Vladimir Putin

Putin has said some interesting things lately.



For example:

"International terrorism has as its goal to prevent the election of President Bush to a second term," he said. "If they achieve that goal, then that will give international terrorism a new impulse and extra power."

There's no getting around that.



Think about that before voting for Kerry. Perceptions matter, and actions have consequences.



Or how about this? Putin did not support the Iraq war, so he's no Bush-booster. Yet,

"Russia was always against the military operations in Iraq," he said.

Despite their differences, Bush and Putin have cooperated closely in the international war on terror.

So, Bush apparently can cooperate with world leaders, even those who disagree with him. That France doesn't cooperate is because they have made it their policy to be opposed to the United States, no matter who is President.



And finally, don't forget this:

On his last visit to Central Asia in June, Putin appeared to be backing Bush's assertion that Iraq was a threat, saying at a summit in Kazakhstan that Russia had notified Washington about intelligence that Saddam Hussein's regime was preparing attacks in the United States and its interests abroad.

'Nuff said.