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1\
THE GOP CIVIL WAR
The Realists vs The Neocons
a thread
THE GOP CIVIL WAR
The Realists vs The Neocons
a thread
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I’ve been holding off writing this thread. Waiting for the declassification, waiting for Gen Flynn to be sentenced.
Waiting…a lot of waiting.
I’ve been holding off writing this thread. Waiting for the declassification, waiting for Gen Flynn to be sentenced.
Waiting…a lot of waiting.
3\
“Let's go!”
“We can't.”
“Why not?”
“We're waiting for declassication.”
“Let's go!”
“We can't.”
“Why not?”
“We're waiting for declassication.”
4\
Hopefully declassification happens, soon. Tomorrow. But I’m not waiting any longer. I’m going with the information we have.
Hopefully declassification happens, soon. Tomorrow. But I’m not waiting any longer. I’m going with the information we have.
5\
The date is February 19, 2009. The setting is the Nixon Center.
The speaker is Richard Perle.
The date is February 19, 2009. The setting is the Nixon Center.
The speaker is Richard Perle.
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Perle is one of the OG Neocons.
Perle was a senior member of Democratic senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson’s staff in the 1970’s.
Perle is one of the OG Neocons.
Perle was a senior member of Democratic senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson’s staff in the 1970’s.
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Since then he’s been entrenched in the DOD and numerous neoconservative think tanks. To name just a few: Washington Institute for Near East Studies, Project for the New American Century, Center for Security Policy, American Enterprise Institute, Henry Jackson Society.
Since then he’s been entrenched in the DOD and numerous neoconservative think tanks. To name just a few: Washington Institute for Near East Studies, Project for the New American Century, Center for Security Policy, American Enterprise Institute, Henry Jackson Society.
8\
His bellicosity has earned him the moniker, The Prince of Darkness.
His bellicosity has earned him the moniker, The Prince of Darkness.
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In February 2009, Barack Obama was still in the first 100 days of his presidency.
The American people had rejected John McCain and his neoconservative foreign policy.
In February 2009, Barack Obama was still in the first 100 days of his presidency.
The American people had rejected John McCain and his neoconservative foreign policy.
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It is in this setting that Perle takes a question from a member of the audience.
I’ll let you figure out who’s asking the question.
It is in this setting that Perle takes a question from a member of the audience.
I’ll let you figure out who’s asking the question.
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SHOTS FIRED!
The man asking the question is that international man of mystery, Stefan Halper.
Code name: The Walrus.
SHOTS FIRED!
The man asking the question is that international man of mystery, Stefan Halper.
Code name: The Walrus.
12\
The book Perle is referring to is America Alone: The Neo-Conservatives and the Global Order, co-written by Halper and Jonathan Clarke.
The book Perle is referring to is America Alone: The Neo-Conservatives and the Global Order, co-written by Halper and Jonathan Clarke.
13\
It was published in September 2005 by Cambridge University Press.
The book was one of the earliest written on the role of Neoconservatives in the decision to invade Iraq.
It was published in September 2005 by Cambridge University Press.
The book was one of the earliest written on the role of Neoconservatives in the decision to invade Iraq.
14\
Stefan Halper is an old hand in the Republican Party.
He served in the Nixon, Ford and Reagan administrations. (He also says in the Q&A session that he spent “30 years in the CIA.” That’s not part of his official bio).
Stefan Halper is an old hand in the Republican Party.
He served in the Nixon, Ford and Reagan administrations. (He also says in the Q&A session that he spent “30 years in the CIA.” That’s not part of his official bio).
15\
Halper also worked on the George H W Bush 1980 presidential campaign.
Halper’s foreign policy views are aligned with the Realist school of the GOP, often associated with Bush 41.
Halper also worked on the George H W Bush 1980 presidential campaign.
Halper’s foreign policy views are aligned with the Realist school of the GOP, often associated with Bush 41.
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The most prominent exemplar of that tradition is former Secretary of State James Baker.
The most prominent exemplar of that tradition is former Secretary of State James Baker.
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Some other notable names from the Realist school include Brent Scowcroft, Robert Gates, Colin Powell
Some other notable names from the Realist school include Brent Scowcroft, Robert Gates, Colin Powell
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The Realists have been in a struggle with the Neocons for preeminence within the GOP.
The Neocons have emerged victorious over the last decade, despite the disastrous war in Iraq.
Their candidates, however, have failed to win the presidency (McCain, Romney, Rubio).
The Realists have been in a struggle with the Neocons for preeminence within the GOP.
The Neocons have emerged victorious over the last decade, despite the disastrous war in Iraq.
Their candidates, however, have failed to win the presidency (McCain, Romney, Rubio).
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The Realists have not been particularly successful grooming a young generation to take their place.
Someone of a younger generation, though, who would fall into their camp: Carter Page, PhD.
