[Goose]

Make it four. Bush the first was in that category IMHO. I exclude Trump only because I don't think he had an opinion on Intelligence collection and undoubtedly thought our relations with Russia were "perfect". Intelligence collection is not mutually exclusive of better relations. It often fosters it, as we find out our opponent isn't 10 feet tall and actually has no plan to invade our country.

your statement seems to be a very generous read given Trump's distaste for the intelligence community overall.  may be true on the collection but almost certainly wrong on the analytic part of intel.

Sorry, my post wasn't clear. The last two sentences were not intended to relate to Trump. They were oriented to the idea that a reset to better relations as sought and desired by the previous four presidents did not preclude a commitment to significant intelligence collection at the same time. The fact they all elected (some more than others) to not make such a commitment was IMHO regrettable. Trump would think it unnecessary since relations were "perfect".

[Goose]

Make it four. Bush the first was in that category IMHO. I exclude Trump only because I don't think he had an opinion on Intelligence collection and undoubtedly thought our relations with Russia were "perfect". Intelligence collection is not mutually exclusive of better relations. It often fosters it, as we find out our opponent isn't 10 feet tall and actually has no plan to invade our country.

your statement seems to be a very generous read given Trump's distaste for the intelligence community overall.  may be true on the collection but almost certainly wrong on the analytic part of intel.

Sorry, my post wasn't clear. The last two sentences were not intended to relate to Trump. They were oriented to the idea that a reset to better relations as sought and desired by the previous four presidents did not preclude a commitment to significant intelligence collection at the same time. The fact they all elected (some more than others) to not make such a commitment was IMHO regrettable. Trump would think it unnecessary since relations were "perfect".