Democrats Send Letter Urging Ceasefire, Retract It One Day Later
(ConservativeSense.com) – In early June, Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) drafted a letter to President Joe Biden regarding the situation in Ukraine. However, Jayapal’s staff didn’t release the letter until Monday, October 24, when it was met with a firestorm of criticism from more moderate party members and constituents. Less than 24 hours later, the CPC issued a retraction.
Monday’s letter voiced concerns, including conventional and nuclear escalations, the loss of fertilizer and food crops typically shipped to poorer nations around the globe, the rising cost of petrochemical energy sources, global hunger and poverty, massive population displacements, and global conflict. Ultimately CPC members urgently called for the president to push for diplomacy to reach a ceasefire. Criticism was swift and strong.
The way to end a war? Win it quickly.
How is it won quickly? By giving Ukraine the weapons to defeat Russia. https://t.co/EJEwif3VJj
— Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) October 24, 2022
This letter is an olive branch to a war criminal who’s losing his war.
Ukraine is on the march. Congress should be standing firmly behind @JoeBidens effective strategy, including tighter – not weaker! – sanctions. https://t.co/3ymk7gwGM5
— Jake Auchincloss (@JakeAuch) October 25, 2022
Jayapal issued a clarification on behalf of the CPC the same day, pointing out the caucus’ continued support for the Biden administration, military funding to Ukraine, and seizing on the idea that diplomacy was one of many tools. Still, caucus members continued to draw fire for the unfortunate timing of the letter and their seeming lack of support for Ukraine and party unity two weeks before the midterm elections.
Letter urging President Biden to negotiate a ceasefire with russia by "30 liberals" has been withdrawn.
Thank you for making the right choice.
There can be no ceasefire with a terrorist nation. We've tried it before several times, and it has never worked.
— Maria Drutska 🇺🇦 (@maria_drutska) October 25, 2022
On Tuesday, Jayapal issued a retraction, reaffirming the caucus’ support for Ukraine and the Biden administration. She blamed “staff” for releasing the letter, drafted several months before, without review. She didn’t repudiate the call for diplomacy, but modified it to reflect a change in timing — after a Ukrainian victory.
Apple and Pepsi Entrepreneur John Scully once said, “Timing in life is everything.” Perhaps political leaders would agree, whether it’s invading countries, releasing letters, running for office, or negotiating peace.
Copyright 2022, ConservativeSense.com
