Putin sees Medvedev as successor

[Popov]

Putin sees Medvedev as successor



Mr Medvedev describes himself as pragmatic and business-friendly

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has backed First Deputy PM Dmitry Medvedev to replace him as president next year, Russian media report.

"I fully support this candidacy," Mr Putin was quoted as saying.

Mr Medvedev was nominated by Mr Putin's United Russia Party and three other pro-Kremlin parties on Monday.

Mr Medvedev was previously Mr Putin's chief of staff and is chairman of the gas giant Gazprom. He hails from Mr Putin's native St Petersburg.

The 42-year-old former lawyer managed Mr Putin's election campaign in 2000. As first deputy prime minister he has overseen national programmes in the areas of health, housing and education.

He has long been a significant player in Mr Putin's group of close associates from St Petersburg.

His name was put forward by United Russia, A Just Russia, the Agrarian Party and Civil Force, at a meeting with President Putin.

Commenting on the choice, Mr Putin said: "I have known him for more than 17 years, I have worked with him very closely all these years, and I fully and completely support this candidacy".

The BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow says the overwhelming support for Mr Putin in Russia puts Mr Medvedev in a strong position to win the presidential election next March.

He will be officially nominated by a special congress next week as the United Russia candidate.

Fellow First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov had also been seen as a strong potential presidential candidate.

Under Russia's political system the president enjoys far-reaching powers, including the appointment of regional governors.

Earlier this month United Russia won the parliamentary election by a wide margin, and Putin supporters will dominate the new parliament.

Mr Putin has made it clear he will retain a significant national leadership role after he leaves office at the end of his second term.

Mr Putin voiced confidence that Mr Medvedev would provide continuity.

"We have the chance to form a stable government after the elections in March 2008. And not just a stable government, but one that will carry out the course that has brought results for all of the past eight years," Mr Putin said.

United Russia leader Boris Gryzlov highlighted Mr Medvedev's role in managing national projects aimed at raising Russian living standards.

"Dmitry Anatolyevich (Medvedev) oversees national projects. He oversees the demographic programme and we believe that it is precisely the issues to do with raising standards of living that are the most important issues for the upcoming four-year period."

[Buzzy]

Putin is Russia's version of Bush. Medvedev is his Giuliani.

Actually we'll see Putin back after he scrap the constitution and writes another one. That's coming pretty soon so Medvedev won't be around too long. I see an accident in his future.

[Popov]

Putin is Russia's version of Bush. Medvedev is his Giuliani.

Actually we'll see Putin back after he scrap the constitution and writes another one. That's coming pretty soon so Medvedev won't be around too long. I see an accident in his future.

BS, more BS, and to put a cherry on top, you wrote some more BS.

Putin's IQ is at least twice that of that twits', he was a KGB lieutenant for crying out loud, while Bush was going from one business debacle to another with drinking binges in between. It's a totally different situation, Medvedev isn't Guiliani by a long strech ( although this is probably the only point you made that can be backed up somehow), and the political situation doesn't relate to that of America's. America is a bi-party democracy where the people choose the candidate based on various criteria. Russia is a one-party proto-totalitarian state where elections don't really matter, and power is handed down from one leader to the next, as long as those leaders can provide growth and stability for the country.

What are you basing this on? Putin chose Medvedev numbnuts, his party and friendly parties to his cause all supported the bid - this guy is gonna be president after vlad is gone. Putin doesn't have enough power to change the constitution, and if that was his plan, he wouldn't be endorsing a candidate ! He's probably gonna take the position of Prime Minister of Head of his party - United Russia. From that post he will continue to run the country, while Medvedev will be the face of the nation.

[Bilbo Baggins]

Putin is Russia's version of Bush. Medvedev is his Giuliani.

Actually we'll see Putin back after he scrap the constitution and writes another one. That's coming pretty soon so Medvedev won't be around too long. I see an accident in his future.

BS, more BS, and to put a cherry on top, you wrote some more BS.

Haha, I couldn't agree more.

[Buzzy]

Yeah, Putin ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer by a long shot and exactly when did being in the KGB equal being smart.

Russia will have a new constitution, probably within a year. Putin wants his old job back, even before he loses it. Anyone want to make a side bet on this?

[Popov]

hah

since when are you the Russia expert? not the sharpest knife? the amount of power that he currently exercises; the proto-totalitarian state that he has created is proof of his aptitudes. the man speaks a handful of languages fluently (that's what special agents can do), can improvise in press conferences, and has a higher education that isn't just a piece of paper - in short - he is a potent leader, his intellectual capacities match his level of responsibility as the leader of a large powerful nation - the same cannot be said about Bush by a long shot. Bush's politics are mostly decisions made by his entourage - he is simply the face of his administration - Putin actually runs the country.

When I said worked in the KGB I didn't say he was a secretary - he was a spy in East Germany, the kind of training that officers of the KGB have is equivalent to the kind of training qualified agents get in the CIA. It's a complete package - people with that kind of training are much more apt than most of us, and Bush is exactly that - most of us - for God's sake the man speaks one language and never left the country before his presidency - how the hell can you put these two on a level playing field ???

and no - i'm willing to make a wager that you're dead wrong about the constitution - once again - if Putin was going to stay president he wouldn't have nominated a successor - he's simply gonna continue running the country from another position - he doesn't need to modify the constitution for that - he got into office by promising Yeltsin he wouldn't touch his immense fortunes (amassed by pillaging Russia), I'm sure he's gonna make a similar agreement with Medvedev - only Putin doesn't have or want a fortune - he wants to continue running Russian politics.

