Who IS Roger Stone?

(Mike Norris Co-Editor The American Dossier) January 29 2019 On January 25th cameras caught federal agents arresting Roger Stone during a predawn raid. That morning Stone became the next casualty of Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into the 2016 Presidential Election. The day prior Stone was indicted by a grand jury on seven counts; including lying to Congress obstruction of justice and witness tampering. To most Americans Stone was a relative unknown. The Netflix hit: Get Me Roger Stone" was their first introduction to Stone and his self-proclaimed Stones rules. To those in the political spectrum however Stone has been hiding in the shadows for decades. Stone seems like he was tailor made for a Trump candidacy although they seem like an unlikely duo. Born in 1952 Stone is the product of a modest upbringing in the New York suburbs. His mother wrote for the local newspaper and his father earned a living digging wells. Known for his tendency to be a flashy dresser Stone owns over 100 suits. For many years Stone bleached his hair blonde. He once owned five Jaguars. Ocho Cinco" is his neighbor. (Stones rule: Look good = feel good.) Like Trump Stone is known to be bombastic. He is banned from Twitter for life. He has a tattoo of President Nixons face on his back. And like Trump Stone does not fit the mold of his partys politics. A Libertarian Stone is a strong supporter of gay rights and legal marijuana. At the age of 20 Stone found himself serving as the President of George Washington Universitys Young Republicans. His formal education did not last long after that. By 1972 Stone had dropped out to work on Richard Nixons Campaign to Re-Elect the President (CREEP). By day Stone was working as a junior scheduler for the Nixon campaign. By night he was trafficking in the black arts." During the 1972 Republican Primary Stone sent Congressman Pete McCloskey donations under the pseudonym: Young Socialist Alliance" and leaked the donation to the press to embarrass McCloskey. Under the direction of CREEP Stone hired moles to infiltrate the McGovern and Humphrey campaigns. (Stones rule: Hit it from every angle. Open multiple fronts on your enemy. He must be confused and feel besieged on every side.) By 1973 Stone was working for Bob Dole and the Watergate hearings were in full effect. At age 19 Stone became the youngest person to testify to the Watergate grand jury. After Jack Anderson wrote a column detailing Stones testimony he was fired by Senator Dole. Unable to continue working in government Stone moved on to campaigns. In 1976 Stone was named national youth director for Reagans first Presidential campaign. In 1979 he was again hired by the Reagan campaign as the political director of New York New Jersey and Connecticut. Rather than join the new administration Stone and fellow Reagan operatives Paul Manafort and Charlie Black decided to monetize their connections; founding Black Manafort & Stone. The firm had an interesting mix of clients representing corporate and government interests as well as those of Zaires Mobuto Sese Seko Angolas UNITA rebels and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Also on the client list was Donald J. Trump who hired the firm to do his PR and lobby for his casinos. After The Art of the Deal" was released in 1987 Stone was the first person to suggest that Trump run for the Presidency. Trump flew to New Hampshire to give a speech but eventually decided against running. In 1999 Trump ran for President as a Reform Party candidate. Stone again found himself pulling the levers but Trump again decided not to run. After the second failed run for President Trump and Stone maintained their relationship; although it had its share of ups and downs. In 2008 Trump told the New Yorker that Roger is a stone-cold loser. He always tries taking credit for things he never did." But when Trump finally did launch his campaign in June 2015 Stone was right there as an official campaign adviser. (Stones rule: Never do anything till youre ready to do it.) The relationship did not last long however. Stone often found himself at odds with campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and stepped down in August 2015. Today Stone maintains his loyalty to Trump. On the day he was arrested Stone posted that he was Proud of my President" on his Instagram account. Just hours later authorities banged on Stones door. FBI!" an agent shouted. Open the door!" Only time will tell if he maintains his loyalty. (Stones rule: Admit nothing deny everything launch counterattack.)