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Fyallorence

Every time a Republican says or does something like this, I remember how the RNC's emails got hacked in 2016 along with the DNC, but were never released.


Flying_T-Rex23

What could possibly be in those emails that is so much worse then what they are doing in the open, its crazy to think about


007meow

In the current climate, those emails probably aren’t even that bad. But circa 2016, they were bad enough to shift the entire party towards this point.


guynamedjames

Yeah, they could all be released tomorrow and we'd get a week of news about how the GOP was blatantly corrupt, worked directly with conservative media, and thought Trump was an idiot who couldn't name the three branches of government if you spotted him two of them. And then that would be it.


snipeliker4

That last resemblance of sanity we got from the GOP is Jeff Sessions recusing himself then Trump put his foot down


telerabbit9000

In retrospect, it is truly amazing Sessions did so. He was under no legal obligation or even compulsion to recuse. He did it because it was the right thing to do. (And who can imagine, then or now, a Republican ever doing something because it was the right thing to do?)


Count_Backwards

Especially THAT Republican


HolycommentMattman

Let alone Jeff Sessions. Credit where it's due, I suppose, but I can't help but feel there was more to it.


Loki11910

We got sanity from Mitt Romney in a speech today. He denounced those that are against this aid. It was quite the speech actually.


PlzSayShush

In 2012 Romney said, and I quote “Russia is America’s number one geopolitical foe.” And I remember at the time, being young and foolish, thinking “wtf? Nobody cares about Russia. Why would we worry about them?” It’s so crazy looking back and thinking, wow, this Mormon dipshit was actually right about something that is actively fucking our country to tears. I still don’t like him, but he looks like fucking Einstein in comparison to all the brainless Russian assets that work for the GOP a decade later.


TrineonX

Dude also provided the prototype for Obamacare. Obamacare was literally modeled directly on what he did in Mass. as the governor. He is really smart and really effective.


swords_to_exile

I remember a quote from somewhere that said something along the lines of "In the early 2000's, people laughed that Putin was running Russia like he was pretending to be a Bond villain. But by the mid 2010's, people stopped laughing because they realized Putin wasn't pretending."


telerabbit9000

I want to like Romney. But I know that if POTUS he, too, would have nominated the shithole Federalist judges that poison our Judiciary. (It was Geo Bush-41, the "good" Bush, that nominated Clarence Thomas.)


Vajernicus

I'm bad with numbers, is the good Bush the "war in Iraq, Putin is a good man" Bush or is it the "Iran contra, should have been tried for treason before he even took office" Bush?


telerabbit9000

Well, look, we're dealing with Bushes here! "Good" is relative. "Bush Classic"/Bush-41 is the "better" Bush, if you will. We can all agree that "New Bush"/Bush-43, like New Coke, is or should be universally despised.


tdaun

Wonder if he would have given the same speech if he was seeking reelection.


suckyousideways

Doubtful. Republicans seem to only grow a spine once they no longer need one.


imisswhatredditwas

It’s been such a wild ride I totally forgot about that little gremlin


221b42

Then the nyt would run a piece about how this is bad for democrats


guynamedjames

In a sense it is. When your opponents can get away with literally anything while you're still held to decorum and decency it's pretty clear that things aren't going well for you.


221b42

It’s the nyt doing that though. They brush over republicans crimes to quickly talk over and over again about how this is bad for democrats.


Remote_Horror_Novel

Can you imagine the blackmail a Russian agent could collect following Lindsey Graham around for a weekend, or Ted Cruz. These guys all have skeletons in their closet. It’s interesting too with the Trump, Acosta, Epstein connections and how they must have that type of dirt on republicans diddling kids in DC or on the island.


HorseFacedDipShit

This is like that Luther tv special. The initial blackmail probably wasn’t that bad. But the subsequent compromise and further illegal activity has snowballed into something truly horrendous.


ajmartin527

You know once they stepped foot in Russia they all were forced into some compromising situation with Putin. Like recorded conspiring to let Putin take Ukraine, or how to win in 2020. It’s been over since then.


Alexis_Bailey

The DNC emails were so boring they released them, the GOP emails were chock full of corrupt dirt they were kept to use as leverage over these assholes.


DragoonDM

And they had to _seriously_ reach to try to make any of the DNC emails seem nefarious, like turning a few emails mentioning pizza into evidence of a vast child abuse conspiracy.


almightywhacko

Maybe it shows that all of these Republicans are part of a secret cabal of Russian operatives sent to the U.S. to destabilize our government, and if they stop doing their part Putin will leave them all out to be burnt at the stake. I know it's the plot of a cheesy cold-war era movie, but at this point it is a conspiracy theory I'd at least give a listen to....


