to be able to get out in front with their spin, and to undercut Cohen.

[oasis]

2. (1) makes sense to me (2) who would argue with a Rhodes Scholar?

[onecaliberal]

3. Trump didn't leak it. He's screwed by it. Lanny Davis leaked it, especially based on his tweets tod

[marylandblue]

5. That's what I think. Cohen is telling Trump he has the evidence.

Also the sleeper part of the story is that there are other tapes. Trump now has to assume everything he ever said to Cohen is on tape.

[onecaliberal]

7. I think so as well.

[hlthe2b]

10. I hope that is the case, but Rudy was so quickly tee'd up to do the media dance, I am suspicious.

Not to mention the fact that COhen's legal team denied having leaked it. Most lawyers don't overtly lie like that.

[oberliner]

13. I think she needs to continue digging into that Trump-Putin meeting

She and her staff have spent so much time on all the details with respect to Russia - it's been quite informative.

[canetoad]

14. I think she's right

Leaked by Giuliani to 'get in front' of the story. This is what they're reduced to.