Putin Preparing for Trump

By Douglas V. Gibbs
Author, Speaker, Instructor, Radio Host

When Ronald Reagan won the presidency in 1980, a surprise to the establishment and media who had declared a conservative like Reagan had no chance, shortly before his inauguration the hostages being held in Iran were released.  Reagan was known as a “cowboy,” a man willing to use the might of America’s military to ensure American interests were protected.  Fear of the maverick having his finger on the button of the U.S. nuclear arsenal had the world behaving.  Peace through strength, was Reagan’s motto.

Donald Trump is no Ronald Reagan, but he is seen as a kind of maverick who is willing to use America’s military might to make sure things are on the right track.  He’s unpredictable, and likely willing to push a button to take out enemies if they don’t behave.  The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has recognized such, and now that it looks like Trump may have a chance to win in November, Putin is sidestepping to appease the potential President of the United States.

With Obama in office, the enemies of the United States have nothing to fear.  They do as they want.  Russia moved on Crimea, and Ukraine.  China has added artificial islands to their repertoire in the South China Sea.  North Korea and Iran have been doing an awful lot of saber rattling.  Islamic terrorist attacks have been increasing.  Muslims are invading America through weak immigration enforcement, and a purposeful import of Islamic refugees orchestrated by the Obama administration, and the leftists of the world.

According to Reuters, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday he accepted the United States was probably still the world’s sole superpower and he was ready to work with whoever won the presidency, but didn’t want to be told how to live by Americans. But, he didn’t say much about Hillary Clinton.  His words were mostly regarding Donald Trump.

“America is a great power – today probably the only superpower. We accept that,” Putin said at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. “We want to and are ready to work with the United States.”

Regarding Trump, Putin played down positive comments he had made about the Republican contender in the past, saying those had been misinterpreted.

In December, Putin described Trump as “very flamboyant”, “very talented” and “an absolute leader in the presidential race”.

Putin said he welcomed Trump’s desire to restore U.S.-Russia ties. “What’s wrong with that?” Putin asked, drawing applause from the audience.

Is he kissing up out of fear of a strong President like Trump, just in case The Donald wins?