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Subscribe to RSSVladimir Putin overwhelmingly wins a third term presidency amid massive street protests and allegations of fraud. NBC's Jim Maceda reports.
MOSCOW -- Vladimir Putin claimed victory in Russia's presidential election and, tears rolling down his cheeks, said it was a historical turning point that had prevented the country from falling into the hands of enemies trying to usurp power.
His opponents, however, called the vote full of fraud and vowed new protests starting on Monday.
"The social base of the protest is going to grow and Putin with his team did everything wrong to make this happen. He really helped us," said journalist Sergei Parkhomenko, one of the leaders of the opposition protest movement.
"He is forcing things to breaking point. He is declaring war on us. As a result the base of aversion to him is growing."
The former KGB spy was triumphant, and unusually emotional, after exit polls and partial results suggested he would win about 60 percent of the vote and return to the Kremlin after four years as prime minister.
"I promised you we would win. We have won. Glory to Russia," Putin, flanked by outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev, told tens of thousands of flag-waving supporters late in the evening at a victory rally meters from the red walls of the Kremlin. Hundreds of buses that brought them to the capital in a well organized show of force stood by.
It was a defiant and angry speech in which Putin, 59, sounded a clear warning to the mainly middle-class protesters in Moscow and other big cities who have staged huge rallies since a disputed parliamentary poll on Dec. 4.
A teary Vladimir Putin, flanked by President Dmitry Medvedev, addresses supporters at Manezh Square outside the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Sunday.
His nearest rival, Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov, fell short of 20 percent in both exit polls. Zyuganov said his party would not recognize the official results of the election, calling it "illegitimate, dishonest and untransparent."
Putin's swiftly dismissed fraud allegations, which will be repeated at opposition protests starting on Monday.
Official results are not expected from most polling stations until Monday. International observers monitoring the vote have yet to make a statement.
Rock Center Correspondent Harry Smith journeyed to Moscow where he met blogger Alexei Navalny, a vocal opponent of Vladimir Putin.
"We do not consider these elections legitimate," said Vladimir Ryzhkov, a leader of the opposition protesters, who plan a new rally against Putin in Moscow for Monday.
Despite the growing opposition, mainly among well-educated and relatively well-off young professionals in big cities, Putin's support remains high in the provinces and his victory had not been in doubt.
The main challenge for the man credited by many Russians credit with rebuilding the country's image and overseeing an economic boom, was to win outright in the first round.
This he achieved by a clear margin. The exit polls put Zyuganov on target to win about 18 percent, and nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky, ex-parliamentary speaker Sergei Mironov and billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov were all under 10 percent.
Some voters said Putin, who has portrayed himself as a man of action and guardian of stability, was the tough national leader the world's biggest country and energy producer needed.
"I voted for Putin because he was a good president (from 2000-08) and our children were looked after and that's all. That's how I feel," said Maria Fedotova, a 92-year-old grandmother in fur coat and hat, flanked by relatives.
Putin has remained Russia's dominant leader and its most popular politician since stepping aside in 2008 to make way for his ally, Dmitry Medvedev, because he was barred from a third straight term by the constitution.
But some voters are tired of his macho antics, such as horse riding bare-chested, and a system that concentrates power in his hands. They fear he could win another term in six years and rule until 2024 - almost as long as Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.
"They are stealing our votes," said Valentin Gorshun, a patient in Moscow hospital number 19, where more than 90 percent of votes went to United Russia party in December.
"It is probably the same at all hospitals," he said. "I think they are preparing a huge falsification. Emperor Putin has decided everything."
Vote monitors from the opposition and bloggers posted allegations of election rigging across the country of 143 million. Golos, an independent monitoring group, said it had registered at least 3,100 reports of violations nationwide.
An Interior Ministry spokesman denied there had been any major violations. Election officials also dismissed reports of widespread fraud in a parliamentary election on Dec. 4, which triggered the opposition protests.
The opposition protests were sparked by the disputed Dec. 4 election, but anger was focused at Putin, who bungled the Sept. 24 announcement of his presidential bid by appearing simply to inform Russians that he would rule for another six years.
Putin, who will not formally take office until early May, now faces huge economic and political challenges.
"It's a watershed -- Russia faces decline and stagnation unless they really kick-start reforms, and push forward an ambitious reform agenda," said Tim Ash, head of emerging markets research at the Royal Bank of Scotland in London.
More from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- UN: 2,000 refugees flee Syria for Lebanon amid shelling
- Some 200 reportedly killed in Congo blasts
- Christian war graves desecrated in Libya
- Violence turning Arab Spring into winter, church warns
Leave a Comment:
I endorse Putin. He is the man to guide Russia through these difficult times. He is a proven leader.
