So, if Bannon was the Senior Campaign Official directed to reach out to Stone...

[Tom Rinaldo]

On August 17, 2016, Bannon was appointed chief executive of Donald Trump's presidential campaign

The Stone indictment indicates that “After the July 22, 2016 release of stolen DNC emails by Organization 1, a senior Trump Campaign official was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases".

I am curious about the exact timing. If the above happened before 8/17/2016, than Manaford would have outranked Bannon and therefor could have "directed him" to contact Stone. However, far as I know, Bannon had no official role in the campaign before the shuffle that sent Manaford out the door. If that is true than he would not rightfully be described as a senior Campaign official, prior to 8/17/2016.

Starting on 8/17/2016 Bannon was the CEO of the Trump campaign, which begs the question. Who in the Trump orbit was high ranking enough to "direct" the campaign's CEO regarding anything? Kellyanne sure as hell doesn't qualify. Mueller's team doesn't use terms loosely. If the reporting is true, and Bannon was the Senior Campaign official "directed" to contact Stone, it seems Mueller has evidence implicating someone higher up than the Campaign CEO in this overt "collusion". The options are very limited.

[2naSalit]

1. Why isn't HE in custody?

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

2. Right.

Where's Capt. Chaos?

[2naSalit]

5. For the past 18 months or so

he's been careening all over the planet sowing hate and chaos all over the place.

[Tom Rinaldo]

4. Bannon?

Well, for one thing, he may be an actively cooperating witness with his legal fate hanging in the balance depending on his usefulness to Mueller. . Mueller hasn't put all his cards on the table yet. But I find it significant that the indictment says that a Senior Campaign Official was directed to contact Stone. Mueller could have instead said that a Senior Campaign Official contacted Stone, but he intentionally left a written arrow pointing yet higher on the chain of command.

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

6. +1

[lanlady]

7. no one does passive voice like Mueller!

You have to admire the genius behind that formulation.

[COLGATE4]

3. Thanks for an excellent analysis.

I tend to agree with your conclusions.