Ron DeSantis is trying to find his own way in Ukraine. There is a wing of the GOP that wants no help for Ukraine at all. A wing of the GOP wants the United States to go all in on Ukraine, even if it means escalation. In a written statement to Tucker Carlson, DeSantis advances a more nuanced view. (1) He wants to help Ukraine; (2) he does not want to give Ukraine offensive capabilities that would allow it to strike outside its territory; (3) he does not want to advance regime change in Russia; and (4) he does not want to take steps that would commit U.S troops to Ukraine.
Putin would love to negotiate, he'll use it for propaganda. He'll call for a cease fire to lock in his new territory and then negotiate for a few years. We went through this in Korea, Europe with Hitler. Putin has a dream to force all the breakaway countries back into Russia. He has written that and it's in his speeches.
I think DeSantis gave a well thought out response that is close to my own feelings about the Ukraine situation. Although, I also thought Vivek Ramaswamy gave the smartest response of them all. Anyone who hasn't read it should really do so with an open mind. Highlights: Our dependence on foreign energy lessens our leverage with the Putins of the world. Europe-especially Germany-needs to take a much bigger role in the security of their borders and neighbor's borders. The US needs to fulfill its pledge to Ukraine in order to keep its integrity with everybody. However, that pledge did not include supplying a war or going to war for them. We agreed to respect their sovereign borders and we have. We have a war here at home we need to fight with the Mexican cartels who are ruining lives and causing hundreds of thousands of deaths. Those are just some of his main points that I have given in an abbreviated version but he says so much more. I was super impressed. DeSantis will most likely be my choice in the primary if he runs and if he wins, Ramaswamy might be a good VP choice for him or any other candidate.
I do not have time now to write a long comment. I will say that I am one that supports Ukraine winning the undeserved invasion by Russia. By default, we are now at war with Russia. We should stay the course and help Ukraine defeat the aggressor. I have been a supportor of Desantis running for president. I will think more now and see who enters the race for president. To the meeting I go!
As long as we are talking about regime change in Russia, and completing the regime change already underway in Ukraine….
Am I the only one who noticed the President of Mexico advocating for regime change in the USA? He is openly advocating for Mexicans in America to vote against every Republican in every office. This won’t change the wonderful Christian conservative Mexican emigrants, but it will incite Mexicans in Mexico to hate Americans and is sure to increase violence against US Tourists.
I am not anti-Mexican. Some of the most wonderful families I know have their origins in Mexico, some of them linking all the way back to land grants from King Ferdinand. And, like me, they hate what is going on at our border.
I have also done extensive software business in Mexico, and the businessmen there hate the Narco terrorists.
I can’t afford to care about global wars until we have a “whole of government” approach to protect Americans. We need 10-mile-long inspection lines. We need produce to rot. We need NAFTA car parts to cost a gazillion bucks, so we make them here. The Texas legislature just advanced a bill to put illegals who cross who have a prior felony record in jail FOR LIFE. Why we don’t build a wall, and a moat, and fill it with burning tar, is beyond me. To hell with “Avocados from Mexico”.
This is a very carefully crafted position. I hope DeSantis can explain it clearly and consistently to the corporate media when they pound him about it. But the fact is if we do not support Ukraine and Russia wins, Poland will be next. And that will force U.S. troops to Europe due to NATO Article 5. Russia and their friends can keep sending conscripts in either fight until it becomes too costly. And we have to decide if we still want to be able to fight 2 wars at a time (Europe and Asia) as we once planned. If so, our military spending for equipment and supplies must be raised soon. Obama promised Ukraine we would stand with them if they gave up their nukes to Russia. They did, and now we must honor our word. Else we become the biggest liars to our allies.
Normally Ukraine might not be a "vital interest", but the "President of the United States" promised the Ukraine our protection if they gave up their Nuclear Weapons - Which they did. Those weapons were transferred to Russia. This was again promised when they gave up their major weapon systems. If the Ukranian's had kept their Nukes, we would not have had this war.
It is in the VITAL INTEREST of the US to KEEP IT'S WORD. Ukraine will not survive if they can't damage Russia. Russia can drag this out slowly destroying the infrastructure, killing the people as long as they can safely standoff and kill the country and the people. That is how we lost in Vietnam. North Vietnam did not really pay a price until very late and even then, the LBJ don't hit list was gigantic.
Does it really make sense that Russia would want a major war and lose their country, rather than pull out of the Ukraine? I don't think so. In WWII the Doolittle Raid did some damage, but it caused the Japanese Military to pull back units to defend the heartland.
Would it make sense if a bully attacks you, and you just fend off the blows and don't punch back.
Whatever happened to brokering a peace deal? Trump was the only one who talked about that. I’m a huge fan of DeSantis but please peace should always be first on the table. Right now China is just sitting back watching us be stupid. I believe we wouldn’t be in this mess if it wasn’t for the Obama/Biden administration.
So far, DeSantis has done nothing to change my mind that he is the right person to be the candidate. However, if "our side" does not stop vilifying the die hard Trump supporters, no republican has a chance. That the name calling continues makes me wonder if republicans really want to win.