I believe in the balance of power, with Putin back in the game the U.S. will not be bombing around nations that much, we will need approval from Putin. LOL.
At least we won't invade countries close to Russia as in Syria etc... he is the reason we haven't bombarded Syria like Lybia.
There has to be some checks and balances.
Having people like this actually brings more world peace than having just one country kicking everyones rear.
.
Vladimir Putin won a resounding victory in Russia's presidential election on Sunday
...And the question should be: DO we want Santorum to be our President, and have him do "negotiations" and "conversations" with this man? Putin was the director of the Secret Russian Police, the KGB...He is not your Guy Sunday...And he is NOT opposed to birth control or abortion. He really has his mind occupied with much more important issues, like the Economy.
We would be the laughing stock of the entire world. I can't imagine the embarrassment that we all could suffer if Santorum wins the election.
Please make sure to go out and vote: Obama 2012
Putin won? Whatta surprise. Pretty ironic the Communist candidate calling the election nontransparent
OFFICIAL- Vladimir Putin has won handedly the Presidency. Putin- 63.6%; Gennadi Zyagonov -17.3%;Mikhail Prokhorov- 7.2%; Vladimir Zhirinovsky- 7.1%; Sergey Miranov- 3.7%. For MSNBC-- read your Russian and Soviet history- basiba. Stalin was a Georgian and Krutschev was an Ukrainian- Lenin was a Russian. Congratulations to President -elect Vladimir Putin on behalf of Wildlife.
There may be some truth to that; hard to say. I'm more worried about Russia slipping back into a "the West is the enemy" mentality. We may not approve of everything Russia does or stands for, nor they us, but we have more in common with them than not. We should be working together to further world peace, not setting up proxy wars in Syria or Iran.
putin objects to the world saving the syrian people from being butchered.
...assad must be paying lots of cash for those weapons.
one dictator protecting another dictator.
Russia is not our enemy, and could be a much better ally if we could stop sticking our nose in their business. As far as us bombing other countries, Putin was the leader of Russia when we attacked both Iraq and Afghanistan. I expect that we will continue to protect US interests and if we would quit tweeting Russia's nose maybe they would help us deal with Iran.
Al718,
"Putin won?"
Of course he won! How could he not win when he has the whole election process rigged in his favor? Corruption is the name of the game in Russian politics.
Aztlan - you are such a naive individual. The person you are "endorsing" was once a pivotal figure-head in the KGB in the days of the USSR, and was involved in assassinations, subversion, and some of the most heinous actions against dissidents during the cold war. DO YOUR HOMEWORK, unless of course you're a communist or marxist, and then I suppose you would welcome back Stalin as well. There is no such thing as fair and honest elections in Russia; something EVERY russian knows.
Wow, who cuda thunk Putin would win "the most honest elections in Russia's history", LOL.
Something our [American] politicians can only hope for, a landslide victory in an election - meh, no way, because the dam democracy (sort of, anyway) gets in the way! With polls, political pundits, out-of-control media - how can a regular American politician even dream of a landlisde in such a chaotic society?! SuperPACs will surely help, and then - we'll see I guess...
Interesting how many suppose the elections were rigged in Putin's favor. Wonder if the same thing will happen here? Can't say it isn't possible, especially with complaints about mandating ID's prior to voting. Guess wanting only American citizens to vote in American elections is biased. Right?
Say, boy! Do you remember Putin of years past? This is not what the world needs right now. Putin is anti-Jew/Israel, and pro-Iran. We need peace, not another version of Stalin. Putin is KGB!
putin objects to the world saving the syrian people from being butchered
We (the US- George W. Bush and Cheney) butchered many more in Iraq, and they are not playing innocent and saviors, along with sanctimonious lies. The US is the biggest weapons seller in the world
Stop pretending that we are better than the rest of the world.
Terry-753375 Russia was bombing in Afghanistan long before the U.S. in support of a Marxist Afghanistan government (reminiscent of their current support of Syria).
As far as Putin winning the election, that was no big surprise and was part of his strategy from the get go. He followed the law "relinquishing his presidency" in support of the current president who, for all intents and purposes was merely keeping Putin's Presidential chair warm for his return. Like nobody saw that coming!
What happens in Rusia is not any of our business. That said congratulate the winner and get on with life.
Its their country.....best of luck to the Russian people. Hope they have a man who listens and does the biddding of the people he serves.
What happens in Rusia is not any of our business.
Yes sir, it is. And I do not mean that we should tell them what to do, but we should prepare to deal with them. We are citizens of the same world, competing for just so many resources (oil rings a bell).
