Recently, Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) attracted an avalanche of criticism when he proclaimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — fighting off a Russian invasion of his country at the time of the North Carolina Congressman’s comments — is a “thug.” Now, the North Carolina publication known as the Winston-Salem Journal has joined the fray against Cawthorn, putting the over-confident Congressman on blast for basically supporting the Putin regime’s argument about the supposed war-justifying corruption of Ukraine’s politics. Cawthorn added at the time of his original remarks that the “Ukrainian government is incredibly corrupt and is incredibly evil and has been pushing woke ideologies” — which is just meaningless nonsense propping up Russian propaganda. The Journal commented as follows:
‘Zelenskyy’s not running. He’s not blathering. With all odds against him, he’s fighting. This is a David and Goliath story — and Cawthorn thinks Goliath got a bad rap… Cawthorn’s comments might easily be written off as part of a misunderstood, nuanced evaluation of the situation if not for the degree of aid and comfort being offered Putin by other conservatives — including Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity, who last week promoted Russian disinformation about U.S.-funded bioweapons labs in Ukraine. And if not for Sen. Marco Rubio slipping up earlier in the week by live-broadcasting information that could have compromised Zelenskyy’s safety. And if not for the repeated praise offered the Russian dictator by former President Trump.’
Believe them when they tell you what they think. https://t.co/V9DjCv0MGl
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) March 10, 2022
Cawthorn, the paper subsequently noted, is barely even earning his Congressional paycheck. As the Journal outlined it in their March 12 article:
‘Last week was noteworthy in Washington for some meaningful and beneficial legislation passed in bipartisan fashion by serious lawmakers who are working hard for the American people. They include a bill to modernize and strengthen the U.S. Postal Service and a $1.5 trillion spending bill that will avert a government shutdown and provide much-needed aid for Ukraine. Cawthorn has contributed nothing to that work. The communities in our state’s 11th Congressional District have their share of problems, including the opioid crisis that has affected every other segment of society, underfunded educational resources and the challenge of drawing economic opportunities to help them thrive. They would do better to elect a representative who addresses those issues rather than one who repeats Russian talking points and distracts them with culture wars.’
It’s amazing when you think about it: Trump is obsessed with this idea of manliness, and he is the most soft coddled person I’ve met. Not kidding.
BUT This has to drive him crazy: Vladimir Zelensky at 5’7” is three times the man both he and @CawthornforNC are combined.
— Adam Kinzinger (@AdamKinzinger) March 12, 2022
Cawthorn eventually sort of walked back his controversial original remarks about Zelenskyy — sort of. He complained on Twitter just the other day that the “actions of Putin and Russia are disgusting. But leaders, including Zelensky, should NOT push misinformation on America. I am praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Pray also we are not drawn into conflict based on foreign leaders pushing misinformation.” That’s… not happening in the way Cawthorn implies. To get to the point: Ukrainian leaders have pushed for further outside help on their side, but it’s been based on the reality of devastating conditions on the ground across Ukraine. Meanwhile, individuals like Cawthorn remain in positions of power despite their glaring and foundational incompetence.
Cawthorn told a crowd that the “rumors” of Pelosi having a drinking problem were true, and he knew bc he works with her “every day.” One, she doesn’t drink. Two, how often, apart from during House votes, is he in the same room as her?
— David Weigel (@daveweigel) March 14, 2022