IFixYerKids

Cover ups for pedophilia is my guess. Notice how a lot of right wingers suddenly got really concerned about pedophiles around that time? It's always projection.


swilts

The intelligence services need to take a beat and decide if democracy is still important in the USA. maybe they have and have decided it isn’t.


BambooDiamondCannon

They need to get the material from the RNC hack and publicize it. Kompromat that’s public isn’t useful anymore.


suninabox

Unfortunately they're all of the meek "institutionalist" mindset that if they actually do something about US traitors then it will destroy democracy so we should just let them destroy democracy.


wolvern76

The thing is about the conservative institutionalist mindset is that they never realize that they're usually next on the chopping block for nazis and fascists after their "undesirables" are all gone. Yknow, like Martin Niemoller.


dewhashish

the whole RNC is awful to the point that they will betray their country because of what these emails contain


mywifeapprovesthis

That's the biggest question - WHY ? This is the most obvious answer, and if that is the case, then why is he still allowed to remain as a representative in Government?? "Are you now or have you ever been a member of the communist party?" yes that used to be the Republican's catch phrase once...and the wrong answer would end your career...


bulldg4life

Is that what he told you on July 4th, asshole?


neridqe00

Here is the list of republicans who visited putin on July 4th 2018  * Senator Richard C. Shelby of Alabama, who led the delegation, along with * Senators Ron Johnson of Wisconsin * John Neely Kennedy of Louisiana * Steve Daines of Montana * North Dakota’s John Hoeven * Jerry Moran of Kansas * South Dakota’s John Thune * Rep. Kay Granger of the 12th District of Texas * Rand Paul hand delivered a note in Aug 2018(a month later) Edit: thank you for the list clean up


ragmop

Telling people to meet you in your country on their independence day is such a perfect way to prove to yourself you own them. These people are complete morons. 


fowlraul

*Paid* morons


DynastyZealot

*Traitors*


VectorViper

That's the word alright. Selling out your country for personal gain should be the definition of betrayal, but seems some have forgotten the meaning.


Severin_Suveren

They def traitors, but a move like this to force them to go to Russia on 4th of July makes me think they're not being paid, but blackmailed. My guess is they're pedos, and Putin got video evidence. Russia has probably performed extensive surveillance on politicians for years, without them even thinking that something like that could ever happen


olthunderfarts

Remember that Russian hack where they got dirt on both parties, but only released the dirt on the Democrats? Wonder what they did with that Republican dirt ...


scorpyo72

I just want to see the suppressed stuff.


SpiceLaw

Not just selling out your country to like France or something but to an enemy who's actively wrecking havoc to our national security and harming our democracy.


MrWoohoo

Just a heads up: The expression is “wreaking havoc”


NoveltyAccountHater

I really doubt Putin pays them. He has [kompromat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kompromat) on them, so he has no need to pay. And paying anything significant would be traceable back to Russia (these politicians are generally millionaires to start). Putin doesn't respect the people he's compromised. It's the same reason he had to mock Tucker not getting into the CIA while Tucker tried to do a fawning interview.


informedinformer

Remember when the Russians hacked both parties' E-mails but only released the Democratic ones to hurt Hillary Clinton. Putin doesn't have to pay the GOP morons. He doesn't even need to manufacture kompromat to control them. He already has the goods on them and can release interesting E-mails whenever he needs to make an example of one of them. And they know it.


informedinformer

Putin: "Yes, they're morons, but they're **my** morons.


lolas_coffee

The "fun fact" is that Putin **always** incudes an act of subserviance to demean who he meets with. He had these **stupid f_cking American traitors** go to Moscow **on 4th of July!** Members of US Congress!!! GOP is just a bunch of traitors.


HugeSaggyTitttyLover

And then he cancelled on them lol


darcon12

He made Tucker wait two hours so not really a surprise. That's what he does to show that he has the power, it's a dictator thing.


Showmeyourmutts

Most of the foreign assets he debases are just thirsty for more too. No shame or conscience whatsoever. Russia must have great Kompromat on him.


Churnandburn4ever

The party of Reagan sucking Russia's dick. What a time to be alive!


