On the recordMarch 21, 2018
I have had the privilege of being involved in a number of international organizations representing the United States. We are defined by our love, appreciation for democracy, and for selling that around the world. The call that was made by the Commander in Chief yesterday to Vladimir Putin, whose election was a failure, at best, was an insult to our principles and our values. This is the leader of a country alleged to have used poison gas on ally soil in London, trying to kill two individuals; had the interaction in Ukraine with the bringing down of the plane; and incarcerating many people in Russia because of their views. I think this is a poor statement for a country that promotes democracy. The world looks to us and seeks to be, in many instances, like America. They value our concern for human rights and our value of democracy. They wait for us to stand up against despots like Vladimir Putin, yet the President of the United States gives him a jolly congratulations for an election that was not an election. ____________________
