Russians to vote for a new president but keep the old one (Reuters)

[pinto]

Russians to vote for a new president but keep the old one
Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:16am EST

By Christian Lowe

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian voters will hand Dmitry Medvedev victory in a one-sided presidential election on Sunday, a choice that should ensure his mentor President Vladimir Putin stays on as the power behind the throne.

The Kremlin's opponents say voters have been denied a real choice because the biggest television stations slant their coverage in Medvedev's favor while election officials have barred some opposition challengers from running.

<snip>

"If I am entrusted with leading the state I will simply be obliged to continue the policies ... of President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin," Medvedev said. "I hope if we continue to work in this format, as a pair, it will benefit our country."

Putin is constitutionally barred from running for a third consecutive term. He endorsed Medvedev to replace him and has said he is ready to serve next as prime minister.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSL2883523820080228

[Angela Shelley]

1. Uh oh, that´s not a good example now, is it?

[pinto]

2. Really. And a McCain presidency here would just rearrange the chairs at

Cabinet meetings. Same foreign policies. Same war. :thumbsdown:

[Angela Shelley]

3. Hi Pinto, you made a joke and I understood it, WOW!

just this week I watched a program about how Putin made his way from being a spy to being the top dog. They showed the "rearranging of the chairs" scene, I had to laugh (showing my lack of historical knowledge).

Well, I´m glad I understood your comments.

BTW, there are great similarities between the power plays in the US and Russia. It seems like one of them is writing the book and the other one is following the script.