Foreign Despots for Bush

Remember how the Bush campaign ridiculed Kerry when it was suggested that Kerry had the backing of international leaders? And remember how he accused Kerry of pandering to countries like Russia?

CNN: Putin urges voters to back Bush

Putin, speaking Central Asian Cooperation Organization summit in Tajikistan Monday, made his most overt comments of support so far for the re-election of Bush for a second term.

Of course, the Bush campaign isn't the one shamelessly seeking foreign approval for their policies, whether it be hand-picked Iraqi ministers or emerging Russian tyrants.

Putin is wekk on his way to reviving the repression and despotism that characterized Russia for much of the previous century. He has used political and financial force to destroy any serious opposition to his consolidation of power and frequently uses his KGB-roots for less-than savory purposes. He has consolidated the media of his country and made it into a propoganda machine for his own party and made elections in the country virtually pointless. He used the horrific terrorist attacks against planes and schools in his country to further consolidate power and silence any oppostion to his rule. He is a thug, a despicable tyrant. And he's gotten away with all of this under George W. Bush's watch, all because Bush looked into his eyes and liked the guy.

I can see why he endorsed Bush.

Make this a big deal.