Putin to Run for Russian Presidency Again in 2012
- Posted on September 24, 2011 at 8:56am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Saturday he will run for the Russian presidency again in 2012, swapping roles with current President Dmitry Medvedev. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)
MOSCOW (The Blaze/AP) — Vladimir Putin on Saturday agreed to run for the Russian presidency in 2012, almost certainly ensuring his return to the office he previously held for eight years and likely foreshadowing more years of strongman rule. His United Russia party also approved his proposal that current President Dmitry Medvedev take over his Putin’s role as prime minister.
The Blaze reported back in May on the possibility that Putin would try to retake the presidency in 2012.
Putin ruled Russia as president from 2000-2008 with a steely command that was widely criticized in the West as a retreat from democracy. Because constitutional changes have extended the presidential term to six years from four, Putin’s power is likely to be even more enhanced. If he wins two terms in a row, Putin will have been atop the Russian hierarchy for almost a quarter century.
Putin’s nomination at a congress of the United Russia party end months of intense speculation as to whether he would seek to return to the Kremlin or whether he would allow the more mild-mannered and reform-leaning Medvedev to seek another term in next year’s election.
Despite apparently growing discontent among ordinary Russians with the party, United Russia exerts such an overwhelming presence in the country‘s politics that Putin’s election and Medvedev’s switch to the premiership is virtually ensured.
Not only have genuine opposition parties been marginalized, but Putin’s personal popularity is immense among Russians who laud him as the strong and decisive figure needed by a sprawling country troubled by corruption, an Islamist insurgency and a vast gap between the impoverished and the grandiosely super-rich.
The presidential election, for which a date has not been set, is preceded by national parliamentary elections on Dec. 4, in which United Russia will seek to retain its dominance; the party has 312 of the 450 seats in the current parliament.
Putin started a carefully orchestrated series of maneuvers at Saturday’s session of the party congress by proposing that Medvedev head the party list for the December elections. Medvedev then proposed that Putin be the party’s presidential candidate, and Putin returned to the stage to accept the proposal and express support for Medvedev as prime minister.
The congress approved the moves with no apparent opposition.
Moving Medvedev to the premiership could set him up to take the brunt of criticism for austerity measures that Putin has warned will be necessary for Russia amid global economic turmoil.
Putin also proposed Saturday that Russia’s richest citizens face higher taxes. The flat income tax that came into effect during Putin’s 2000-2008 presidency has been widely praised as improving tax collection and Putin’s proposal would not change that, but he called for increases in consumption and real estate taxes that hit the rich comparatively harder.
The period for formal submission of presidential candidates’ names has not yet begun, and it is unclear who might choose to challenge Putin for president.
Putin became prime minister in 2008 after two terms as president, stepping aside because of constitutional term limits, but as Russia’s most powerful and popular politician he nonetheless overshadowed Medvedev, his handpicked successor in the presidency.
Medvedev was widely seen as a caretaker figure. As president, he has struck a reformist posture, calling for improvements in Russia‘s unreliable court system and for efforts against the country’s endemic corruption. But his initiatives have produced little tangible result.
Putin, who built his popularity on the back of strong economic growth, told the party congress on Friday that salaries and pensions would continue to grow, and he promised increased funding for education, health care and housing.
But he also cautioned that the government may need to take unpopular steps to cope with the global financial turmoil.
“The task of the government is not only to pour honey into a cup, but sometimes to give bitter medicine,” Putin said. “But this should always be done openly and honestly, and then the overwhelming majority of people will understand their government.”
During his time as prime minister, Putin has been known to arm wrestle, attempt to bend frying pans and perform Fats Domino songs in concert.
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Comments (86)
hidden_lion
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:10pmThe sad part is, Putin is way cooler than our president. He is cooler than anybody we have running for President. Even though he is a communist dictator (sort of), he is very macho. The dude does martial arts, hunts tigers, etc…very cool.
Report Post »KYWATCHDOG
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 1:29pmhidden_lion,
Report Post »I’m sorta old fashioned, perhaps archaic at 70 years old and over the years I’ve been master of many doggies. I’m of the mind pets that are healthy, mentally and physically, are reflections of their masters and what they will or will not accept in the pet’s behavior. In my opinion and only my opinion, pets are a reflection of their masters. No pun intended.
squeaker
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 2:24pm@hidden_lion — I think I’m going to barf…!
Report Post »TelepromoterNChief
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 2:27pmThat was uncalled for.
Report Post »Our president is a real tough guy too.
He eats healthy stuff like peas.