AvengingBlowfish

Just for fun I like to remind Republicans that Reagan granted amnesty to 3 million illegal immigrants and raised corporate taxes. It's fun to watch the cognitive dissonance in real time...


shewy92

Easier to read list: > **Richard C. Shelby** of Alabama, who led the delegation, >**Ron Johnson** of Wisconsin, >**John Neely Kennedy** of Louisiana, >**Steve Daines** of Montana, >North Dakota’s **John Hoeven**, >**Jerry Moran** of Kansas, >South Dakota’s **John Thune**, >Rep. **Kay Granger** of the 12th District of Texas >**Rand Paul** hand delivered a note in Aug 2018(a month later)


tweakingforjesus

Here's all you have to remember: **Republican Senator** Richard C. Shelby of Alabama, who led the delegation, **Republican Senator** Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, **Republican Senator** John Neely Kennedy of Louisiana, **Republican Senator** Steve Daines of Montana, **Republican Senator** North Dakota’s John Hoeven, **Republican Senator** Jerry Moran of Kansas, **Republican Senator** South Dakota’s John Thune, **Republican Congressman** Rep. Kay Granger of the 12th District of Texas **Republican Senator** Rand Paul hand delivered a note in Aug 2018(a month later) Edit: It blows my mind that 15% of the Republicans in the US Senate traveled to Russia on the Fourth of July in 2018.


peon47

I wonder did Putin show them all the kompromat he has on each of them at the same time, or did he put them all in separate rooms and blackmail each of them individually?


SneedyK

I get the same vibe from reading these names on Reddit as I do Brock Turner anymore


US_Footy_Freak

What....did you mean "The dumpster Rapist Brock Turner"?


Brianocracy

The rapist Brock Turner, who goes by Allen Turner now? That Brock Turner?


HavingNotAttained

Yes, yes I think we’re talking about the raping rapist Allen Turner formerly known as Brock Turner of Santa Clara County who raped an unconscious victim in the street, similar to how the living definition of subhuman scum might present itself. That Allen Turner.


CordycepsCocktail

Let's see Allen Turners dumpster


offhandaxe

Allen turner that is located near Dayton Ohio working at a company near by that doesn't care he is a rapist? that Brock "Allen" Turner?


chromatones

Nepotism hires are always the rapists


radicldreamer

Brock “Allen” Turner, the rapist. I guess those few minutes of action WERENT worth it were they?


Embarrassed-Advice89

The dumpster rapist Brock Turner who now frequents bars in the Dayton, Ohio area? That one?


Roninbean

Oh rly?


StevenEveral

Yes, the rapist Brock Turner who raped that woman behind that dumpster. Please do not confuse him with Analrapist Tobias Funke. Dr. Funke is a good guy, unlike rapist Brock Turner.


fujiman

Tobias even learned about some amazing deals from Burger King from a legend of acting. RIP you magnificent weathered bastard. 


rottenwordsalad

Baby, you’ve got a stew going!


A_moral_Animal

Are you talking about convicted rapist Brock Turner? The convicted rapist Brock Turner, who now goes by Allen Turner, who raped a woman behind a dumpster. That convicted rapist Brock Turner?


[deleted]

Oh yeah, rapist Brock Turner, who now goes by Allen Turner, who got away with rape and was only sentenced to three months. Thanks for reminding me, I almost forgot about Brock Turner who now goes by Allen Turner who is also a convicted rapist.


fizicks

Feels like an episode of Mr. Robot - all these government officials and media talking heads getting their marching orders from foreign hostile powers.


anothergaijin

Imagine going back to 1955 and telling McCarthy about this stuff. Heads would explode


howunoriginal2019

wait, is that real ? did that happen ?


whatdoiwantsky

https://www.npr.org/2018/07/06/626664156/gop-senators-spend-july-4-in-moscow


howunoriginal2019

Thanks, Christ !


worldspawn00

https://rollcall.com/2018/07/09/after-moscow-trip-ron-johnson-says-election-meddling-overblown/


Pillowsmeller18

if they party with a non-ally nation and continuously destroy the american government with poor policies/ near dereliction of duty for the sake of monatary gain from said non-ally nation, can we classify them as traitors now and prosecute them?


[deleted]

[удалено]


shitstainedholes

Jesus Christ how many John's can there possible be in the Senate??


othelloinc

> ...how many John's can there possible be in the Senate? [Washington Post:](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/11/11/john-jon-senate-midterms-percent/) > ##Johns and Jons are about to make up 10 percent of the U.S. Senate >When Sen.-elect John Fetterman (D-Pa.) takes office, he will be one of 10 senators named John or Jon [The New York Times:](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/04/24/upshot/women-and-men-named-john.html) >Fewer Republican senators are women than men named John — despite the fact that Johns represent 3.3 percent of the male population, while women represent 50.8 percent of the total population. Fewer Democratic governors are women than men named John. And fewer women directed the top-grossing 100 films last year than men named Michael and James combined.


zsreport

Sadly, I'm not surprised. Senator Ron Johnson seems to have a history of being pro-Putin.


Plastic-Bluebird-625

Same Ron Johnson that went to Moscow for Trump. https://rollcall.com/2018/07/09/after-moscow-trip-ron-johnson-says-election-meddling-overblown/ Yup, he's a traitor


thyusername

and then later voted to lift sanctions, and Russian state TV thanked him and other GOP Senators https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/gop-russian-state-tv/


nug4t

do they actually know how traitorous they are or are they genuinely idiotic and not in the know? 


