Senator Toomey Responds - Kinda, Sorta, But YES! (But NO!)

I got another email response from Senator Pat Toomey Thursday afternoon.

It begins with this:

Thank you for contacting me about Russian actions during the 2016 election. I appreciate hearing from you.

Waitagoshdernminnut!

Haven't we seen this sentence before?

Why yes, Dayvoe. Yes, we have.

Here - on June 28, 2017 and I remember it like it was only 59 days ago.

Well, let's see how the two letters compare, shall we? We already know the first paragraphs match.  How about the second? This is from June:

Former FBI Director James Comey recently testified before Congress that an investigation into potential coordination between the Trump campaign and the Russian government is still ongoing. While the former director did not say whether any coordination has been found, he confirmed there is no evidence of vote tampering. President Trump recently fired Mr. Comey, and has nominated Christopher Wray as the next FBI director. It is now up to the Senate to vet and confirm this nomination.

From Thursday:

Former FBI Director James Comey recently testified before Congress that an investigation into potential coordination between the Trump campaign and the Russian government is still ongoing. While the former director did not say whether any coordination has been found, he confirmed there is no evidence of vote tampering. President Trump fired Mr. Comey, and nominated Christopher Wray as the next FBI director. On August 1, 2017, the Senate voted 92 - 5 with my support to confirm Wray's nomination.

I'd say that's a very close match, wouldn't you? (Note: The yellowed text in each is the material not found in the other letter.)

The third paragraph? This is from June:

In the interim, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to continue the investigation into any links between Russia and individuals associated with the Trump campaign, and any matters that arose from such investigation - an assignment that encompasses the recent allegations surrounding Michael Flynn and Mr. Comey. I have every confidence that Robert Mueller will execute these responsibilities with integrity and professionalism.

From Thursday:

Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to continue the investigation into any links between Russia and individuals associated with the Trump campaign, and any matters that arose from such investigation - an assignment that encompasses the recent allegations surrounding Michael Flynn and Mr. Comey. I have every confidence that Robert Mueller will execute these responsibilities with integrity and professionalism.

I am so glad they changed "In the interim" to "Meanwhile." It was just so necessary.

Fourth paragraph? This is from June:

I look forward to reviewing the findings of Special Counsel Mueller and the findings by the various House and Senate Committees investigating these issues. If the Russian government or its agents meddled in our election, they should face serious consequences. Towards that end, I was pleased to support legislation (S. 722) that codified and strengthened existing sanctions on Russia. If the Trump campaign colluded with the Russian government in an attempt to influence the election, then that should be disclosed and acted upon, too. Russia remains a dangerous threat, and Congress must remain vigilant against our adversaries' attempts to expand their influence and undermine trust in our government.

From Thursday:

I look forward to reviewing the findings of Special Counsel Mueller and the findings by the various House and Senate Committees investigating these issues. If the Russian government or its agents meddled in our election, they should face serious consequences. Towards that end, I was pleased to support legislation (Public Law 115-44) that codified and strengthened existing sanctions on Russia. If the Trump campaign colluded with the Russian government in an attempt to influence the election, then that should be disclosed and acted upon, too. Russia remains a dangerous threat, and Congress must remain vigilant against our adversaries' attempts to expand their influence and undermine trust in our government.

Now this part is somewhat interesting. Without looking into the matter, one might be tempted to assume that S.722 was simply signed into law as Public Law 115-44.

But my children, pray that ye enter not into such temptation (Luke 22:40) for you'd have an incomplete picture of the whole. S.722 was incorporated into a House bill (H.R. 3364) that also included sanctions against North Korea. Not a big deal either way. I'm just showing off.

Finally the fifth and last paragraph - This is from June:

While I am not a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, please be assured I understand your concerns and will keep your thoughts in mind moving forward. Thank you again for your correspondence. Do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of assistance.

And Thursday:

While I am not a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, please be assured I understand your concerns and will keep your thoughts in mind moving forward. Thank you again for your correspondence. Do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of assistance.

No changes.

The funny thing is that, if you remember the June 28 response, I wasn't actually able to establish exactly which letter of mine Senator Toomey was answering. It looks like it's the same story here.

Since then, the only letter that's even close is the Twenty-second. Here is the question from that letter:

Yesterday, the Washington Post published a story asserting that Donald J Trump himself "personally dictated" the initial, and misleading, statement describing his son's meeting in Trump Tower - a meeting Donald Jr took after being promised in an email damaging information on the Clinton Campaign from the Russian government.

That statement said the meeting was primarily about Russian adoption and it has since been shown to be misleading, at best. Dishonest, at worst. By any reckoning, it was a personally dictated presidential deception about Russian meddling with our election.

So, here's my question: How comfortable are you with the President of the United States misleading the American people on such an important matter?

How damaging is it to assume that's the case? I ask if Senator Toomey is comfortable with the President of the United States misleading the American people and he responds by sending me (AGAIN) an answer to a question I didn't ask.

Maybe I should just tailor a question to fit his answer. Maybe then I'll get a straight answer about Trump's dishonesty.