Reply #11: Hicks' observation is probably an extreme exaggeration of a real phenomenon

[RZM]

Certainly when a new President is first briefed on sensitive matters, they do learn some interesting information the rest of us are not privy to. Some of it is probably quite surprising, while most probably is not. But I doubt it takes the form of a threat, implied or otherwise. It's probably more mundane . . . the new President learns of things like intelligence obligations/relationships, military postures, back-channel contacts with this or that group, and any number of other clandestine operations/relationships.

When campaigning (which for EVERYBODY is partly bullshit to begin with), Presidents aren't privy to alot of information that would otherwise affect what they do once in office. Once they do learn about these things, it's natural for their opinions and policy directions to be altered. But that doesn't meant they are threatened, it just means that they are better informed of what's 'really' going on behind the scenes.