Wears a helmet while riding a girls bike.
Golfs.
Bowls almost as good as special olympic competitors.
Rarely wears a sissy man tie.
Confidently wears women’s jeans.
Former amateur model.
Can read from just one teleprompter where others need at least two.
squeaker
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 2:28pmPutin looks like an “old” PeeWee-Herman —- what an idiot…!!!
Report Post »squeaker
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 2:33pm@TelepromoterNChief –
Don’t forget — ruining the American economy with his Left Hand…lol
Report Post »avenger
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 5:33pmOh golly gee whizzzzzzzzzzz..what a surprise ! this commie kgb killer has been in control all the time.now he wants the public crown !
Report Post »obama-mecca-me-sick
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:57amEvery story on this guy should start out with, ” DARN TOOTIN‘ IT’S VLADIMIR PUTIN !!!!!!”
Report Post »Any suggesstions as to what our media should call our communist president??
TelepromoterNChief
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 2:29pmThe wet dream of Chris Matthews.
Report Post »obama-mecca-me-sick
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 6:57pmI thought I’d get a lot of humorous responses ………. guess not.
Report Post »Mimi24
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 7:29pmSame thing they have always called him. The One, the Messiah.
Report Post »IAMNOTKNOWING
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 9:02pmGOG, of MAGOG!!
Read Ezekiel chapters 35, 38 7 39.
Vladimir Putin will be “the One” alright. The one who leads the attack on Israel and gets his a** handed to him by God the Father HIMSELF!!
Read the chapters and trip out. No joke!
Report Post »obama-mecca-me-sick
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 2:03am@IAMNOTKNOWING
Report Post »I read it. WOW!!!!
ares338
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:32amGee…I wonder if he’ll win…wink..wink!
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:33amReally? What a surprise.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:21amShades of what is happening here in America. The administration is trying to silence dissent by using the “Fairness Doctrine” to silence talk radio and a takeover of the internet with some sort of national ID system. Soon, the only information anyone would receive would come from the lamestream media as it was in Russia under Stalin or China under Mao.
The public needs every source of information possible in order to make intelligent decisions about the country’s leadership. Government censorship must NEVER be allowed.
Report Post »Uncurable wound
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:21amMAGOG people-WOW this is really gonna happen!
Report Post »Mimi24
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 7:27pmLooks like it.
Report Post »Common.Cents
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:15amThis is not too surprising. I am currently a Russian major, and I lived in Ukraine for a while. After studying their culture and history, I now understand that we are fundamentally different. Russians as a majority prefer to be ruled, or, as my Russian born teacher said “dominated”. We have seen that in their history, and I didn’t expect to see that feeling die away. Russians also don’t really believe in the American Dream. They are generally satisfied with their stations in life. We are just fundamentally different.
Report Post »PunditPawn
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:19amThat can only be a side affect of those who have never known true freedom. No Americans would ever subject themselves to putin-like rule except for obama, reid, and pelosi.
Report Post »techengineer11
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:29amRussia suffered under one of the most brutal dictatorships ever unleashed on the earth for almost 100 years. Be careful making such generalizations such as they prefer to be dominated. While many love security like myself I do not desire to be dominated… That said I don’t want a bullet in my head for being in the wrong part of town past sundown because I had a nice pair of tennis shoes on either… Take your choice.
Currently in America we are ok with 25 thousand of our fellow citizens being slaugthered in cold blood each year but we become incensed when we consider that 3k were murdered by a terrorist scheme. There’s a bit of a disconnect here. But who are we kidding right? We all follow the suggestions of our Media.
Finally I find it refreshing for the Russian people to have a President that is actually interested in the well being of Russia… lol Imagine if you can having a US President who would put our interests first?? lol That may be asking too much right?
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:14pm“No Americans would ever subject themselves to putin-like rule except for obama, reid, and pelosi.”
Report Post »Please, you forget the American public practically begged for GW for the patriot act, They clamor for more food stamps and Obama money…..They elected Obama even though he was well lnown to be a commie and friend to terrorist….Americans have decided freedom is too much hard work so they give it away as each moment passes.
Jenny Lind
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:58pmWe are different because we are the children of the “Trash” of Europe that wouldn’t be “ruled”. The ones who came here would not accept the state church, would not accept “class” and wanted no part of being dumb sheep. There are still a great many of us, but when welfare came to be, “the great society”, we destroyed families and created a permenant class of “non-workers” that need to be cared for by the rest of us. They are very good for voting for the ones who want to keep them in poverty. We were the “wretched refuse” of Europe, and we have done pretty darn good in my opinion.