[iluvfreebeer]

popov,
you sure as hell are not a russian expert.
you're not even russian.
you're a vagabond living in Switzerland.
How many years of the last 10 have you lived completely within russia?

[Buzzy]

Obviously you take the concept that Putin is Russia's Bush in an extremely simple and completely literal manner. No, Putin doesn't have a daughter named Jenna either but I'm sure your next post would discover that difference also.

I'm also very aware of what Putin was in the KGB and exactly what training he had and no I'm not a fan of GWB in any shape or manner. Only voted for him because I'd rather shoot myself in the head than vote for AlGore or (God forbid) John Traitor Kerry. Actually I blame the Democrats for both Bush wins. They consistently fail to run anyone that half (or more) of the country could possibly vote for and then make up conspiracies and blame when they lose.

Both Bush and Putin are the return of the Ugly American and Uglier Russian on the world scene. Both are belligerent, aggressive, and want to run the world. Neither can be trusted and both are dangerous. Bush wants Giuliani to carry on his agenda and Putin, well we now know who Putin wants to carry on his.

I'll take that friendly wager. New Russian constitution within a year of today. IMHO it's a hide and watch thing.

[Popov]

ok,

this last post actually makes sense

sorry for lashing out at you, i didn't follow the comparison at first, thx for clarifying, btw, i still don't agree with the constitution thing, i think it's possible, but i don't think even he has the balls to do it... whatever, i guess we'll see

[Popov]

popov,
you sure as hell are not a russian expert.
you're not even russian.
you're a vagabond living in Switzerland.
How many years of the last 10 have you lived completely within russia?

no i'm not saying i am, that wasn't my point, i just don't like assumptions, because they make an ass out of you and me

and wtf is that second line about? i'm not even russian ? born and raised mofo, it doesn't matter if i left, i didn't revoke my heritage, abandon the language, culture etc - no matter where i live or the passport i use i'll always be russian at heart

living in russia would actually prob give me less perspective on the matter, considering the level of control of the gov't. living in a neutral country for the past 7 yrs has given me immense perspective on world politics - i can't believe how naive i was about the way of the world while i lived in america - it's a totally different mindset - usa first, everything else second, it's not like that here, it's a very international environment - i feel that if i were to live in russia i would have the same problem, because both countries are large, patriotic and nationalistic or whatever, so i wouldn't have as much perspective on issues surrounding russian politics. it's like taking a few steps back to better appreciate a painting - to get the big picture

you don't have to live in a country to be an expert on it, most "country experts" are actually people who live in other countries and inform residents of those countries how the countries of their expertise think, are run etc, so i really don't see your point. especially cuz i wasn't calling myself an expert in russian politics or anything of the sort.

[iluvfreebeer]

If you're so damned russian, why don't you live there?

Because it's a corrupt third world slime pit, but you just won't say it.

[Bilbo Baggins]

Actually I blame the Democrats for both Bush wins. They consistently fail to run anyone that half (or more) of the country could possibly vote for and then make up conspiracies and blame when they lose.

This may be the dumbest thing (not counting anything I have said) that has been said on this forum. This is something you would expect a bad comedian to say. It's like everyone here is on a mission to say the most outrageous thing possible. So far you're well out in front.

and no I'm not a fan of GWB in any shape or manner. Only voted for him because I'd rather shoot myself in the head than vote for AlGore or (God forbid) John Traitor Kerry.

You American's are so caught up in your two-party system. Why don't you vote for a third party candidate if you don't like the two main ones!?!?!?

[Popov]

If you're so damned russian, why don't you live there?

Because it's a corrupt third world slime pit, but you just won't say it.

once again what is your point ?

yeah it's full of corruption, there's tons of probs there and i prefer living in switzerland

how does this make me a fake russian again ?

so what are you saying that from the moment you decide to leave your home country and live elsewhere you're no longer from that country ? if i pack my bags and decide to start a new life in thailand i'll be thai in 2 years ? what kind of shit logic is that ?

[Popov]

Actually I blame the Democrats for both Bush wins. They consistently fail to run anyone that half (or more) of the country could possibly vote for and then make up conspiracies and blame when they lose.

This may be the dumbest thing (not counting anything I have said) that has been said on this forum. This is something you would expect a bad comedian to say. It's like everyone here is on a mission to say the most outrageous thing possible. So far you're well out in front.

and no I'm not a fan of GWB in any shape or manner. Only voted for him because I'd rather shoot myself in the head than vote for AlGore or (God forbid) John Traitor Kerry.

You American's are so caught up in your two-party system. Why don't you vote for a third party candidate if you don't like the two main ones!?!?!?

ok i agree with the first point - the democrats HAVENT run anyone capable of winning since clinton (ironically until now - clinton, lol so we're probably gonna see bush - clinton - bush - clinton in the history books), and i can't judge pre-clinton cuz when bill first got into office i was 7; al gore has become leader material since the 2000 flop but at the time he was wishy washy, boring, and not the kind of man people wanted running the country - similar things can be said about kerry - i listened to one of his debates back in 04' he didn't make any sense - and while he did make up for that with a bit of charisma, that strong point was quickly eliminated by the swift boat smear campaign, not that he would have won anyway... yeah i have to say that in the last two elections the dems have done very little to get back into the white house.

[iluvfreebeer]

If you're so damned russian, why don't you live there?

Because it's a corrupt third world slime pit, but you just won't say it.

once again what is your point ?

yeah it's full of corruption, there's tons of probs there and i prefer living in switzerland

how does this make me a fake russian again ?

so what are you saying that from the moment you decide to leave your home country and live elsewhere you're no longer from that country ? if i pack my bags and decide to start a new life in thailand i'll be thai in 2 years ? what kind of shit logic is that ?

You didn't answer my question.