And Now, the Comedy Stylings of Putin and Bush

Washington Post ^ | Thursday, November 15, 2001 | Dana Milbank

[Dubya_gal]

Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Bush were at Crawford High School this morning, discussing their three days of meetings together. Bush said the two leaders would take questions from the students.

"No math questions," an uncharacteristically impish Putin interjected.

"Good idea," Bush replied, then recalled an old campaign line. "Particularly no fuzzy math questions." The reason for the aversion to mathematics soon became apparent.

[Gracey]

But Bush is not Clinton. Bush from day one treated Russia as if it were still a super power.

Wonderful essay, and probably pretty close to the truth. Bush has the knack to be "other" centered and have the concern of the USA and the world uppermost in his mind. (Clinton only cares about his own ego fulfillment)

I'd say that his relationship with Russia and Putin was strongly influenced by Dr. Condoleezza Rice. She deserves many Kudos. She's the Russian expert in this administration.

[freethinkingman]

Yea, interesting to see composts take on it... listen closely for any mistakes and then highlight them...

I also agree that OPEC should be worried on this, it is no secret that Russia can produce more oil than Suadi Arabia if they modernize their efforts, I am sure Dubya will offer to send in some Texas Wildcatters to get things started....

[KeepTheEdge]

Russia's intact and very real ability to launch nuclear weapons makes it a SuperPower still. It has nothing to do with money, they have the capability, (as we do), to destroy the World many times over with nuclear weapon capability, just because they told you on the news that Russia is no longer a 'superpower', don't buy into the spin.

[sweetliberty]

The appearance at the high school in Crawford by Presidents Bush and Putin was not only history in the making but nothing short of pure delight. Every time I see our president and first lady and their gracious, down-to-earth manner of handling every situation, I feel so proud and thank God once again that we have people who are authentic in every way representing our country, instead of the self-serving, corrupt and phony caricatures we were subjected to for 8 long years.

For those of you who missed it, there was an excellent thread earlier as the event was unfolding with some great pictures as well.

Bush/Putin Love Fest

[RightWhale]

Bush from day one treated Russia as if it were still a super power

It's a good analysis. Russia is still a superpower and will recover its economic stability. The future is bright for both countries if they can act as allies rather than treating the world as a contest.

[kcat]

I want to make a comment just to keep this thread going. I happened to turn on the tv when the Presidents were at the high school and, as a child of the cold war, it was absolutely surreal. The Presidents of Russia and of the United States of America, dressed casually, "talking" with junior high and high school students in a gymnasium in Texas.

If these guys don't truly like each other then they have me fooled. They are both really funny.

One of my favorite things that President Bush said was that we need to make sure this relationship between Russia and the U.S. lasts AFTER they are no longer leaders. President Bush is a good man.

[crazykatz]

Yes, he is a devout Orthodox Christian.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Putin is much more of a capitalist than Gore. He is probably more religious, too. He has a strong connection with a crucifix his mother gave him. She also risked a lot by baptizing him as a child.

[RobFromGa]

nice essay Tator. I agree. Bush is the real deal. Let's pump both Siberia and ANWR. (and let the MidEast rot for a while).

[sweetliberty]

This statement really got the DUh'ers in a snit...of course they are in a perpetual snit.

DUh'ers In A Snit

[demkicker]

By GEORGE, I think you've got it!

Your analysis is dead on. Liberals who have underestimated G.W. and his winning strategy will be scraping egg off of their faces for years to come. The most enjoyable daily pleasure is knowing they will never stop crying buckets of chads over the Bush presidency.

[JMJ333]

bttt :)

Vlad is lookin kinda handsome in those casuals! heh

[secret garden]

Not to be nit-picky, but he said 'Trust the Lord', not follow the Lord.
A noticeable difference.

[ProudGOP]

Putin reacted at first with a bit of scepticism. Then he realised that for the United States to continue to treat Russia as if it were still a super power, Russia had best become our friend.

Before Bush's first trip to Europe, the press (both ours and theirs) was ready to crucify him. He had just killed Kyoto and they were trying to hang the stupid label on him. Also, for good measure, they were going to paint him as an isolationist and out of his league when it came to foreign policy.

When Bush traveled to Russia, Putin made it a point to compliment Bush on his intelligence and grasp of the issues. He also made it a point to criticize the previous administration because they wouldn't listen to Russia. Putin also made some overatures concerning missile defense and said he and Bush could work out an agreement. In effect, Putin rebutted all of the criticism of Bush and I think he did it deliberately and intentionally.

When Putin came to Bush's defense after the treatment Bush got from the other G7 leaders, I knew then that the relationship between Russia and the US had changed.

[ikurrina]

I am, I confess, not quite ready to accept Putin as a "devout Christian."

You don't get to be head of the KGB by being anything other than an extremely manipulative, cruel and ruthless person. Has the Communist lost his spots? Recent policies in Russia, cracking down on anyone presenting a dissenting view to the government are strongly remininiscent of the way the former regime treated its dissidents, and indicate that he has not.

Of course, any American President has to deal with Russia as an international power. We also need Russian support in our fight against terrorism (and may need its oil if Saudi Arabia is de-stabilized). So I have no criticism of Bush wining and dining Putin.

But "trust" Putin? I think not, folks.

[McGavin999]

It was the most enjoyable "press" conference I've ever watched. The kids were great and there was even a couple of Russian foreign exchange students there. It was facinating to watch Putin and Bush interact.

There's no way they will agree on everything, but they'll get along and find a way to work together. The future looks a lot brighter now. Hope Putin invites Bush to see the White Nights in St. Petersburg, I hear that they're fabulous.

[wimpycat]

But "trust" Putin? I think not, folks.

I know what you're saying. I think they mean "trust" in the sense of how much you can trust the President of the largest part of the former Soviet Union, who used to be KGB, and formerly our most formidable foe. As much as you can trust someone like that, I think Bush trusts Putin.

[A Citizen Reporter]

"While in Texas I would bet you Putin and Bush are talking real crude. Crude oil that is. OPEC is in for a surprise."

Excellent....and on target!

"But Russia, the main target of Opec's stand, refused to budge on Thursday night. Mikhail Kasyanov, the Russian prime minister, said during a visit to Spain that his country would not agree to any significant extra reduction in oil exports because it would jeopardise its policy of fair oil prices and steady supplies to Europe.
"We are not going to at any time reduce production on a big scale; it's impossible," Mr Kasyanov said."

From the Financial Times

[america76]

Just caught the end of it from the point Putin answered the russian girl. He tried to seem amicable but came off as cold and shifty as ever. He's got the face of a killer. I wonder how many Russian peasants he stabbed, shot or tortured to death in his old KGB days. By the general look of his face, quite a few I imagine.