Not surprising. Those in power, stay in power. And the world goes around.
putin is a very wealthy, powerful ex-kgb. there was no doubt he was going to win or be prez. russia is still the same. wolves(or rats) in sheep clothing. And irespond, obama can't even stand up to his own wife. ABO.
These claims of fraud are pretty laughable and probably more BS from the take over the world club in the west. I am curious though as to who took the exit polls?
If God himself allegedly told israel that they are his chosen people, why didn't God himself tell every other nation about it? Why didn't he say "Hey, I like these people, just so you know."? Why bother to tell one nation at all if he was just going to let other people do stuff to them? It makes no sense.
It's a lot like how God allegedly speaks through the pope....only the pope, yet the vatican has more secrets than the CIA and even brags about their secret vault. If God was talking to the pope, what is he so afraid of the people finding out? :P
On this issue, why were Jesus's writings, and someone with such a love of books would have undoubtedly written his own thoughts, never displayed? Were they censored? Burned? What did Jesus himself feel that is so dangerous to modern chrisianity?
These people who moan around about how miserable you are without God when in reality they are ten times more miserable because all they do is spend their time bemoaning people they don't even know, are going to support our country into world war 3 with these crazy people who hear things no other country hears as they start nuclear war.
Religion is a wonderful thing when: It makes you a productive member of society, when it makes you help those weaker or more defenseless than you, when it makes you care in ways you never thought to, or it makes you conscious of your actions.
The bible is rewritten and christianity does none of these things. A bible verse says "Know them by their fruit." Next time a religious dingbat lectures you...simply know them by their fruit, what kind of good person are THEY to lecture YOU? What do they donate to charity, what child have they saved the life of? What soup kitchen do they dedicate a weekend to?
No...they park their butts down and worry about which politician is going to win and how dare the democrats not want to genocide people because some book said to.
Guess what?
The necronomicon WASN'T written by HP lovecraft, yet was an ancient book written around the time of the bible which was written in blood and on bound leather they assume was human flesh. It travels museums, it has been translated to the best of people's capacity to do so (and I believe lovecraft's was an interpretation of it, like the NIV version), and I do NOT believe a single person should read that book or the reprints of that book OR follow it regardless the fact it is ALSO 4000 year old gobbledygook written in the middle east. That seems very popular for some reason.
sniff sniff..thank you my fellow comrades for voting for me to be your president for the rest of your lives!
"I am more worried about Russia taking "The West" is the enemy mentality". It already has, in fact it did as soon as it was apparent we reneged on not expanding NATO when Gorby killed off the Warsaw Pact. Shoot in 1997 I did a study abroad in St. Petersburg and when us yanks would cross paths with a bunch of Russian youth sometimes we would hear Vistra! Vistra! Which means go, go. The guy won lest than two thirds of the vote and they still call it fraud. My god the guy is the leader of the largest political party, and the Russian mentality has always been security over freedom. It has been that way for almost 1500 years. You have to like that the second place winner was the communist, so what do they want? A return to communism? The Russians for the most part know Putin is right about how western financial interests want to have total control over Russian resources. These pro democracy folks have been duped by western finance via those damn NGOs which are nothing more than CIA fronts. Every one of these so called color revolutions had one thing in common. These democracy NGOs came in a few years before hand to stir things up. Not one of these nations are any better off economically when these pro Western govts were elected, like Georgia or Ukraine, but they sure did cave into western interests now did they. Even if it was against the interests of their own people.
Putin wins? I never would have guessed that. LOL
Putin winning was a foregone conclusion. Putin winning this election was already a lock when he gave up the presidency to Medvedev back in 2008. Medvedev was just a placeholder for Putin until Putin could run again for two more terms starting this year. Putin has continued to be the one calling the shots the whole time. Putin will serve two more terms and then pick another successor to keep the chair warm for him while he continues to call the shots behind the scenes. Putin is ex KGB and knows where all of the skeletons are burried so it is very easy for him to continue to control things for as long as he wants.
The West would like a soft or a corrupt drunk leader for Russia, but instead they got Putin for years to come. No wonder there is so much negative talk in our media about him before the elections and it will continue farther beyond.
Russia matters and Putin will restore its power.
Putin didn't have to cheat he would have won because most people like him if he were American and ran for president he'd win here too strong for his country and doesn't care what the world thinks
romilio,
"No wonder there is so much negative talk in our media about him before the elections and it will continue farther beyond."
