Quote:
Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
3. The dumbass comment to Putin about "engaging in Iraq-style democracy" (even Putin couldn't help cracking a wry smile at our "leader's" overt stupidity on the world stage over that one).
|
Saw that one on the news and I started laughing even before I heard Vlad's reply. Actually, I think Putin handled it pretty well. A bit of humor never hurts.
Who ever is advising Bush on Russia needs to come up to speed quickly. Past administrations are use to an economically enfeebled Russia that they could influnence with aid. But with oil and natural gas getting more pricey, suddenly Russia "has hand". Pressure from the outside isn't likely to change the way things are being done.
Also, I think Putin looks to China and sees the road not taken....and a better road in his mind. That country is totalitarian...but orderly, yet capitalistic and profitable. Which is the exact opposite of Russia following perestroika. Democratic, but disorderly and impoverished. Clearly he is trying to emulate China, at least in part.
HOWEVER, while I agree that the above are all
PR blunders, I do think that Bush is doing well in one area: North Korea. The admins take on the situation has never changed much and with each, new squirrly move that Kim Jong Il makes, it seems to justify the position. I mean in the last week, you've had South Korea tell off the north, and Japan say that they would consider a first strike against NK missle sites. Japan is hardly what one would consider as a bellicose state, so when they make statements like that, it just confirms in my mind that the admin is handling NK correctly....keep him at arms length and treat him like a wacko. Seems other countries concur.