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Title: Ron DeSantis says backing Ukraine is not in the U.S. interest, a sign of a GOP divided
Source: [None]
URL Source: https://www.npr.org/2023/03/14/1163 ... trump-ukraine-republican-split
Published: Mar 14, 2023
Author: Franco Ordoñez
Post Date: 2023-03-14 16:21:48 by Ada
Keywords: None
Views: 135
Comments: 4

Republican party leaders are split on whether the United States should continue to back Ukraine with billions of dollars of military equipment and aid, a rift that seems likely to become a major issue in the 2024 presidential election.

The latest sign of the GOP divide on Russia's war in Ukraine comes from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is seen as one of the top contenders in the Republican race to become the party's nominee.

DeSantis joined former President Donald Trump — another leading GOP contender — in opposing U.S. support for Ukraine. They outlined their positions in a survey of potential 2024 Republican candidates done by Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

"While the U.S. has many vital national interests — securing our borders, addressing the crisis of readiness within our military, achieving energy security and independence, and checking the economic, cultural, and military power of the Chinese Communist Party — becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is not one of them," DeSantis said.

President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walk in front of St. Michaels cathedral in Kyiv on Feb. 20. during a surprise visit ahead of the anniversary of Russia's war in Ukraine. Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images Biden has vowed support for 'as long as it takes' Biden has been a staunch backer of Ukraine, vowing that the United States would stand by the country "as long it takes." The U.S. government has so far appropriated more than $112 billion in military and economic support for Ukraine.

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Biden says he'll back Ukraine as long as it takes. But some take aim at the price tag UKRAINE INVASION — EXPLAINED Biden says he'll back Ukraine as long as it takes. But some take aim at the price tag Biden says U.S. support for Ukraine 'will not waver' in Poland speech POLITICS Biden says U.S. support for Ukraine 'will not waver' in Poland speech But with little sign of an end to the conflict, polls show a growing number of Americans feel the United States is giving Ukraine too much.

DeSantis tapped into some of those concerns, telling Carlson that Biden has given Ukraine "virtual 'blank check' funding of the conflict for 'as long as it takes'" without defining objectives.

Trump also said opposing Russia is not in the U.S.'s strategic interest. "Our objective in Ukraine is to help and secure Europe, but Europe isn't helping itself," Trump wrote. "They are relying on the United States to largely do it for them. That is very unfair to us."

Former President Donald Trump speaks to guests gathered for an event at the Adler Theatre on March 13 in Davenport, Iowa. Scott Olson/Getty Images Other Republicans say Biden should provide more support to Ukraine Other potential Republican candidates are on the opposite side of the rift.

Former Vice President Mike Pence said last month that the United States should increase its support.

"Make no mistake: This is not America's war. But if we falter in our commitment to providing the support to the people of Ukraine to defend their freedom, our sons and daughters may soon be called upon to defend ours," Pence said in a speech in Austin, Texas.

Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley said the U.S. needs to help Ukraine prevent Russia from taking over. "If Russia wins, there is no reason to believe it will stop at Ukraine. And if Russia wins, then its closest allies, China and Iran, will become more aggressive," she said.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on March 7. Drew Angerer/Getty Images McConnell has tried to downplay the GOP split Pence and Haley are more aligned with the views of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell who has downplayed the split in his party.

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"Reports about the death of Republican support for strong American leadership in the world have been greatly exaggerated," McConnell told European defense leaders last month in Munich. "My party's leaders overwhelmingly support a strong, involved America and a robust transatlantic alliance. Don't look at Twitter, look at people in power."

In 2022, Ukraine was a rallying cry in the State of the Union. In 2023, not so much POLITICS In 2022, Ukraine was a rallying cry in the State of the Union. In 2023, not so much Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has supported Ukraine, but more recently has warned that there "can't be a blank check" for Ukraine aid when the United States faces so much debt of its own.

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who is also from Florida, was critical of DeSantis' comments. He told conservative radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt that DeSantis "doesn't deal with foreign policy every day as governor."

But among Republican supporters of Ukraine, there are also growing questions about the Biden administration's end game.

At a Capitol Hill hearing last month, Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, pushed top Biden officials to explain the U.S. objectives in the war.

"When the president says we will support them for as long as it takes, my question is: as long as it takes to do what?" Stewart said. "We've got to define this. What does it mean to see this through? What does it mean to say we will be here until the end?"

It's easier to tell U.S. voters that the money should be spent at home Biden administration officials are not expected to ask Congress for more funding for Ukraine this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.

But future requests for funding could be complicated by the growing debate among Republicans over the war, especially as the 2024 race heats up.

Republican strategist Ryan Williams said making the case to American voters why fighting Russia is in U.S. interests is complicated. It's hard to explain the geopolitical impacts, and the importance of pushing back against dictators.

Williams said it's much easier to tell war-weary Americans that the U.S. is sending too much money overseas, especially when there are plenty of problems at home.

"It resonates," Williams said. "And I think that's why you're seeing more and more Republicans adopt that message, or at least tap the brakes on support for Ukraine, given where the base is heading."

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#1. To: Ada, 4um (#0)

Related:

Tucker: This is where GOP 2024 hopefuls stand on Ukraine

“The most terrifying force of death comes from the hands of Men who wanted to be left Alone.
TRUE TERROR will arrive at these people’s door, and they will cry, scream, and beg for mercy…
but it will fall upon the deaf ears of the Men who just wanted to be left alone.”

Esso  posted on  2023-03-14   17:54:08 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#2. To: Esso (#1)

Thanks.

Ada  posted on  2023-03-14   20:56:40 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#3. To: Ada (#0)

Judas Pence is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chinese Communist Party. He is a traitor as per the constitutional definition, and we all know the penalty for treason. At this point his neck is likely beginning to itch. His master, Satan, is close to calling him home.

"“Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings - that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide.” ~ Gautama Siddhartha — The Buddha

Any sufficiently advanced evil is indistinguishable from stupidity. ~ Unk (Paraphrase of Clarke's 3rd Law: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.")

Original_Intent  posted on  2023-03-15   1:05:11 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#4. To: Esso (#1)

"Reports about the death of Republican support for strong American leadership in the world have been greatly exaggerated," McConnell told European defense leaders last month in Munich. "My party's leaders overwhelmingly support a strong, involved America and a robust transatlantic alliance. Don't look at Twitter, look at people in power."

Bitch McConnell should have a seat next to the fire firmly locked it.

"“Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings - that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide.” ~ Gautama Siddhartha — The Buddha

Any sufficiently advanced evil is indistinguishable from stupidity. ~ Unk (Paraphrase of Clarke's 3rd Law: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.")

Original_Intent  posted on  2023-03-15   1:07:11 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


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