To the hammer, everything looks like a nail. If you are a conspiracy-theorizing MSNBC anchor, everything is going to look like the Russia Hoax. Case in point, Chris Hayes’ weird Russia Hoax tie-in towards the end of his rant on the GOP’s insistence that border security reforms be a part of any aid package to Ukraine.
Watch the unhingement towards the end of his rant. Lest you feel inclined to empathize with those of us who watch this nonsense, I remind you, as did Hyman Roth to Michael Corleone: this is the business we’ve chosen:
CHRIS HAYES: As of right now, there’s no deal in sight because House Republicans want to start their holiday recess on Friday. It is that time of year. Today, President Biden made it clear what he thinks of the Republicans' attitude.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Russian loyalists in Moscow celebrated when Republicans voted to block Ukraine aid last week. The host of a Kremlin-run show literally said, and I quote, “well done, Republicans. That's good for us.”
If you are being celebrated by Russian propagandists, it might be time to rethink what you are doing.
HAYES: Now, Vladimir Putin already enacted the most audacious criminal election sabotage in recent memory back in 2016, famously. When he looks at his prospects in the war in Ukraine and American politics, it is obvious that it is in his best interest to do whatever he can to help elect Republicans again. The guys who will assist his goals by cutting off aid to Ukraine, forcing it into some settlement under conditions of surrender. Just think about the message that’s being sent by Republicans right now about what Vladimir Putin should do in the 2024 elections.
Hayes, who towards the end of the segment appears to perform what I am reliably told is a white supremacy, takes the easy way out by manufacturing a conspiracy out of whole cloth. On that planet, American national security is a boon to Vladimir Putin.
There is no visualization of the possibility of doing both things- of walking and chewing gum. Or, in this case, of Biden coming to the table on immigration. There is only a bad-faith argument built upon debunked conspiracy theories disguised as “news analysis”.
Click “expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned segment as aired on MSNBC’s All In With Chris Hayes on Tuesday, December 13th, 2023:
CHRIS HAYES: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Washington today to make a direct and personal appeal for additional military aid, as Russia's invasion of its country enters its third year.
PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY (UKR): Ukraine is gradually becoming less dependent on aid. We are moving in the right, I think, in the right direction and I want to discuss with the president how to strengthen it -- especially enhancing our air defense and ability to destroy Russia's logistics. Our goals for ‘24 are clear. Take away Russia’s superiority and disrupt the offensive operations.
HAYES: Congressional Republicans, especially those in the House, have signaled they don't want to keep supporting Ukraine and its war against Russia. Ahead of Zelenskyy's visit, Florida congressman, Matt Gaetz, one of the MAGA Republicans leading the charge against additional aid put it plainly, quote, “America has sent enough money to Ukraine.” On the Senate side, Punchbowl News reports, quote, “Senate Republicans indicated they don't even really want to hear from Zelenskyy.” That's because Republicans have decided that if they are going to keep sending aid to Ukraine, they're going to charge Democrats a price for it. Specifically, they want a complete transformation of the policy around the U.S.-Mexico border to fit Donald Trump's desires.
SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON: What the Biden administration seems to be asking for is billions of additional dollars with no appropriate oversight, no clear strategy to win, and none of the answers that I think the American people are owed. I've also made very clear, from day one, that our first condition on any national security supplemental spending package is about our own security first.
HAYES: As of right now, there’s no deal in sight because House Republicans want to start their holiday recess on Friday. It is that time of year. Today, President Biden made it clear what he thinks of the Republicans' attitude.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Russian loyalists in Moscow celebrated when Republicans voted to block Ukraine aid last week. The host of a Kremlin-run show literally said, and I quote, “well done, Republicans. That's good for us.”
If you are being celebrated by Russian propagandists, it might be time to rethink what you are doing.
HAYES: Now, Vladimir Putin already enacted the most audacious criminal election sabotage in recent memory back in 2016, famously. When he looks at his prospects in the war in Ukraine and American politics, it is obvious that it is in his best interest to do whatever he can to help elect Republicans again. The guys who will assist his goals by cutting off aid to Ukraine, forcing it into some settlement under conditions of surrender. Just think about the message that’s being sent by Republicans right now about what Vladimir Putin should do in the 2024 elections.
