January 1, Dems Worry Zelensky Handed GOP a Major Talking Point

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to Congressmembers and highlighted President Joe Biden’s role in helping his country amid the ongoing Russian invasion, making some Democrats worry that he handed the GOP a major talking point.

Zelensky gave a virtual speech to lawmakers last week, switching to English in the final moments of his remarks to directly address Biden.

“You are the leader of the nation, of your great nation. I wish you to be the leader of the world. Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace.”

Democrats say that Republicans have called Biden a weak leader for months, and Zelensky’s words could become part of the narrative come midterm elections.

“I think it’s a very real possibility,” an unnamed Democratic strategist said.

“I know we keep saying we’re doing everything we can, but clearly there’s a lot more we could be doing, and I’m not just talking about sending in troops.”

“You could easily see Republicans making hay out of it.”

John Feehery, a Republican strategist, said Zelensky’s comments dovetail with the GOP’s characterization.

“I think there will be a lot of Republicans who ask for the White House to be more forceful based on Zelensky’s comments,” Feehery said.

“The president hasn’t been very forceful and throughout this whole thing he had decent intelligence and they didn’t do anything about it. He said we’re going to do sanctions and they kind of sucked. Everything is underwhelming.” 

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Democrats worry Zelensky offered GOP key talking point