…Just as Pelosi invoked her career on the Senate Intelligence Committee in lieu of actual evidence about Russian funding of protesters, Murphy seems to believe that living abroad for several years equates to understanding the nuances of geopolitics in a way that the masses simply cannot.
Yes, how convinced they are in the notion that the masses don’t understand the broader picture. But lazy theories pointing to the usual “bad” suspects are simply not the same as understanding the complexities of a widening regional war. It is hawkishness disguised as faux nuance. If you want the war, say it.
Some Democrats seem to want it both ways, framing discussions of a horrific war mostly as an election issue. Criticism is unhelpful because to these voters, keeping Donald Trump out of the White House is the paramount issue. But unhelpful to whom? Who could look at “hell” in Gaza and not think beyond 2024?
Shortly after Pelosi’s remarks, some warned that they could end up hurting Joe Biden’s reelection campaign. That might very well be true; many are indeed disgusted with this administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war. But instincts to judge Pelosi’s comments through the lens of winning elections misses not seeing them for what they plainly are: a politician saying a protest against war isn’t legitimate—and that the federal government should use law enforcement to intimidate its critics.