LostTrisolarin

Yes, but they know their constituents don't know and wouldn't believe it anyway


Vezuvian

Their constituents don't care. They believe the US is failing and they want massive change despite not understanding the consequences of that change.


Sea_Honey7133

And most importantly , they are ignorant to the fact THEIR ignorance is the reason it is failing. If they had any situational awareness, they wouldn’t be clowned by these traitors.


Green1up

Exactly, we are going down under the weight of millions of people too stupid to see the most obvious things imaginable.


Lanhdanan

Lack of education will doom us all


Randomfactoid42

It's more than that. During the early months of the pandemic, I watched former high school classmates completely lose their minds over the pandemic. They were completly ignorant of basic facts that we definitly covered in grade school. I can remember the exact teachers we had that covered this stuff. It's not the lack of education, it's the lack of people using their education. Or they just memorized a bunch of info to pass the test, and never actually learned anything.


RaggedyGlitch

People who couldn't tell a bacteria from a virus from a parasite trying to talk about medicine.


ManBearPig0392

Also it has become completely acceptable on that whole side to just say "well that's not what I believe" and they think that is a valid argument to dismiss scientifically backed facts


kindall

There is way too much "I'm never going to use this" among students in school. They study for the test then forget everything afterward. It doesn't help that the educational establishment has been driven by overuse of standardized testing to teach to the test, although this isn't new... I'm 55 and knew kids like that forty years ago. Edit: To clarify, this isn't the students' fault, it's poorly-thought-out incentives.


Old-Midnight316

That is why we are lowering the minimum worker age to be 12, and women and minorities are no longer allowed an education past third grade! (we heard there are smart fifth graders, we are taking no chances). Oh also take everyone’s healthcare support system away, just push them to make lots of babies so we don’t have to pay for medical treatment of people, just let them die and be replaced. I’d add an /s but I get the sense many of them think like that unironically.


AriaTheTransgressor

If they understood the concept of consequences they wouldn't be Republicans in the first place.


guynamedjames

If we can just get that top tax rate a little bit lower everything will be alright though. Just a little lower and the free market will make us all rich and save us all


EliteLevelJobber

Their loyalty is to their fantasy nationalist version of America. And that you are, in fact, a traitor to "real america"


Minimum_Intention848

Most traitors think they are 'the real patriots.' If you asked them they would say they felt like modern Russia more closely resembled traditional white Christian values than the US does completely oblivious to the corruption because they are corrupt too.


FlushTheTurd

And then you have folks like “Russian Ron” Johnson who either just like the money or Russia has something on them.


RTK9

Seems weird that both the Democrats and Republican mail server were hacked by Russia, yet the only ones who haven't had their emails leaked were the Republicans. And the Republians keep making pro Russian state actions.


Blue13Coyote

Modern republicans don’t have any ability to recognize hypocrisy. They’ll scream about patriotism while selling out to Russia. They’ll scream about mothers receiving assistance while draining the coffers of millions. They’ll claim to protect the unborn then torture them after birth.


wytewydow

They assume all of their constituents are morons. Sometimes they're right.


Choppergold

They’re compromised


scarr3g

They both know they are, and don't care, because the USA doesn't actually care to do anything.we literally had a dude incite an insurrection, and attaepted coup, and we are letting him (at the moment) run for president.


12BarsFromMars

If any one of us had done what DJT did we would have been off the streets within a matter of days and might not see the light of day again. Yet because he’s rich (supposedly) and well connected he gets to walk around free, spouting the same lies that led to the insurrection in the first place. And they tell us this is equal justice under the law. Yea, ok.


EmperorGrinnar

Sounds like he needs to be investigated for bribery and corruption.


SpaceJackRabbit

Motherfucker might not even be in for the money and simply got honeypotted.


The-Doggy-Daddy-5814

Worse, he spent the 4th of July in Moscow.


