Democrats Fumble Russia Question

Hmm, so neither Hillary nor Barack are up on their Russian pronunciations of Putin's successor. Come on guys. It's not like Russert asked you to identify Turkmenistan's Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow. Or the capital of Moldova.

I'm glad the subject of Russia came up during the debate but I'm saddened by the Democratic candidates' fumbling of the question (Rest assured that no presidential contender in any part of the world does not know the first, middle, and last names of all the U.S. candidates). Worse, the awkward exchange shows that where they are weakest -- foreign policy -- neither candidate has given much thought beyond the black-and-white kneejerk assessment of: NAFTA bad, protectionism good. That's not a recipe for a successful longterm foreign policy.

They also seemed confident -- overly so, if you ask me -- that Putin would be calling all the shots. That may be the case. But then who do they invite to Camp David as president? Both Medvedeveva [sic] and Putin? Under Russia's constitution, the president is in charge of foreign affairs (similar strains showed during the 1990s when prime ministers Yevgeny Primakov and Viktor Chernomyrdin seemed to usurp President Yeltsin's authority when it came to U.S.-Russian relations.

To be sure, nobody in Ohio or Texas will pull the voting lever based on the candidates' thoughts on Russia. But the issue will come up again when whoever wins goes head-to-head against John McCain, who may run circles around his Democratic challenger on this issue. I would start by learning (at least) the names of a few foreign leaders. Otherwise, they may come off sounding like George W. Bush in 2000.

Comments

[frustratedinohio]

I'm from Ohio and foreign policy matters to me. Hard to believe I know, but we really are paying attention here. When steel left years ago we all went back to the 7th grade, so we could say we gradutated from school.

Just kidding. I believe Hillary did know quite a bit about the new Russian prez--what's his name. But Obama was faking it. He might as well have just said, "Yeah, what she said." But I know it's probably really hard for you to just criticize Obama. So to take the edge off the pain you put Hillary in your remarks too. Don't worry, she's used to it.

If you want to pick someone apart on foreign policy, why don't you start with the new messiah's remarks on Al-Queda having a base in Iraq and what he would do if they did. That was scary stuff there. Or how about what he told the canadian ambassador about NAFTA.

[Ozarks]

I wonder if Bush or McCain could pronounce the guy's name? But then you apparently being a republican Lionel, don't bother to wonder about the intellectual capacity of Bush or McCain you just twist the facts. I doubt Bush could name the Russian Capital if asked, thinking it was a trick question.

[plutorage]

As I understand it Medvedev (did I get that right?) has a name that is not pronounced like it is spelled in English.

Also neither Hilary nor Obama said protectionism was good.

Obama had a substantive reply on Kosovo when asked what he would do if Russia sent troops to Serbia. Hilary received a similar question on Iraq and said the question was hypothetical.


I'd be worried about Hilary going off a la madeleine albright/sandy berger/richard holbrooke, if she debates McCain, but Obama will be ready.

[frustratedinohio]

hey pluto, your guy is going to need someone to feed him his lines offstage when and if he debates McCain.

[jp1949]

I beg to differ with you. Of course your an Obama supporter so you have to say Clinton didn't answer accurately. Oh yes she did. Obama fumbled. Hillary Clinton is the most studied and intellectual candidate running and you know it.

[InDaZone]

I'm sure living in a bubble and campaigning 24 hours a day has nothing to do with them not being up to date on things like the biography of someone who's not even in office yet.

[CaveatMagnusFrater]

Frankly, I'm more surprised and concerned the Senator Clinton didn't know the pronunciation more so then that Senator Obama didn't. Her experience as First Lady, which she uses to illustrate here readiness, should have made her aware of the importance of knowing how to pronounce world leader's names. Barack is astute and seems like a very fast learner, he'll not repeat this blunder. I may have to taste that Kool-Aid that everybody's drinking.

[MikeDu]

Bush looked into Putin's soul and found a soulmate. Unfortunately for both Russia and America, the observation proved to be all too accurate. Which would we rather have someone in office who's clueless and realises it, or someone in office who doesn't have a clue but can't be moved from his ignorant pre-conceived notions? The option of electing someone who's genuinely knowledgeable is out of the question this time around.

[MagisterLudi]

From Medvedeveva to Obamama and Clintovitskaya, a friendly Russian hello.

[Sidewhispers]

At least Hillary had a clue about the name of Putin's successor, unlike GW who was completely stumped when asked in 2000 about the Pakistani leader. She did ramble on, though, belaboring the obvious, instead of showcasing how she might influence the situation. Barack may have been lucky she got the question first.

[BOfever]

A clue involves mumbling jibberish?

[MagisterLudi]

Reply from Russia: Both Obamama and Clintonova seem to have the typical American stereotype of Russia: it's always winter there, the current thug in power could never never comes up to American celestial standard of gracious living and humanity.

There's a gnawing suspicion in most American minds, stupified by lifetime's worth of advertisement, if it's not trademarked it's not worth learning about....

Let's all say: "Stolichnaya."