The other day, Axios posted a ridiculous column (with Mike Allen as the first byline) beginning to lay the groundwork for Trump to repackage imminent failure on Ukraine. It starts by allowing senior White House officials anonymously and vaguely blame Europeans for Trump's failure to craft a deal. Frustrated Trump aides contend the blame should fall on European allies, not on Trump or even Russian President Vladimir Putin. All three bases for that blame in the column are ridiculous:
The hubris of thinking you can position yourself as an outsider when you not only have enjoyed the perks of extreme proximity to power is as breathtaking as it is desperate.