The Realists have not been particularly successful grooming a young generation to take their place.
Someone of a younger generation, though, who would fall into their camp: Carter Page, PhD.
20\
During his congressional testimony, Page discussed his first and only meeting with Roger Stone.
Stone asked him if he was a neocon.
Page responded, “I am the furthest thing from a neocon that you can imagine.”
During his congressional testimony, Page discussed his first and only meeting with Roger Stone.
Stone asked him if he was a neocon.
Page responded, “I am the furthest thing from a neocon that you can imagine.”
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If we look over Page’s twitter feed, there are numerous tweets in which he criticizes the Neocons, sometimes by name.
If we look over Page’s twitter feed, there are numerous tweets in which he criticizes the Neocons, sometimes by name.
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The real clincher that Page is a is this tweet, where he compares the Steele dossier to the “Dodgy Dossier.”
The real clincher that Page is a is this tweet, where he compares the Steele dossier to the “Dodgy Dossier.”
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Page has only mentioned Halper, by name, in one tweet.
In marked contrast to Papadopolous, Page doesn’t have anything negative to say about his encounter with the Cambridge professor.
Page has only mentioned Halper, by name, in one tweet.
In marked contrast to Papadopolous, Page doesn’t have anything negative to say about his encounter with the Cambridge professor.
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Also in his television appearances, Page makes it a point to emphasize that his interactions with Halper were positive.
Also in his television appearances, Page makes it a point to emphasize that his interactions with Halper were positive.
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I suspect the thought that Halper and Page were working together has entered the mind of more than one reader.
I suspect the thought that Halper and Page were working together has entered the mind of more than one reader.
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And there’s no question both men have definite ties to the FBI: Halper as a FBI informant in Crossfire Hurricane and Page as a ‘cooperating witness’ in a federal investigation of Russian spies.
townhall.com/tipsheet/chris…
And there’s no question both men have definite ties to the FBI: Halper as a FBI informant in Crossfire Hurricane and Page as a ‘cooperating witness’ in a federal investigation of Russian spies.
townhall.com/tipsheet/chris…
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Another clue they possibly worked together is Halper use of his association with Page as a means to meet Sam Clovis.
Another clue they possibly worked together is Halper use of his association with Page as a means to meet Sam Clovis.
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Back to the Defining Neoconservatism symposium at the Nixon Center. Here is an extended clip of a 2nd question Halper asked Perle later in the meeting.
There’s some real tension between the two (watch the moderator’s facial expressions). 😬
Back to the Defining Neoconservatism symposium at the Nixon Center. Here is an extended clip of a 2nd question Halper asked Perle later in the meeting.
There’s some real tension between the two (watch the moderator’s facial expressions). 😬
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Halper asked about Douglas Feith’s “rogue operations.” Perle was not happy.
Now, who on Trump’s campaign team in 2016 went on his own rogue operation?
Halper asked about Douglas Feith’s “rogue operations.” Perle was not happy.
Now, who on Trump’s campaign team in 2016 went on his own rogue operation?
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George Papadopolous
George Papadopolous
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There’s no question that PapaD’s neocon credentials are solid. He spent 5 years at the Hudson Institute.
There’s no question that PapaD’s neocon credentials are solid. He spent 5 years at the Hudson Institute.
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Notice PapaD said he worked with Douglas Feith, the very person that Stefan Halper asked Richard Perle about leading a rogue operation.
Notice PapaD said he worked with Douglas Feith, the very person that Stefan Halper asked Richard Perle about leading a rogue operation.
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Donald Rumsfeld once said, “we create our own reality.” That’s the neocon mantra.
Papadopolous has learned well. He’s created his own reality, abetted by the Fox News machine.
But is it true?
Donald Rumsfeld once said, “we create our own reality.” That’s the neocon mantra.
Papadopolous has learned well. He’s created his own reality, abetted by the Fox News machine.
But is it true?
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On April 5, 2016, according to PapaD’s book, Carter Page reached out to him.
During their conversation, Page warns Papadopolous that he should be very careful talking about Russia.
PapaD responds:
On April 5, 2016, according to PapaD’s book, Carter Page reached out to him.
During their conversation, Page warns Papadopolous that he should be very careful talking about Russia.
PapaD responds:
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As it turns out, that was some rather solid advice.
Did Page relay that conversation to Halper? Was Halper aware of PapaD’s rogue mission?
As it turns out, that was some rather solid advice.
Did Page relay that conversation to Halper? Was Halper aware of PapaD’s rogue mission?
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Recall that Page met Halper at the “Race to Change the World” conference in July 2016, several months after Page’s & Pap’s Skype conversation.
Here’s Page answering questions about that meeting:
Recall that Page met Halper at the “Race to Change the World” conference in July 2016, several months after Page’s & Pap’s Skype conversation.
