I was disappointed in your and Tim's cynical take (during Friday podcast) on Republicans using the war to bludgeon Biden if "Russia wins". First, Russia will never win. I'm sure you watched that incredibly inspiring speech/interview with the captured Russian soldier that you posted. He understands it as well as you should. This conflict will never be over until Ukraine is restored as an independent nation. Any Republicans declaring Russian victory will merely prove themselves to be traitorous, pro-Putin trash.

Also, if the unthinkable happens and Zelensky is killed, it would not spell the end of Ukraine any more than Lincoln's assassination spelled the end of the United States. It would inarguably be a dark day for the world, but liberal democracies are built on laws - not men. Ukraine will live on.

And lastly, I feel like this is a case where a significant number of Republicans are actually operating in good faith. Biden has a blank check to do whatever is necessary sanctions-wise to secure a victory here. Whatever happens in the midterms, this seems like a good opportunity to build a coalition of serious adults that could later be leveraged to fend off the Trump clowns and the childish shenanigans that they have planned for the next term.