White House: What Crimea Referendum?

Wants congress to pass aid package to Ukraine, says Kiev has its full support
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 16, 2014 12:22 PM CDT
White House: What Crimea Referendum?
In this Sunday, May 19, 2013, photo White House senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer appears on CBS's "Face the Nation."   (AP Photo/CBS, Chris Usher)

As a tense Crimea votes today, the White House is already turning its back on the outcome, with senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer telling NBC that "the United States is not going to recognize the results of that referendum," or any new borders, and that the US will be "supporting the new Ukrainian government in whatever way possible." Pfeiffer prodded Congress, notes Politico, saying, "We’re calling on them right now to pass economic aid to Ukraine." Sen. Chris Murphy seemed to think Pfeiffer would get his wish, telling ABC that "as soon as we get to Washington, you'll see the Senate and the House pass an economic aid package, including sanctions." Such a move, likely tomorrow, he says "sends a strong message to Putin." Mike Rogers, meanwhile, was skeptical of Russia's claim that Moscow and Washington had agreed to seek resolution, saying, "we've seen this movie before." Elsewhere on your Sunday dial, as per Politico:

  • Karl Rove on the fate of the Senate in this election: "It’s highly likely that Republicans pick up the majority." As for candidates like Todd Akin, "we've got to avoid situations like that," but the GOP is sporting a much improved "cast of characters."
  • And Robert Gibbs: "There’s a real, real danger that the Democrats could suffer big losses," including one key body: "If we lose the Senate, turn out the lights. The party’s over."
  • Reince Priebus on ObamaCare: It's "complete poison," and the "main target" for Republicans in coming elections.
(More Robert Gibbs stories.)

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