Promoting chaos, not Trump
We are idiots if we think the Russians are asking themselves what they can do to advance Trump’s cause. The Kremlin is asking how to keep American politics roiled and distrustful. To make an obvious point, in the 1940s the U.S. had an outcome in mind when it meddled in Western European politics: to keep the Communists out of power. To the Kremlin today, the choice between a Democrat and Republican isn’t really much of a choice at all (though Mr. Trump does seem to be succeeding where others have failed in scuttling Vladimir Putin’s dearest project, a new pipeline to siphon money out of Europe in return for Russian gas). The real upside of Russia’s meddling comes from keeping Americans unreasonably and unnecessarily poisoned against each other.
Unfortunately such considerations are woefully secondary for some media figures who have ratings and personal “brands” to consider, not to mention certain former U.S. officials who may be hoping to avoid legal liability for prior conduct in office by damaging the current administration.
Considering that Russia is also reportedly backing Bernie, another populist demagogue, this seems corroborated.