Trump plans a rally. Meanwhile, Tillerson to meet Russians at G20 and Pence to meet with Merkel

[suffragette]

At Munich Security Conference.


http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/14/politics/tillerson-russia-china-g20/

Washington (CNN)Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford meet face to face with their Russian counterparts Thursday, as the Trump administration evaluates the future direction of US-Russian relations.

Tillerson, a former oil executive who was confirmed as Secretary of State two weeks ago, departed Wednesday for a G-20 ministerial meeting in Bonn, Germany -- his inaugural international trip as the United States' top diplomat. He'll be joined in Bonn by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and representatives from the world's other major economies.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday that Tillerson and Lavrov will meet on the sidelines of the conference on Thursday. It will be their first such meeting since Tillerson took office.

~~~
Also this week, Trump's Vice President, Mike Pence, plans to address the Munich Security Conference over the weekend and meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The meeting will be Merkel's first in-person encounter with a member of the Trump administration since the inauguration last month.

Edit to add that Dunford is apparently going to Azerbaijan to meet with his Russian counterpart.


The more I think about this, the more I think Trump is doing a "look over here, not over there" move. How much media time will focus on his circus rally instead of these meetings? The article notes the Dunford one was just announced. I wonder if that's partly because of the Flynn debacle.

[C_U_L8R]

1. He sends Pence to meet with Merkel?

What a disrespectful tool.

[suffragette]

2. He's attending a function to get his ego stroked instead. Shows his priorities pretty clearly.

[samnsara]

6. yep he needs his adoration fix...

...guess hes not getting it in DC

[SummerSnow]

12. His narcissistic supply is depleting...needs a rally

[LisaM]

3. And what a mismatch.

She'll wipe the ground with him.

[Barack_America]

9. The VP meeting a leader before the President?

Especially such an important ally...does that happen?

[suffragette]

14. Looks to me like he wants eyes on his sideshow and not on these meetings. Another one of

note in the same article.

But even as Tillerson's plane was taking off in Washington, the Pentagon announced the meeting between Dunford and his Russian counterpart Valeriy Gerasimov, which will take place Thursday in Baku, Azerbaijan.

[DrDan]

24. he knows he is not competent enough to have a discussion with her - the new leader of the free world

[Solly Mack]

4. But what will President Bannon be doing?

Trump is a chump.

[suffragette]

8. Good question. Working to undermine EU elections and doing who knows what on Security Council.

<shudder>

[Solly Mack]

16. And you know Trump has no embarrassment over not being able to do his job

He'd call it delegating to all the smart people he picked but he's being sent off to a rally to boost his ego because he can't take the critical eye that comes with the job.

They probably have a deal with Trump, that if tries to behave when world leaders come to the US, he can go off and have a feel-good rally. Kind of like bribing an already spoiled child for not flinging poo while guests are in the house.

He's unfit, unqualified, and a disaster. If America can't throw off a president like Trump, there is no hope for our democracy.

Election don't act as a check on government when those elections can be tainted and influenced by a foreign government.

We can't count on Congress to do its job. Far too many of them are just as bad as Trump.

So here America sits, claiming to the best in the world, yet unable to help itself.

[suffragette]

18. Agree, but also he's drawing eyes to his sideshow and away from these meetings. Edited Op

To add that Dunford will be meeting with his Russian counterpart in Azerbaijan.

So that's separate from G20 and Munich Security meetings.

Seems like a strong flurry of activity, especially targeted Russian meetings and right after the Flynn debacle.

But how much media time will focus on the Trump circus in Florida and how much on these meeting and their import?

[Solly Mack]

19. Continue to keep up with both like we always do.

As for media time? Most likely they will cover Trump in Florida and the other meetings will be an after-thought.