If the fighting ever stops, what then? Who decides boundaries? Who supports the Ukrainians during the years of rebuilding? What new alliances are to be formed?
During the 1950’s the debate was on who lost China. We should ask ourselves, who lost Russia in the 1990’s. Things could have been done to settle problems and secure a lasting peace so we all could bury the Cold War.
Does it make sense to let Ukraine fight Russian aggression rather than us? Absolutely. Yet there are so many domestic issues straining our ever-diminishing resources - men and women, materiel, funding - that it's hard for me to get excited about Ukraine. We built only 186 F-22s and less than 100 are operational today. Every incursion by Russian aircraft into Alaskan airspace is met by F-22s, and we throw Raptors into global hotspots to flex our muscle. Yet each intercept adds hours to already weary airframes, and the F-35 is NOT a suitable replacement (the F-15EX partnered with the F-35 is supposed to fill that gap). Other Air Force, Navy, and Marine aircraft are suffering a similar fate of low operational strength, parts shortages, and diminishing numbers. I'm sure our ships are suffering a similar fate. Last week I read that our smart weapons stockpile would not survive more than a week in a hot war with China. Our national debt is WAY out of control and the economy sucks, yet while Americans suffer, Biden the Brilliant welcomes vagabonds to come suckle at the teat of America's "prosperity." These examples barely scratch the surface of our domestic issues, so is DeSantis' position attractive to me? Not just yes, but hell yes.
"Nuanced" is another label for "Rational," in my opinion. It's refreshing to see folks like Desantis & Pompeo show a healthy mixture of backbone and restraint in the context of complex unknowns in international affairs. Trump's policies have been on-target, even though his street-fighter rhetoric has given his opponents ammo for emotional attacks. Remains to be seen whether we'll recover from the damage being done by Biden.
I disagree that the “loudest voices” in the GOP are for escalation. The loudest voices are just the opposite as far as I can hear.
For the world to say Russia and Belorussia are sanctuaries from whence devastating missile attacks can be launched with impunity dooms the Ukrainian people to more death and hardship.
Our track record with these righteous wars over the past 40 years is truly that of waste - money and lives - and failure. Past is prologue. We never seems to have a plan and if we do it’s either a bad one or we execute horribly. Again, past is prologue. Bank it.
There are nuanced arguments worth making and certainly defensible. But “Ukraine is not in our national interest” arguments are objectively wrong. After beating Russia that is likely true but while war is ongoing we need to win the war. “We” as in the west. Anything short of that will result in Putin winning. That includes limiting Ukraine to defensive or short range weapons. Ukraine is not trying to take anyone over. Russia is.
Putin would love to negotiate, he'll use it for propaganda. He'll call for a cease fire to lock in his new territory and then negotiate for a few years. We went through this in Korea, Europe with Hitler. Putin has a dream to force all the breakaway countries back into Russia. He has written that and it's in his speeches.
I think DeSantis gave a well thought out response that is close to my own feelings about the Ukraine situation. Although, I also thought Vivek Ramaswamy gave the smartest response of them all. Anyone who hasn't read it should really do so with an open mind. Highlights: Our dependence on foreign energy lessens our leverage with the Putins of the world. Europe-especially Germany-needs to take a much bigger role in the security of their borders and neighbor's borders. The US needs to fulfill its pledge to Ukraine in order to keep its integrity with everybody. However, that pledge did not include supplying a war or going to war for them. We agreed to respect their sovereign borders and we have. We have a war here at home we need to fight with the Mexican cartels who are ruining lives and causing hundreds of thousands of deaths. Those are just some of his main points that I have given in an abbreviated version but he says so much more. I was super impressed. DeSantis will most likely be my choice in the primary if he runs and if he wins, Ramaswamy might be a good VP choice for him or any other candidate.
I do not have time now to write a long comment. I will say that I am one that supports Ukraine winning the undeserved invasion by Russia. By default, we are now at war with Russia. We should stay the course and help Ukraine defeat the aggressor. I have been a supportor of Desantis running for president. I will think more now and see who enters the race for president. To the meeting I go!
On a serious note….
As long as we are talking about regime change in Russia, and completing the regime change already underway in Ukraine….
Am I the only one who noticed the President of Mexico advocating for regime change in the USA? He is openly advocating for Mexicans in America to vote against every Republican in every office. This won’t change the wonderful Christian conservative Mexican emigrants, but it will incite Mexicans in Mexico to hate Americans and is sure to increase violence against US Tourists.
I am not anti-Mexican. Some of the most wonderful families I know have their origins in Mexico, some of them linking all the way back to land grants from King Ferdinand. And, like me, they hate what is going on at our border.
I have also done extensive software business in Mexico, and the businessmen there hate the Narco terrorists.
I can’t afford to care about global wars until we have a “whole of government” approach to protect Americans. We need 10-mile-long inspection lines. We need produce to rot. We need NAFTA car parts to cost a gazillion bucks, so we make them here. The Texas legislature just advanced a bill to put illegals who cross who have a prior felony record in jail FOR LIFE. Why we don’t build a wall, and a moat, and fill it with burning tar, is beyond me. To hell with “Avocados from Mexico”.