Report Post »Equal Justice 2012
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:09amNo arm bending here, just another one of Americas problem
Report Post »alcarfl
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:09amPutin will win, Obama will NOT!
Report Post »Hisemiester
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:04amMedvedev had no choice. Putin to Medvedev – Either allow me to be president or you die Dmitry.
Report Post »Putin has been doing all those things to get back in shape. Shape is needed to lead Russia. Have to be healthy and hale, you know. He has been scuba diving, sky diving, working out with weights and bopping around the world. He is now ready to lead Russia into the new age. All I can say is he better keep his eyes on China, they now will slap him and his Russian bluster. I get so tickled at him, he definitely is from the old guard of blustering KGB officers. My Junk is bigger than your Junk. Ha.
TheTruthPlease
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:51amThe similarities are striking between their communist president and ours. “Mr Putin aimed the rest of his speech at state workers, promising to raise their wages and give them federal land. United Russia is nicknamed “the party of bureaucrats” for its reliance on federal workers.” Hey that could have come right out of the Washington Compost. They “world leaders” are all getting to “make tough choices and give the People the bitter medicine required to make it through the next global crisis.” Have a plan, or be caught dead without one.
Report Post »Pro Deo et Patria
sandy21957
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:46amHe, like so many welfare recipients, are addicted to the Govt T I T. He loves the graft too. Never turn your back on KGB.
Report Post »South Philly Boy
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:43amI guss that way he has so many Photo Ops lately
Report Post »countryfirst
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:42amI wonder what it feels like to have a Marxist/Socialist President. I hope that day never happens here. This all must be a bad dream.
Report Post »AnotherCoverStory
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:06amIt could be similar to living in a police state military controlled dictatorship with no freedom of press or constitutional rights for anyone. The world has changed a lot since 9/11 and even more so since the last election in 2008. Most people haven‘t a clue what’s really going on and it starts here
Report Post »http://PalinsDirtyLittleSecret.blogspot.com/
Airdoc
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:32amDid anyone think that Medvedev was really in charge anyway?
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:41amNope, somehow I see the return of the old USSR starting again.
Report Post »Free Khodorkovsky
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:46amPutin will be the next Dictator of Russia. It is not good.
Report Post »Devil Dog 7175
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:37amThis was predicted years ago when he left office the first time. Medvedev was put in place to keep his seat warm until now. So … did any one REALLY believe the SOVIETS were our friends? Meet the newest Czar my friends.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:18amJust your typical Machiavellian narcissist politician . Throw in a big dose of KGB evil and psychosis and you create Putin. Cold and dangerous.
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:15amMaybe President Zero should consider putting Putin on his ticket instead of Biden.
Report Post »At least then there would be someone on his ticket who was pro business…and someone well experienced in rigging elections.
MrMagoo
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:21amexactly!
Report Post »barber2
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:23amThink “Zeros” group has that “rigged election” thing pretty much nailed . Oh, and they’re working on that “stirring up street revolution” thing…
Report Post »MrMagoo
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:11amHe’s not a President.Presidents have at least have some dignity,honor,and stewardship,only granted through the electorate.
Report Post »Putin as President is as phony as a plastic banana.Communists NEVER change their corrupt and evil ways.
blue_sky
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:18am@MrMagoo, your high white moral horse is of pygmy/anorexic type at close examination. If not for CIA secret help, Yeltsin would lose his election to Communist Party headed by Zuganov in late 90′s. Since Yeltsin handed over the leadership to Putin, the latter is in reality a CIA outcome. Remember Ron Paul – BLOWBACK!
Putin has nothing to do to communism, he is to the right from Obama or Sarkozy, more like the current UK PM in terms of political philosophy.
Report Post »MrMagoo
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:30am@Blue Sky..and your a LIAR,or a propagandist,my friend.Vladimir Putin is every much a Communist as they come.I’ve been around the block a few times.Don’t be coming on the Blaze and spouting CIA conspiracies.It ain’t gonna work.
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:57amGosh Magoo, substitute Obumbler for Putin and thats a good description.
OMG – Psalm 109:8
Report Post »blue_sky
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:03pm@MrMagoo, Americans who are retrogressed into bed bugs need to be squashed or educated.
During Yeltsin’s presidency (with 5% of popular vote), Russia received US$ 40 billion in funds from the IMF. CIA CO-SIGNED BANK LOAN FOR YELTSIN ELECTION.
Report Post »blue_sky
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:01am.
Do not laugh at Russia!
