HACKS HERE, HACKS THERE, HACKS EVERYWHERE – AT 10:33 A.M. ET:   The "Russian hacking" story continues.  Donald Trump says he has information on the alleged hacking that others don't have, and will reveal it this week.  It better be good, and not a stunt.  Trump's relationship with Russia, and Vladimir Putin in particular, is the one big issue that can derail him right now.  He's got to take this issue seriously.  From Byron York in the Washington Examiner: 

President-elect Trump stirred yet more controversy Saturday night when, as he entered his New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago, he said he is not convinced the intelligence community is sure about allegations Russian hackers sought to influence the election.

"I just want them to be sure, because it's a pretty serious charge," Trump told reporters, "and I want them to be sure."

The next morning, Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, scoffed at Trump's statement. "This is the overwhelming judgment of the intelligence community and, frankly, all of the members of the intelligence committees in Congress, Democrats and Republicans," Schiff said on ABC Sunday. "None of us have any question about this. The only one who does apparently is Donald Trump."

That is not the case. There are, in fact, members of the intelligence committees who do have questions about this. Yes, many Republicans believe Russian hackers tried to mess with the U.S. presidential campaign in some way, mostly because they believe Russian hackers are always trying to mess with U.S. systems and institutions. But when it comes to solid information on precisely what was done, and on evidence of motives, many Hill Republicans are mostly in the dark — because the intelligence community has kept them there.

COMMENT:  There are two stories here:  1)  Did Russia hack into the systems at the Democratic National Committee and 2) If so, what was their motive?

The first is a technical question dealing with equipment and digital ability.  The second, motive, deals with human intelligence.  What was in their minds?

I don't think these issues are as simple as the Obama administration claims.  Trump must take the issue seriously, but his skepticism may well turn out to be justified.

January 2, 2017