No Cold War as Biden and Putin Meet – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - June 20, 2021

Sunday, June 20, 2021

Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™

 

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President Joe Biden

The long-awaited summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin took place to much fanfare in Switzerland this week. The scheduled five-hour meeting only went two, but there was a lot to discuss. Let’s “brunch” on that and the other political news of the week!

 

“So, How’d it Go?”—Both men agreed it’s always best to meet face-to-face. Biden was rather tepid about whether it was a success. “Are we closer to a major strategic stability talks and progress? That's going to be the test. I am not sitting here saying because the President and I agreed we would do these things that all of a sudden it's going to work. I'm not saying that. What I am saying is that I think there's a genuine prospect to significantly improve the relations between the two countries, without giving up anything on principles and values."

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“The Russians Aren’t Coming!” – President Putin was equally as measured saying, “The talks were quite constructive. I think there was no hostility. Quite the contrary. I think that both of these sides showed a willingness to understand one another and to find ways to bring our positions closer together.”

 

“The Tit for Tat” – There were some tense moments, such as when Biden said Russian entities were behind the recent Columbia Pipeline hack and ransomware payments. Biden said, “I looked at [Putin] and I said, well, how would you feel if ransomware took on the pipeline from your oil fields? This is not about just our self-interest; it’s about our mutual self-interest.” Putin still denied any Russian involvement, though U.S. intelligence sources tell us otherwise. If nothing else, Russia was put directly on notice.

 

“If He Won’t Bring it Up, I Will!” – Some of the best exchanges came from the press corps. ABC News Reporter Rachel Scott bluntly asked Putin, “The list of your political opponents who are dead, imprisoned or jailed is long, .and you have now prevented anyone who supports [Alexey Navalny] to run for office. So, my question is, Mr. President: what are you so afraid of?” Putin offered some meandering answer chastising the United State for all its mass shootings, the George Floyd murder and even the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. "As for who is killing whom and throwing whom in jail, people came to the US Congress with political demands," Putin said. "They face prison sentences of up to 20, maybe even 25 years." Reporter Scott simply responded, “Sir, you didn’t answer my question!” Apples v. oranges comparison? Me thinks, yes! Quite a stretch by the Russian leader, though not a surprise.

 

“Infrastructure Wars” - I’ve written about it for weeks, but the various infrastructure bills in Washington range from President Biden’s $2.3 trillion dollar plan, to Senate Republicans' nearly $1 trillion dollar plan. Now comes a bipartisan bill at $579 billion that spends no money on environmental issues. That drew a quick rebuke. “If they want a bipartisan infrastructure package to have the unified support of the Democratic caucus, those of us who insist on there being serious climate measures at long, long last are going to need specific assurances about how that gets done,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D) Rhode Island. These bills keep hitting speed bumps. Stay tuned.

 

“For the People Act: Dead or Alive?” – The election reform bill known as the “For the People Act of 2021” is on life support. Forty-nine Democrats in the U.S Senate support it, with only Sen. Joe Manchin (D) West Virginia opposed. I know, this is a recurring theme. Manchin has now issued a list of changes he proposes, that could get him to support the bill. He wants a minimum standard for early voting that would apply to all states, a ban on gerrymandering the lines in Congressional districts, and he wants Election Day made a national holiday to increase voter turnout.

 

“The Pushback” – The concern about a uniform early voting law is a mixed bag. Supporters would like to see two weeks mandated on all states. Opponents say each state should make its own rules. But it’s not a deal-breaker. The ban on gerrymandering is hard to enforce, since the party in power in each state legislature is unlikely to give up power. It cuts the same way for both parties. Making Election Day a national holiday would likely boost voter turnout, but Congress just made Juneteenth Day a national holiday this week, with the main opposition based, not on merit, but on the cost. Manchin also supports a Voter ID law that would not require a photo ID, but a utility bill would be proof enough. Even if Manchin joins his 49 fellow Democrats, they’d still need 10 Republicans to be able to block a filibuster. It isn’t going to happen. This bill is DOA.

 

Do you support or oppose the “For the People Act?” Tell us your reasons why by adding a comment below. We welcome all points of view, but let’s have a civil discourse!

Meanwhile, happy Father’s Day to my fellow dads out there!!!

 

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Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations serving West Virginia, its five neighboring states, and all of the Washington, DC media market. He is a MINDSETTER™ Political Columnist for www.GoLocal.Prov.com and all of its affiliates.

 

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