[BigJohn043]

My point is that Biden talking about foreign aid (either Ukraine, Israel or other) isn't likely to build support for it.  Generally, every day Americans think those dollars should be spent at home...

While it may be true that trying to convince the public that any particular policy is "good" and "necessary" by talking about it may fail, not talking about it surely will. It would be reasonable to say that if a policy is not popular and the public cannot be convinced to go along with it different means needs to be adopted to accomplish the necessary goal. Unfortunately it is almost always true these "different means" have serious problems of their own. Iran contra comes to mind :-). They also seldom work. The "heavy lift" of changing public opinion is sometimes a necessary part of leadership.

Foreign aid has never been popular.  We do it because smart and well informed people on both sides of the aisle realize that it is way cheaper and more effective than the alternatives.  It is also small enough that the general public doesn't really care.

Biden doesn't need to give speeches on Ukraine.  He needs to convince some of the more responsible Rs that it is the right thing to do.  Better yet, convince Trump.  Speeches won't do that.

[BigJohn043]

My point is that Biden talking about foreign aid (either Ukraine, Israel or other) isn't likely to build support for it.  Generally, every day Americans think those dollars should be spent at home...

While it may be true that trying to convince the public that any particular policy is "good" and "necessary" by talking about it may fail, not talking about it surely will. It would be reasonable to say that if a policy is not popular and the public cannot be convinced to go along with it different means needs to be adopted to accomplish the necessary goal. Unfortunately it is almost always true these "different means" have serious problems of their own. Iran contra comes to mind :-). They also seldom work. The "heavy lift" of changing public opinion is sometimes a necessary part of leadership.

Foreign aid has never been popular.  We do it because smart and well informed people on both sides of the aisle realize that it is way cheaper and more effective than the alternatives.  It is also small enough that the general public doesn't really care.

Biden doesn't need to give speeches on Ukraine.  He needs to convince some of the more responsible Rs that it is the right thing to do.  Better yet, convince Trump.  Speeches won't do that.