Citing a senior government official, NBC News said, “…Russia has treated Whelan differently because he is an accused spy, and that the Kremlin gave the White House the choice of either Griner or Whelan – or none.”

Well, dog damnit, I generally don't trust NBC, so I am not comfortable doing so now. But if it's true that Biden could have had Whelan instead of Griner, then imo that's just one more example of how horrible of a president he truly is. If it's true, one might almost infer that Biden was pandering, given the clear differences in the types of people they seem to be.

Honestly Viking, I don't think we'll know what really went down. Or at least not for some time. I don't think there's really any way for the facts to be objectively known.

Both NBC and MSNBC reported that from a senior government official... it wasn't until someone pointed out that it conflicted with Biden afterward, that they changed their tune...

Tell it to yolo, who has accused you (in a reasonably polite way) of getting the NBC quote incorrect.

Well, I'm sorry for reporting the truth... not...

Yep, no need to be sorry! The truth needs to see the light of day. (I still think you should tell it to yolo...)

Looks like you may have got part of that NBC quote incorrect.

You're absolutely correct yolo, I have no evidence, proof, etc. that Whelan was on the table. I will admit that it's my personal $0.02 that a stronger negotiator would have been able to get him released for the merchant of death, or whatever they called the Russian.

And while I don't personally believe Griner committed a crime (just my standards), and I'm not certain she even did what the Russians claim she did (or had, as the case may be), and while I can feel for her as a person and not want her to be locked up in some fascist penal colony, that doesn't mean I feel the trade was fair. That's where the tougher negotiator comes in.

"Prisoner for prisoner idk about you but I value Americans more than Russians."

Come on yolo, we don't agree politically but we're both Americans, so this type of trolling is really uncalled for.

If by a "stronger negotiator" you mean Trump, then we're kind of back to my meme at the beginning of this conversation. Whelan was caught in 2019 and Viktor was also in US custody at the the time..... Theoretically Trump had 2 years to negotiate a deal for Whelan in exchange for Viktor (obviously without Griner ).

Yes, we're American, she's an American, he is not... He got free meals from us in prison for more than a decade. If he's such a bad*ss, why wasn't he executed or in Gitmo or something? What if the whole point of him being kept around was to potentially be a pawn to exchange..?

Also I find it interesting that you kinda claim to be skeptical of the media and possibly our "system" in general (or at least maybe more skeptical than I am..idk)... but you seem to not be skeptical of the media or whoever's label of Viktor as "the merchant of death"......

To be clear I'm not necessarily saying he did not deserve the title or that I have any evidence of that. But..... Griner was charged with "drug smuggling"... over 2 vape pens...which seems totally nuts. What if our court system, or media coverage of it, or both was equally crazy as Russia.....? Know any Russians in Russia? Did they label Griner something equivalent to the next Pablo Escobar over there? Do they believe it? Idk.

Darko half-baked conspiracy theory #638: Viktor "merchant of death" Bout is actually a Russian ice cream salesman who got tricked by the FBI.
;P

I don't mean Trump only. Anyone who actually has some grip on cognitive reality would do the trick. That leaves Dementia Joe on the outside.

Even if you didn't mean trump only, I am assuming you think the donald has a grip on cognitive reality.... yet it didn't happen under him either.

Also.... considering Biden was able to negotiate a different US Marine out of a Russian prison earlier this year, it seems possible that you might end up eating your words (if they do end up negotiating Whelan out at some point in the future).

"I am assuming you think the donald has a grip on cognitive reality.... yet it didn't happen under him either."

It's not *just* having a grip on cognitive reality, but that's the baseline requirement, imo. That is needed first, then strong negotiating skills as well. (again, just my opinion)

Dementia Joe has neither.

Regarding your second paragraph, nothing would make me happier than to see someone on Dementia Joe's team succeed in securing Whelan's release. I'd be happy to eat my words in that case.