Here’s Page answering questions about that meeting:
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Page gives a masterclass in how to be evasive. 🤣
Page gives a masterclass in how to be evasive. 🤣
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That brings us to the meeting of Halper and PapaD in September 2016.
I have to admit that I simply don’t know what Halper’s intentions were, and I believe most people don’t know either. They may think know, but it’s only speculation until we get more information.
That brings us to the meeting of Halper and PapaD in September 2016.
I have to admit that I simply don’t know what Halper’s intentions were, and I believe most people don’t know either. They may think know, but it’s only speculation until we get more information.
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When I read Trey Gowdy’s comments on the FBI investigation, I get the feeling that he’s being careful not to paint everyone associated with the investigation with the same broad stroke.
When I read Trey Gowdy’s comments on the FBI investigation, I get the feeling that he’s being careful not to paint everyone associated with the investigation with the same broad stroke.
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Was the exculpatory evidence that Gowdy’s seen produced by Halper?
theconservativetreehouse.com/2019/05/19/tre…
Was the exculpatory evidence that Gowdy’s seen produced by Halper?
theconservativetreehouse.com/2019/05/19/tre…
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Halper wrote another book with Jonathan Clarke, The Silence of the Rational Center: Why American Foreign Policy is Failing.
Halper wrote another book with Jonathan Clarke, The Silence of the Rational Center: Why American Foreign Policy is Failing.
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He discusses the importance of properly “vetting” a source (and takes a dig at the Neocons with the reference to “Curveball”).
He discusses the importance of properly “vetting” a source (and takes a dig at the Neocons with the reference to “Curveball”).
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Now, people often say one thing and practice another, especially in the world of intelligence.
If he’s true to his word, however, then he would not fabricate evidence.
Now, people often say one thing and practice another, especially in the world of intelligence.
If he’s true to his word, however, then he would not fabricate evidence.
44\
I have a difficult time understanding why Halper would have any desire to undermine the Trump campaign in Sep 2016.
He wouldn’t want to help Clinton. He’s a lifelong Repub. He was working in the Nixon administration when the Neocons were still in the Democratic Party.
I have a difficult time understanding why Halper would have any desire to undermine the Trump campaign in Sep 2016.
He wouldn’t want to help Clinton. He’s a lifelong Repub. He was working in the Nixon administration when the Neocons were still in the Democratic Party.
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The NeverTrump movement is a neocon phenomenon. They possess loyalty to no one beyond their clique.
The NeverTrump movement is a neocon phenomenon. They possess loyalty to no one beyond their clique.
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Most GOP stalwarts, on the other hand, like Halper understand that a Republican president is preferable to a Democratic one. If for no other reason than possible career advancement.
Most GOP stalwarts, on the other hand, like Halper understand that a Republican president is preferable to a Democratic one. If for no other reason than possible career advancement.
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And, unlike the NeverTrump crowd, he doesn’t suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome.
Here he compliments the Trump for his handling of China.
And, unlike the NeverTrump crowd, he doesn’t suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome.
Here he compliments the Trump for his handling of China.
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Halper has made several appearances on the Bill Walton Show (no, not the basketball player).
I listened to them all and Halper’s convinced me that China is the number one foreign policy concern for the US.
Halper has made several appearances on the Bill Walton Show (no, not the basketball player).
I listened to them all and Halper’s convinced me that China is the number one foreign policy concern for the US.
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So I’m not sure what to think about Halper at the moment. I need more information.
I probably would have waited if not for the vicious neocon smear campaign against him right now.
So I’m not sure what to think about Halper at the moment. I need more information.
I probably would have waited if not for the vicious neocon smear campaign against him right now.
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This civil war is nasty. The Neocons HATE Halper.
They will never forgive him because he called them out for their role in the decision to invade Iraq.
This civil war is nasty. The Neocons HATE Halper.
They will never forgive him because he called them out for their role in the decision to invade Iraq.
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I have a lot more on this civil war. There's a lot out there and not many people are talking about it.
(Certainly @Knowita47918362 has his own unique take on GOP duplicity in the coup attempt)
I have a lot more on this civil war. There's a lot out there and not many people are talking about it.
(Certainly @Knowita47918362 has his own unique take on GOP duplicity in the coup attempt)
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You won’t want hear about it on Fox News.
And Fox News controls the conversation among conservatives. That’s a tough spot for President Trump. And Mike Flynn, for that matter.
You won’t want hear about it on Fox News.
And Fox News controls the conversation among conservatives. That’s a tough spot for President Trump. And Mike Flynn, for that matter.
Just ask yourself: why is the conservative media eager to talk about Stefan Halper and not this guy? 👇
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Never forget what this day is about. May their sacrifice be not in vain.
Never forget what this day is about. May their sacrifice be not in vain.