Cheers
This is a very carefully crafted position. I hope DeSantis can explain it clearly and consistently to the corporate media when they pound him about it. But the fact is if we do not support Ukraine and Russia wins, Poland will be next. And that will force U.S. troops to Europe due to NATO Article 5. Russia and their friends can keep sending conscripts in either fight until it becomes too costly. And we have to decide if we still want to be able to fight 2 wars at a time (Europe and Asia) as we once planned. If so, our military spending for equipment and supplies must be raised soon. Obama promised Ukraine we would stand with them if they gave up their nukes to Russia. They did, and now we must honor our word. Else we become the biggest liars to our allies.
On a lighter note…..
I wonder if now the Chinese will quit paying Brandon and find a way to pump money into the Desantis campaign 😊
I enjoy your content and prospective
Normally Ukraine might not be a "vital interest", but the "President of the United States" promised the Ukraine our protection if they gave up their Nuclear Weapons - Which they did. Those weapons were transferred to Russia. This was again promised when they gave up their major weapon systems. If the Ukranian's had kept their Nukes, we would not have had this war.
It is in the VITAL INTEREST of the US to KEEP IT'S WORD. Ukraine will not survive if they can't damage Russia. Russia can drag this out slowly destroying the infrastructure, killing the people as long as they can safely standoff and kill the country and the people. That is how we lost in Vietnam. North Vietnam did not really pay a price until very late and even then, the LBJ don't hit list was gigantic.
Does it really make sense that Russia would want a major war and lose their country, rather than pull out of the Ukraine? I don't think so. In WWII the Doolittle Raid did some damage, but it caused the Japanese Military to pull back units to defend the heartland.
Would it make sense if a bully attacks you, and you just fend off the blows and don't punch back.
Whatever happened to brokering a peace deal? Trump was the only one who talked about that. I’m a huge fan of DeSantis but please peace should always be first on the table. Right now China is just sitting back watching us be stupid. I believe we wouldn’t be in this mess if it wasn’t for the Obama/Biden administration.
So far, DeSantis has done nothing to change my mind that he is the right person to be the candidate. However, if "our side" does not stop vilifying the die hard Trump supporters, no republican has a chance. That the name calling continues makes me wonder if republicans really want to win.
If the fighting ever stops, what then? Who decides boundaries? Who supports the Ukrainians during the years of rebuilding? What new alliances are to be formed?
During the 1950’s the debate was on who lost China. We should ask ourselves, who lost Russia in the 1990’s. Things could have been done to settle problems and secure a lasting peace so we all could bury the Cold War.
Does it make sense to let Ukraine fight Russian aggression rather than us? Absolutely. Yet there are so many domestic issues straining our ever-diminishing resources - men and women, materiel, funding - that it's hard for me to get excited about Ukraine. We built only 186 F-22s and less than 100 are operational today. Every incursion by Russian aircraft into Alaskan airspace is met by F-22s, and we throw Raptors into global hotspots to flex our muscle. Yet each intercept adds hours to already weary airframes, and the F-35 is NOT a suitable replacement (the F-15EX partnered with the F-35 is supposed to fill that gap). Other Air Force, Navy, and Marine aircraft are suffering a similar fate of low operational strength, parts shortages, and diminishing numbers. I'm sure our ships are suffering a similar fate. Last week I read that our smart weapons stockpile would not survive more than a week in a hot war with China. Our national debt is WAY out of control and the economy sucks, yet while Americans suffer, Biden the Brilliant welcomes vagabonds to come suckle at the teat of America's "prosperity." These examples barely scratch the surface of our domestic issues, so is DeSantis' position attractive to me? Not just yes, but hell yes.
"Nuanced" is another label for "Rational," in my opinion. It's refreshing to see folks like Desantis & Pompeo show a healthy mixture of backbone and restraint in the context of complex unknowns in international affairs. Trump's policies have been on-target, even though his street-fighter rhetoric has given his opponents ammo for emotional attacks. Remains to be seen whether we'll recover from the damage being done by Biden.
I disagree that the “loudest voices” in the GOP are for escalation. The loudest voices are just the opposite as far as I can hear.
For the world to say Russia and Belorussia are sanctuaries from whence devastating missile attacks can be launched with impunity dooms the Ukrainian people to more death and hardship.
Our track record with these righteous wars over the past 40 years is truly that of waste - money and lives - and failure. Past is prologue. We never seems to have a plan and if we do it’s either a bad one or we execute horribly. Again, past is prologue. Bank it.
There are nuanced arguments worth making and certainly defensible. But “Ukraine is not in our national interest” arguments are objectively wrong. After beating Russia that is likely true but while war is ongoing we need to win the war. “We” as in the west. Anything short of that will result in Putin winning. That includes limiting Ukraine to defensive or short range weapons. Ukraine is not trying to take anyone over. Russia is.