Opposition to Ukraine War Denounced

This week, both Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla) and former President Trump challenged the wisdom of President Biden's determination to give money and weapons to Ukraine "for as long as it takes" to win the war against Russia. DeSantis questioned whether continuing the war served important US interests. Trump called for an immediate ceasefire and a negotiated settlement.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn) wondered "whether DeSantis' and Trump’s support for Putin and opposition to Ukraine is part of a broader lack of enthusiasm for democracy and self-governance. The claim that because President Zelensky is ruling in an autocratic fashion his is not a democratic government doesn't persuade me. President Biden has been forced to undertake many autocratic actions in order to defend our democracy against usurpation by Republicans like Trump and DeSantis. Does this mean he is not a democrat?"

Senator Chris Coons (D-Del) asserted that "in a time of war I find it very disconcerting that we’ve got some significant voices in the Republican Party suggesting that this isn’t a national security interest when tens of thousands of Russians have violated Ukraine's borders in disrespect of that nation's sovereignty. If we don't help Ukraine now it won't be long before we'll be invaded by foreigners.”

Vice President Kamala Harris argued "if Trump and DeSantis really understood the issues, they probably would not make statements like that. As vice-president to the most effective president in our lifetime, I have a front row seat to observe his mendacious competence on an almost daily basis. If he says we must continue this war I don't see how it can be patriotic to oppose it."

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla) called DeSantis "out-of-bounds. He's only a governor. Governors don't have any experience with foreign policy like we senators have. Foreign policy is about nuance. The Senate is where nuance can be endlessly debated without being forced to resolve anything. Governors are expected to produce results. DeSantis should do that rather than meddle where he lacks the necessary expertise."

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) contended that "it's long past the time we should've sent troops, ships, and aircraft to finish off the inept Russian Army. We have only to kick in the door and the whole rotten structure will come crashing down. That's what President Reagan would be doing if he were in office now."

Update: Gov. DeSantis has recently sought to clean up his comments about Ukraine, saying they were “mischaracterized”.