Oct. 25, 2022: Inside the Democratic divisions on Ukraine
\u201cFor some of Ukraine\u2019s most ardent backers, even talking about diplomacy amounts to appeasement,\u201d Gideon Rachman, the chief foreign affairs columnist for the Financial Times, noted last week.\nThirty House Democrats led by Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Pramila Jayapal learned this lesson the hard way on Monday, after they sent President Joe Biden what they believed was a nuanced and carefully worded letter endorsing direct diplomacy with Russia to end the war in Ukraine.\xa0\nThey condemned Russia\u2019s \u201coutrageous and illegal invasion of Ukraine,\u201d reiterated their support for \u201ca free and independent Ukraine,\u201d and they were clear that American \u201cmilitary and economic support\u201d should continue. Unlike House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy, they did not hint at voting against future aid packages.\nBut their use of the D word precipitated a torrent of criticism \u2014 mostly from fellow Democrats \u2014 that had some of them backtracking within hours. (In one notable example, former CPC co-chair MARK POCAN told a constituent the missive was written amid different circumstances in July, adding, \u201cI have no idea why it went out now. Bad timing.\u201d)\nSubscribe to the POLITICO Playbook newsletter\nRaghu Manavalan is the Host of POLITICO's Playbook Daily Briefing.Jenny Ament is the Executive Producer of POLITICO Audio.