{"id":2345120,"date":"2024-09-24T05:21:02","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T09:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/zelenskys-pennsylvania-visit-seen-by-some-republicans-as-bid-to-boost-democrats-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-09-24T05:23:22","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T09:23:22","slug":"zelenskys-pennsylvania-visit-seen-by-some-republicans-as-bid-to-boost-democrats-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/zelenskys-pennsylvania-visit-seen-by-some-republicans-as-bid-to-boost-democrats-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Zelensky\u2019s Pennsylvania visit seen by some Republicans as bid to boost Democrats &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fzelenskys-pennsylvania-visit-seen-by-some-republicans-as-bid-to-boost-democrats-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2345120&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited a Pennsylvania ammunition factory over the weekend, aiming to thank American workers for their contributions to Ukraine&#8217;s \u2062defense against Russia. However, some Republican lawmakers have criticized his visit, suggesting it may be an \u2064attempt to rally Democratic support\u200d in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-live-bernie-sanders-holds-rally-in-wisconsin-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"WATCH LIVE: Bernie Sanders holds rally in Wisconsin - Washington Examiner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-falsely-blamed-trump-in-2020-campaign-for-whitmer-kidnapping-plot-jury-aquits-2-hung-on-2\/\" title=\"Biden Falsely Blamed Trump in 2020 Campaign for Whitmer Kidnapping &#039;Plot&#039;; Jury Aquits 2, Hung on 2\">crucial swing state<\/a> ahead<\/a> of upcoming elections. House Republican Conference Chairwoman\u200c Elise Stefanik \u200baccused Zelensky of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dem-gov-accused-of-misusing-taxpayer-funds-to-fight-sexual-assault-claim\/\" title=\"Dem Gov Accused of Misusing Taxpayer Funds to Fight Sexual Assault Claim\">misusing taxpayer funds<\/a> and using\u2064 military\u200d resources for political purposes, while Senator Kevin Cramer\u200b raised\u2063 concerns\u200d about the choice\u200b of location for the visit, given its \u2063ties to President\u200b Biden&#8217;s \u2063hometown. The \u200dfactory produces significant military supplies for Ukraine, and the \u200bvisit included \u2062Democratic leaders like Pennsylvania \u2064Governor Josh Shapiro\u200d and Senator Bob Casey, who is facing a tough\u2062 reelection \u200dcampaign. Zelensky&#8217;s trip coincided with recent aid \u200bapprovals for Ukraine, \u200cemphasizing\u200b America&#8217;s \u2064role in supporting democratic values.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Zelensky&rsquo;s Pennsylvania visit seen by some Republicans as bid to boost Democrats<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1727102\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3162266\/ukrainian-president-zelensky-visit-pennsylvania-ammunition-factory-thank-workers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"visited over the weekend\">weekend visit to<\/a> a Pennsylvania factory making key ammunition in its fight against Russia is promoting some Republican lawmakers to accuse the foreign leader of campaigning for Democrats in a battleground state.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Zelenksy visited the factory to thank American munitions workers as part of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3162634\/zelensky-arrives-in-the-u-s-says-biden-will-get-first-full-look-at-his-victory-plan-for-ukraine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"broader U.S. trip\">broader U.S. trip<\/a> that will include Washington, D.C., later in the week, but some in the GOP told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> they saw a more sinister motive to stump for Democrats in the crucial swing state just weeks before the elections.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;When it comes to Pennsylvania, President Trump is going to win the state,&rdquo; House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) said. &ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s an abuse of taxpayer funds and trying to support Democrat candidates and using military aircraft to do so.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-SD) questioned why Zelensky visited the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in particular, as it is located in President Joe Biden&rsquo;s hometown. The factory is one of the few in the country supplying Ukraine with massive 155 mm artillery shells for long guns that can strike targets up to 15-20 miles.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;And Jay Powell just happened to lower interest rates 50 basis points, it just happened to be before the election,&rdquo; Cramer said. &ldquo;Perception is part of the formula when it comes to governing and politics and geopolitics.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Among those who accompanied Zelensky to the plant were Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) and Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA). In addition to a tight race for president in the Keystone State, Casey is locked in a competitive reelection fight against GOP rival Dave McCormick.