Pence says some ‘just don’t understand’ why we must endlessly support Ukraine
Hudson Crozier
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Former Vice President Mike Pence remains committed to doling out military aid for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion if he wins the presidency in 2024. He isn’t very good at explaining why voters should agree with him.
The Associated Press interviewed Pence about the “call for limited military assistance to Ukraine” from former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), his top GOP rivals. “With all due respect,” he said, “I think the former president and the governor of Florida just don’t understand Americans’ national interest in supporting the Ukrainian military in repelling the Russian military in Ukraine.”
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Pence is right, in a sense. Many citizens do not understand why they should be comfortable with a plan that has no clearly articulated boundaries.
So far, our military has drained its stockpiles to dangerously low levels for an overseas country. Officials have long admitted that they cannot fully keep track of where the supplies go, including whether the right people get hold of weapons and ammunition. The government falls short of strict oversight requirements in federal law because it cannot keep up.
Leaders have also shoveled over tens of billions of tax dollars toward the cause. We are told to cross our fingers and hope the notoriously corrupt Ukrainian government won’t misuse them. There is currently no remedy for the defense industry’s ruthless price gouges forcing the Pentagon, and taxpayers, to overpay for supplies.
These and other circumstances are convincing more and more voters, mostly Republicans, that the U.S. should cut back the aid. The public wants to know the limits of President Joe Biden’s “unwavering support.” But all that Pence has had to offer on the campaign trail is interventionist rhetoric about standing for “freedom’s cause” abroad.
In this week’s interview, Pence tried to prove that Russia’s invasion is an imminent threat to America because “China is watching.” But involvement in the war did not stop China from growing closer to Russia economically and diplomatically in order to curb American influence. For all we know, it could have inspired the move. Pence has not explained why it is not sufficient for America to focus on countering Chinese aggression directly instead of spreading itself thin.
Pence is aware of the skepticism he faces. “I think we need to stand firm, stand strong,” he said. “I’m going to do that, while others may be giving way to a more populist sentiment.” If he intends to convince them why that sentiment is misguided, he will need more than tone-deaf remarks that fail to address their concerns. Citizens are not shortsighted for wondering what exactly is in this for their country.
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Hudson Crozier is a summer 2023 Washington Examiner fellow.