Posted on 09/23/2009 8:08:50 PM PDT by GOPGuide
It's the Obama administration that has pressed the "reset button" on relations with Russia, scrapped plans for a missile-defense system in Eastern Europe, and toned down the rhetoric on NATO expansion. But it seems Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin still pines for Obama's predecessor. At his annual meeting with academics, think-tankers, and journalists, Putin barely mentioned Obama but "repeatedly expressed fondness for his friend 'George,' " says Cliff Kupchan, a Russia analyst at the Eurasia Group consultancy. "He clearly has a personal softness for George Bush," says Kupchan, who attended the meeting.
Why the nostalgia? After all, Bush put in place the very policies Obama is now trying to unwind, and many analysts say U.S. relations with Russia reached a post-Cold War low during his administration. One reason may be that both men respected raw power, not mealy-mouthed diplomacy. As a leader who thinks in terms of zero-sum games and projected strength, Putin could recognize and appreciate a similar tendency in his American counterpart. To Putin, it seems, the man matters as much as the message.
(Excerpt) Read more at blog.newsweek.com ...
Can obama clear brush? no...
Yes, we can add Putin to the fast-growing list of past and present world leaders who GREATLY miss our 43rd president!!
Exactly the opposite of what Putin sees in Obama.
I want President Bush back.
They're laughing at Obama - and who can blame them? He's a joke.
International chess masters find playing with children to be boring.
I'll bet someone could make a fortune selling 'em if we had 'em!
LOL! That’s GREAT, SoCalPol!
I LOVE it!
I guess Putin misses dealing with a REAL man.
Wait,
If Dubya was constantly getting in Putin’s way for reestablishing Mother Russia (Now with 70% less Communism! All the Capitalism with Half the Oppression!!!), why would Putin miss Dubya?
Maybe it’s a worthy opponent thing.
Nice to see this pic again!! At 1st I thought Luvee posted it this time too, because She had done so awhile back...But then I noticed that this time * pinged us with it.
Thanks for both pic pings:)
Bush fam pics are always a plus column ping!!!! <3
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.