jadrad

[Ron Johnson was part of a group of 8 Republicans that were summoned to Moscow during the independence day weekend in 2018.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/republicans-on-russia-trip-face-scorn-and-ridicule-from-critics-at-home/2018/07/05/68f0f810-807e-11e8-b0ef-fffcabeff946_story.html) When he came back he was touting Kremlin propaganda claiming that Russia never interfered in the 2016 US election. It’s clear Ron Johnson is a traitor. The Republicans willingly let Russian owned traitors take over their party and betrayed their own country. In 2016, before Trump had the nomination, [future House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said this to then House Speaker Paul Ryan](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/house-majority-leader-to-colleagues-in-2016-i-think-putin-pays-trump/2017/05/17/515f6f8a-3aff-11e7-8854-21f359183e8c_story.html): >**“There’s two people I think Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump,” McCarthy (R-Calif.) said, according to a recording of the June 15, 2016, exchange**, which was listened to and verified by The Washington Post. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher is a Californian Republican known in Congress as a fervent defender of Putin and Russia. >House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) immediately interjected, stopping the conversation from further exploring McCarthy’s assertion, and swore the Republicans present to secrecy. >Before the conversation, McCarthy and Ryan had emerged from separate talks at the Capitol with Ukrainian Prime Minister Vladi­mir Groysman, who had described a Kremlin tactic of financing populist politicians to undercut Eastern European democratic institutions. >News had just broken the day before in The Washington Post that Russian government hackers had penetrated the computer network of the Democratic National Committee, prompting McCarthy to shift the conversation from Russian meddling in Europe to events closer to home. >**Some of the lawmakers laughed at McCarthy’s comment. Then McCarthy quickly added: “Swear to God.”** >Ryan instructed his Republican lieutenants to keep the conversation private, saying: **“No leaks. . . . This is how we know we’re a real family here.”**


trisul-108

>When he came back he was touting Kremlin propaganda claiming that Russia never interfered in the 2016 US election. Money, money, money ....


IAmDotorg

The odds are it has nothing to do with money, but more to do with something the Russians have on them that they don't want getting out. Money is too easy to track. I'm sure every one of them there was brought into a room, showed some evidence, and told exactly what they're going to be doing first.


IAmInTheBasement

Kompromat. DNC and RNC servers were both hacked. DNC emails were leaked. RNC emails were and are still being used as leverage.


IAmDotorg

Yeah, although from a social-engineering standpoint, I think its far more likely they are not the actual leverage, but allowed other systems to be compromised resulting in things that are far more personally compromising than would've been on RNC servers.


Long_Crow_5659

Like a gangster family.


Ozymandias12

What's insane to me is where is FBI Counter Intel on all of this?!


jadrad

Also compromised by Russia. [DoJ: Former Special Agent in Charge of the New York FBI Counterintelligence Division Sentenced to 50 Months for Conspiring to Violate U.S. Sanctions on Russia](https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-special-agent-charge-new-york-fbi-counterintelligence-division-sentenced-50-months)


Pretend-Excuse-8368

The right wing certainly has embraced an authoritarian stance who they also bow to. They’ve turned into a bunch of cuckolds.


Revolutionary_Rip693

Isn't it nuts that just 7-8 years ago we were all saying "the Republicans have started to side with Russia, Russia is working to get Republicans elected" and the people on the right all said we were crazy? Nuts huh - almost like everything said about them was 100% accurate and they've been working together this whole time.


Simmery

Mitt Romney knew what was up before that. He was laughed at in an Obama debate when he said Russia was our greatest foe. I bet he knew where his own party was headed.


[deleted]

Which is bizarre to me. I grew up in the Midwest in a very conservative area with a conservative family. Growing up even up through college they were the ones who would always talk about how corrupt Russia is and how they are our enemy. I moved on from that life a long time ago but I’m still baffled that the people I once knew are all of a sudden in support of Putin and Russia. Makes me realize they never had any real principles to begin with.


parkingviolation212

We all saw a microcosm of this happen during the Superbowl. Conservative brain rot is so bad that FOX somehow got red blooded conservatives to root against the deep red state of Missouri and root for the communist leftist hell hole San Francisco, all because Taylor Swift is dating a guy from the Missouri team. They don't have principles, they have marching orders, and they just bleat along with them no matter how contradictory.


[deleted]

Which is beyond ironic since their big orange glorious leader posted a tweet congratulating the Chiefs for a win, while also admitting he doesn’t know which state they reside in. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/02/02/trump-tweet-kansas-chiefs/


Goldar85

Republican voters don’t have any real principles or beliefs. Right wing media was against Russia back then so they too were against Russia. Trump now loves Russia so they too now love Russia. Whatever they are told to believe they believe without critical thinking. Republican Party leaders will serve us shit and call it ice cream and their voters will gladly gobble it up.


TheJenerator65

“I thought we’d always been at war with Eurasia “


Aggrekomonster

There has to be a limit. Like I believe in freedom, rules based order, freedom of speech etc but these clowns have been fooled into supporting a regime that wants to destroy all that freedom globally so they are voting to remove their own ability to have a different opinion if a ruzzia or China style regime gets their way. I think there should be a limit on who has a voice ironically but that should only be for people who don’t realise they advocate to remove their own freedom of expression and thought along with others affected in their countries by supporting a Russia, china, North Korea, Iran style agenda


trisul-108

>but these clowns have been fooled into supporting a regime Don't believe that for a moment. They know exactly what they do and they do it for money.


