President Biden’s halting, a-day-late-and-dollar-short approach to rebuking Russia is infuriating. Half-measures in the economic realm can’t repel a full-scale military invasion. But it is even more infuriating when we remember how often on the campaign trail, Biden posed as John Wayne, just the right steely eyed tough guy who could stare down Vladimir Putin in any showdown:
Russia undermined our democracy by interfering in the 2016 election. That's a fact. We need a President who will stand up to the Kremlin, push back against Putin, and take immediate steps to ensure the security of our elections.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 25, 2019
Once again, Putin and the Russians are interfering in the elections and trying to pick our president — this time they're coming after me.
Chip in $5 to send the message to Putin that the American people decide elections, not him: https://t.co/6ehaYAjgxA pic.twitter.com/o1GTKnizUY
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 23, 2019
Vladimir Putin doesn’t want me to be President. He doesn’t want me to be our nominee. If you’re wondering why — it’s because I’m the only person in this field who’s ever gone toe-to-toe with him.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) February 21, 2020
Time and time again, President Trump has refused to stand up to Putin. His silence on the poisoning of Mr. Navalny is just the latest example.
As president, I'll do what Trump won't: hold the Putin regime accountable for its crimes. https://t.co/z11YyV6lq0
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 3, 2020
As Politico puts it this morning, “Putin was playing Biden all along.”