The negative talk you refer to is not just in our media; it's in Russia, too. PBS had a correspondent in Russia the other day interviewing Russians about this subject of Putin, and there are many people who don't like him. One Russian artist there who is supported by an American sponsor said he is having a hard time because it is against U.S. law for American companies to pay bribes, and nothing in Russia gets done without bribes.
JP-345944:
You could easily be describing a number of US Politicians with blood on their hands. Only Fools think everything we do as Americans is ok.....kinda along the Tea Party Lines or most of the Republican/Conservatives in this country.
Tea party? guess you forget who's currently in office. Obama is as much a colonialist and war monger as any of his predecessors. Only difference now is the drone technology. Without that, Obama would have boots-on-the-ground in a lot of places.
Putin needs to empty his bank accounts of the billions and billions of rubles he stole from the country's oil production and give it back to the people. That would solve their financial crisis.
the Great One has Risen !!!; ZZzzz , Infallible Infamous Pompus Bear with Horns !!!........
Is this guy ever going to fade into the background?? Talk about someone who just can't let go. He was a 'former' KGB agent. Do you really think you forget that kind of training? Has he found Jesus? Does he now love America?
He has the coldest deadest eyes I have ever seen on anyone. He is a killer.
This Puddin sounds like he's another Dubya. Don't matter if he won or not, he's moving in to the Kremlin and thats it, just like Dubya. Puddin is KGB and Dubya was CIA. Same crappola, different countries. Thats like the russian rappers are saying over there, if you combine cia with kgb, you get GIBACK, oh yeah you better believe, troubles a brewing now. If Flipflops elected we might end up at war with russia, I know if Santorum would be elected he would, just like Dubya too. To tell you the truth, I'm surprised Dubya never bombed them?
Against Union Thievery: Your not kidding there, he's a killer alright. The only thing about this article and him crying, I think he must be a sensitive killer now. Thats what it seems like to me anyhow.
He looks like a nazi. Maybe one of hitlers comrads knocked up one of the girls there and whala, you got puddin. Then I'm not positive that hitlers gal, eva brown didn't screw around on hitler and maybe she let one of the russian soldiers knock her up and told hitler it was his and when he found out he shipped puddin back to russia. Theres just numerous posibilities of who this guy could be and where did he come from. Did they find him on a slow train to siberia? We don't know for sure now, do we?
Bullshnikov!!!
Some of you people have no clue what you are talking about. Happy that Putin has won the presidency, we need him for check and balances. He is a egomaniac who has persecuted his opponents, has jailed and tortured people that have dared to speak out against him, and this is who you want in power. No wonder you want everyone to vote in 2012, the surprise is they will and it will not be for the joke we have in office now, Obama and his Czars and administration trying to push socialism down our throats. We do not need a first lady telling us how to eat, a czar (what are we doing with them anyhow, could someone please show me in the constitution where it speaks of giving a czar that has not been vetted by congress any power). Obama will go down as the worst liar we have ever had in office, and along with him it will not speak well of the people that supported him. Anyone who has spent to this day five million of our money keeping his school records sealed up from the public eyes has something to hide. He needs to go because we can not afford another four years of his waste and reckless spending. He talked a good talk, but in the end his actions showed he was just another typical Chicago politician, full of hot air. He started off blaming everything on Bush (who I do not think was a good president), but in the end he will be known as the president that brought us closer to the brink. He has borrowed more then any president, and he and his supermajority when they were in power put us into this reck we are in. Take a look at unemployment, debt to GNP, and any other standard and Obama does not hold a candle to Bush, and that is a sad statement.
So please vote this year, we need a change to bring this country back from the far left and more to the center. And I promise Obama is not the man to do it!
I can't believe the number of commenter's who actually think the Russian elections are on the up & up! It's obvious that too many of our young adults(?) spend the majority of their time with their noses in their smart phones, or playing video games.
Wake up folks. You are the idiots who elected the "Great Promiser", and still think he's the greatest thing since sliced bread even though no one from any of his alleged college days, no ex-girlfriends and no old buddies from high school or college have ever come forward...NONE...NOT ONE...NADA...ZIP...So where did he come from? Who vouches for him? Who confirms his life trials and tribulations?
Get real folks...if you'll swallow all that...it's no wonder you think Putin is great also! Wake up!
Like the US presidential election, the Russians are forced to elect one of two candidates nominated by the privilege and power class. In the US, the primary elections disguise the fact that the men of power have already decide who shall be the next president.
No real issues are put force or raised before the voters. Instead, canned phrases and standard political cliches are dished out to brainwashed zombie-like voters. It is any surprise that every four years, America sees no real change or progress even as America's economy spiral downward?
