The continuing investigation into Russia interference into the 2016 US election grows. Hey maybe in 2020 they can pony-up some “freebies” to get people to actually show up and vote! Would you like a vodka creamer for your coffee kegger comrade? – PB/TK
Report: Putin-controlled think tank developed plan to sway U.S. election – By April 20, 2017
A Russian government think tank controlled by Russian President Vladimir Putin prepared the framework for interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, current and former U.S. officials told Reuters.
The think tank, known as the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, is run by retired senior Russian foreign intelligence officials who have been appointed by Putin’s office, the report said. It developed a plan to swing the election in favor of President Trump and undermine voters’ faith in the election process, the report added.
The U.S. officials told Reuters they acquired two confidential documents from the think tank that appeared to provide the rationale for meddling in the U.S. election, which the report said were “central” to the Obama administration’s assessment that Russia launched a propaganda campaign and launched cyberattacks against Democratic groups and candidates.
One document was circulated at the highest levels of the Russian government after it was written last June, the report said, which recommended that the Kremlin and Russian-backed news outlets launch a propaganda campaign focused on convincing American voters to favor the candidate that was friendlier to Russia, the report said. The other document, which was prepared last October, warned that Hillary Clinton was expected to win and that Russia should end the propaganda effort and instead focus on promoting the idea of U.S. voter fraud to undermine faith in the election system.
Continue to cbsnews.com article: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/report-putin-controlled-think-tank-developed-plan-to-interfere-in-2016-election/
