Thread by @MollyMcKew

There's been some commentary on odd -- and potentially deceptive -- tweeting by US Senators visiting Moscow over July 4 recess.

Will run through a few things, but you should read feeds of @JuliaDavisNews & @Lucian_Kim for details/analysis of visit

npr.org/2018/07/04/625…
/1

Specifically, it has been noticed that some of members of CODEL seem to be tweeting as if they celebrated the 4th in America, and not Moscow /2

I want to say that trips like this can help with dialogue and relationships that can cut through some of the noise and look for practical solutions.

But b/c CODEL let Russian side control coverage of trip, certainly looks as if that didn't happen. /3

CODEL had mtgs led by Russian officials sanction for interfering in US elections. Russian side claims Crimea not raised. All Russians said the meetings were softball -- including the grandson of Molotov (what a PR coup for Russia) who said it was easiest US mtg he has ever had /4

Could just be usual spin.

But any US official going to Russia/mtg w/ Russians who doesn't understand you:
-lay down own narrative in public BEFORE mtg
-deliver right messaging even if you think it doesn't matter IN mtg
-immediately make statement AFTER mtg
Didn't get the memo
/5

You know -- the memo that says if you don't communicate clearly to the media about your Russian meetings, they will plug you into their script of the West caving to Russian demands and no one really cares re gross Russian int'l behavior /6

None of the CODEL members tweeted about the trip.

Come July 4, all but Granger tweeted July 4 messages, as seen here .... /7

... And here

Everyone but Daines had a service-oriented theme, fwiw

So that's all normal so far.

/8

But, while CODEL was NOT tweeting re Russia, some were also tweeting as if were still in America doing constituent-oriented things.

Given geolocation on some tweets, could be staff filling timelines, etc, but, certainly, it's odd to pretend you are doing something you aren't /9

Especially in case of Daines who posted whole series on being in DC.

Maybe he left trip early and had MIlAIR back to US. But this is not a quick trip to complete /10

Again -- I know many members here were aware of hazards of this CODEL but wanted to hear what the Russians has to say. I hope they will come home and say clearly what the learned and what they communicated to the Russian side and what they think should happen next /11

But this was comms fumble of astro proportions, made worse by what looks like efforts at deception/diversion.

I hope there clarification re purpose of trip, points communicated by US, & not repetition of soft Russian narrative -- "let's cooperate on biz and forget rest" etc /12

Because "cooperating on business" has transferred a lot of US technology to Russia -- including a whole lot of IT/high tech stuff (big "reset" initiative) that has been weaponized against us. /13

And apologies for 1 mil typos in this thread. My coffee is broken, clearly /14

Despite what the core cadre of "McKew is dangerous" + RT + Sputnik types say, I am not opposed to engagement w Russian counterparts on issues of critical importance.

But this has to be done w/ clarity, prep, purpose -- and in defense of American interests. /15

The Kremlin has done nothing -- NOTHING -- to show a change in behavior that should earn them any goodwill from us.

US/UK SOF been targeted by Russia/Assad many times in Syria.
Russia supporting Taliban as it targets American forces.
Plus, you know, Ukraine. Novichok. Etc /16

Every day we waste on another round of "oh that's speculative" & "let's wait for conclusive proof" & "why would Russia want to hurt its image" is another day more people are dying, and another day where Kremlin is pouring money into influence ops to undermine system of West /17

Addendum:

https://twitter.com/JuliaDavisNews/status/1014888815012564992

ok. If Daines back in DC this AM for Fox, & is traveling w/ POTUS today, then likely he came back early from Moscow/split from CODEL. But I have to say -- surprising neither he nor staff have addressed the questions.
And readout seems as bad as feared:

washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jul/…