Dear media: Ask Republicans why they are normalizing support for Putin

[Nevilledog]

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Barb McQuade
@BarbMcQuade
I am genuinely bewildered by the adoration of Putin expressed by Trump and other GOP leaders. I’ve seen theories, such as kompromat or admiration of authoritarianism, but that can’t be true for all of them. What is it that they find so appealing?

washingtonpost.com
Opinion | Dear media: Ask Republicans why they are normalizing support for Putin
Make them choose a side: Team Democracy or Team Trump/Putin.
10:29 PM · Feb 24, 2022

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/02/24/media-republicans-boosting-republican/

No paywall
https://archive.fo/Z9U3V

Most Republicans remain cultishly devoted to defeated former president Donald Trump, even as he openly praises Vladimir Putin for dismembering Ukraine, a democratic ally. Imagine a leader of an American party praising the Soviets as their troops crushed the Hungarian uprising in 1956.

Trump has never stopped rooting for and genuflecting to Putin — not when he sided with Putin’s lies over U.S. intelligence on election interference; not when he echoed Russian propaganda on its invasion of Crimea; not when he diminished the murder of Russian journalists. So perhaps it should not be shocking that he remains infatuated with Putin as the Russian dictator wages a war of aggression unlike anything we have seen since World War II.

Many Republicans have absorbed Trump’s reverence for authoritarians. Others refuse to denounce him, apparently more concerned about not offending Trump than about supporting democratic allies in Europe. Will they keep this up as the casualties pile up? Once Kyiv is reduced to rubble?

As Russia murders innocent civilians, it is important to remember this is not simply about Putin’s obsession with Ukraine. Michael Abramowitz, head of Freedom House, tells me: “Left unchecked, the spread of Putinism is a grave threat to the security and prosperity of democracies everywhere. Given what appears to be happening in Ukraine, what is urgently needed from the [European Union] and all democratic nations is a swift, united response that makes it clear to Putin that his actions will not be tolerated — and moreover, that he’s failing in his attempts to undercut transatlantic unity.”

Instead, many Republicans — including their leader — have chosen to savage the American president who put together that transatlantic alliance. This is the point at which the mainstream media — unaccustomed to such anti-American, pro-aggressor positioning from a major political party — falters.

*snip*

[SheltieLover]

1. Kompromat & $

[texasfiddler]

2. I am more interested in why the media isn't asking. Not what the GOP answer would be.

The GOP will lie and use propaganda. Our media has a problem and I want to know why?

[Midnight Writer]

3. A shiny all-white paradise where men are men and women are property.

As Erik Prince said, "In Russia, nobody is confused about which bathroom to use".

That is the priority to Republicans.

[Raster]

6. Eric Prince - arch-homophobe and war criminal speaks...

... that piece of shit should have been locked up years ago.

[TheProle]

4. Also from the Post, some 6 hours later

Trump largely isolated in praise for Putin as GOP condemns Russian invasion

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-largely-isolated-in-praise-for-putin-as-gop-condemns-russian-invasion/ar-AAUh1eI?ocid=uxbndlbing

[Solly Mack]

5. Why can't an admiration (even desire for) of authoritarianism be true of them all?

They've given every indication that that is exactly what they like. What they'd prefer. What they want in government.

They've already chosen a side. Not need to ask them which side they are on.

That's what the Press needs to stress. Stop pretending the GOP hasn't already picked a side and start stressing that fact. They have chosen to be against America as a free society and instead wish to impose an authoritarian rule of their making.

[CaptainTruth]

7. Seems like they want to destroy democracy & take control of the country.

They wish they could wield power & control over the US the way Putin wields power & control over Russia.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

8. K&R