this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2023
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135
Insight: Conservative think tank emerges as force behind DeSantis campaign (www.reuters.com)
submitted 1 year ago by girlfreddy@lemmy.ca to c/news@lemmy.world
23 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Senior Heritage officials had advocated for months in conversations with DeSantis' team that he oppose policies that could move the U.S. toward direct confrontation with Russia, the people said.

While officials at Heritage have been in contact with almost every 2024 Republican presidential campaign, including that of former President Donald Trump, the think tank's proximity to DeSantis is unique, eight people involved in the discussions said.

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[–] protist@mander.xyz 47 points 1 year ago (3 children)

The Heritage Foundation's Wikipedia page reads like they're responsible for all the absolute worst political decisions of the last 50 years. Here's just one example:

The Heritage Foundation supported the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. According to a 2004 study in the journal International Security, the Heritage Foundation confused public debate by challenging widespread opposition to the Iraq War by international relations scholars and experts by contradicting them "with experts of apparently equal authority...this undermined the possibility that any criticisms [of the war] might be seen as authoritative or have much persuasive effect." The organization defended the Bush administration's Guantanamo Bay practices.

[–] ChicoSuave@lemmy.world 46 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's funded by billionaires like the Kochs, Mercers, and Waltons to make America a theocratic oligarchy. The Heritage foundation is one of the original quiet, evil "think tank" that generates conservative talking points. Ever wonder why conservatives all share the same talking points? It's coordinated by the Heritage Foundation.

[–] GreenMario@lemm.ee 22 points 1 year ago

Heritage is always code word for white supremacy too when you think about it. Confederate "heritage not hate" bullshit too.

[–] onionbaggage@lemmynsfw.com 2 points 1 year ago

Well yeah. They're Republicans.

[–] Beetschnapps@lemmy.world 31 points 1 year ago (3 children)

It’s weird how the GOP went from singing “bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran.” a la The Beach Boys, to plainly saying “No matter what, I side with Putin”…. All in what like an 8 year time span?

[–] KevonLooney@lemm.ee 21 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

The answer is money. It's hard to invest in Iran but easier in Russia. Both are right wing governments, but Russia is more open to outside money.

I bet people at the Heritage Foundation have bought Russian bonds on the cheap or have business contacts there. It's that simple.

[–] Changetheview@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

Without a doubt, money is the answer. I think for many policy makers, it’s as simple as taking in campaign contributions (money or more creative help. See 2016 Trump campaign DNC hacking for a well-known example). A simple little $10k investment is probably enough to payoff most of these schmucks, but Russian oligarchs are willing to drop big dough because the return is worth it.

And for others, it’s access to Russian projects AND access to Russian capital.

These fucking sellouts would rather hop in bed with the enemy than lose out on a potentially lucrative deal. And these are often people with so much wealth already, they will quite literally never be able to spend it. Greedy, selfish assholes that are addicted to watching their personal charts and numbers rise - even as their country and geopolitical stability crumbles due to their actions. They’re mentally ill and have zero regard for the life of others.

[–] GreenMario@lemm.ee 14 points 1 year ago

They see Russia as the perfect model to be. 2 classes: the elite and the peasants that know their place. Heavy Christian control. Illegal to be gay or trans. The elite can do whatever they want whenever they want and the peasantry has to suck it up. No one's investigating them. No court is gonna hold them accountable. All you gotta do is kiss the ring of the Top Guy so he doesnt have you thrown out a window or make special Tea.

If I was a rich Republican I too would want to be like a Russian Oligarch.

[–] Buelldozer 1 points 1 year ago

“No matter what, I side with Putin”….

To echo the words of our current President "C'mon man...". If what you said was true then the overwhelming majority of Republican politicians wouldn't keep voting to send Ukraine more weapons and more money.

[–] cedarmesa@lemmy.world 14 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

💀

[–] girlfreddy@lemmy.ca 13 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Conservative think tank is one of the most notable oxymorons in use today.

They should call them GOP meddling sessions instead.

[–] _wintermute@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

You poke fun but this is where the real evil happens. This is the powerful elite coming together to manipulate the fuck out of reality, because, yes, they're that rich.

[–] Hylactor@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 year ago

Scheme hatching tank? Mustache twirling tank? Hunched skulking tank? Atrocity enthusiasts tank?

[–] Carvex@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago

"Ok guys, how can we continue to keep all the power and the money?"

"The usual way, keep the poor fighting to survive from all angles."

"Good job guys!" eats baby

[–] motorheadkusanagi@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Can we stop saying think tank, as though these dummies actually think..?

[–] ikapoz@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You have to admit it’s a bit catchier than “Room of Blowhards Making Shit Up for Useful Idiots”

[–] motorheadkusanagi@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Maybe daft raft would roll off the tongue more easily

[–] ikapoz@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago

A “Cluster of Fucks”, maybe?

[–] justdoit@lemm.ee 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

We should really have another name other than “think tank” because I’m not convinced there’s a lot of thinking going on here.

Suggestions?

[–] Changetheview@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Propaganda generator

[–] RobertOwnageJunior@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Dummy Trabant.

[–] Buelldozer 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Not to defend Heritage but I'd like to see some evidence of the claim that "Senior Heritage officials had advocated for months in conversations with DeSantis’ team that he oppose policies that could move the U.S. toward direct confrontation with Russia."

I went over to Heritage's website and everything I found is almost direct conflict with what these anonymous "people familiar with the discussions" are saying. They've been advocating that the US assist Ukraine in their conflict with Russia from the beginning.

They pushed for Washington to engage better with NATO regarding Ukraine and deterrence after the War started in 2022 and then again in 2023.

There's a whole bunch of other reports, articles, and interviews about Ukraine over there and I can't find a single one where Heritage is calling for the US to stop helping or pushing politicians to withdraw support for Ukraine.

I'm open to the idea that they are saying one thing publicly and doing something different in private but there needs to be evidence besides "Trust me bro..." I've had all of that I can stomach over the past 6 years.