Russian official: Romney's hard line could bring 'full-scale crisis'

latimes.com ^ | July 2, 2012 | Paul Richter

[Tailgunner Joe]

MOSCOW -- Mitt Romney’s comment that Russia is America’s “No. 1 geopolitical foe,” a red-meat line for Republicans, is also attracting some attention in Moscow.

Alexey Pushkov, chairman of the international affairs committee of the State Duma, said in a recent interview that Russian leaders have noted Romney’s comments with concern, and are watching with interest as neoconservative and “realist” advisers maneuver for influence within the campaign.

“We don’t think that for us Romney will be an easy partner,” said Pushkov, an ally of President Vladimir Putin. “We think that Romney will be, on the rhetorical side, a replay of the Bush administration.”

He also noted Romney’s statements that the United States should assert its dominance in the 21st century.

“If he is serious about this, I’m afraid he may choose the neocon-type people…In the first year of his presidency, we may have a full-scale crisis,” he said.

Romney, in an interview with CNN in March, called Russia "without question our No. 1 geopolitical foe, they fight for every cause for the world's worst actors. The idea that [Obama] has more flexibility in mind for Russia is very, very troubling indeed."

Pushkov said Russian leaders have noticed that Romney has among his foreign policy advisers several foreign policy figures often described as neoconservatives, such as Robert Kagan. “We don’t find it very positive,” he said.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I guess it’s better we should re-elect the Communist so we can get along.

[RaisingCain]

Dealing with the Russkies as the enemy is the correct point of view. If anyone has read Anatoliy Golitsyn, or Jeff Nyquist, you’d know why. However, will Mitt bow out of the START treaties that aid the Russkies but hurt us? Will he have the military to always be prepared for Russian aggression, and avoid Russkie traps in Syria and other countries?

I think he’ll be too busy reuniting “immigrants” into the U.S. to take the jobs that don’t actually exist.

[Cementjungle]

“We think that Romney will be, on the rhetorical side, a replay of the Bush administration.”

Sounds like their remarks came straight from Obama's campaign HQ.

[beethovenfan]

I’m sure the Russkies would rather have the bowing, scraping, slobbering weakling mulatto.

[Zeppo]

The Russians want a weak and incompetent American president, so of course they want Obama to remain in the White House.

[oldbrowser]

“We don’t think that for us Romney will be an easy partner,”

Hopefully the next president will partner with the American people instead of the islamists and communists who are working against us.

[vpintheak]

Lets see, Russians want a weak and cowardly, bowing, flexible Obama to win. Sound right? I wonder why that is?

[funfan]

As opposed to Mr. Flexible himself Obama.

[NoLibZone]

Why do the libs hate him?

Jimma is senile.

But why do Maddow, Maher, Putin, Baldwin, ZaZa Huffington, Tavis Smiley, Dave Letterman, Pelosi, et all hate Mitt?

[Nifster]

If the commies hate him that’s good enough for me. Guess I need to be thinking about voting for Mittens

[Marine_Uncle]

Can you reach back in time and remember the login name of the guy I believe was either a Naval or Air Force officer married to a Russian babe, you often had to correct in his pleadings that the Russians where but little defenseless little puppies and not full grown nasty brown bears with big teeth and claws, waiting for new ventures in reclaiming their lost empire of Social States?
I'm going back to the 2004/2005 time frame. I remember having distinct arguments against his positions in defense of yours.
I believe he has long left this site. The request is more of a way of waking up my slowly degenerating mind.
And TJ. It has been years since I have interacted with you on this site. So many others have drifted away that we collectively used to share information and opinions with.
Hope you are well. And as I view some of those from my entry days at this site I should give a similar well wish to.

As for the gist of the article. I cannot bring myself to believe Russia really changed in the way so many have proclaimed in recent years, including of course GHB.
I don't trust the Son's of Bitches, as General George S. Patton Jr., might have said. The blood of those tens of millions of poor souls are still fresh. Until all vestiges of the former butchers are gone and a truly democratic westernized nation is set on solid ground.... the bear still can awaken.

[Terry Mross]

The media is telling the republicans to let it go or it will hurt them. Now Putin is saying Romney would not be a good partner. That settles it. I’m with Romney!

[justa-hairyape]

Think he was murdered in his sleep by his hot Russian babe. No, just kidding. The way you deal with the Russians, is the same way they deal with you. When they demand you stop missile defense, it means they are developing lots of their own. In fact, they are now exporting a mobile air defense system that can shoot down missiles automatically, while it is driving at 40 mph on a road. It is operational in Syria supposedly.

At any rate, excluding Russia and China, Obama has been a Neo-Con wet dream. Libya. Egypt. Syria. So many Drone Strikes you cannot keep count of them. Killing Bin Laden. etc. etc..

[Marine_Uncle]

OK JAHA. You must have a swami belt on, whatever. Heheh. Double dittos to your statements. :)

[Sea Parrot]

“Russian official: Romney's hard line could bring ‘full-scale crisis’”

Really, as in crisis for whom?

[justa-hairyape]

Nice seeing around here again. Keep an eye on Iran. Obama was dragging his feet on that one, but things will be coming to a head this week. The Iranian Parliament is voting on a resolution to partially blockade the Straits of Hormuz. And Obama needs a big time wag the dog event to make everyone forget he just corrupted the Supreme Court for a cheesy political victory.

[justa-hairyape]

should be - seeing YOU around here

[Marine_Uncle]

For the past two years plus I have become rather transparent at this site. I have logged in for endless hours, but for the most part keep my thoughts to myself other then quickies to good old Ernie on AGW things. And prayer requests by a lot of very decent people in need. A Roger that on the Iranian deal. I'm with you on the Iranian deal. Could escalate into something no one wants to see happen for the most part. The Russians must be really ripping down the "Mig Jet Fuel" at this point.
For the record. I still get images of all that black crude belching out of the "broken pipe" on the sea bed. You did well in championing that particular incident. Sleep well, the sun will be coming up on the east coast soon. I had better consider sleep. :)

[LibLieSlayer]

Too bad ivan... we are not the nation of pu$$ies that the present administration in DC would indicate. We can be friends ivan... we are natural allies... but if you think you can win Cold War II... you are insane and doomed to total defeat. FU ivan... I hid from you under a desk when I was a child... these days... my knees only bend for JESUS and the FATHER.

LLS