Putin Fires Back At Hillary's NH Barb

Politico:

When Hillary Clinton said, way back in New Hampshire, that Vladimir Putin "doesn't have a soul," I figured that would be the sort of thing the Russian wouldn't be pleased about. But when I called the foreign ministry the next day for comment, it was Orthodox Christmas, and I let it slide.

He was asked about the remark at his press conference yesterday, however, and indeed wasn't pleased.

The former KGB lieutenant colonel appeared to lash out at U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton -- a leading Democratic candidate for president -- when one reporter quoted her as saying that former KGB officers have no soul:
"At a minimum, a head of state should have a head," Putin said.

Read the whole story: Politico

Comments

[Pauper]

05:14 PM on 02/16/2008

So much for Billary beginning a new era in American foreign relations. I'm going to keep saying it: CLINTON=BUSH

[drmavis]

02:37 PM on 02/16/2008

I think no matter how you feel about the leader of a country, especially one of the world's 3 superpowers, you should not resort to attacks so personal as saying the leader has no soul. Criticizing policies you don't agree with is one thing, but there is no excuse for what she said and certainly not set up a good relationship on "Day 1" with Russia. In comparing Hillary and Obama, Obama certainly comes across as much more diplomatic and has much better "people skills", which is key for getting branches of our government, as well as foreign governments, to work with you. Hillary seems to thrive on conflict and political battles (always talking about fighting with Republicans) and I don't know about the rest of the country, but I'm sick of that type of politics.

[letsgetsmart]

12:48 PM on 02/16/2008

I guess people don't use mirrors for anything other then to expand their vanity. Sad. What a missed opportunity. I wonder what kind of world we would be living in if Bush hadn't made it the first time. Putin would be nothing today. A bad boy that has to explain why the Soviet Union and all of their ideals collapsed. Guess leadership and government mean something. Someone had to have voted for Bush. How many of you witty comment contributers are to blame? I know I have a clear conscience because I voted Dem ticket across the board in 2000 and each time since. And yes, I have not pissed away my civic duty and not voted. The ones who did not vote in 2000 or since are as bad as those who banged their heads and voted republican. I knew Bush was a lying sack of s*** before he got in the first time. What's your excuse? You participate in this discussion as if it is important. This was a country that had fought and sacrificed a lot to get freedoms for the masses and most importantly minorities and women. Women are just as or more important because they have the womb that brought a lot of you twits into this world. Grow up.

[Nonamnesiac]

07:13 AM on 02/16/2008

This is just another demonstration of why Hillary is not qualified to be President. It is another demonstration of her limited world view and her gut reaction against diplomacy. There simply is no reason for someone running for President to personally attack the true head of state of a country that has the kind of power Russia has, and who, arguably, has the support of his people. She just keeps doing this -- whether it's the twice overwhelmingly elected President of Venezuela and now the "power behind the Presidency" of Russia, and on and on. She shouldn't make personal attacks just because she may not like those leaders.

It is this anti-diplomatic, personalization of political differences that is one of the props that led her to vote to invade Iraq, a country of 1/10th of our population and 1/1000th of our military strength -- supporting a shameful act of national cowardice that is costing young Americans and Iraqis lives and limbs against the interests of the United States. She did it against a majority of her Party in Congress (both Houses combined) and against the overwhelming intelligence at the time that Saddam had no WMD's (Blix), was an enemy of al Qaeda (bin Laden had called Saddam an "infidel" numerous times) and the pronouncements of everyone from Powell through Daddy Bush about how taking out Saddam during the First Gulf War would be a calamity for the United States.

Hillary's reflex is warmongering, personal and outright stupid. If she wins, she's going to meet with Putin and need his assistance. But that doesn't stop her from personally attacking him while she's trying to obtain a position requiring her to meet with him.

She's just too limited and her judgment too poor to be President.

[uheardme]

12:17 PM on 02/16/2008

True, "35 years of so-called experience", yet she is lacking in good judgment.

[Nonamnesiac]

02:34 PM on 02/16/2008

But she is not lacking in bad judgment. She makes severe mistakes and then makes them again (e.g. Kyl-Lieberman after Iraq 2002). Her judgment is bad because her world view is limited and highly inaccurate.

[lungfish]

06:00 AM on 02/16/2008

Putin, the guy that Dubya said had a good... what was it, heart, soul, whatever... is now engaged in restarting the Cold War. Thanks to Rice's fine diplomacy we are treated to Russian bombers buzzing our fleets and flying missions against the US ADZs just like in the good ole days....

He may not have a soul but he doing exactly what I would do if I were in his shoes. I would like to see Dubya take him on in a judo match. It would be great to see Cheetah get choked out in about 8 seconds by that black belt son of a bitch.

Yea, soul or not, Putin is no pussy. May need some glasses though because Hillary certainly has a head. Perhaps he could use some stand up comedy coaching. The Russian idea of funny is a stab in the eye with a sharp stick...

But seriously, if Russia decided to get ugly do you realize how many Russians are living in the US? How many Russian gangs and related groups that have absolutely no reason NOT to help Russia if needed??? Hope that Hillary or whomever ends up in the hotseat understands that and acts accordingly...

Time for another round...shit I need a life, what am I doing drinking and haunting Huffpo... Oh shit!!! I have become a TROLL....
aaaaaaaaaaagh! nonononono! When did I shave last? I don't remember but it feels like a week...

[lungfish]

05:05 AM on 02/16/2008

Hillary has a head.

Hey, I'm just saying...

[NotWaldo]

01:59 AM on 02/16/2008

They all lack something. Putin = no soul; Clinton = no head; Bush = no brain.

[esgabel]

12:28 AM on 02/16/2008

We need to be circumspect--Putin was KGB, he has been actively trying to bring the ex-Soviet Republics back in line with Russia--he has managed with great help from President Bush to garner praise from the rest of the world--he just forgave all the Russian loans to Iraq and sold munitions to Iran. And his many opponents have the odd habit of turning up dead. Let's be careful out there...

[sky2evan]

10:02 AM on 02/16/2008

Sheesh... what do you expect when Mr. Bush is going ahead with building a missile defense system in Eastern Europe... that face eastwards to Russia?

[esgabel]

12:00 PM on 02/16/2008

True, it is just I don't think it is wise to lionize Putin. Bush makes almost everyone look more sympathetic by comparison--but they are not.

[sockman]

11:33 PM on 02/15/2008

Which one of Putin's enemies showed up dead today? Not a good idea to attack him he has "short man syndrome".

[lefilmnoir]

11:20 PM on 02/15/2008

Bravo a spasibo Vladimir!

[brooklyncitizen]

10:45 PM on 02/15/2008

Pudding is not to be triffled with.

[brooklyncitizen]

10:43 PM on 02/15/2008

This aspect of her "experience" is lacking and she really ignores teh ssue of America's standing in the world after the Bush years.

Her biggest foreign policy concern is that Israel gets what it needs, unconditionally , from the US (the taxpayers).Thi is why she is "popular" in NYC.

[HGalal]

10:33 PM on 02/15/2008

Go Putin...YES WE CAN!!!!

[WorkingClass]

10:06 PM on 02/15/2008

Oh Pootie-poot. You snide devil you.

[oshpd1]

09:23 PM on 02/15/2008

Hillary should tell Putin speeches don't put food on the table. That will show him. Maybe Bubba Bill will help her talk nicer about people. NAW I don't think he can either. OH Well I guess we lose with either of them.