As long as the Men of Power get their taxpayer bailouts, "Pork Barrel," and government subsidies, America will continue to wage several global wars; assassinate foreigners as well as controversial Americans living abroad; and destroy the living standard of the middle class.
FatCat: take a breath of fresh air...truly confused and ignorant.
Skeeter - You got that right. )People laud the public education americans are getting these days. Give me a break.
Yawn...as if that line of thinking is taught in public schools. I teach in a liberal state, and let me assure you, that kind of thinking is nowhere in the curriculum. Look to parents and mainstream media if you want to talk about the most perverse manipulations of our apathetic and ignorant populace.
You are the ignorant ones. You are so blinded by American Exceptionalism , that you can't read the handwriting on the wall. What did the guy say that wasn't fact? George W Bush was elected to reverse Clinton's policies, but he not only maintained them, but furthered that agenda. Same with Barack Obama, he was voted overwhelmingly to reverse course from W and right the nation, but he has continued what Bush did, which is what Clinton did, what H W Bush did, what Reagan did, Carter, Ford, Nixon, etc. What has changed since Nixon? Nothing!!!!!! The Fed keeps printing cash so we can keep the debt machine going,created by dumbass wars and overbloated government budgets. Who got the bailouts at the tas payers expense? The fat cats in Wall St. They screwed up by taking big gambles and get rescued with your hard earned money!!!!!!!! JP and Skeeter, you are the ones who need to get back to school!!!!!!!!!
Robert: Yup. They sneer at the facts which are so glaring that they'd be blinded if they only opened their minds and eyes.
Robert... Wait... Don't throw American Exceptionalism around, because you don't know what it means.
Didn't Obama end the Iraq war... I mean, not end, Bush said the war was over ages ago... But Obama is brought almost all the troops home. Not to mention he put the war on the budget (which Bush didn't do, because it would cause the budget to explode) and the budget exploded.
Obama also helped clarify the Credit Card agency so YOU don't get screwed out of money by confusing leagalese when you sign up for a CC. The Democrats also created the Consumer Protection Agency to help you avoid rip-offs and scams.
There are lots of tools out there to help Americans that go under-reported. And to be honest, I think that's a huge issue right there - how Media acts and portrays things in America.
Although I do like going online to find my news... <3
Brilliant post. But the voting class will not understand, but they will continue to be dominated.
Bush NEVER had the majority vote of "the American people"for his last election , the head of state, the President, is elected indirectly by the people, through an Electoral College,sounds a little familiar reguarding Putin I'd say!
Good post Fat Cat ..... most people have their heads in the sand and one of these days it's going to hit them! but they're totally unaware of the gradualism with which it's happening.
Russia is willing to lend its voting machines to US of A. Votes are being counted and according to itar-tass/yle.fi Putin has got so far 62% of the votes- (might not need a second round in Presidential voting);second is Communist Gennadi Zjugorin with 18%;Farright Vladimir Zhirinovski and billionaire Mihail Prohorov each 8%. Voting in Chechen at 94% in Moscow 50% (last Presidential elections voting 69.8%) Vladimir Putin is the best candidate for President in Russia.
To be honest, there was really no pony who could beat Putin, and no pony to fill his shoes if he was ousted.
Vermin Supreme 2012.
To Irespond- Putin was never the head of KGB- that was the SOVIET (comprised of all ssrs) intelligence agency. Putin was an agent in East Germany,when the Berlin Wall collapsed and all SOVIET forces had to retreat back to Russia ssr.
Sure he is , if you like a totalitarian dictatorship .
Somedude,
Ever been to Russia? I have, and with the exception of the language and other cultural differences there isn't much difference between the US and Russia. In fact with all this Patriot Act type stuff being passed by Congress, if you are going to call Russian totalitarian, you better be ready to call our nation totalitarian as well.
Russia doesn't outright rig its elections, it does it by allowing every political party under the sun to have a fair shake. Since it dilutes the vote only the biggest parties really have a chance at winning. I think the vote is legit, but the nature of the more inclusive system still has the results of our electoral system in the US.
Both my Parents were born there Robert. You obviously don't know what you're talking about .
Somedude
So, you're just an anchor baby here?
For decades "elections" in Russia were a laughingstock in this country, it's interesting, in a nostalgic sort of way, to see nothing has changed. I'd like to see more of the customary American ridicule at these farces as in years past, however.
Lemme try...
At least these people are open about their rigged elections...
To bad we don't have that level of transparency!
Who say they were rigged? Seriously, the US puppet candidate or if there is a anti US candidate that wins, it is automatically rigged? Wish someone in this nation would have the balls to say ours are rigges as well, because for the most part they are. You have candidates ignored or called kooks, others just ignored, with the only ones allowed to play the game all bankrolled by Wall St, the military industrial complex or Big Oil.
