Any foreign power? Even friendly ones? Yes, call the FBI, if that is required. But then why not still be allowed to use it? If its true?

So if say some British politician had damning proof of say Trump bribing officials to build a golf course in England. Or offering to launder money, etc... that Democrats would have to ignore the information and not use it? What if the info was that he had a hit put out on someone? Or proof of being involved in child abuse or porn? Is any information gleaned from foreign sources banned from being used?

I just think its an odd law, and probably would hurt Republicans more....if Democrats also were able to use any info.

Candidates and campaigns for president cannot. This would make a potential future president beholden to foreign countries, much like we suspect that Trump is beholden to Putin.

I can see the argument that a President might feel "beholden" to a foreign country for their campaign accepting true but damaging information on a political rival if they end up getting elected. But that is only an unavoidable position. I guess I'm confused about the term "accepting". Can they not still read it and use it, even if they hand it over? Because I wouldn't trust the FBI these days with Trump's appointments to even follow up on it. At least not quickly.

I can understand handing it over to the FBI, but it may actually be important for the public to hear about it before an election, not years later after the FBI concludes its findings, which would be quietly released and buried in the paper even if it was found improper, and years too late to have any impact.

Doesn't the public have a right to know immediately and before they make a voting decision? I say again, that I think Republicans, by their very nature of a penchant for criminal and sexual deviancy, are way more prone to being damaged if Democrats were allowed to use any and all information, and the public had a right to see it.

No, because it's illegal.

To see the info is to have received it, and that's illegal.

> Doesn't the public have a right to know immediately

No. What if the info is false? What if it causes damage and public outcry before it is shown to be false.

Such info needs to be vetted by the FBI or other appropriate office before it can be released.

I think there is some arbitrariness in this and many other laws. But, it is the law, and remains the law until overturned.

So, to wrap it up. Why? Because it's illegal. Why is it illegal? Because it is illegal -- as legislated by a previous congress.

Peace.

the information was gained illegally for starters. the campaign lied about their interactions with the russians. the russians knew of the interactions. KOMPRAMAT.

these countries are not trying at the end of the day to help trump. they're doing it for themselves. and look what putin has gained from it.

when it comes to allies the information is shared without political interference or consideration. not to influence a free and fair election process.