Putin "warmly" congratulates Bush on his victory

Gateway to Russia ^ | Nov. 5, 2004 | ITAR-TASS

[FairOpinion]

A telephone conversation was held today between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President George Bush.

The Kremlin press service said Putin warmly congratulated Bush on his re-election as president of the USA. During the conversation both sides expressed confidence that the considerable potential of Russian-US cooperation would be fully realized through joint efforts in the forthcoming period.

The heads of state discussed plans for bilateral contacts at various levels, including the summit level.

[Senator Goldwater]

Why doesn't Pootie-Poo warmly tell us where the hell he moved all those weapon compounds to in Syria?

[GratianGasparri]

Bush needs to check to make sure he still has his watch after shaking hands with Putin or Chirac. Only difference between the two is that Putin will appear more agreeable with Bush while working against him.

Having studied international politics, you need to understand this in context. Bush's relationship with Putin is the opposite of that with Blair. Whereas Bush and Blair are close political allies, their friendship is for the most part political. They have similar goals and beliefs in terms of foreign policy, which often carries them through when their personal relationship becomes rather testy. On the other hand, despite sharp policy differences, Bush and Putin are close personal friends. They share a similar style in that each speaks candidly and bluntly, each is decisive when it comes to exerting leadership, and neither will allow themself to be bullied. This has led to a mutual respect and close friendship between the two that transcends their political differences.

[Delta 21]

"The bombing begins in five minutes", BUMP.

[FairOpinion]

How do you know he didn't tell us?

A lot goes on behind the scenes.

I was speculating -- and it may not be as far fetched, as it sounds originally -- that the Russians took at least some of the WMD, to keep them out of the hands of terrorists. But since they contributed to Saddam acquiring them in the first place, we didn't want to publicize it.

We turned an enemy into a friend.

Bush has done that with Pakistan, Russia, even Libya -- it's the carrot and the stick, that Bush knows how to apply. And since he demonstrated, that he is a man of his word, he gets results.

[eagle11]

We need Russia as an ally, even if Putin is a tyrant. Better to have a friend across the Bering Strait and on the Black and Caspian Seas. If Bush stays strong and firm, as we know he will, Putin will behave. Chirac is on his way out, thanks to Saddam's corruption of the embargo.

[FairOpinion]

Astute observation, well said!

[Seattle Conservative]

I felt sorry for poor Laura when Jacques le Creep kissed her hand. I'm sure she wanted to go wipe it off and/or pour disinfectant all over it. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww

[FairOpinion]

Putin is not a tyrant. Notice that people didn't complain about him "streamlining" the power.

In some countries, you have to hold the reign tighter, to accomplish things.

Just remember how Carter's incessant harping on human rights and pressure on the Shah of Iran encouraged the radical Muslims to start a revolution, which was the beginning of the current worldwide problem of the rise of this extreme brand of Islam and terrorism.

[stopillegalimmigration]

Disagree completely. Bush was set-up by Russia, France, China, and Germany. They were violating sanctions and wanted them to end once and for all, and though they gave global appearance that they were against invasion of Iraq, it is what they wanted from the very beginning. Russia supplied much of the most convincing evidence to US that Iraq had WMD and that they had imminent plans to strike US and France agreed to support 1441 prior to setting Powell up and backstabbing him when time came to move. Putin is old KGB guy and is not to be trusted.

[Senator Goldwater]

I hope you are right.

It would take a man of Bush's caliber to wave off such positive PR for a greater good for the country.

[FairOpinion]

This is not PR, Bush and Putin have an understanding.

Russia has been helping us significantly in the War on Terror.

[demkicker]

Putin has ended freedom of the press and stifled freedom of speech in Russia. He used the Beslan massacre to accrue even more political power. When we needed his help in Iraq, he sided with France and Germany for similar reasons to theirs. He'd had under the table deals with Saddam Hussein. What does he want from us now??

Very well said. Putin is a kiss-up back stabber who wants to appear that he values the U.S. as an ally. Putin is classic KGB, but what you see is what you get.... no surprise, really.

Chirac is an asshole back stabber who would rather smoke a peace pipe and cooperate with Al Quaeda than help the U.S. fight terrorism. Everytime Chirac appears to befriend the United States, America needs to watch its back. No country breaks promises and handshake deals without payback. France and Chriac haven't begun to pay.

[eagle11]

Great point. And true, Russians are more like Americans, practical, distrusting of "intelligensia" elites and generally proud of who they are. Russia will turn to autocratic rule, regardless of who's in the White House.

[ImpeachandRemove]

"We need Russia as an ally, even if Putin is a tyrant"

Russia did pretty well under the czars. In the runup to WWI they had the fastest growing economy in the world, and were a shining light of western culture (just think of the pre-commie writers, composers, ballet masters:)

I do not care if Putin centralizes authority to a degree. So long as there is general freedom for religion, political dissent, and entrepeneurship, Russia could regain much of the position it had under the czars even if Putin is authoritarian.

[eagle11]

Yes, we have a powerful coalition of nations that understand the gravity of the terrorist threat. I suspect the Frogo-Krauto-Espanico alliance learns that appeasement only invites extortion (as Spain should have learned), they will change their tune. And, predictably, they'll come crying us.

[The G Man]

"Keep your friends close. Your enemies, closer."

- Don Vito Corleone

[Norman Bates]

How does France take pride in that guy? I guess at 35% approval rating most probably don't.

His credibility is totally gone. Though, now that I think of it, was credibility ever credible in European politics?

[eagle11]

HaaHaaaHaHaaaaHaaHaaaHa......well, the Vladmeister will come around soon. But he'll want something in return. I hope it's not the Aleutian Islands.

[MarshallDillon]

I think Bush and Putin together can reshape the world.

Putin is very antidemocratic.

[Norman Bates]

What do you suggest we do to Chirac and France?