General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Transcript Isn't Enough
For several reasons.
The obvious one is that we don't trust that it will be complete or accurate.
But even if it is, the transcript does not encompass the full scope of the potential crime. We need to know what other communication was had through other calls and intermediaries. Top priority would be what Giuliani expressed to them in person. I suspect that he was the real enforcer here and that the phone call will only be part of reinforcing narrative.
My fear is that the phone call will be vaguely worded enough that the intent will be apparent but not provable. The remainder of the contacts are what provides context to that meaning. In a movie, the phone call would be vaguely worded in a clever way so that the mob boss could never be touched. Trump is neither smart enough, aware enough or articulate enough to pull that off. In fact, I would bet that the meaning of the call will be garbled simply due to the incoherent word salad that happens whenever he goes off-script.
In any event, the phone call isn't enough. There is a broader set of activities here that establishes a full conspiracy. We need it all.
dem4decades
(11,244 posts)Time to demand all information needed to investigate this crook.
beachbumbob
(9,263 posts)Congress
genxlib
(5,508 posts)And it is the most immediate and obvious.
But presumably (although we don't know yet) the WB complaint was about the extortion of assistance for money. The question around the transcript is whether there will be any explicit language that describes the Quid Pro Quo (ie. get the investigation going and that money will be delivered.) I doubt it will be that explicit even if a true and factual transcript can be delivered.
Even the full WB report is just the starting point. It only describes what the WB knows. That should be the basis for a fuller in-depth investigation that goes even deeper.
You are correct, but there are potentially multiple crimes here. Keep digging.