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Nevilledog

(51,186 posts) Fri Apr 19, 2024, 07:03 PM Apr 19

Sargent: Mike Johnson's Shockingly Pro-Ukraine Speech Really Sticks It to MAGA

https://newrepublic.com/article/180808/mike-johnson-pro-ukraine-speech-maga-deep-state-lie

No paywall link
https://archive.li/PzyPB

It was a remarkable moment: After introducing a package of bills that includes military aid to Ukraine, Mike Johnson flatly told reporters on Wednesday that enabling Ukraine to defend itself is in the best interests of America and the world. This surprised a lot of people who had wrongly assumed the House speaker was effectively functioning as a stooge for Vladimir Putin—and Donald Trump—and would thus slow-walk Ukraine aid to death before ever allowing a vote on it.

Johnson’s new stance has attracted a good deal of positive attention. But I want to highlight an aspect of it that’s been overlooked because it’s an important tell about the true state of MAGA ideology and what it’s demanding of Republicans these days.

“I really do believe the intel and the briefings that we’ve gotten,” Johnson said, in a moment that became a mini-speech. “I think that Vladimir Putin would continue to march through Europe if he were allowed. I think he might go to the Balkans next. I think he might have a showdown with Poland, or one of our NATO allies.” If so, he added, we might find ourselves sending troops to defend allies from Putin later.

Did we really hear the speaker say that he believes what our intelligence services have told him about the long-term consequences of cutting off aid to Ukraine?

This is a direct challenge to the MAGA worldview in multiple ways. Johnson is treating Putin as the aggressor in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and acknowledging his broader imperialist designs, which is heresy to some MAGA Republicans. But he’s also flatly declaring that on these matters, the deep state is very much to be believed.

*snip*

13 replies

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Highlight:

Sargent: Mike Johnson's Shockingly Pro-Ukraine Speech Really Sticks It to MAGA (Original Post) Nevilledog Apr 19 OP

I am shocked! What changed him? Cha Apr 19 #1

This is good news for us and Ukraine. The she-thug is probably having tantrums right now. Hekate Apr 19 #2

He DID slow walk this. Look at when the Senate sent over a pro-Ukraine funding bill. Not sure why he said this... dutch777 Apr 19 #3

He must have had some shocking CIA and military intelligence briefings. Irish_Dem Apr 19 #4

Seems likely. When the elected ones won't do the right thing, INTEL can come in with the reasons to shape up Attilatheblond Apr 19 #6

Maybe the Dems said they might support him if things get ugly. Irish_Dem Apr 19 #7

Once you say WTF and you really don't care, no_hypocrisy Apr 19 #5

Maybe, just maybe, he came to realize what a repulsive, selfish jerk Trump is. hay rick Apr 19 #8

Talk's cheap. It's really cheap in this case Warpy Apr 19 #9

Vacations are set at the beginning of the year. former9thward Apr 19 #12

HMmmm, not that I will ever support MagetyMagaMork, but HMmmm UTUSN Apr 19 #10

The bar is so low superpatriotman Apr 19 #11

Perhaps he's sick of MTG's shit. Like Jared Moskowitz, he's not going to let her type of crazy infect the House. TheBlackAdder Apr 19 #13

Cha

(297,574 posts)

1. I am shocked! What changed him?

Reply to Nevilledog (Original post)

Fri Apr 19, 2024, 07:09 PM

Apr 19

MJ wnet to MAL to talk toTSF and thought he was on board with him & Putin.

How did this happen? Thankfully!

TY

Hekate

(90,779 posts)

2. This is good news for us and Ukraine. The she-thug is probably having tantrums right now.

Reply to Nevilledog (Original post)

Fri Apr 19, 2024, 07:12 PM

Apr 19

Awaiting developments — is this the moment MTG’s stranglehold on the House slips a bit? Or will L’il Pervy be tossed out on his keister?

If Johnson manages to help Dems get meaningful aid to Ukraine, Dems in turn could help him keep his position as Speaker.

dutch777

(3,035 posts)

3. He DID slow walk this. Look at when the Senate sent over a pro-Ukraine funding bill. Not sure why he said this...

Reply to Nevilledog (Original post)

Fri Apr 19, 2024, 07:15 PM

Apr 19

...and it's fine but he is WAY late.

Irish_Dem

(47,339 posts)

4. He must have had some shocking CIA and military intelligence briefings.

Reply to Nevilledog (Original post)

Fri Apr 19, 2024, 07:17 PM

Apr 19

Reality finally got through his thick head.

Attilatheblond

(2,197 posts)

6. Seems likely. When the elected ones won't do the right thing, INTEL can come in with the reasons to shape up

Reply to Irish_Dem (Reply #4)

Fri Apr 19, 2024, 07:58 PM

Apr 19

And Johnson's trip to Mar A Lago might have shown him just how nucking futs TSF really is. Johnson's sense of self preservation might have kicked in.

Irish_Dem

(47,339 posts)

7. Maybe the Dems said they might support him if things get ugly.

Reply to Attilatheblond (Reply #6)

Fri Apr 19, 2024, 08:04 PM

Apr 19

And Marge goes crazy.

IF he gets the Ukraine bill passed.

And yes he sees how insane Trump is.
And Trump is sinking like a stone with his trial.

Maybe Johnson doesn't care about Ukraine but he cares about his own survival.

ETA: I also think that Johnson looked green around the gills when he left that WH meeting
a couple of weeks ago. I don't know what was said, but he looked like he had been
hit and hit hard.

no_hypocrisy

(46,170 posts)

5. Once you say WTF and you really don't care,

Reply to Nevilledog (Original post)

Fri Apr 19, 2024, 07:29 PM

Apr 19

it’s easy to go rogue.

hay rick

(7,638 posts)

8. Maybe, just maybe, he came to realize what a repulsive, selfish jerk Trump is.

Reply to Nevilledog (Original post)

Fri Apr 19, 2024, 10:07 PM

Apr 19

A little up close and personal at Mar-a-Lago might have removed the film from his eyes.

Warpy

(111,332 posts)

9. Talk's cheap. It's really cheap in this case

Reply to Nevilledog (Original post)

Fri Apr 19, 2024, 10:25 PM

Apr 19

He's separated funding for 3 separate countries instead of having them in the Senate omnibus bill. That means that even if all 3 pass in the House, as they are expected to if there is a vote, they will have to be sent to the Senate, so they can fart around and then send them back to the House with their changes, which the House will object to, and they will bounce back and forth for months, given Johnson's strategy of calling for vacations every few days.

I can't believe the New Republic fell for this one.

former9thward

(32,069 posts)

12. Vacations are set at the beginning of the year.

Reply to Warpy (Reply #9)

Fri Apr 19, 2024, 10:42 PM

Apr 19

By agreement of the Speaker and the Senate Majority Leader. They are not scheduled on the fly and both sides agree to them. Your main point about bouncing back and forth is a good one.

https://rollcall.com/app/uploads/2023/11/2024CQRCCongressionalCalendar112723.pdf