Russians Applaud Bush Win

The Moscow Times reports that Russians, in general, are very pleased with the reelection of President Bush.

"It's in the Hat" read the headline next to a picture of Bush adjusting a cowboy hat in the popular daily Moskovsky Komsomolets.

"Bush's victory is beneficial for Russia," Alexander Livshits, Putin's former economic adviser, wrote in a commentary next to the article. "We know him, we know members of his team. We are used to them, and they are used to us.

"Furthermore, George Bush's administration does not tell us how to live. It does not interfere much with our country's domestic affairs. And the personal relationship that our two presidents have established is also important."

[ ... ]

"The soft-spoken American Democrats are more dangerous for Russia than the rude Republicans," nationalist commentator Vyacheslav Tetekin wrote.

"As a rule, Democratic presidents try to strangle Russia with 'friendly' hugs. ... Republicans tend to unceremoniously demand that a Russian leader ... simply do something to defend their own interests."

It appears that the Russians greatly appreciate President Bush's straightforwardness and sincerity and they don't see the same qualities in the Democrats.