Shocker! He is arrogant but I guess he's got a right to be, he's an accomplished Judoka, he doesn't care much for civil liberties though.
who knew ACORN was also in russia!!!!!!
Oh, how original.
Russian have the same civil liberties as we have in the states. It is funny how in many ways politically that the US mirrors Russia, but Americans only bash Russia. I guess they can't stand looking in the mirror.
Of course Acorn is in Russia, or at least it's funding, George Soros
He arranged his return when he chose his successor. This is not a surprise. And no, I'm not Putin you on!
I'm so vlad you avoided the usual wordplay. I am most certainly not russian to see such desecrations president in the English language!
I suspect Putin will be "so popular" that it will require the Constitution being changed so that he can remain leader for the rest of his life. My question is why does anyone outside of Russia care? They are most definitely no longer a superpower. It's amazing that the U.N. still allows them to have any more say than the other non superpowers.
They still have enough Nukes to destroy all life on this planet genius. That makes them a world power, whether you like it or not.
DrMan they are not? So, why when they responded to our ally Georgia invasion of South Ossetia, crushed their army (trained and armed by us) Bush/Cheney back off with their tails between their legs? Oh, yeah, they have a large nuclear arsenal, so I think even an idiot knows they still are a superpower.
Putin wins with 250% of the vote counted.
Putin wins election . Riiiiiiiiiiiigggggghhtt.
Great another 6 years of watching him perform his version of extreme sports and showing off his abs - wow!
After all of the crimes against humanity and psycho behavior under communist rule...I cant believe the Commies got 17% of the vote. Those 17% must be completely nuts
No worse than when we re-elected GWB.
Not a lot of sense in russia ..
You elected NO ONE.
Your electoral college did that for you.
And will probably do the same for Obama too.
YOUR vote does not count in a presidential election.
Your electoral college did that for you.
And will probably do the same for Obama too.
Or when the Stupid justices gave the Presidency to George W. Bush...WHEN GORE HAD WON THE POPULAR VOTE ......THAT WAS RIGGED!!!!
You are nuts
You are nuts
I would not take your insult very serious, when you call yourself Obamanot...Get a grip
When will you people understand that the popular vote does NOT count in a presidential election?
Do I need a sledge hammer or what?
THE ONLY VOTES THAT YOU HAVE THAT COUNT ARE ALL OTHER VOTES OTHER THAN A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
Read history, and vote for real change.
ABOLISH THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM!!.
When will you people understand that the popular vote does NOT count in a presidential election?
I knew that. You do not need to get postal on me.
ABOLISH THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM!!.
For once, we agree on something
Rod L said: "After all of the crimes against humanity and psycho behavior under communist rule...I cant believe the Commies got 17% of the vote. Those 17% must be completely nuts" I wouldn't call them nuts Rod. A lot of people in Russia, especially those of an older generation support commies for a very valid reason. When Russia was communist and totalitarian, we all had jobs, good salaries, virtually free housing, good free education, decent free healthcare, decent pensions for retirees. You know when we began having food and other product shortages? When Gorbi decided to make us more "democratic". And later, when we became a free market liberal democracy under Yeltsin, we had old people who worked all their lives begging on streets for bread, Jewish magnates owning largest oil and gas companies, evading taxes, and funneling their profits into their Swiss bank accounts instead of investing into Russian economy, military losses at the hands of Islamic extremists (funded by... I won't point fingers:)) in North Caucasus, and many other terrible things. We Russians don't care for "freedom" much, because a lot of us see that it doesn't really exist. So, we will take stability, security, employment, healthcare, education, and housing over freedom any day. You Americans might believe you have freedom, but if you think about it, what freedoms do you have? Freedom of speech? Sure, you can talk anything you want, but it doesn't change a thing. Your right to speak freely does not affect any decisions made by your ruling elite. They will still do what they want, what benefits them, even if it hurts you. They will send your children to fight their wars, your politicians will tell you that it is for your security, their media will tell you that it is for freedom in some god forsaken countries, your churches will tell you that it is for God. Some of you will believe, those of you that are capable of critical thinking will see through it, but you are powerless to change anything. It does not matter if you have a Republican or Democrat in the office. Whatever clown you elect will still do his master's bidding. And you are not his master. Sure, communism probably was a utopia, that does not work in real life. But what I see happening in the US in our modern times makes democracy look like one big lie too. At least in the communist lie we were somewhat taken care of.
