Let's ask a question.   Imagine if when Obama was running against McCain and Palin (are you old enough to remember that) and it was found out that, well, let's pick Michelle Obama because Sasha and Malia were too young at the time, so let's say Michelle Obama was found to have set up a meeting with Iran people close to the government of Iran to get the dirt on McCain.  Would you consider that opposition research?  How about the idea that American citizens would be meeting with members of foreign governments to obtain information to harm America either directly or indirectly.  In my day, we called that being a traitor to one's country.  But, yeah, I guess I can see now how one's person's treason is another person's patriotism.