By Anna Kayser
Some Iowa Republicans say President Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin is a step toward a better relationship between the Unites States and Russia.
“He’s been very clear that he would like to have better relations with Russia, and who wouldn’t want to have better relations with Russia,” Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said. “So he’s going to try to move toward that, like George W. Bush did in his presidency and Obama did in his presidency.”
Former President George W. Bush invited Putin to his ranch in 2001 in an attempt to improve relations with Russia, and former President Obama sent Hillary Clinton to Russia to hit what they called a reset button on foreign relations.
On Feb. 5, Bill O’Reilly of Fox News interviewed Trump. O’Reilly called Putin a killer, and Trump replied, “There are a lot of killers. We’ve got a lot of killers. What do you think? Our country’s so innocent?”
Wes Gade, the chairman of the Bremer County Republican Central Committee, agreed with Grassley in saying Trump is just trying to do what other presidents have done.
“I think he’s just trying, knowing he’s going to have to work with Russia, to give them a chance in the beginning,” Gade said.
Gade also noted that he thinks Trump is just trying to stay in a neutral field, but his language will change if Russia keeps invading countries and doing potentially harmful things.
Adair County Democratic Central Committee head Art Allen doesn’t understand Trump’s intentions.
“Why does he value Putin so much? I’m just left speechless a lot. I think it could be dangerous,” Allen said. “I mean, I grew up during the Cold War, and Putin is a former KGB director.”
Allen said he doesn’t see much positive potential in the relationship between Trump and Putin.
Scott Adkins, the Republican Central Committee head in Black Hawk County, did not comment on Trump’s statements.
Some Republicans in the Senate have been quick to distance themselves from Trump’s comments, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. John McCain.
“What you heard in that quote was a commitment to explore the possibility of starting anew and looking for common cause with Russia and with President Putin,” Vice President Mike Pence said in an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
Trump wants to improve relations with Russia in an attempt to have its aid in the fight against ISIS as well as managing the country of Iran.
“I say it’s better to get along with Russia than not, and if Russia helps us in the fight against ISIS, which is a major fight, and Islamic terrorism all over the world, major fight, that’s a good thing,” Trump said during his interview with O’Reilly.
