Senior Heritage officials had advocated for months in conversations with DeSantis’ team that he oppose policies that could move the U.S. toward direct confrontation with Russia, the people said.
While officials at Heritage have been in contact with almost every 2024 Republican presidential campaign, including that of former President Donald Trump, the think tank’s proximity to DeSantis is unique, eight people involved in the discussions said.
It’s weird how the GOP went from singing “bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran.” a la The Beach Boys, to plainly saying “No matter what, I side with Putin”…. All in what like an 8 year time span?
The answer is money. It’s hard to invest in Iran but easier in Russia. Both are right wing governments, but Russia is more open to outside money.
I bet people at the Heritage Foundation have bought Russian bonds on the cheap or have business contacts there. It’s that simple.
Without a doubt, money is the answer. I think for many policy makers, it’s as simple as taking in campaign contributions (money or more creative help. See 2016 Trump campaign DNC hacking for a well-known example). A simple little $10k investment is probably enough to payoff most of these schmucks, but Russian oligarchs are willing to drop big dough because the return is worth it.
And for others, it’s access to Russian projects AND access to Russian capital.
These fucking sellouts would rather hop in bed with the enemy than lose out on a potentially lucrative deal. And these are often people with so much wealth already, they will quite literally never be able to spend it. Greedy, selfish assholes that are addicted to watching their personal charts and numbers rise - even as their country and geopolitical stability crumbles due to their actions. They’re mentally ill and have zero regard for the life of others.
They see Russia as the perfect model to be. 2 classes: the elite and the peasants that know their place. Heavy Christian control. Illegal to be gay or trans. The elite can do whatever they want whenever they want and the peasantry has to suck it up. No one’s investigating them. No court is gonna hold them accountable. All you gotta do is kiss the ring of the Top Guy so he doesnt have you thrown out a window or make special Tea.
If I was a rich Republican I too would want to be like a Russian Oligarch.