Communists Nominate Leader to Run for President of Russia

The New York Times ^ | Dec 16 2007 | Reuters

[camerakid400]

MOSCOW (Reuters) — Russia’s Communist Party on Saturday nominated its leader, Gennadi A. Zyuganov, to run for president ahead of elections in March, pitting him against President Vladimir V. Putin’s preferred successor, Dmitri A. Medvedev.

Although Mr. Putin has endorsed a presidential bid by Mr. Medvedev, who is a first deputy prime minister and the Russian leader’s longtime protégé, Mr. Zyuganov said he would have a good chance if no candidate wins an outright majority in the first round of voting.

“I believe we have a good chance in this election, and should this election be more or less fair, a second round of voting is inevitable,” Mr. Zyuganov told reporters at a party congress on Saturday.

The Communists are the largest opposition party in the newly elected State Duma, or lower house of Parliament, but they polled just 12 percent of votes in parliamentary elections on Dec. 2, compared with 64 percent for Mr. Putin’s United Russia party.

[goldstategop]

Anything is possible but right now Dmitry Medvedev looks set to win and he may not even need to enter a second round of voting. Of course, four months is an eternity in politics. But he does have Nicholas Sarkozy's good looks and elan.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[doc1019]

Four months … all sorts of death and mayhem could happen in the interim. Putin’s man will win, any bets?

[goldstategop]

The Communists are a dead party walking. They could muster only 12% in the December 2nd election. Let's be generous and concede them 20%. That's still far short of a popular majority.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[april15Bendovr]

I thought this was another Hillary thread

[max americana]

When there’s a new cold war coming, do we have a Reagan who’ll beat the Russkies senseless for a second time? America has become weak with this pc, liberal, anti-US anvironment I don’t think we’ll be able to muster a 2nd volley.

[doc1019]

Doesn’t negate Putins power.

[the invisib1e hand]

it’s only a game, folks.

[goldstategop]

Communism has been discredited in Russia. Truthfully, there are more Marxists here than in all of Moscow.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[tired1]

Zyuganov is a total lunatic, seriously! the fact that he has any serious following is frightening. (but then if I look around at some of our populist buffoons it becomes a bit more understandable)

[tired1]

“there are more Marxists here than in all of Moscow”

very true!

[goldstategop]

He's not as buffonish as Vladimir Zhironovsky. The Communists' main support is a dwindling electorate of elderly pensioners who remember the Soviet Era. There are fewer and fewer of them around with each passing year.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[tired1]

Vladimir Zhironovsky.....

forgot about him.

[samtheman]

We’ve got six communists and three socialists running for President of the United States, so what’s the big deal?

[mkjessup]

The Communists couldn't win even if they managed to prop up this guy and make him wave to the crowds:

[Thunder90]

All of the commies have been told to vote for Putin’s hand picked successor, the only reason that the KPRF is running a candidate is to make the Russian “Democracy” look legitimate.