When a hostile foreign government approaches with damaging information on your opponent, you say …
“No.”
It’s quite simple. You say no. Then you report the activity to the FBI and CIA. Then you actually reach out to your opponent’s campaign and say, “Look, just so you know …” Then you tell reporters, “This happened and we said, ‘Fuck off.'”
Why do you take such steps? Easy—because you’re an American before you’re a candidate. Because righteousness trumps winning. Because the idea of an opposing nation spying on us sickens you; angers you; infuriates you.
You report the foreign government because you want to win the right way. You want to win on ideas and ideals and philosophy. You want to inspire people and make their lives better. You want to beat your opponent because—simply—you’re the preferred person for the job.
When a hostile foreign government approaches with damaging information on your opponent, you say “No.”
And you don’t even need a second to think about it.