Musafir, I will have to disagree. I will take the freedoms here in the USA at any time (and I have traveled quite a bit). Additionally, there has been no "send our children to fight..", our children (as well as my own generation) have been free to choos if they will serve in the military or not - and I applaud and respect all of them who have chosen to [I was in the defense industries for over 15 years, and spent a good amount of time on bases, and vessels - not always US ones]
Putin will be running a country running out of people bordering a country bulging at the seams with people. I recommend he learn Chinese so he can talk to his new people.
Russia's population is declining, China's is exploding. So much free space next to a country with limited free space. Do the math!!
The demographic shift isn't limited to Russia, in a generation or two Western Europe will hardly be recognizable due to the increase in African and middle eastern populations. The US is undergoing its own change in demographics. So in the words of some ancient philosopher, "This too shall pass!!!"
Let the riots begin.
Being 52, I am glad I will most likely be dead in 50 years when: Most of Europe is Muslim, Russia is now part of China, and the Unites States official language is Spanish.
Other countries shouldn't mess with Russia's internal affairs. Outsiders messed with Russia a lot and messed it up. Let's have a person born in Russia deal with Russia.
Welcome to another 12 years of tyranny Russia.
Thank God Obama's time is almost up. Right now, we are "feeling your pain".
Sounds like an old-school Chicago election.
So was Stalin in 1940!
Now more than ever we need a REAL PRESIDENT.
NOT A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER!!!!!!!!!!
Then vote for ROMNEY!!!
Now more than ever we need a REAL PRESIDENT.
NOT A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER!!!!!!!!!!
Oh How I love those that only throw "patriotic" rhetoric...And who do you suggest we should bring?
Any of the people of the GOP can't even have a decent dialogue among themselves, let alone with anybody else. They are just a group of sanctimonious hypocrites.
Just because someone is a Republican does not mean we should elect them. The ONLY person right now that has shown some COMMON SENSE is Obama...
Yup. His budget, his current budget, is just chock-a-block full of common sense...if you think spending yourself into prosperity and out of debt is a mark of common sense, why, Obama is indeed your man.
As to the current GOP contenders...sadly, the only one who might make a difference is marginalized. No matter who gets elected, it will be business as usual. Note how the party brokers are pushing Romney and have done so from the get-go. It is all pre-ordained and it won't matter if Romney or Obama gets elected, they both pander to the party interests and those interests aren't for the American populace as a whole.
His budget, his current budget, is just chock-a-block full of common sense...if you think spending yourself into prosperity and out of debt is a mark of common sense, why, Obama is indeed your man.
You obviously are one of those pessimistic people that always sees the glass half empty. If you could understand that Thomas Jefferson or George Washington - or Reagan- if you prefer, are not coming back to save us, then you would do what it's best.
Doing nothing is giving away your vote to the worst people. If you think that everybody is bad, take at least a stand on something. Always saying nothing is good, and everybody is crap.
Oh Please!
Ah, you want to elect Polyanna. As to anyone coming back to save us??? Why can't we save ourselves? We, personally, me, you, all of us collectively are capable of saving ourselves if we quit listening to propaganda and quit believing that 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help' is actually true. What you don't get is how much propaganda there is out there, how much manipulation there is and who profits. If I sound pessimistic it's because I've lived through enough elections to realize that rarely are we given the opportunity to elect someone of character, someone who isn't part of the machine. Generally, what we get is the opportunity to elect the lesser of two evils. Think not? Look backwards, look at the candidates. Kerry? Gore? Edwards (even though a vp running mate) Rather than accepting the lesser of evils, perhaps its time to ask for better candidates.
Look backwards, look at the candidates. Kerry? Gore? Edwards (even though a vp running mate) Rather than accepting the lesser of evils, perhaps its time to ask for better candidates.
Ok I will follow your lead, if you think you can start a grass roots and get people involved. Do you realize that would take a full time commitment, and a lot of disappointment?
Be ready to deal with immense amount of ignorance. I know that you are intelligent. I read your posts and I actually like them, but I think that maybe they need to be more realistic.
I do not think that Obama is perfect. I am not a "worshiper"of Obama, as you may think. I only compare his actions with the actions of others, and how they affect me personally.
For starters, I can get some preventive check ups thanks to some of his policies. Before my insurance only paid if I was terminally ill with cancer.
I BENEFITED personally from something that this man did. I have NEVER benefited from anything that Bush did. I actually lost a lot because of his asinine law of No child left behind.
I have to be a realistic person. If the Republicans get away with Medicaid, I probably will die with the first major issue that I might encounter when I get to be old, just as many thousand others. Do you really think that we have enough savings to pay for a heart surgery? or whatever other disease we will have -considering that in this country medicine is a business?
