Breh I understand what you’re saying. I was responding to your comparison suggesting equivalency between how trump relates to the Russians with the sanders campaign.
Knowing what we know then absolutely I believe Devine used whatever information he got from Manafort to help Sanders. As a client of the Russians this would’ve furthered both his and his benefactors goals.
The disconnect is whether Sanders was actually involved in seeking/utilizing the information (like how trump clearly was). Now if we find out that throughout 2015-2016 l, Sanders happened to be in the same place as various Russians on multiple occasions or if his name came up in wiretaps etc then that’s a completely different story.
The Russians play on existing fault lines within US society. The fact that they push one message by itself isn’t evidence that those groups who also push the message are doing so at Russian behest.
Whether Bernie knew or not, this should end his presidential aspirations.
If Trump survives and goes for re-election and he faces Bernie, can you imagine him telling Bernie in a debate, "well, I fired Manafort, didn't you keep Tad around?" "what does that say about YOU, Bernie?
Even if Trump doesn't run, the republicans will be able to spin him as a commie manchurian candidate, based on his ties to Tad. Non-starter all the way.
Knowing these unfavourables, it will be interesting to see if he will still cast his hat in the ring, and push the way he did with Hillary.