McConnell says intimidating America’s adversaries should be ‘front and center’ for next president

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell rejected isolation in his own ranks, saying Thursday that the challenge of deterring America’s adversaries should be “front and center” for the next president, as he advocated maintaining a strong military and military. support allies, especially in war-torn Ukraine.

Speaking to a home-state crowd in Kentucky, McConnell invoked Ronald Reagan’s “peace through strength” mantra as he spoke strongly about foreign policy risks and how the United States should respond.

“What is the big challenge ahead?” he said. “You could argue that it’s a situation that could be more challenging than World War II. You’ve got an axis of evil — North Korea, China, Russia, Iran and Iranian proxies — all talking to each other. What do they have in common? They’re all authoritarian governments. They hate democracy. And they compete with all democratic countries around the world.

According to him, the American response should include the projection of a united front with allies and a solid defense, which he called the best deterrent against adversaries.

“I am convinced that we can prevent the next war by doing a better job of preparing for it,” he said.

The senator said those challenges should be a priority for the next occupant of the Oval Office.

“Regardless of who wins the presidential election, and obviously I have a preference, … this issue needs to be front and center,” McConnell said. “And this is not charity. This is not charity. This is in our own interests, because the democratic world needs a leader, and there is no substitute for American leadership.

McConnell is backing Republican Donald Trump’s bid to return to the White House. His endorsement of Trump several months ago was a significant reversal after he criticized him as “morally responsible” for the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.

But the two men differ on the US role in the world, reflecting a fundamental struggle among Republicans over whether to follow Trump’s “America First” doctrine in foreign affairs or the internationalist vision of standing firm with America’s allies.

McConnell did not mention Trump or Democratic challenger Kamala Harris by name when he spoke at the Kentucky Farm Bureau’s country ham breakfast — a late-summer tradition that attracts leaders in politics, business and education.

McConnell said in a brief interview after his speech that if Trump focuses on inflation and immigration, he will win in November.

McConnell, the consummate political strategist, focused his speech on politics, especially foreign policy. The Kentuckian championed legislation that eventually won congressional approval to send weapons and other aid to Ukraine to counter Russian aggression.

Pushing Republican opposition to the aid, he said most of the money would be spent in the United States “as we retool our industrial base for the big challenges ahead and send old weapons to Ukraine.”

“The Russians have to fail because it’s much bigger than the border between Ukraine and Russia,” McConnell said. “These are brave people fighting for their independence from one of our biggest opponents in the world. Why on earth wouldn’t we want to help them? This is a big problem going forward.”

McConnell later said voters did not punish GOP lawmakers who supported aid to Ukraine in their primaries.

“I believe Americans understand the importance of supporting Ukraine,” he said in an interview. “And I think we’re going to continue to do that regardless of who gets elected to the White House.”