Friday, March 7, 2014

The Good, The Vlad, and The Ugly

Conservatives have accused Barack Obama of being a ruthless dictator, stomping all over their rights and planning merciless attacks on freedom and freedom-lovers.  That’s when they’re not calling him a weak and feckless pansy afraid to ride a bike without a helmet.  But apparently not all ruthless dictators are bad.  In fact, when asked, some conservatives would rather have Vladimir Putin as president.

It’s an absurd question, of course. But it’s one the conservative website The Daily Caller kind of asked when it put out an “URGENT NEWS POLL” asking: “Who would make a better president? Obama or Putin?”

Rather than wait for the answers, The Huffington Post decided to do the field work. We spoke to a dozen attendees out in the hall, showing them the Daily Caller’s webpage and asking them for a reaction. One person said she would take Obama over Putin. The majority was ambivalent, while a few talked themselves into the potential benefits of a Putin administration. Here are some of their answers.

Ed Porter: “I feel so uncomfortable answering. My instinct on that is: I don’t know. I would think Putin would be just as lawless, but he would have actual leadership and gravitas. It pains me to say it. But I’d go with him.”

John Rhodes: “Neither one. I would stay home. Putin has a long-term strategy. There is nothing we can do over Crimea and even then it is not worth it … It would be the first election I didn’t vote in.”

Emily Hillstrom: “I think Obama will still make a better president. Putin discriminates against people. He puts them in jail. I just don’t think he is a good leader. He also invaded Ukraine.”

Sarah Kelley: “I don’t know. Putin is a lot more forward with the way he does things.”

Conor (declined to give his last name): “Putin.”
Huffington Post: “But he puts people in jail.”
Conor: “So does Obama.”
Huffington Post: “But he just invaded a neighboring country.”
Conor: “So would Obama.”
Huffington Post: “But then why Putin, if they’re both bad?”
Conor: “Because, hope and change.”

Brent (asked for his last name not to be used): “Putin. He has done a stronger job of playing international politics.”

Conservatives have always admired dictators for their efficiency and strength as long as they agree with them.  After all, democracy is such a messy business with elections and separation of powers and all those checks and balances.  That’s no way to run a country.  Because freedom.

Bonus: Jon Stewart.

One bark on “The Good, The Vlad, and The Ugly

  1. And God help us all if the RWs should gain control of the presidency, the Senate, and the House. It’d be full-blown fascism.

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