======================
This is tragedy. Russia had only 6 months of legal capitalist system (while socialist parties were in control) in 1917 before communists took over. Before it was monarchy.
So finally in 1991, the USSR collapsed and enthusiastic Russians looked to USA and Europe for wisdom of capitalism.
And what did they find in Harvard, Yale, Oxford, White House? CORPORATISM (one big government party with two wings of neo-cons and progressives who differ only in the SPEED of printing press.)
Russians, fooled that this is the true capitalism, had adapted the same system.
Now the model is Yeltsin=Putin=Medvedev=Putin=,,,=Medvedev – more of the same
Looks FAMILIAR?????
Bush=Obama=Perry/Romney – more of the same …
============================= sorry Russia, we fooled you, we are fools ourselves =====
Report Post »MrMagoo
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:07am@Blue Sky,TY.
Report Post »MrMagoo
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:10am@Blue Sky.Thanks for being truthful.:)
Report Post »XiongBear
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:23am… my comment didn’t post. For now, all we can do is laugh at the silliness of our dear leaders (U.S.:Biden being Biden and Russia: Putin’s Blueberry Hill). What needs to be done is to get the message out. Most people who are voting in 2012 are in the mentality of “anyone but Obama.” We need to remind them that, that was the same model of the last election cycle. It is the very definition of insanity.
Report Post »blue_sky
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 12:07pm@XiongBear, correct – the exit door to Liberty is clear – back to the Constitution, electing Ron Paul, phasing out Federal Reserve, welfare and militarism by growing new free generation of young people who are allowed to opt out from the system for 10% tax.
Report Post »mattwakulik
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 9:51amhaha! is this a joke?? they mean putin is gonna appoint himself president in 2012!!!
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:50amDid anyone ever doubt it?
OMG – Psalm 109:8
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 9:42amBet this son of satan can and will defeat sorocitos when they get their nwo going. While both men are so incredibly evil, pootin will take care of his own business whereas georgieporgie has to hire out his dirty work…
The GOOD NEWS IS they will have to live together forever and forever with the likes of themselves. Now, that should make you smile.
Report Post »Ben__Franklin
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 9:36amYes Comrad Pooty-pooot, we know how your Government of the past poured honey into the pockets of your governments cornies and gave bitter medicine to the people of russia through murder, the slave camps in the north, the millions starved to death, the people that disappeared in the middle of the night, trump up charges to arrest your political opponents, torture, etc……
Looks likes it time for Poooty-Poooot to starve to death another 100 million or so and then their will be vacant jobs and less Government money spent on the population.
The Communist never left Russia, they are still running the show – and the people cheered in their continued misery……
Report Post »cassandra
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 9:32amthe KGB is alive and well with Putin
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 9:28amTo the tune of “Puttin’ On the Ritz”:
It seems like a hell venue,
Up and down parched avenues.
Acrid smoke perfumes the air;
This action sure seems unfair.
Since old-news empire’s fallen,
His muse has come a callin’.
Looks like now’s the time
To ring re-Union chime. . .
’cause he’d been blue
Since the big blow ’round ‘92.
He’s set to go in fascist fits–
Putin on a blitz.
To the bight he sends a gray boat;
Georgians fight. . .pray that theirs may float.
A shell hits.
Putin on blitz.
Sending in, his penchant, the storm troopers.
He’s an independence party-pooper–
Super[power] nukester.
He don’t nix those rocket-shellers;
They are ******, those shock-troop fellers. . .
Won’t kibitz.
Putin on a blitz.
Apparatchik since he was a laddie;
Asks the vanquished ravished, “Who’s your daddy?
Da, me, Vladie!!”
Once they’re there, there is no stopping,
And their air power is whopping. . .
Blown to bits.
Putin on a blitz.
The ventriloquist behind Dimitri,
Krelimist gent runs the show completely–
Once KGB. . .
Thumps Tbilisi
The West begs feckless Medvedev,
Report Post »“Take a rest!” He ain’t head with cred.
“Nyet!”s they gets.
Putin on blitz.
JBaer
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 2:12pmPutin on a blitz! Hahahaa!! That was excellent!!
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 9:22amHe’s been President for the last 3 years… what’s changed. Oh yeah, there was this guy sitting in his seat just keeping it warm for him. Putin has been the Russian version of the Iranian Mullahs while Medvedev was hanging about.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 9:19amGood! Russia will be a 3rd rate country as long as he is running the show
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 9:53amExactly,Putin is an old school communist and he’ll see to it that economy fails.
Report Post »