Posted on 05/06/2005 7:48:08 AM PDT by wagglebee
MIND YOUR OWN DEMOCRACY, SAYS PRESIDENT PUTIN, DEFENDING RUSSIA'S AND CRITICIZING AMERICA'S ELECTORAL COLLEGE SYSTEM, IN AN EXCLUSIVE "60 MINUTES" INTERVIEW SUNDAY ON CBS
A combative Vladimir Putin tells Mike Wallace he should question his own country's democratic ways before looking for problems with Russia's. The Russian president also says the U.S. shouldn't try to export its democracy, as it is trying to do in Iraq, in an exclusive interview to be broadcast on 60 MINUTES Sunday May 8 (7:00-8:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
Wallace gets quite a reaction from Putin by asking him about a recent change the Russian leader made. Says Wallace, "There was a time when the regional governors were elected, correct? And all of the sudden, Putin says, 'No, no, no. I shall appoint the governors.' That's democracy? That's not democracy the way I understand it," says Wallace. "The principle of appointing regional leaders is not a sign of a lack of democracy," Putin retorts. "You're absolutely wrong. For instance, India is called the largest world democracy. But their governors have always been appointed by the central government and nobody disputes that India is not a democracy," says Putin.
The Russian leader then points to what he believes are drawbacks to America's own brand of democracy, including the Electoral College system. "In the United States, you first elect the electors and then they vote for the presidential candidates. In Russia, the president is elected through the direct vote of the whole population. That might be even more democratic," Putin says. "And you have other problems in your elections," he tells Wallace. "Four years ago your presidential election was decided by the court. The judicial system was brought into it. But we're not going to poke our noses into your democratic system because that's up to the American people."
Putin also believes the U.S. democratic system does not travel well and that is precisely why he was against the war in Iraq from the beginning. "Democracy cannot be exported to some other place. [Democracy] must be a product of internal domestic development in a society," says the Russian president.
But pulling out of Iraq is not an option, says Putin. "But if the U.S. were to leave and abandon Iraq without establishing the grounds for a united and sovereign country, that would definitely be a second mistake," he tells Wallace.
If anyone knows how "NOT" to export democracy, its the sovi . . .errr Russians. I guess that does make him an expert, kinda.
Honestly? I dont disagree with what Putin said.
Democracy? Ha! Oh, Putin, you're the one to talk.
Except that part..
Ping
Four years ago your presidential election was decided by the court.
Wrongo, Pooty-poot.
It was attempted, but the effort failed and the presidential election was decided by the electors selected by the voters of the fifty states, as designed.
Well, Putin is wrong in that we are not a democracy but rather, a representative republic - hence the electoral college. Mike Wallace should know this but since Putin is criticizing the USA heaven forbid that Wallace get in his way!
I agree about Putin. Frankly, he scares me and I don't think can be trusted.
I dont think he is being as critical as Mike Wallace or Drudge would want you to think. I am no Pooty fan (sounds wrong), but the media, Drudge included, always want to stir it up..
Putin not only longs for the days of the Soviet Union, he is IMHO actively trying to return to it.
Whereas there is much truth to the idea that change must be desired from within, that is exactly what Putin does not want and is what he is fighting against. He desires an empire that he thinks will give him the personal respect that his ego requires.
STFU Putin, you stupid clown.
That's certainly true about the media and wanting to stir things up and it's possible things are taken out of context. Nevertheless, I don't trust Putin.
(Putin also believes the U.S. democratic system does not travel well and that is precisely why he was against the war in Iraq from the beginning.)
Putin, are you sure it wasn't because of those juicy oil deals with Saddam? The US democratic system does not travel well! That's a great reason to say no to the war! I'm sure Saddam's tyranny worked better because it was home grown!
The "Putin is the greatest leader in the entire history of the world crowd" should be arriving shortly to inform us that we should all be lucky enough to live in Russia under their wonderful system.
Trust but verify, heck I trust him much less that Gorby or that drunk guy..
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