Former Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole says the U.S. should send weapons, including tanks, to Ukraine to help it resist Russia's moves on its territory and to send Russian President Vladimir Putin a strong message.
The 90-year-old Republican Party icon and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader said Putin considers Democratic President Barack Obama to be a weak leader.
Dole said that he'd not only send tanks and other weapons to Ukraine but put a missile defense system in Poland.
Dole made his comments during a reception at the local GOP headquarters in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, the first of 10 homecoming appearances in his native state over the next three days. He discussed Ukraine at the prompting of Kansas Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.
In an extensive interview with The Wichita Eagle, Dole also was critical of the president's signature healthcare law.
"Obamacare on the roll-out was a disaster,” he told The Eagle. “They say they got 7 million signed up. Well, I don’t believe them, that they have 7 million. It was such a mess, I don’t believe what they say anymore.”
Dole is not planning on any speeches during his tour of the state. “I just want to shake hands, share a few stories. Answer any questions. I want to thank all the people who supported me for 30 years," he said.
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