The LA Times is reporting that the chairman of the Russian international affairs committee of the State Duma, Alexey Pushkov, is reacting somewhat negatively to Mitt Romneys statement that Russia is America’s primary geopolitical foe:
“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.
I know you’re probably as shocked as I am to hear that the Russians would rather work with an “easy partner” like Obama and don’t relish the idea of a renewed and strengthened America on the World Stage led by Mitt Romney. Their concern stems from a CNN interview wherein Romney 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.”
The LA Times article goes on to state that Pushkov believes the “reset” in U.S.-Russia relations that Obama has portrayed as a signature foreign policy accomplishment “is stuck, basically. It needs another reset.” In addition, while the U.S. and Russia are at odds on issues such as Syria and missile defense, Obama would be “acceptable” as a partner for Russia in a second term, Pushkov said.
Does that concern you as much as it does me? The Russians see Obama as an acceptable partner, even though his signature foreign policy accomplishment is stuck and needs a reset (AKA it’s broken). And if elected, they claim, Romney will be like Bush, and would likely cause a full scale crisis. And the Russians are willing to say this, publicly, during our election cycle.
Seriously. Why not be a little more obvious and just go full-blown wailing histrionic: “Obama will bring world peace! Romney will bring world war! Vote for Obama, it’s the American thing to do!” -Signed, Your BFFs, The Russians
I respect the office of President of the United States. But the Russians don’t and I truly believe that Barack Obama doesn’t either. It is the only explanation for his inexplicable behavior as a bumbling, spineless, naive, jester in the international community who either doesn’t understand his responsibility to the World, to Democracy and Freedom, to American Citizens and to our Allies, or he deliberately chooses to ignore that responsibility.
The Russians know Romney won’t.