As most of you are probably aware, Time magazine has named Putin person of the year. This decision is now being spun for personal gain in both America and Russia.
America:
1. Time magazine made the choice. We start with them. This choice was made by Time as a way to increase flagging interest in the magazine by creating some controversy. Learning from the Paris Hilton and scores of other talentless celebrities whose bedroom indiscretions on videotape are mysteriously "stolen" from their bedrooms, Time magazine is hoping that the no publicity is bad publicity mantra holds true for them as well. And, as Stengel's gauntlet of news show appearances today suggest, naming Putin as person of the year and holding up the specter of the Russian KGB bogeyman resonates fear and revulsion in many western minds, spurring controversy, sales, and increased circulation (particularly after last years uninspired choice of internet users as the person(s) of the year).
2. Furthermore, many of the Republican candidates have used this opportunity to show how tough they would be on dictators like Putin. McCain commented that he would see three things in Putin's eyes now: a "K", a "G", and a "B".
Here is what Mitt Romney had to say when told that Putin was named man of the year:
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: Oh, you are kidding. Did they put Vladimir Putin on the cover?
GLENN: Yeah, Time magazine.
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: That really, that's disgusting. I'm absolutely -- I mean, are you -- I mean, I haven't seen Time. Are you serious?
GLENN: No, I'm serious. It is Vladimir Putin, Time magazine man of the year. A guy who, you know, with all of the KGB stuff in the past, Time magazine says has transformed the country and congratulations. Time magazine man of the year, Vladimir Putin.
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: Well, you know, he imprisoned his political opponents. There have been a number of highly suspicious murders. He has squelched public dissent and free press. And to suggest that someone like that is the man of the year is really disgusting. I'm just appalled. Clearly General Petraeus is the person or one of a few people who would certainly merit that designation and I know Time magazine makes a distinction. They say, well, people who had an impact, whether it's good or bad, is the man of the year. I think that's a --
GLENN: No, no, hang on.
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: -- a false --
GLENN: Before you go too far down this road -- wait a minute. Before you go down this road, this is the quote why he's the man of the year, "For bringing stability and renewed... what was it, impact? Status. Renewed status to his country. That's why.
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: Isn't that something. So a good dictator -- I guess Raul Castro will get it next. A good dictator that imprisons or murders political and media opponents and therefore brings stability, I mean, there's nothing like the stability that martial law provides or dictatorship provides. I find it a truly appalling designation.
GLENN: And the stability that he's bringing to the Middle East with the transfer of this last few days of nuclear technology to Iran.
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: Yeah. I mean, he's once again supplying nuclear material to the Bushehr power plant and it's another example of Russia trying to destabilize the world, destabilize the Middle East. It does tell you something about Time magazine. I'm really -- I must admit I'm really disappointed. That's a real shock.
GLENN: I was --
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: Our mainstream media I think has just showed its hand.
*****
Russia
1. The current ruling elite: This article is now being trumpeted by the state owned press in Russia as a sign of the grudging respect that Putin is receiving even in America. In particular, they have quoted the sections of the article that played up Putin's ability to get Russia back on its feet after the 1990s and his tough guy image.
All in all, a successful ploy serving the interests of both political and media elites on both side of the Russia-US divide. Whether it serves the interests of the Russian people or the American people is a question that I will leave you to decide.
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