Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-25

[mongers]

Probably one for the Americans and me reading too much into things - but "say thank you" feels like Rubio is mimicking Vance, no?

In the race to the bottom* they'll make use of any tool to hand, no mater who first owned it. If trump starts spouting clear racist/genocidal rhetoric, then these two will be in a cut-throat fight to parrot it.



*of trump's arse.

[Sheilbh]

Oh no doubt.

I was wondering more if it was reflecting power dynamics (given Trump's age) within the administration. Vance already feels like an unusually prominent VP - but having the Secretary of State copy the positioning of the VP seems odd.

[Valmy]

Is there such a thing as a Republican normie anymore?

I am just going by the polling on the Ukraine issue specifically.

I am sure if this keeps going and the right wing media gets its propaganda arm rolling they will be painting Z on everything eventually.

[Admiral Yi]

Your idea that European countries should base critical national security decisions on poll numbers is bizarre.

Polls are a proxy for votes.  All decisions in democracies, including critical national security decisions, are based on votes.

[Sheilbh]

Polls are a proxy for votes.  All decisions in democracies, including critical national security decisions, are based on votes.

Polls are indicators. The job of politicians is to lead, argue, convince and shape public opinion.

[grumbler]

Sure I guess working toward swiftly establishing a world where Eurasia allies with Oceania against East Asia would make Trump's actions make some sense, but I challenge you to point me to just one instance where Trump clearly did such long-term and "visionary" thinking.

Personal pet peeves and a mad emperor going on a rampage are still far more convincing arguments for me.

Agree.  This is a Trump-Putin and Trump/Zelensky thing, not a US/Russia thing.

[Admiral Yi]

Polls are indicators. The job of politicians is to lead, argue, convince and shape public opinion.

Sometimes they succeed, and sometimes they fail.

[The Brain]

Your idea that European countries should base critical national security decisions on poll numbers is bizarre.

Polls are a proxy for votes.  All decisions in democracies, including critical national security decisions, are based on votes.

Not all politicians are incompetent.

[Admiral Yi]

Not all politicians are incompetent.

Which creates a range of theoretical possibilities, but doesn't change expectations.

[Sheilbh]

Sometimes they succeed, and sometimes they fail.

They all fail eventually And sometimes, as in recent years, they don't even try.

[crazy canuck]

Your idea that European countries should base critical national security decisions on poll numbers is bizarre.

Polls are a proxy for votes.  All decisions in democracies, including critical national security decisions, are based on votes.

Critical national security decisions are based on votes?  You are reading different public policy and history books than me.

[mongers]

Your idea that European countries should base critical national security decisions on poll numbers is bizarre.

Polls are a proxy for votes.  All decisions in democracies, including critical national security decisions, are based on votes.

Critical national security decisions are based on votes?  You are reading different public policy and history books than me.

Do you not remember Churchill's stateman-like poll put to the British people on the 17th May 1940, "BEF - Should They Stay Or Should They Go?"

[crazy canuck]

Your idea that European countries should base critical national security decisions on poll numbers is bizarre.

Polls are a proxy for votes.  All decisions in democracies, including critical national security decisions, are based on votes.

Critical national security decisions are based on votes?  You are reading different public policy and history books than me.

Do you not remember Churchill's stateman-like poll put to the British people on the 17th May 1940, "BEF - Should They Stay Or Should They Go?"

Yeah, I completely forgot about that one.  And also the extensive polling (read voting) over the issue of whether Britain would fight on the beaches etc. and never surrender.

Not to mention the quick overnight polling done which informed JFK on what to do with the Cuban missile crisis.  Kids these days just don't know about this stuff.

[Admiral Yi]

Do you not remember Churchill's stateman-like poll put to the British people on the 17th May 1940, "BEF - Should They Stay Or Should They Go?"

US decision to enter WWI, US decision to extend Lend Lease, US decision to withdraw from Vietnam. 

[HVC]

Chamberlain's pussyfooting probably falls in there too.

It doesn't happen all the time, and when it does it doesn't mean it's right, but polls do dictate policy at times.

So it's not a totally out of left field statement.