<\/p>\n<p>Congress approved another $60 billion in assistance for Ukraine earlier this year as part of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mitch-mcconnell-leads-delegation-of-gop-senators-to-ukraine\/\" title=\"Mitch McConnell Leads Delegation of GOP Senators to Ukraine\">foreign aid package<\/a>. Pennsylvania, including the factory visited by Zelensky, has been a top recipient of prior Ukraine military funding to manufacture weapons and supplies.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It is in places like this where you can truly feel that the democratic world can prevail,&rdquo; Zelensky tweeted. &ldquo;Thanks to people like these &mdash; in Ukraine, in America, and in all partner countries &mdash; who work tirelessly to ensure that life is protected.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In this photo provided by the U.S. Army, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, listens to Rich Hansen, the commander&rsquo;s representative for the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, while observing metal being cut down to billets as part of the projectile cartridge case production process at the ammunition plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (Sgt. 1st Class Curt Loter\/U.S. Army via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), former chairman of the hard-line House Freedom Caucus whose district is roughly two hours from Scranton, suggested the wartime president&rsquo;s time would be better spent &ldquo;in Ukraine making sure he can be victorious against the Russians.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) said in a post of his own that Zelensky was &ldquo;openly campaigning for Democrats in battleground Pennsylvania.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>But some conservatives rejected the notion that salacious political intentions were afoot.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), who&rsquo;s vying to be the next Senate GOP leader and opposed Ukraine aid earlier this year, saw no connection to the November elections.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The way I look at is, he&rsquo;s just thanking people for &mdash; he needs a lot of ammunition,&rdquo; Scott said.<\/p>\n<p>Zelensky is set to speak at the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Tuesday before traveling to Washington, D.C., to meet with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1727102\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1727102\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky&#8217;s recent trip to a Pennsylvania ammunition factory has led some Republican lawmakers to claim that he is attempting to support Democratic candidates in a key swing state. During his visit, Zelensky expressed gratitude to American workers involved in munitions production as part of a larger U.S. tour that will include Washington, D.C., later this week. However, certain GOP members told the Washington Examiner that they perceive his actions as politically motivated, especially with elections approaching. House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) criticized the visit as an inappropriate use of taxpayer resources aimed at aiding Democrats. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-SD) raised concerns about the choice of location for Zelensky&#8217;s visit\u2014the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant\u2014pointing out its connection to President Joe Biden\u2019s hometown and suggesting it was strategically chosen for political reasons.<\/p>\n<p>Zelensky was accompanied by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Senator Bob Casey during his factory tour. The state is currently facing a competitive presidential race and Casey is also engaged in a tough reelection battle against Republican Dave McCormick. Earlier this year, Congress approved an additional $60 billion in aid for Ukraine as part of foreign assistance efforts, with Pennsylvania being one of the primary beneficiaries of military funding for weapon manufacturing.<\/p>\n<p>In response to criticism, some conservatives dismissed claims of political motives behind Zelensky&#8217;s visit. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), who previously opposed aid to Ukraine but is now seeking leadership within the Senate GOP, suggested that Zelensky was simply expressing gratitude for support rather than campaigning politically.<\/p>\n<p>Zelensky plans to address the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Tuesday before heading to Washington D.C., where he will meet with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris later in the week<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3409,"featured_media":2345121,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/republicans-accuse-zelenskyy-campaigning-democrats.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[3685,41574,3756,8630],"class_list":["post-2345120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-democrats","tag-pennsylvania-visit","tag-republicans","tag-zelensky"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/republicans-accuse-zelenskyy-campaigning-democrats.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2345120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3409"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2345120"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2345120\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2345121"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2345120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2345120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2345120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}