Which is why we have to keep up with both, otherwise we'd be Trump supporters.

I say that only half-joking.

[suffragette]

20. Yes, we will! I hope this thread will help to get more eyes on the other meetings.

Good time to look for reports from foreign correspondents and in European press.

[leftstreet]

5. Oh to be a listening device somewhere on Tillerson's person

[suffragette]

10. Thus the side meeting. No phone transcripts for this one.

[Eyeball_Kid]

7. This is how Trumpy wants it: He does the PR and branding while his lackies do the real work.

He's the Walmart Greeter for the US of A!

[suffragette]

15. Also, he works to keep eyes and press on his spectacle while the real story

is taking place elsewhere.

[SummerSnow]

11. rofl....

[Cha]

22. That's what he'll tell his sucker fans @ the rally while everyone

else is out playing blotus.

he misses those rally days

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

13. I'll laugh so hard if almost no one shows up to his stupid rally

eom

[SticksnStones]

30. It's Florida...they'll be there.

[nikibatts]

17. 45 is just not interested in governing. He's just interested in adulation.

Remember he promised Kaisch that he could be President if he would be his VP.

[Cha]

21. Oh bet Angela Merkel is looking forward to that.. poor thing. And, blotus

is holding a rally to see who shows up to his big Fucking Lie Fest. he misses those rally days

I want Hillary!

[suffragette]

25. I think the rally is as much diversion from real news as it is ego fest.

The meeting with Merkel is the first she'll have with any senior member of new administration. I'm sure she's wishing it would be with Hillary, too. Me, too.

There would be a natural news flow from Flynn's departure linked to Russian communications and Tillerman's side meeting at G20 with Russian and Joint Chief of Staff going to Azerbaijan to meet with Russian counterpart.

But will media focus now be on Trump acting the Joker in Florida?

[bdamomma]

27. Cha poor Merkel is right

I hope Merkel is okay us women have to stick together.

Trump needs his ego stroked.

[Cha]

37. Angela is into reality.. it will be

excruciating for her to deal with the pompous ass liars and cheaters.. only there because of putin and comey.

blotus needs ego stroked and a diversion for the sucker fans. Hope the m$m doesn't bite.

bdamomma

[halobeam]

23. Media would be incredibly wise NOT to air his rally.

They ought to just keep reporting on actual news, anyway.

[nolabear]

36. My fondest wish. If he won't take questions don't cover his rallies.

Fox, of course, will be serving refreshments and selling t shirts.

[SHRED]

26. Look...he's got another golf game scheduled.

[UCmeNdc]

28. This guy has it right.

&


All of our allies should not trust Trump and his staff!

[Grammy23]

29. He gets to brag once again to his adoring fans how bigly he won.

Then next week he will blather on about the number of people at his rally. He really is obsessed with this stuff as if it is proof of the depth of their love. It is all that matters to him. How much he is loved. The real duties of the job will be doled out to others, but then, I believe he told us this is how he intended to operate. No real surprise, come to think if it. He does the photo op stuff, the signing ceremonies, the state dinners with heads of state. Then he jets off for some golf and R and R. Much like he ran things at Trump, Inc.

And if he is allowed to do this, he will. We should demand his ouster. And not shut up or go away until this whole debacle is investigated and dealt with.

[Blue_Tires]

31. I'm expecting a similar level of outrage from Milbank this time:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/president-obama-campaigner-in-chief/2012/04/30/gIQATAfbsT_story.html?utm_term=.dd40d99b9fe9

[lindysalsagal]

32. Tillerson IS the russian link: Getting their dirty deal done before fRump's gone.

Add this link to this article and you get high crimes and misdemeanors:


http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=8656474

[suffragette]

35. That is a MUST READ. Agree about Tillerson.

Here's another link with some of his history.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028354100

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

33. So, WTF, is this the start of another victory tour?

What an asshole. Imagine if Obama had pulled this shit.
Where's the RW HYPOCRISY smiley?

[Stark85james]

34. Its not a rally

Hes having someone fly in or out of the airport! Probably a russian message will be incoming