Putin says that missile defense agreement more likely if Obama reelected. Get ready for the Romney campaign to call the President a Commie sympathizer in 3..2..1

Courtesy of the New York Times:  

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia sauntered into American presidential politics on Thursday, praising President Obama as “a very honest man” and chastising the Republican nominee, Mitt Romney, for describing Russia as “without question our No. 1 geopolitical foe.” 

Mr. Putin was asked about the presidential race during an interview with the state-controlled television network RT. The interview was recorded earlier this week but broadcast on Thursday to coincide with Mr. Putin’s arrival in Vladivostok for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit conference, which is being held in Russia for the first time. 

Mr. Putin said he believed that if Mr. Obama is re-elected in November, a compromise could be reached on the contentious issue of American plans for a missile defense system in Europe, which Russia has strongly opposed. 

On the other hand, Mr. Putin said, if Mr. Romney becomes president, Moscow’s fears about the missile system — that it is, despite American assurances, actually directed against Russia — would almost certainly prove true. 

“Is it possible to find a solution to the problem, if current President Obama is re-elected for a second term? Theoretically, yes,” Mr. Putin said, according to the official transcript posted on the Kremlin’s Web site. “But this isn’t just about President Obama. 

“For all I know, his desire to work out a solution is quite sincere,” Mr. Putin continued. “I met him recently on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Los Cabos, Mexico, where we had a chance to talk. And though we talked mostly about Syria, I could still take stock of my counterpart. My feeling is that he is a very honest man, and that he sincerely wants to make many good changes. But can he do it? Will they let him do it?”

Mr. Putin mentioned the American military establishment and the State Department as obstacles to a compromise, and he said he faced similar challenges working with Russia’s own generals and career diplomats. 

With a reminder of Mr. Romney’s remark about Russia, Mr. Putin was asked if he could work with a Romney administration. 

“Yes, we can,” he said. “We’ll work with whichever president gets elected by the American people. But our effort will only be as efficient as our partners will want it to be.” 

He added a sharp rebuke, accusing Mr. Romney of using inflamed language for political gain. 

You know perhaps if Mitt Romney didn't get all of his foreign affairs experiences from watching Rocky IV, Red Dawn, and  Ice Station Zebra he wouldn't freak the rest of the world out at the very thought of his winning this election.

As it is I think Putin (Not somebody who I usually place a great deal of trust in) is right about the fact that diplomacy will be MUCH easier under an Obama administration as opposed to one that will be primarily funded by defense contractors and others that benefit from a country constantly in conflict with other nations.

I'm just saying.

President Obama's "hot mic" incident with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev encourages the Right Wing to go on the attack, and coaxes the Whiny Wendigo of Wasilla to emerge from the shadows with claws at the ready.

I am sure that many of you have already heard of this incident from earlier today, but here is what the Chicago Sun-times had to report, just to bring you up to speed.

President Barack Obama told Russia’s leader Monday that he would have more flexibility after the November election to deal with the contentious issue of missile defense, a candid assessment of political reality that was picked up by a microphone without either leader apparently knowing. 

“This is my last election,” Obama is heard telling outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. “After my election, I have more flexibility.” 

Medvedev replied in English, according to a tape by ABC News: “I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir,” an apparent reference to incoming President Vladmir Putin. 

Obama and Medvedev did not intend for their comments, made during a meeting in Seoul, South Korea, to be made public. 

Once they were, the White House said Obama’s words reflected the reality that domestic political concerns in both the U.S. and Russia this year would make it difficult to fully address their long-standing differences over the contentious issue of missile defense. 

Obama, should he win re-election, would not have to face voters again. 

“Since 2012 is an election year in both countries, with an election and leadership transition in Russia and an election in the United States, it is clearly not a year in which we are going to achieve a breakthrough,” White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said.

It seems pretty cut and dried right? It is difficult to give the issue of the planned U.S. missile defense shield in Europe the attention necessary during an election year, not to mention that the constant attacks and scrutiny from the Right make it virtually impossible for Obama to make delicate policy decisions in such a divisive climate, so of course this is something that will be postponed until a later time.

I doubt that too many people would find that kind of candid talk shocking, or even particularly newsworthy.

Unless of course it was caught by a hot mic during an election year, at which time it becomes a highly exploitable political opportunity.

Already Romney and Gingrich have started to lob stones at the President from behind their thin glass walls.

 "That is an alarming and troubling development," said Romney, calling the president's comment "revealing" for what he called Obama's unwillingness to provide more details about missile defense. 

"This is no time for our president to be pulling his punches with the American people," Romney said while campaigning in San Diego. "I will make it very clear that the relationship we have around the world is one where America will be strong, that America's strength and commitment to our friends and allies will be unshakable and unwavering."

Yeah you keep rattling that saber Mitt, after all you have that magic underwear to protect YOU.

Gingrich called the exchange with Medvedev an "extraordinary moment caught on tape where the president basically said to a Russian leader, 'Please wait until after the election so I can sell out.' 

"If you read what he said, it is the most blatant comment about selling out American defenses I think any American president's ever made and I don't see how any American could trust him ever again after that comment," Gingrich said. "I mean, he thinks it's in private and he's saying to the Russians, please quote 'give me some space' so I can be re-elected and then I'll be free to do anything I want to. Well, that just told you how radically left-wing Obama's going to be in the second term."

Of course there is NO indication that the President is planning to sell out America defenses (And isn't this the same President who has been picking off Al Qaeda leaders like tin cans on a fencepost?), though of course he has gone on record as wanting to dramatically reduce the number of nuclear weapons we have stockpiled. (Which by the way is the exact same goal that both Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush fought for during THEIR Presidencies as well.)

Personally I would trust this President's plan for defending this nation over Newt "Fly me to the moon" Gingrich's any day of the week.  I mean can you imagine anybody LESS trustworthy on this topic?

'Hey, I have an opinion ya flippin moron, what about me?"

Oh yeah, I almost forgot.