1. The ignorance defense
Press secretary Sean Spicer said Donald Trump was not aware that former campaign chairman Paul Manafort had signed a $10m annual contract beginning in 2006 to work with Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska, a close ally of president Vladimir Putin, as reported by the AP.
Manafort worked for Putin crony
'Benefit the Putin government'
We are now of the belief that this model can greatly benefit the Putin Government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success … [the effort] will be offering a great service that can re-focus, both internally and externally, the policies of the Putin government.
– Paul Manafort in a 2005 memo to aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska, a close Putin ally, as quoted by the AP
Manafort's defense
I worked with Oleg Deripaska almost a decade ago representing him on business and personal matters in countries where he had investments. My work for Mr. Deripaska did not involve representing Russian political interests.
– Paul Manafort, in a statement issued Wednesday
Extreme vetting
To suggest that the president knew who his clients were from 10 years ago is a bit insane.
– Sean Spicer, on Manafort, who was chairman of Trump’s presidential campaign for five months, and who has known Trump since the 1980s and lived in one of his buildings
2. ‘Paul’s in Charge’
Spicer says Manafort played a small role in the Trump campaign. Here's what Spicer said about Manafort in June '16 https://t.co/0xn5snxQiA pic.twitter.com/51lju2kxNa
— Michael Cohen (@speechboy71) March 22, 2017
3. Congress goes after Flynn
The House oversight committee, led by a Republican, sent a series of document requests about former national security adviser Michael Flynn’s communications with and payments from Russian, Turkish or other foreign sources.
Muslims inside FBI describe culture of fear
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5. Republican plan in peril
One day before an anticipated vote on the Republican healthcare bill, a key group of House conservatives said they still oppose the bill. Trump, meanwhile, was inviting lawmakers to the White House for arm-twisting.
Whip it real good
BREAKING: more than 25 Freedom Caucus 'No's' on AHCA -- group says "start over"
— Alyssa Farah (@Alyssafarah) March 22, 2017
You’re not … helping?
Mo Brooks says WH offered "nothing substantive" — just potential changes in Senate.
— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) March 22, 2017
Brooks says more noes today than there were yesterday.
'There is no plan B'
.@PressSec: "There is no plan B" if GOP health care bill doesn't pass House. "We're going to get this done." https://t.co/kmY7kIRiWZ pic.twitter.com/vqBtWMvTrw
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) March 22, 2017
6. Trump at minus-19 approval – poll
new Quinnipiac Poll on Americans view of Trump job performance: 37% approve, 56% disapprove. losing support among Republicans, whites, men
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) March 22, 2017
... and another thing:
I feel like Trump’s habit of saying whatever his audience wants to hear then not following through carries some political risks.
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) March 22, 2017