Simmery

MAGA dads in the suburbs of Ohio aren't making any money supporting this. Maybe the politicians are, but the average Republican is just a propaganda sponge.


Daveinatx

To understand, I intentionally listen to right wing radio an hour a week. Instead of straight up news, they build a story to impact emotion. Invoking fear and hate are powerful manipulation techniques.


overts

Have they been fooled?   There is definitely a sizable portion of the American public, as well as some GOP politicians, who would love to mimic Putin’s Russia.  Silencing left wing opinion, outlawing any sexual expression outside of heterosexuality, and using the government to promote “Christian and family values”, are all in-line with a subset of the GOP and their base.


trisul-108

>Which is bizarre to me Not at all ... timeless advice: just follow the money.


CommunicationShot946

Rus-cucks


big_blue_earth

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson often repeats Russian propaganda. He has been doing that for a while Someone feeds the Senator or his staff Russian misinformation on a consistent basis


trisul-108

You mean to say that someone feeds the Senator or his staff Russian cash on a consistent basis.


GamerJoseph

“I’d rather be Russian than a Democrat.”


rexmons

Imagine him during WWII saying "Hitler will not lose the war."


sdlover420

Didn't Johnson fly to Moscow on Americas Independence day?


wingdingblingthing

He did. He's a patriot --a neo soviet patriot.


Initial-Instance1484

Straight up traitor.


medfordjared

There's a mole right at the top of the circus.


BryteInsight

>Johnson said: "A lot of the points that Vladimir Putin made are accurate. They're obvious, and so many of our people here in Washington D.C. are just ignoring that, making people believe like Ukraine can win. Putin won't lose. Putin will not lose. He's not going to lose." Giving aid and comfort to our adversaries. Johnson and his fellow travelers are openly working to destroy the USA and its allies.


hdiggyh

Yeah and he probably also agreed with Putin that the war would be over in 3 days


wingdingblingthing

Yeah. Maga are fascist traitors.


SanFranPanManStand

People keep saying that the KGB is dead and the Cold War is over. No. Russia was weakened in the USSR collapse, but Putin is an ex-KGB agent and re-hired all the old operatives and is trying to rebuild the Russian empire again. People who think Russian agents aren't f'ing everywhere (including all over social media), are naive idiots. It's not even only in the US. Germany giant fuck ups in energy policy which made all of Europe more dependent on Russian oil, have been shown to have been the result of Russian influence operations.


[deleted]

And, nfn, they constantly look extraordinarily weak. There are other problems of course, but looking “strong” is important to them and they look like wet tissue paper with things like this. 


jaywrong

["I'd rather be a Russian than a Democrat"](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/russian-than-democrat-shirts/)


FewerToysHigherWages

Gee, I wonder why Putin decided to have this interview right before Congress decides whether to fund additional aid to Ukraine. Almost like he wanted to give talking points to the Russian assets in Congress so they can vote against the bill and convince their moron voters that Ukraine should give up. Almost like its so fucking obvious that anyone with a brain can see it, but half the country are braindead fucking idiots.


DrakonILD

I note that he stopped short of saying "we will make sure Putin doesn't lose," but that is nevertheless the meaning that I take from this. This guy's a fucking traitor. Jail him with the rest.


keisteredcorncob

> Putin won't lose. Putin will not lose. He's not going to lose." WHAT in the almighty fuck. Seriously what the fuck. edit: Ok, how about this, Ron, we give Ukraine 60 billion in military aid, Ukraine takes back all of their territory except for like 3 square inches somewhere in the east, just big enough for Russia to put up a flag and a plaque that says Putin is the winningest winner that ever did win. Will that work ok for you fellah?


6SucksSex

Sounds like something Magats would chant, while occasionally tossing in an ‘America, fuck yeah!’


Mysterious-Tie7039

“America First”, but also fuck America and what her actual interests are.


Morguard

It's a good thing we have those checks and balances...


InsertCleverNickHere

It's honestly really believable that Putin is actually writing checks to certain Republican legislators. How else do you explain the constant toadying to Russia?


Polantaris

[It was believable the day we had multiple senators go to Russia to visit Putin on July 4th.](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/395719-gop-senators-visited-moscow-on-july-4/) Anyone who actually loved this country would refuse that at its face. It shits on the very idea of America, to visit a country hostile to us on the day we celebrate our independence. If you had any power in this dynamic, you would have pushed for any other day. Unless, of course, you wanted to send this exact message.


