Yes or No, Do you still believe that Trump conspired with Russia?

[ehrnst]

149. I think he used "plausible deniability" like many in power do when something shady benefits him.

As Cohen said, there was a code. You knew what he was telling you to do without him saying it directly.

Also known as "cover the quarterback." Those around the figure 'take care of things" and don't "bother him with details," they just make sure that he's free to concentrate on the big picture.

He can state that he "didn't know" what was going on in the lower levels of the org, because he made sure his right hand man was the wall between him and any "distractions," even if he did step in to micromanage certain details and harrangue staffers that disappointed him.

Few strangers are allowed close - only trusted family members and longtime associates - like the fixer. His fans, whose only contact with him is seeing him ranting from the podium believe that he is the lone voice that speaks for them in a sea of corruption. They can't believe that he could possibly be what those who actually have dealt with him say about him.

This is how he came to believe his own hype, that anything that benefits him benefits the country, and he deserves this adulation.

That's how he can be the beneficiary of collusion, while keeping that arm's length - "Don't distract me with the details, but just make sure that my interests are being served, OK? Whatever damages my enemies is good for everyone, including those near me. Look at how popular I am. It would be a catastrophe for the country itself if I was to be smeared."

Narcissism allows him to think that even if it is collusion, it can't possibly be wrong. How could those crowds - all those people throwing money at him, even when they have so little be wrong?

So, yes, but in a very indirect way...