For once, McConnell on right side of history

Many are the times when our senior senator, Mitch McConnell, has been on the wrong side of history, with the leading example being his support of Donald Trump. But today, as Russia continues pursuing war with Ukraine, Senator McConnell made his choice – to stand with President Biden, against Vladimir Putin, and on the right side of history.

McConnell had earlier released a statement on the Ukraine invasion, saying “the world is watching. Our allies, our adversaries, and neutral countries will all judge the West by our response – and plan their futures accordingly”

McConnell was in Louisville to visit Freedom House, a residential drug treatment facility for women that is run by Volunteers of America. While there, he answered questions from reporters.

He said that the U.S. government and its allies should “ratchet up” sanctions as far as possible. “Don’t hold any back. ... Putin is a bad guy. He’s an authoritarian. He yearns for power, and we need to do everything to stop it.”

He also supported sending military aid to Ukraine, and said that President Biden made the right move by sending more U.S. troops to NATO countries near Ukraine. McConnell emphasized that Putin must be shown that he can’t cross into NATO countries.

McConnell did say that he thought Biden’s decision to leave Afghanistan gave Putin the impression that America was pulling back from the world stage, and led indirectly to the current crisis in Ukraine.

But he concluded by saying, “We’re all together at this point, and we need to be together about what should be done.”

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