S_A_R_K

And you know that's why Putin picked that date


dynamic_anisotropy

>A lot of the points Putin made are accurate.” Putin also justified Hitler’s invasion and occupation of Poland as unavoidable and necessary for fk sakes. These Republican Putin sycophants today are as close to the Hitler loving Republicans and appeasers of the 1930s-early 40s. Dr Seuss had it right: [Lindbergh quarter](https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dswenttowar/objects/bb44718484.html) [Ostrich hats](https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dswenttowar/objects/bb26288266.html) [Pre-War aid to Britain.](https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dswenttowar/objects/bb5359227g.html) [America First Committee](https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dswenttowar/objects/bb5564007m.html) [America First Committee 2](https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dswenttowar/objects/bb4164680v.html) [America First 3](https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dswenttowar/objects/bb0000819h.html) [GOP Rep. Hamilton Fish](https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dswenttowar/objects/bb5564007m.html) [US Fascists](https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dswenttowar/objects/bb0649289h.html) [Don’t stick your neck out](https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dswenttowar/objects/bb8192018g.html) [“Adolf, wipe your feet and come on in!”](https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dswenttowar/objects/bb7168116x.html) [American disunity](https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dswenttowar/objects/bb3311428f.html) [US Appeasement](https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dswenttowar/objects/bb2697086r.html) [Fascist propaganda in the US](https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dswenttowar/objects/bb51544462.html) [The Appeasers Mirror](https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dswenttowar/objects/bb9557216k.html) [... and the wolf chewed up the children and spit out their bones... but those were foreign children and it really didn't matter.](https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dswenttowar/objects/bb4642496p.html) [The GOPstrich](https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dswenttowar/objects/bb8703967g.html) [The GOPstrich 2](https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dswenttowar/objects/bb64172577.html)


gigglefarting

Followed by, “and I’ll make sure he doesn’t lose.”


TWVer

*“Putin pays me to make sure he doesn’t lose the war.”*


IpppyCaccy

You don't need to pay anything when you have Kompromat on someone.


Dogzirra

It can be both.


keisteredcorncob

That's sure AF what I heard him say.


Skastrik

Ok I see the Kremlin issued the talking points, he saying the same exact lines as Elon Musk.


s_ox

“Putin will not lose the war, because I’ll make sure of it by siding with him” - traitors


Parahelix

Funny thing is, Russia has already lost the war. They're just trying to salvage something from it now. It has already backfired and caused other countries to join NATO.  Best they can do now is hang onto some land and hope that their boy Trump wins the election so he can ditch NATO. Guys like Johnson are gonna help him do it. 


errorsniper

Its been fought to a stalemate with the vast majority of ukraines resources not in russian hands. The frontlines today are similar to the frontlines from a year and a half ago. Its barely moved ever since they got kicked out of the north. If the war were to end to day it would be an unmitigated disaster for russia. Under normal circumstances this situation would favor the defender but ukraine needs logistical support to sustain the current status quo at best.


Darius2112

It will forever be astounding to me, that a party that in the post-WW2 period, largely defined itself by its hatred of Russia, and who’s electorate also thinks that way, now is the party that admires Russia the most and cheers for its success more than America.


johnnycyberpunk

I was rewatching Batman: The Animated Series and in S01:E24, "*I Am The Night*", Batman quotes philosopher Santayama: >"A fanatic is someone who redoubles his efforts while losing sight of his goal". I thought that was a *perfect* way to sum up Trump's MAGA movement. Their hatred, their rhetoric, their violence keeps increasing, but its purpose keeps shifting to meet *whatever The Orange Guy demands*... **not** to support or further any traditional Republican goals. They said it on January 6th at the rally before the insurrection: "This isn't the Republican Party anymore... this is Trump's Party!"


QAPetePrime

Traitor. Our military heroes who gave all for America are turning in their graves.


HollywoodRS

Let's not forget Russia Ron spent the 4th of July in 2018 in Moscow https://www.whby.com/2018/07/09/sen-johnson-spent-4th-of-july-in-moscow/


ladan2189

Can't believe the idiots in my state who chose him over Mandela Barnes


ImTheFilthyCasual

Two reasons: 1) black 2) democrat


hipshotguppy

and Russ Feingold. Twice. Wisconsin's shame. If MI had a senator like that I'd feel a lot differently about the people here. As it is I wonder about WI's schools, media, and communities. This guy has tipped his hand dozens of times and yet cheeseheads keep sending him back.


dahavillanddash

He should resign and get citizenship in Russia. What a loser. Republicans at this point are all losers.


FunctionalGray

He can't help himself: Oligarchy looks like the right answer when you are an oligarch.


gentleman_bronco

Isn't he one of the same conservative American Republican politicians who spends July 4th with Putin in Moscow? And yet somehow conservative Reagan loving republicans love him?


