Kaine Dismisses Relevance of Hillary, DNC Involvement in Russia Dossier: ‘Every Candidate Does Oppo Research on Their Opponent’

Tuesday on CNN’s “New Day,” Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) accused Republicans of “trying to change the subject” by playing up Democrats’ role in manufacturing the so-called Russia dossier.

“They’re trying to change the subject,” Kaine said. “But the good news is Director Mueller can look at all of it. We want Director Mueller to stay in place. That’s why I’m part of efforts in the Senate to limit President Trump’s ability to move on Director Mueller.”

The dossier, which reportedly was created by Fusion GPS, also had The Washington Free Beacon as a client, which Kaine referenced in his justification of Democratic campaign funds being used to finance the effort. Then, he went on to classify it as “oppo research,” which he said was a “pretty common practice.”

“If you’re asking about the dossier, that was funded by an online conservative publication in Washington, The Washington Free Beacon,” Kaine said.

“At first, then the Hillary campaign, right?” Camerota interrupted.

“Let me finish — and they hired a firm with a British secret service agent,” Kaine continued. “And when they decided to drop it, apparently we now know that some of the funds that were paid to continue the investigation were paid for by the Clinton campaign. But we all do oppo research. Every candidate does oppo research on their opponent. You can ask any candidate for office. They do it. And hiring a firm to do oppo research is pretty common practice. That’s not any evidence of collusion. That’s what done.”

“But looks, let get to the bottom of it all,” he added. “Let’s all Democrats and Republicans that Director Mueller will have the complete latitude and resources to get to the bottom of this. If the president will say that and Congress — congressional Democrats say that, then the nation will be well served.”

Follow Jeff Poor on Twitter @jeff_poor