How about people with disabilities? Mentally retarded people that ONLY have Medicaid. Insurance companies will not cover these individuals, EVEN if the parents want to cover them. Those policies are also changing -thanks to President Obama-
Please understand that I have to work for a living, and I can not start a revolution on my own. I can only support what I see can benefit us, as the middle class America.
Will some of you morons on this blog so enamoured with Putin please do some research before you opine. He was one of the most brutal KGB agensts during the cold war, and a latent Stalin style communist cloaked in 21st millenia deception.
Don't forget about the starving people, standing in line, just to get a loaf of bread. The Russian political system is still too much like Commisar Stalin.
Will some of you morons on this blog so enamoured with Putin please do some research before you opine. He was one of the most brutal KGB agensts during the cold war, and a latent Stalin style communist cloaked in 21st millenia deception
Exactly my point.....
I think You need to do some research before writing non accurate comments.
think You need to do some research before writing non accurate comments.
I did not write the above...However, I do agree with some of the statements. Maybe you need to read before you make suggestions to others....
The reason why I was writing: Exactly my point, is because of the image that people have of him.
I understand what you Russians must be going through. We have a crappy President too.
No, we don't. Thank goodness for freedom of speech and press, so that people can read your ignorant remarks.
I am embarrassed at how incompetent our President is. Just because you think he's "cool" doesn't make him qualified.
And you disagreeing with me doesn't make me ignorant. In fact, I am quite informed.
Hey Lady,
Freedom of speech my ass. Say anything non politically correct and you lose your job or get thrown in prison. Just ask Pat Buchanan. Ernst Zundel describes inconsistencies in the Holocaust debate and is thrown in prison. Anybody that says something that cuts to the root of the power eleite's hold on the people is a no no anymore. Just stay quiet keep your head down and shut up is the new mentality coming to America very, very soon.
It's just like with global warming , If you have any doubts about it , you're the worst person in the world ,dead wrong and incredibly stupid . Shunned by everyone pc .They 're all about free speech until you actually try to say something .Bunch of conformist biotches .Probably the very same brown nosers that block the fast lane on the highway thinking it's up to them to keep everyone else from speeding .Good way to get a beating at the next rest stop .Think about that brown nosers .
Wow! I wish all these Putin lovers would get out of America and go live with him. We like our freedom, if you don't then go to a country that isn't free, but stop trying to oppose upon our freedom. You people are so hypocritical and screwed up in the head no one can even have an intelligent conversation with you. Obama is the Putin of America, but I think Americans will fight harder to keep their freedom than Russians who really haven't had a chance to experience it like we have. www.brendasblog7.com/home-page
Hey Bren, wake the hell up!!!!!!!!
The only freedom you have is in your exercise of mass consumerism. Your elected officials are already picked for you via the mass media, vote rigging, and outright violation and manipulation of election laws. This GOP primary season is the biggest joke ofall, and clearly illustrates the whole thing is a fraud. How many GOP candidates have been flavor of the month? Santorum couldn't get over a couple dozen people at his rallies in Iowa, but he wins Iowa? He had no money, backing, etc, and he wins? He gets great press a few days before the vote and wins, even when entrance polls indicated a Paul win? They close precints due to bad weather, etc and then throw away ballots. This has been actually observed in some of these primaries/caucases. As for freedom of speech? Ask Pat Buchanan about that. Guy writes a book about the coming demise of the USA and he gets nailed for being a bigot, etc because he thinks illegals, blindly doing Israel's bidding and stupid wars are going to bust our bank. You say anything that is considered politically incorrect you are blacklisted, fired, or just condemned. When a father of an 8 year old boy is thrown in jail because his kid drew a picture in school of a gun, don't tell me about freedom jack. If Russia is so totalitarian, why do we have so much more people in jail than Russia does? IF he is Stalin incarnate, he should love his Gulags, etc. The US of A, has turned into the biggest lie ever propagated on the human race.
JP, Russia and Putin are likely destined for the scrap heap of history. The largest country in the world with a population of less than 150 million people and decreasing next door to a smaller country with a population of over a billion and rising. Russia is nuclear armed so is a threat but, over the long haul, it may make a lot of noise but I doubt it will last another 50 years as it is now.
Neither will the US. We will have a ton of people in the US, but will be reduced in terms of standard lf living greatly.
Be very worried. Putin is of the old Russians that want to take over the world. He will first try to take back, by force, those countries that were a part of the USSR. Be very worried !!
Ken, you realize he guided a country from ashes to the powerhouse it is today. He is a great man. Read your history on him.