Two Presidents fight for Democracy
Bidens fights for Democracy at Home and Abroad. Trump does the opposite.
QUICK READ: The ongoing war in Ukraine, once again, highlights Trump's support for authoritarian regimes, be they in Russia, North Korea, or Brazil, while President Biden has been a vigorous defender of democracy at home or abroad.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
Trump's disdain for democracy is inconvertible. President Biden, by contrast, has always been an ardent defender of the rule of law.
Their diametrically opposed positions are reflected in the Ukrainian conflict. Despite Putin’s efforts to exterminate the Ukrainian nation and is responsible for thousands of civilian deaths, Trump has a long history of cozying up to the Russian dictator.
In the face of intensified attacks from pro-Russian separatists, Trump secretly withheld military assistance for Ukraine, insisting that President Zelensky initiate corruption probes targeting Joe Biden, before releasing new military aid.
Trump repeatedly rebuffed Zelensky’s pleas for a White House visit, further emboldening Putin
Since the Russian invasion. Trump has failed to condemn the Russian leader and, in fact, continues to make Putin-friendly comments.
By contrast, Joe Biden has been an outspoken defender of Ukraine’s democratically elected government. He dramatically increased the flow of arms to Ukraine. He pressured NATO to supply Ukraine with modern weapons, credited with blunting the Russian invasion and turning the tide on the battlefield.
Moreover, Biden has committed military, diplomatic and economic support “for as long as it takes,” including a recent tranche of $800 million in sophisticated weaponry.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I ask that you: Support the Biden administration’s military, economic and diplomatic support for Ukraine. Oppose any effort to pressure the Zelenskyy to negotiate under the present condition. Guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
SEN. WYDEN:
Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I ask that you: Support the Biden administration’s military, economic and diplomatic support for Ukraine. Oppose any effort to pressure the Zelenskyy to negotiate under the present condition. Guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
I ask that you: Support the Biden administration’s military, economic and diplomatic support for Ukraine. Oppose any effort to pressure the Zelenskyy to negotiate under the present condition. Guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Please keep reminding your voters of the Democrats’ accomplishments–I ask that you: Support the Biden administration’s military, economic and diplomatic support for Ukraine. Oppose any effort to pressure the Zelenskyy to negotiate under the present condition. Guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I ask that you: Support the Biden administration’s military, economic and diplomatic support for Ukraine. Oppose any effort to pressure the Zelenskyy to negotiate under the present condition. Guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I ask that you: Support the Biden administration’s military, economic and diplomatic support for Ukraine. Oppose any effort to pressure the Zelenskyy to negotiate under the present condition. Guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I ask that you: Support the Biden administration’s military, economic and diplomatic support for Ukraine. Oppose any effort to pressure the Zelenskyy to negotiate under the present condition. Guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I ask that you: Support the Biden administration’s military, economic and diplomatic support for Ukraine. Oppose any effort to pressure the Zelenskyy to negotiate under the present condition. Guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
ACTION THREE: Good Trouble.
GOOD TROUBLE: Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.”
Fridays at 4 - Letter and Postcard Writing — Indivisible Oregon.
Learn about persuasive language and communication research at the Zoom ASO Movement Briefings every second Wednesday. (DELAYED THIS AUGUST. WATCH THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES.)
Join the campaign to hold the House and Senate at GiveNoGround.org
Work to protect democracy in the House by electing Democrats Val Hoyle in District 4, Jamie McLeod-Skinner in District 5, and Andrea Salinas in Oregon’s new Congressional District 6.
Check out the Poor People's Campaign Readies 'Massive, Nonviolent' Effort to Save Democracy
Outside of Portland? Check out COIN Oregon.
FURTHER READING
Trump's Ukraine impeachment shadows war, risks GOP response | AP News
Biden: War ‘will not end with a Russian defeat of Ukraine in Ukraine’ - POLITICO
4 things to remember about Trump, Ukraine and Putin - CNNPolitics
Ukraine Should Wait on Cease-Fire Talks With Russia. Here’s Why. | Council on Foreign Relations
