Funny. Russian politicians don’t come to the States for a visit. But American politicians, and make that Republican politicians, go to Russia. Got that asymmetry? Americans (Republicans) visit Russia, but Russians don’t visit the U.S.
For example, Reuters reports that Rand Paul will lead a delegation (putatively all Republicans) to Russia August 6. We learn about these travel plans from the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, not from Rand Paul. This will be the second group of happy Republicans to visit their apparently favorite travel destination. The first group ironically patriotically visited Russia July 4th.
Paul says he thinks we should be keeping communications open between the States and its enemies. But will the Republicans be visiting Iran or North Korea or China anytime soon? Do those countries even have a decent vodka for the Republicans to drink? And are those countries even helping the Republicans to win in the midterms—like the Russians? No and no and no.
What’s next? Will all the Senate and House Republicans plus their families be arranging a group visit? Will there be enough hotel rooms? If they stay the weekend will they get lower fares?