A consistent set of foot-dragging talking points on Ukraine has been percolating through the Republican infoscape—and leaking into the general media environment recently, whether from governors or your average Joe. The first to let loose the signal of capitulation was none other than the current speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, who, in a drape-measuring interview with Punchbowl News back in October said, “I think people are gonna be sitting in a recession and they’re not going to write a blank check to Ukraine. They just won’t do it.” He went on to whine about borders and fentanyl, in a now common pivot-to-non-sequitur for the GOP.
And now with Republicans in control of the House, legislation to end military aid to Ukraine has indeed been introduced by none other than Matt Gaetz, sponsored by his usual clown car of troglodyte buddies. This is probably not an imminent threat, but nor is it an idle one: In May of last year, 57 House Republicans were already willing to vote against a bill providing assistance for Ukraine.
But before they whip their base into a frothing anti-Ukrainian mood that must be appeased, Republicans might want to spare a thought for all their constituents. Who, you know, elect them. Because as it turns out, having roots in Ukraine and Eastern Europe is common throughout most of the country.
Read More