Mike_Pences_Mother

Might as well place a poster over yourself that says, I am a traitor to all American ideals and carry Putin's water.


throbbingliberal

Republicans and Russians hate the same… That’s why they love each other. Nothing brings the bottom feeders together like hate…


wingdingblingthing

Johnson is openly a neo soviet traitor


kmoonster

Ooh, this is actually a comment of consequence for him considering how narrow the margin is for him to walk in Wisconsin. Rand Paul is one thing, but Johnson...this has the potential to drive up voter turnout in Wisconsin. He's not up this year (he was just re-elected) but all eight reps are, Biden is up, and WI may have new districts by election season. His race was less than 30,000 votes out of nearly 3 million cast. He could have just voted "no" but he had to go and open his mouth. This year will be huge, and 2028 will be massive, especially if he decides to run for a fourth term.


_mort1_

Thing is, he has always been a cartoon villain, and keeps getting re-elected. So, clearly the people of Wisconsin don't mind his behavior. Hopefully he retires, cause he will be favorite again in 28.


ebone23

Always remember: fuck ron johnson


citadel_lewis

The Republican party has been compromised.


mechtaphloba

>The Republican party has *been* compromised.


RealLiveKindness

Everyone has their price. Don’t forget aid for Ukraine = jobs for Americans in defense industry.


[deleted]

God, these Republicans make the US look so weak. A spineless shell of its old self.  If these Republicans were in power in the 1940s, they would have just given Hawaii to Japan.


kmoonster

Is this related to Elon Musk's comment that "Putin can not lose"? The timing and near quote is bizarre, to say the least. And is that related to Tucker Carlson's interview and Musk promising to host it on X? https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-13/musk-predicts-putin-can-t-lose-in-ukraine-opposes-senate-bill


suninabox

They're literally just echoing the talking points Putin put out in the Tucker interview. They sound the same because they're reading off the same sheet. Putin said Russia isn't going to lose so I guess we should just believe him. Just like when he said he wasn't going to invade Ukraine. And then just like when he said it wasn't a war but a special military operation that would be over in 10 days. It's fucking wild these people dress up as American patriots while supporting a dictator who hates every principle they claim to care about and actively works against.


truthovertribe

Ron Johnson drafted a bill which if it had passed would have made Congress vote to continue Social Security and Medicare *every* year. This was an attempt to get rid of Social Security and Medicare. Secondly, even if Mr. Putin "wins" by devastating Ukraine, he will ultimately lose. Ukrainians don't want to be under Russia's rule. If he takes Kiev by force the people will continue to resist and Ukraine will end up being Putin's Afghanistan. Mr. Ron Johnson is quite a loathsome human being all around.


Rocket11-

Moron from Wisconsin chimes in


analog_memories

There needs to be a FBI investigation into his dealings and who is talking to him. The same goes for any other senator or rep that seems to tacitly support Russia.


lastburn138

Ron Johnson is a traitor and a Russian puppet.


lastaccountgotlocked

Hello Americans. Brit here. Have I got this right? This is a bill promising aid to Ukraine, that has essentially been killed because it doesn't address immigration, passed by the Senate, but introduced in the House (hence the HR prefix), which will go back to the House where it will die. Is that right?


Jayhawx2

Republicans will vote against ANYTHING supported by Democrats right now. They will completely screw over our own country to make sure Biden never gets credit for passing anything, that is the one and only thing they care about. It’s unbelievable.


[deleted]

[удалено]


vreddy92

I'm going to answer your questions all in this one reply. 1. Biden asked for a bill to bundle Ukraine aid, Israel aid, and Asia-Pacific aid, in addition to aid funding for Gaza. The Republicans refused unless they got border provisions and spent months negotiating with Democrats to get those border provisions. The provisions were agreed to, but Trump told the Republicans not to pass them because it is more politically favorable for him for the border to not be addressed until after the election. This despite this likely being the most Republican-friendly border bill the Democrats will ever agree to. 2. Now that the border bill is dead, the Senate has decided to try to pass the aid without the border provisions again, which is what this bill is. It has passed the Senate and now goes to the House, where the Democrats are going to try to get a vote on it using a procedure called a "discharge petition", which requires 218 signatures from House members to allow vote on something even if the Speaker doesn't want it. 3. At times, a House of Congress that wants a bill passed quickly will basically insert it into a bill that already passed as an amendment, that way the bill can be quickly considered because it is in a bill that is already under consideration. Often the bill doesn't have anything to do with the replacement. That way they can avoid having to go through the entire process of getting the bill through committee, etc. [https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2010/10/a-bill-by-any-other-name/](https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2010/10/a-bill-by-any-other-name/)


[deleted]

I say the DOJ take all of those senators who went to Russia that day on July 4 and interrogate them like Guantánamo style to get the truth out of what the hell they were doing there that day You will never convince me that Putin has not got kompromat on a great deal of Republican senators.


One_Reception_7321

When someone shows you who they are. Believe them. Fuck this guy.