“In my discussions with the Vice President concerning his personal finances, he was always crystal clear that he wanted to take the most transparent and ethical approach consistent with both the spirit and the letter of the law,”
They’re baffled because they walk as close to, or as much over, the line as they can without getting caught and can’t understand that everyone else isn’t cheating the system at every turn.
“No malarkey with the money, guys. I mean it.”
They’re baffled because they walk as close to, or as much over, the line as they can without getting caught and can’t understand that everyone else isn’t cheating the system at every turn.
They’re blaming the opposition before they get caught, so that it sounds absurd when the news of their crimes comes out.